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From the prompt, "I need a decent explanation for how a pony could wield a sword. And do so well enough to be on par with a human," by Reddit user TheDarkman67.

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"And then you press this here-" Rarity indicated a small latch on the side of the cuff "-and the blade will pop into position." She held the weapon up to Applejack, who took it hesitantly in her mouth.

"Um nah sure abou' thish," she mumbled. The cloth binding of the strap tasted awful, and she fumbled trying to loop it around her hoof.

Rarity smiled. "Let me help you with that, my dear." A blue glow encircled the weapon and lifted it gently out of Applejack's mouth, leaving a faint tingling on the earth pony's tongue. "Now hold up your hoof, that's a good filly." Applejack raised her right leg and Rarity fixed the loop around it. Tugging on the end, Rarity tightened the strap and nodded. She stared expectantly at her friend, who was looking at the blade confused. "Well, go on," Rarity said. "Give it a try."

Applejack put her hoof on the ground, stomped a few times to make sure it wouldn't come loose, and then pressed the latch. The blade slid smoothly and quickly into position. It was about six inches long. She gave a few quick passes through the air with it. The blade was sharp, and whistled through the air. "How's it feel?" Rarity asked.

"Pretty darn good," Applejack said. She reared back on her hind legs and slashed at an invisible opponent.

"Excellent. Not too tight, or anything?" Applejack shook her head, still focused on the shadowboxing. "There are just a few things you should know about it," Rarity continued. "It's more of a cutting weapon than a stabbing weapon. If you put too much force onto the point, say, if you tried walking on that leg with the blade out, it'll retract back into the sheath. As soon as you remove the pressure, the blade comes out again. You can stab with it, but if you hit armor or bone, the knife will retract."

"Uh huh, yeah, sure." AJ was on three hooves, jumping backwards and forwards and jabbing at the shadowy assailant.

"And one more thing, Applejack, and do pay attention now." AJ stopped fighting and turned to stare at her friend. Rarity glared down her nose at the dusty cowpony. "I made that specifically for you," she said. "Don't get it dirty!"