3 Allies

Allies

Dusty Scout looked over the edge of the gilded chariot, jaw dropping in awe at the sight below. As the chariot passed over glistening lakes, lush forests, and peaceful fields, Dusty whistled softly, taking in the sights of the land. He gazed towards the two chariots in front of him, each carrying one of the Princesses. While he stared, he took glimpses of the unicorn in the chariot with him, finding her more than a bit cute. As he opened his mouth to ask her a question, she cut him off.

"No, I don't want to be your marefriend, nor do I want a quick romp, so don't ask."

Dusty blinked a few times, staring at the unicorn for a few seconds. She raised an eyebrow at him, waiting for him to reply. Dusty's head snapped forwards as he heard the pegasi pulling them snicker as they tried to hold their laughter in, but they didn't succeed. The unicorn smirked at Dusty, as he slowly looked back at her. She then begin to giggle a little at the confused look on his face. Dusty grinned after a little while, and swatted the mare upon the nose with his wing.

"Give me a chance at least! I haven't even said anything, yet you've already dismissed me. I can tell you're not married, due to how you don't carry a ring, nor do you have a special somepony, due to the fact that you're not against cuddling me for warmth."

Dusty gave the mare a sly smile, then went back to staring over the edge of the chariot as the unicorn's face flushed, and the pegasi drivers laughed a bit more. The unicorn stuck her nose up in the nose, trying to look offended as possible. Dusty shook his head, and looked back at her. He stuck his hoof towards her.

"I''m Dusty Scout, but you can just call me Dusty." The unicorn dropped the act, and shook his hoof.

"I'm Star Charmer, but I'm more commonly known as Star. Nice to meet you, Dusty." Dusty nodded, and shook her hoof in return. He then looked over the edge of the chariot, to notice they were descending towards a village hidden within the forest they were above. Star looked over the other side of the chariot, noting the village underneath.

As the chariots landed, a small crowd had gathered to look at the chariots, and those that rode them, curious if they were nobles or some sort of hero. A group of six wandered forwards from the crowd, looking at the Princesses with amusement.

"So, what trouble brings you here, your Highness?" Asked one, a pegasus. The Lunar Princess looked at the group, and sighed softly as her sister kept her face impassive.

"We have cometh to ask for thy assistance in an issue most grave. One of the Twelve has escaped, and we believed thou would be our best choice to assist us." Luna stated, and the group of six saluted her. One gestured for the Princesses to follow, and the six walked onto the cobblestone streets. Dusty scanned the village, taking as much in as he could. The thatch roofs, the birch walls, the lights strewn everywhere, and the calling of birds from the forest made him think of the place as a sanctuary, where one would have peace within nature, instead of the neon lights that were so popular now.

One of the six dropped back to walk next to Dusty, noticing how he was looking at the city in awe. Dusty looked at the pony, noting the dark brown coat and the green mane, making it seem as if she was a tree, not a pony.

"Welcome to the township of Hollow Shades, where anypony is welcome, no matter what they look like, what they have done, or what forms of magic they practice. I would be Nezera, nice to meet you...?" She trailed off, waiting for Dusty to give his name.

"I'm Dusty Scout, but you can call me Dusty. The Princesses dragged me and her guards here, after I discovered that a pony named Deceit had escaped, and attacked the Princesses directly after I told them about it." said Dusty as he glanced behind him, only to see Star as she suddenly pushed herself in between the two.

"So, Dusty, mind introducing me to your new marefriend?" Star smirked as Dusty flushed, trying to think of a witty reply. Nezera raised an eyebrow at the unicorn, then shook her head.

"As I told your friend, I am Nezera. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to consult with the others." And with that, Nezera walked back to the other five ponies who had greeted the princess. Star leaned in close to Dusty, whispering

"She's kinda up-tight, don't you think?"

"Shush, Star..." Dusty swatted her on the nose, then trotted on as she stared at him for a second in amusement, then followed after.

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While the six greeters and the Princesses had gone into the town hall to discuss the issue about Deceit, Star had gone to the local market to check out the wares, which left Dusty all by himself. He trotted around the town, thinking about what Deceit had done back at the throne room. He'd heard tales about Deceit, but it always said that he was a trickster who worked in the shadows, not some stage-pony who robbed all others of their time in the spotlight. So why would he just appear in the middle of the throne room and attack the Royal Sisters...? It didn't make any sense at all for somepony like him to do such, just making a total U-turn in how he worked. No matter how he looked at it, Dusty couldn't figure out why doing that would even cross Deceit's mind.

As he walked on, he stopped by the market, buying a green apple to eat. He took a bite out of it, scrunching up his face as the sour taste invaded his mouth. As he stood there, twitching a bit at the aftertaste, a guard approached him.

"A newcomer? Did you arrive with the Princesses, or are you moving in?" The guard questioned him, with a serious tone in her voice.  Dusty glanced at her for a few seconds, before responding

"I'm here with the Princesses. But I've heard a few things about this place...." The guard tightened up as Dusty spoke. She glared at him

"And what might that be? Because you better watch your tongue before you make any accusations about our town." The guard all but growled out, as if daring him to say anything unkind about the town. Dusty waved his hoof in front of his face as a worried look overtook him

"No no no, I heard that a pony named Deceit came from this place- I was just merely curious about him! I didn't mean to imply anything about your home!" Dusty all but shouted as he backed up, then tripped over a small rock. This caused him to fall over onto his back, and the guard raised an eyebrow at him, amused.

"You wish to know of old ponytales? Well, if I should tell you anything about the such, maybe we should visit the museum so you can get a better picture of his story..."

And with that, the guard began to drag Dusty off into the town.