The Rangers of Harmony

Twilight and Spike rode into Ponyville They saw the town was jumping with activity. People were outside walking the streets.Having what appeared to be a good time.Shops were bustling with business. The saloon called "The Punch Bowl" was jumping.

Twilight said,"Wow Spike. I didn't think there would be so many people in town."

Spike replied,"Yeah. This place is busy. What do you think is going on."

Twilight looked around and finally said,"I think I know why."

Spike asked,"What's up?"

Twilight pointed her head in the direction she was looking, and Spike saw it too. A large Gallows was being made ready. Both Twilight and Spike knew what it meant.

Spike asked,"How many ropes Twilight?"

Twilight replied,"I see five ropes."

Spike said,"So five poor bastards are gonna drop. I wonder what they did?"

Twilight said," I don't know. "

As they kept riding into through they were looking for The Royal Equestria Ranger Office. Then they saw two othe girls riding on horseback,one was on an earth horse and the other was on a cream colored pegasus ride up to them.

The blond on the tan Earth Horse said,"Howdy. Would ya two be the new Rangers sent down?"

Twilight said,"Yes. I'm Twilight Sparkle, and this is Spike."

The blonde said," Well I' m Ranger AppleJack. And this here's Ranger Fluttershy. The Captain sent us to meet ya'all when ya enter the town."

Spike said,"Nice meetin you two. Are gonna take us to the office?"

AppleJack replied,"Sure are. Right this way."

As they all rode to The Ranger office.Twilight asked,"So. Is there a hanging about to happen??"

Applejack replied,"Yep. Five SonsaBitches are gonna drop tomorrow morning. 10 sharp."

Twilight asked,"What did they do?"

Applejack replied,"3 are hanging for cattle rustling.They hit a cattle drive.Killed 2 ramrods and wounded the trail boss.He lost his leg to a shotgun blast. 1 for murder,tried to rob a bank.And 1 for knifing somebody in a drunken bar fight."

Fluttershy said,"Mayor Mare,who is also our local judge,sent them all to the rope.They're being held in the jail till tomorrow morning."

Spike said,"Yeah. And everybody loves a good hanging.

Applejack said,"Yep. Right now The Captain is watching them.Along with Rainbow Dash and Pinkie-Pie. They are 2 other Rangers we work with and good friends."

Soon the four arrived at The Ranger Office.As they tied they're horses AppleJack said,"Them there are some fine lookin animals ya'all got there.What are they're names?"

Twilight said,"Thanks. My Unicorn's name is Solaris. He was a gift from Princes Celestia. She gave him to me on my 16th birthday a few years back."

Fluttershy said,"You know the Princess?"

Twilight replied,"Yes I was her personal student,because of my high IQ.She taught me a lot.I went to her school."

Applejack said,"Wow.That's amazin and what about you Spike?What's your horses name?"

Spike said,"His name is Nacho. When he was a colt he ate a whole plate of nachos i left near him, hence the name."

After tying off their horses on the hitching posts. All 4 walked into the office and saw another female Ranger with rainbow colored hair and another one with fluffy pink hair guarding the prisoners in the cells. And their was a lone male Ranger sitting at his desk looking over some paperwork.

AppleJack said,"Capn. We brought the new Rangers they just got here."

The Captain looked up and saw Twilight and Spike and stood up and said "I see. Welcome to Ponyville. I'm Captain Palmer. Your commanding ranger."

Twilight said,"Thank you sir. Rangers Twilight Sparkle and Spike. Reporting for duty."

Captain Palmer shook hands with both of them and said,"Glad you're here.So. What do you think of Ponyville so far??"

Spike said,"Interesting so far sir."

Twilight said,"Yes.We thought more people lived here,until we saw the gallows."

Palmer said,"Yeah.Something about a public hanging.Brings in people from all over.In fact there isnt a room avalible anywhere in town. and I'm sorry to say the Libary where you two are gonna be living in,is being rented out for the night."

Twilight asked,"So where can we bed down tonight?"

Captain Palmer replied, "Theres a room with cots in the back. That should hold everyone till morning, but we're all gonna be here all night anyway."

Spike asked," Why's that Captain?"

Captain Palmer said,"Well we all have to babysit the prisoners till thay hang in the morning. The Royal gaurd is sending a a squad of troops, but they wont get here until dawn. Until then we're it." Captain Palmer then asked." And by the way has anyone seen Belle?"

Applejack said," A'hh think shes over at The Punch Bowl. Depriving some miners of their money."

Captain Palmer then said,"Well go and get her. We need her here. And take Sparkle and Spike with you."

Applejack looked at Twilight and Spike and said," Yes sir. Allright ya two come on."

Twilight. Spkie and Applejack all left the office and walked down the street and entered The Punch Bowl Saloon. And they're were people. Drinking and or gambling. Then they saw a purple haired girl at a table with 5 other men, playing cards.

Applejack said,"That there is Rarity. When she dosen't have Ranger duties to conduct. She also owns a botiuqe. And when she aint doin that. She indulges in her favorite hobby. Poker.

Rarity was at the table lokking at the other players and said,"Allright gentlemen. The game is 5 card draw. Jokers are wild. I open at 20bits."

All the other player put in their bets. And Rarity delt the cards. And the pot kept growing as players were seeing and raising the pot. And exchanging cards.

Rarity and a miner were loking at each other. And miner said. "I call. I'll bet 50bits."

Rarity said,"I'll see your 50. And raise 100."

The player on the right said, "I'm out."

The player on the left said,"Thats too rich for my blood."

The last player a miner part of an outfit called Diamond Dogs looked at Rarity,pushed the rest of his chips and said,"I'm all in."

Rarity looked at the miner and said. "Allright. Lets see what you got."

The miner put his cards down and said,"Full boat." (2 kings. 3 eights.)

The miner was just about to collect the pot about 750bits. when Rarity said," Oh I'm truly sorry darling, but I am afraid you lose." Rarity put down her cards. (4 Aces.) "4 bullets. And they just sank you full boat."

Rarity then said, "I thank you gentlemen for you most genrous contributions."

As Rarity reached for the pot she won. A hand came down and went on top of Rarity's right hand.

The miner said." That was 4 hands in a row you won. I say you cheated."

Rarity sneered and said," How dare you call me a tinhorn. I have never cheated in my life. Now kindly let go of my hand."

The player on the right said,"Friend. If I was you I'd move that hand."

The miner looked at him and replied,"Mind your business old man. This got nuthin to do with you." As he reached for his own gun. Twilight and Spike saw this and knew Rarity couldn't reach her Colt Peacemaker .45 on her right hip. And were about to help, when Applejack said, "Uh-uh. Watch this"

Then in a flash of quickness. Rarity drew a Colt Model 1851 Navy Cap and Ball. In .36cal.Nickel plated with ivory grips and a short barrel which she had in a holster on the small of her back, and put the muzzle right in the miners face. The only thing he heard was,

CLICK-CLICK.

The player on the right then said," I tried to warn you friend. That there is Ranger Rarity "Diamondback" Belle. And they don't call her that for nothing. She can draw a gun faster than a Rattlesnake strikes."

Rarity glared at the Diamond Dog Miner and said,"Now. I never cheated at cards in my life. If you lost. That is your problem. Now kindly move your right hand off your gun. And then move you left hand off mine. Or do you want a bullet in the head??"

The Diamond Dogs two friends were about to move on Rarity, when Applejack and Twilight both drew and cocked thier Colt revolvers and Spike drew his Volcanic lever action pistol, twirl cocking it and all three pointed thier guns at the miners

Applejack said."I wouldn't. Just keep'em holstered."

The other 2 miners complied. Just then another man entered the saloon wearing a badge carrying a shotgun.

He looked at Applejack and asked "Everything OK here Applejack?"

Applejack replied. "Howdy Cranky. Everythings fine. A sore loser tried ta call Rarity a cheat and Ah'h think he was gonna try ta shoot her and take the money back. However. He learned nearly the hard way why she's called "Diamondback". Not ta mention his two comprades were gonna try somethin too."

Marshal Cranky Doodle looked at the miners and said. "All of ya. Out. Get on your horses and ride out."

One Diamond Dog said,"But Marshal. We is here for the hangin."

Cranky replied,"Not anymore yer not. Now git on those nags of yers and get. Or I'll lock ya'all up for tresspassing."

The 3 complied and left The Punch Bowl. As they were heading to their horses The one miner who called himself Rex said,"I'm gonna put a bullet in the bitch one of these days."

The other miner called Spot said,"Are you talkin crazy. No one ever killed a Ranger and lived to talk about it."

Rex slapped spot and said,"Shaddup,ya yellow belly.Let's just ride out."

The miners rode out of Ponyville. With Rex still angry and vowing revenge.

Back inside "The Punch Bowl" Applejack introduced Twilight and Spike to Rarity. Spike was instantly smitten by Rarity's beauty.

Twilight leaned over and told Spike, "Down boy."

Rarity said, "Well I am very pleased to meet both of you. And It is about time Headquarters sent down some more Rangers."

Applejack then said, "Speakin of which. The Cap'n sent us ta come fetch ya. Wants us all back in the office ta babysit the prisoners fer the night, till they hang in the mornin."