“Front and centre!” A large, light blue earth pony commanded, causing a number of ponies to salute in return.

The most noticeable were the two smaller orange Pegasi twins. One was slightly larger than the other, and held a serious expression upon her face, while the smaller one tried to stop herself from smiling.

The blue earth pony took a step forwards, looked at all the ponies straight in the eyes. He was a threatening pony and scared a lot of the recruits, mainly a pink Pegasus named Midnight Gaze. She was especially afraid of him. But she was new to the cause, and it was expected.

“Blazingstorm, Violet Fire.” He pointed at the two fillies “Dark Spirit would like to see you. Go now!” He ordered

“Yes, Cold Ice!” The fillies replied.

Blazingstorm took off straight away, followed by her smaller sister. Dark Spirit was the leader of the whole rebellion they planned against Equestria, and everypony listened to his orders, even if they were stupid and ridiculous.

The twins hadn’t actually seen what the open world of Equestria was like, but Dark Spirit and the scientist, Professor Merryweather had told them that this place they lived in wasn’t safe, and that the princesses didn’t care for their subjects. Dark Spirit had created this rebellion and would become the leader of Equestria by the end of it, along with Cold Ice, and soon making Equestria a much better place for them.

Violet Fire soon reached Dark Spirit’s small tent, which was set beside a large tree. The group didn’t stay in the same place for too long, in fear of being found by any passer-by’s, and had moveable tents for them to travel. The group preferred to stay in the comfort of the forests of Equestria, due to the fact not many ponies went in them, as they weren’t armed with the skills to defend themselves against timberwolves and manticores.

Of course both Violet Fire and Blazingstorm already had those survival skills embedded in their genes when they were created, and knew just how to survive in environments just like these. They were very knowledgeable about a lot of things.

“Dark Spirit, we’re here,” Blazingstorm saluted in front of the open tent, briefly followed by Violet Fire.

“Come in.” He commanded.

The two took a step forwards into the tent, he was sat down studying a large sword, Violet Fire and Blazingstorm saluted with hardened expressions.

“Very good!” He praised “you’re learning to respect your leader well” a small smile briefly appeared on his face, which disappeared instantly “today you’ll take your final training test, and once it’s done you’ll be up front with me and Cold Ice.”

It was hard for Violet Fire not to smile; she was pleased at the news and was excited to get started with whatever Dark Spirit threw at her.

“What did you have in mind, sir?” Violet Fire spoke up, still holding her expression.

Dark Spirit stood up from a sitting position and began a small walk out into the open forest floor “it’s good you show interest in the task ahead.” He signalled the ponies to follow him out “and I will gladly share what you are doing tonight.”

Blazingstorm shared an excited glance with her sister, but quickly turned back into her normal walk, and carried on listening to Dark Spirit.

“But I would first like you to perform a job for me,” he explained “I need you to go into a town not too far from here and buy us some materials”

Both the fillies eyes widened in shock “but sir, didn’t you say it was unsafe for us to go there?” Blazingstorm spoke up

“Well,” he sighed “Merryweather said it would be a good experience for you to get to know how that life works. Plus, my other soldiers need to practice training, and sadly you’re the only ponies free.”

Violet Fire nodded in understanding “we can get the job done, sir,” she promised, a gleam of happiness in her eyes “as Merryweather said: it’ll be a fun experience.” Blazingstorm cringed at her sister’s mistake.

Dark Spirit’s eyes darkened “we’re not doing this for fun, Violet,” he growled slightly “this is a serious task! I want you on your guard at all times; you never know what those ponies will do.”

“I’m sorry, sir.” She hung her head low “I was too excited for my own good. But if you let us go then I promise to be mature and on my guard at all times”

Dark Spirit gave her a suspicious glance, and looked away thoughtfully. And finally, after what seemed like a lifetime, he gave her a firm nod.

“You’ll be going to a small town named Ponyville,” he explained “Haystrand will escort you to the edge of the Everfree”

Violet Fire groaned outwardly. Dark Spirit glared her, and then her eyes widened in realisation of what she had just done.

“Sorry, sir.” She blushed slightly.

But she was right to groan. Haystrand was the most annoying and hot-headed pony of the group, always bragging about his magical talent as a unicorn. He was also pretty perverted, and practically flirted with every mare in the group. What made him a pervert was the fact he flirted with the twins who were only nine years old… That was just plain sickening.

Violet and her sister had learnt to stay away from him as much as possible, and making him escort them to Ponyville was the worst idea Dark Spirit could ever have.

“We have told Haystrand that this is a serious mission,” Dark Spirit explained, obviously understanding why they didn’t want him to come with them “so if he bothers you there’ll be some serious consequences”

“Wait, why can’t Haystrand just buy the things we need if he’s free?” Blazingstorm spoke up.

“Haystrand used to live in Ponyville,” Dark Spirit answered “he left them saying he was moving to Manehattan, and with him suddenly coming back to Ponyville would raise suspicions”

Violet Fire spoke up this time “but wouldn’t Ponyville also be suspicious of two identical, nine year old ponies they had never seen before wandering through town?”

Dark Spirit let out a heavy sigh “it won’t be as suspicious of him coming back to buy some random items, and then just never returning. You could easily say you’re visiting with your parents for the day, and that you were just buying a few things for the journey back.” Violet Fire nodded at his reasoning, knowing it made sense.

“Right, so what are we even buying?” Blazingstorm asked.

“You need to buy us some apples… and lots of them.” The two fillies raised an eyebrow “you’ll need the apples because we can literally find no food in the Everfree, so we won’t be staying here very long.” He placed a large bag of bits in front of them.

The two fillies carried on standing there, waiting for their next orders.

“Well go then!” He raised his voice in annoyance.

The two scrambled after Haystrand who was waiting by the exit, a smile on his face as he saw the two fillies racing towards him.

“Well, it’s nice to know you’re so excited to go with me,” he let out an obnoxious laugh, and continued to bite down on a piece of hay.

It was strange how he acted like farmers, which were usually the jobs of earth ponies. If nopony saw his horn they would probably suspect he was an earth pony, but it did make sense as he had grown up with the whole country thing surrounding him.

“This is a serious mission, Haystrand,” Blazingstorm angrily sighed “and Dark Spirit said that if you don’t treat it seriously then you’ll be punished.”

Haystrand rolled his eyes and escorted the fillies towards an open path, which was probably used by the townsponies of Ponyville. The ground was slightly wet, which was caused by the small amount of rain they had, had the night before.

Dark trees hung over them as they took a small trot closer towards Ponyville. It was like a long, dark tunnel with a light at the end of it. Violet Fire was excited about actually meeting other ponies for the first time, however, Blazingstorm looked slightly uneasy.

They carried on for a few more minutes until Haystrand finally stopped walking “this is as close as I’m going to go.” He took a step backwards; looking slightly nervous “you two just carry on walking, and head towards the area filled with buildings. You’ll find the apple store there.”

Blazingstorm nodded to him and lead her sister further towards the open sky.

Once finally reaching it they took a quick look around; it was beautiful. The two had never truly seen open sky before, as Dark Spirit would never even travel through open land, and always kept his journeying through forests.

“This is amazing,” Violet Fire spoke up in awe.

Blazingstorm grunted “we aren’t here for sightseeing, Violet!” She exclaimed annoyingly “this is a very serious mission and we have to keep our cool!”

Violet Fire rolled her eyes “you shouting at me won’t to help. It’ll just draw attention to us. But we have to look like tourists anyway, so why don’t we enjoy the scenery as well; we’re not being followed by anypony.”

“Fine,” Blazingstorm sighed “let’s get going.” The two took a small trot into the open field.

“This feels so weird,” Violet Fire murmured to no one in particular “but I like it” she smiled openly, and didn’t notice the scowl Blazingstorm sent her way.

The two ended up in front of a load of buildings “I didn’t realise the houses were so… tall,” Blazingstorm spoke aloud, a tinge of nervousness in her voice.

“Oh come on, Blaze!” Violet Fire looked around happily “it’s only like being underneath trees!”

They carried on forwards until finally reaching a large open place filled with ponies talking to each other “I’ve never seen so many ponies at once,” Violet Fire whispered into her sister’s ear.

It seemed the ponies didn’t pay too much attention towards the newcomers, which was good on their part. But that meant they had to approach somepony on their own; they had no idea where to buy some apples.

Their gazes finally rested on a yellow earth pony around their size, with a strawberry mane and a large bow on her hair.

“I think it’d be better if only one of us go,” Violet Fire explained “don’t want to draw attention to ourselves as we look exactly the same.” There was a long silence “I’ll go!” Violet Fire took the bad of bits and started a walk towards the filly.

“Excuse me,” she called over.

It was a strange experience for Violet; when she was in her group she never needed to introduce herself to her fellow soldiers as they were required to get to know them. After all, they would be following her orders one day, and they needed to show some sort of respect.

“Can ah help yah?” The pony turned to look at her.

What’s with her voice? Do all ponies here sound like that? Then she remembered Haystrand, maybe there’s something wrong with her. Well, I better not pry… Don’t want to draw any attention to me.

“Yes please.” Violet Fire could feel the gaze of her sister watching her every move, and she didn’t like it; it felt like she was being judged in a way “I was wondering where I could buy some apples?”

At the mention of apples the fillies ears perked up high “well, me and mi’ sister ‘ere sell all the apples in Ponyville.” She gave a smile “say, I ain’t ever seen you ‘round ‘ere”

“Well, my family and I are coming here on a trip for the day, and we just wanted to buy some apples for the way home.” She mentally facehoofed.

As per usual she over explained things, and now this filly would know she was lying.

“Well, come ‘ere.” She started walking down the open place and took her in the direction of a stall.

“So what’s your name?” The pony asked.

Violet Fire looked around, and immediately spotted a scooter “my name’s… Scoot… aloo?” She didn’t look so sure herself.

“Yes, my name is Scootaloo!” She smiled proudly at her quick thinking.

“Well it’s sure nice to meet yah, Scoot!” She held out a hoof, which Violet accepted by holding out her hoof “mah name’s Apple Bloom”

Violet Fire smiled and carried on after Apple Bloom. They finally reached an apple stall with an orange earth pony standing behind it. She wore a Stetson hat and had a cutie mark with three red apples.

“Hey, sis!” Apple Bloom smiled at her sister, and came to stand beside her “this ponies travelling through with her family, and she wants to buy some apples!”

The orange pony looked at Violet Fire with a strange look. Violet looked away awkwardly, and started to feel slightly sweaty. “Just looking to buy some apples,” she laughed nervously.

She put the bits on the table. “Give me all the apples these bits can buy,” she ordered.

The orange earth pony shared a puzzled glance with her sister.

“Please?” Violet Fire added.

The orange pony then counted the bits and the passed Violet Fire the apples. She gave her a small bag to carry them in. “Thanks for the apples,” she called before heading after her sister.

Author's Note

As stated before this is my older writing and I was still practicing a lot with my punctuation and stuff so it might not be right. I'm too lazy to re-check my old work, heh.