You're Sending ME?? (Open, Appleloosa start)

[zipfyre]

ZipFyre stared at Sheriff Silverstar in shock. This had to be some kind of joke... but the stallion didn't "do" jokes, and if his steely personality didn't convince you, the look on his face would.
"But... but..."
ZipFyre plunged into her mind for some kind of excuse. She was too little? No, then why did she apply to be trained as deputy? She hadn't completed her chores? Naw, she was famous for getting everything done super fast, if a little sloppily.
"I-I'm not ready."
Even as the words slipped like sludge off her tongue, she knew what the Sheriff's response would be.
"Nonsense. You've completed every task I've given, arrived for duty every day, trained for all types of emergencies. Besides, who else would I send? I can't go, my duty is here. You are my eyes and hooves outside these parts. I'm counting on you."
Zip's throat felt as dry as the desert outside, it hurt to swallow, forget speaking, so she only nodded her head.
Silverstar bestowed a rare grin. "Good. You will have two weeks to find a posse and report back to me. You'll do me proud, I know it."
So that was it. The first time an actual outlaw gang had threatened Appleloosa (perhaps any other town in Equestria, too, for that matter!), and ZipFyre, a hyperactive teenage pegasus with bare minimum combat training, was chosen to round 'em up and bring 'em home... to jail, that was.
ZipFyre shook her head, scanning the other ponies around her. Who in their right mind would follow her into the desert to battle?
An idea presented itself in Zip's mind and she allowed herself a small grin.
The next day, posters seemed to have sprouted overnight across Appleloosa:

WANTED
6-8 brave ponies willing to travel for extended periods of time, locate a group of dangerous criminals, and bring them safely back to Appleloosa to be tried by a judge of the law. Limited compensation offered. Those interested will meet two weeks from now in front of the Sheriff's office.

ZipFyre grinned as she walked by a group of ponies reading the poster. No one had to know it was her leading the posse. Most, if not all would probably assume it was the Sheriff himself leading it. Her heartbeat began to slow to a normal speed as she performed her routine rounds about the town. Whatever happened in the two weeks that followed, she wouldn't have to worry about it... yet.