My Little Pony: The Four Horsemen
Chapter 8: Book Report
The loud sound of a school bell rang throughout Ponyville as to notify parents that their children had finished school for a day at the local Ponyville Schoolhouse. Inside the single classroom, nine different fillies and three different colts were gathering their saddlebags as they prepare to leave the classroom. However, before either of them get a chance to leave, their teacher Miss Cheerilee, an Earth Pony with a moderate cerise fur coat, grayish harlequin eyes, and a mane and tail decked in pale light grayish rose and ceriseish gray; and cutie mark with three yellow flowers with smiling faces; had an important announcement to make in front of the chalkboard.
"Alright my little ponies." Cheerilee spoke. "Before anypony leaves for today, just a reminder that your book reports are due within three weeks. Now I need all of you to turn in your topics and the names of everypony in your group on my desk."
The young students got up from the desks while finding their partners and having one of them carry a piece of paper with the name of the topic for their book report. Three colts, a unicorn named Snips, n Earth pony named Snails, and a little Pegasus named Feather Weight, turned in their topic about Pirates of Equestria's Past. Meanwhile, two fillies turned in a topic about Aquatic life. Next, two Earth Ponies, a pink one with a silver crown named Diamond Tiara and the other with blue framed glasses, a blue pearl necklace with a fur coat of gray named Silver Spoon; gave their topic to their teacher about Equestria's financial economy. Finally, three fillies; a gamboge Pegasus, a light gray unicorn, and a pale olive Earth Pony with a pink bow, were the last one to turn in their topic for their book report.
"Thank you, everypony." Cheerilee said with glee to her students. "Remember to read Chapter 4 in your Literature books tonight and be ready for a pop quiz tomorrow. See you tomorrow and have a wonderful afternoon."
The students left the classroom as their teacher stayed behind doing her closing procedures for the schoolhouse. Outside, the three fillies, named, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom or best known together as the Cutie Mark Crusaders; got around to discuss about their topic for their report.
"So what do we do first for our book report?" Scootaloo asked.
"Ah say we all go and get our books and read all them chapters from beginning to end." Apple Bloom suggested. "We only got three weeks to get it done and it will be the best book report ever."
"Best book report ever?!" came a voice from a filly sounding unimpressed. "Puh-leeze! You losers can't write a report that great if your audience was deaf."
The Crusaders divert their attention from behind to see Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon standing next to each other laughing after Tiara's insult to the Crusaders. The three fillies' expression went from joy to hatred upon the two Earth ponies appearance and mocking.
"So what report are you three idiots doing?" Silver Spoon insulted.
"We're doing a report on the Four Horsemen of Withersham." Sweetie Belle replied standing defiant.
Tiara and Spoon blinked at Sweetie Belle.
"The...who?" Tiara said.
"The Four Horsemen of Withersham! They are four stallions from 100 years ago that fought an evil gargoyle and defeated an army of goblins while defending their kingdom."
The two bullies were silent for a moment until Spoon yawned and Tiara rolled her eyes in disbelief.
"Oh brother!" Tiara said. "You three believe in that fairy tale?"
"It's not a fairy tale!" Scootaloo said. "The Four Horsemen are real!"
"Yeah...they're real...IN YOUR DREAMS! HAHAHAHA!"
"Y'all hush, Diamond Tiara!" Apple Bloom angrily said. "I read da story ten times about Colt Daring saving a bunch of sick ponies with his herbs and he trained with one of the king's guards to become a Master Sword Stallion!"
"I read it too!" Scootaloo added. "My favorite part is when Piston Ace defeated Captain After Burner to earn his spot in King Icarus' Royal Air Defense in a race around Nimbusville."
"Well you know what my favorite part is?" Sweetie Belle joined in. "My favorite part is when Silver Iron competed in a contest to make the best armor for King Icarus' guards and he earned his cutie mark."
Hearing the last statement on how Silver Iron earned his cutie mark made Apple Bloom and Scootaloo's eyes twinkle with joy.
"Yeah!" Apple Bloom. "Even Colt earned his after he saved the sick ponies."
"And Piston got his after he won the race as well."
Diamond Tiara blew a soft raspberry to interrupt the crusaders discussion about the Horsemen's achievements. "Like anypony can earn their cutie marks from a race and saving lives."
"What about that other Horseman?" Silver Spoon questioned the Crusaders. "What did he do to earn his cutie mark? Be a court jester to the smelly old king? Hahahahaa!"
"You mean Ares Maverick?" replied an intimidated Scootaloo. "He earned his cutie mark after so much basic training in King Icarus' Royal Guards and after forming the Horsemen, he got it during the First Battle of Withersham."
"Yeah," Silver Spoon mocked. "And I earned mine by counting backwards to 0."
Both rich bullies laughed at the insult but the Crusaders weren't not in the mood to deal with them.
"Y'all hush! Our book report is gonna be way better than yours!" Apple Bloom roared.
"Ooo," Diamond Tiara said faking her cowardly fear. "I'm sssooo scared. Ha! You idiots think your report will be better than ours? Wait until I bring my father to school as part of our presentation. He'll have charts and bags full of money to demonstrate Equestria's economy. As for you, what do you have your report? Oh, wait! That stupid Horsemen story that nopony ever believes? Yeah, I can picture in my head the humiliation and laughter you three will be getting. Anyway, I'm getting bored talking about this. Come on, Silver Spoon. Lets head to my mansion where we can do our report."
Silver Spoon nods in response and both fillies trot away from the Crusaders. "See you later, blank flanks!"
As the two depart, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were left wandering what to do with their report. All three of them had the same exact thought on what Tiara said: everypony in class is bringing something as part of their report, whether it's a special guest or a prop. The three of them, on the other hoof, don't have anything to present.
"What do we suggest we do to make our report stand out?" Scootaloo asked Bloom and Belle.
"Well, we can all go and ask one of ma sister's friends if we can borrow one of their books." Apple Bloom guessed. "Therefor the book is not only for research, it can be one of them props."
"Hey yeah!" Sweetie Belle agreed. "That way we might have an advantage over Tiara and show her that our report is going to be better than hers."
"Before Ah got here to school this morning," Apple Bloom continued. "Ah heard my sister Apple Jack, Rainbow Dash, and the others are having a picnic near White Tail Woods. Lets go see them."
The three fillies trotted away from the school grounds and head southwest towards White Tail Woods.
A blast of purple, sparkling aura explodes within the confines of the Ponyville Library's main reading room, with Twilight Sparkle, Spike and the statue of Ares Maverick emerging from the blast. The excited purple unicorn takes off her saddle bag while Spike puts away the shovels and throws away the left over food in the garbage.
"OH MY CELESTIA!" Twilight Sparkle squealed in delight while clapping her front hooves. "THIS...IS...THE BEST DAY EVER! Isn't it, Spike?!"
Spike re-enters the reading room after putting away the garbage but not before yawning. "Yeah indeed. I'm think I'm going to go take a nap. I had enough traveling for one day."
"Aww but Spike," Twilight protested. "Don't you want to see me break Ares Maverick free from his stone spell?"
Spike walked up the stairs to the bedroom with his body feeling tired. "Sure...but after my nap. Why don't you get some rest bef..."
"REST?!" Twilight snapped as she gave Spike a terrifying glare. "REST?! ARE YOU SERIOUS, SPIKE?! After spending countless hours on reading, studying, and searching all these months...YOU WANT ME TO REST?!"
The little purple dragon can feel his knees shake beneath him. He can see the fire burn in the unicorn's eyes and her teeth gritting. He backs away slowly with his arms and hands in front shielding from Twilight's rage.
"Whoa, calm down!" Spike said. "I'm just saying that if you want to get some rest before you free Ares from his spell. Perhaps maybe...take a shower and make yourself presentable."
Spike stops for a minute and takes a whiff from smelling the air around him. He sense of smell detects something very foul...and it's coming from in front of him.
"Maybe instead of if," Spike said covering his nose. "How about NOW!"
Twilight Sparkle looked at Spike and smells herself. She realized that Spike was right about the stench and that it is coming from her fur. She guessed she must of got when she fell into the hole to rescue Spike and where she found the statue.
"Eww," Twilight said disgusted. "You're right. The cave was damped and hot, it made me smell like a worn out sock. Okay, I'll take a quick one and get dinner started soon. You go ahead and take your nap, Spike."
The purple dragon nods his head and walks up the stairs with the purple unicorn following behind.
At the beautiful, scenic White Tail Woods, Apple Jack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie were having a picnic near Luna Falls. The southern Earth Pony and the athletic Pegasus were having a hoof wrestle contest with the happy pink Earth Pony as referee. Meanwhile, the glamorous white unicorn is drinking tea while reading The Legacy of the Four Horsemen and the bashful yellow Pegasus is tending to a few birds high above a tree that is near the picnic.
"I got you now, Apple Jack." Rainbow Dash said while struggling to win the contest.
"Don't think so, Sugarcube!" Apple Jack responded while trying to win.
Pinkie Pie kept a close eye during the match and happily hopped for joy. "Ooo! Ooo! My money is on Apple Jack...or...Rainbow Dash...NO! NO! NO! Apple Jack for the win! NO WAIT! Rainbow Dash is gonna win!"
"Pinkie!" Rarity interrupted. "Will you please calm it down over there? I'm trying to read."
"Yeah...um...you're disturbing the sparrows up here." Fluttershy said.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" Pinkie Pie said. "I'm just eager to find out who will be the victor in this super, duper match."
As the hoof wrestle contest continued, the five mares heard the sound of trotting in the distance and then the sound of a filly calling.
"AAAAPPPLLLEEE JJAAAACCCKKK!" came the call from an approaching Apple Bloom.
Suddenly, Apple Jack lost concentration of the match and Rainbow Dash slams her hoof down to the ground, claiming victory.
"YYYESSS!" Rainbow Dash cheered. "I WON! HAHA! IN YO FACE, COWGIRL!"
Apple Jack lets out a small grunt, due to the distraction caused by Apple Bloom. "That silly filly, Ah'll deal with her later."
Everyone turned around to see the Cutie Mark Crusaders approaching them towards their picnic area.
"Hi everypony!" Sweetie Belle greeted.
"Sweetie Belle, darling," Rarity said. "How was school today?"
"Really great! All we did today was turned in a topic for our book report and discuss on what we're going to do about it."
"What is the book report about?"
"Well," Scootaloo said. "It's about the Four Horsemen story but we need to ask you guys something."
"What's that, squirt?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"May...we burrow one of your books like Rarity's for example since she has it with her."
The ponies glanced at the Cutie Mark Crusaders in complete silence and looked at each other.
"You...want to burrow one of our books?" Rainbow Dash questioned Scootaloo.
"Yes if that isn't any trouble." The filly Pegasus replied.
"I'm sorry girls," Rarity apologized. "I'm still reading the book as we speak. I'm on Chapter 40 about the Horsemen being knighted."
"But Rarity!" Sweetie Belle said. "You read that book countless times! May we just burrow it? We will be careful with it."
"Sorry, my dear. You have to ask somepony else."
"Not me!" Pinkie Pie said. "I'm on the part where Colt Daring got his name."
"Count me in!" Rainbow Dash added. "I still have not pass on the part where Piston Ace's father, Inferno Spade, became the new leader of the Red Hooves."
"Oh...um...me too." Fluttershy said. "I let Angel burrow it and he has not returned it, yet."
"That goes the same for me." Apple Jack said to the Crusaders. "I let Big Mac hold onto it until he finished reading it."
The Cutie Mark Crusaders felt disappointed and in unison sighed in defeat. Their book report is ruined and their one chance to get an excellent grade has been destroyed. They began to turn around and trot away.
"Now hold on!" Apple Jack said to the three fillies. "Maybe Twilight has an extra copy in her library. Ah'll go with ya three and ask her."
"Ya will, big sis?" Apple Bloom said with joy.
"Of course, Apple Bloom. We can go over there right now."
"YAY!" The crusaders said altogether.
The three fillies and Apple Jack trotted away from the picnic while waving goodbye to the other mares as they head to the Golden Oaks Library.
Southeast of the peaceful, friendly town of Ponyville, pass the western style town of Appleloosa, and over the mountain range of Macintosh Hills, lies a kingdom of sinister and maniacal creatures that nopony would ever dare to visit. There are rumors that anypony tries to go to that place are never to be seen again and under Princess Celestia's royal law, the place is forbidden and paths to the place are blocked off. The place in general is called the Badlands, home of the evil, deadly queen of the changelings, Queen Chrysalis. Chrysalis and her Changelings once invaded Canterlot during a royal wedding between Celestia's niece Princess Cadence and her son-in-law Shining Armor, Twilight Sparkle's brother. In order for the invasion to be a success, Queen Chrysalis kidnaps Cadence, impersonates her, and feeds off Shining Armor's love with her magic in order to make him weak. When the time came, her Changelings began to destroy Canterlot and fought the Mane 6 in a grueling fight. However, the Mane 6 were no match against an army of Changelings and surrender. The invasion was almost a success until Cadence and Shining Armor defeat Queen Chrysalis and her minions with the power of love and magic, sending them back to the Badlands.
Now, it's been years since that incident and Queen Chrysalis and the changelings have another plan up their sleeve. Entering over the mountain range to the kingdom were the two changelings that impersonated Twilight Sparkle and Rocky Canyon earlier at Diamond Vally. The two creatures flew to the Gothic castle where the can see the rest of their fellow changelings guarding the kingdom and seeing some of the flying off to patrol the area around the Badlands.
The two changelings enter the castle through the huge, wooden front doors and made their way to the second floor where the main chamber of their queen is located. As they entered into the chamber, they saw their leader sitting on her throne. She was a gangly black pegacorn with a gnarled black horn, holes on her hooves, fangs, dark green elongated eyes, a teal mane and tail, a blue-green chitinous on her midsection, a black crown tipped with blue orbs, and insect like wings. As she sat there, she was using her green magic to read a book that mostly everyone in Equestria was reading: The Legacy of the Four Horsemen. She was reading the chapter involving the wizard Merlock becoming the evil sorcerer Black Mist and how he practice dark magic.
"My queen!" The first changeling said.
Queen Chrysalis lowers her book with her magic and looks at the first changeling. "What is it, Slither?"
"The task has been complete. Twilight Sparkle has found the location of the Ares Maverick statue which also maybe the same place for the Black Mist statue."
"And does Twilight know about your existence?"
"No, my queen." The second changeling said. "I took care of the problem by slaughtering Celestia's guard Rocky Canyon and she doesn't even suspect anything."
"Nicely done, Thorn." Queen Chrysalis said all impressed. "Now gather the excavation team and meet me outside in the courtyard. The two of you will lead me and the group to Diamond Valley so we can extract the statue. Is that clear?"
The Changelings Slither and Thorn bowed in response as they exit the room to do their next task.
Queen Chrysalis evilly smirked as they left. "Watch out, Princess Celestia. The darkness shall rise again and Equestria shall fall before me...and Black List! MUHAHAHAHAHA!"
