Applejack invited her friends over for lunch. They took a nice stroll through Ponyville while heading to Sweet Apple Acres beforehand. When they arrived, they found three fillies wearing buckets for helmets and fighting each other with sticks like swords. They were the Cutie Mark Crusaders: Apple Bloom, younger sister of Applejack, Sweetie Belle, younger sister of Rarity, and Scootaloo.

"Take that, evil one!" Apple Bloom shouted, charging for Scootaloo. She swung her stick, but was blocked.

"You are no match for me, knight!" Scootaloo replied with a grin. She jumped back, then jumped forward swinging her stick at Apple Bloom.

Sweetie Belle charged after both of them head on with a loud high-pitched war cry. She tripped and tumbled towards her friends. She crashed into them, making them fall altogether. They looked at each other in a silent moment seeing if they were alright, then laughed it out.

"Apple Bloom!" Applejack exclaimed. "What in tarnation are y'all doin'?!"

"Hi Applejack!" her young sister replied. "We finally know what we're gonna do for our cutie marks!"

"Yeah!" Sweetie Belle agreed. "We're going to be knights!"

The three got together and took deep breaths. "CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS KNIGHTS! YAY!"

Rarity gasped in complete horror. "No little sister of mine is going to be a knight!" she said, stomping a hoof down.

"Aw! Rarity!"

"Being a knight is not for young ladies."

"She's right girls." Twilight implied. "It's not fun and games. And besides, I don't think girls are allowed to be knights."

"Why isn't it fun?" Scootaloo asked. "They get to fight monsters, rescue damsels in distress." She paused. "What is a damsel anyway…?"

"They're also at risk of getting seriously hurt, or worse!" Rarity exclaimed. "And a true lady does not go out and fight whatever monsters are out there!"

"If you want to know what it's like to be in battle, go ask a knight about it." Rainbow Dash said.

"But we don't know any." Apple Bloom said.

Applejack heard hoof steps behind her. She turned and saw Yorkshire coming towards them. "Yorkshire!"

The rest turned their heads. Yorkshire approached them all clean from his afternoon at the Ponyville Day Spa with the other knights. His grey coat had no dirt left at all, almost reflecting off the sun's light. His mane style stayed the same with the crest. That and his tail were well groomed. Much shampooing worked well for them. His tail's wrappings were replaced with a new clean set. No knots could be found within his mane and tail. His hooves were well rounded out with a nice curve around the toes. Although his appearance was a great improvement, exhaustion was also a result. He stumbled once every few steps. He gritted his teeth trying to keep a smile. His body still ached from the massage he had gotten from the only male masseuse at the spa.

Fluttershy blushed, finding him looking much better than before. His shampoo's scent slipped into her nose and made her shudder and smile.

"How was your time at the spa, darling?" Rarity asked.

"Physically draining." Yorkshire replied, groaning while he stretched his sore limbs. "That Bulk Biceps guy sure knows how to get deep into my muscles… But I'm very thankful to finally get cleaned up after such a long journey. The guys and I thank you for setting up our sessions. Is there any way I can return the favor?"

"There's no favor I need." Rarity replied. "I'm just very glad your afternoon at the spa went very well."

"Actually, Rarity and Ah would like to ask you for a little help." Applejack said, stepping forward.

"What's that?" he asked, stretching his neck.

"Mah little sister and her friends wanna be knights, but we think it ain't right for 'em. Could ya please explain to 'em why it ain't a good idea?"

"Applejack!" her little sister exclaimed.

"Hush Apple Bloom!"

"I see." Yorkshire said. He approached the fillies, looking down at them. "Girls, the truth is none of you can be knights. Being a knight is a big responsibility. It's not all fun and games. It's a serious job."

"Didn't you say you were in a huge battle?" Rarity asked.

He sighed heavily. "Yes… that was no game either."

"Ooh! Ooh! Could you tell us about it?" Sweetie Belle asked, jumping up and down.

Twilight shook her head. "Now girls, I don't think that's reall-"

"Perhaps I should tell them." Yorkshire said with his head turned to Twilight. "I'll tell it to you all. You should all know what happened and how we got here. It'll explain that it's dangerous to be a knight."

"Yorkshire…" Fluttershy said with a small frown. "Are you sure that's alright…?"

He nodded. "Come into the barn and I'll tell you everything." He walked into the empty barn with the girls and fillies following him in. He sat in his pile of hay, sighing heavily as sitting down strained his muscles. At least he could finally relax. Everyone else sat around him. He took a deep breath. "You see, in a distant land very far from here, an army of vicious lizards swept across that plain of existence." he explained. "One by one, towns and villages were destroyed. They killed all who were in sight; stallions, mares, even colts and fillies like yourselves." he said pointing to the Crusaders.

The fillies cuddled with the older ponies, already shivering and chattering their teeth from the story's beginning. The older mares just continued listening. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle hugged their sisters, Scootaloo hid behind one of Rainbow Dash's wings.

"They were truly black hearted. They were powerful, undefeatable… or so they thought. One way or another, they had to be stopped. I was one of a thousand knights who marched across the land to fight the dark army in a great battle. We led thousands of infantry soldiers and cavalry." Yorkshire continued. "On the southern regions of a now lifeless field past the Macintosh Hills, the two armies met and fought to the death. We all fought valiantly against the soldiers of darkness. As I fought, I saw many of my comrades and those who followed me into battle fall as they were killed." Yorkshire looked down, hugging himself. "I can still hear the screams of the knights and soldiers who were wounded and dying, swords and shields clashing with one another. Everywhere it was blood and violence... The battle lasted for who knows how long. It felt like days. With enough strength, we made the final charge against the army and defeated them. We had no interest in prisoners. We left no survivors. Unfortunately…" He sighed, looking at the girls, seeing their eyes quivering and on the verge of tears. "Out of the thousands of knights and soldiers who fought, only a few hundred of us survived; including my brother Knighton, the other four that you have seen here, and myself. All around us were the lifeless bodies of those who fought in battle.

Rarity opened her mouth, her bottom lip trembling. "But… what happened to the rest who survived…?"

"Most of them… were severely wounded and ill. We decided to come here to treat our wounds, while some wanted to return home which would've taken longer to travel. They may have died on their way back. They fought so hard to live, but fate wouldn't leave them alone. They could never return to their families..." He closed his eyes for a few seconds, then opened them. He looked to the girls and saw that all had tears running down their cheeks. Most of the girls sniffled and were choking up. The fillies started to weep, horrified of the words they had heard from his mouth.

"That's just awful…" Twilight said, keeping herself from crying. "Only six of you coming here…"

"What did you do with the bodies of everypony else…?" Rainbow Dash asked, trying to hold back her tears.

"What could we do…?" Yorkshire replied. "All we could do was to leave the deceased unburied… There were too many to count… too many to grief over…"

Fluttershy being the most sensitive could not struggle to keep herself from crying.

Yorkshire scooted over to her and wrapped his arm around her. He nuzzled her mane softly. "It was very hard for the six of us, being the only ones who lived to tell the tale of our battle…" He looked to the fillies who were still crying. "Now do you understand what a knight's life can be sometimes?"

The fillies looked to him and nodded slowly.

He sighed. "Come over here."

They got up and walked close to him. They all hugged together.

"We're so sorry about what happened…" Sweetie Belle said, sniffling.

"It's alright…" he said with a small smile. "The important thing is that the dark army will never hurt anypony again, so the others who fought did not die in vain. They died honorably for a good cause. You girls can't become knights for real, but that doesn't mean you have to stop pretending. You girls have better things ahead in your life. Do you understand?"

They looked at him and wiped their eyes. Nodding again, they managed to smile.

"Yorkshire." Rarity said. "You show such kindness to everypony around you. What does it truly mean to be a knight?" she asked

"It represents that you are loyal, trustworthy, brave, strong, and capable of defending those who are in need of help." he replied. "Even if it means sacrificing your own life." He rubbed his head against Fluttershy's head softly again.

"What is this?" a voice asked.

Everyone turned and saw that it was the red knight. Applejack and Yorkshire were the only ones who knew who he really was. Like Yorkshire, he too was clean and well-groomed from the spa. His mustache and beard nicely trimmed.

"Yorkshire, why do these girls show tears in their eyes?" he asked.

"I was telling them about when we were battle against the dark army." Yorkshire

"I see."

"Girls, this is my big brother Knighton." Yorkshire explained.

"How do you do ladies?" he asked with a nod.

"He fought very bravely during the battle." Yorkshire said. "He slew many enemies."

"Bravery wasn't the only feeling I had that day." He looked down slowly with a small frown. "Hatred and revenge is what I felt most of all."

"Why?" Twilight asked. "Because of what they did to everypony?"

"Because they killed my fiancé…" he replied, gritting his teeth.

They altogether gasped, feeling sharp pains in their chests.

"Are you sure you're comfortable telling them that?" Yorkshire asked with concern.

"I'm sure." Knighton replied. "I've been holding it in for quite some time. I think it is time get it off my chest." He sat down with them in the hay. "She was a very beautiful mare." He began. "Her coat was as bright and white as the falling snow on a winter's day, and her ruby eyes were as red as the hottest flames in fire. Around her front right leg was a turquoise bracelet that belonged to her mother. She never took it off. It was true love, we both believed. Our hearts melted the moment we met. But one day, my little brother and my other four companions had to leave the town for a while to gather some information about the dark army that was coming. We agreed to marry when we returned. We knew that the army wouldn't come through the town for they were too far from there. But fate… had other plans…" Knighton started to breathe heavily, feeling the pain in his chest grow.

"What happened…?" Rarity asked while her voice was breaking. Tears along with mascara ran down her face.

He looked to Rarity. "When we returned, the town was in ruin. All burned down and charred. Not a living thing in sight. The others searched for survivors while I was looking for Angel Wings. That was her name. I found the remains of her home, burned down as well. I looked around, screaming her name. But when I glanced down, I was horrified for what I had discovered. A hoof sticking out of the remains of the house completely burned, only to see a bracelet perfectly unharmed. I knew that it was too late. She was gone…"

Everypony but Knighton and Yorkshire cried together and loud. All of them broken hearted.

"Yes… I too mourned." Knighton continued. He looked to his bag and reached for it. From it, he pulled out the same bracelet that was mentioned in his story. "This was the bracelet she wore." he said, showing it to everypony. "On that day in battle against the dark army, I knew I had my revenge." He held the bracelet close to his chest. "Every single one of those monsters deserved to die for what they had done." He stood up, looking away. "I am sorry to bring great pain and grief upon you. I hope that you all can find it in your hearts to forgive me." He put away the bracelet and left the barn without another word, leaving Yorkshire with the mourning ponies and fillies.

"That's the saddest story I ever heard!" Rainbow Dash cried, no longer able to hold back her tears.

"Oh Angel Wings!" Pinkie Pie bawled. She and Rainbow Dash held each other tightly, both crying the loudest.

Looking at them sob, Yorkshire felt more pain and grief. He felt a few tears run from his eyes. He felt Fluttershy smother her face into his shoulder, hearing her muffled whimpering and weeping.

"It just ain't fair!" Apple Bloom yelled. "Why did she have to die?!"

Applejack sighed, hiccuping. "War is a cruel thing, ya know…" she replied, hugging her little sister.

Twilight wiped tears from her eyes, sniffling loudly. "Yorkshire, should we do something for Knighton to make him feel better?"

He shook his head. "That won't be necessary." he replied. "He feels better when he talks about stuff like this to others. He'll be alright. I know my big brother." He slightly smiled.

She smiled back, standing up. "Hey girls, let's pull ourselves together now, if it's alright."

Applejack nodded, wiping her tears. "Yeah… Ah don't want the rest of the family to see us like this durin' lunch." She stood up and helped Apple Bloom. She looked to Yorkshire. "Thank you for tellin' your story."

Yorkshire nodded. "It helps to talk about it."

Everyone else stood up all except Yorkshire.

"Aren't you coming along?" Scootaloo asked.

"I'm going to stay here for a while." he replied. "I'm not really hungry."

Fluttershy smiled a little, still sniffling. "I-I'll see you later. Don't get too lonely now."

He chuckled. "I won't."

She lightly pecked his cheek, making him and herself blush. She let out a little giggle, and followed her friends outside.

He smiled deeply, placing his hoof on his cheek.