Heart Souls: The Loss of Harmony

"Hey Taps, ya think she's lyin?" Treasure asked.

Meanwhile, Tapper felt awkward being called that. "The hell are you calling me Taps? And I don't know. This place is too happy; I don't think they're lying, but I'm sure they're biting more than they can chew, which worries me. The last thing I want is involving them in our mess."

The two pegasi were given a task to assist the students in gathering herbs on the outskirts of the Everfree Forest, as Quilt recommended them for this.

" This just like back then, huh, Tapper? You and me just gatherin junk in the wilds."

"Has it been that long? And what else were we supposed to do? It's not like we can use magic or fight like monsters like those two. All we can do is capitalize on our talents." Tapper shrugged.

A student would come up to them and ask about the herbs they gathered. "Sir, this is the trick, flower, correct?" one of the Kirin's asked.

Treasure would instruct the student.
" If you flick it gently and it changes, then it is; be careful though; they sometimes explode." The kirin has gone pail as she heard what the flower can do.

Tapper would then hand over a stick to the kirin. " This'll be enough to test it without blowing your hooves. Now be careful; that's why the school gave you that robust container. Have you any idea what you got yourself into?" Tapper questioned the Kirin.

The day would end without any trouble, and the students would thank and wave goodbye to the two vanguards.

" I think that's proof enough, right, Treasure?" Tapper asked.

" Proof n wha exactly?"

"That they're good to a fault. That they won't be lying to us."

" You say that, but that mayor is practically using us. Im just saying something feels wrong in this situation we're in."

" Yeah, us." He gave a displeased look at Treasure.

" Now you giving me that kinda attitude? You're usually on my side. What's goin on? First Quilt, then you? We were a team of three back then..." He sulked.

Tapper would give a glance towards Treasure and give a sigh. " Sorry, there, ya happy." He snickered.

Treasure pouted. " You don't have to be an asshole about it... But hey. What's with Quilt anyway? Why's she on my throat all-uva sudden?" he asked.

" I should ask the same question to you," was his reply.

" No clue, ey?"

" Mares."

" Are they really like that?"

" Don't know..."

They both stared at the same crimson sky and decided to head back to the office.

" Lady Apple Jack, we have finished our delivery."

The stallion returned early while Apple was still behind, trying to catch her breath.

" Quickly now, Apple, don't think that I've forgotten your training now. You need to build up your strength so you won't be left behind."

And at a distance, there lies a fallen pony named Apple, who failed to catch her breath.

"Daw, look at her, a lil more hard work and a muscle herenthere, and she'd have a physique of a buck toothen hard workin Apple!" She praised. " Thanks fer puttin our long lost cuzin into tiptop shape, en not only that, youreable ta deliver all em apples early, in recrd timin too! You sure you ain't an apple too? Huhiuk!"

"All I can say is I had a great teacher; strict and disciplined."

" A fine teacher you had."

" Yes."

"Well, since ya done yer work early, I have no reason ta keep ya hear."

" Oh? We don't mind doing other works for you; that is why the Vanguards are made."

Meanwhile, Apple finally reached them and heard the bad news. " W-what? More work?"

" That's not the right attitude to have Apple," he scolded the worn-out mare.

" Now, now, overworkin the poor fella ain't gonna do us any good." She then had an idea: "Before you leave, how bout ya get some apple cider to quench yer thirst? That way, it ain't all hard work and no gain."

The stallion humbly refused. "Oh, no need for that, ma'am; doing service for you is enough of a reward."

" Too much of humble pie will ruin any mood, ya hear? Now stay put while I wip ya a batch." The mare went inside the barn to prepare a batch of apple sider for the two hardworking ponys.

" See that Apple? That mare is someone to look up to."

"Huff... Sir Bright. I would love to look up to her, but I'm just too tired." Her knees would give way, and she ended up lying on the ground.

" Hey, that's bad manners, Apple." But the mare could not care otherwise.

" Hey, Apple. You do know we aren't for this world. So I suggest taking every advantage we can get here. And for you, while you still have the chance, you should grow even stronger. Understand?"

She looked up at him and understood why he's doing this to her. "Yes, sir."

" Again!"

" Y-YES SIR!" She cried.

"Uuuhhhh, Help! I NEED HELP, BUBBLES!" Cross pleaded as a bug bear chased him down from Fluttershy's sanctuary.

"I can't; I'm busy!" She said as she held down and protected the injured animals. " And besides, I don't think mom would like me to kill the thing."

" I'm more of a healer than a fighter, you know!" He replied while dodging the attacks of the bugbear.

" Oh comeon, that things are so slow and weak; you're giving the Royal Knights a bad name, Cross!"

Sigh...

He placed his hoof in front of the bugbear, and a pulse would erupt, causing the bugbear to fall asleep. This would heavily tire down Cross, as it drained him heavily. " AAAGH! COUGH!!!... Shit." He was in pain.

" Ohh? Thats the first time I heard you curse Cross... Didn't know it was in you?" She then looked at the downed bugbear. " What'd you do to it? You better not have killed it..."

" I just put him to sleep is all. Phew..."

"Strange, you have a skill like that. What is it with you hiding your skills from us and all that shit? Trust issues?" she asked.

" You guys just didn't ask." He scowled. " And besides, sometimes putting a patient to sleep is needed, okay? It's not uncommon for healers to have these skills," he lectured her.

" Hey, sorry, okay? And good work," she said as the birds perched on her and the animals would snuggle close to her.

" Hmm... They say animals only approach calm and nice individuals." He curiously looked at Bubbles.

" And your point?" Her tone with warning?

" NOTHING!... nothing," he worriedly replied.