An Apple Against Applesby Prince LunaChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Prologue Chapter 1Why was I spotted? Oh damn why was I spotted? Outsiders were unheard of. I didn't even know there was an outside to the factory. When that note suddenly appeared in front of me at my last minute of baring almost constant work. It popped up beneath my back hooves and I had to keep it secret before I returned to my cell for my daily half hour break. The words keep running through my head faster than I'm running now. "Eden Apple. You know nothing of your family. We doubt you even know what a family is. If you do, we are yours. We want you out of that factory permanently. Listen precisely and follow these instructions..." Yeah, I blotted the rest because I've done that all. Geez it was hard to do, but I met my 'parents'. A old yet beautiful pony with a strange growth on her forehead and a old stallion with no abnormalities. They had told me to meet them just outside the factory. They uttered some last words to me. Damn I wish I could remember them by heart! I know I have to go somewhere south. A 'town' they called it and then they lay to rest. Just as this happened, I felt a burst of energy in my forehead and one of those growths appeared there! If I remember Appleland law correctly, these are called 'unicorn horns' and are banished under punishment of death for having one. As if being on the run for escaping the factory wasn't enough, now the guards are chasing me for having a horn too. And like I said, I'm on a run for my life in the dark 'outside' and it smells here. *** I must've ran a hell of a lot of distance. I outran the guards because...well...I killed them. They almost caught up and my horn began to glow then BAM. A strange long thing also glowing fell right onto the guard ponies. It seems to be getting light out here...I can see a large lightbulb in the roof of this place in the distance. The air-con seems to be cold. But where's the noise? I'm not in the factory but what building am I in? The light seems to rise higher as time goes on. Hey wait. What's that? "...excuse me?" Is there somepony talking to me? "...over here..." I turn around and see an odd clump of green. It's moving. I think there may be something in it. "...um...I am down here, unicorn...sir...mam?" "Sir." I answered, peering into the green, "mah name is Eden Apple." The pony climbed out. She was silver with a horn and what I think were called wings. She had a long flowing navy blue mane and tail. Where her logo should be there was a white pony with some sort of instrument. I saw her looking over me. I'm a golden-yellow pony, short brown mane and medium length tail of the same colour and now a horn. She bowed a little. "My name is Grace." She said softly, "It is an absolutely tip-top pleasure to meet you, Eden Apple!" She lightly shook my hoof. "Now, I require assistance upon the task of travelling to Appleloon." Appleloon? Wait that's where my parents told me to go! I stepped towards her. "I'm goin' there too. Tag along!" I tried a smile. "Would you lead the way? I do not know the way." She said, looking down sullenly. "Well that's all dandy. Ba-freakin'-zinga. Ah don't know the way neither!" I shouted, causing her to back away slightly. "I...I am sorry. I did not know that you would not...oh my." A tear formed in her eye. Guilt. Instant guilt. I did see some strange grey squiggle in the distance. "Lookee over there." I said calmly. "The smoke?" she asked. "That's what it is? Yeah okay. How's about we follow it?" I suggested. "Capital idea! Let us venture forth!" she shouted enthusiastically, pointing towards the 'smoke'. Slightly embarrassed, I led the way. I'd like to say this is gonna be fun, but I just can't see that. I've never experienced fun before. Chapter 2Grace is being quiet. She hasn't said anything since we started walking. Maybe it's because I shouted at her? I can hear sounds in the distance. Maybe I should bring it up? "Them sounds must be comin' from Appleloon." I noted. "Indeed they are!" she said joyously, "We are very near!" Okay maybe she just didn't have anything to talk about. I suppose we were closer than she thought, we passed a sign for Appleloon and just reached the town. The ground was brown and there were...buildings...inside this building? "Hey, Grace, why're there buildings inside this here factory?" I asked. "This is no dirty factory! Oh, factory pony, I forgot you are of there. No, we are outside of your terrible prison! This is the ever so great outdoors! Miles and miles upon more miles of this greenery et cetera is everywhere outside!" she said triumphantly. Greenery? That must be...obviously....the green stuff. So the buildings out here seemed to be not very well built at all but were very loud with chatter. Grace led me into one. There are some ponies sat at chairs drinking, another behind some contraption giving them the drinks and a few sat on the floor rolling strange cubes and trading around round pieces. Grace walked to the pony behind the contraption. "Grace? Ye've been gone all night! Where were ya all night?" He asked, slightly enraged. "My sincerest apologies, Flom. Last night I saw something curious. A small white fluffy creature. I had to follow it! But then I got lost in the forest and heard shouting in the distance. I went to hide in a nearby shrubbery bush and later I found the kind and fabulous Eden Apple here who led me safely back here. How about a FlimFlam Cider for the both us?" She said, all in one breath. "Y'all had us worried." Flom said, preparing drinks, he suddenly dropped a glass, "Eden Apple?!" He quickly shooed everypony out of the building and shut the doors. The ponies mumbled and walked off except one. He was very large and a light brown colour. He had a white beard and wore sunglasses and a black vest with the letters "M.M" stitched on. "YE GOT ME KICKED OUT, YA LITTLE SHIT!" He shouted very quickly. "Ahm...Ahm sorry. I had no clue what that was all 'bout." I said with a small bit of fear in my voice. "I WAS ENJOYIN' MY DRINK 'TILL YOU AND THE TOWN BITCH GOT US FUCKED OUT." He shouted again. "Excuse me?!" Grace shouted, trying to stand up to him, but his stare made her begin to cry. "NOW IM GONNA SMACK YOU ONE GOOD, APPLETRASH!" He raised a hoof. Then I heard a sound as I closed my eyes. It sounded like the whips used in the factory. I opened my eyes to see a pony holding a whip tied around a raised hoof. He was turquoise with a long but thin brown mane. "Off'a him, Motor Mouth!" the pony said. A silver coloured pony with a horn stood next to him. She had a long white mane. "Screw you, Whiplash!" he said with a slight whimper in his voice. He ran to a strange contraption in wheels, wheels like the one where his logo should be, he sat on it and it growled, then took off in a cloud of smoke. "If he started yapping on even more at an innocent little pony like you...I would've shoved lead right where the sun don't shine." The other pony said rather cheekily. "What indeed does that terrible colt have against me?" Grace whimpered. "Nothing much, Grace. I'm sure he's just jealous because you're - what - the richest pony in town?" Whiplash sniggered. I stood there watching cluelessly and confused. What in the hay was going on here? "Oh, Eden Apple! You have not met my friends!" Grace began, "The stallion here is Whiplash and the beautiful mare is Silver Bullet." "Oh, I do love the compliment!" Silver Bullet whinnied. "Eden Apple..." Whiplash mumbled, "You better come with me son. We gotta show you something." *** Whiplash led us a little out of the town and we entered a strange hole in a very large clump of rock. Grace mumbled something about a 'dirty cave' but I dunno what that means. "Silver, mind shedding some light on the prophecy?" Whiplash chuckled, then became serious. Silver Bullet's horn began to glow and before me I saw a large slate with pictures on. It depicted a pony much like Grace with both wings and a horn and many other ponies...dying in streams of energy from the horn. It was a gruesome picture. But the shocking part was underneath. I'm no good at reading, but this very clearly said something sinister, something that made my heart skip a few beats. Something that scared me majorly. 'The golden one known as Eden Apple shall unleash his true power in the darkest time. Fused with rage and magic, he will bring the end. -Philosopher Sparkle' The end? The end of what?! I've barely been out here for a while and already I'm one to destroy us all?! "What in the fuck is this?!" I shouted, only half minding my language. "You mean you did not know?" Silver Bullet asked. "Hell no." I replied "So why ain't y'all backing away from me or somethin'? This here says I could kill y'all any moment!" " He does sound rather...fused with rage..." Grace commented. "This is not the time the prophecy foretells." Whiplash said calmly. He patted my head gently and led us out of the cave. "Silver and I have had our fair share of adventuring. There's another part to this prophecy out there and now that you're here we're gonna set out to find it. Grace, return home. This is not a road somepony like you should follow." Whiplash explained. " There is no way that I shall return to my palace!" Grace said, her voice slightly raised. What was wrong with this mare? I'd rather stay safe in some palace than on some apparently perilous journey. "My life is a bore up until now. I saw the strange creature and now I found Eden Apple, bringer of doom!" she continued, laughing a little under her breath. "That ain't funny." I muttered. "Quite, quite." she giggled, "I refuse to stay in Appleloon, Whiplash. I am accompanying you on your travels." "You gotta check with your mum first." He sniggered. "She does not need to know!" Grace laughed, feeling rebellious. "Well you're a good nurse. Smuggle us some medical supplies and meet us at Whiplash's place, 'kay?" Silver Bullet asked. "'Kay!" Grace giggled, galloping off to her palace. "Cmon mister catalyst!" Whiplash said joking, "We gotta get you ready for the road ahead!" I'm still damn confused. Chapter 3Whiplash has a pretty big cell. I asked him how he got one so big and he gave me a very stern look. "I know you're not used to terms outside of your factory, Eden, but this is a 'house'." He explained. He told me the differences between my cell and his house rather braggingly. He ruffled my mane and told me he meant no hard feelings. All the while he packed some old looking brown saddlebags whilst Silver Bullet sat at the table, already prepared wih cold looking metal saddlebags, looking at Whiplash. In her eyes she was focusing on him intently, but through her expression you could tell she was bored. Grace slowly opened the door and walked in. She too had prepared some stylish and glittery navy blue saddlebags that looked rather overpacked. "I did not know what to bring, Whiplash, so I brought a majority of anything I could find! Look! A medicine for hoof-rot or a herbal bandage! Oh yes! I also packed some healthy snacks!" She blabbered on for a bit about the wonders of her medical bag. Whiplash came over to the table the rest of us were sat at and laid out a map. Grace slowly munched on a celery stick. "Awright everypony. We're here in Appleloon right now." He pointed with his hoof at a green tick on the map, "These very thick grey lines are apple-factory borders. We must avoid them at all costs!" It was strange. The factory lines were all connected to one another and even seemed to make the start of a shape. This was a small map though so I could hardly tell. "Unfortunatley because of this, our best best is to go around the walls of the factories and keep our distance so to get to the shrine will take maybe a week at most. Maybe one and a half." He was talking exactly as if he knew what he was on about. I trusted him. Whiplash had planned for us to reach the next town over, Applemills, within the next two to three days to meet a friend of his. He claimed he knew a fast route through a 'forest', so if we got going as soon as we could then we would reach Applemills in a day and a half. "Is everypony good with this plan?" He asked. "I'm certain with my input we can make it there faster." Nodded Silver Bullet. "It would be best for my mind just to follow you, Whiplash, so that is what I shall do!" Grace said with a clap. "Ahm ready fer the walkin' Ah guess." I said nervously. Whiplash gave me a reassuring nod and put on some saddlebags like his around my torso. *** We had just entered the forest, which was a large mass of greenery, not too soon after leaving. It's still supposed to be a while until the light in the sky turned off, I assume, but the forest is dark and cold. Grace walked closely to me, looking a little scared herself. She's a bit taller than me so she sort of overshadowed me, but I didn't mind. Having somepony close to me makes me feel safer, I think. Whiplash stopped. "Did you hear that?" He whispered. Grace moved even closer to me, her torso touched mine gently. "W-what?" I asked. "Listen closely and make little noise." Whiplash whispered again. I heard a sound coming from our left, from some of the greenery. Everypony looked towards it and the noise stopped. One of those things I hit the guards with made a sound just after that. An extension seemed to creep down closely. I saw a shadow but it quickly jumped towards me. No wait. Towards Grace! AH! What was that noise? A loud bang... Whatever the shadow was, it quickly dropped down in mid-air. I looked towards where the sound came from and there was Silver Bullet with a strange contraption floating infront of her. Her blue aura radiated over it and her horn. It looked strange, like the curve of a circle and made of metal. There was a ring with a little pushing-thing inside it and a hole at the other end. "Nice work with the pistol, Silver!" Whiplash laughed. "Never missed a shot. Never have." Silver Bullet gloated. "Thank you very much!" Said Grace cheerfully, "That thing would have gotten me if it weren't for you!" Silver Bullet smiled at Grace and we continued walking. "I reckon that noise scared anything else trying to come for us." Commented Whiplash. "Hey, so Silver Bullet, what IS that anyway?" I asked. She laughed and started to explain what it was. She called it a 'weapon'. Apparently it...kills things. But she never used it for bad. Only protection. I felt reassured now that she could keep us safe with it. Then she said something that made me do something I had only done once before. Subconciously. "You're a unicorn, Eden, can you use magic?" Silver Bullet asked. "What now?" I returned a question. "Alrighty. See that stick over there?" She said, pointing at something on the ground. I didn't know what it was. "Yep. Ah see it." I replied. "Concentrate on it. Put a little pressure to your head and breathe in. Aim your horn at it and think 'pick it up.'" She instructed. I did as she told then, like with the guards, my horn began to glow yellow and so did the stick. I thought to myself 'pick it up!' several times and then it began to float. The ponies appluaded me. "That's magic, Eden!" Silver Bullet explained, "You can do many things with it, like shoot a gun! I'll have to teach you some of my best tricks!" Silver Bullet and Whiplash laughed. Grace giggled and I noticed we were still touching torsos. She seemed to notice this too and stepped away slightly and awkwardly, avoiding eye contact for a few seconds. We approached a large circle where there were no trees or anything. Whiplash asked to borrow my bags. He rummaged through them and began to pull fabrics and metal out. "Say, Eden, why don't you help put up the tents? We're sleeping out here tonight. It's dark now." Whiplash asked and commented. "Ya mean usin' magic?" I asked. "Of course! You and Silver can set up the tents. Grace and I will prepare a fire and food." He instructed, "Oh! Oh! I shall get the tinned beans from my bag! They are scrumptious and healthy!" Grace shouted with joy. Silver Bullet looked at me and smiled, she stood next to me and began to use magic. I tried it too and eventually we were both preparing the 'tents' with magic! I...I felt happy to be with people I could trust. I love to say it now! I smiled! For the first time ever, I SMILED! Chapter 4After waking up I found that I had been sleeping for TWO DAYS STRAIGHT. I suppose having one 30 minute nap a day doesn't apply outside. Nopony wanted to wake me up but the camp was still all here. Grace giggled as I slowly stumbled out of my tent. "Good morning!" She called, offering me some beans. "What's mornin'?" I asked, slowly chewing on the beans. Grace gasped loudly. She then began to tap her hooves on the ground. My dear Eden Apple, what is morning to you? Morning is a fantastic time, it brings the day anew! It brings on the sun, It's light and we all know, A brand new day has begun, So roll on with the show! What was she doing? It scared me a little but...I really liked it otherwise! The sky of the morning tells us It's time to say hello! Hello to everypony You'll have a good day, I know! The morning is a brand new start It signals you to come take your part Its the opposite to night "The darkness really gives me a fright..." So, my little pony Eden Apple See the new day's sun and cackle 'Cause morning is a cheer! 'Cause the new day is here! 'Cause morning is a cheer! 'Cause the new day is heeeeere! Silver Bullet and Whiplash walked into the camp and started to laugh like crazy. "Singing again, Grace?" Whiplash laughed. "And I see Eden is up! Good morning!" Silver Bullet greeted me. "Good Mornin'!" Wow that feels good to say! We ate some food for what the others called 'breakfast'. Whiplash commented that I ate 'like a horse'. I didn't get it but everypony laughed. "Alrighty then." Silver Bullet stood up, "Now that Eden's awake let's pack up and get moving." Everypony nodded and began to pack away the tents. I really am getting the hang of magic now. I deconstructed a tent all on my own, but Silver Bullet had to fold it since I got lost inside it trying to do so. So soon we were on the road again. The walk was really uneventful as it was daytime and nopony was around. I had to endure Grace trying to figure out shortening things like 'it is' or 'do not', trying my best not to laugh. She heard me snigger a few times. I almost broke out when she said 'cause' pronounced 'cow-see'! "You hear that?" Whiplash asked. "Y'all mean the runnin' water?" I asked. "Lake Shy. We're almost in Applemill." Silver Bullet informed. Grace was humming the tune to the song she had sung earlier but everything came to a halt when we saw something blocking our path. That something was Motor Mouth. "Finally." He said, spitting on the ground. "What do you want, Motor Mouth?" Whiplash asked. "Payback at the factory runt for scaring all the business in Appleloon. I ain't letting him do the same to Applemill." He said, leaning against his moving machine. "I didn't mean to hurt anypony in Appleloon." I grunted. "Y'dint?" Motor Mouth spat on the ground, "if you do ANYTHIN' to Applemill I'll shove this hoof UP YOUR DAMN FLANK." He went off on his machine. Probably to drink more. "Yeah y'all better run!" I mumbled. We entered Applemill but what we saw bothered us majorly. Beat up ponies on the street. Motor Mouth came to our side. "If threatenin' ya didn't keep you outta this hell hole what will?" he said, his face pressed against mine. "Yer breath stinks. Geddit outta mah face." I smirked. He backed off. "The factory guards are lookin' for you ya little shit!" he shouted, "they don't want ya out here!" "Then I'll just hide. Or Silver Bullet can bust a cap in their face." I said. "Do not fight, merry stallions!" Grace cried, "I would prefer if we just hid!" "Can't hide forever." Whiplash sighed. "How long ago did this attack happen?" Silver Bullet asked. "Round an hour or two ago, bitch." Motor Mouth yelled. "Pony with the Tourette's! Please refrain from offending my friends or I will have to take action!" Grace shouted, standing on her hind hooves. "OH you want some now, Missy Prissy?" Motor Mouth spat. "SETTLE DOWN!" I yelled, "do y'all hear sommat?" In the distance I heard voices. Angry voices. "Guard bastards," Motor Mouth spat again, "everypony follow me if you don't wanna get fucked!" It was our only choice. We followed Motor Mouth to a beautiful looking bed of water. "Lake Shy." Grace gasped. "Oh. Nice hiding spot you bafoon!" Silver Bullet said to Motor Mouth, preparing her pistol as factory guards surrounded us in dozens. There was a rumbling sound, then a figure rose from the lake. "I, Spirit of Fluttershy, slain by the hoof of Apple Bloom, release to Apple Eden a fraction of his power!" it shouted. My horn began to glow blindingly, then in a blast of yellow, I became unconscious. Prologue Prologue We will start from the beginning of my time's madness. Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom were the last remaining members of the Apple-family and Big Mac owned the rights to Sweet Apple Acres. His will stated that once he passed away the rights would go over to Apple Bloom. This day eventually came. Apple Bloom had a knack for productivity and had the Acres running at a much better efficiency than ever before. Despite being almost an adult, she did not have her cutie mark yet; she thought that owning the company would change this. She was wrong. Several years passed and the Apple business had expanded to the entire of Ponyville. There was no longer a town but a large apple orchard. The townsponies did not mind this however. They just moved to the next town over. There was no room for housing in Appleville. Apple Bloom went to visit the next town over for business reasons and met her old friends Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. Much to her surprise they had both acquired their cutie marks and she still had not. Something snapped in her that day as she enthusiastically signed a contract to expand Appleville to this town and once again move the ponies out. Around a decade had passed and the company kept growing and growing. Princess Celestia was overpowered by Apple Bloom and surrendered the country of Equestria to her. Apple Bloom had become insane. Everypony was too scared to stand up to their new leader. Soon, Apple Bloom decided that earth-ponies were doomed to receive their cutie marks much later than pegasi or unicorns and, in a slur of jealousy, abolished pegasi and unicorns. The new law stated that anypony who was of these races would have their wings or horns ripped off or were killed and they were no longer allowed to breed. Apple Bloom was very old a few years after this and still had no cutie mark. In a slur of insanity and rage, she cut off her blank flank and refused to see a doctor, which were very rare. Why? Apple Bloom ruled the planet and, still obsessed with getting her cutie mark, she had put factories across the planet for apple produce. Everypony had to work in these factories and were born into the business. Along with this came came the abolishment of cutie marks; ponies have their flanks burned at birth and branded with a generic apple logo. Apple Bloom soon died with no relatives to take over the company. She let the rights onto her top worker, Apple Lypse. He was obsessed with work and kept the company going just as it was now. Nopony went in, nopony came out. Now here's my story.
Chapter 1Why was I spotted? Oh damn why was I spotted? Outsiders were unheard of. I didn't even know there was an outside to the factory. When that note suddenly appeared in front of me at my last minute of baring almost constant work. It popped up beneath my back hooves and I had to keep it secret before I returned to my cell for my daily half hour break. The words keep running through my head faster than I'm running now. "Eden Apple. You know nothing of your family. We doubt you even know what a family is. If you do, we are yours. We want you out of that factory permanently. Listen precisely and follow these instructions..." Yeah, I blotted the rest because I've done that all. Geez it was hard to do, but I met my 'parents'. A old yet beautiful pony with a strange growth on her forehead and a old stallion with no abnormalities. They had told me to meet them just outside the factory. They uttered some last words to me. Damn I wish I could remember them by heart! I know I have to go somewhere south. A 'town' they called it and then they lay to rest. Just as this happened, I felt a burst of energy in my forehead and one of those growths appeared there! If I remember Appleland law correctly, these are called 'unicorn horns' and are banished under punishment of death for having one. As if being on the run for escaping the factory wasn't enough, now the guards are chasing me for having a horn too. And like I said, I'm on a run for my life in the dark 'outside' and it smells here. *** I must've ran a hell of a lot of distance. I outran the guards because...well...I killed them. They almost caught up and my horn began to glow then BAM. A strange long thing also glowing fell right onto the guard ponies. It seems to be getting light out here...I can see a large lightbulb in the roof of this place in the distance. The air-con seems to be cold. But where's the noise? I'm not in the factory but what building am I in? The light seems to rise higher as time goes on. Hey wait. What's that? "...excuse me?" Is there somepony talking to me? "...over here..." I turn around and see an odd clump of green. It's moving. I think there may be something in it. "...um...I am down here, unicorn...sir...mam?" "Sir." I answered, peering into the green, "mah name is Eden Apple." The pony climbed out. She was silver with a horn and what I think were called wings. She had a long flowing navy blue mane and tail. Where her logo should be there was a white pony with some sort of instrument. I saw her looking over me. I'm a golden-yellow pony, short brown mane and medium length tail of the same colour and now a horn. She bowed a little. "My name is Grace." She said softly, "It is an absolutely tip-top pleasure to meet you, Eden Apple!" She lightly shook my hoof. "Now, I require assistance upon the task of travelling to Appleloon." Appleloon? Wait that's where my parents told me to go! I stepped towards her. "I'm goin' there too. Tag along!" I tried a smile. "Would you lead the way? I do not know the way." She said, looking down sullenly. "Well that's all dandy. Ba-freakin'-zinga. Ah don't know the way neither!" I shouted, causing her to back away slightly. "I...I am sorry. I did not know that you would not...oh my." A tear formed in her eye. Guilt. Instant guilt. I did see some strange grey squiggle in the distance. "Lookee over there." I said calmly. "The smoke?" she asked. "That's what it is? Yeah okay. How's about we follow it?" I suggested. "Capital idea! Let us venture forth!" she shouted enthusiastically, pointing towards the 'smoke'. Slightly embarrassed, I led the way. I'd like to say this is gonna be fun, but I just can't see that. I've never experienced fun before.
Chapter 2Grace is being quiet. She hasn't said anything since we started walking. Maybe it's because I shouted at her? I can hear sounds in the distance. Maybe I should bring it up? "Them sounds must be comin' from Appleloon." I noted. "Indeed they are!" she said joyously, "We are very near!" Okay maybe she just didn't have anything to talk about. I suppose we were closer than she thought, we passed a sign for Appleloon and just reached the town. The ground was brown and there were...buildings...inside this building? "Hey, Grace, why're there buildings inside this here factory?" I asked. "This is no dirty factory! Oh, factory pony, I forgot you are of there. No, we are outside of your terrible prison! This is the ever so great outdoors! Miles and miles upon more miles of this greenery et cetera is everywhere outside!" she said triumphantly. Greenery? That must be...obviously....the green stuff. So the buildings out here seemed to be not very well built at all but were very loud with chatter. Grace led me into one. There are some ponies sat at chairs drinking, another behind some contraption giving them the drinks and a few sat on the floor rolling strange cubes and trading around round pieces. Grace walked to the pony behind the contraption. "Grace? Ye've been gone all night! Where were ya all night?" He asked, slightly enraged. "My sincerest apologies, Flom. Last night I saw something curious. A small white fluffy creature. I had to follow it! But then I got lost in the forest and heard shouting in the distance. I went to hide in a nearby shrubbery bush and later I found the kind and fabulous Eden Apple here who led me safely back here. How about a FlimFlam Cider for the both us?" She said, all in one breath. "Y'all had us worried." Flom said, preparing drinks, he suddenly dropped a glass, "Eden Apple?!" He quickly shooed everypony out of the building and shut the doors. The ponies mumbled and walked off except one. He was very large and a light brown colour. He had a white beard and wore sunglasses and a black vest with the letters "M.M" stitched on. "YE GOT ME KICKED OUT, YA LITTLE SHIT!" He shouted very quickly. "Ahm...Ahm sorry. I had no clue what that was all 'bout." I said with a small bit of fear in my voice. "I WAS ENJOYIN' MY DRINK 'TILL YOU AND THE TOWN BITCH GOT US FUCKED OUT." He shouted again. "Excuse me?!" Grace shouted, trying to stand up to him, but his stare made her begin to cry. "NOW IM GONNA SMACK YOU ONE GOOD, APPLETRASH!" He raised a hoof. Then I heard a sound as I closed my eyes. It sounded like the whips used in the factory. I opened my eyes to see a pony holding a whip tied around a raised hoof. He was turquoise with a long but thin brown mane. "Off'a him, Motor Mouth!" the pony said. A silver coloured pony with a horn stood next to him. She had a long white mane. "Screw you, Whiplash!" he said with a slight whimper in his voice. He ran to a strange contraption in wheels, wheels like the one where his logo should be, he sat on it and it growled, then took off in a cloud of smoke. "If he started yapping on even more at an innocent little pony like you...I would've shoved lead right where the sun don't shine." The other pony said rather cheekily. "What indeed does that terrible colt have against me?" Grace whimpered. "Nothing much, Grace. I'm sure he's just jealous because you're - what - the richest pony in town?" Whiplash sniggered. I stood there watching cluelessly and confused. What in the hay was going on here? "Oh, Eden Apple! You have not met my friends!" Grace began, "The stallion here is Whiplash and the beautiful mare is Silver Bullet." "Oh, I do love the compliment!" Silver Bullet whinnied. "Eden Apple..." Whiplash mumbled, "You better come with me son. We gotta show you something." *** Whiplash led us a little out of the town and we entered a strange hole in a very large clump of rock. Grace mumbled something about a 'dirty cave' but I dunno what that means. "Silver, mind shedding some light on the prophecy?" Whiplash chuckled, then became serious. Silver Bullet's horn began to glow and before me I saw a large slate with pictures on. It depicted a pony much like Grace with both wings and a horn and many other ponies...dying in streams of energy from the horn. It was a gruesome picture. But the shocking part was underneath. I'm no good at reading, but this very clearly said something sinister, something that made my heart skip a few beats. Something that scared me majorly. 'The golden one known as Eden Apple shall unleash his true power in the darkest time. Fused with rage and magic, he will bring the end. -Philosopher Sparkle' The end? The end of what?! I've barely been out here for a while and already I'm one to destroy us all?! "What in the fuck is this?!" I shouted, only half minding my language. "You mean you did not know?" Silver Bullet asked. "Hell no." I replied "So why ain't y'all backing away from me or somethin'? This here says I could kill y'all any moment!" " He does sound rather...fused with rage..." Grace commented. "This is not the time the prophecy foretells." Whiplash said calmly. He patted my head gently and led us out of the cave. "Silver and I have had our fair share of adventuring. There's another part to this prophecy out there and now that you're here we're gonna set out to find it. Grace, return home. This is not a road somepony like you should follow." Whiplash explained. " There is no way that I shall return to my palace!" Grace said, her voice slightly raised. What was wrong with this mare? I'd rather stay safe in some palace than on some apparently perilous journey. "My life is a bore up until now. I saw the strange creature and now I found Eden Apple, bringer of doom!" she continued, laughing a little under her breath. "That ain't funny." I muttered. "Quite, quite." she giggled, "I refuse to stay in Appleloon, Whiplash. I am accompanying you on your travels." "You gotta check with your mum first." He sniggered. "She does not need to know!" Grace laughed, feeling rebellious. "Well you're a good nurse. Smuggle us some medical supplies and meet us at Whiplash's place, 'kay?" Silver Bullet asked. "'Kay!" Grace giggled, galloping off to her palace. "Cmon mister catalyst!" Whiplash said joking, "We gotta get you ready for the road ahead!" I'm still damn confused.
Chapter 3Whiplash has a pretty big cell. I asked him how he got one so big and he gave me a very stern look. "I know you're not used to terms outside of your factory, Eden, but this is a 'house'." He explained. He told me the differences between my cell and his house rather braggingly. He ruffled my mane and told me he meant no hard feelings. All the while he packed some old looking brown saddlebags whilst Silver Bullet sat at the table, already prepared wih cold looking metal saddlebags, looking at Whiplash. In her eyes she was focusing on him intently, but through her expression you could tell she was bored. Grace slowly opened the door and walked in. She too had prepared some stylish and glittery navy blue saddlebags that looked rather overpacked. "I did not know what to bring, Whiplash, so I brought a majority of anything I could find! Look! A medicine for hoof-rot or a herbal bandage! Oh yes! I also packed some healthy snacks!" She blabbered on for a bit about the wonders of her medical bag. Whiplash came over to the table the rest of us were sat at and laid out a map. Grace slowly munched on a celery stick. "Awright everypony. We're here in Appleloon right now." He pointed with his hoof at a green tick on the map, "These very thick grey lines are apple-factory borders. We must avoid them at all costs!" It was strange. The factory lines were all connected to one another and even seemed to make the start of a shape. This was a small map though so I could hardly tell. "Unfortunatley because of this, our best best is to go around the walls of the factories and keep our distance so to get to the shrine will take maybe a week at most. Maybe one and a half." He was talking exactly as if he knew what he was on about. I trusted him. Whiplash had planned for us to reach the next town over, Applemills, within the next two to three days to meet a friend of his. He claimed he knew a fast route through a 'forest', so if we got going as soon as we could then we would reach Applemills in a day and a half. "Is everypony good with this plan?" He asked. "I'm certain with my input we can make it there faster." Nodded Silver Bullet. "It would be best for my mind just to follow you, Whiplash, so that is what I shall do!" Grace said with a clap. "Ahm ready fer the walkin' Ah guess." I said nervously. Whiplash gave me a reassuring nod and put on some saddlebags like his around my torso. *** We had just entered the forest, which was a large mass of greenery, not too soon after leaving. It's still supposed to be a while until the light in the sky turned off, I assume, but the forest is dark and cold. Grace walked closely to me, looking a little scared herself. She's a bit taller than me so she sort of overshadowed me, but I didn't mind. Having somepony close to me makes me feel safer, I think. Whiplash stopped. "Did you hear that?" He whispered. Grace moved even closer to me, her torso touched mine gently. "W-what?" I asked. "Listen closely and make little noise." Whiplash whispered again. I heard a sound coming from our left, from some of the greenery. Everypony looked towards it and the noise stopped. One of those things I hit the guards with made a sound just after that. An extension seemed to creep down closely. I saw a shadow but it quickly jumped towards me. No wait. Towards Grace! AH! What was that noise? A loud bang... Whatever the shadow was, it quickly dropped down in mid-air. I looked towards where the sound came from and there was Silver Bullet with a strange contraption floating infront of her. Her blue aura radiated over it and her horn. It looked strange, like the curve of a circle and made of metal. There was a ring with a little pushing-thing inside it and a hole at the other end. "Nice work with the pistol, Silver!" Whiplash laughed. "Never missed a shot. Never have." Silver Bullet gloated. "Thank you very much!" Said Grace cheerfully, "That thing would have gotten me if it weren't for you!" Silver Bullet smiled at Grace and we continued walking. "I reckon that noise scared anything else trying to come for us." Commented Whiplash. "Hey, so Silver Bullet, what IS that anyway?" I asked. She laughed and started to explain what it was. She called it a 'weapon'. Apparently it...kills things. But she never used it for bad. Only protection. I felt reassured now that she could keep us safe with it. Then she said something that made me do something I had only done once before. Subconciously. "You're a unicorn, Eden, can you use magic?" Silver Bullet asked. "What now?" I returned a question. "Alrighty. See that stick over there?" She said, pointing at something on the ground. I didn't know what it was. "Yep. Ah see it." I replied. "Concentrate on it. Put a little pressure to your head and breathe in. Aim your horn at it and think 'pick it up.'" She instructed. I did as she told then, like with the guards, my horn began to glow yellow and so did the stick. I thought to myself 'pick it up!' several times and then it began to float. The ponies appluaded me. "That's magic, Eden!" Silver Bullet explained, "You can do many things with it, like shoot a gun! I'll have to teach you some of my best tricks!" Silver Bullet and Whiplash laughed. Grace giggled and I noticed we were still touching torsos. She seemed to notice this too and stepped away slightly and awkwardly, avoiding eye contact for a few seconds. We approached a large circle where there were no trees or anything. Whiplash asked to borrow my bags. He rummaged through them and began to pull fabrics and metal out. "Say, Eden, why don't you help put up the tents? We're sleeping out here tonight. It's dark now." Whiplash asked and commented. "Ya mean usin' magic?" I asked. "Of course! You and Silver can set up the tents. Grace and I will prepare a fire and food." He instructed, "Oh! Oh! I shall get the tinned beans from my bag! They are scrumptious and healthy!" Grace shouted with joy. Silver Bullet looked at me and smiled, she stood next to me and began to use magic. I tried it too and eventually we were both preparing the 'tents' with magic! I...I felt happy to be with people I could trust. I love to say it now! I smiled! For the first time ever, I SMILED!
Chapter 4After waking up I found that I had been sleeping for TWO DAYS STRAIGHT. I suppose having one 30 minute nap a day doesn't apply outside. Nopony wanted to wake me up but the camp was still all here. Grace giggled as I slowly stumbled out of my tent. "Good morning!" She called, offering me some beans. "What's mornin'?" I asked, slowly chewing on the beans. Grace gasped loudly. She then began to tap her hooves on the ground. My dear Eden Apple, what is morning to you? Morning is a fantastic time, it brings the day anew! It brings on the sun, It's light and we all know, A brand new day has begun, So roll on with the show! What was she doing? It scared me a little but...I really liked it otherwise! The sky of the morning tells us It's time to say hello! Hello to everypony You'll have a good day, I know! The morning is a brand new start It signals you to come take your part Its the opposite to night "The darkness really gives me a fright..." So, my little pony Eden Apple See the new day's sun and cackle 'Cause morning is a cheer! 'Cause the new day is here! 'Cause morning is a cheer! 'Cause the new day is heeeeere! Silver Bullet and Whiplash walked into the camp and started to laugh like crazy. "Singing again, Grace?" Whiplash laughed. "And I see Eden is up! Good morning!" Silver Bullet greeted me. "Good Mornin'!" Wow that feels good to say! We ate some food for what the others called 'breakfast'. Whiplash commented that I ate 'like a horse'. I didn't get it but everypony laughed. "Alrighty then." Silver Bullet stood up, "Now that Eden's awake let's pack up and get moving." Everypony nodded and began to pack away the tents. I really am getting the hang of magic now. I deconstructed a tent all on my own, but Silver Bullet had to fold it since I got lost inside it trying to do so. So soon we were on the road again. The walk was really uneventful as it was daytime and nopony was around. I had to endure Grace trying to figure out shortening things like 'it is' or 'do not', trying my best not to laugh. She heard me snigger a few times. I almost broke out when she said 'cause' pronounced 'cow-see'! "You hear that?" Whiplash asked. "Y'all mean the runnin' water?" I asked. "Lake Shy. We're almost in Applemill." Silver Bullet informed. Grace was humming the tune to the song she had sung earlier but everything came to a halt when we saw something blocking our path. That something was Motor Mouth. "Finally." He said, spitting on the ground. "What do you want, Motor Mouth?" Whiplash asked. "Payback at the factory runt for scaring all the business in Appleloon. I ain't letting him do the same to Applemill." He said, leaning against his moving machine. "I didn't mean to hurt anypony in Appleloon." I grunted. "Y'dint?" Motor Mouth spat on the ground, "if you do ANYTHIN' to Applemill I'll shove this hoof UP YOUR DAMN FLANK." He went off on his machine. Probably to drink more. "Yeah y'all better run!" I mumbled. We entered Applemill but what we saw bothered us majorly. Beat up ponies on the street. Motor Mouth came to our side. "If threatenin' ya didn't keep you outta this hell hole what will?" he said, his face pressed against mine. "Yer breath stinks. Geddit outta mah face." I smirked. He backed off. "The factory guards are lookin' for you ya little shit!" he shouted, "they don't want ya out here!" "Then I'll just hide. Or Silver Bullet can bust a cap in their face." I said. "Do not fight, merry stallions!" Grace cried, "I would prefer if we just hid!" "Can't hide forever." Whiplash sighed. "How long ago did this attack happen?" Silver Bullet asked. "Round an hour or two ago, bitch." Motor Mouth yelled. "Pony with the Tourette's! Please refrain from offending my friends or I will have to take action!" Grace shouted, standing on her hind hooves. "OH you want some now, Missy Prissy?" Motor Mouth spat. "SETTLE DOWN!" I yelled, "do y'all hear sommat?" In the distance I heard voices. Angry voices. "Guard bastards," Motor Mouth spat again, "everypony follow me if you don't wanna get fucked!" It was our only choice. We followed Motor Mouth to a beautiful looking bed of water. "Lake Shy." Grace gasped. "Oh. Nice hiding spot you bafoon!" Silver Bullet said to Motor Mouth, preparing her pistol as factory guards surrounded us in dozens. There was a rumbling sound, then a figure rose from the lake. "I, Spirit of Fluttershy, slain by the hoof of Apple Bloom, release to Apple Eden a fraction of his power!" it shouted. My horn began to glow blindingly, then in a blast of yellow, I became unconscious.
Prologue Prologue We will start from the beginning of my time's madness. Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom were the last remaining members of the Apple-family and Big Mac owned the rights to Sweet Apple Acres. His will stated that once he passed away the rights would go over to Apple Bloom. This day eventually came. Apple Bloom had a knack for productivity and had the Acres running at a much better efficiency than ever before. Despite being almost an adult, she did not have her cutie mark yet; she thought that owning the company would change this. She was wrong. Several years passed and the Apple business had expanded to the entire of Ponyville. There was no longer a town but a large apple orchard. The townsponies did not mind this however. They just moved to the next town over. There was no room for housing in Appleville. Apple Bloom went to visit the next town over for business reasons and met her old friends Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. Much to her surprise they had both acquired their cutie marks and she still had not. Something snapped in her that day as she enthusiastically signed a contract to expand Appleville to this town and once again move the ponies out. Around a decade had passed and the company kept growing and growing. Princess Celestia was overpowered by Apple Bloom and surrendered the country of Equestria to her. Apple Bloom had become insane. Everypony was too scared to stand up to their new leader. Soon, Apple Bloom decided that earth-ponies were doomed to receive their cutie marks much later than pegasi or unicorns and, in a slur of jealousy, abolished pegasi and unicorns. The new law stated that anypony who was of these races would have their wings or horns ripped off or were killed and they were no longer allowed to breed. Apple Bloom was very old a few years after this and still had no cutie mark. In a slur of insanity and rage, she cut off her blank flank and refused to see a doctor, which were very rare. Why? Apple Bloom ruled the planet and, still obsessed with getting her cutie mark, she had put factories across the planet for apple produce. Everypony had to work in these factories and were born into the business. Along with this came came the abolishment of cutie marks; ponies have their flanks burned at birth and branded with a generic apple logo. Apple Bloom soon died with no relatives to take over the company. She let the rights onto her top worker, Apple Lypse. He was obsessed with work and kept the company going just as it was now. Nopony went in, nopony came out. Now here's my story.
