Shining Armor's Voyage

          The first few interviews were highly unsuccessful, Soarin had an irreplaceable communal job, the Cutie Mark Crusaders are not actual crusaders nor are they old enough and the rural couple Lyra and Bonbon weren't fighters in any way shape or form. It wasn't until a red farm pony that Shining actually had any hope. He started asking the same questions that he gave the other ponies.

"So you're willing to risk your life in an attempt to vanquish the changeling queen Chrysalis?"

"Eeyup!"

"Do you have any experience in combat or been trained in combat?"

"Eeyup!"

"Are you, by chance, a decent sailor or ever been in the ocean?"

"Eeyup!"

Looking up from recording the conversation, Shining stared into Big Mac.

"What else can you provide the crew?"

Big Mac said nothing. Instead he gently trotted to the far wall of the bar, and bucked. He replaced the wood, bricks and plastering with a gaping whole reaching outside, large enough for a carriage to get through. Flustered with the magnitude of strength showing from the simple farm-pony, Shining nervously chuckled.

"Well then, just sign here and await a summons that should arrive shortly."

Big Mac lightly dipped his fore-hoof in the ink provided and pressed it down on the contract.

"Welcome aboard Big Macintosh!"

Shining shook hooves with Big Mac and let him leave back to Sweet Apple Acres with a copy of the contract.

          After another severely terrible attempt of an interview with a heavily drunk Berry Punch, Shining had once again lost hope. Clasping his sight upon the Musicians of Ponyville he prepared for the worst. Vinyl Scratch and Octavia stepped forth donned in old-fashioned garments with peculiar parts of brass and copper scattered upon them seemingly looking like gadgets of some kind. The two seemed entirely different and couldn't be recognised if it wasn't for their unique manes. Octavia took a step forward seeming more dominant than the rave-pony. Octavia spoke in her upper-class voice.

"We're here about your publically spread proposition and wish to put ourselves at your service."

"Very well, just answer these questions and maybe you'll be allowed on board."

The two musicians just stood there awaiting the questions. Vinyl looked around as if she was bored, her eyes masked beneath her newly brass lined glasses of amethyst. Shining somehow felt a little intimidated at the couples appearance.

"Are you willing to risk your lives in an attempt to vanquish the changeling queen Chrysalis?"

Vinyl and Octavia nodded in unison.

"Do you have any experienced in combat or been trained in combat?"

Again the couple nodded.

"Are either of you decent sailors?"

Octavia scoffed as if this was an insult.

"We have piloted a dirigible, I think we can both handle sailing in a boat."

"What else can you provide?"

Upon hearing this, Vinyl leaned on her hind-hooves and pointed her fore-hooves outward resembling a cross. Stretching her fore-hooves outward, two bullets flew. The left one smashed Berry Punches bottle of wine in her hand and the right one embedded itself in the bulls eye on the dartboard on the other side of the room. Watching this, Shining's jaw dropped to the floor. The white and grey mares signed their contracts and left, hopping out of the hole that Big Mac left earlier.

At the end of the day, only Big Mac, Octavia and Vinyl passed the interviews. Shining decided to retire for the night and hoped for a better bunch tomorrow.

          Awoken by a crack of thunder, Shining readied himself for another day of interviews. After eating his breakfast of honeyed porridge and crumpets, Shining saw the filled bar downstairs and noticed that the damage done from the previous day has been cleared up. The hole had been fixed, the dartboard repaired and the glass cleaned. Upon further inspection, Shining also noticed that the majority of the ponies waiting for him live in further away towns and cities. Setting up his interview table, Shining was greeted by none other than Braeburn.

"Gooooood mornin'!"

Braeburn expressed his near always optimistic self.

"To you as well. Let us get started with some questions, if that's alright with you."

"Well ah jus' can't wait, what's first?"

Slightly agitated by the over optimistic farm pony, Shining couldn't help but to have a hint of it in his tone of voice.

"Are you willing to risk your life in an attempt to vanquish the changeling queen Chrysalis?"

"If it's for the greater good, then I'll do anythin'!"

"Alright, do you have any experience in combat or have any training in combat?"

"I sure do!"

"Do you have any experience in sailing?"

"Not in boats particularly, but I do know my engines and trains!"

"Finally, what else can you bring the crew?"

"I got this!"

Braeburn pulled out a six shot revolver and fired all six shots towards the bar, each shot seeking true, smashing six bottles. Respecting his skill as a marksman, Shining pulled out a fresh contract sheet and an ink pad. Before he could say anything, Braeburn signed it and ran off, much to Shining's relief.

          Up next was the CMC wearing false moustaches and glasses but they were sent quicker than they were last time. After a couple more unsuccessful interviews including the rhyming zebra Zecora and the florist Roseluck, an unexpected guest stepped forward. Without even looking up Shining started asking questions.

"Are you willing to risk your life in an attempt to vanquish the changeling queen Chrysalis?"

"After hearing what she's done, she must be stopped!"

Recognising Spitfire's voice, Shining looked up in awe. Hastily he continued.

"Do you have any experience in combat or are trained in it?"

"It is routine in the Wonderbolts."

"Do you have any experience sailing?"

With a look of sarcasm, Spitfire stretched out her wings.

"Pegasus, right. So what else can you provide the crew?"

Without hesitation, Spitfire took out an iron ball with string attached out of her satchel. It smelled like gunpowder. It was at this observation that the pearly white unicorn realised it was a bomb!

"Just sign here and we'll be with you in a couple days."

Spitfire signed the contract and put in her satchel.

"Just one final question, aren't you necessary for the Wonderbolts?"

"I left my position for a new one."

"Oh, Who might I ask?"

"Rainbow Dash."

As she said this she left.