Although time had not been kind to the old Ponyville town hall, the restoration committee had. The old rickety beams and squeaky floorboards had been replaced with shiny new pillars and waxed floors. The young mare couldn’t help but admire the workmanship that had gone into restoring the old place as she entered. She sauntered up the steps and into the new lobby area where a brown pony behind a desk sat, looking at papers.
“Excuse me,” she said to the receptionist, “I’m looking for the Mayor.”
“He’s in his office. Do you have an appointment?” was the reply from the pony behind the desk. She didn’t even bother to look up from her papers.
The visitor shook her head. “Naw, not that Mayor.”
Puzzled, the receptionist looked up over the rim of her glasses. “Oh?”
“Yeah. I’m looking for the old Mayor. Mayor Mare. Do you know where I could find her? I’ve somethin’ for her.
“Ah yes, Mayor Mare,” The receptionist said, “A fine pony. She knew how to get results. I believe she moved to Canterlot after she retired. Can’t say why, though. I’d much rather retire in peace out in the country, as I’m sure you would as well. …Here, just a moment”
She pushed off her desk and her chair rolled back towards a filing cabinet. She opened the bottom drawer and began flicking through papers until she found the one she wanted.
“Here,” she said, pulling the paper out and passing it over. “This is her address in Canterlot.”
“Thank you for the information Ma’am.” said the visitor, taking the paper and stuffing it unceremoniously into her saddlebag. She tipped the brim of her Stetson and turned away back the way she came.
The train ride to Canterlot was a long and boring one. The mare in the Stetson spent most of her time staring out the window, thinking. The train sped through the town as she thought about how much smaller old Ponyville used to be. All around her, she saw such unfamiliarity. Despite spending most of her years in the town, it seemed like a completely different place. Newer buildings of concrete and stone began to phase out traditional brick walls and thatched roofs. Taller buildings were being made faster. Tall wooden poles with strings lining the streets were curious to the mare. Technology was advancing, as well as civilization.
The mare sighed. Not much she could do about it really, except hang on to that part of her that used to be. And remember what was.
Canterlot looked not much the same as she remembered it. Similar advancements in technology were abundant in Equestria’s capitol. The cowgirl stepped out of the train station feeling very out of place in such a town. Some glances from a couple of onlookers made her feel a little self-conscious. She pulled her hat down and made on her way.
She kept to herself through her journey into the city. Even though she had the address in hoof, navigating Canterlot was not an easy task, especially since she was so unfamiliar to it. Eventually, she found the house she was looking for. It was a smaller and more rustic looking house than what surrounded it, tucked away in the Far East corner of the city. She opened the fence gate and strode up the walk to the front porch. She knocked on the door. A few moments later, the door creaked open, revealing an elderly stallion.
“Hold on! I was just having a nap, Sidewinder! Can’t you wait just ten gosh darn minutes before-” he trailed off as he realized who he was talking to was not his poker buddy.
“Um, Hello.” said the cowgirl.
The stallion was a bit embarrassed. “What? Oh, hello.”
“Hi.” she said again.
“Eh… What do you want?” asked the elderly pony, “Are you selling something? Cuz I could go for some Jammy Dodgers right now, if ya gots any.”
The cowgirl raised an eyebrow then shook her head once. “No, sir. I’m looking for Mrs. Juliet Mare. I have a letter to deliver to her.”
The old pony nodded slowly. “Oh. Well, she’s not here right now. She’s down in Applaloosa visiting her sister or something...wasn’t really listening… All means to me is I’ve got the place to meself, heh heh.” He winked at her and grinned. After a moment of awkward silence, he said, “Eh… yeah. I’ll just take the letter and give it to her when she gets back.”
She took a step back. “Uh, I’m sorry. I’m afraid I can only give this to Mrs. Mare. It’s very important. Do you know where in Appaloosa she is?”
The old stallion huffed. “Fine. Well, I’m not sure where exactly, but it ain’t that big a place. Check around, you’ll find her.”
She nodded once. “Alright I’ll do that. Thank you, mister.” Stepping off the porch, she walked back down the yard and through the gate. She closed the gate behind herself and disappeared around the corner.
The distance from Canterlot to Appaloosa took more than one train to cover. By the time she had boarded the train heading to Appaloosa, the sun was already beginning to set. She had not paid for a sleeper car, but that suited her just fine. She was used to just tilting her head back and sliding her hat over her eyes. It was how she normally slept these days. She nodded off to the rhythmic sounds of the train wheels clacking against the rails. Click Clack. Click Clack.
Click Clack
“Get in the house. Get your sister. Lock all the doors. Do not come out no matter what happens.”
“Okay, Big Mac.”
Click Clack
“What’s going on?”
“I don’t know. Let Ol’ Mac sort it out.”
“Wait… where’s Granny?”
Click Clack
“Mac! What’s going on? Where’s Granny?”
“Hah… Hah… I’m sorry. She’s gone.”
Click Clack
“Get to the barn!”
Click Clack
“You’re coming with us, Mac.”
“I’ll catch up. Just run. Just run and don’t look back.”
Click Clack
“I love you both.”
Click- BANG
Her eyes shot open. She drew a sharp breath, but she did not move. She was frozen in place by her nightmare. A nightmare of memories. She sat for a few moments, collecting herself. She breathed heavily. Finally, she pushed her hat up and sat upright. She stretched and looked out the window to see she was at her destination. Appaloosa.
Stepping off the train, the mare took a deep breath of the dusty old air. She missed this. The old creaky buildings of wood, the dirt trails, the horse drawn carriages. It was just the way she remembered it. Appaloosa truly felt the closest thing to home.
She made her way to the local tavern. Appaloosa wasn’t as large as Canterlot, so the chances of some local pony knowing where she went were much better. The inside was dark and the air smelled thickly of salt. Her tongue dried just by walking in. Just as she remembered. She stepped up to the counter. The bartender came over a few moments later. He grinned as he eyed her up and down.
“What’ll be, little lady?”
She ignored the comment. “Nothing for me, thanks. I’m looking for Mrs. Juliet Mare. I heard she’s in town. I have something for her.”
The bartender shook his head. “Sorry, miss. I don’t know her.”
She sighed. Another dead end. “Well, thank you anyways.”
“Take care.”
She stepped away from the counter. As she tried to figure out where to look next, another pony came from behind her and tapped her on the shoulder. The young cowgirl calmly turned around. She saw it was a somewhat elderly mare, with a pink mane and wore a dusty old stetson similar to her own.
“Excuse me; did you say you were lookin’ fer Juilet?” the old mare asked.
At these words, the young pony gave her full attention. “Yes I did. I’ve got a letter here for her. Do you know her?”
“Know her?” The old mare laughed. “Course I know her, she’s my sister!”
She suppressed a grin. “Do you know where she might be? I have to give this to her right away.”
The old mare adjusted her hat. “Must be important for you to come all this way to deliver it yourself.” she remarked.
The cowgirl nodded. “Yes ma’m. Very important.”
The old mare paused, looking the young cowgirl up and down. It was different from the bartender's look. It was more of a 'sizing her up' look. Moments passed. The old mare snorted once and then spit, nailing the spittoon next to her.
“Aight then,” she said, “She’s gone down the south road. Past the orchards an’ down the hill. She’s practicing her gun shootin’. Guess retirement from the government requires something to keep ya busy.”
The cowgirl nodded once, keeping her enthusiasm down. “Thank you.” She headed for the door.
“Oh, be careful not startle her!” the pink maned pony added. “She’s real shaky with a gun these days.”
The young pony stopped at the door and turned her head to the side, looking back over her shoulder. “Good to know.”
The shooting range was a good hike from town. If one could call it a range. In actuality, it was just a fence with some wooden signs on the far side of a dirt field. The young pony stopped at the top of the hill, surveying the land. At the bottom of the hill, taking aim and missing nearly every shot, was Juliet Mare. But to the young cowgirl, she would always be Mayor Mare.
She waited until Mare bent over and began reloading, and then made her way down the hill. She made sure her hoof steps were loud enough to be heard. When she got close enough, she spoke. “Excuse me, you Mrs. Juliet Mare?”
Mare just glared over at the mysterious pony. “Do I know you?” she asked, loading another round.
“Sorry for intruding on you, Ma’am. I have a message for you.”
Mare stood back up and turned towards her. She kept her sharp glare.
“My name is AppleBloom. You knew my brother.”
Mare looked at her in confusion. “And your brother was…?
“Big Macintosh. Of Sweet Apple Acres.”
Mare paused for a moment, then began to chuckle. She belt out a hearty laugh, something she hadn’t done in years. Her laughter died down and she said, “Hah... Yes, I remember your brother.”
AppleBloom got angry. “I’ve come for you, Mare!” She pointed a hoof.
Mare just kept chuckling. “Well, kid. You sure have found me.”
“You killed my brother!” AppleBloom shouted, the years of rage building inside her.
Mare just glared again. “Your brother killed himself with the life he lived.”
AppleBloom shook her head, tears beginning to form. “You killed him. I saw you!”
Mare just huffed. “So you keep saying.”
The tears were streaming. “You took him away from us. Made him do your dirty work and then YOU KILLED HIM LIKE A DOG!”
The former Mayor of Ponyville began to get angry as well. “And I’ll kill you too. Now get lost, before I shoot you myself, you little piece of trash.” She turned back towards the range.
AppleBloom stomped her hoof stood her ground. “I aint going nowhere, old nag!”
Mare turned back around and stared AppleBloom in the eyes. AppleBloom stared back just as hard. Mare slowly stood on her hind legs, preparing her stance. AppleBloom had already done the same. Her hoof hovered above her gun holster slung low against her flank. Mare’s shaky hoof tried to steady as it gripped her rifle. Nopony said anything. They just squinted. Hours passed.
Mare raised her gun to shoot.
BANG.
But AppleBloom was faster.
AppleBloom looked down at the body of the former Mayor of Ponyville, once held high in respect. She then looked down at her own gun, almost as if in confusion. Her family had been avenged. Finally, they had their peace. Then why did she not feel satisfaction?
Sliding her gun back into her holster, AppleBloom began to step away from the body. She walked back up the path to town. When she reached the top of the hill, she paused. She looked out at the old town in the distance. Eventually, somepony would discover the body, and it wouldn’t be long before they figured out who had done it. She would be hunted. Just like her brother was.
But that was okay. It was inevitable that she would continue to carry on her brother’s legacy. The Apples had always been a hunted bunch. It ran in the family. Always on the wrong side of the law.
Outlaws to the end.
