Bringing Harmony

There were a few ponies out on the cobbled stone streets. Most walked quickly and alone, avoiding anypony with a white tracking bracelet.

Rainbow Dash shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t want to be here long.” She mumbled dejectedly. “My wings are killing me.”

“Ok girls, spread out and try to act like you belong.” Instructed Twilight. She took a deep breath and stepped out onto the street turning left to make her way to a stall selling old books. The salescolt was preoccupied with another pony. Twilight tried to listen to their conversation to pick out any useful information, but instead became engrossed in a book titled The History of Gardania. She turned to table of content, and looked at the chapters. They were only from the last 15 years since Queen Gardania came to the throne.

“Excuse me?” she asked the salescolt, “Do you have any books with history from before Queen Gardania?”

The salespony’s eyes grew wide. “Shhh!” he hushed her putting a hoof to her mouth, “I’ll speak with you in a minute.” He returned to helping the other customer.

A few minutes later the salescolt returned his attention to Twilight. “I’m not supposed to have this, so I cannot sell it to you. Consider it a gift.” He said with a wink. “It’s so nice to see young ponies with an interest in the past.” He handed her a thick, old book covered in dust.

“Thank you very much. I will take good care of it.” Twilight blew the dust off the cover and read the title. “The Complete History of Everfree.“ Twilight softly read aloud. She thanked the salescolt again and started off to find a secluded spot to read.

Rarity also went left after spotting a fashion booth. One particular lilac hat kept catching her eye. She stared at it for several minutes before the salespony approached her.
“Hello, may I help you?” she asked

“Who made this fantastic hat?” Rarity asked.

With a smug look, the salespony motioned to the purple tracking bracelet around her hoof. “I did of course.”

“You simply must show me how you made the stitches so fine!” Rarity begged.

The sales pony looked at Rarity’s fake tracking bracelet. “I cannot and I will not. What are you doing here anyway? You and ponies like you belong in the orchards.” With that she walked away in a huff, leaving Rarity puzzled.

Pinkie Pie bounced off the porch. She hopped toward a warm chocolate scent. “Mmmmm! Cupcakes!” She chirped. She stepped inside the restaurant. “Hello everypony!” she shouted. Several heads turned to look at the strange newcomer.

“Shh!” The mare behind the counter warned.

“Why so serious?” asked a puzzled Pinkie.

The mare approached Pinkie and spoke quietly, “There are guards in here. When people are too loud or too happy, they get suspicious. The Queen doesn’t give us much reason to be happy.”
“Oh! Ok, I see!” Pinkie acknowledged, nodding enthusiastically.

The other pony laughed softly, “You aren’t from around here are you? My name is Apricot Jam, but you can call me Apricot.”

“I’m Pinkie Pie,” Pinkie whispered back. “And you’re right, I am new to this town.”

Apricot nodded. “I figured as much, but how did you get in? I am assuming a farmer must have helped.”

Pinkie nodded eagerly. “That’s right! How did you know? I can’t tell you who though, I don’t want them to get in trouble.”

Apricot nodded in understanding. “That brown tracking band must be fake. You don’t seem like the kind to work as a farmer. What did you do back where you live?”

“I baked at Sugarcube corner. I love making cupcakes, and cakes, and pies, and all sorts of yummy sweets! Especially cupcakes!” Pinkie replied.

Apricot nodded again. “Come with me.” She smiled slightly and pulled Pinkie into the back room. Pinkie followed, her head darting around as she eagerly took in her new surroundings. They ended up in a back office. “Take off your tracking bracelet.” Apricot requested. Pinkie did as she was asked. “Here try this instead.” Apricot handed over a yellow bracelet that matched her own.

“Thanks! Where did you get this? Why is it yellow?”

“Each company owner gets a set. Yellow means food service. When we turn 12, we move into a foal home and are assigned a job. We live in a foal home until we are 18. You see, new workers report to the owner of their assigned workplace, and then the owner is able to provide them with a band. They don’t have any tracking brands, and their new tracking brands aren’t activated until all of the new workers report to the capital on tracking day each year, where the Queen’s unicorn advisor installs all of the tracking bracelets. After bracelets are activated, they can never be taken off. Not even by the unicorn advisor. I’m not even sure that Queen Gardenia could do it.”

“You own this place? That is amazing!” Pinkie Pie said, louder than before.

“Yes, I own it. This band isn’t activated, so you can remove it. In return for the band, why don’t you help me here for a little while?”

“Okie dokie loki!” Shouted Pinkie.

Apricot lead her into the kitchen and explained where things were before Pinkie went crazy, increasing productivity by 50%.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash took off toward the neighboring orchards. They arrived at another large building and knocked. A tall, teal stallion, with a yellow mane answered the door. He stood above them, looking down. He didn’t say a word.

“Hiya,” Applejack started, “We were just wonderin’ if ya needed any help?” She paused for an awkward moment. “In the orchards ah mean.”

The teal colt exhaled through his nose.

“We finished today’s work early. The boss told us not to slack off, and sent us in your direction.” Rainbow Dash covered.

He thought for a moment, before letting both the equestrians inside. “Just buck as many trees as you can. Apples are heavier than the other fruit, so I don’t expect weaklings like you to be much help.” The stallion ordered gruffly.

Dash began to talk, but found Applejack’s hoof over her mouth. “We’ll do our best sir.” Applejack answered.

They both started out into the orchard and began to applebuck.

Rainbow Dash gave an exasperated sigh. “All we are doing is working. We’ve been too busy to ask questions.”

“Ah know yer upset sugarcube, but gainin’ trust is a part a gettin’ honest answers.”

Rainbow Dash groaned and looked up at the sun. A dark shadow dashed over head, and that’s when she noticed the clouds moving. She caught a glimpse of a dark mane.

Dash gasped and rushed over to Applejack. “AJ! I just saw a pegasus.” She nodded toward where she saw the pegasus. “Keep watch for me, I’m going to check it out.” With that she turned and galloped off into the Everfree forest.

Once in a thicker area of the forest, plenty far away from the oppressive ponies keeping watch over the orchards, she shed the plain dress. Rainbow let out a sigh of relief as she stretched her wings. “Much better.” She muttered to herself. She leapt into the air going straight up, so as not to be seen by the earth ponies below, before heading out in search of the mysterious pegasus.