Guardians of Equestria Chapter 2: Love is Magic Part 2

Chapter 3 Apples to Apples and Brunch to Brunch

After that, Finn and Jay let Marco and Will mosey around Ponyville and get acquainted with the locals. Celestia had also given them the honor for supervising the preparations for the summer sun celebration that was once again being held in Ponyville, an honor that Twilight had reluctantly let them have. As they walked down the street, Will looked over the list that Twilight had given him.

“So who should we visit first”? Will asked as he perused the parchment.

Marco didn’t answer.

“LT”? Will said curiously, “LT??? Marco, will you just answer”?!?!

As Will looked over at him, he saw that Marco was too busy darting his eyes back and forth, looking as nervous more nervous than a mouse surrounded by cats. Will looked around and saw that everypony passing by looked at Marco with a lot of curiosity in their eyes.

“Why is everyone looking at me like I kicked a puppy”? Marco asked curiously.

“I don’t know”, Will answered plainly, “Maybe they haven’t seen a male Alicorn before either. I mean, Princess Celestia didn’t”.

“I’d figure I would only get that reaction once”, Marco said honestly.

Just then Pinkie Pie walked up in front of them.

“Hi there”, Will said warmly.

But instead of a response, the pony gasped loudly, and then zipped off away from them.

“I’m guessing that might be an advanced case of surprise”, Marco observed sadly.

Will thought for a moment, and then remembered something.

“Finn said there was pony named Applejack who was really nice, and she’ll also be handling the food for the banquet”, Will said, “Let’s visit her first”.

“A friendly face would be quite an improvement” Marco said, feeling uncomfortable from all the lingering stares.

They made their way to Sweet Apple Acres, where Applejack was bucking the apple trees.  They got her attention as they walked up to her.

“You must be Applejack”, Will assumed, “My name’s Corporal William Thorne and I…”

But before Will could finish, he found himself rapidly shaking hooves with Applejack.

“Well howdy do Soldier, Ah sure am pleased to meet you”, She said politely, “And Ah gotta say, we don't get too many military ponies around these parts very often. Sure is an honor to have you here”.

Will was a bit surprised, but felt a little enticed at the same time.

“I’m guessing you are Applejack”, Will said.

Applejack quickly stopped shaking his hoof.

“Well a’course”, she said, “Y’know, you look like this friend of mine. He’s got shiny black hair too. His name is Finn, and he’s shyer than a kitten when it comes to talking’ bout friends”.

“He’s my brother”! Will pointed out happily.

“Well shoot! I thought you looked familiar”, Applejack said jubilantly.

“And this is his other brother, Marco”, Will said, going over to the Alicorn.

Applejack looked a little distressed, like the other ponies who they passed.

“His brother’s an Alicorn”? She asked cautiously. “Uhhh, yeah”? Will said confused.

Applejack was surprised at this, but also quite delighted.

“Well shoot”, she said jubilantly, “I thought I seen everything”. “Don’t praise him too much”, Will teased, “He’s got a big enough head as it is”.

The 3 friends shared a good laugh. Marco's, however, was mainly out of sarcasm.

“Anyway on to brass tax, Will said returning to the task at hand, “I’m supervising the preparations for this year’s Summer Sun Celebration, and I’ve been told you’ll be in charge of the food”?

“You betcha Billy Boy”, Applejack answered happily; “Care to try some”?

“Well uhh”, Will started.

But before he could answer, Applejack started ringing a triangle like a bell.

“SOUP’S ON EVERYPONY”!!! She hollered.

Just then, the ground started to tremor. Will and Marco looked behind them, mouths agape, and saw a whole stampede of ponies pass by them. They were soon whisked away, and sitting at a table under a gazebo made by 4 trees, surrounded by a whole bunch of ponies.

“Allow me to introduce y’all to the Apple Family”, AJ said. “DANG”! The boys both exclaimed.

As Applejack introduced each family member, they kept stacking plates of food on the table. Finally, getting to the end, she took a deep breath, and introduced her older brother Big Macintosh, her little sister Apple Bloom and their Grandmother Granny Smith.

“Come on Granny Smith, Up and at ‘em ”! She said, awaking the elder pony.

Slowly, the elder pony rose from her rocker, and headed towards the table. The boys could barely make out the words she was saying, but they remained polite.

“I’d say they’re already part of the family”, Applejack said gaily.

“That’s very nice of you to say”, Marco said considerately.

“Wow, look at this spread”!!!! Will said, eyeing the big pile of food, “I’ve only seen food like this in old picture books! I’d say tonight’s banquet is in good hooves”.

“It is indeed intoxicating”, Marco admitted, “But we need to get back to work”.

“Aren’t you boys gonna stay for brunch”? Apple Bloom asked wistfully, making a sad, pouty face.

Marco had never encountered the infamous “Little girl guilt trip”, and he had noticed that Will was rather famished.

“I suppose we could stay”, Marco said reluctantly, “After all, it’s been……actually, I can’t remember the last time I didn’t eat something out of a tin can. Let’s eat”.

The Apple Family, including Will, cheered and applauded.

Later, Marco and Will were walking through Ponyville, again, going over the list Twilight gave them.

“Well, the Hors d'oeuvres for the banquet are certainly being taken care of”, Marco said, using his magic to check it off the list, “The next thing to check on is weather”.

Will rubbed his slightly bulging stomach, smiling with pride.

“Ahhh, I never had an apple themed brunch before, but I gotta say, that was the greatest meal I've ever had”, Will said happily, “We should eat non canned foods more often”.

Marco smiled at Will’s expense, as he too felt the satisfaction of a full stomach.