Good Intentionsby wayward_ponyChapters1-- We're so Proud of You, TwiLight SparkLe2 -- "Beautiful Machine"3 -- "Apples and Oranges"5 -- "HerRING"6 -- "AccUSING eYES"7 -- "Refractions and Reflections"8 -- "ShatteRED IMAGES"Epilogue4 -- "With StuDY and ProSPeCTs"1-- We're so Proud of You, TwiLight SparkLe1 We're so Proud of You, TwiLight SparkLe They were gathered in the library. All of the six, plus Spike... and the two Princesses who had just entered. It was late. Twilight worked hard for this. Months of research, months of work... nearly a year's investment and her hard work was finally paying off. She had a few empty cider glasses nearby, but still stood up and bowed when the Princesses approached her. They'd flown all the way once they'd gotten the letter... Twilight never dreamed that they'd come right down, but there they were before her. Celestia smiled down at her tired student, knowing full well the meaning of what she had done, and what it meant to her to have done it. The Goddess had a rare gift for her student in her brown leather saddle bag, but first she would congratulate her, in front of everypony... over a job well done: "I'm so proud of you, Twilight Sparkle," she said soothingly. "You've done something so many of my great Scholars and Scientists have only drempt of doing." "I couldn't have done it without my friends," replied the Unicorn, with a hiccup. "Rarity's gems, Apple Jack's musing about not having enough apples for Pinky's pies... rainbow material donated from the Rainbow Factory, plus all their hard work. They were kind of my muse in all this." Celestia smiled again along with Luna. Her lessons in humility had paid off. Luna spoke: "Your journey has only just begun, young one! We hope that hunger in Ponyville and all of Equestria will someday be a thing of the past... perhaps in your lifetime." "I hope that, too, Luna," said Twilight, as Celestia lifted a long, red crystal from her brown saddlebag with her magic. "This is for security measure, Twilight," said Celestia, holding the gem high. "This rare gem is as much alive as you or I. Above the cloning machine, anything beneath it will be recorded forever and ever... if somepony enters the lab without your premission, we'll see who just by asking it. It remembers everything it sees, always." Twilight plucked the gem from Celestia's aura and set it on the table, looking closely... she saw her face in its pale reflection. "Sleep well tonight, Twilight Sparkle," said Celestia, as she turned towards the door with Luna. "I look forward to reading about how your machine is working in the coming weeks." "I look forwards to trying it out!" "Don't work too hard!" said Luna, as they spread their wings. "But work hard enough for results." "We'll be sure to make sure she gets plenty of rest, Princess!" said Apple Jack, playfully poking Twilight with her hoof. "We'll make sure she gets out, too. Y'all know Twilight... she can get a might carried away with these here projects." "Oh yeah!" Pinkie Pie churred in agreement. "Last time she got involved in a project, she must've stayed up a whole week! She looked like a spooky zombie when I visited..." Twilight blushed, remembering that very project. This wasn't fertilizer, though... this was far more exciting. The Princesses smiled again as they took off, leaving the tipsy ponies to their party in the library. Twilight had planned a long, fun party... lots of activities with Pinkie at the helm. Everypony fell asleep at the table, and after Spike snuck his first glass of cider ever, he fell asleep too. Not one pony, or one baby dragon, was spared the hangover the following morning. Twilight didn't let it slow her down. She had things to do! This was the way Twilight Sparkle was, and why the Princesses were proud enough to visit her at a moment's notice. 2 -- "Beautiful Machine"2 "Beautiful Machine" The laboratory was right outside of Ponyville, but no pony knew about it. The six and a few family members, they knew, and they were going to keep it that way. A deceptively secure, yet very dilapidated-looking shed housed it. The windows, dark and boarded up, had the first floor actuality beneath the ground... it looked as though the shed had almost collapsed. Dead trees, mud and muck surrounded it. This was ideal, as no pony would want to explore anywhere near it, not even the bravest of idle colts. Twilight would go there at night or very early in the morning at regular intervals. She would work with wires, tempered glass, machines, welding tools, and crystals... her friends brought everything she needed that she couldn't easily get herself. Big Mac's strength certainly came in handy, totting all things back and forth. Now, that would begin to stop... the machine was complete enough to work. One of the first things the purple Unicorn did the day after the party was stick the red crystal above her machine and forget about it. The second thing she did was sort through what else she had brought -- small trinkets and tools to try out. No pony, but Spike, was to be present the first time. If one thing went wrong, it would not leave the room.. if it went right, Twilight's friends would be welcome the next time to watch. She tried first to clone a simple ring. Spike brought her the tiny object and behind the glass it went. She pushed on a single crystal and they all glowed together, making a cacophony of sounds... music almost, and that's all it took. Magic was the rest, superseding logic in its application. Behind the other glass, feet away was another ring... exactly the same. "Success!" Twilight cried as Spike went to hoof bump her with his claws. Spike now had two fine rings to wear, the first one curiosity of Rarity. Next Twilight tried something a little more practical... a broom. She put the nearly pony-length object behind the glass and pushed on the crystal. The same pattern of sounds came from the machine and, in seconds after the great glow, she had yet another broom for Spike to work with. Spike had an idea... he set a Bit down beneath the glass and turned to Twilight, eyes pleading with the studious Unicorn. "Absolutely not!" she scowled. "Spike, that's totally unethical and highly illegal! If you don't want me to kick your little tail out of her, you will remove that Bit right now." "Okay, okay," Spike said, dejectedly pulling the Bit from the glass. "How 'bout a... ruby then?" "I don't know, Spike," said Twilight, seriously considering it. "Some ponies trade gems for money. It doesn't seem right." "I'm just going to eat it!" Spike replied, laughing hardly. "You said you wanted to see if it could really clone food, why not have me be your guinea pig? What's the worst that can happen?" "Seriously?" Twilight asked, narrowing her eyes. "Yeah!" "For a baby dragon eating a gem...? Oh, just flaming diarrhea." Spike shuttered: "Seriously?" Twilight nodded, while Spike pondered the few advantages of that condition: "Would that get me out of work today?" "Oh, yeah." Twilight chuckled. "Big time, Spike." "Well, I'll try it," replied the dragon, while patting his chest and showing no fear. "Alright, then," Twilight couldn't believe she was allowing this. "You asked for it!" The budding Unicorn Scientist took a small gem from Spike and placed it behind the glass. She followed the same pattern as she had to clone the other trinkets and soon enough... there were two gems beneath the glass. "Eat it slowly, Spike," said Twilight firmly, as the dragon's eyes grew wide looking at his new treat. "And tell me if it tastes any different from the other gems you've had." The Unicorn took the newly recreated gem from beneath the glass and passed it to Spike. His mouth watered as his greedy claws grasped it... it looked better, less tarnished than the original. He did not take Twilight's advice, eating half the gem in one bite. "Hey! I said slowly!" Twilight snapped. "Oh." Spike smiled, swallowing. "Sorry." "Well, don't come crying to me if you get a stomach ache or worse," Twilight said, trying not to sound too angry. "How does it taste?" The dragon paused for a moment, considering the question... licking his lips, checking his taste buds. He could summarize it in just a few words: "It's wonderful, Twilight!" A grin spread itself across his face. "It has the consistency of a fresh gem, but the taste of an aged one... the best of both worlds!" Spike ate the other half while Twilight pondered the meaning of this new data. "It's say most likely mission accomplished, Spike," she finally said, as she watched Spike grab the original gem from behind the glass and lick his lips. "We just have to monitor your symptoms and, if you're fine... I'll just have to test it on myself next." "Good, good," Spike said, taking a bite of his gem. He swallowed it, and grinned. "This gem tastes like most other gems... not as wonderful as the last one, though." Spike got ready to eat the other half when Twilight stopped him: "Hey Spike, can I borrow that gem for just a few more minutes?" "Alright," Spike said, handing it over to her magic, "but what would you want with a half-eaten gem?" "You'll see," Twilight responded, setting the bit jewel behind the glass again. She followed nearly the same sequence again, but this time she pushed a yellow gem at the end instead of a green. Spike watched curiously as the machine glowed yet again, emitting a slightly different tune. On the other side, behind the glass, was the gem as it was before Spike took a bite from it. Both pony and dragon's eyes went wide, but for different reasons. Spike was happy to have another treat, and Twilight... with this machine Twilight was going to make a lot of hungry ponies in Equestria feel very full, very quickly, with very little. "Can I have it, Twilight?" Spike asked, the same gem lust in his eyes. "Sure, Spike," said the Unicorn, opening both glasses to the dragon. "But that's it for cloning gems today... I wouldn't want to make your symptoms any worse, if you're going to have any. We have to watch you for now." Spike wasn't listening. He was already digging in to the clone gem... savoring every second. Again, it's texture was strong and new, but its taste sweet and aged. It was perfection. Twilight worked over her machine for a few hours and watched him while she did so... she never noticed any peculiar symptoms. If anything, his demeanor was ordinary. That evening Spike took a letter expressing the good news to the Princesses. Celestia wrote back and she was enthralled, but said it would take more time and testing. Twilight had, after all, a very small-scaled version of what Celestia was envisioning for her kingdom... making an endless supply of food for all her people. Celestia herself wanted to see what the machine could do before she'd allow it into the Canterlot Laboratories. The machine was experimental yet, which was why she wished to keep it so quiet... for now. * * * Days passed with different things cloned. The machine would make a near perfect copy of what was placed beneath the glass.... near perfect because it was better than perfect: "Extraordinary," Twilight commented. Anything older placed beneath the glass, like an antique watch, would come out with still many of the aesthetic imperfections... but the guts would be strong as if it was brand new. Another broom placed beneath the glass with old bristles came out with the bristles broken in, but strong as ever. Tarnished Silverware, old outfits of Rarity's, and more still looked as though they were owned, but were no longer tarnished by age. This machine could make perfection. It was then that Twilight decided to clone pony food. She took a cupcake from the bakery, left it out all night, and placed it beneath the glass the very next day. It came out on the other side, looking identical. "Here goes nothing," the Unicorn said, levitating a fork and opening the glass. She sampled the clone cupcake with Spike. The icing did not taste a day old, but rather as though the cake was just made. The substance itself had a texture that was strong, homemade... just like Mrs. Cake's recipe, if it were fresh. Twilight then tried the other cake, only half. The icing was less moist, the cake a bit dryer... it tasted like a day old cupcake. "Wow!" The Unicorn grinned. "I've got to share this machine with the world!" She then replicated the whole cake yet again for safe measure, and enjoyed it once more with Spike. Neither the Unicorn, nor the reptile got sick... and both felt sated. Twilight was excited! She had to step it up... clone a larger number of things at one time. 3 -- "Apples and Oranges"3 "Apples and Oranges" Applejack and Big Mac were in the den of Sweet Apple Acres with Granny Smith, getting their monthly mane cuts. Twilight came in with Spike, excited and smiling, but once she saw Granny Smith was combing AJ's mane... she nearly walked out due to respect: "I'm so sorry," she said, stepping back from the doorway. "I can come back later, if that works for you." "Oh, don't worry about it, Twilight," said Granny Smith getting up. "It's time for ma afternoon tea, anyways. Ah know ya have been up ta some experiment lately... I'll give y'all a few to talk about it in peace." Twilight slowly moved out of the way as Granny Smith walked by, leaving the room and going down the hall: "Thank you... it wasn't necessary, though." Granny Smith did not reply. She just looked back and smiled, leaving the four alone to talk. "Okay, then...," said Apple Jack, leaning forward in her chair. What'da y'all want, Twilight?" Twilight was so excited she could hardly contain it: "I need a bushel of apples for my machine..." "Really now," said Big Mac, with a playful smile. "Don't y'all think that's going a little overboard? Wouldn't one suffice?" "I've already cloned a gem and a cupcake... I want to see what's going to happen with a large number of organic items. Plus your apples cells are alive! If I can clone live food, the potential for nutrition is exponential!" "Alrighty, then," said AJ, looking at her brother. "Big Mac's gotta make a delivery in town today... y'all can fit another bushel on that cart, can't ya?" "Ee-yup." "There ya go, then, Twilight," said Apple Jack, a smug grin spreading itself on her face. "Complements of Sweet Apple Acres... just dun go making a mountain of apples, Twi... we'll wanna get you outta there unsquished." "Oh, don't worry about that... I'm just going to have two bushels for all our friends to enjoy!" "Well, thanks Twilight..." Sure enough, later that afternoon Big Mac stopped by the old, dilapidated shack with a huge cart. He took one of the bushels from his cart and knocked on the door. Once Spike opened it, he quickly went inside. He'd never actually seen the full machine in its complete state, only parts he'd helped bring to the shack... and he'd been given only a vague description of it in the past few weeks. His mouth dropped open as he was surrounded by the colors and crystals; he started at the two sizable glass shields, under which the two identical gems were placed. Spike returned to the machine, and grabbed both gems, while he and Twilight talked. "This truly is a marvel," Big Mac said, looking at the crystal control panels. "Aren't y'all afraid somepony is liable to break in here and steal something? All those crystals're probably worth a hefty sum, and that's not even thinking about what your invention could be worth assembled as it is." "I have a gem hidden above our heads recording everything! No pony knows about it but me and the girls, and the Princesses. If anything happens, we'll know who did it." "Reckon that's a good idea, then," Big Mac said, looking out the window. "I've got enough to worry about with 24 bushels alone. Ah can't imagine the anxiety somethin' like this must be causin' for y'all." "Oh, I could easily replicate it..." Twilight said, motioning towards her noggin. "I've got it all up here, and the Princesses have the blueprints. Heh, I never realized I can replicate a replicator!" "Good ta know." Big Mac stretched. "Mind if Ah rest a bit? Don't tell AJ, but there are times Ah just wanna take the whole day off." "Oh, don't worry about us telling Applejack," Twilight said, looking at Spike, who nodded reassuringly. As long as you don't mind flashing lights and a few noises while we work." "Not at all," replied the stallion, leaning against the wall and sighing. Big Mac rested, periodically taking a glance out the window at his cart, while watching Twilight and Spike work curiously. They loaded the bushel into one side and Twilight pushed a few crystals. A melody filled the air along with a flash, and there were two bushels. Twilight used her magic to open the glass up and lift a few apples from the cloned bushel. "Here ya go Big Mac," she said, passing him one. "You're a hard worker! You deserve more than a break." "Well, that's mighty kind of you, Twilight," Big Mac said, taking a bite of his apple. His eyes went wide. "Oh, my. This is the best apple I've ever had in ma whole life." "Isn't it, though?" Twilight chuckled, taking an apple for herself and Spike. "I'm going to look at these apples under a microscope later, along with a few other non-organic items and foods it's also cloned. It seems to make a perfect clone of whatever's put in the other side, but for some reason it comes out as though it's brand new." "Might Ah ask, what do you mean by brand new?" "Things it clones have the same imperfections, but they have a fresher taste and appearance... they're stronger, too. I suspect I might be able to unlock something akin to the fountain of youth if I study this long enough!" "The fountain of youth, huh?" Big Mac mused about it. "Now that would be somethin." Big Mac noticed Spike clearing off the bushels from both sides of the machine and setting an uneaten apple down on the first side. He watched as Twilight nodded. "I just can't finish it, Twilight," Spike said, burping, as the Unicorn got up. "Too many gems earlier." "That's perfect, Spike," Twilight said, pushing buttons on the control panel. "Watch this, Big Mac," said Spike, pointing at the apple. "All Twilight has to do is hit a yellow button, and you're not going to believe what's going to happen!" "You've got my curiosity peaked, Ah must admit," replied the red farm pony, watching as he finished his delicious cloned apple. Sure enough, Twilight pushed a few buttons and the machine began to sing and glow again. With a flash, the apple was replicated once again... Big Mac's eyes went wide for the second time when he noticed the entire apple, not just a small piece of its core like Spike had left, were on the other side. "Ee-yup," Spike said, with a grin. "That's incredible." "Just keep quiet about it, Big Mac," said Twilight, firmly. "I know I can trust you for that..." "Yes, you can. I promise on ma parent's graves Ah will not tell one soul about this... well, maybe AJ, if that's alright." "I'd rather show her in person," replied the purple Unicorn," but if you have to tell anypony, I'd rather be her than anyone else!" "Duly noted." Big Mac's stay was only ten minutes long. Soon he was one his way, feeling refreshed... his mind was blown, but that would subside. He had business to attend to, and that's all he could really focus on until he got it done. 5 -- "HerRING"5 "HerRING" The next morning Twilight came to the shack, finding a terrible surprise... The glass to the machine cloning was smashed, the crystals for its consoles all over the floor. Tables were cracked, with a few thin, blond hairs all over them. It smelled of waste and fear, with no sign of either left aside from her work. Why somepony did this didn't matter to Twilight. That was beyond even her mind... all she could think about was who could to do this... Who would do this? "Wha-what happened?" Spike asked. Twilight, who had been silent up to that moment, stamped her hoof: "Isn't it obvious, Spike!?! Somepony trashed my laboratory!" Twilight snorted in a rage, but remained still for a moment. "Aren't you going to try to figure out who did this?" An idea flashed in Twilight's mind with a red sparkle: "The crystal!" Twilight had placed the red crystal above the lab, looking down directly on it. It could tell her something... She went to look for it where she had left it, and found it wasn't there. "No, no, no!" She cried. "Whoever it was took the crystal, too!" "What about the hairs?" Spike asked. "Couldn't you look them over under a microscope or examine their DNA?" "That won't necessarily tell me who's they are without a sample to compare it to, but that's still good idea, Spike," said the purple Unicorn, approaching the table by the glass. "Examining them is liable to tell me something!" Twilight walked up to the hairs, bent down and looked at them closely. Spike picked up one and looked at it in his claws. They were longer... mane hairs. "There's only one pony I know with a mane like this," Twilight mused aloud. "Applejack!" * * * With Spike on her back, Twilight headed to the farm without wasting a second. She found Apple Jack out in the open air, bucking trees. She had an unusual short, almost masculine manecut... it had to be new, since Twilight had just seen her a couple days before and her mane was long. "Apple Jack, I need to talk to you!" Twilight sounded, running towards her friend. "It's very important!" The farm pony immediately stopped bucking. "What is it, Twi?" "Did you come into the shack last night?" "Heck no!" Applejack yawned. "You know I'd never go there without you, and besides... Ah had to be up much to early this mornin' to engage in that type of nonesense... why'd ya ask, Twi?" "The whole place is trashed and the red gem Celestia gave me is gone!" AJ grew faint, and looked as though her heard skipped a beat. "I assure you, Twilight, Ah had nothing to do with that..." "There are blond mane hairs everywhere that look just like yours..." Apple Jack shifted from concerned to angry in a flash: "Ah just said I had nothing to do with it, Twi!" "And I believe you..." Spike patted Twilight on the back. "I just don't know where to start!" Apple Jack smiled sympathetically: "Well, alright..." Apple Jack set down her basket. "Let me take you inside, maybe make you a cup of tea... no sense in ya running all over Ponyville without a plan." "Okay Applejack," Twilight said, eyes still bugging out slightly in shock. "I can stay for only a bit, but while I'm here Spike's going to be taking a letter to the Princess." "Fine by me... just come to the house and kick yer hooves up before y'all turn even more white and faint on me!" Twilight walked with her friend up to the farm house. In the distance they saw Big Mac working hard planting new apple saplings with a short tree spade and a bag of fertilizer. He looked up, smiled and waved. When he heard Twilight's voice, however, upset and disturbed... he got a very concerned look, and casually walked towards the two mares: "What seems to be the trouble, girls?" he asked. "The shack was broken into last night," said AJ, calmly. "Some stuff was stolen and the place was trashed!" Twilight started breathing heavy just hearing this. Big Mac looked at her: "Is there anything Ah can do to help?" "Do you know anything?" "Eey-nope," he replied, looking sympathetically into her eyes. "But if anything comes up, I'll be sure ta let ya know." Twilight was led to the house, sat down in the kitchen while AJ went to make some tea. Spike took the letter, but Twilight knew it wouldn't do any good... this would not only be a major security breech, the Princesses would be disappointed in her. Somehow, the pony who had broken in knew that the gem was there and quite possibly what it could do. That means most likely one of the ponies that knew about it wasn't trustworthy. "Why didn't I just ask for a lock?" Twilight asked rhetorically, as Apple Jack brought her tea. "Just a simple bolt?" "It might've made it too obvious there was something in there," the earth pony replied, tenderly. "What's done is done, Twi. We have to focus on what we can do, not what we could've done!" "You're right, AJ," replied the Unicorn, sipping her tea. 6 -- "AccUSING eYES"6 "AccUSING eYES" Twilight spent the afternoon searching Ponyville, but she couldn't really ask any ponies about what had happened, since only her friends knew about her marvelous workings half underground. They were all shocked and horrified by tthe news. Many hours after sending the note, Twilight got a response from the Princess. It wasn't a cheery response, though at least she wasn't angry: Twilight Sparkle, We can only hope whoever broke into the shack didn't know what they were stealing. Tomorrow morning I'll be sending a few guards there along with your brother to investigate and take formal notes with you on what happened. Although I trust her, get a sample of Applejack's mane and compare it to what was found. Please do not give up hope on finding out who did this. Your teacher and mentor, Princess Celestia Twilight hadn't given up hope on finding out who did it, she was just too shocked to think somepony would do such an awful thing with no reason. This pony, whoever it was, had to know what the lab was about. That evening Twilight and Applejack got together with all their friends for some ciders. Twilight made sure to sit by the farm pony and, once her cider was gone, she dropped her mug to the floor. Twilight faked hitting her head, hard, and Applejack... being the kind friend that she is, offered to get it for her. "Sure." Twilight replied, faking a daze while rubbing her head. "Oh, my..." As the farm pony passed the Unicorn detective her hat for a moment, Twilight took a few loose strands from the edge of the stetson. Applejack didn't have a clue as she got the glass. Twilight tucked them away in her saddle bag and hoped by night they wouldn't have gotten lost. It was her mission, even if it meant finding out her good friend had betrayed her... the thought made her sick. Once Applejack had retrieved the mug and passed it back, Twilight continued looking down at her... causing the farm pony to blush. "What is it, Twilight?" "I'm sorry, AJ... I don't mean to stare." "Is it my mane?" Twilight nodded as Apple Jack took her hat back and laughed. "Just thought Ah'd try a new look... got it early this morning. Think Ah look a bit too much like a stallion for my own liking, though. As they say, hair grows." Twilight put a hoof to her mouth... but was failing to hold it in. "It's alright, Twilight," said Apple Jack, chuckling. "Let it out... come on, let it out." Both mares laughed into the night air. Later that night in the lab Twilight alone studied both sets of hairs under the microscope... the long and the short. They were identical. * * * The next morning Shining Armor and two of his guards showed up at the Library. The mare hugged her brother tightly, who sympathetically patted her back... once they were done she took them to the shack and they took a good look at it: "You're telling me somepony knew to break into this rundown shack?" Shining Armor asked. "Twily, I don't know if a Timberwolf would have any interest in it. Whoever it was knew something good would be found in here." "That's what I was afraid of," replied Twilight Sparkle, thinking about Applejack. Shining Armor and his guards stepped inside. They examined the place, top to bottom, and spent about twenty minutes asking Twilight the same questions over, and over... "I'm sorry, Twily," said Shining Armor, with a brotherly smile. "I know it's annoying, but we have to make sure we know exactly what you're telling us and its consistent." "You also have to rule me out as a suspect," Twilight replied, narrowing her eyes. Shining clearly grew nervous: "Well, yeah... but I don't think that." Twilight took a deep breath: "I know that, but-" "Look, Twily... we might as well just go. We've got your statement on parchment and I don't think you had anything to do with this." "Do you have any theories?" "Yes." Both ponies were silent as the guards packed up. "Won't you tell me what they are?" "Persistent! Aren't ya, little sis?" Shining replied, giving her a noogie. "Normally, I'm not supposed to, since it's on Royal Grounds... but you built it and you're my sister. I don't have enough evidence to support this yet..." "Yes?" "I think Applejack did it, Twiliy. I just don't know why she would do such a thing to you..." Twilight's eyes grew tiny: "I was afraid you'd say that..." Again, he hugged her lovingly before putting on his helmet. "We should go... please come up to Canterlot sometime. Cadence and I would love to have you visit for a few days." "Okay." Shining Armor's guards had already left... but Shining had yet to even turn around. "Twily?" "Yeah?" "We'll find out who did this... and if it was Applejack, we'll go easy on her. Promise." "You have to do what you have to do, Shining. I won't hold it against you." The stallion sighed deeply. "You're right. I love you, sis." "Love you, too, big brother... best friend forever." Shining smiled. Using his magic, he then opened the door... and left with his guards. Twilight was alone with her thoughts. She could now think of a perfect motivation for Applejack to destroy her lab... Applejack felt threatened. It made perfect sense, but she didn't want to tell her brother. What if she was wrong? Applejack would have to PROVE that she was innocent if those words escaped her lips. Twilight sat there for a while, alone... thinking about what to do. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Twilight opened it wide. Standing there was Applejack, smiling, but looking sad. She was wearing a saddlebag. "What is it?" The orange pony smiled well, but for once... the cat had her tongue. "AJ, what is it?" "Twilight," Apple Jack said, slowly. "Can I come in?" "Sure," Twilight stepped aside. "What's going on?" "You're not going to believe what the Cutie Mark Crusader Treasure Hunters dug up." 7 -- "Refractions and Reflections"7 "Refractions and Reflections" Twilight and Applejack parked it on the fake dirt floor of the lab. AJ went through her bag slowly and set the red gem on the ground. "Ah couldn't believe it," Applejack said. "Hopefully, this is a different one... but the place they'd found it in was recently dug up by ma brother!" "AJ, you don't think--" "Ah certainly hope not, Twilight..." the farm pony replied, cutting her friend off. "Isn't there some way to find out?" "The Princess said I just have to ask the crystal to show me what happened..." Twilight looked down at the gem and picked it up... both ponies holding it in their hooves. "Gem, would you please show us what happened right before you were taken from here?" The gem instantly glowed a brilliant red, making clear the truth the ponies had sought after for days. Both fell silent. * * * The jewel showed in a red hue a perspective from the rafters above the center of the lab. Silent and motionless, it looked like a still image. For minutes it showed nothing new, to the point Twilight was going to ask it to hurry up, when suddenly they heard -- from inside their own heads -- the door creaking open. It caused them both to jump, but they were far too glued to take their eyes from it. A large pony came in. Big Mac. He casually looked around the room, as though it were a place he was welcome to come alone. The farm pony looked over the machine, then up to the rafters... squinting. His eyes went wide. With the nudge of a nearby chair, scraping against the hardened floor, Big Mac positioned himself below the gem and plucked it with his teeth, setting it on the table by the machine. They knew it was him to begin with, yet they held out hope they were mistaken. Now close enough to make out the fine details, it was unmistakably Big Mac. He put his hooves on the controls casually, as if intimate with the machine already. To know what he was doing, he must've been more observant than he looked. There was a level of comfort in his image that surprised even Applejack. The purple Unicorn kept a hoof to her month, fighting the urge to say something accusing about her friend's brother, when he turned towards the glass and opened it. Silence was better for Twilight, at least for the time being. "Doesn't hurt to try," his voice echoed in their brains as he chucked in his usual, deep way. The ponies saw him drop something very tiny beneath the glass, immediately closing it up. He turned to the crystal console and began to tinker as his voice conveyed his thoughts aloud: "Lemme see... There were just five crystals Twilight touched, then a yellow or a green. Can't possibly be too hard." Big Mac pushed the crystals as the machine sang a familiar tune. The machine played the tune of replication in their heads, having cloned a second set of whatever he put beneath the first glass. He opened the second glass and threw whatever it was to behind himself, where it hit a table. "Though Ah should shake ma head at myself for failing, that was a pretty good first try," he commented. The farm pony messed with the controls yet again. Twilight and Apple Jack looked at each other, completely lost as to what they would see next... A melody filled their thoughts once more, then a brilliant flash illuminated the room, so bright it was even blinding to the two staring into the crystal. Big Mac turned his head over to the other glass and they knew from the echo that he was excited. Something very large was curled up beneath it. * * * The mares could see the stallion smiling smugly under the red haze. He needed no words... whatever it was he had come in to do, it had been a success. He lifted the glass. This thing, whatever it was, immediately stretched its limbs and turned over. "Big Mac?" Echoed an errily familiar voice. "Where am I?" Neither mare could believe her eyes. Big Mac had cloned his own sister Applejack. Her image was red and distorted, but they knew it had come out well. She had everything but the hat, perfect as the machine was known to do. Big Mac, however, would have known better than either of them just how perfect she really was. "Hey sis," Big Mac said, gently. "How y'all doin' tonight?" The image of Apple Jack replied: "Wh-what's going on... why am I in Twilight's lab?" Grinning in response, Big Mac was deflecting with his answer: "Don't you worry about that none. Not one bit!" The mare in the gem was not amused: "But Ah have no idea how I even got here--" "Shhh." Big Mac cut her off, gentle as ever. "You'll understand soon enough. Now, kindly do me a favor, AJ... if you would! Turn towards me, just a bit more than you are now, and we can get started. Can you do that for me, little sis?" Though clearly confused, she did as she was asked... as the real Applejack probably would have: "Uh, alright. Like this? ... and what're we doin'?" Big Mac seemed almost to back up after she complied, but that was only done in the way he did it before a strike. The giant's tone changed, as did his demeanor. "That is just perfect!" The stallion slammed into his sister's clone as if doing a belly flop into a swimming pool much too small. "Now don't you move! Not that ya can much." Watching this the real Applejack felt sickened and betrayed by her own eyes, head, and brother. This was uncharacteristic of him -- she had to be watching a monster at work, not Big Mac. He was a gentle giant, harmless as a foal! Twilight looked up to see if she was okay. AJ's eyes were off to the side... tuning out the visual aspect of the display, which had already become unnervingly violent. "Git off of me right now!" Red AJ snapped. "This ain't funny, Big Macintosh. Wait a minute... If you're fixing to do what I think ya are, I'm not gunna keep quite about it! I'll tell all ma friends, and me and RD'll string you up by yer back legs while Pinkie turns you into a Piñata! I ain't warning ya twice..." Laughter was the response. A type of fake, hallow sound neither of them had ever heard coming out of Big Mac before echoed in their brains: "Ya talk way too much, AJ!" Unseen to both as to why, Apple Jack's image cried in what sounded like pain, clearly scared as she was being overpowered: No! Please... don't do this to me. Ah'm your sister! It ain't natural!" Twilight felt happy to be the only one looking this at this point. Much like a horror movie she knew what was coming next. This was not recorded to amuse her, however... The Princess would never lie about something like this, even on her own life. "Ah said you talk too much, AJ!" Big Mac shouted, placing both hooves on the young mare's neck. She stopped making sounds now, save a gurgled noise here and there, but still struggled for her life. "Shhhh, shhh. It'll be okay..." The brutality had reached a point where Twilight couldn't watch either. She looked up at the real Apple Jack, who was in tears, rocking rhythmically to the sounds and covering her ears... not that it did any good since it was all being projected into her head. Worried for her friend's state, she tried to reach out to the real AJ with a hoof, but the farm pony pulled away, removing both hooves from her ears and scowling. It came to them both then that they had no choice in this. Together they looked into the crystal, both of them wanting desperately to make it stop. They watched to see just how far Big Mac would take this, whether he would finally stop, and in fleeting hopes they'd find out why he was doing this. The sound of glass shattering beneath their struggles followed. AJ's image kicked wildly as stallion's giant torso struck the console... causing crystals and broken glass to spill everywhere. By this point, Big Mac's movements had become rhythmic. It was easy to tell he wasn't just strangling the mare anymore... the sounds beneath it all became wet and gutteral. He confirmed their thoughts as his voice echoed in their minds: "in ya go, now! In ya go. There! There' a good mare!" Applejack listened helplessly to her own muted cries of humiliation, terror, and disgust. Applejack, even safe before Twilight, wanted to throw the crystal through a window. An unseen force stopped her from doing that, however. Her eyes were glued, morbidly and curiously, as the events grew even more morbid as time went on. She was, in actuality, watching her own rape and likely death. Twilight was there for her, even though that did nothing. * * * After about two minutes of thrashing, Big Mac finally cried out in ecstasy... falling on his victim hard. Neither pony moved for a good long while. "Like a velvet glove, AJ!" Big Mac finally groaned. "You feel like a velvet glove! Better, and far tighter than I ever imagined. Sweet as nectar, moist and crisp.the best golden delicious on the farm. Hard to believe you don't like stallions... we truly are missing out because of your selfish proclivities!" Applejack's spent big brother stallion pulled himself from the mare who's head was rocking back and forth, clearly half-conscious: "No, no, no...," she weakly cried. "Please... no more. Ah just want to go home. I'll put this all behind me and never tell any pony. I promise! Can't things go back to the way they were just yesterday?" "Shut up, AJ!" Thundered Big Mac, bringing down his fore hoof on her stomach with explosive force. She doubled over and ended up on her side. The stallion rubbed his chin, looking down at his sister image in pain: "I know you ain't really ma sister," he said coldly, smiling down at her. "So I don't feel too bad about any of this, really. Maybe wrecking the place, but that was far from ma original intentions. Ah know I should care a bit more for you... but I don't. Not one bit! Ah'm entirely free from guilt, and as a matter-o-fact... it feels pretty nice." She'd spent the moment looking up at what she thought with all her existence to be her brother with uncomprehending eyes, crying. He had made her mad, though, in spite of everything he'd done to her... AJ had some fire in her: "What'd ya mean I ain't your sister!?! Am to! Flesh and blood, Apples together forever as we've always been... you've said so yourself with the rest of us more times than Ah'm sure Twilight herself can count! Why'd you say such an awful thing to me, Big Mac? What did I ever do to you?" Chuckling once, he responded: "You're just a thing. Ain't even gunna dignify by callin' you AJ no more. You're nothing more than a doppelganger. You don't matter one bit, to me, or your so-called 'friends.'" "Please, Big Mac... Ah don't know why you're doing this to me." Big Mac did not answer, and the mare continued to plead with him: "Please tell me this is just a nightmare. Please! I'm so scared..." Big Mac laughed again in his hallow tone as the clone he was quite disconnected from cried. What was more disgusting than anything in all this was Applejack seeing her own true colors... knowing that she would be just as helpless, should Big Mac ever turn on her like this. He was physically capable, this was proof. AJ's image began to wretch and cough, as if so scared she was getting ready to vomit. Seeing this, there was a sudden change... AJ knew Big Mac couldn't stand the sight of vomit. Showing some compassion for the first time in the lab, Big Mac stopped and hung his head. "Oh, you really do have me convinced now. You at least have some feelings..." He sighed. "Alright. Come on... let's go." He offered the clone a hoof. "It's over." Applejack watched herself take his hoof hesitantly at first... then trustingly once he smiled and their hooves made contact. He pulled her into a familiar embrace she knew quite well. They saw the eyes of the clone so close, trusting Big Mac despite all that he had put her through. He patted her back, his hooves going higher each pat... until they reached the back of her head. He grasped with almost a vice grip. One loud sound was heard by both ponies minds: Snap! Applejack, as Big Mac had created her, fell over and was not moving... dead. "Quick, easy, painless." Big Mac sounded almost proud of his work. "But why did I do it before we got back to the farm? Gah... even Ah'm going to get tired carrying her that far. Least it's late." He looked down at the corpse before him. "Truth be told, AJ... if you can still hear me, which Ah doubt, I always wanted to kill another pony. Just to see what it's like... Lemme tell you Ah can see the draw after doing this. Ah got no excuse to kill a real pony, though. Gotta take care of ya now. No pony's gunna recognize ya once Ah'm done. Give the leftovers to the pigs. This crystal... Ah can't decide to keep or bury. Prolly bury it elsewhere. You are going to make the best fertilizer for ma saplings, according to what Ah've read at least." They watched him put AJ's lifeless image over his shoulders, then pick the crystal up in his mouth. The rest they could figure out... they needed to see no more, and wanted to see no more. 8 -- "ShatteRED IMAGES"8 "ShatteRED IMAGEs" The world spun, so tiny to Applejack now, along with her head. The farm pony shook uncontrollably, not clutching the crystal any longer, which was in Twilight's hooves. Within their tiny view Big Mac was outside. Neither could see the red world anymore, but they could hear, and Applejack could hear in her head, too, as much as she didn't want to. In her state speaking was hard, but there was one word Applejack wanted to say. She tried... it came out as a whimper at first. Louder and louder it built, until almost a scream: "ENOUGH!" I have seen enough! The living pony shouted as the gem went to its plain red color yet again. She could have smashed it, and would have, if she could still see at this point. Tears made that impossible. "Oh, Twilight!" The Unicorn leapt to her side, hugging Applejack tight as she could. She was there, always, but that didn't make her friend feel any better. Applejack's small world of apple bucking and pride had been burned down, and replaced with the most severe vulnerability. She could not deny that is how she would have acted, had she been who she saw in the crystal. "How could he be so cruel?" Apple Jack asked, staring high above as they hugged. "I- I've never done wrong by him in ma whole life. I've loved and supported him as far back as I can remember and deep inside he's just a monster!" "Applejack," replied the purple Unicorn softly. "I wish there was something I could say to make this better." "Ain't nothin' you can say, Twilight," the farm pony replied, rising to his hooves. "Ah oughta kill him before he really does that to me or some other pony! You heard him, he ALWAYS wanted to kill somepony." "AJ, don't!" Twilight said, grabbing her hoof. "It wasn't really you..." "Yeah, well... but it was close enough! Ah'm never going to think of him the same way again... heck, I don't think I'll even be able to look at him ever again now!" "Just sit with me for a bit," Twilight said, patting on the ground. "We're safe here for now... even if he came through that door, there's two of us here. You don't have anything to worry about!" Looking dejectedly at the floor and sighing, Applejack sat again... being held by Twilight, nearly vomiting as her heart gradually slowed down. * * * The two mares took off to the library where they composed a note for the Princess detailing what happened and how they had the crystal... all without Spike present of course. He was waiting in the other room... he would have nothing to do with this, and the farm pony's excellent peripheral vision saw to that. The ponies said little as they composed the note... Twilight did most of the work, Applejack only nodding where needed. The confirmation from Celestia, Twilight put in the note, would be best received through Spike. "Ah don't know if I want to send it, Twi," Apple Jack whispered, looking at the finished note. "It will get my brother in a whole heap of trouble. He killed somepony! ... but maybe he just needs help." "AJ, I don't know what to do either..." Twilight sighed. "But my gut's telling me we have to send it. Our feelings need to come second. I know that hurts to have me say that, but I really think-" "You're right, Twi. Do it before Ah change my mind." The letter was easy enough to send, even not through Spike. Outside Rainbow Dash was resting in the clouds above, having dreams about joining the Wonderbolts. She was called out of her dream and made her descent to the ground half-awake: "Rainbow Dash," said Twilight from her opened door, holding up the crystal and the note with her magic. "Can I get you to take this to Princess Celestia for us on the double?" "Why not have Spike send it?" Rainbow replied, not looking down. "I'm trying to nap!" "Yeah, why not have me send it?" Spike asked, from behind Twilight and beside AJ. "Jeeze, let her nap, Twilight!" "It's urgent news," Twilight said calmly. "And Spike can't send the crystal!" "Fine," Rainbow Dash came down quick and took the note. "I'll take it. Is this anything I should know about?" Not even looking back, Twilight slammed the door in Spike's face while AJ held his ears. He struggled to hear as the Unicorn answered the question in just one word: "Yes!" "Uh... you're kinda creeping me out now, Twilight," answered Rainbow. "Please explain." It only took a minute to explain to Rainbow Dash why she had to take it... and she didn't respond. She took it and flew off, towards the city of Canterlot. It would be a few hours before the Princess got the note. Spike would have to be with them until then. * * * The two ponies did not debate where to go next. Taking Spike with them they went to where, logically, would be the last place for Big Mac to go, giving Applejack plenty of space, peace, and quiet. They headed for Rarity's boutique. "Greetings and Salutations," Rarity began. "Welcome to the Carousel Boutique, where- ... my word, Apple Jack, you look like you've seen a ghost! However, I do like your mane. Very rugged and stylish, if I do say so myself!" Applejack, not responding to Rarity's playful needling, instead looked as though she could cry. My, my," said Rarity. "What is it? Don't tell me you've REALLY seen a ghost... Applejack?" "She practically has," answered Twilight, as the farm pony nodded with her. "Can we come in and rest for a bit?" "Certainly!" Rarity opened the door all the way. "I'll put on some Darjeeling. Whatever's going on, you can tell me all about it! I needed a break anyway." Sensing her friend's distress, the ivory Unicorn switched her opened sign to closed and locked the doors. In the back of her shop, where there was just a kitchen and no windows visible from the street... Twilight and Applejack rested. Rarity, true to her word, was putting on some tea. Noticing her friend's eyes were still wide and her breathing still heavy, there was one question for Rarity to logically ask: "What is it, Applejack? You look unbelievably upset and, as your friend, I want to help you!" The two sitting ponies looked at each other... AJ lowered her head: "You tell her, Twi... Ah can't think about it no more. Ah just wanna shut ma brain off for a while." Twilight nodded to her orange friend, then shared what happened with the ivory one. She didn't share it verbally, however, since Spike was there itching to hear what was going on. Instead, she levitated a pencil from a drawer with her magic, along with a pad of paper, and wrote down a few notes. It was enough to make it clear. She then wrote "burn this note after you're done!" at the bottom. Rarity, once passed the note read it... and had one response: "What!?!" She looked even more pale than usual. She did burn it at least, though now she looked like she needed to sit down. "Oh, I didn't even know that was possible! Twilight, I feel sick!" "So do I," replied the purple mare. "I'd imagine Apple jack feels a lot worse..." "Is any pony going to tell me what's going on or why I'm here?" Spike asked. Turning to him, three voices replied: "NO!" Innocent and oblivious, Spike shrunk back and was quiet. He'd have to remain innocent and oblivious to this... but at least he shrugged, having given up on trying to understand the older mares. * * * The ponies enjoyed their tea and talked about things unrelated to the past few hours, as a way to distract their traumatized friend. Spike got bored and sleepy, even though Rarity put copious amounts of sugar in his tea. They didn't know how much longer they'd have to stay boarded up, but hoped it would end soon. As Rarity put her kettle away, there was a knock at the door. Twilight bolted up. "You want me to get that?" Spike asked. "No. I'll get it." Rarity said. "Twilight! Come with?" The purple Unicorn nodded, the followed. They reached the door quickly, expecting a customer or a friend. Rarity opened just the port with her welcoming face on. It didn't last. Standing there was Big Mac. How he had found them, none of them had a clue... they both narrowed their eyes at him: "What?" 'It's gettin' late, Twilight," said Big Mac. "Have you seen AJ anywhere?" "I'm in here," Applejack said from behind Rarity and Twilight, and the nice strong door. "Might stay a while, ya catch ma drift? He looked relieved seeing her. "Can I come in?" He asked, looking at the strong wood barring his entrance. "Ah just want to talk to her." "You are not welcome in here," Rarity said, brandishing a pair of scissors with her magic. "Get going, or I'll gouge your eyes out!" His eyes, just threatened, went wide. "W-Wat? Why're you suddenly so angry towards me, Rarity? When I've never done a single bad thing to you!" Twilight levitated a frying pan all the way from the table and brought it to herself. A shield and a club, weightless in her magic... skull cracklingly heavy, to be held aloft by a hoof. If Big Mac tried to break the door, Canterlot Guard would be cleaning his brains from the ceiling. "We saw," the purple Unicorn said, coldly. "Now go... maybe we can get this all straightened out when my brother's here. My note and the Crystal are probably at Canterlot by now... you can make it a lot worse on yourself by trying to break in here." Big Mac's eyes hardly changed expression. He sighed, popping his neck. "Ya know, Twilight? That's what I was coming to talk to her about. See, the Cutie Mark Crusaders told me they passed along a ruby to Applejack they'd found where I was digging. They're unharmed... especially Sweetie Belle, Rarity." Big Mac nodded to the ivory mare. She was not convinced: "If you've touched one hair on her mane... I'll- I'll skin you alive!" "Don't worry about that. You have my solemn promise Ah'd never harm a filly... as for the bigger pony's concerns," he turned back to Twilight. "It wasn't really her you know. Jus' an ol' fantasy o'mine. Ah meant no harm in it, really. See, the reason I'm so good is Ah see and accept my bad thoughts... just need an occasional release for 'em. Figured your machine could make one for me." "Release!?!" shouted Apple Jack. "You dadgum psychopath! Release!?!" "It doesn't matter, Big Mac. You're just rationalizing it!" Twilight replied, angrily. "Whether AJ or not.... that was a scared, innocent pony you tortured, raped, and murdered. Are you even sorry?" Spike's eyes went wide hearing this, finally having found out what they were keeping secret from him. The mug in his claw turned inwards and he grasped it tight, ready to breath fire in Big Mac's eyes now... or at least crack his skull with the dish should he try to come in. "To be honesty, Ah feel a little bad... but I'd never do it to the real Apple Jack." "How do Ah even know that!?!" Apple Jack shouted taking a few steps towards the door. "Trust me. I've never lied to you in ma life." Applejack, as she said earlier, couldn't bear to look him in the eyes any longer: "Ah can't trust you now... you lied to Twilight and me. You said you had no clue why the lab was a mess." "Guess Ah did. Makes me a liar twice, now. I'm fine, AJ... really. I won't harm ya." Just at that moment, Spike grasped his gut... he breathed a bit of fire and a letter presented itself on the floor. He picked it up, looking over at the ponies around him: "They're on the way," he said. "Everything will be okay. Five guards and your brother, Twilight. I can see why you wanted me around!" Big Mac sighed, kicking his foot into the cobblestones: "Guess there's nothing more for me ta say at this point, is there? Ah can't say I'm sorry for livin' out a fantasy on a copy of the one farm pony who's always been there for me... Ah will wait here for 'em." As Twilight shut the door, Big Mac lowered his eyes. "We've got nothing to say to you!" The red pony, outside the botique, looked up into the sky and all around, waiting... unsure of where the guard would come from. He sighed, leaning up against the wall, enjoying his last bits of freedom, because he knew this was the end. EpilogueEpilogue True to his word, Big Mac waited for the guard. He went into their custody after they arrived without a peep. The stallion spent five years in the Canterlot Prison, kicking his feet up, but not for murder... rather for interfering with Canterlot official business. The evidence in his trial could not be entirely presented, and some of it had to be fabricated. Locations and motivations, especially. Big Mac had trashed the place for monetary reason, a place far outside of Ponyville he had found. Had Ponyville known experiments were going on in their own town without their consent, they would have become very angry. Applejack never spoke to her brother again, and by the time he was released from prison, had taken Apple Bloom to another farm closer to Canterlot. Granny Smith passed on, also, leaving the farm in the hooves of other relatives. Once back on the Apple farm Big Mac worked with hired help... entirely unphased by what he had done, but sad his sisters had to leave. Able to take a hint, he let them be. Ultimately, Twilight's invention did benefit ponykind... but she never spoke of it again. Not after seeing what it could do. But what exactly had happened? Applejack was alive... nothing was different from the start, and those saplings Big Mac fertilized with his own, special recipe grew into the best of trees. So, in a way Apple Jack did live on forever at Sweet Apple Acres. The End 4 -- "With StuDY and ProSPeCTs"4 "With StuDY and ProSPeCTS" Twilight became so wrapped up in what she was doing, she didn't notice that two weeks had passed. Her friends did what they could to pull her away from the machine, but she was far too invested to accept half their invites. Twilight delved into research, proving on a molecular level what the machine cloned was identical... but, as with things frozen in liquid nitrogen, the molecules were stronger and livelier. Once that was discovered, she gathered her friends, Big Mac and the Princesses, just to show them them the machine and what it could do. Its marvels were beyond their wildest imagination -- Apple Jack and Pinkie Pie enjoyed cloned Apples; Rainbow Dash some cloned cider; Rarity cloned an old piece of attire (for herself), and Fluttershy considered cloning Angel... but ultimately decided it would be a bad idea to even ask about it. Big Mac just enjoyed watching, though Pinkie Pie offered him an apple copy: "Juicy!" she exclaimed, extending her hoof. "Oh, I've already tried one, Pinkie," he replied coolly. "Thanks for the offer, but Ah'm just not hungry right now. To be honest, Ah'm just happy sitting here listening to y'all celebratin'. Parties just aren't for my type, if ya catch ma drift?" "Awe, okee..." "Twilight Sparkle," said Princess Celestia, enjoying a cloned apple. "In two weeks, I am going to have one of these machines built in Canterlot, copying food in secrecy for our charities... that way businesses, like the Apple's farm, will always keep going. It will be used in moderation, but it's because of you that it will even be used at all." "Thank you Princess," Apple Jack said, nodding with grave understanding of what the machine could do to her big business. "You truly have done a wonderful thing," said Luna, also enjoying a cloned apple. "We are pleased." Twilight giggled, tickled pink. She enjoyed many apples and mugs of cider with her friends that night. Even the Princesses had a mug with her... only one mug, but it meant so much since the Princesses usually never consumed anything that could impair their judgement in the slightest. Ever. They all slept well that night.
1-- We're so Proud of You, TwiLight SparkLe1 We're so Proud of You, TwiLight SparkLe They were gathered in the library. All of the six, plus Spike... and the two Princesses who had just entered. It was late. Twilight worked hard for this. Months of research, months of work... nearly a year's investment and her hard work was finally paying off. She had a few empty cider glasses nearby, but still stood up and bowed when the Princesses approached her. They'd flown all the way once they'd gotten the letter... Twilight never dreamed that they'd come right down, but there they were before her. Celestia smiled down at her tired student, knowing full well the meaning of what she had done, and what it meant to her to have done it. The Goddess had a rare gift for her student in her brown leather saddle bag, but first she would congratulate her, in front of everypony... over a job well done: "I'm so proud of you, Twilight Sparkle," she said soothingly. "You've done something so many of my great Scholars and Scientists have only drempt of doing." "I couldn't have done it without my friends," replied the Unicorn, with a hiccup. "Rarity's gems, Apple Jack's musing about not having enough apples for Pinky's pies... rainbow material donated from the Rainbow Factory, plus all their hard work. They were kind of my muse in all this." Celestia smiled again along with Luna. Her lessons in humility had paid off. Luna spoke: "Your journey has only just begun, young one! We hope that hunger in Ponyville and all of Equestria will someday be a thing of the past... perhaps in your lifetime." "I hope that, too, Luna," said Twilight, as Celestia lifted a long, red crystal from her brown saddlebag with her magic. "This is for security measure, Twilight," said Celestia, holding the gem high. "This rare gem is as much alive as you or I. Above the cloning machine, anything beneath it will be recorded forever and ever... if somepony enters the lab without your premission, we'll see who just by asking it. It remembers everything it sees, always." Twilight plucked the gem from Celestia's aura and set it on the table, looking closely... she saw her face in its pale reflection. "Sleep well tonight, Twilight Sparkle," said Celestia, as she turned towards the door with Luna. "I look forward to reading about how your machine is working in the coming weeks." "I look forwards to trying it out!" "Don't work too hard!" said Luna, as they spread their wings. "But work hard enough for results." "We'll be sure to make sure she gets plenty of rest, Princess!" said Apple Jack, playfully poking Twilight with her hoof. "We'll make sure she gets out, too. Y'all know Twilight... she can get a might carried away with these here projects." "Oh yeah!" Pinkie Pie churred in agreement. "Last time she got involved in a project, she must've stayed up a whole week! She looked like a spooky zombie when I visited..." Twilight blushed, remembering that very project. This wasn't fertilizer, though... this was far more exciting. The Princesses smiled again as they took off, leaving the tipsy ponies to their party in the library. Twilight had planned a long, fun party... lots of activities with Pinkie at the helm. Everypony fell asleep at the table, and after Spike snuck his first glass of cider ever, he fell asleep too. Not one pony, or one baby dragon, was spared the hangover the following morning. Twilight didn't let it slow her down. She had things to do! This was the way Twilight Sparkle was, and why the Princesses were proud enough to visit her at a moment's notice.
2 -- "Beautiful Machine"2 "Beautiful Machine" The laboratory was right outside of Ponyville, but no pony knew about it. The six and a few family members, they knew, and they were going to keep it that way. A deceptively secure, yet very dilapidated-looking shed housed it. The windows, dark and boarded up, had the first floor actuality beneath the ground... it looked as though the shed had almost collapsed. Dead trees, mud and muck surrounded it. This was ideal, as no pony would want to explore anywhere near it, not even the bravest of idle colts. Twilight would go there at night or very early in the morning at regular intervals. She would work with wires, tempered glass, machines, welding tools, and crystals... her friends brought everything she needed that she couldn't easily get herself. Big Mac's strength certainly came in handy, totting all things back and forth. Now, that would begin to stop... the machine was complete enough to work. One of the first things the purple Unicorn did the day after the party was stick the red crystal above her machine and forget about it. The second thing she did was sort through what else she had brought -- small trinkets and tools to try out. No pony, but Spike, was to be present the first time. If one thing went wrong, it would not leave the room.. if it went right, Twilight's friends would be welcome the next time to watch. She tried first to clone a simple ring. Spike brought her the tiny object and behind the glass it went. She pushed on a single crystal and they all glowed together, making a cacophony of sounds... music almost, and that's all it took. Magic was the rest, superseding logic in its application. Behind the other glass, feet away was another ring... exactly the same. "Success!" Twilight cried as Spike went to hoof bump her with his claws. Spike now had two fine rings to wear, the first one curiosity of Rarity. Next Twilight tried something a little more practical... a broom. She put the nearly pony-length object behind the glass and pushed on the crystal. The same pattern of sounds came from the machine and, in seconds after the great glow, she had yet another broom for Spike to work with. Spike had an idea... he set a Bit down beneath the glass and turned to Twilight, eyes pleading with the studious Unicorn. "Absolutely not!" she scowled. "Spike, that's totally unethical and highly illegal! If you don't want me to kick your little tail out of her, you will remove that Bit right now." "Okay, okay," Spike said, dejectedly pulling the Bit from the glass. "How 'bout a... ruby then?" "I don't know, Spike," said Twilight, seriously considering it. "Some ponies trade gems for money. It doesn't seem right." "I'm just going to eat it!" Spike replied, laughing hardly. "You said you wanted to see if it could really clone food, why not have me be your guinea pig? What's the worst that can happen?" "Seriously?" Twilight asked, narrowing her eyes. "Yeah!" "For a baby dragon eating a gem...? Oh, just flaming diarrhea." Spike shuttered: "Seriously?" Twilight nodded, while Spike pondered the few advantages of that condition: "Would that get me out of work today?" "Oh, yeah." Twilight chuckled. "Big time, Spike." "Well, I'll try it," replied the dragon, while patting his chest and showing no fear. "Alright, then," Twilight couldn't believe she was allowing this. "You asked for it!" The budding Unicorn Scientist took a small gem from Spike and placed it behind the glass. She followed the same pattern as she had to clone the other trinkets and soon enough... there were two gems beneath the glass. "Eat it slowly, Spike," said Twilight firmly, as the dragon's eyes grew wide looking at his new treat. "And tell me if it tastes any different from the other gems you've had." The Unicorn took the newly recreated gem from beneath the glass and passed it to Spike. His mouth watered as his greedy claws grasped it... it looked better, less tarnished than the original. He did not take Twilight's advice, eating half the gem in one bite. "Hey! I said slowly!" Twilight snapped. "Oh." Spike smiled, swallowing. "Sorry." "Well, don't come crying to me if you get a stomach ache or worse," Twilight said, trying not to sound too angry. "How does it taste?" The dragon paused for a moment, considering the question... licking his lips, checking his taste buds. He could summarize it in just a few words: "It's wonderful, Twilight!" A grin spread itself across his face. "It has the consistency of a fresh gem, but the taste of an aged one... the best of both worlds!" Spike ate the other half while Twilight pondered the meaning of this new data. "It's say most likely mission accomplished, Spike," she finally said, as she watched Spike grab the original gem from behind the glass and lick his lips. "We just have to monitor your symptoms and, if you're fine... I'll just have to test it on myself next." "Good, good," Spike said, taking a bite of his gem. He swallowed it, and grinned. "This gem tastes like most other gems... not as wonderful as the last one, though." Spike got ready to eat the other half when Twilight stopped him: "Hey Spike, can I borrow that gem for just a few more minutes?" "Alright," Spike said, handing it over to her magic, "but what would you want with a half-eaten gem?" "You'll see," Twilight responded, setting the bit jewel behind the glass again. She followed nearly the same sequence again, but this time she pushed a yellow gem at the end instead of a green. Spike watched curiously as the machine glowed yet again, emitting a slightly different tune. On the other side, behind the glass, was the gem as it was before Spike took a bite from it. Both pony and dragon's eyes went wide, but for different reasons. Spike was happy to have another treat, and Twilight... with this machine Twilight was going to make a lot of hungry ponies in Equestria feel very full, very quickly, with very little. "Can I have it, Twilight?" Spike asked, the same gem lust in his eyes. "Sure, Spike," said the Unicorn, opening both glasses to the dragon. "But that's it for cloning gems today... I wouldn't want to make your symptoms any worse, if you're going to have any. We have to watch you for now." Spike wasn't listening. He was already digging in to the clone gem... savoring every second. Again, it's texture was strong and new, but its taste sweet and aged. It was perfection. Twilight worked over her machine for a few hours and watched him while she did so... she never noticed any peculiar symptoms. If anything, his demeanor was ordinary. That evening Spike took a letter expressing the good news to the Princesses. Celestia wrote back and she was enthralled, but said it would take more time and testing. Twilight had, after all, a very small-scaled version of what Celestia was envisioning for her kingdom... making an endless supply of food for all her people. Celestia herself wanted to see what the machine could do before she'd allow it into the Canterlot Laboratories. The machine was experimental yet, which was why she wished to keep it so quiet... for now. * * * Days passed with different things cloned. The machine would make a near perfect copy of what was placed beneath the glass.... near perfect because it was better than perfect: "Extraordinary," Twilight commented. Anything older placed beneath the glass, like an antique watch, would come out with still many of the aesthetic imperfections... but the guts would be strong as if it was brand new. Another broom placed beneath the glass with old bristles came out with the bristles broken in, but strong as ever. Tarnished Silverware, old outfits of Rarity's, and more still looked as though they were owned, but were no longer tarnished by age. This machine could make perfection. It was then that Twilight decided to clone pony food. She took a cupcake from the bakery, left it out all night, and placed it beneath the glass the very next day. It came out on the other side, looking identical. "Here goes nothing," the Unicorn said, levitating a fork and opening the glass. She sampled the clone cupcake with Spike. The icing did not taste a day old, but rather as though the cake was just made. The substance itself had a texture that was strong, homemade... just like Mrs. Cake's recipe, if it were fresh. Twilight then tried the other cake, only half. The icing was less moist, the cake a bit dryer... it tasted like a day old cupcake. "Wow!" The Unicorn grinned. "I've got to share this machine with the world!" She then replicated the whole cake yet again for safe measure, and enjoyed it once more with Spike. Neither the Unicorn, nor the reptile got sick... and both felt sated. Twilight was excited! She had to step it up... clone a larger number of things at one time.
3 -- "Apples and Oranges"3 "Apples and Oranges" Applejack and Big Mac were in the den of Sweet Apple Acres with Granny Smith, getting their monthly mane cuts. Twilight came in with Spike, excited and smiling, but once she saw Granny Smith was combing AJ's mane... she nearly walked out due to respect: "I'm so sorry," she said, stepping back from the doorway. "I can come back later, if that works for you." "Oh, don't worry about it, Twilight," said Granny Smith getting up. "It's time for ma afternoon tea, anyways. Ah know ya have been up ta some experiment lately... I'll give y'all a few to talk about it in peace." Twilight slowly moved out of the way as Granny Smith walked by, leaving the room and going down the hall: "Thank you... it wasn't necessary, though." Granny Smith did not reply. She just looked back and smiled, leaving the four alone to talk. "Okay, then...," said Apple Jack, leaning forward in her chair. What'da y'all want, Twilight?" Twilight was so excited she could hardly contain it: "I need a bushel of apples for my machine..." "Really now," said Big Mac, with a playful smile. "Don't y'all think that's going a little overboard? Wouldn't one suffice?" "I've already cloned a gem and a cupcake... I want to see what's going to happen with a large number of organic items. Plus your apples cells are alive! If I can clone live food, the potential for nutrition is exponential!" "Alrighty, then," said AJ, looking at her brother. "Big Mac's gotta make a delivery in town today... y'all can fit another bushel on that cart, can't ya?" "Ee-yup." "There ya go, then, Twilight," said Apple Jack, a smug grin spreading itself on her face. "Complements of Sweet Apple Acres... just dun go making a mountain of apples, Twi... we'll wanna get you outta there unsquished." "Oh, don't worry about that... I'm just going to have two bushels for all our friends to enjoy!" "Well, thanks Twilight..." Sure enough, later that afternoon Big Mac stopped by the old, dilapidated shack with a huge cart. He took one of the bushels from his cart and knocked on the door. Once Spike opened it, he quickly went inside. He'd never actually seen the full machine in its complete state, only parts he'd helped bring to the shack... and he'd been given only a vague description of it in the past few weeks. His mouth dropped open as he was surrounded by the colors and crystals; he started at the two sizable glass shields, under which the two identical gems were placed. Spike returned to the machine, and grabbed both gems, while he and Twilight talked. "This truly is a marvel," Big Mac said, looking at the crystal control panels. "Aren't y'all afraid somepony is liable to break in here and steal something? All those crystals're probably worth a hefty sum, and that's not even thinking about what your invention could be worth assembled as it is." "I have a gem hidden above our heads recording everything! No pony knows about it but me and the girls, and the Princesses. If anything happens, we'll know who did it." "Reckon that's a good idea, then," Big Mac said, looking out the window. "I've got enough to worry about with 24 bushels alone. Ah can't imagine the anxiety somethin' like this must be causin' for y'all." "Oh, I could easily replicate it..." Twilight said, motioning towards her noggin. "I've got it all up here, and the Princesses have the blueprints. Heh, I never realized I can replicate a replicator!" "Good ta know." Big Mac stretched. "Mind if Ah rest a bit? Don't tell AJ, but there are times Ah just wanna take the whole day off." "Oh, don't worry about us telling Applejack," Twilight said, looking at Spike, who nodded reassuringly. As long as you don't mind flashing lights and a few noises while we work." "Not at all," replied the stallion, leaning against the wall and sighing. Big Mac rested, periodically taking a glance out the window at his cart, while watching Twilight and Spike work curiously. They loaded the bushel into one side and Twilight pushed a few crystals. A melody filled the air along with a flash, and there were two bushels. Twilight used her magic to open the glass up and lift a few apples from the cloned bushel. "Here ya go Big Mac," she said, passing him one. "You're a hard worker! You deserve more than a break." "Well, that's mighty kind of you, Twilight," Big Mac said, taking a bite of his apple. His eyes went wide. "Oh, my. This is the best apple I've ever had in ma whole life." "Isn't it, though?" Twilight chuckled, taking an apple for herself and Spike. "I'm going to look at these apples under a microscope later, along with a few other non-organic items and foods it's also cloned. It seems to make a perfect clone of whatever's put in the other side, but for some reason it comes out as though it's brand new." "Might Ah ask, what do you mean by brand new?" "Things it clones have the same imperfections, but they have a fresher taste and appearance... they're stronger, too. I suspect I might be able to unlock something akin to the fountain of youth if I study this long enough!" "The fountain of youth, huh?" Big Mac mused about it. "Now that would be somethin." Big Mac noticed Spike clearing off the bushels from both sides of the machine and setting an uneaten apple down on the first side. He watched as Twilight nodded. "I just can't finish it, Twilight," Spike said, burping, as the Unicorn got up. "Too many gems earlier." "That's perfect, Spike," Twilight said, pushing buttons on the control panel. "Watch this, Big Mac," said Spike, pointing at the apple. "All Twilight has to do is hit a yellow button, and you're not going to believe what's going to happen!" "You've got my curiosity peaked, Ah must admit," replied the red farm pony, watching as he finished his delicious cloned apple. Sure enough, Twilight pushed a few buttons and the machine began to sing and glow again. With a flash, the apple was replicated once again... Big Mac's eyes went wide for the second time when he noticed the entire apple, not just a small piece of its core like Spike had left, were on the other side. "Ee-yup," Spike said, with a grin. "That's incredible." "Just keep quiet about it, Big Mac," said Twilight, firmly. "I know I can trust you for that..." "Yes, you can. I promise on ma parent's graves Ah will not tell one soul about this... well, maybe AJ, if that's alright." "I'd rather show her in person," replied the purple Unicorn," but if you have to tell anypony, I'd rather be her than anyone else!" "Duly noted." Big Mac's stay was only ten minutes long. Soon he was one his way, feeling refreshed... his mind was blown, but that would subside. He had business to attend to, and that's all he could really focus on until he got it done.
5 -- "HerRING"5 "HerRING" The next morning Twilight came to the shack, finding a terrible surprise... The glass to the machine cloning was smashed, the crystals for its consoles all over the floor. Tables were cracked, with a few thin, blond hairs all over them. It smelled of waste and fear, with no sign of either left aside from her work. Why somepony did this didn't matter to Twilight. That was beyond even her mind... all she could think about was who could to do this... Who would do this? "Wha-what happened?" Spike asked. Twilight, who had been silent up to that moment, stamped her hoof: "Isn't it obvious, Spike!?! Somepony trashed my laboratory!" Twilight snorted in a rage, but remained still for a moment. "Aren't you going to try to figure out who did this?" An idea flashed in Twilight's mind with a red sparkle: "The crystal!" Twilight had placed the red crystal above the lab, looking down directly on it. It could tell her something... She went to look for it where she had left it, and found it wasn't there. "No, no, no!" She cried. "Whoever it was took the crystal, too!" "What about the hairs?" Spike asked. "Couldn't you look them over under a microscope or examine their DNA?" "That won't necessarily tell me who's they are without a sample to compare it to, but that's still good idea, Spike," said the purple Unicorn, approaching the table by the glass. "Examining them is liable to tell me something!" Twilight walked up to the hairs, bent down and looked at them closely. Spike picked up one and looked at it in his claws. They were longer... mane hairs. "There's only one pony I know with a mane like this," Twilight mused aloud. "Applejack!" * * * With Spike on her back, Twilight headed to the farm without wasting a second. She found Apple Jack out in the open air, bucking trees. She had an unusual short, almost masculine manecut... it had to be new, since Twilight had just seen her a couple days before and her mane was long. "Apple Jack, I need to talk to you!" Twilight sounded, running towards her friend. "It's very important!" The farm pony immediately stopped bucking. "What is it, Twi?" "Did you come into the shack last night?" "Heck no!" Applejack yawned. "You know I'd never go there without you, and besides... Ah had to be up much to early this mornin' to engage in that type of nonesense... why'd ya ask, Twi?" "The whole place is trashed and the red gem Celestia gave me is gone!" AJ grew faint, and looked as though her heard skipped a beat. "I assure you, Twilight, Ah had nothing to do with that..." "There are blond mane hairs everywhere that look just like yours..." Apple Jack shifted from concerned to angry in a flash: "Ah just said I had nothing to do with it, Twi!" "And I believe you..." Spike patted Twilight on the back. "I just don't know where to start!" Apple Jack smiled sympathetically: "Well, alright..." Apple Jack set down her basket. "Let me take you inside, maybe make you a cup of tea... no sense in ya running all over Ponyville without a plan." "Okay Applejack," Twilight said, eyes still bugging out slightly in shock. "I can stay for only a bit, but while I'm here Spike's going to be taking a letter to the Princess." "Fine by me... just come to the house and kick yer hooves up before y'all turn even more white and faint on me!" Twilight walked with her friend up to the farm house. In the distance they saw Big Mac working hard planting new apple saplings with a short tree spade and a bag of fertilizer. He looked up, smiled and waved. When he heard Twilight's voice, however, upset and disturbed... he got a very concerned look, and casually walked towards the two mares: "What seems to be the trouble, girls?" he asked. "The shack was broken into last night," said AJ, calmly. "Some stuff was stolen and the place was trashed!" Twilight started breathing heavy just hearing this. Big Mac looked at her: "Is there anything Ah can do to help?" "Do you know anything?" "Eey-nope," he replied, looking sympathetically into her eyes. "But if anything comes up, I'll be sure ta let ya know." Twilight was led to the house, sat down in the kitchen while AJ went to make some tea. Spike took the letter, but Twilight knew it wouldn't do any good... this would not only be a major security breech, the Princesses would be disappointed in her. Somehow, the pony who had broken in knew that the gem was there and quite possibly what it could do. That means most likely one of the ponies that knew about it wasn't trustworthy. "Why didn't I just ask for a lock?" Twilight asked rhetorically, as Apple Jack brought her tea. "Just a simple bolt?" "It might've made it too obvious there was something in there," the earth pony replied, tenderly. "What's done is done, Twi. We have to focus on what we can do, not what we could've done!" "You're right, AJ," replied the Unicorn, sipping her tea.
6 -- "AccUSING eYES"6 "AccUSING eYES" Twilight spent the afternoon searching Ponyville, but she couldn't really ask any ponies about what had happened, since only her friends knew about her marvelous workings half underground. They were all shocked and horrified by tthe news. Many hours after sending the note, Twilight got a response from the Princess. It wasn't a cheery response, though at least she wasn't angry: Twilight Sparkle, We can only hope whoever broke into the shack didn't know what they were stealing. Tomorrow morning I'll be sending a few guards there along with your brother to investigate and take formal notes with you on what happened. Although I trust her, get a sample of Applejack's mane and compare it to what was found. Please do not give up hope on finding out who did this. Your teacher and mentor, Princess Celestia Twilight hadn't given up hope on finding out who did it, she was just too shocked to think somepony would do such an awful thing with no reason. This pony, whoever it was, had to know what the lab was about. That evening Twilight and Applejack got together with all their friends for some ciders. Twilight made sure to sit by the farm pony and, once her cider was gone, she dropped her mug to the floor. Twilight faked hitting her head, hard, and Applejack... being the kind friend that she is, offered to get it for her. "Sure." Twilight replied, faking a daze while rubbing her head. "Oh, my..." As the farm pony passed the Unicorn detective her hat for a moment, Twilight took a few loose strands from the edge of the stetson. Applejack didn't have a clue as she got the glass. Twilight tucked them away in her saddle bag and hoped by night they wouldn't have gotten lost. It was her mission, even if it meant finding out her good friend had betrayed her... the thought made her sick. Once Applejack had retrieved the mug and passed it back, Twilight continued looking down at her... causing the farm pony to blush. "What is it, Twilight?" "I'm sorry, AJ... I don't mean to stare." "Is it my mane?" Twilight nodded as Apple Jack took her hat back and laughed. "Just thought Ah'd try a new look... got it early this morning. Think Ah look a bit too much like a stallion for my own liking, though. As they say, hair grows." Twilight put a hoof to her mouth... but was failing to hold it in. "It's alright, Twilight," said Apple Jack, chuckling. "Let it out... come on, let it out." Both mares laughed into the night air. Later that night in the lab Twilight alone studied both sets of hairs under the microscope... the long and the short. They were identical. * * * The next morning Shining Armor and two of his guards showed up at the Library. The mare hugged her brother tightly, who sympathetically patted her back... once they were done she took them to the shack and they took a good look at it: "You're telling me somepony knew to break into this rundown shack?" Shining Armor asked. "Twily, I don't know if a Timberwolf would have any interest in it. Whoever it was knew something good would be found in here." "That's what I was afraid of," replied Twilight Sparkle, thinking about Applejack. Shining Armor and his guards stepped inside. They examined the place, top to bottom, and spent about twenty minutes asking Twilight the same questions over, and over... "I'm sorry, Twily," said Shining Armor, with a brotherly smile. "I know it's annoying, but we have to make sure we know exactly what you're telling us and its consistent." "You also have to rule me out as a suspect," Twilight replied, narrowing her eyes. Shining clearly grew nervous: "Well, yeah... but I don't think that." Twilight took a deep breath: "I know that, but-" "Look, Twily... we might as well just go. We've got your statement on parchment and I don't think you had anything to do with this." "Do you have any theories?" "Yes." Both ponies were silent as the guards packed up. "Won't you tell me what they are?" "Persistent! Aren't ya, little sis?" Shining replied, giving her a noogie. "Normally, I'm not supposed to, since it's on Royal Grounds... but you built it and you're my sister. I don't have enough evidence to support this yet..." "Yes?" "I think Applejack did it, Twiliy. I just don't know why she would do such a thing to you..." Twilight's eyes grew tiny: "I was afraid you'd say that..." Again, he hugged her lovingly before putting on his helmet. "We should go... please come up to Canterlot sometime. Cadence and I would love to have you visit for a few days." "Okay." Shining Armor's guards had already left... but Shining had yet to even turn around. "Twily?" "Yeah?" "We'll find out who did this... and if it was Applejack, we'll go easy on her. Promise." "You have to do what you have to do, Shining. I won't hold it against you." The stallion sighed deeply. "You're right. I love you, sis." "Love you, too, big brother... best friend forever." Shining smiled. Using his magic, he then opened the door... and left with his guards. Twilight was alone with her thoughts. She could now think of a perfect motivation for Applejack to destroy her lab... Applejack felt threatened. It made perfect sense, but she didn't want to tell her brother. What if she was wrong? Applejack would have to PROVE that she was innocent if those words escaped her lips. Twilight sat there for a while, alone... thinking about what to do. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Twilight opened it wide. Standing there was Applejack, smiling, but looking sad. She was wearing a saddlebag. "What is it?" The orange pony smiled well, but for once... the cat had her tongue. "AJ, what is it?" "Twilight," Apple Jack said, slowly. "Can I come in?" "Sure," Twilight stepped aside. "What's going on?" "You're not going to believe what the Cutie Mark Crusader Treasure Hunters dug up."
7 -- "Refractions and Reflections"7 "Refractions and Reflections" Twilight and Applejack parked it on the fake dirt floor of the lab. AJ went through her bag slowly and set the red gem on the ground. "Ah couldn't believe it," Applejack said. "Hopefully, this is a different one... but the place they'd found it in was recently dug up by ma brother!" "AJ, you don't think--" "Ah certainly hope not, Twilight..." the farm pony replied, cutting her friend off. "Isn't there some way to find out?" "The Princess said I just have to ask the crystal to show me what happened..." Twilight looked down at the gem and picked it up... both ponies holding it in their hooves. "Gem, would you please show us what happened right before you were taken from here?" The gem instantly glowed a brilliant red, making clear the truth the ponies had sought after for days. Both fell silent. * * * The jewel showed in a red hue a perspective from the rafters above the center of the lab. Silent and motionless, it looked like a still image. For minutes it showed nothing new, to the point Twilight was going to ask it to hurry up, when suddenly they heard -- from inside their own heads -- the door creaking open. It caused them both to jump, but they were far too glued to take their eyes from it. A large pony came in. Big Mac. He casually looked around the room, as though it were a place he was welcome to come alone. The farm pony looked over the machine, then up to the rafters... squinting. His eyes went wide. With the nudge of a nearby chair, scraping against the hardened floor, Big Mac positioned himself below the gem and plucked it with his teeth, setting it on the table by the machine. They knew it was him to begin with, yet they held out hope they were mistaken. Now close enough to make out the fine details, it was unmistakably Big Mac. He put his hooves on the controls casually, as if intimate with the machine already. To know what he was doing, he must've been more observant than he looked. There was a level of comfort in his image that surprised even Applejack. The purple Unicorn kept a hoof to her month, fighting the urge to say something accusing about her friend's brother, when he turned towards the glass and opened it. Silence was better for Twilight, at least for the time being. "Doesn't hurt to try," his voice echoed in their brains as he chucked in his usual, deep way. The ponies saw him drop something very tiny beneath the glass, immediately closing it up. He turned to the crystal console and began to tinker as his voice conveyed his thoughts aloud: "Lemme see... There were just five crystals Twilight touched, then a yellow or a green. Can't possibly be too hard." Big Mac pushed the crystals as the machine sang a familiar tune. The machine played the tune of replication in their heads, having cloned a second set of whatever he put beneath the first glass. He opened the second glass and threw whatever it was to behind himself, where it hit a table. "Though Ah should shake ma head at myself for failing, that was a pretty good first try," he commented. The farm pony messed with the controls yet again. Twilight and Apple Jack looked at each other, completely lost as to what they would see next... A melody filled their thoughts once more, then a brilliant flash illuminated the room, so bright it was even blinding to the two staring into the crystal. Big Mac turned his head over to the other glass and they knew from the echo that he was excited. Something very large was curled up beneath it. * * * The mares could see the stallion smiling smugly under the red haze. He needed no words... whatever it was he had come in to do, it had been a success. He lifted the glass. This thing, whatever it was, immediately stretched its limbs and turned over. "Big Mac?" Echoed an errily familiar voice. "Where am I?" Neither mare could believe her eyes. Big Mac had cloned his own sister Applejack. Her image was red and distorted, but they knew it had come out well. She had everything but the hat, perfect as the machine was known to do. Big Mac, however, would have known better than either of them just how perfect she really was. "Hey sis," Big Mac said, gently. "How y'all doin' tonight?" The image of Apple Jack replied: "Wh-what's going on... why am I in Twilight's lab?" Grinning in response, Big Mac was deflecting with his answer: "Don't you worry about that none. Not one bit!" The mare in the gem was not amused: "But Ah have no idea how I even got here--" "Shhh." Big Mac cut her off, gentle as ever. "You'll understand soon enough. Now, kindly do me a favor, AJ... if you would! Turn towards me, just a bit more than you are now, and we can get started. Can you do that for me, little sis?" Though clearly confused, she did as she was asked... as the real Applejack probably would have: "Uh, alright. Like this? ... and what're we doin'?" Big Mac seemed almost to back up after she complied, but that was only done in the way he did it before a strike. The giant's tone changed, as did his demeanor. "That is just perfect!" The stallion slammed into his sister's clone as if doing a belly flop into a swimming pool much too small. "Now don't you move! Not that ya can much." Watching this the real Applejack felt sickened and betrayed by her own eyes, head, and brother. This was uncharacteristic of him -- she had to be watching a monster at work, not Big Mac. He was a gentle giant, harmless as a foal! Twilight looked up to see if she was okay. AJ's eyes were off to the side... tuning out the visual aspect of the display, which had already become unnervingly violent. "Git off of me right now!" Red AJ snapped. "This ain't funny, Big Macintosh. Wait a minute... If you're fixing to do what I think ya are, I'm not gunna keep quite about it! I'll tell all ma friends, and me and RD'll string you up by yer back legs while Pinkie turns you into a Piñata! I ain't warning ya twice..." Laughter was the response. A type of fake, hallow sound neither of them had ever heard coming out of Big Mac before echoed in their brains: "Ya talk way too much, AJ!" Unseen to both as to why, Apple Jack's image cried in what sounded like pain, clearly scared as she was being overpowered: No! Please... don't do this to me. Ah'm your sister! It ain't natural!" Twilight felt happy to be the only one looking this at this point. Much like a horror movie she knew what was coming next. This was not recorded to amuse her, however... The Princess would never lie about something like this, even on her own life. "Ah said you talk too much, AJ!" Big Mac shouted, placing both hooves on the young mare's neck. She stopped making sounds now, save a gurgled noise here and there, but still struggled for her life. "Shhhh, shhh. It'll be okay..." The brutality had reached a point where Twilight couldn't watch either. She looked up at the real Apple Jack, who was in tears, rocking rhythmically to the sounds and covering her ears... not that it did any good since it was all being projected into her head. Worried for her friend's state, she tried to reach out to the real AJ with a hoof, but the farm pony pulled away, removing both hooves from her ears and scowling. It came to them both then that they had no choice in this. Together they looked into the crystal, both of them wanting desperately to make it stop. They watched to see just how far Big Mac would take this, whether he would finally stop, and in fleeting hopes they'd find out why he was doing this. The sound of glass shattering beneath their struggles followed. AJ's image kicked wildly as stallion's giant torso struck the console... causing crystals and broken glass to spill everywhere. By this point, Big Mac's movements had become rhythmic. It was easy to tell he wasn't just strangling the mare anymore... the sounds beneath it all became wet and gutteral. He confirmed their thoughts as his voice echoed in their minds: "in ya go, now! In ya go. There! There' a good mare!" Applejack listened helplessly to her own muted cries of humiliation, terror, and disgust. Applejack, even safe before Twilight, wanted to throw the crystal through a window. An unseen force stopped her from doing that, however. Her eyes were glued, morbidly and curiously, as the events grew even more morbid as time went on. She was, in actuality, watching her own rape and likely death. Twilight was there for her, even though that did nothing. * * * After about two minutes of thrashing, Big Mac finally cried out in ecstasy... falling on his victim hard. Neither pony moved for a good long while. "Like a velvet glove, AJ!" Big Mac finally groaned. "You feel like a velvet glove! Better, and far tighter than I ever imagined. Sweet as nectar, moist and crisp.the best golden delicious on the farm. Hard to believe you don't like stallions... we truly are missing out because of your selfish proclivities!" Applejack's spent big brother stallion pulled himself from the mare who's head was rocking back and forth, clearly half-conscious: "No, no, no...," she weakly cried. "Please... no more. Ah just want to go home. I'll put this all behind me and never tell any pony. I promise! Can't things go back to the way they were just yesterday?" "Shut up, AJ!" Thundered Big Mac, bringing down his fore hoof on her stomach with explosive force. She doubled over and ended up on her side. The stallion rubbed his chin, looking down at his sister image in pain: "I know you ain't really ma sister," he said coldly, smiling down at her. "So I don't feel too bad about any of this, really. Maybe wrecking the place, but that was far from ma original intentions. Ah know I should care a bit more for you... but I don't. Not one bit! Ah'm entirely free from guilt, and as a matter-o-fact... it feels pretty nice." She'd spent the moment looking up at what she thought with all her existence to be her brother with uncomprehending eyes, crying. He had made her mad, though, in spite of everything he'd done to her... AJ had some fire in her: "What'd ya mean I ain't your sister!?! Am to! Flesh and blood, Apples together forever as we've always been... you've said so yourself with the rest of us more times than Ah'm sure Twilight herself can count! Why'd you say such an awful thing to me, Big Mac? What did I ever do to you?" Chuckling once, he responded: "You're just a thing. Ain't even gunna dignify by callin' you AJ no more. You're nothing more than a doppelganger. You don't matter one bit, to me, or your so-called 'friends.'" "Please, Big Mac... Ah don't know why you're doing this to me." Big Mac did not answer, and the mare continued to plead with him: "Please tell me this is just a nightmare. Please! I'm so scared..." Big Mac laughed again in his hallow tone as the clone he was quite disconnected from cried. What was more disgusting than anything in all this was Applejack seeing her own true colors... knowing that she would be just as helpless, should Big Mac ever turn on her like this. He was physically capable, this was proof. AJ's image began to wretch and cough, as if so scared she was getting ready to vomit. Seeing this, there was a sudden change... AJ knew Big Mac couldn't stand the sight of vomit. Showing some compassion for the first time in the lab, Big Mac stopped and hung his head. "Oh, you really do have me convinced now. You at least have some feelings..." He sighed. "Alright. Come on... let's go." He offered the clone a hoof. "It's over." Applejack watched herself take his hoof hesitantly at first... then trustingly once he smiled and their hooves made contact. He pulled her into a familiar embrace she knew quite well. They saw the eyes of the clone so close, trusting Big Mac despite all that he had put her through. He patted her back, his hooves going higher each pat... until they reached the back of her head. He grasped with almost a vice grip. One loud sound was heard by both ponies minds: Snap! Applejack, as Big Mac had created her, fell over and was not moving... dead. "Quick, easy, painless." Big Mac sounded almost proud of his work. "But why did I do it before we got back to the farm? Gah... even Ah'm going to get tired carrying her that far. Least it's late." He looked down at the corpse before him. "Truth be told, AJ... if you can still hear me, which Ah doubt, I always wanted to kill another pony. Just to see what it's like... Lemme tell you Ah can see the draw after doing this. Ah got no excuse to kill a real pony, though. Gotta take care of ya now. No pony's gunna recognize ya once Ah'm done. Give the leftovers to the pigs. This crystal... Ah can't decide to keep or bury. Prolly bury it elsewhere. You are going to make the best fertilizer for ma saplings, according to what Ah've read at least." They watched him put AJ's lifeless image over his shoulders, then pick the crystal up in his mouth. The rest they could figure out... they needed to see no more, and wanted to see no more.
8 -- "ShatteRED IMAGES"8 "ShatteRED IMAGEs" The world spun, so tiny to Applejack now, along with her head. The farm pony shook uncontrollably, not clutching the crystal any longer, which was in Twilight's hooves. Within their tiny view Big Mac was outside. Neither could see the red world anymore, but they could hear, and Applejack could hear in her head, too, as much as she didn't want to. In her state speaking was hard, but there was one word Applejack wanted to say. She tried... it came out as a whimper at first. Louder and louder it built, until almost a scream: "ENOUGH!" I have seen enough! The living pony shouted as the gem went to its plain red color yet again. She could have smashed it, and would have, if she could still see at this point. Tears made that impossible. "Oh, Twilight!" The Unicorn leapt to her side, hugging Applejack tight as she could. She was there, always, but that didn't make her friend feel any better. Applejack's small world of apple bucking and pride had been burned down, and replaced with the most severe vulnerability. She could not deny that is how she would have acted, had she been who she saw in the crystal. "How could he be so cruel?" Apple Jack asked, staring high above as they hugged. "I- I've never done wrong by him in ma whole life. I've loved and supported him as far back as I can remember and deep inside he's just a monster!" "Applejack," replied the purple Unicorn softly. "I wish there was something I could say to make this better." "Ain't nothin' you can say, Twilight," the farm pony replied, rising to his hooves. "Ah oughta kill him before he really does that to me or some other pony! You heard him, he ALWAYS wanted to kill somepony." "AJ, don't!" Twilight said, grabbing her hoof. "It wasn't really you..." "Yeah, well... but it was close enough! Ah'm never going to think of him the same way again... heck, I don't think I'll even be able to look at him ever again now!" "Just sit with me for a bit," Twilight said, patting on the ground. "We're safe here for now... even if he came through that door, there's two of us here. You don't have anything to worry about!" Looking dejectedly at the floor and sighing, Applejack sat again... being held by Twilight, nearly vomiting as her heart gradually slowed down. * * * The two mares took off to the library where they composed a note for the Princess detailing what happened and how they had the crystal... all without Spike present of course. He was waiting in the other room... he would have nothing to do with this, and the farm pony's excellent peripheral vision saw to that. The ponies said little as they composed the note... Twilight did most of the work, Applejack only nodding where needed. The confirmation from Celestia, Twilight put in the note, would be best received through Spike. "Ah don't know if I want to send it, Twi," Apple Jack whispered, looking at the finished note. "It will get my brother in a whole heap of trouble. He killed somepony! ... but maybe he just needs help." "AJ, I don't know what to do either..." Twilight sighed. "But my gut's telling me we have to send it. Our feelings need to come second. I know that hurts to have me say that, but I really think-" "You're right, Twi. Do it before Ah change my mind." The letter was easy enough to send, even not through Spike. Outside Rainbow Dash was resting in the clouds above, having dreams about joining the Wonderbolts. She was called out of her dream and made her descent to the ground half-awake: "Rainbow Dash," said Twilight from her opened door, holding up the crystal and the note with her magic. "Can I get you to take this to Princess Celestia for us on the double?" "Why not have Spike send it?" Rainbow replied, not looking down. "I'm trying to nap!" "Yeah, why not have me send it?" Spike asked, from behind Twilight and beside AJ. "Jeeze, let her nap, Twilight!" "It's urgent news," Twilight said calmly. "And Spike can't send the crystal!" "Fine," Rainbow Dash came down quick and took the note. "I'll take it. Is this anything I should know about?" Not even looking back, Twilight slammed the door in Spike's face while AJ held his ears. He struggled to hear as the Unicorn answered the question in just one word: "Yes!" "Uh... you're kinda creeping me out now, Twilight," answered Rainbow. "Please explain." It only took a minute to explain to Rainbow Dash why she had to take it... and she didn't respond. She took it and flew off, towards the city of Canterlot. It would be a few hours before the Princess got the note. Spike would have to be with them until then. * * * The two ponies did not debate where to go next. Taking Spike with them they went to where, logically, would be the last place for Big Mac to go, giving Applejack plenty of space, peace, and quiet. They headed for Rarity's boutique. "Greetings and Salutations," Rarity began. "Welcome to the Carousel Boutique, where- ... my word, Apple Jack, you look like you've seen a ghost! However, I do like your mane. Very rugged and stylish, if I do say so myself!" Applejack, not responding to Rarity's playful needling, instead looked as though she could cry. My, my," said Rarity. "What is it? Don't tell me you've REALLY seen a ghost... Applejack?" "She practically has," answered Twilight, as the farm pony nodded with her. "Can we come in and rest for a bit?" "Certainly!" Rarity opened the door all the way. "I'll put on some Darjeeling. Whatever's going on, you can tell me all about it! I needed a break anyway." Sensing her friend's distress, the ivory Unicorn switched her opened sign to closed and locked the doors. In the back of her shop, where there was just a kitchen and no windows visible from the street... Twilight and Applejack rested. Rarity, true to her word, was putting on some tea. Noticing her friend's eyes were still wide and her breathing still heavy, there was one question for Rarity to logically ask: "What is it, Applejack? You look unbelievably upset and, as your friend, I want to help you!" The two sitting ponies looked at each other... AJ lowered her head: "You tell her, Twi... Ah can't think about it no more. Ah just wanna shut ma brain off for a while." Twilight nodded to her orange friend, then shared what happened with the ivory one. She didn't share it verbally, however, since Spike was there itching to hear what was going on. Instead, she levitated a pencil from a drawer with her magic, along with a pad of paper, and wrote down a few notes. It was enough to make it clear. She then wrote "burn this note after you're done!" at the bottom. Rarity, once passed the note read it... and had one response: "What!?!" She looked even more pale than usual. She did burn it at least, though now she looked like she needed to sit down. "Oh, I didn't even know that was possible! Twilight, I feel sick!" "So do I," replied the purple mare. "I'd imagine Apple jack feels a lot worse..." "Is any pony going to tell me what's going on or why I'm here?" Spike asked. Turning to him, three voices replied: "NO!" Innocent and oblivious, Spike shrunk back and was quiet. He'd have to remain innocent and oblivious to this... but at least he shrugged, having given up on trying to understand the older mares. * * * The ponies enjoyed their tea and talked about things unrelated to the past few hours, as a way to distract their traumatized friend. Spike got bored and sleepy, even though Rarity put copious amounts of sugar in his tea. They didn't know how much longer they'd have to stay boarded up, but hoped it would end soon. As Rarity put her kettle away, there was a knock at the door. Twilight bolted up. "You want me to get that?" Spike asked. "No. I'll get it." Rarity said. "Twilight! Come with?" The purple Unicorn nodded, the followed. They reached the door quickly, expecting a customer or a friend. Rarity opened just the port with her welcoming face on. It didn't last. Standing there was Big Mac. How he had found them, none of them had a clue... they both narrowed their eyes at him: "What?" 'It's gettin' late, Twilight," said Big Mac. "Have you seen AJ anywhere?" "I'm in here," Applejack said from behind Rarity and Twilight, and the nice strong door. "Might stay a while, ya catch ma drift? He looked relieved seeing her. "Can I come in?" He asked, looking at the strong wood barring his entrance. "Ah just want to talk to her." "You are not welcome in here," Rarity said, brandishing a pair of scissors with her magic. "Get going, or I'll gouge your eyes out!" His eyes, just threatened, went wide. "W-Wat? Why're you suddenly so angry towards me, Rarity? When I've never done a single bad thing to you!" Twilight levitated a frying pan all the way from the table and brought it to herself. A shield and a club, weightless in her magic... skull cracklingly heavy, to be held aloft by a hoof. If Big Mac tried to break the door, Canterlot Guard would be cleaning his brains from the ceiling. "We saw," the purple Unicorn said, coldly. "Now go... maybe we can get this all straightened out when my brother's here. My note and the Crystal are probably at Canterlot by now... you can make it a lot worse on yourself by trying to break in here." Big Mac's eyes hardly changed expression. He sighed, popping his neck. "Ya know, Twilight? That's what I was coming to talk to her about. See, the Cutie Mark Crusaders told me they passed along a ruby to Applejack they'd found where I was digging. They're unharmed... especially Sweetie Belle, Rarity." Big Mac nodded to the ivory mare. She was not convinced: "If you've touched one hair on her mane... I'll- I'll skin you alive!" "Don't worry about that. You have my solemn promise Ah'd never harm a filly... as for the bigger pony's concerns," he turned back to Twilight. "It wasn't really her you know. Jus' an ol' fantasy o'mine. Ah meant no harm in it, really. See, the reason I'm so good is Ah see and accept my bad thoughts... just need an occasional release for 'em. Figured your machine could make one for me." "Release!?!" shouted Apple Jack. "You dadgum psychopath! Release!?!" "It doesn't matter, Big Mac. You're just rationalizing it!" Twilight replied, angrily. "Whether AJ or not.... that was a scared, innocent pony you tortured, raped, and murdered. Are you even sorry?" Spike's eyes went wide hearing this, finally having found out what they were keeping secret from him. The mug in his claw turned inwards and he grasped it tight, ready to breath fire in Big Mac's eyes now... or at least crack his skull with the dish should he try to come in. "To be honesty, Ah feel a little bad... but I'd never do it to the real Apple Jack." "How do Ah even know that!?!" Apple Jack shouted taking a few steps towards the door. "Trust me. I've never lied to you in ma life." Applejack, as she said earlier, couldn't bear to look him in the eyes any longer: "Ah can't trust you now... you lied to Twilight and me. You said you had no clue why the lab was a mess." "Guess Ah did. Makes me a liar twice, now. I'm fine, AJ... really. I won't harm ya." Just at that moment, Spike grasped his gut... he breathed a bit of fire and a letter presented itself on the floor. He picked it up, looking over at the ponies around him: "They're on the way," he said. "Everything will be okay. Five guards and your brother, Twilight. I can see why you wanted me around!" Big Mac sighed, kicking his foot into the cobblestones: "Guess there's nothing more for me ta say at this point, is there? Ah can't say I'm sorry for livin' out a fantasy on a copy of the one farm pony who's always been there for me... Ah will wait here for 'em." As Twilight shut the door, Big Mac lowered his eyes. "We've got nothing to say to you!" The red pony, outside the botique, looked up into the sky and all around, waiting... unsure of where the guard would come from. He sighed, leaning up against the wall, enjoying his last bits of freedom, because he knew this was the end.
EpilogueEpilogue True to his word, Big Mac waited for the guard. He went into their custody after they arrived without a peep. The stallion spent five years in the Canterlot Prison, kicking his feet up, but not for murder... rather for interfering with Canterlot official business. The evidence in his trial could not be entirely presented, and some of it had to be fabricated. Locations and motivations, especially. Big Mac had trashed the place for monetary reason, a place far outside of Ponyville he had found. Had Ponyville known experiments were going on in their own town without their consent, they would have become very angry. Applejack never spoke to her brother again, and by the time he was released from prison, had taken Apple Bloom to another farm closer to Canterlot. Granny Smith passed on, also, leaving the farm in the hooves of other relatives. Once back on the Apple farm Big Mac worked with hired help... entirely unphased by what he had done, but sad his sisters had to leave. Able to take a hint, he let them be. Ultimately, Twilight's invention did benefit ponykind... but she never spoke of it again. Not after seeing what it could do. But what exactly had happened? Applejack was alive... nothing was different from the start, and those saplings Big Mac fertilized with his own, special recipe grew into the best of trees. So, in a way Apple Jack did live on forever at Sweet Apple Acres. The End
4 -- "With StuDY and ProSPeCTs"4 "With StuDY and ProSPeCTS" Twilight became so wrapped up in what she was doing, she didn't notice that two weeks had passed. Her friends did what they could to pull her away from the machine, but she was far too invested to accept half their invites. Twilight delved into research, proving on a molecular level what the machine cloned was identical... but, as with things frozen in liquid nitrogen, the molecules were stronger and livelier. Once that was discovered, she gathered her friends, Big Mac and the Princesses, just to show them them the machine and what it could do. Its marvels were beyond their wildest imagination -- Apple Jack and Pinkie Pie enjoyed cloned Apples; Rainbow Dash some cloned cider; Rarity cloned an old piece of attire (for herself), and Fluttershy considered cloning Angel... but ultimately decided it would be a bad idea to even ask about it. Big Mac just enjoyed watching, though Pinkie Pie offered him an apple copy: "Juicy!" she exclaimed, extending her hoof. "Oh, I've already tried one, Pinkie," he replied coolly. "Thanks for the offer, but Ah'm just not hungry right now. To be honest, Ah'm just happy sitting here listening to y'all celebratin'. Parties just aren't for my type, if ya catch ma drift?" "Awe, okee..." "Twilight Sparkle," said Princess Celestia, enjoying a cloned apple. "In two weeks, I am going to have one of these machines built in Canterlot, copying food in secrecy for our charities... that way businesses, like the Apple's farm, will always keep going. It will be used in moderation, but it's because of you that it will even be used at all." "Thank you Princess," Apple Jack said, nodding with grave understanding of what the machine could do to her big business. "You truly have done a wonderful thing," said Luna, also enjoying a cloned apple. "We are pleased." Twilight giggled, tickled pink. She enjoyed many apples and mugs of cider with her friends that night. Even the Princesses had a mug with her... only one mug, but it meant so much since the Princesses usually never consumed anything that could impair their judgement in the slightest. Ever. They all slept well that night.
