The SOAP

“I still think we should send someone from the guard.” Twilight said.

Spike looked somewhat offended. “Aren’t I protection enough?” He paused to flex his near inexistent muscles. “Who in Equestria is gonna mess with these bad boys?”

“Spike, please be serious.” Spike lowered his arms. “It’s not that I don’t trust you, I just want to make sure my little filly is safe.”

Little filly? I’m an ambassador now! A hero! A grown mare if ever there was! I am not a little filly I thought this to myself, my face turning from deep purple to a bright, embarrassed red.

Twilight sent a member of the guard to get somepony named “Blade Edge”. The golden-brown unicorn guard appeared soon after, donned in the traditional royal guard’s armor. After the retirement of the royal pony sisters, the armor was recolored from gold to a light purple, matching that of my mother’s cutie mark. Needless to say, some of the guards were less than pleased at the not-so-manly color change. Nevertheless, Blade Edge stood stalwart, dressed in his almost pink attire, carrying a steel sword at his waist. His white mane was styled in a way that it seemed to be flowing in the absent wind. He kind of looked like a stallion from one of mom’s romance novels.

“You called, Princess?” He asked of his summons. His voice was as deep and crisp as you would have imagined, looking at him.

“Yes, I would like you to accompany Princess Moon Glow on her journey to the Changeling Hive.” My mother answered, matter-of-factly.

“Excuse me, Princess, but are you sure this is a journey safe for the young mare?” The guard said, concerned. At least he didn’t call me a little filly.

Twilight Sparkle continued in her official-sounding tone. “Yes. After some discussion, we ruled that this was the best option. She will be escorted by you and Spike the Dragon. She will act as Ambassador to the Changelings. She will attempt to convince them to return Prince Iron Heart to the Crystal Empire. I want you to do everything in your power to protect her.”

Blade Edge seemed as though he had further argument, but didn’t want to disobey an order. “Of course, Princess. I will do everything I can to keep Princess Moon Glow out of harm’s way.”

Twilight Sparkle seemed pleased, and so sent us off to pack our things for the journey. Provisions were packed, enough to last us a few weeks. Without a house big enough for Spike to sleep in, we decided that a few large tarps would have to be enough to protect him from the weather. Twilight said that she’d send word to the pegasi along our route and have them clear up the weather for our passing. Camping supplies were brought in case shelter couldn’t be found. It was tough finding a saddle big enough to allow both Blade and I to ride on Spike’s back, but one was quickly enough put together by the royal leatherworkers (Faux leather, of course. That would just be cruel).

After making our final preparations, and some heartfelt goodbyes, we took flight. Once we had flown a good distance, Spike turned back to us. “Hey, is it okay if I make a quick stop for food?”

“We already have enough food.” I informed him, pointing to the saddlebags used to carry our supplies.

“I know.” He assured, “This is just a very special type of food. It will only take a few minutes.”

Still curious as to what Spike was trying to do, a looked to Blade Edge. “What do you think?”

“As much as I would like to proceed with the mission as quickly as possible, I see no problem with us taking a short break.” The unicorn agreed.

“Alright!” Spike said, making a pumping motion with his arm. He veered swiftly to the left, towards what appeared to be a field of trees. As he landed, a young mare hid in fear of the colossal reptilian beast that stood before her. Spike walked past her towards a house on one end of the field. As he knocked on the door, I looked over his shoulder to see an old mare with yellow fur, a red mane, and a pink bow answer.

“Ah, good afternoon, Spike.” The mare smiled.

“Good afternoon, Apple Bloom.” Spike smiled in return. I could tell that these two had known each other for a while know. Wait, Apple Bloom… I had heard that name before. I think Applejack mentioned her once or twice when she was visiting. She said she was her little sister.

“Is this the little princess I’ve heard so much about? To what do I owe the pleasure?” Apple Bloom chuckled a little at the fake formality. She reminded me of an aunt seeing her niece at a family reunion. I was pretty sure she wanted to pinch my cheeks.

Spike continued, “I’m escorting the Princess on a journey to save the missing prince. I was wondering if we could borrow a few apples for the road.”

Apple Bloom looked at him with sarcastic confusion, “Now how the hay do you borrow an apple? I’m pretty sure you’re gonna eat them, and I certainly don’t want them back after that.” At that, a colt, looking a bit older than I was, walked into the room.

“Hey, Ma, who’s at the AH!” He was interrupted by fear as he saw just who was paying a visit. I began to realize that most ponies are pretty intimidated by dragons. Either that or I was a terribly frightening filly. “Ma, i-is th-th-that a d-d-dragon?” Well, there goes the latter idea.

“Seedling, meet Spike. Spike, this is my boy, Seedling. I think you met his cousin, Daisy, out in the yard over there.” Apple Bloom introduced, nonchalantly.

“Charmed.” Spike replied, a smug sarcastic look on his face.

“N-nice meeting you, m-mister.” Seedling stuttered.

Apple Bloom welcomed us into her home, “Well, what kind of pony would I be if I made you stand on my porch the whole time? Come on in.”

Spike stuck his head and neck into the doorway, emphasizing the fact that the house wouldn’t fit him, “I think I’ll stay out here, thanks.”

Apple Bloom laughed at the joke. Seedling even gave a few nervous ‘heh’s. “You might as well have your pony friends come in.”

Blade Edge and I dismounted from Spike and entered the doorway. Getting a better look at Seedling, I noticed he had his mother’s red hair. His fur was a light orange, reminding me of his aunt. “Hi, I’m Moon Glow.” I introduced myself.

He looked up at me with awe. “Moon Glow? As in Princess Moon Glow? It’s an honor!” He said as he bowed to me. I can see why my mom didn’t enjoy it when other ponies bowed to her, it was embarrassing being treated so differently. “So, Princess, why are you here?”

“Um, please, just call me Moon Glow. And we’re here… Why are we here again, Spike?” I answered the colt.

Spike reached his head in. “I wanted to get some of my favorite apples to eat along the way.”

Apple Bloom looked surprised and then embarrassed. “Oh right, I was going to get those for you. Still young, but my memory’s already trying to escape.” The farmpony left with Spike to gather some apples, leaving me with Blade Edge and Seedling.

“Hey, aren’t you one of them guards that aren’t supposed to move? I’ll bet I can get you to react.” Seedling then proceeded to go through the routine of ‘silly’ faces everypony seems to go through when they see a royal guard. Of course, it doesn’t work. Edge was as still as a rock. “Darn, you’re good.”

“You know, we don’t actually do that anymore.” Seedling jumped back in surprise of hearing the guard speak. “But it sure is funny watching ponies try to make us laugh.”

Seedling, realizing the fool he’d made of himself, started laughing. “You’re funny. So, where are you fellas going?”

I replied by triumphantly posing and stating that “I am going to the Changeling Hive to try to convince the Queen to release Prince Iron Heart.”

“The Changeling Hive?” The pony rhetorically asked. “That sure sounds awful adventurous. I wish I could come, I never get to go on any adventures.”

Spike and Apple Bloom came back carrying an empty apple bushel, the contents of which could be seen in the open saddle bag.

“I hope y’all got along fine while we were gone.” Said Apple Bloom.

“We sure did.” Answered her son, “Ma, can I go on an adventure?”

“Now I don’t know about this…” Edge Blade started before I interrupted him.

“We’d love to have you!”

At this, Edge pulled me aside and whispered. “Are you just going to invite everypony we meet to join us? We only have a limited amount of food and tents. How do we even know we can trust him? How do we know he’s not a changeling?”

“Well, we seem to trust him enough to get food from his family.” I whispered back. “As for food, we just got a big bunch of apples, and him and I can share a tent if need be.”

“I still don’t trust him.”

“You don’t need to.” I retorted.

Edge Blade sighed. “Alright, kid, if your mom approves, you can come with us.”

“So, Ma, what do you say?”

Apple Bloom looked concerned for her child. “You know, you might not come back.”

Seedling’s attitude seemed to drop a notch or two and he hung his head low, “I know.”

“Well, if you’re okay with risking your life to be a hero, the go ahead.” Apple Bloom approved.