All Types of Rain

All Types of Rain

By: The Grey Pegasus

= 1 =

Home For the Holidays

Deep in the jungle

Annamitia

June 26, 1015 CP

1212 Local Time

The sound of thunder.

Flashes of light.

"Damn rain. Muddy ground. Flooded ground. I wish we were allowed to change the weather here."

"Rainbow, at least it's just the weather."

A platoon of twenty-five ponies sat together in tight pairs as the rain poured down on them relentlessly. Even the thick trees failed to fully shield them; they merely slowed down the rain, collecting enough water in the leaves for streams of water to land on the heads of the ponies. The constant heavy downpour halted their movements, the lieutenant deciding it would be best to wait out the storm until it calmed a bit.

"Hey—at least I'm just worried about the weather, Twi. You look like you've got something worse on your mind."

Twilight sighed. She did have more on her mind, brought about, surprisingly, only by the unfortunate exact present conditions they were in. "All this mud. Trees. Dirt. And that's just the environment end of our problems. I'm just stuck thinking—how the hay did we end up in a place like this," she said drearily.

"Having second thoughts just now?" Rainbow asked.

"Never felt more strongly about them, at least," the unicorn answered.

"Please Twilight," Rarity interjected from a few feet away, "Don't remind me of what we, what I have to deal with for the next year-and-a-half. All the dirt, grime, sweat, all the unclean!"

"Because the dirt, mud, and sweat back at boot camp wasn't real enough," Rainbow chuckled.

"Don't worry, Rarity," Applejack said from her position separate from them, "I think there's gonna be plenty of rain for you to wash up in."

Rarity gave the grinning earth pony a disgruntled look.

"Pinkie, you look like you want to say somethin'."

"Well, I do..." Pinkie replied with a thoughtful but unsure demeanor. "But I don't think I should."

"Come on, Pinks, I think we need a laugh right now," Rainbow perked up.

Twilight didn't pay any more attention to the conversation as she finally became fully engrossed in her thoughts. The shower of rain became a calm ambience as she took a journey into the past.

==+==

The Palace

Ponyville, Equestria

December 20, 1014

2:50 PM

It was a blisteringly cold day outside of the palace.

It was a moderately warm day inside of the palace.

"Why yes, Sergeant, I *do** work out regularly..."*

The heat varied by location.

Twilight Sparkle clenched her eyes at the exchange she could hear down the hall from outside the double doors of her office.

"Free this Hearth's Warming? Maaaybe... Also maybe after my meeting—"

"Lieutenant, is that you out there?!" Twilight finally frustratedly yelled, barely glancing up from the paper she was reading at her desk. "You're free to come in when you please!" With that, it was time to turn up the heat even more. Twilight prepared for the upcoming ordeal.

There was one last feminine giggle audible behind the ornate oak doors before they finally opened. The light-grayish-blue mare that appeared was dressed in a sharp uniform, and her stance didn't give any indication at all of her previous exchange. "Director Sparkle," she bowed her head, calmly yet formally stepping in to meet the princess.

"Lieutenant Storms." Twilight lifted another packet of paper up in the air with her magic and made eye contact. "We're here to obviously discuss this. Now, under the principles I hold myself to as well as standard procedure, I've required myself to interview you face-to-face regarding your appeal to not only remain a field operative, but also to remain on the standard deployment rotation for the Royal Scouts."

The lieutenant took a seat in front of the desk. "Why, of course, Princess," she nodded. "I suppose it's only natural for me to request that I be kept to the responsibilities of my position."

Twilight sighed. "And yet you've been placed on this list for 'misconduct during previous deployment', which, although not explicitly stated on here, I might draw a possibility from the... previous exchange outside of the doors. Convince me, Lieutenant Rain Storms, why I should be in your favor?"

"I've done everything that my job required me to do!" Rain argued, a little more emphasized than she expected to. Noticing that she had leaned forward in her small fit, she reclined and regained the proper posture for speaking to a superior. "You've approved every promotion to the 1st Royal Scouts yourself, under the criteria that they are capable of performing the given task better than anyone else. I've upheld that, and I, like my colleagues, see myself as one of your tools in your pursuit of expanding knowledge and intelligence, and then applying it with your level of precision and accuracy. It doesn't seem right that you'd hold one of them back, not if the bigger picture is at stake."

Twilight's expression remained pensive. It was true that her nature meant that she'd give many things in the pursuit of knowledge and that when she wanted something done, she wanted it done right. That was precisely the reason why she had most of the control over Royal Intelligence. Rain's unit specifically, the 1st Royal Scout Division of the Royal Reconnaissance Regiment, was like her quill to the script of the Annamitian War, and everyone knew it. 'Sparkle's Spooks' they were called, and those that held the title relished in it, and Twilight relished in the fact that nearly every mission she gave them returned with results up to her standards.

The alicorn watched the pegasus closely. Rain ran her hoof through her blue mane. Her wings shifted ever so slightly. On the surface, they appeared to be idle gestures, but Twilight felt a little deeper with her magic and felt the obvious apprehension of the mare. "While that's true, following procedure is also a responsibility of yours, and, though I may not know the exact 'misconduct' described here, I could argue that I worry it might affect the big picture."

Twilight read every file that came to her desk when a pony was going to be promoted to an officer position in her personal unit, and she knew Rain Storms had a common attribute of everyone that came before her and would come after—firm determination. But for Rain specifically, she remembered, it was usually in a less-than-subtle manner.

"Well I'm sure my CO would be able to vouch for me, but he died a few minutes after I flew him a kilometer back to safety," Rain retorted. "And our XO would vouch for me, but he's still recovering from the head injury he received in the same firefight. That leaves my other squadmates who had already given their accounts, but of course, none of them are equal to or above my rank, so I'm not sure how credible you'll consider them to be.

"Do you even know what it's like over there, Director?" Rain was practically sneering. "What our lives our like? All we do for Equestria, stuck in some pretty abysmal conditions at times? Chance of dying everyday? Orders that some may even call ridiculous? Those aren't the kind of things many ponies even like to think of, let alone do. I know you've had your share of heroics in the past, and I fully respect those, but do you know what it's like to have to undergo those stresses every day for a year? While some ponies are drafted into it, I willingly went and will go.

Rain continued ranting, Twilight letting her. Twilight had to listen to what she had to say. "You've visited the country yourself once before. You've seen some of the conditions we work in. Some ponies I talk to think it's a miracle that Equestrians are still willing to volunteer to fight for our ideals or whatever we're fighting for out there. I'm sure it's not just ideals, considering some of the things you send us to do.

"You know, some of them out there really hate the ponies that hide behind the borders of Equestria. Talking the talk, but never knowing what it's like to walk the walk they're told to walk by those talking. I ask you, put yourself in your hooves when you were just a unicorn. When Equestria wasn't really paying attention to you and your friends. Do you still remember what it's like to be a regular citizen?"

Twilight finally interrupted. "Alright, Lieutenant, where are you going with this?"

"The point I'm making is that I should remain in my position for various reasons," Rain answered. "Reasons which I've detailed. Are you willing to sacrifice one of your valuable assets when they're very difficult to come by? Hey—I had to get my head cut open for this job!—"

"—Well...—"

"Who sent the reports on me anyways?" Rain continued. "I'm curious. Because unlike you, who's only read our files, I actually served with Captain Tracer and he's not the kind that would send back these reports. Are you allowed to divulge this information? Is it someone jockeying for my position? Because if—"

"Lieutenant, stop," Twilight said blankly. "First, I'd like to remind you that you're speaking to both your superior officer and and a Princess of Equestria. Second, it seemed to me an honest operative whose identity I will not divulge. I don't know what specific things are done and changed in Annamitia within your groups because frankly, not everything is perfect because ponies aren't perfect, even Royal Scouts, but it seems to me that this particular pony still had the training imbued within themselves and wrote a report with good intentions. Also, we cross-referenced it with letters from regular soldiers that you may have been stationed with and they seem to correspond with the initial statement."

"I can't say anything for the official written report, and I'd like to question the validity of the other sources," the pegasus grumbled. "And yet I'm sitting in front of the most analytic pony in Equestria; trying to save my own flank given the circumstances isn't ever going to look good..." Given Twilight's intimate position with Royal Intelligence, those ponies could be subjected to considerable informality when conversing with her. Twilight didn't actually mind it much, but formality was a formality, hierarchy was status quo, and procedure was orderly.

"That's not entirely true, Lieutenant," Twilight replied, her tone lightening. "Defending against accusations is a natural reaction, and I've been wrong about impressions before. I take pride in taking as neutral as a stance as I can when first approaching a new situation."

Rain sighed, leaning back and loosening up again. She glanced down, letting out a deep breath. "Th-thank you, Direc—Princess—it's just that it's tough over there, and I'm just as concerned about everything we do as you are. Death can get to some ponies' head pretty hard, you know? Can change 'em a lot." With a deep breath, she looked back at Twilight. "Princess, I respectfully request that I be able to retain my position, for the reason that my performance outweighs any possible misconduct and its supposed consequences, that I deny but regardless are held against me."

Twilight nodded sincerely. However, just as she was about to continue, there was a knock at her door. Without even being able to respond, it opened.

"Twi, it's almost time to go—everyone's waiting," Rainbow Dash said as she peeked through one of the opened doors.

Twilight looked at her clock. She knew that she wouldn't be able to finish the meeting when she scheduled it, but there was an open slot at the time, and there was something she could split, if not fit—"Rainbow, tell them I'll be out in a moment. I just need to finish this."

"Gotcha." Rainbow shut the door, leaving Twilight and Rain alone again.

"Daily Council meeting," Rain said.

Twilight set to fixing the papers on her desk. "Yes, yes." She paused to look back at the officer. "Lieutenant, I will look into your case more. We'll need to finish this discussion at a later time, but I have to say that, at the least, you've given me some respectable things to dwell on and I can take that into account. Have a good day, Lieutenant Storms."

Rain stood from her seat and bowed her head. "Thank you, Princess." When she looked back up, she tapped the side of her head. "Remember—we're big investments." With that, she went for the door.

"Storms!" Twilight called out right as the pegasus's hoof was on the door handle. The mare turned. "Rain, uh, look, it's the first day of mandatory shortened hours for staff for Hearth's Warming. Late hours end at 6 today, janitor cleans up at 7, so... if you... do... just be mindful, alright?"

"If it will, I'll make it a quick one, Princess, or I'll find somewhere else," Rain grinned before opening the door and stepping out of view. With the departure, the air in the room seemed to cool a little bit as the atmosphere and pressure relaxed.

Twilight stared at the once-again closed wooden doors. "'Misconduct'. And I read all these files and approve them myself."

==+==

"Twilight!"

Twilight ran into her ever-faithful assistant Spike on the way to the throne room. "Oh, hey, Spike! I thought you were with the girls already?"

Spike joined Twilight's side as they continued walking. He looked down slightly to answer; he'd grown in the past years. "They sent me off to run something down to the desk," he shrugged. "Plus, remembering your schedule, I figured you were going to be cutting the time close."

Twilight smiled. "Of course. Reliable as always, Spike."

The taller dragon opened the door to the throne room for her. "No problem."

"Hey, Twilight!" Rainbow exclaimed as Twilight entered their throne room, followed by the drake. It was time for their daily private congregation, mostly business, but given that they were the best of friends, could lend itself to other topics.

"Twilight!" Rarity greeted. "Cutting it a bit close on the time today."

Twilight smiled. "I decided to fit an interview in one of my free spots," she replied as she walked into the circle before taking her own seat. "It seemed like a reasonable enough idea at the time."

"Oh, I'm not sure that fits your style, dear. It seems a bit... imprudent and hasty. Quite unlike your organized nature."

"I blame the war again," Applejack said. "Does crazy stuff to us, and there ain't no helpin' it."

"I like to think that I'm holding on to my regular sensibilities pretty well," Twilight said. "It's not like I make my decisions entirely without thinking. This time, it just seemed like it was the most productive thing I could fit into a small free spot in our already crazy schedule. Ten minutes isn't really that much time, and I'd rather not clog up the possibly ever-increasing backlog of things I'm barely keeping up with."

"So how did it go?" Fluttershy asked. "Who did you talk to?"

"It was just one of the field operatives of the Royal Scouts. I'll have to revisit it later, but I got some useful insight into her situation. In fact, if anything, the break in between our meetings will give more time to examine it, which was another thought that ran through my head when I scheduled it." Twilight changed the subject. "As usual, I've got a list of things we could discuss, but does anypony have anything they want to talk about?"

Pinkie waved her hoof. "Ooh! Ooh! So you know that chant some ponies yell about you?"

"Hey—" Spike managed to say before being cut short.

"I'm sure it's burned into her mind and we don't need to repeat it," Applejack rolled her eyes.

"Well someone sent me a banner like the ones I use at my parties with it!" Pinkie took out a rolled up banner from behind her and waved it around.

Everyone visibly winced. Including Pinkie.

"Oookay..." Twilight said. "Uh, I'm not sure why you still have that with you, Pinkie, but uh, anything on a brighter note?"

"We have received Hearth's Warming cards from ponies," Rarity said, levitating up a pile of letters. "There are a good number of sincere ones; you're not that unpopular with the populace yet."

"But if you compare how the ponies feel between me or Luna, what do you think?"

"Eeuuhh..."

"Well you ain't exactly runnin' the war," Applejack answered, "but since we're kinda the ones that are supposed to be standin' up for Equestria and you've got that whole Royal Intelligence thing... they might have a reason to dislike you more."

Twilight rubbed her chin. "Huh. Alright, anypony else?"

It was Fluttershy's turn. "While Luna's the one that says whether the war goes on or stops, many ponies think you should be making an effort on their behalf."

"Come on, Twi, we've been over this a million times." Rainbow slouched back in her seat. "Element of Loyalty speaking here—where's your loyalty? To the Princesses or to the ponies? Like I said—a million times already."

"Besides, Twilight," Rarity said, "it's Hearth's Warming. It would be a nice gesture if you did something for the citizens. Of course, it depends on what you think is the real right thing to do."

The alicorn returned the question. "Well what do you all think is the right thing to do? I'm the princess here, but we're the council and we're supposed to make the decisions together."

"I think you should make your stance clear, but in a careful way. I think it would be best for your image if you gave them some hope, but of course, if what you're saying now may come back to harm you later, then make no statements at all."

"I ain't sure it still matters what we think," Applejack said. "You already look at all the numbers and surveys and whatnot. You do your math on what you think needs to be done. And you've got your intelligence spooks tellin' you stuff that happens over in Annamitia, which is pretty important to you! Don't tell me that don't affect what side you choose to be on."

"I'll have to agree with Applejack on that point," Rarity said. "While what we say can influence your decision, you're the only one here that gets the full picture, which brings the question back full circle. What do you feel is the right thing to do?"

"We're kinda just PR ponies here, Twi," Rainbow said. "We can tell you what Equestria wants, but you also know what Luna wants and what you want. You're the boss, Twi."

"Um, regardless of everything," Fluttershy started, "I think that saving lives is our responsibility in our position, so I think we need to at least try and convince Luna or the Ministry that the fighting has to stop."

"We can't bring the North Annamese to the negotiation tables and come out with something satisfactory," Twilight answered. "And if we give up, it'll be like going against our ideals of spreading harmony. I'm not sure how Equestria's reputation as the guardian of harmony would fare if we quit."

"And there ya go again, Twi," Rainbow dully exclaimed. "Like I said, one million times. Same answer every time." The pegasus sat up. "Why don't we actually do something about it for once?"

"Like what?" Twilight replied, frustrated. "What else can we do?!"

"It's Hearth's Warming season, Twilight," Rarity said. "There's plenty you can do. Given the season, everyone's at heightened emotions and they're bound to be more sensitive to anything that gets said in the news."

"No speeches," Rainbow declared. "They're boring and I feel like everyone hates them."

Applejack added her opinion. "Plus what's to say that ponies won't think it's phony, since it's Hearth's Warmin'? You go around, go say some nice things to make ponies feel better, 'specially since they're already feelin' kinda good. And if you ain't got anythin' nice to say, it'll just look bad to 'em, even if it's just neutral. Least that's how I feel."

Twilight gritted her teeth. "Well, what do you want me to do? Take action? Send postcards and gifts to every pony? 'Hey, Happy Hearth's Warming, sorry we had to send somepony you knew off to war!' Because making sure ponies are happy is our job right?"

"Twi, you know that ain't what we meant..."

"Or maybe we should keep sending draft notifications out! 'Hey, Happy Hearth's Warming, here's a mandatory trip to Annamitia so now you can be with your friends!' That'll make our stance on the issue solid, right? No backing down, we serve the princess, we serve the idea of the nation of Equestria?"

"Twilight, please just stop for a moment," Rarity said.

"What action can we do that'll get favorable outcomes short of, say, signing up and going over there ourselves? They can't complain to us anymore since we're stuck in their position and we're showing our firm stance on the subject and we're technically helping bring the end of the war closer!"

In the list of ridiculous things said by Twilight, that last one topped the list. Twilight was clearly frustrated, yet what she said had technically valid points. Everyone gave her questioning looks, as if they were actually thinking about considering it a serious suggestion.

The closest thing that had come to that point was Rainbow asking to join the Wonderbolts Air Reserve Wing. Twilight had permitted it, but the princess kept close tabs on the pegasus. Twilight didn't want Rainbow to become so engaged in her activities that she would eventually grow a possible determination to get out there for real. Everyone already knew Rainbow's track record for being a mare of action, but firstly, Rainbow was their friend and secondly, she needed to remain in Equestria as she held a seat in the Council.

As it was, everyone kept their muzzles closed. Rarity bit her lip. "Well, you could visit the front again. Show that you're still with them."

Twilight shifted in her throne. "I'm not feeling so sure about it. After all, my job is to represent them, and I'm not sure they feel too glad about being sent to a foreign country for a year and a half."

"Having spent time in different crowds," Rarity began, "I'm going to pose the question: who are you trying to please? You can't please everyone. That's another thing you have to consider."

"I know this, I know this!" Twilight snorted in frustration. "Celestia's trying to continue being favorable with the majority of the common citizens, but really, I can see her straining under the aristocrats in Canterlot, Luna's doing her own thing that somehow still keeps her popular, and I'm here supposed to be representing the normal ponies!"

"Ya keep runnin' around in circles, Twi," Applejack said. "Ain't you gettin' a bit dizzy? Sooner or later, if you don't do something to stop it yourself, something's gonna come in and make you."

"Oh, you know Twilight," Spike said. "In most cases, she'll be walking a circle into a ditch before something else stops her." He ran his claw back along the spines on his head and neck. "So does anyone have a firm suggestion or are you all just going to dodge it so no heavy blame can be landed on you?"

Applejack sat up and her eyes widened. "Damn, Spike, that's one heck of a statement. We're tryin' to collect our thoughts here to make one thing to say."

"You know, AJ," Rainbow said, "that still doesn't really stop anyone from pointing hooves if they wanted to. 'Oh, no, she suggested that, I argued against it, blah blah—"

"Well how much does it really matter?" Rarity said. "Twilight's the alicorn princess here. We could just all point our hooves at her if we wanted to."

"What?!" Twilight snapped. "Would you really all do that? Especially you, Rarity? That your example of ladylike behavior?"

"Well I never said that I would do it, but I'm just pointing out—"

Pinkie waved a hoof. "Ooh! Ooh! Maybe we should just figure out who to point hooves at now! Like, if the suggestion seems too nice and ponies think it's too soft, we can say Fluttershy suggested it!"

Fluttershy shrank back. "Um, I don't feel that that's such a great idea... even if it might make a... a little sense."

However, she was droned out by Applejack. "Oh please, just try pointin' hooves! We're all sittin' in the throne room of the palace! If an angry mob shows up and starts throwin' rocks in through the balcony window, we're all gonna get hit."

"What if we ask Twi to throw up a shield for us?" Rainbow joked.

"You're suggesting I just take the hit for the whole thing?" Twilight replied. "You know, I feel like that's what I've been doing for the past four years. 'Princess of Public Relations'—that's Twilight Sparkle! She's the go-to for your problems! If you're not happy, she's the one to look at!"

Applejack sat straight up, almost off her seat. "Twi, you need to calm down. Ya'll need to calm down. We ain't pointin' hooves, and we're never gonna."

Spike watched the arguing mares, unamused and head resting on a claw. "Looks like it turned out to be one of these days."

Twilight turned to dragon beside her. "Well gee, Spike, you're all grown up! Why don't you try and help for once! I'd have thought you'd eventually grow from your position as my assistant and scribe. Do you think you're still not old enough or have had enough experience at my side to participate?"

Spike put his claws up in defense. "Whoa, slow down, Twilight. I'm not putting in any input because I don't think there's anything I can say without adding to the flames. Keep my mouth shut if I don't have anything good to say, right?"

Pinkie giggled. "Adding to the flames. I get it! Because he's a dragon."

Twilight snorted. She'd had enough. "Adjourned."

Everyone stopped dead and stared at Twilight. "Wait, really?" Applejack said.

"You heard me. Adjourned. Official meeting done for the day. Go do whatever you want now."

Rainbow leapt from her seat, stretching. "Ahh... Well, you know me—this office and business and indoors thing isn't my style. I'm off to go and exercise." With that, the pegasus headed for the balcony, obviously to use it as her launch pad.

Twilight looked to the throne room doors to exit. She would have rather flown away and took to the skies to clear her head, but she really needed some space, and Rainbow was already at the balcony. She needed her space as quick as possible.

Yet with Rainbow already taking the sky, Twilight felt that any chance of bumping into her wouldn't do her mood any good. So instead, the alicorn did the next best thing. She made her way back to her office, where she could hunker down, lock the world out, and be alone to her own thoughts and devices.

Twilight made her way back there quickly, shutting the door just as her tail passed through. With a sigh, she dropped herself back in her chair. Down on her desk were stacks of paper. Somehow, the neatness and systematic properties of even just those calmed her down.

The first and foremost item on the desk was the file on Lieutenant Rain Storms, left there from earlier. The items were lifted up to scrutinizing eyes by magic, ready to undergo another session of review by one of the most critical ponies in the land.

Twilight read it over. The report did, in fact, refrain from specifying exactly what Rain did. In the ten minutes Rain had to speak for herself, she vehemently defended her willingness to continue doing the job she signed up for and was accepted to do. However, rules were meant to be followed, forms were signed under oath, and the system was created to keep order and reprimand those that didn't adhere to it. Twilight sighed as she started heavily considering how to approach doing so to one of her own.

==+==

Golden Oaks Library

Ponyville, Equestria

December 20, 1014

7:02 PM

Twilight was welcoming just lying down on her bed, to feel her body relax after the day's ordeal. She liked coming home. She was happy that they regrew the tree and allowed her to move back into it. It meant she could stay away from the palace. She could separate her work from the rest of her life at least through physical distance. How Celestia and Luna endured it, Twilight didn't know.

However, Twilight had to welcome something else, because there was knocking at her door sounding like it was threatening to pound the door right off of its hinges. "Coming, coming!" she tiredly yelled as she rolled off of the bed. Too exhausted to even think about gliding down the loft, she took the stairs and walked to the door.

She opened it to a very emotional Applejack. Whether it was frustration, anger, worry, or whatever, Twilight couldn't tell; she surmised, then, that it was an unhealthy mix of all of those. "Applejack? I-is—"

"Inside, Twi, inside." Applejack hurried Twilight in, or rather hurried herself through. "Is Spike here?"

"He actually just decided to go straight to sleep."

"Okay, alright." Now that the earth pony was inside, Twilight recognized her mood as being incredibly anxious. "I... I... I got to talk to you 'bout somethin', Twi..." Applejack said in a quiet quivering voice. She opened her saddlebag and took out a piece of paper.

Twilight went wide-eyed and spoke slowly, "What is it?" Add up the picture presented to her of a broken mare and a letter that radiated formality and foreboding, and Twilight could gamble a few guesses as to what it was, but she said nothing and forced herself to think nothing.

"It's a draft notice, Twi," Applejack hissed, emphasizing it by thrusting the item forward. Her anxiety was shifting into anger. "A draft notice! Don't you recognize what these things look like after having sent hundreds of thousands of 'em?! Twi, why in the hell is my brother's name on one of those hundreds of thousands of draft notices?!"

The alicorn snatched the sinister paper with her magic, inspecting it herself. "W-what?! When did you receive this?!"

"Just earlier, Twi!" the earth pony practically yelled. "And unless you do somethin' 'bout it, this might be the last Hearth Warmin' he spends with us until two years, if not forever! Hell, I don't know why that would even happen, 'cause I thought these things weren't supposed to happen in the first place! So it ain't happenin'!"

"Applejack, just calm down," Twilight said, motioning her friend to calm herself. "You're right. This wasn't supposed to happen and this shouldn't even exist. I can get this cleared up tomorrow."

Applejack snatched the notice back before waving it in Twilight's face. "You better, Twi. And remember, clearin' it up doesn't mean you just guarantee him a safe assignment—it means it's as if this never existed." She smacked Twilight's muzzle each time with it for emphasis. Then she turned towards the door.

"Applejack, can't we talk about this a little more thoroughly?"

Applejack turned her head around. "Twi, there ain't nothin' else that needs to be said. We have a deal and that's what's goin' to happen. I don't want any of your bullshit about loopholes or not being able to get through loopholes or whatever. My brother doesn't do a thing related to your war."

"You're not thinking clearly, Applejack," Twilight continued even after her friend was already making her way to the door. "We need to consider how to go about this."

"I thought that's your job, Twi. We came to our consensus, right? Now go do it." The door was opened and closed shut with little less force than the knocks that allowed her entry.

"Whoa, hey Twilight." Spike came down, slightly groggy from waking up. "What was that about? I think I missed the beginning."

"Spike, I may or may not be in some very deep trouble."

"The heck does that mean?"

"It's... probably deeper shit than I've been in recently..." Twilight answered bluntly. "Maybe I'll tell you over dinner."