When the Earth Ponies Ruleby Faith EverlastingChaptersRecruitingFalsified DreamsShall We Begin?Scorched TiaraRecruitingSuper Star is dead. The idiotic mare went too far with her 'love-struck yearling' bit, so I had to take care of her. And believe it or not, it was quite simple to do. All that I had to do was simply push a button and wait. Sure I destroyed over 1/3 of Cloudsdale, but it would help in the long run. Now was the time to act. Now Cloudsdale was weak and undefended. Rainbow Dash has fallen. Spitfire has been killed. My synthetic wings work. My synthetic horns work. Now is the time... to begin. Everypony was dressed in black from their heads to their hooves. Veils shadowed the faces of every mare, covering their glistening tears. Above the silence was a single sound of crying made by a small mare in the center of the crowd. She gingerly placed a bouquet full of fragrant flowers on the ground next to a large slab of stone. "I'm sorry that I couldn't save you, Perfect," she whispered, tucking a stray piece of pink mane behind her ear. A large red stallion walked up behind her and gently placed his hoof on her shoulder. She smiled slightly at the gesture, but then dropped once more into a frown. Even the happiest mare in Ponyville was crying at this event, her flattened magenta mane fluttering softly in the afternoon breeze. There was one pony, however, who watched this from a distance. She couldn't bear to read the writing on the stone slab in the ground for fear that it would bring tears to her eyes as well. She watched as her two best friends sat on the ground near the stone, rocking each other back and forth while sobbing into each other's manes. She could look at it no longer! She ran. Away from the graveyard of her friend and back to the comfort of her own house in Sweet Apple Acres. Once there, she galloped inside the barn and slammed the door shut behind her. She gasped in exhaustion, trying to bring the air back into her lungs and trying to calm down. Then she snapped. "How the HAY could this happen?!" She kicked a large bale of hay with her hind legs, sending it smashing into the wall. "My best friend!" She karate kicked a support column over and over again until the wood gave way beneath her blows. The roof above her started to sag and creak, but she payed no attention to it. "An iron horseshoe killed Rainbow Dash," she pondered aloud. "then they find another one where Perfect was presumed dead," She loosened the bow in her mane and tossed it carelessly to the side. Her dark red mane cascaded down her back and covered her neck as she wiped perspiration from her forehead. Then she started sobbing. Long and hard. The tears soaked into her mane and coat, staining them. She thought that she was alone. She thought that nopony was watching. Somepony was. "Excellent," the ominous shadow said to itself. "She's perfect," "Who's there?" Apple Bloom gasped, immediately rising to her hooves and frantically searching for the voice she had just heard. "Who are ya?" "A lowly earth pony like yourself," it responded. Apple Bloom's eyes darted back and forth to try and find the source of the noise, but was stopped by the darkness of the barn. She began to hyperventilate, tears flowing down her face and pupils shrinking to almost nothing. "I have a proposition for you," it said. "Wha-? What do ya mean?" "Too long have unicorns and pegasi ruled over Equestria! Too long have they looked down on us like filthy pigs!" the voice continued to grow louder and louder, so Apple Bloom followed the noise. "But no longer!" "Who are ya?" she asked, coming close to where the stranger was. "You will find out soon enough," it responded, starting to move away from her. "I will send for you," "Wait!" Apple Bloom shouted as the voice began to dissipate. "Wait for my word. Then we'll begin," silence soon followed. Apple Bloom started to relax and she felt her pulse slow down to a steady beat. She had no idea what had just happened, but she was determined to find out. Maybe this has to do with Perfect and Rainbow Dash. She thought to herself. Whatever it is, I aim to figure it out! Falsified DreamsApple Bloom awoke the next morning to a quiet house. She yawned lazily and rubbed her tired golden eyes until her vision was no longer blurry. Then she got up from her bed and trotted into Applejack's room. "Mornin', sis!" She greeted cheerfully. "What er we doin' today?" Apple Bloom jumped onto her sister's bed to engage in a friendly game of 'Tickle me Turquoise' (a game that they had invented a while back), but found herself jumping onto an empty bed. "That's odd," she said to herself and glanced over at Applejack's alarm clock. It was only 5:42, three minutes before her alarm typically went off. "She should be here," Apple Bloom trotted out of Applejack's room and into Big Mac's. He, too, was missing. "Granny!" Apple Bloom called out in alarm, quickly racing down the steps and into the kitchen. On a typical day, Granny Smith would be sitting by the stove and gently rocking in her creaky chair. But today wasn't a typical day. Granny Smith was gone as well. "What the hay is goin' on?" Apple Bloom screamed, racing all throughout the house searching for her family members. "Granny? Big Mac? Applejack!" Apple Bloom raced down towards the cellar, praying that Applejack would be there. Each step was nerve-racking as she walked down into the dark room. Suddenly, a dark shadow started to lumber towards her. "Applejack?" she asked, tip-hoofing forward. "No," it responded. "Who are ya?" "Do you not remember? We met yesterday." The shadow continued to move closer, slowly becoming visible in the dim light of the cellar. "Do you know where mah family is?" Apple Bloom's voice began to tremble. Something didn't feel right about this situation. She cautiously approached the stranger, trying to see his face. "Perhaps." It answered. Apple Bloom could now see a face. A long scar ran down his left eye, his mane was in a tattered mess of red, gold, and black, his eyes were a soulless brown, and part of his left ear was missing. Apple Bloom gasped at his ragged appearance and when she caught sight of a synthetic looking unicorn horn. "You are startled by the way I look?" "Well, I..." She stuttered. "Y-Y-Ya just look... different. I've never seen a pony with so many scars before... and a... unicorn horn...?" "The scars are what come of wars and battles, young filly." "Wars and battles?" repeated Apple Bloom. "What wars and battles? The only war I know 'bout was the war between Discord, Celestia, and Luna." The stranger didn't answer. "What about yer horn? It doesn't look... real." "It's not," He responded, stepping into the light further. Apple Bloom gasped once more as she saw a large gash that ran down his leg, burn marks on all four hooves, and two synthetic pegasi wings. "And neither are these wings." He then proceeded to flap the synthetic wings up and down, slowly rising into the air. Apple Bloom gaped at the spectacle and eventually had to sit down from shock. "But... aren't you an earth pony?!" The stranger laughed triumphantly. "Yes! I am." He approached Apple Bloom and placed a hoof on her shoulder. He looked into her eyes and gave a knowing smile. "I can make you wings, too." "How?" Apple Bloom stood to her hooves, gazing intensely into his eyes. "I have that special talent." He turned to the side to show Apple Bloom his flank, an iron horseshoe emblazoned with flames. She looked skeptically at the poor excuse, but seemed to drop the subject when she remembered the absence of her family. "You didn't answer mah question," She snapped, alarming the stranger. "Where's mah family?" The stranger's triumphant smile turned into a scowl and he threateningly approached her, metal feathers clanking against each other with each step. Apple Bloom cowered under his shadow as he loomed above her. "Join me in my cause, and I'll give you both wings... and your family." Apple Bloom became enraged. "If you've done anythin' to mah family... I'LL KILL YA!" She stood up once more to confront him and stared up at the massive stallion. He laughed at the filly and stared right back down. "How could you, an earth pony, take on an alicorn?" His horn started to glow. His wings were outstretched. Apple Bloom's eyes filled once again with fear. He growled under his breath as they could hear his horn's magical powers gaining strength. Apple Bloom took in a gulp of fear and then spoke. "What's yer cause?" "The pegasi, unicorns, and alicorns have ruled over Equestria for long enough," He began. Apple Bloom shuddered for she knew what was coming next... "It's time we eliminate them once and for all." Shall We Begin?"Does anypony know where Apple Bloom is? I've got this new trick that I want to show her, but I haven't seen her all week!" Scootaloo asked Sweetie Belle, staring intently towards Sweet Apple Acres. "I haven't seen her or Applejack!" Sweetie Belle affirmed, nodding her head vigorously in agreement with Scootaloo. "What are you, a bobblehead?" Scootaloo teased, placing her hoof on Sweetie Belle's head to keep it from nodding again. Sweetie Belle smiled at Scootaloo's joke, but then it was quickly replaced by a look of concern. "Do you think we should go check on her? I know you said to give her some space, but a week is really pushing it!" Sweetie Belle nervously stroked her purple and pink locks as she typically did before she performed. Scootaloo rubbed her hoof underneath her chin in deep concentration. "Maybe we shoul-" She was interrupted by a familiar sight that was approaching them. "Apple Bloom!" Scootaloo shouted, quickly galloping over to her side and embracing her friend. Sweetie Belle joined in and even tried to fix up Apple Bloom's tangled mane in the group hug. "Where have you been?!" Scootaloo shouted, breaking up from the tight hug. "Have you been sick?" Sweetie Belle asked, placing her hoof on Apple Bloom's forehead. "No," Apple Bloom sighed. "Is something wrong?" Scootaloo pressed. "Do you have a headache?" Sweetie Belle squeaked. "No." Apple Bloom answered, becoming agitated. "Did you eat a bad apple?" "Did you fall into a coma?" "Did you sleep in the barn?" "Did you-" "NO!" Apple Bloom screamed, covering her ears with her hooves. "Make it stop! Make it stop!" Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle chuckled and then helped their friend back to her hooves. "Why are you so sad, Apple Bloom?" Sweetie Belle asked. "No reason." Apple Bloom's eyes started to water as Scootaloo placed her hoof on her back. She glanced from the orange pegasus to the white unicorn and felt her lip start to quiver. "No amount of acting can keep me from realizing that somepony is hurting inside!" Sweetie Belle declared rather loudly. "Now what's wrong?" Apple Bloom did not say a word, but she embraced her friends tightly and started to sob. "If there was only another way..." She muttered. "What do you mean?" Scootaloo asked. Suddenly, a large stallion with synthetic wings and a unicorn horn approached the trio. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle stood up to greet the stranger, but eventually fell silent under his gaze. He glanced from the pegasus to the unicorn and smiled deviously. "We'll take the little ones first," He said to somepony behind him. Soon, another stallion with the same horn and wings stepped forward and quickly approached the trembling ponies. "Who are you?" Scootaloo asked, backing away from the ominous strangers. "Your ruler." The lead stallion said. Suddenly, the other stallion leaped onto Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, tying their hooves together so tightly that blood started seeping from the pressure of the ropes. Sweetie Belle cried out briefly, only to be silence by a handkerchief that was tied securely around her muzzle. Scootaloo tried to bite the stallion when he got close, but he kicked her forcefully in the head making her black out instantly. Sweetie Belle's muffled screams reached Apple Bloom's ears and made tears cascade down her face. "I had no choice!" She yelled at Sweetie Belle. The pale unicorn's screams turned to silence as she stared at her friend. Her eyes gazed at Apple Bloom in shock and bewilderment. "I... I'm sorry." Sweetie Belle looked at the large stallion and then back to Apple Bloom. The stallion approached the yellow earth pony and caressed her back with his burnt hoof. Then he planted a big kiss on Apple Bloom's lips. Sweetie Belle felt the anger well up inside of her. She screamed, infuriated, at Apple Bloom until the other stallion hit her as well, making her eyes roll into the back of her head and then eventually close. Apple Bloom pulled away from the stallion's kiss and smacked him across the face. He only laughed as the yellow earth pony fell quietly to the ground and started to sob. He then walked over to the other pony and high-hoofed him with glee. "That was rather simple, Scorched Shoe. What now?" The other stallion asked the leader. Apple Bloom lifted her head and waited for Scorched Shoe's response. "Shall we begin?" Scorched Shoe answered, nodding towards his companion. The other stallion snickered under his breath and proceeded to lift Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle up with his unicorn magic and take them away. Scorched Shoe approached Apple Bloom and smiled down at her. "Let's get you fitted for your new wings and horn." Scorched TiaraApple Bloom hadn't realized how many ponies this 'Scorched Shoe' had on his side. She instantly recognized Roseluck, the pony from the flower vending shop, as she tackled a pegasus pony to the ground and zapped him unconscious with her synthetic magic. Apple Fritter, one of Applejack's cousins, was also in the fight, taking down a large male unicorn. Apple Bloom twitched uncomfortably in her new ensemble, feeling all of the wiring that ran down her legs and connecting to a power grid on her hooves. The metal clanking of the feathers was almost too much to bear in her ears as she slowly walked through the town, seeing innocent ponies being brutally attacked. Applejack wouldn't want this. Apple Bloom thought to herself. She wouldn't have wanted others to die for her own expense. Apple Bloom sniffled a sob when she saw a young pegasus pony, Rumble Nuzzle, being crushed to the ground, his two wings breaking underneath the weight of the huge stallion looming above him. He didn't get a chance to cry out, however, as the pain was too unbearable to manage. "Beautiful, isn't it?" Scorched Shoe asked, terrifying her out of her daydream. "My kingdom is slowly coming to me." Apple Bloom rolled her eyes, trying her best not to make Scorched Shoe notice. "But... I'll need a queen." He glanced over to Apple Bloom and smiled viciously. "If ya think fer one minute that I'll be yer queen, then yer sadly mistaken!" Apple Bloom snapped. Scorched Shoe frowned at her and then quickly stepped in front of the smoking mare. "Then who'll stand by my side in this turmoil?" He asked innocently. "Who'll be there for me when the going gets tough? Who'll stand by my side no matter what?" "No mare in her right mind would stand beside you." Apple Bloom muttered under her breath. "What's that?" Scorched Shoe asked sharply. "I was sayin' that I know the perfect mare for ya!" She lied. "Really? Who? I don't think that she would be as perfect as you!" Scorched Shoe leaned in for another kiss from Apple Bloom's lips, but met another smack in the face. He glared at Apple Bloom's defiance and raised his hoof to strike her. "Oh, my! What in the wide, wide world of Equestria is going on here?!" Scorched Shoe turned around at the high-pitched voice and swooned. Diamond Tiara stood only a few feet away from him, her blue eyes staring menacingly into his. He dramatically fell onto the ground, as if he was kneeling before royalty. Diamond Tiara stared at him in shock... and didn't quite know what to do. Neither did Apple Bloom. "Oh, what a world! To think that such beauty could be hidden from me!" He began. This is starting to sound like really bad Shakespony. Apple Bloom griped in her mind. "Oh..." Diamond Tiara said, blushing at the... 'charming' young stallion. "The cruelty of this nation is that they consume such beauty in such a low-down town when it should be displayed for all the world to see!" He grabbed Diamond Tiara's hoof and stared up into her eyes. "You truly are... a jewel." Diamond Tiara's face was now beet red and her pupils were about the size of a pencil dot. "Will you join me in my new empire as... my queen?" He asked. "New empire?" She repeated, looking around her as pegasus ponies and unicorns were being captured and beaten to a pulp. She glanced to her left and saw Featherweight being tied up and then ridiculed by earth ponies who had shared his class. "Here's the high-and-mighty editor in chief!" They mocked, spitting on Featherweight. "He turned the Foal Free Press back into a joke! It was better with Diamond Tiara!" Another shouted. She was met by numerous amounts of agreements among the ponies. Diamond Tiara smiled and puffed out her proud chest. "Are you the Diamond Tiara those young mares and stallions are talking about?" Scorched Shoe asked. "Indeed! That's me!" Diamond Tiara flipped her mane back and smiled dashingly at the fawning stallion. He smiled back at her... then he kissed her on the lips. Apple Bloom gaped in horror as Diamond Tiara melted into his kiss. She's kissin' him back! Apple Bloom shuddered as Diamond Tiara pulled her body closer to his, but then finally realized that her theories on Diamond Tiara were correct. Scorched Shoe pulled away from her grasp and stared into her eyes. "What's it to be, my young queen?" "Of course I'll rule with you in your new empire!" Diamond Tiara grinned. "I've longed to be the queen of Equestria!" Apple Bloom rolled her eyes once more and then her gaze fell upon a familiar face. He goes by many names like Shady Daze, but she knew him as Snap Shot: the young colt who had been promoted to staff photographer after Diamond Tiara was demoted. She had always had respect for the colt after he nearly blinded Diamond Tiara with a camera flash and made her get absolutely coated in newspaper ink! However, he didn't have his synthetic wings or horn yet and he certainly wasn't attacking any of the unicorns and pegasi around him. In fact, he even helped a bruised unicorn mare to her hooves after Cherry Berry had attacked her. Unfortunately, Scorched Shoe saw this. "You! Young colt!" Snap Shot gazed up and saw the large stallion pranced towards him. He quickly ushered the young mare away and stood to face the challenger. "Just what do you think you're doing?" "Helping out a pony in need, sir." Snap Shot answered quickly and abruptly. "That pony is no longer a part of our fine equine race! She is-" "Isn't a unicorn an equine?" Snap Shot interrupted. "And isn't a pegasus one too?" "They have taken advantage over us using their wings and magic!" Scorched Shoe smiled as he saw unicorn after pegasus fall to the ground. Some of them trying to put up a fight, but quickly lost. Scorched Shoe smiled as a young earth stallion, Lucky Clover, pinned a unicorn to the ground and smashed his horn in with his hoof. "Excellent touch!" Scorched Shoe called out to him, waving his approval. "How have they been using their wings and magic against us?" Snap Shot accused. "They seem to think that they are above us." Scorched Shoe said bluntly, as if everypony in Equestria knew the answer to that 'foolish' question. "How do you know that?!" Snap Shot then finally realized that Apple Bloom was standing right behind Scorched Shoe. His blue eyes widened in horror and then narrowed at her. "And why would you, of all ponies, join this... this... gelding?!" Apple Bloom felt her face go red hot and she flopped her ears down in shame. "Y-Ya don't understand, Snap Shot! I have no choice! He's got mah family!" Snap Shot only glared at her more and he snorted in disgust. "Do you think your family would want this?!" He gestured to the massacre around them, his cheeks flaring in rage. Apple Bloom could not answer him and she couldn't meet his gaze either. "I thought you were... different." Snap Shot said, his tone starting to soften as the shock settled in. His eyes slowly lost their anger and he slowly sat down on the ground, staring into oblivion. Scorched Shoe glanced from Apple Bloom to Snap Shot and then back again. Then he smiled. "You can kiss and make up later! Right now, you're either with me or against me!" He waited for Apple Bloom's response. She still gazed at the ground but slowly nodded her head and stood beside Scorched Shoe and his new bride. Snap Shot, however, didn't budge. He slowly lifted his eyes and glared at Scorched Shoe. "If it comes down to those choices, then I'm against you." "TRAITOR TO YOUR OWN RACE!" Scorched Shoe hollered, attracting the attention of numerous earth ponies around them. "Seize this traitor! Throw him with the scum!" The numerous amounts of stallions and mares began to approach Snap Shot, but he still remained where he stood, un-moving and defiant. "WAIT!" Apple Bloom cried out, but nopony listened to her. She turned to Scorched Shoe. "Please! Don't kill him! I'll do anything!" Scorched Shoe only smiled. "What use have I for you except for an extra soldier? I already have my bride." He nuzzled Diamond Tiara's muzzle and laughed deviously. "From now on, you are only another one of my slaves." He whispered so that only Apple Bloom could hear. Apple Bloom watched in horror as Snap Shot was beaten over and over again, blood pouring out from his chest and stomach. But he didn't even cry out as they gave one final kick to his head, causing him to fall into a long sleep. "Enough." Scorched Shoe commanded. "Take him where the others will go." With that, they lifted him up into the air and carried him past Apple Bloom, but she saw him briefly open his eyes once more and all that she saw... was pure hatred. Author's Note I know that these chapters are feeling a little rushed, but that's only because the beginning parts are rather dull for what is to come. I'm really trying to get to the meat of the story, but it's impossible to get there without a little bit of the disgusting vegetables getting in the way. And a quick note: In the description it mentions a battle... this chapter is NOT that battle he was mentioning. That's why I want to get the less interesting parts over with fast so that I can really sink into the REAL action.
RecruitingSuper Star is dead. The idiotic mare went too far with her 'love-struck yearling' bit, so I had to take care of her. And believe it or not, it was quite simple to do. All that I had to do was simply push a button and wait. Sure I destroyed over 1/3 of Cloudsdale, but it would help in the long run. Now was the time to act. Now Cloudsdale was weak and undefended. Rainbow Dash has fallen. Spitfire has been killed. My synthetic wings work. My synthetic horns work. Now is the time... to begin. Everypony was dressed in black from their heads to their hooves. Veils shadowed the faces of every mare, covering their glistening tears. Above the silence was a single sound of crying made by a small mare in the center of the crowd. She gingerly placed a bouquet full of fragrant flowers on the ground next to a large slab of stone. "I'm sorry that I couldn't save you, Perfect," she whispered, tucking a stray piece of pink mane behind her ear. A large red stallion walked up behind her and gently placed his hoof on her shoulder. She smiled slightly at the gesture, but then dropped once more into a frown. Even the happiest mare in Ponyville was crying at this event, her flattened magenta mane fluttering softly in the afternoon breeze. There was one pony, however, who watched this from a distance. She couldn't bear to read the writing on the stone slab in the ground for fear that it would bring tears to her eyes as well. She watched as her two best friends sat on the ground near the stone, rocking each other back and forth while sobbing into each other's manes. She could look at it no longer! She ran. Away from the graveyard of her friend and back to the comfort of her own house in Sweet Apple Acres. Once there, she galloped inside the barn and slammed the door shut behind her. She gasped in exhaustion, trying to bring the air back into her lungs and trying to calm down. Then she snapped. "How the HAY could this happen?!" She kicked a large bale of hay with her hind legs, sending it smashing into the wall. "My best friend!" She karate kicked a support column over and over again until the wood gave way beneath her blows. The roof above her started to sag and creak, but she payed no attention to it. "An iron horseshoe killed Rainbow Dash," she pondered aloud. "then they find another one where Perfect was presumed dead," She loosened the bow in her mane and tossed it carelessly to the side. Her dark red mane cascaded down her back and covered her neck as she wiped perspiration from her forehead. Then she started sobbing. Long and hard. The tears soaked into her mane and coat, staining them. She thought that she was alone. She thought that nopony was watching. Somepony was. "Excellent," the ominous shadow said to itself. "She's perfect," "Who's there?" Apple Bloom gasped, immediately rising to her hooves and frantically searching for the voice she had just heard. "Who are ya?" "A lowly earth pony like yourself," it responded. Apple Bloom's eyes darted back and forth to try and find the source of the noise, but was stopped by the darkness of the barn. She began to hyperventilate, tears flowing down her face and pupils shrinking to almost nothing. "I have a proposition for you," it said. "Wha-? What do ya mean?" "Too long have unicorns and pegasi ruled over Equestria! Too long have they looked down on us like filthy pigs!" the voice continued to grow louder and louder, so Apple Bloom followed the noise. "But no longer!" "Who are ya?" she asked, coming close to where the stranger was. "You will find out soon enough," it responded, starting to move away from her. "I will send for you," "Wait!" Apple Bloom shouted as the voice began to dissipate. "Wait for my word. Then we'll begin," silence soon followed. Apple Bloom started to relax and she felt her pulse slow down to a steady beat. She had no idea what had just happened, but she was determined to find out. Maybe this has to do with Perfect and Rainbow Dash. She thought to herself. Whatever it is, I aim to figure it out!
Falsified DreamsApple Bloom awoke the next morning to a quiet house. She yawned lazily and rubbed her tired golden eyes until her vision was no longer blurry. Then she got up from her bed and trotted into Applejack's room. "Mornin', sis!" She greeted cheerfully. "What er we doin' today?" Apple Bloom jumped onto her sister's bed to engage in a friendly game of 'Tickle me Turquoise' (a game that they had invented a while back), but found herself jumping onto an empty bed. "That's odd," she said to herself and glanced over at Applejack's alarm clock. It was only 5:42, three minutes before her alarm typically went off. "She should be here," Apple Bloom trotted out of Applejack's room and into Big Mac's. He, too, was missing. "Granny!" Apple Bloom called out in alarm, quickly racing down the steps and into the kitchen. On a typical day, Granny Smith would be sitting by the stove and gently rocking in her creaky chair. But today wasn't a typical day. Granny Smith was gone as well. "What the hay is goin' on?" Apple Bloom screamed, racing all throughout the house searching for her family members. "Granny? Big Mac? Applejack!" Apple Bloom raced down towards the cellar, praying that Applejack would be there. Each step was nerve-racking as she walked down into the dark room. Suddenly, a dark shadow started to lumber towards her. "Applejack?" she asked, tip-hoofing forward. "No," it responded. "Who are ya?" "Do you not remember? We met yesterday." The shadow continued to move closer, slowly becoming visible in the dim light of the cellar. "Do you know where mah family is?" Apple Bloom's voice began to tremble. Something didn't feel right about this situation. She cautiously approached the stranger, trying to see his face. "Perhaps." It answered. Apple Bloom could now see a face. A long scar ran down his left eye, his mane was in a tattered mess of red, gold, and black, his eyes were a soulless brown, and part of his left ear was missing. Apple Bloom gasped at his ragged appearance and when she caught sight of a synthetic looking unicorn horn. "You are startled by the way I look?" "Well, I..." She stuttered. "Y-Y-Ya just look... different. I've never seen a pony with so many scars before... and a... unicorn horn...?" "The scars are what come of wars and battles, young filly." "Wars and battles?" repeated Apple Bloom. "What wars and battles? The only war I know 'bout was the war between Discord, Celestia, and Luna." The stranger didn't answer. "What about yer horn? It doesn't look... real." "It's not," He responded, stepping into the light further. Apple Bloom gasped once more as she saw a large gash that ran down his leg, burn marks on all four hooves, and two synthetic pegasi wings. "And neither are these wings." He then proceeded to flap the synthetic wings up and down, slowly rising into the air. Apple Bloom gaped at the spectacle and eventually had to sit down from shock. "But... aren't you an earth pony?!" The stranger laughed triumphantly. "Yes! I am." He approached Apple Bloom and placed a hoof on her shoulder. He looked into her eyes and gave a knowing smile. "I can make you wings, too." "How?" Apple Bloom stood to her hooves, gazing intensely into his eyes. "I have that special talent." He turned to the side to show Apple Bloom his flank, an iron horseshoe emblazoned with flames. She looked skeptically at the poor excuse, but seemed to drop the subject when she remembered the absence of her family. "You didn't answer mah question," She snapped, alarming the stranger. "Where's mah family?" The stranger's triumphant smile turned into a scowl and he threateningly approached her, metal feathers clanking against each other with each step. Apple Bloom cowered under his shadow as he loomed above her. "Join me in my cause, and I'll give you both wings... and your family." Apple Bloom became enraged. "If you've done anythin' to mah family... I'LL KILL YA!" She stood up once more to confront him and stared up at the massive stallion. He laughed at the filly and stared right back down. "How could you, an earth pony, take on an alicorn?" His horn started to glow. His wings were outstretched. Apple Bloom's eyes filled once again with fear. He growled under his breath as they could hear his horn's magical powers gaining strength. Apple Bloom took in a gulp of fear and then spoke. "What's yer cause?" "The pegasi, unicorns, and alicorns have ruled over Equestria for long enough," He began. Apple Bloom shuddered for she knew what was coming next... "It's time we eliminate them once and for all."
Shall We Begin?"Does anypony know where Apple Bloom is? I've got this new trick that I want to show her, but I haven't seen her all week!" Scootaloo asked Sweetie Belle, staring intently towards Sweet Apple Acres. "I haven't seen her or Applejack!" Sweetie Belle affirmed, nodding her head vigorously in agreement with Scootaloo. "What are you, a bobblehead?" Scootaloo teased, placing her hoof on Sweetie Belle's head to keep it from nodding again. Sweetie Belle smiled at Scootaloo's joke, but then it was quickly replaced by a look of concern. "Do you think we should go check on her? I know you said to give her some space, but a week is really pushing it!" Sweetie Belle nervously stroked her purple and pink locks as she typically did before she performed. Scootaloo rubbed her hoof underneath her chin in deep concentration. "Maybe we shoul-" She was interrupted by a familiar sight that was approaching them. "Apple Bloom!" Scootaloo shouted, quickly galloping over to her side and embracing her friend. Sweetie Belle joined in and even tried to fix up Apple Bloom's tangled mane in the group hug. "Where have you been?!" Scootaloo shouted, breaking up from the tight hug. "Have you been sick?" Sweetie Belle asked, placing her hoof on Apple Bloom's forehead. "No," Apple Bloom sighed. "Is something wrong?" Scootaloo pressed. "Do you have a headache?" Sweetie Belle squeaked. "No." Apple Bloom answered, becoming agitated. "Did you eat a bad apple?" "Did you fall into a coma?" "Did you sleep in the barn?" "Did you-" "NO!" Apple Bloom screamed, covering her ears with her hooves. "Make it stop! Make it stop!" Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle chuckled and then helped their friend back to her hooves. "Why are you so sad, Apple Bloom?" Sweetie Belle asked. "No reason." Apple Bloom's eyes started to water as Scootaloo placed her hoof on her back. She glanced from the orange pegasus to the white unicorn and felt her lip start to quiver. "No amount of acting can keep me from realizing that somepony is hurting inside!" Sweetie Belle declared rather loudly. "Now what's wrong?" Apple Bloom did not say a word, but she embraced her friends tightly and started to sob. "If there was only another way..." She muttered. "What do you mean?" Scootaloo asked. Suddenly, a large stallion with synthetic wings and a unicorn horn approached the trio. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle stood up to greet the stranger, but eventually fell silent under his gaze. He glanced from the pegasus to the unicorn and smiled deviously. "We'll take the little ones first," He said to somepony behind him. Soon, another stallion with the same horn and wings stepped forward and quickly approached the trembling ponies. "Who are you?" Scootaloo asked, backing away from the ominous strangers. "Your ruler." The lead stallion said. Suddenly, the other stallion leaped onto Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, tying their hooves together so tightly that blood started seeping from the pressure of the ropes. Sweetie Belle cried out briefly, only to be silence by a handkerchief that was tied securely around her muzzle. Scootaloo tried to bite the stallion when he got close, but he kicked her forcefully in the head making her black out instantly. Sweetie Belle's muffled screams reached Apple Bloom's ears and made tears cascade down her face. "I had no choice!" She yelled at Sweetie Belle. The pale unicorn's screams turned to silence as she stared at her friend. Her eyes gazed at Apple Bloom in shock and bewilderment. "I... I'm sorry." Sweetie Belle looked at the large stallion and then back to Apple Bloom. The stallion approached the yellow earth pony and caressed her back with his burnt hoof. Then he planted a big kiss on Apple Bloom's lips. Sweetie Belle felt the anger well up inside of her. She screamed, infuriated, at Apple Bloom until the other stallion hit her as well, making her eyes roll into the back of her head and then eventually close. Apple Bloom pulled away from the stallion's kiss and smacked him across the face. He only laughed as the yellow earth pony fell quietly to the ground and started to sob. He then walked over to the other pony and high-hoofed him with glee. "That was rather simple, Scorched Shoe. What now?" The other stallion asked the leader. Apple Bloom lifted her head and waited for Scorched Shoe's response. "Shall we begin?" Scorched Shoe answered, nodding towards his companion. The other stallion snickered under his breath and proceeded to lift Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle up with his unicorn magic and take them away. Scorched Shoe approached Apple Bloom and smiled down at her. "Let's get you fitted for your new wings and horn."
Scorched TiaraApple Bloom hadn't realized how many ponies this 'Scorched Shoe' had on his side. She instantly recognized Roseluck, the pony from the flower vending shop, as she tackled a pegasus pony to the ground and zapped him unconscious with her synthetic magic. Apple Fritter, one of Applejack's cousins, was also in the fight, taking down a large male unicorn. Apple Bloom twitched uncomfortably in her new ensemble, feeling all of the wiring that ran down her legs and connecting to a power grid on her hooves. The metal clanking of the feathers was almost too much to bear in her ears as she slowly walked through the town, seeing innocent ponies being brutally attacked. Applejack wouldn't want this. Apple Bloom thought to herself. She wouldn't have wanted others to die for her own expense. Apple Bloom sniffled a sob when she saw a young pegasus pony, Rumble Nuzzle, being crushed to the ground, his two wings breaking underneath the weight of the huge stallion looming above him. He didn't get a chance to cry out, however, as the pain was too unbearable to manage. "Beautiful, isn't it?" Scorched Shoe asked, terrifying her out of her daydream. "My kingdom is slowly coming to me." Apple Bloom rolled her eyes, trying her best not to make Scorched Shoe notice. "But... I'll need a queen." He glanced over to Apple Bloom and smiled viciously. "If ya think fer one minute that I'll be yer queen, then yer sadly mistaken!" Apple Bloom snapped. Scorched Shoe frowned at her and then quickly stepped in front of the smoking mare. "Then who'll stand by my side in this turmoil?" He asked innocently. "Who'll be there for me when the going gets tough? Who'll stand by my side no matter what?" "No mare in her right mind would stand beside you." Apple Bloom muttered under her breath. "What's that?" Scorched Shoe asked sharply. "I was sayin' that I know the perfect mare for ya!" She lied. "Really? Who? I don't think that she would be as perfect as you!" Scorched Shoe leaned in for another kiss from Apple Bloom's lips, but met another smack in the face. He glared at Apple Bloom's defiance and raised his hoof to strike her. "Oh, my! What in the wide, wide world of Equestria is going on here?!" Scorched Shoe turned around at the high-pitched voice and swooned. Diamond Tiara stood only a few feet away from him, her blue eyes staring menacingly into his. He dramatically fell onto the ground, as if he was kneeling before royalty. Diamond Tiara stared at him in shock... and didn't quite know what to do. Neither did Apple Bloom. "Oh, what a world! To think that such beauty could be hidden from me!" He began. This is starting to sound like really bad Shakespony. Apple Bloom griped in her mind. "Oh..." Diamond Tiara said, blushing at the... 'charming' young stallion. "The cruelty of this nation is that they consume such beauty in such a low-down town when it should be displayed for all the world to see!" He grabbed Diamond Tiara's hoof and stared up into her eyes. "You truly are... a jewel." Diamond Tiara's face was now beet red and her pupils were about the size of a pencil dot. "Will you join me in my new empire as... my queen?" He asked. "New empire?" She repeated, looking around her as pegasus ponies and unicorns were being captured and beaten to a pulp. She glanced to her left and saw Featherweight being tied up and then ridiculed by earth ponies who had shared his class. "Here's the high-and-mighty editor in chief!" They mocked, spitting on Featherweight. "He turned the Foal Free Press back into a joke! It was better with Diamond Tiara!" Another shouted. She was met by numerous amounts of agreements among the ponies. Diamond Tiara smiled and puffed out her proud chest. "Are you the Diamond Tiara those young mares and stallions are talking about?" Scorched Shoe asked. "Indeed! That's me!" Diamond Tiara flipped her mane back and smiled dashingly at the fawning stallion. He smiled back at her... then he kissed her on the lips. Apple Bloom gaped in horror as Diamond Tiara melted into his kiss. She's kissin' him back! Apple Bloom shuddered as Diamond Tiara pulled her body closer to his, but then finally realized that her theories on Diamond Tiara were correct. Scorched Shoe pulled away from her grasp and stared into her eyes. "What's it to be, my young queen?" "Of course I'll rule with you in your new empire!" Diamond Tiara grinned. "I've longed to be the queen of Equestria!" Apple Bloom rolled her eyes once more and then her gaze fell upon a familiar face. He goes by many names like Shady Daze, but she knew him as Snap Shot: the young colt who had been promoted to staff photographer after Diamond Tiara was demoted. She had always had respect for the colt after he nearly blinded Diamond Tiara with a camera flash and made her get absolutely coated in newspaper ink! However, he didn't have his synthetic wings or horn yet and he certainly wasn't attacking any of the unicorns and pegasi around him. In fact, he even helped a bruised unicorn mare to her hooves after Cherry Berry had attacked her. Unfortunately, Scorched Shoe saw this. "You! Young colt!" Snap Shot gazed up and saw the large stallion pranced towards him. He quickly ushered the young mare away and stood to face the challenger. "Just what do you think you're doing?" "Helping out a pony in need, sir." Snap Shot answered quickly and abruptly. "That pony is no longer a part of our fine equine race! She is-" "Isn't a unicorn an equine?" Snap Shot interrupted. "And isn't a pegasus one too?" "They have taken advantage over us using their wings and magic!" Scorched Shoe smiled as he saw unicorn after pegasus fall to the ground. Some of them trying to put up a fight, but quickly lost. Scorched Shoe smiled as a young earth stallion, Lucky Clover, pinned a unicorn to the ground and smashed his horn in with his hoof. "Excellent touch!" Scorched Shoe called out to him, waving his approval. "How have they been using their wings and magic against us?" Snap Shot accused. "They seem to think that they are above us." Scorched Shoe said bluntly, as if everypony in Equestria knew the answer to that 'foolish' question. "How do you know that?!" Snap Shot then finally realized that Apple Bloom was standing right behind Scorched Shoe. His blue eyes widened in horror and then narrowed at her. "And why would you, of all ponies, join this... this... gelding?!" Apple Bloom felt her face go red hot and she flopped her ears down in shame. "Y-Ya don't understand, Snap Shot! I have no choice! He's got mah family!" Snap Shot only glared at her more and he snorted in disgust. "Do you think your family would want this?!" He gestured to the massacre around them, his cheeks flaring in rage. Apple Bloom could not answer him and she couldn't meet his gaze either. "I thought you were... different." Snap Shot said, his tone starting to soften as the shock settled in. His eyes slowly lost their anger and he slowly sat down on the ground, staring into oblivion. Scorched Shoe glanced from Apple Bloom to Snap Shot and then back again. Then he smiled. "You can kiss and make up later! Right now, you're either with me or against me!" He waited for Apple Bloom's response. She still gazed at the ground but slowly nodded her head and stood beside Scorched Shoe and his new bride. Snap Shot, however, didn't budge. He slowly lifted his eyes and glared at Scorched Shoe. "If it comes down to those choices, then I'm against you." "TRAITOR TO YOUR OWN RACE!" Scorched Shoe hollered, attracting the attention of numerous earth ponies around them. "Seize this traitor! Throw him with the scum!" The numerous amounts of stallions and mares began to approach Snap Shot, but he still remained where he stood, un-moving and defiant. "WAIT!" Apple Bloom cried out, but nopony listened to her. She turned to Scorched Shoe. "Please! Don't kill him! I'll do anything!" Scorched Shoe only smiled. "What use have I for you except for an extra soldier? I already have my bride." He nuzzled Diamond Tiara's muzzle and laughed deviously. "From now on, you are only another one of my slaves." He whispered so that only Apple Bloom could hear. Apple Bloom watched in horror as Snap Shot was beaten over and over again, blood pouring out from his chest and stomach. But he didn't even cry out as they gave one final kick to his head, causing him to fall into a long sleep. "Enough." Scorched Shoe commanded. "Take him where the others will go." With that, they lifted him up into the air and carried him past Apple Bloom, but she saw him briefly open his eyes once more and all that she saw... was pure hatred. Author's Note I know that these chapters are feeling a little rushed, but that's only because the beginning parts are rather dull for what is to come. I'm really trying to get to the meat of the story, but it's impossible to get there without a little bit of the disgusting vegetables getting in the way. And a quick note: In the description it mentions a battle... this chapter is NOT that battle he was mentioning. That's why I want to get the less interesting parts over with fast so that I can really sink into the REAL action.
