My Little Army

Applejack raised her back hooves up to the apple tree. They gave a satisfying thud as they collided with it's scaly bark.

" The last tree from the East Orchard! " called Applejack happily

" Eeyup! " called Big Macintosh, sweat tricking down from his mane. They returned home sweaty and tired, Big Mac heading off at once to the showers. Applejack wiped a fresh wave of sweat from her forehead, panting heavily. It took her a few minutes to even realize that Twilight was standing in the kitchen, looking irritated.

" Hello Applejack. " Twilight said, her eyes narrowed and her wings pressed tightly against her body. She said it so softly, but it succeeded in making Applejack jump almost to the ceiling.

" Well, howdy Twilight... " Applejack said awkwardly. Why was Twilight so annoyed? What was she doing in Applejack's kitchen? " What brings you here? " she asked nervously.

" On a lunch date. " Twilight replied in a flat tone " Or, I was supposed to be. " A wave of anger flashed across her face, setting her amethyst eyes ablaze.

" OHHH, was that today? " Applejack felt even more nervousness creeping into her voice.

" AJ, you miss almost everyone of our lunches, so I wrote it on everything you frequently look at. "  Twilight said flatly. Applejack decided that she liked Twilight's loud, furious tone even more than her quiet, flat voice.

She glanced fearfully around the kitchen, and to her surprise she saw " Lunch date with Twilight." written in big bold red letters on everything in the kitchen. "Lunch date with Twilight. " was written on the walls, the floor, the ceiling, even the fridge! The pictures on the walls, the curtains, the kitchen table and chairs, and the door all bore the red letters. Suddenly there was a huge crash on the roof. Applejack, eager to get away from the livid Twilight, hurried outside her house to find a dazed Rainbow Dash lying on the roof.

" Are you okay up there, RD? " Applejack called worriedly. Rainbow Dash let out a loud groan and sat up, staring right at AJ blankly.

" AJ? Is that you? Why are there three of you? " She asked in a confused voice. Applejack, still very thankful that Twilight hadn't emerged from the house asked

" Can you come down okay? " . Her question was soon answered by Rainbow Dash rising to her hooves, looking dizzy, and landing clumsily on a patch of grass near AJ. Once Rainbow Dash had regained full consciousness, she followed AJ into the kitchen. AJ gasped. Twilight was making lunch! The last thing she wanted to do was spend lunch with a livid Twilight.

" Why are you so upset? " Rainbow Dash asked, puzzled. Twilight turned and saw the look of sheer horror on Applejack's face.

"Yes, Applejack. " Twilight said flatly " Why are you so upset? " AJ turned and saw a very uncomfortable-looking Rainbow Dash.

" I'd better go. " Rainbow said quickly. She stretched out her wings and sped out the door. Applejack returned her gaze to the furious Twilight. It seemed that they were locked in an endless staring contest, and AJ felt that it had gone on for hours. The awkward silence was peirced by a shrill scream of pain. AJ rushed outside again, but this time saw nothing. She returned, determined to speak to Twilight. But Twilight's piercing glare made her wanted to run and hide like a filly. Suddenly, the door burst open. Rarity, who was looking quite annoyed, came in, closely followed by Pinkie Pie, who was bouncing so much she almost hit her head on the door frame.

" Well, howdy Rarity, how ya doin? " Applejack asked relieved. " What's up Pinkie? " Pinkie took one look at Twilight, who looked as if she was frozen in rage and sprinted back through the door screaming in terror. Rarity rolled her eyes and replied. " I'm doing fine, Applejack, I'm here to ask whether you can spare some old fabrics. I'm working on a new fashion line based on country flair. "

Rarity forced a smile. " How are you? And you Twilight? " Twilight turned her blazing stare on Rarity.

" Just. Peachy. " Rarity looked uncomfortable. "Well, then if this isn't a convient time for you, I'll try and come back some other time. Goodbye then." She turned and began to edge her way back to the kitchen door. Just then, another scream pierced the air. Rarity, closely followed by Applejack and Twilight dashed out the kitchen door. Still, they saw nothing.

" Well... I'll just be on my way then... " Rarity said nervously. Appleajck and Twilight said goodbye to her and she ran off to Ponyville. Moments later, they heard another shrill scream. This time, Applejack and Twilight were outside and prepared. They shot off in the direction of the scream. Three ponies, each dressed in black stood surrounding a gray truck. The first, a burly stallion with a close-cropped charcoal mane and a scar. The second, a lithe mare with a white mane with a gray streak through it. The third, a thin stallion with a buzz-cut so short, AJ couldn't tell what color it was. The mare spoke first

" We are the EAAE, and we are going to need you to come with us. " Her voice was cold and stern.

" NO! " Twilight shouted angrily " Not you! That mare told me about you, your-- " She dropped to the ground, unconscious.

" Twilight! " Applejack shouted, horrified. She looked up and saw the thin stallion tuck a dart gun into the back pocket of his black uniform. She noticed, too that the burly stallion wore a gold badge, while the other two wore silver ones.

" Will you come with us willingly, or will you end up like your friend over there? " The mare shot a hoof a Twilight, whose head was bent at an unpleasant angle as the thin stallion loaded her into the truck.

" Never! " Applejack shouted defiantly. She raised her hooves to strike them, then she felt her muscles relax. She fell to the ground, helpless, glancing momentarily back at the dart in her left hind leg as her world faded to black.