King Equestrius -> His Eminence

Chapter 2, Pony Suspicions

Twilight, Pinkie and Applejack were stunned. That was quite a name, after-all, no pony they knew had anything quite like it. It seemed almost silly, in its length.

“Grendin Arin Von Ranquester?” Twilight repeated.

“Yes, my dear. Grendin Arin Von Ranquester.” He nodded, dipping his head into a soft bow. “Would you be kind enough to guide us to Pony-ville? This scenery is all . . .” He chuckled “New to us.”

Twilight had been calm until those words. “New, NEW? Those colors tell us you are nobility and most likely here to make war on Equestria!” Twilight pointed to the coach. “Ha, ha! You thought you could trick us but we know all your tricks!”

“Wooah! Calm down there, Twi!” Applejack moved forward in front of the excited pony. “Let's talk to um and see what they say before we go a'cusin' them all over Equestria.”

Pinkie started up now. “Yeah, we know you have Pegasus hidden in the sky and that they are going BAM, BAP, Pony-ville. I've got news for you Mister and it's right here.” She pulled out a copy of Pony-ville Express.

Arin looked amused at these proceedings but he readied himself better for an attack, quickly glancing at the alicorns, they too were grounded.

Pinkie jumped forward and everyone twitched. She placed the Pony-ville Express across one of the alicorns' muzzle, in plain sight for reading.

He looked confused. “Yes, sir, this is just a reiteration of daily events in the town. . .” He looked confusedly at Pinkie “Ah, thanks, miss.”

“No, problemo!” She started jumping and, apparently, getting excited again. “This is going to be GREAT! We haven't had royalty visit our town in . . . well too long! We're going to have the biggest party you've ever seen!” She whisked her hoof through the air.

The alicorns were still tense but Arin started to laugh, tears welling up in his eyes.

“Oh, my little ponies!” Than after laughing a little more he turned to twilight. “You are quite wrong, on both accounts, I am happy to say. I am neither royalty nor do I come here to make war on Equestria.”

Twilight would hardly accept such an answer. “Is that not a signet? The signet of Lord Equestrius?”

Arin stopped laughing and he and the alicorns tensed once more. “I see, some pony remembers the old tales.” He did not sound pleased. “This is indeed Lord Equestrius's emblem but I am no noble pony. I am His Eminence’s most trusted adviser. I hold great standing in . . . Lord Equestrius values my opinion greatly.”

“Who's this lord? Applejack questioned, looking interested.

Arin opened his mouth but Twilight was far too quick. “Lord Equestrius is the name of a myth. The myth states a great king offered a just monarchy to the ponies of Equestria but for a terrible price.

Arin interrupted. “Yes, he is a king, a kind of king. But he has a more . . . menial job as well.” He tilted his head. “A ferryman of sorts.” But before the ponies could react he started again, “Well, we could sit here being suspicious of one another or perhaps you might consider directing us to a tavern . . . I mean hotel?”

Applejack interrupted “Why do you keep doin' that?”

Arin WAS innocence. “What do you mean?”

“You keep on stoppin yourself, repeating what you said but in different words. Why're you doing that? Sugar cube, your contractions sound unnatural. Why are you forcing yerself to speak like you are?”

Arin sighed. “I'd love to share my life story with you ponies. But, perhaps, we could do this over a hot bowl of chowder?”

Applejack shrugged. “Cone on Twi, we won't call in all the ponies and if a swarm of Pegasus head our way, they'll see um and warn us! It's rude not to extend a kind greetin' to the respectful ponies that pass by. He hasn't done us wrong, yet.”

“My suspicious ponies!” Arin laughed. “I can give you my word, we only mean to assist our ponykin with our fully allotted power.” He lost all humor, becoming, undeniably, serious. “Although I am no seer, I predict you will be in great need of that power, soon.”

That, was not something to please the ponies' ears.

“I think we should sit around a bubbling bowl of chowder and discuss this further.” Arin put in, still serious.

Pinkie looked at him suspiciously, hoof under muzzle. “You just want some chowder!”

He laughed again. “Oh, it is true! Besides it IS starting to get dark out and cold, if I need to state it.”

The group were not sure what to make of these newcomers . . . Twilight whispered to the others “It is alright, Frosty Beverage said she would try to get Celestia here! Spike must have sent SOME warning off to the Princess, she will know what to do! You are right Applejack! We are going to invite them to stay and ha, ha . . . detain them until the Princess arrives!” She clapped her hooves together again, “We will turn their own trap against them.” Her eyes were drifting to opposite sides of her face.

“Well, can't say I agree with the plan, sugar cube. But I think we should show em some Pony-ville hospitality. The Princess'll know if it's a problem to be a frettin' over. . . . “

“Ha, ha!” Twilight let out loudly. “The Princess will know what to do!”

Pinkie was circling the carriage in leaps. “WOPIIEE! You'll see Arin!” She put a hoof over him and gestured through the scenery with the other. “With the Princess here we can let loose all the ropes! All . . OF . . . THEM.” Forcing her face into his with each pause.”

He pushed her back and with sarcastic smile and tone saying, “There is no need to throw a party for us . . .”

“Hey! What is this!” One of the alicorns said a bit upset. “I want a party.”

“You cannot allow them to waste their hard earned pony goods just for us.” The other one said but looked upset.

Pinkie waved her front hooves through the night air. “You ponies don't need to worry about that! A party is a party and Pinkie throws parties for ALL the new ponies.” Then she was in-front of twilight “Don't let them out of sight, they better be at Sugarcube Corner in an hour.” She whispered, Twilight was nodding fervently. “But not sooner, because the party won't be ready till then!” She shouted.

Pinkie was gone, a flash of pink motion was all that remained. The noble ponies scratched their heads.

Twilight, with ears and eyes twitching, tried, smiling at those ponies again. Now, Arin and his guards looked really worried.

“Well, we better be GOING! Would be a real SHAME if we were left out here, alone, at NIGHT!”

Applejack put a hoof on her shoulder, open mouth and concerned eyes, she shook her head slightly.

“Follow me every pony, I will lead you to Pony-ville . . . safely” Twilight moved away still “smiling”.

Arin moved up to Applejack, pointing up at Twilight he said. “Are a lot of the pony-kin down here as suspicious as her?” Lowering his voice, “I would rather not be galloped out of town, perhaps we should visit Canterlot first . . .”

He turned to look at the alicorns. They were both already shivering and one could not keep himself from shaking. “S-s-sorry boss . . . bu-u-ut I d-d-don't-t-t th-think we can ma-k-ke it.” They were huddling together.

Applejack shook her head. “Dontcha worry y'all, once the ponyfolk see you're just a stoppin' through, they'll a warm up quick as puddin'. Twilight just goes and works herself up a tad too much, she's usually quite level headed.” Applejack sighed “Usually.”

The procession moved passed the Ever-green forest and strange animal calls pierced the night. The two alicorns were now holding each other.

“W-what was that?” He turned to Arin. “Grend-din we-we are just p-p-parade ponies! Y-you said nothing about danger!”

Arin looked back and shook his head. Applejack laughed “You really ain't an army in a' disguise!”

“C-can we just get to Pony-ville, PLEASE!” The two were almost to tears.

“Here we are.” Twilight turned, her face was a nightmare. “Welcome to Pony-ville.”

One of the alicorns fainted, the other was swaying.

“Look what you've gone an' done now, Twi.”

“Here, help me get the harness off them.” He sneered. “Well, the carriage will just have to sit here, till morning.”

“Apple-sticks! I can tote that there, facny-pantsy, ve-hicle back to town, no sweat. Put those ponies there, in the coach.” She pointed to the carriage.

“By, yourself?”

“Throw um' in!”

The alicorns were secured, Applejack reared and the coach was off.

Arin turned to Twilight. “Well, you ponies may be strange but you sure do have talents.”

Twilight looked at Arin with the same face as before.

Arin cringed and ran forward to meet the carriage at its' destination.