//------------------------------// // The news is out // Story: Apples // by Ninjab33z //------------------------------// Meanwhile "Miss Pinkamena Pie, I have a message for you," a deep blue pegasus guard captain with a silver mane called out as he entered the Sugercube Corner. Pinkie gasped "No-one uses my name unless it's super duper important!" She bounced over and took the letter. "It even has a royal seal. I thought I already apologized about the party that people could hear in Canterlot." She broke the seal and started reading the scroll. Dear pinkie pie I request a meeting with you at the Ponyville library tonight. The matters of which I wish to discuss with you are very sensitive and I request that you tell no-one about this meeting. Yours sincerely Princess Celestia "What could be so important that," Pinkie was stopped by a hoof invading her mouth. "Sorry," her face lit up. "Wait, you're new! I need to throw you a party." The guard was bombarded by questions until he ended it with a hoof again. "I would love a party if you're still feeling up to it later, I'm Axewing by the way." Axewing ended the sentence with a small smirk "What do you mean if I'm still up to it? I'm always up for a party." Pinkie pulled a small bag full of party supplies out of her mane as if to prove her point. "How did you do that?" He sighed. "Actually, never mind, I've got other stuff to do. Bye" He searched around in his saddlebag until he found a letter addressed to Rarity among his rations. Heading towards the Carousel Boutique, he smiled and hoped that Pinkie Pie was willing to set up a party. He was guarding the last one at Canterlot and it took all of his military training not to join in. Rarity heard a ring come from the showroom. "Come in." Rarity said as she avoided the numerous stacks of paper in her inspiration room and headed to the front of the shop. Axewing was eying a hat that was designed by rarity herself. Axewing was in here often, usually wanting Rarity to design a new suit of armour for him. Rarity suspected it was changed a little too often but she didn't complain. "Ah, Axewing. I'm afraid I don't have the design finished. It's hard to improve on perfection." She smiled at her own joke and Axewing let out a small chuckle. "Unfortunately I'm here for business. I have a letter for you." He fished the letter out of his saddlebag and handed it to her. Axewing knew that it read the same as Pinkie's because he'd been briefed on the situation. "Well I best be off." He smiled as he left for the door. "Before I go, who's closer Rainbow Dash or Fluttershy?" "That would have to be Rainbow Dash. She decided to move her house so it was almost directly above the pathway to Fluttershy's house." Axewing landed on the cloud walkway. After all these years of guarding Canterlot, clouds were the nicest feeling in a long time. He decided that, instead of knocking like his original plan, he would relish the feeling and shout for her instead. "Rainbow Dash! There's a letter for you!" Axewing called out. A rainbow blur shot at him and changed in to a pegasus just inches from his nose. "Who's the letter from?" Axewing jumped nearly half a foot into the air causing Rainbow dash to erupt into laughter. "It's from Princess Celestia and thanks for the heart attack." Axewing sarcastically added as he tried to stifle a snicker. He handed her a letter and got ready to fly. "What's this about anyways?" Rainbow Dash asked Axewing tapped his muzzle with his forehoof. " 'Fraid I can't say. Well, see you around." He took off. "DISCORD! STOP TURNING ANGEL ORANGE!" A shout broke through the quiet. Before briefly questioning his timing, Axewing knocked on the door. To his surprise, Discord opened the door. "I'm sorry, Fluttershy is busy trying to remove my head. Can I take a message?" Discord politely asked. "Um... Oh, I have a letter for Fluttershy." Axewing said, overcoming his surprise and getting the letter. "I'll take if you want and hand it to her when she isn't after my throat." He smiled but another shout echoed through the house. "DISCORD! GET BACK HERE!" "I'm afraid I have to be off. It was a nice chat. Goodbye." And with that the door shut on Axewing's face. Discord slunk back to a waiting Fluttershy. "Before you kill me I have something i need to give to you." He handed her the letter "And where did you get this?" Fluttershy asked accusingly. I didn't steal it. You know I don't do things like that." Discord battered his eyelids innocently as Fluttershy read. Finishing the message, she placed it on the bedside table and looked out the window. The sun had almost set. "I have to go, Discord. Can you look after angel when I'm gone?" Fluttershy asked. "And I expect him to be white and have all his Appendages in the right place." "Will you ever forgive me for the time I switched his tail and head? It was all in good fun and I fully intended to put them back." Discord smiled to himself but stopped when he saw the look on Fluttershy's face. "No," she said and shut the door. Celestia sat in the main room of the library dreading what was to come. She would have to tell four good friends that two of their closest friends were exiled by Celestia herself. Nervously she shook her head and adjusted her wings. Luckily for her, they all came at once, preventing having to explain why she was there and why Twilight and Applejack weren't. She stood up to get their attention and almost at once they quietened down. "I suppose you are all wondering why I gathered you here today." The four girls nodded and Pinkie Pie asked the one question Celestia was dreading. "Where's Twilight and Applejack?" "Yes, about that... I had to exile them." Her voice no louder than a whisper The room was silent until Rainbow Dash charged at Celestia with tears in her eyes. Celestia was too shocked to do anything and simply stood there. The charge was interrupted by a light blue aura holding Rainbow Dash in place "Rainbow Dash! Give Celestia a chance. She must have has a reason for banishing Twilight and Applejack, right?" Rarity was visibly shaken but mostly kept her composure. Celestia nodded and began telling the tale of what had happened over the last day. When the story was over, the three girls stared silently until Pinkie noticed something. "Where's Fluttershy?" The three girls walked to the door but Celestia held them back. "She probably wants some time alone. If you have any more questions feel free to ask." Discord sat eating painted apples while inside one of his favourite paintings when Fluttershy came back. Her eyes were coated in tears and she ran straight to her room. Seeing her in this state, Discord overcame the fear of being punished and decided to follow. "Fluttershy, what ever could be the matter?" he asked as he entered her room. He was attacked by a hug as Fluttershy cried onto his shoulder. He sat on her bed, quietly comforting her for a few minutes. "She's gone. Twilight's gone. Applejack too. Celestia exiled them." Fluttershy broke down into tears again. "By any chance, was she exiled because of an apple?" Discord asked and Fluttershy simply nodded. "Trust twilight to find one of those trees." He sighed and lifted Fluttershy's face so that they were eye to eye. "I promise you that I will get her back," he said with a look of stern determination in his eyes. Fluttershy smiled slightly and whispered in his ear. "Please do."