Equestria As We Knew It

by xatlenore

Rating: teen
Tags: Tragedy, Slice of Life, Sad
Length: 8074

There is a war all over equestria against all pony races. The story follows Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo's lives in ponyvill, the town just outside the wars terror

After Twilight became a princess, pony's found it offensive how the princess's chose a unicorn over the other ponies who would be better rulers. Taking offense to the act, a war started. The Cutie Mark Crusaders find their own ways in this new world. They learn how to cope and how precious life is.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-10-18 17:17:28 UTC

Chapter 1, Now

Chapter 1

"Teach me to feel another's woe, to hide the fault I see, that mercy I to others show, that mercy show to me", anonymous

It has already been at least half a year since the war between the pony races started. Will the war ever end? Well, every war ends at one point really, even if it seems to drag on forever. Come to think of it, every war seems to go on forever if you're really affected by it. But I digress, sorry. I'd like to tell you a happier tale, I really would. But you need to know this one. Now you're probably wondering to yourself, how could the happy land of Equestria become such a world of poverty, hunger and depression? Well sit tight and I'll tell you how, I'll try not to drag the story out for too long since you probably have some important business to attend to. So without further ado, I will tell you the story.

The war started about 7 months ago and had already past Ponyville. But that doesn't mean things don't still happen in Ponyville. The Earth Ponies and Pegasus' are currently fighting over owning Ponyville so any Earth pony caught by a pegasus would be either killed or told to go back inside, depending on their age. Same with pegasus but vice versa. Lucky for young foals and fillies, the genocide only happened in Canterlot and Filliedelphia. Soon enough though, it will come to Ponyville. It was up to young ponies to leave the shelters or houses to get food and supplies.

Almost everypony lost their jobs, most Earth Ponies had to turn to prostitution, stealing and suicide. Pegasus who aren't in the war left by flying away, the ones that stayed were facing the same fate as the Earth Ponies. Since the unicorn population is smaller, the Earth Ponies and Pegasus wiped out most of them, and many uncirons are killed on sight. The plan was to keep the war going until there was only one race of ponies left, so they started with the smallest race. Unicorns

…..

It was the day after winter wrap up, so the ground was a bit wet from the left over snow. Applebloom was walking to school, not because she had to go or anything, since the war started nopony was really forced to go to school. Instead they made all the foals and young fillies stay in their houses or cottages (Or really whatever they lived in). Applebloom was walking to school because she felt like it. I wish I could say she had a reason, to meet up with Sweetie Belle or Scootaloo, see Miss Cherylee, but since the war they were rarely ever aloud to see each other. The cutie mark crusaders didn't crusade much since the war started.

When foals walk, they usually walk with their hooves moving fast, but Applebloom walked slow today. Her big brown eyes darted around looking at all the dead trees and leaves everywhere. Her eyes didn't sparkle as much as they used to, since the Pegasus' don't get rid of the clouds anymore so there was no light to make them shine like they once did. The sky was black with clouds, the trees were as equally dark from being dead or rotting. Ashes caked over the dirt paths and trees and leftover snow, making the white snow black and dirty looking. Everything was darker than before, making nighttime impossible to see in. Ponies with bright colored coats, which was almost all of them, had to cover themselves in dirt and soot so they wouldn't stick out too much.

Applebloom walked a bit faster hearing another pony walking nearby. Since Applebloom was only a little filly, they'd show some mercy if it was a unicorn or a pegasus. To her fear it was a unicorn, she saw a white horn poking up from the thorny bushes, but her heart raced even faster when she heard a familiar voice mumble "ouch.." but not with fear, with joy. Sweetie Belle fell out of the bushes, flat on her face. She got up and saw Applebloom. Appleblooms joy instantly turned to sadness when she saw the state her friend was in. Sweetie Belles beautiful white coat was now covered in black ashes, soot and a few scars. Sweetie Belles horn had a large chip taken out of it on the side, which thankfully didn't look like it was too serious. The two formal friends stared at each other for a long time, before Sweetie said in a quiet and slightly squeaky voice, "Hey there Applebloom…"

Sweetie's voice was always beautiful to Applebloom, but her voice was even more comforting now since she hasn't heard her friend's voices in weeks. Applebloom replied in a equally quiet voice, "heh…hey there…". An awkward silence fell between them, Applebloom wanted to ask what happened to her horn or why she had so many scars, how she's been since the last meeting, if she's heard from Scootaloo, how Rarity and the others were and if she was safe. Instead, she stood silently. Sweetie Belle didn't say anything because she didn't know what she would say. Eventually Sweetie turned around and kept walking. Applebloom wanted to cry, but ever since the war started she hasn't cried a bit, in fear that it would show weakness. Over time she forgot how to cry, I know it seems impossible but its very possible indeed. Anyway, Applebloom watched her friend walking away until she was a greyish white dot in the horizon. She turned and kept walking to the school.

By the school, Applebloom would sometimes see other little ponies her age, which was kind of nice. She's been cooped up in her house for the past few months and had no one to talk to but Applejack. Now that the war passed, she could go outside when she needed to. Today Applebloom walked slow to enjoy the silence of the land but had to be a bit swift since there was a constant risk of getting caught. Finally in view of the school, she saw a pink figure outside of it. Diamond Tiara. Applebloom grumbled a bit, but deep down she kind of missed Diamond Tiara and often wondered if she was still alive. Diamond Tiara was sitting outside the school a ten feet away, staring up at it. The school wasn't as beautiful as it once was, much like the rest of equestria. The roof had a huge hole in it from the flag pole falling on it, the bell on the top of the building was missing and each window was broken. Half of the place had burn marks all over it from ponies trying to burn it down. Now homeless ponies lived in the abandoned school after being kicked out of their houses.

Applebloom walked up by Diamond Tiara who looked a lot like Sweetie did. Scars, dirt all over her pretty pink coat, messy mane and so on. But Diamond Tiara still had her tiara, though it was half broken. Her eyes were bloodshot and had tears in them as she stared blankly at the school. Applebloom sat down next to Diamond Tiara and looked at her. Diamond Tiara didn't even notice Applebloom for a while until Applebloom sniffled a bit. Diamond Tiara's head turned over to Applebloom so quick her neck made a snap. She got up and jumped back before noticing who it was.

"Oh Applebloom. What are you doing here?" she asked in her usual snobby voice. Applebloom was a bit annoyed by her voice but felt kinda nice knowing not all fillies were gone. Applebloom responded "Can't 'ah ask y'all the same thing?", "Its none of your business what I'm doing." . "Well shoot, Diamond Tiara, I'm just tryin' to have a conversation. Can't y'all quit that proud act for five minutes? No ones around for y'all to impress anyway!" and once again a silence fell. Applebloom then noticed Silver Spoon wasn't around. She instantly knew what happened. Silver Spoon had been killed more than likely. Applebloom mumbled out an apology but was interupted by Diamond Tiaras grumbling. "Its not like I care… Its about time Earth Ponies stood up for themselves anyway. Always being treated like we have no talent, treated like we're not special and can't do anything just because we can't fly or do magic. What's magic good for anyway if it can't even win a war. What's flying good for if it can't even fucking get us away from one?"

Appleblooms ears bent back at Diamond Tiaras words, more so at her swear. The sudden outburst made Appleblooms stomach churn and she felt the need to defend the two other pony races, but decided not to, seeing the state the formal bully was in now. Applebloom looked down, "ah'm sorry Diamond Tiara…" Diamond Tiara scoffed and lifted her head up, "Sorry?! Oh please I don't need some blank flanks apology. Besides its not like a dumb old apology is gonna bring back all we once had! You think some stupid 'ah'm sarry' is going to bring it all back? You think its going to bring the school back? Bring the color blue back into the sky? Bring back Silver Spoon or the green back into the trees? You thi-", "AH DON'T!" interrupted Applebloom in a squeaky voice, "Of course ah don't! I just thought..", "Then DON'T apologize to me! Your apology isn't worth my time!" she cocked her head up and walked off, tiny hooves leaving a tiny mark on the burned up path.

It grew darker, that meant Applebloom had to go back to the barn. She walked home with a lump in her throat, a low head but no tears in her eyes. She forgot how to cry anyway.

Chapter 2, What is Magic?

Chapter 2

"The soul of mercy, is better than the soul of revenge", Angelina Elise

Ah! It's you again!I must be honest I wasn't expecting you to come back so soon. Well here we are, on the second chapter already. There's only a few more left to go, so don't worry I won't bore you with my story much longer. I hear many stories about Ponyville now, not many speak of the wars. Oh goodness, I'm sorry, but I must continue with the story.

Sweetie Belles dirty hooves tapped on the ground. She hated the feeling of having so much dirt on her, but she had to do it to blend in. The more she'd walk, the closer she got back to the boutique, the closer she got to the boutique well… the more she'd feel the need to panic. Rarity was inside pacing when Sweetie stepped in. Immediately she heard Rarity yell "Oh! Sweetie Belle! My darling sister! I'm so sorry!" she ran over and hugged the tiny unicorn. Sweetie Belles expression stayed blank as she felt Raritys arms around her and the tears rub off on her face, cleaning off some of the dirt, "Can't you ever forgive me? I'm so dreadfully sorry! It was the only thing I could think of! When you ran away I was so worried you have been attacked! OH! Attacked! I couldn't stop thinking that something had happened…" Rarity continued doing her monolog as she held her little sister.

An hour later, Rarity was brushing Sweeties mane to get the dirt out. Rarity sighed and put the comb down, "I AM sorry, Sweetie Belle… Please if there is anything," she turned Sweetie around, "ANYTHING I may do, do make you forgive me…" Sweetie Belle looked up at Rarity. Rarity's coat was covered in dust and bits of dirt. She didn't like to mess up her coat, but she had to do this to survive. Her mane was messy and choppy, split ends and no big curls like she once had. It made Sweetie a bit sad to see her older, posh and kind of coy sister looking like this. But, Sweeties vision blurred a bit with tears and sadness. She said in a firm voice, "Give me my horn back."

Rarity rubbed her eyes with her hooves and replied, "But I can't! And it's not totally gone," she pointed at it with her hoof, "See it's only dented a bit... Well uh... We can get Twilight to fix it! Sh-she's good with magic! She can do anything, Twilight can. Darling, its fine!" Sweetie got up on all fours and snapped back, "It's NOT fine! You tried to cut my horn off!" Rarity got up on her hooves as well, "It was all I could do! The Land Ponies look for unicorns! If your horn was gone they'd think you were some regular smelly Earth Pony! I was trying to help you!" Sweetie Belles tears rolled down her face now, tears of sadness and anger. She yelled back at Rarity and her voice squeaked, "I'd rather be dead!"

Silence. Nopony said a thing. Rarity stepped back a bit, then Sweetie Belle continued, "That's right! I'd rather you would of killed me than let me live in this terrible place! Earth Ponies, Pegasus and Unicorns have lived in harmony for years, why the sudden hatred between them!? For the love of Celestia, I'd rather you kill me than a Earth Pony! Not because I hate them… Because they were my friends! What about Applejack and Pinkie Pie!? They're Earth Ponies and they were your best friends and yo-" Rarity snapped back in half a yell, "I don't know Sweetie Belle!"

Sweetie Belle stepped back hearing Rarity scream. Rarity barely ever raised her voice, she screamed a lot, but never did she raise her voice this much at Sweetie, "I know you think since I am the older sister, I should know everything… I should tell you everything is going to be okay… But I shan't lie to you, my sister. I don't know what happened…Personally I think Earth Ponies put themselves on too low of a pedestal and feel the need to prove something," she looked away towards the window, "But it has always been like this. Us unicorn have always thought of ourselves as the better race of ponies since we can harness magic. Pegasus and Unicorn always did show off their natural superiority to the Earth Ponies. But I think it's because the Earth Ponies are jealous of our magic,"

"That's not true though," Sweetie Belle said, no longer in tears. Rarity turned back and looked down at Sweetie Belle, "What isn't?" she asked, Sweetie replied, "Just think about it… Pinkie Pie can eat whole cakes in one bite and be nice to ponies who have been mean to her… sh-she can smile all the time even though she had a rough past. Applejack harvested half of Sweet Apple Acres by herself and still helped out everypony she could, she's nice to everypony and is honest and loyal even and she treats everypony with respect even when they don't deserve it. Octavia makes beautiful music without even trying, Carrot Top who harvests almost all the vegetables for ponyvill… you don't think that's magic?"

Rarity opened her mouth to say something, but heard the door to the boutique being kicked. Rarity turned back to Sweetie and her horn glowed and she levitated a bread knife, "I'm sorry Sweetie" then all Sweetie heard, was a snap. Just like that, her horn was gone. Snapped clean off. Sweetie let out a large scream in agony and fell to the floor and held her head. She looked up and three Earth Ponies barged into the boutique yelling out random things, "We found some!", "Here we go!", "Over here!"

The Earth Ponies grabbed Rarity and she fought back, Sweetie watched in fear as she watched the land ponies tugged and pulled her sister out the door as she screamed. The biggest stallion yelled back, "Alright, break her legs, she's being too stubborn" the second stallion turned and bucked her leg, giving it a big snap and it bent backwards. She cried out again with tears down her face, "Sweetie Belle! I'm sorry! I love you, I loved you before you were even born! It was a blessing having you as my sis-"she was kicked in the side of the head, and her head fell. Her body went limp and the land ponies dragged her out. One of them looked back at the young filly and said, "It's alright, this Unicorn won't hurt you anymore"

Silence again. Sweetie Belle sat on the floor staring at the open door where her elder sister was dragged out. She then turned and ran, she wasn't sure where she was heading, until she thought of her two best friends, Applebloom and Scootaloo. Opening her eyes wider she turned a bit and ran to the tree house.

Chapter 3, The Unicorn Refugee's

Hello again, friend! So here we are on the third chapter. This part takes place a week later, don't worry nothing happened that you would find interesting since our last checkup. Besides, I'm doing my best to cut out the parts that aren't interesting to shorten the story as best I can. It'd be nice if I could cut out the parts most wouldn't want to hear. But you may want to hear this, if you're into that sort of thing. I'm rambling again, I apologize. Let's move onto the story, shall we?

Applebloom sat in the barn with twenty odd unicorn. The Apple Family had taken in some unicorn when the war started and now they treat the barn as a unicorn refugee camp. Since they had already lost most of the animals on the farm due to the lack of feed, there was a lot of room. For a while Applebloom liked the idea of having multiple ponies staying in their barn, there was more stories, more fillies her age to play with and a lot more company. But now the barn was cramped and full of fear and whispers.

Of course the Apples didn't let the unicorns stay in the barn for free. They made the unicorns do odd jobs or do tasks that would generally be impossible for an Earth Pony. If the unicorns couldn't do the tasks, they would be kicked out. Since the genocide moved to Ponyvill, there was more unicorns than ever in the barn. Applebloom's big, dim eyes glanced around the barn in curiosity, there used to be 28, now there was only 20. She jumped down the hay bales, making hay go in her mane and some in her mouth. She then trotted around looking for her sister until she bumped into a peach colored Earth Pony.

"Bon Bon? What're y'all doin' here?" asked Applebloom once she stepped back. Bon Bon was sitting by Lyra. Lyra had multiple cuts on her face, probably from sleeping on hay, and had bloodshot eyes with bags under them. Though Lyra was in an awful sate, she was sitting on a hay bale like the used to do on the benches in Ponyvill. Bon Bon was standing by Lyra making sure she was okay. Bon Bon looked down at the tiny pony with hay all over her. She smiled a bit and brushed the hay off of Appleblooms head, "Well I'm here with Lyra. I can't leave her just because of some dumb old war now can I?"

Applebloom tilted her head to the side in confusion. She examined Bon Bon, who had barely any physical signs of abuse or really any marks at all, aside from the dark circles around her eyes and the bloodshot look everypony had. Most of all she noticed Bon Bon was just an Earth Pony, no horn or wings. Applebloom sat her flank down on the hay, which itched bit felt comfy either way, "But yer ah Earth Pony. Y'all got no reason to hide," Applebloom said in a thinner accent than usual. Bon Bon looked back at Lyra and brushed some dirt off Lyras hooves and replied, while still looking down at Lyra, "I'm still a pony, just like everypony else." She put her hoof back down, "So is Lyra and all the unicorn and Pegasus, doesn't mean I shouldn't be here with her…" Bon Bon trailed off a bit.

Lyra looked up and mumbled "So boooored" then instantly the doors to the barn opened and Applejacks voice boomed in, "If y'all are bored, why don't y'all clean yerselves up and paint this here barn?! Either that or get out'a here! Ya got it?!" So half the unicorn who weren't too beaten from manually moving the hay bales around, got up and went outside, including Bon Bon. Applebloom followed them out the door until she was by her sister. Applejack watched Bon Bon as she stood by lyra, putting a brush in her mouth and smearing red paint on the side of the barn. The red easily stood out since all the ground and sky was basically gray or brown. Applejack called out to the unicorns, "Come on now Unicorns! Get 'er done!" she turned to Applebloom, "Now why in tarnation is Bon Bon here? She ain't no unicorn" Applejack interrupted herself and yelled out a few orders to the unicorns. The barn had to stand out from the rest of the depressing land so the unicorn refugees can come to the barn and find where it would be easier.

Applejack sighed, Applebloom didn't reply. Instead she stood up and walked off, "Applebloom! You watch yer back, ya hear?! Yer ah Earth Pony so y'all shouldn't get killed, but be careful and be back before it gets dark!" Applejack yelled back at her little sister as she walked off. Applejack turned back and barked orders at the unicorns. Soon enough the barn was out of Appleblooms field of vision, instead she saw the tree house. Inside there was a unicorn, and a Pegasus. Her hooves tapped on the rickety staircase up to the entrance. The tree house was one of the places that wasn't totally destroyed. Like the school, every window was broken and half the door was missing. There was a few burn marks but none too serious. Applebloom walked in, "Don't worry y'all. It's just me" she announced as she walked in.

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo sat down in the corner farthest from the entrance. Scootaloo was holding onto Sweetie as tightly as she could, just in case. Applebloom felt sick when she saw her friends hooves. They were rather bloody. She forgot for a moment about the genocide that started. She took a few steps forward, "Are… are y'all alright?" she asked, in her mind she was begging for them not to answer. Sweetie Belle looked up and Applebloom's eyes watered. Sweetie Belle had no horn. Her horn had been chopped off in a rather messy fashion. It looked as if it was beaten off with a blunt object instead of a proper tool like a saw or an axe. "S-Sweetie Belle!? Wh-….What happened to yer horn!?" Applebloom screamed as she ran over to her friends.

Sweetie Belle gave Applebloom a weak smile and said in her soft voice, "H-…h-hey Applebloom…" Scootaloo helped Sweetie stand up and walked her over to Applebloom, who was in shock. Sweetie Belle continued to give her a weak, yet gentle smile. Applebloom finally yelled back, "What happened to your horn!? Sweetie Belle, are you okay!? Are you in pain!? Who did this to you!? Do you and Rarity need to stay at the farm!? Are you two in danger!? What ha-"Scootaloo shoved her hoof over the Earth Ponys mouth. Scootaloo answered all her questions in one sentence "The land ponies invaded the boutique and Rarity had to… she had to cut off Sweeties horn so she'd look like a land pony."

Applebloom felt like she was about to throw up. She looked at Sweetie Belle, who still held a smile, "It's not big deal Applebloom… "Sweetie said as if she was out breath, "at least I'm safe now… they'll think I'm just some Earth Pony" Scootaloo flapped her wings, but didn't hover or really move. She flapped her wings when she got mad or happy. It caught Appleblooms attention that Scootaloo couldn't fly, since her wings weren't big enough. It made Applebloom notice, her two friends were too young to do any of the things they always wanted to. Scootaloo wasn't old enough to fly, and Sweetie Belle was too young to do magic. Without a horn… she would never use magic, something Applebloom and Scootaloo were always kind of jealous of.

Chapter 4, Treehouse

"May god have mercy on my enemies, because I won't", General George S. Patton

Oh goodness! It's you again, my dear friend! Hello! I see you've come back to hear some more of the story. It's good to know you're enjoying it, that or your curiosity is getting the best of you, heh heh. Oh I'm sorry, did I offend you? Terribly sorry. You probably want to hear about the story, not me rambling like usual. This chapter takes place only hours after our last meet up. Perhaps I should tell you more about what could happen to Sweetie Belle, or if Rarity is alive. Maybe I'll tell you about how the war started, but that would spoil it. Now without further ado…

….

The Cutie Mark Crusaders sat around an oil lamp in the tree house. To Scootaloo, this was her favorite part of the week. She loved the tree house, the way the lamp made they're shadows dance and most of all, she loved her friends. This was the time of the week where she could relax knowing that they are safe. This was the time of the week where she could laugh and have fun. The time of the week where she could hear Appleblooms silly laugh or hear Sweetie Belles adorable giggles. Most of all, her most favorite part was if the sun peeked through the clouds at the right moment, or the curtains were closed, it felt like everything was back to normal.

Nopony was really talking. Only a few barely audible sighs or coughs. But sooner or later they all started talking. "Ha ha! Remember when Discord came back and he made friends with Fluttershy?" Scootaloo said in her raspy voice. All the girls laughed and Applebloom replied, "I'm surprised Celestia was right! Fluttershy too! They really fooled everypony, ha ha!" Sweetie Belle jumped in, "What about the time we went all over Ponyville trying to find Rainbow Dash to hear how she got her cutie mark? We ended up hearing how almost everypony got theirs," they all giggled more. They continued to talk about the past until the laughter and giggles stopped.

Scootaloo turned her head and looked out the window. Her ears and wings drooped a bit, "You guys thinks maybe…it will go back to normal soon?" Applebloom walked over to her friend. Stared at her for a few minutes until Scootaloo turned her head. Applebloom never saw Scootaloo cry before. Tears beaded in Scootaloos eyes as she stared back at Applebloom's. Scootaloo noticed Applebloom's eyes no longer shimmered, even with the glow of the lamp. Applebloom threw her arms around Scootaloo and soon the orange Pegasus, who couldn't fly, cried loud, hard sobs. Sweetie Belle stayed looking at the lamp, hearing her friend sob was a bit much for her. She watched the flames dance even though there was no wind. Concentrating on the flames, the crying of her friend slowly became obsolete and muffled. After 15 long minutes Scootaloo stopped and simply held onto her Earth Pony friend.

"Hey Scootaloo," Applebloom said in a tiny voice, "y-yeah?" Scootaloo replied, head still half buried in Appleblooms neck. Applebloom hugged a bit tighter and said in her cow girly accent, "How's about we teach you how to fly?" Scootaloo stepped back and let her friend go, "B-but my wings are too small and I'm not strong enough-" , "Y'all just wait, ah' got an idea.." Applebloom walked over to the corner of the tree house and looked through a crate for a bit. She pulled out a 12 foot long rope and carried it over in her mouth. Scootaloo watched intently as Applebloom tied the rope around Scootaloos torso.

Hooking the rope over a hook on the ceiling that once held a bucked, she pulled on it to use it as a pulley, "Sweetie Belle! Come on over here and help me out!" Appleboom called out, knocking Sweetie Belle out of her daze and she went over. Scootaloo looked around in a bit of confusion, "What are you even doing Applebloom?" Applebloom dropped the rope from her mouth and responded, "Just flat yer wings and we'll make you fly" Scootaloo tilted her head but did as she was told. She squinted her eyes shut and started flapping her wings as fast as she could. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle started pulling on the rope. Since the war the ponies barely got any food, making many of them turn weak. Luckily it also made them lighter.

The harder they pulled, the more Scootaloo was starting to rise from the hard wood floor. She was now one foot off the ground. Scootaloos eyes opened wide and she let out a laugh in amazement. Applebloom looked over at Sweetie Belle who had the rope in her mouth, pulling as hard as she should with a bit of a smile. Applebloom said to her, "Why don't ya' try using your magic to make her levitate more?" it took a minute for Sweetie to understand what she was telling her to do, but soon noticed. Sweetie Belle tilted her head towards Scootaloo and then Applebloom pulled as much as she could, making her rise up even farther. Scootaloo's wings flapped a bit slower and she bent her legs a bit and tilted her body up like most Pegasus do when they fly in place and she kept laughing in delight, soon enough Sweetie was giggling in delight too.

Applejack closed the doors of the barn after giving the unicorns some food. Applejack hardly fed the unicorns good food, not because she felt the need to give them rotten foods but it was the best she could do. The food she fed them actually started out being really good, Sunflower Sandwiches, Cheap Apple Pastries, different kinds of rices. Now, with more unicorns, she could only feed them what she could which was barrels of rotten apples, rotting vegitables and leftovers. Being a nice pony, she still gave them fresh bread and clean water when she could. The sun was setting and Applebloom wasn't home yet. She knew where she was too, so she decided to go see her.

"Fer Celestias sake Applebloom…" she mumbled to herself as she walked down the path to the tree house. In the sky she saw a bright blue figure coming towards the tree house as well. She grumbled when she saw a speck of rainbow on the blue and she knew who it was. "And what the hay are you supposed to be doin' here?" said Applejack as she sped up her pace. She stopped by the tree house in front of the blue Pegasus and stomped her hoof down, "this here land belongs to the Earth Ponies!"

Rainbow Dash stayed flying in place, "Oh please, you think I give a flying feather about the earth ponies land? I have Cloudsdale," Applejack stomped the ground again and yelled back at her a bit louder "Then why the hay are you here!?","Its none of your business why I'm here," Rainbow replied while crossing her arms and turning her back to Applejack. Applejack stepped forward and shouted back, "It is if yer on Earth Pony territory!", "I'm just here to get Scootaloo" Applejacks ears and jaw dropped a bit. She instantly remembered that Dash was the element of loyalty. She felt her neck and thought about herself, the element of honesty. Naturally she thought of the ponies who used to be her friends.

Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo also crossed her mind, how they were also a group of friends who all had different races. "Aw Rainbow what are we doin'? We let this dumb ol' war get to our heads too. Me and you used to be the best ah friends, now look at us" Rainbow Dash turned around and looked down at Applejack. Instead of sympathetic look, it was a look of anger and disgust, "Friends?! You honestly thought of us as friends? Oh don't make me laugh," Applejack felt the anger inside her spark again as Rainbow Dash continued talking, "I was only pretending to be anyones friend! I told you all before I don't need anypony! Besides, why would I be friends with a stupid, dumb, worthless Earth Pony like you!?" the last sentence, Rainbow Dash screamed so loud the Cutie Mark Crusaders heard them.

"Fuck you," Applejack said back in a stern voice, "Get Scootaloo….and get the hell out of here. If I ever see you again I'll rope you to the ground and kill you myself" Applejack had almost no accent making her voice sound more threatening. The Cutie Mark Crusaders looked out the window and Rainbow Dash picked up Scootaloo in her arms, "Let's go Scootaloo" she said and flew away. "Sweetie Belle, y'all are coming with us, ya hear?" Applejack yelled up to the two remaining fillies, "it ain't safe, let's go" Applejack said as she turned around and walked.

"Applejack why were you yelling at Rainbow Dash?" Sweetie Belle asked, Applejack didn't respond. Applebloom looked forward and said to herself, "Isn't friendship supposed to be magic?" Applejack stopped walking and she looked up at the grey sky. A clap of thunder shouted before rain fell onto the land. She felt the rain hit against her messy coat and clean it off, she let out a sigh of enjoyment as she felt the cold water start to clean her and the rest of the ground off. She closed her eyes to better enjoy it then lowered her head and mumbled, "There is no magic, it doesn't exist anymore"

Chapter 5, Change

"May god have mercy, on my enemies and I", Anonymous

Did you know when you're being tickled, you're actually in pain? That's why you, or most people, don't like being tickled but laugh anyway. It hurts but you also kind of enjoy it, reminds me a bit of love. Some hate it and others…well love it! But either way you are in pain. I decided to give you that nice little fact since this chapter kind of shows that. Oh and look at the time, too! I've already wasted too much, on with the story then?

…..

Applejack sat inside her house. Her house was actually rather clean since some unicorns were cleaning her house earlier that day. In her hoof was a mug of fizzy cider and across from her was a tired and half-drunk pink Earth Pony. Pinkie Pie sat across Applejack on the rickety table in the kitchen in her house. In the other room Sweetie Belle and Applebloom lid down together under a quilt on a futon. Applejack and Pinkie Pie still got together when they could. Pinkie Pies mane was flat and drooped down and she was wearing fishnet socks and a lingerie stile saddle. She wiggled a bit to squirm it off of her and let it fall to her side and sat back up on the chair.

Applejack had a barrel of aged cider by her and the two ponies had a mug in each hoof. Applejack chugged down her glass and slammed it back down, "Ah' tell yah Pinkie, ain't nothing better than a glass a cider after a day's work," she poured herself up a glass, "No offense of course" she added before putting her cup back in front of her. Pinkie Pie did a weak smile, "ah…none taken"

The cider stung Pinkies throat as she swallowed a mouth full and put it back down, licking her lips and looking down at her socks, "Well I guess now I have other ways of making my friends smile..","Oh c'mon Pink! You still think everypony if your friend?", "Well…Yeah! I mean you're still my friend AJ!" Applejack snickered a bit and shook her head, "It's 'cause you aint got a horn or wings, Pinkie Pie" she took another drink then leaned over and filled Pinkie's glass back up to the top. She turned her head and looked at Sweetie and Applebloom still balled up together. She smiled, "Look at 'em… Two fillies like d'at don't deserve it here in this place. I would of liked it if even one of 'em got their cutie marks before all this war started comin'," she turned back to Pinkie Pie and looked down into her glass. Her reflection looked back up at her and she continued to smile, "She's been itching to get that cutie mark since she was a little thing," she turned back to the two, "she still a little thing…"

Pinkie Pie finished her cup and wiped her mouth, "So Applejack have you seen the others?" Applejack broke out of her trance and looked back at Pinkie, "The others?" , "The others, silly goose! Y'know, Rainbow Dash, Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy and maybe Spike?" Applejack shook her head, "Ah saw Rainbow Dash" she said in a firm voice. She didn't tell Pinkie Pie about the argument they had, she couldn't lie. Though Pinkie had her floppy hair and her eyes sagged like Fluttershy's, she could still talk the way she used to. With giggles, calling people Silly Gooses or even skipping places. Applejack leaned back on her chair still grinning, "Y'know Pinkie Pie, you barely changed" Pinkie Giggled a bit, "Well why would I have to change?"

"Yep…not one bit" Applejack said, dismissing what Pinkie said in an instant. "Hey AJ? Isn't Sweetie Belle supposed to be a unicorn?", "Horn cracked off, or so Applebloom says, "Oh my! And another question! Why so many unicorns in the barn? Are you protecting them? Are you abusing them? Are you making them do your work? Huh? Huh huh!?","Settle down Pink! I just don't think them unicorn should be just thrown into them work camps,", "But you make them work", "But ah feed 'em and let 'em rest." Pinkie Pie tilted her head in confusion, "do you…pity them?" Applejack bit her lip and got up on her chair putting her front hooves on the table, "Gosh dangit Pink! Them stallions can take the unicorns whenever they damn well want!"

"Swear." Pinkie Pie corrected her, sitting perfectly still and barely noticing Applejacks screaming. Applejacks ears fell and she stepped down, "s-sorry…" Applejack lowered her head and felt the tears come from her eyes and stream down her face. As Applejack sat and cried, Pinkie stayed across from her and drank her cider, getting more used to how it stung.

Chapter 6, The Barn Window

"Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill", William Shakespeare

Why hello, long time now see. It's been a while since I last saw you. Before we continue the story I thought I should clarify the time. Yes, I know I say when the chapter takes place almost every time, but I'm going to tell you the time overall in the story, this takes place about a day after last time. I remember when the war started, it was actually around the time Twi- oh I mean, Princess Twilight, became a princess. Instead of her making Equestria better, it actually slowly turned for the worse. Now look at me, spoiling the story before I even begin the chapter, how rude of me..now..shall we continue?

…..

Back inside the barn, Sweetie Belle was sleeping with her hooves covering her face. The unicorns all laid on the high hay bales and on the floor. Somewhere eating bits of food that fell on the floor, not levitating it up and eating it, picking it up with their hooves or mouth. Once they'd enter the Apples Barn, if it wasn't already, their horns would be chipped. If their horns were intact then they could use magic to fight back, so their horns would be chipped or snapped half off. A small group of unicorns were allowed to keep their horns but they had to work all the time.

Applebloom trotted in, pushing a barrel of rotten apples and carrying some buckets of fresh, ice cold water in with her. The unicorns instantly got up and trotted or limped over and started eating the spoiled fruit. After, she ran over to the tiny white filly up on the highest bale of hay. Applebloom climbed up, tripped a few times then sat by her friend. She looked down at where Sweeties horn once was. She smiled a bit when she saw how peacefully she was sleeping and decided to lie down with her. She saw how Sweeties body would rise a bit when she'd breath. Applebloom's eyes got heavy and she felt herself starting to get sleepy. Nuzzling closer to her friend she let out a sigh and fell asleep.

"Now why do y'all need to see inside the barn so much?" Applejacks muffled voice woke Sweetie Belle up from her dreamless sleep. She looked around and saw all the unicorn hiding under hay or machines. Applebloom was up on the beams looking down at Sweetie and motioning her to come up. All across the beams Sweetie could see almost a rainbow of fillies. Somewhere a year old, some were only a week old and being held in the arms of the other fillies. With struggle and some help from Applebloom, Sweetie got up and looked towards the door. She then turned to Applebloom who had her hoof over her mouth as a sign to be quiet.

"We've heard you have been holding Unicorn refugees, you understand you could be arrested or put into a camp with the rest of them," a stallions voice was heard with Applejack. Sweetie Belle covered her mouth to avoid making any sounds at all. They heard Applejacks hoof stomp on the ground, "Now who in the hay told you that?", "Madam, we will be forced to go in if you don't let us. We are giving you until the count of ten," Sweeties eyes darted around as fast as possible, looking for a way out. She let out a tiny gasp when she saw the tiny window that chickens would enter and leave in. she nudged Applebloom and pointed her hoof at it. Sweetie Belle, getting the generosity from her sister, whispered to the other fillies, "The window!" soon all the fillies were slowly crawling towards it. The first jumped and had a safe landing on some hay and ran. A few others jumped and missed the hay, landing on the dirt and injuring themselves.

"Listen, why don't y'all, just take your weapons...and go home?" Applejacks voice sounded more delicate than ever. The gentle touch on her voice made Sweetie stop walking and turn to the door. Then she heard a yelp of pain from Applejack, a slam on the ground and the door being kicked open. All the unicorns stayed still as possible and the fillies on the beams continued to very slowly walk across them towards the window. Three earth pony stallions walked in, Sweetie Belle recognized two from when they took Rarity. She stopped moving, but Applebloom behind her nudged her plot a bit with her head to get her to go.

Despite the small amount of hiding spots, most unicorns were hidden rather well. Some were buried under hay, some hidden under machinery and others curled up in the shadows of the walls. Applebloom looked over at the door and saw Applejack on the ground getting up. She trotted in behind them, her hat was knocked off and her eye had a black ring around it, "Alright! Y'all ain't got no right hittin' me! First you threaten to invade my barn and then hit me?" she called as she went behind them. Ditzy was half out the window in front of Applebloom. They were almost all out.

Applejack continued to distract the stallions the best she could, "Y'all must think yer some tough, struttin' around in yer fancy garments and helmets like ya own the place," she walked up in front of them, "Well land ponies might own this here land now, but this here is my barn and y'all got no rights bein' in here without my permission," the tallest stallion stomped his hoof to look threatening, clearly it worked since Applejack stepped back a bit. He said in a rather deep voice, "Now listen here! If you got nothing to hide then you shouldn't be so protective about this barn! We hear you've been keeping unicorn refugees here and it is our duty to check," Applejack sighed and sat down, "well then I ain't got nothin' to hide, so look around then!"

Ditzy fell down and landed on hay. She turned and ran, now it was Sweetie Belles turn. She gently slid out and fell. She fell for a rather long time, and she felt the jolt feeling in her stomach as she fell. When she landed on the hay she let out a little "ooph" and got up and moved out of the way for Applebloom. She saw Appleblooms rear as she crawled out backwards and Sweetie couldn't help but giggle at how silly she looked climbing out. Applebloom fell and her arms flailed, she never screamed but her mouth was open in a panic. She barely missed the ground and landed on the soft hay.

The yellow earth pony stood up and rubbed the dirt off her hooves and looked up at the amazing distance of her fall. She looked around and saw a few young fillies on the ground with broken legs or broken anything's. She also saw a few babies who, thank heavens, were fine. Then Appleblooms heart skipped a beat when she heard a voice, it felt like when you're walking up stairs and you think there is an extra step, it felt like when you say I love you and the person doesn't say I love you too, it felt like when you're home alone and a poster falls in the middle of the night, it felt like when you run up stairs and it feels like something's chasing behind you

"We got some here!" a voice called as the smallest stallion came around the corner. Then, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom ran. Ran faster than they ever did in their whole lives, tears came from their eyes from the wind and felt strangely nice to Applebloom since she hasn't cried in so long. To be reasonable, they had no real reason to run, they were both Earth Ponies now and young fillies. But fear does many things to you, like when something breaks, you think the owner will literally shoot you, when your alone in the dark and you think of monsters who clearly aren't real are going to attack you.

They ran up the rickety ramp into the tree house and hid in a dark corner farthest from the door and huddled together. After a few moment of shivering and catching breath, they got up and looked to see if anypony was chasing them. With a sigh of relief, they saw nopony. Applebloom sat down on the floor with a thud, "well…ok heres the plan; we sleep here tonight, and go back tomorrow" Sweetie Belle jumped to her feet, "we're going back!?" she yelled with a squeak. "Well of course, we have no reason to be scared or nothin'… but them stallions sure are scary…so let's wait until tomorrow,"

Sweetie Belle lid down on a picnic blanket on the floor and Applebloom stayed by the window for a bit just in case. Sweetie had her eyes closed, and if she haven't of spoken up, Applebloom would of assumed she was asleep. Eyes still closed Sweetie asked, "Do you think Applejack will be okay?" Applebloom kept looking out the window, eyes fixed on where the moon would be, "…I don't know,"