MLPU: Captain Equestria: The First Harmony

by TheInvincibleIronBrony

Rating: teen
Tags: Alternate Universe, Anthro, Applejack, Original Character, Apple Bloom, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Other, Flim and Flam, Adventure, Crossover
Length: 18712

Applejack, just wanted to help. Becoming a hero wasn't something she had anticipated.

At the height of the Minotuar War, young Applejack is forced to watch from the sidelines as her younger sister is sent off to fight in the war. However Applejack isn't the kind of pony that just sits around when there's something she can do and she is quickly recruited into a government program after a failed attempt to join the Equestrian Army. With the help of Dr. Reinstien, a goat scientist trying to save his home from the Minotuar's, and the cocky young Comet Dash, Applejack intends to become the greatest Equestrian Hero: Captain Equestria! Will her new power be enough to stop the Infamous Red Skull and his brother Baron Flam?

Cowritten with Billy Mischief

Published 2014-06-08 18:10:02 UTC
Last updated 2016-09-26 03:24:32 UTC

Prologue

Hoity Toity looked out into the blizzard as his helicopter landed. Not far away he could see dozens of red lights outlining some enormous object buried beneath the ice of the frozen north, illuminating several silhouettes as S.H.I.E.L.D. agents prepared equipment. The chopper landed at the end of a long path of lights and began powering down. As Hoity jumped out of the helicopter into the biting cold wind, the agent in charge approached from the far end of the trail.

“I apologize for dragging you all the way up here sir, but whatever this is it’s huge!” the stallion shouted over the roaring wind as Hoity hugged his winter gear closer to his body for warmth.

“It had better be. Are you almost done mapping it out?!” Hoity asked loudly as he made his way towards the center of the lights.

“Not even close!” the agent told Hoity, following him. “Your chopper just landed on what looked like a neck on the radar!” he continued, catching his superior’s attention.

Hoity looked back the helicopter and judged the distance from it to the main array of lights. “How are we getting inside?!” he asked, urgency in his voice.

“We’re setting up an Infiltrator now!” the agent shouted, gesturing at a group of agents setting up a small tower like machine in the snow.

Hoity watched as they flipped a switch making a large circle attached to the rest of the machine by a steel arm. A small pen like object was attached to the bottom of the extended circle and connected to the main tower by a long black cord. An agent pressed a button on the tower and the pen like object emitted a red laser and began spinning around the circle, cutting a hole through the ice and into the object below.

Hoity waited with the other agents, watching with great anticipation as the laser cut deeper. After nearly fifteen minutes, the ice that remained in the hole fell away and a dull metallic clang could be heard from the depths of the hole.

Once the laser was shut off and moved, Hoity approached the opening and peered into the darkness. “ I need some light!” he ordered, turning to the group. The agent he’d met at the chopper cracked a green glow stick and threw it down the hole. They watched as the green light fell nearly twenty feet before clattering to a solid surface below. “Get some rope!” Hoity shouted over the wind.

“Sir, it might not be safe down there!” the other agent shouted back.

“This could be the single most important discovery of the twenty-first century! The longer it sits here, the more in danger it is! Get some rope!” Hoity ordered again. His subordinate nodded and left, returning quickly with climbing equipment. The other Agents set about hammering poles into the ground and tying the rope to them.

Once they were done Hoity fastened a rope to himself. “Just you and me!” he told the stallion in charge. “The rest of you continue setting a perimeter!” Hoity ordered to the others. Hoity and the lead agent descended into the hole for twenty-feet, before their feet came into contact with an uneven surface. The sound of the wind had died down.

Hoity grabbed a flashlight off of his belt and turned it on, pointing it in front of him. The light revealed a rusty metal hallway leading further into the strange frozen structure. Hoity and the other agent looked around for some kind of sign. “Control room is this way,” the agent said pointing at a sign that appeared to be on the wall to their left attached to what looked like a steel beam. Hoity noted that the sign was sideways.

“Whatever this structure is, it’s not upright,” he pointed out as the pair started down the hall to the control room. The trip was short and the frozen door shattered off of it’s hinges, which were above the door, as they pushed it open. One look inside the room confirmed Hoity’s earlier remark. The viewing window was about thirty feet below them and most of the consoles were aligned up and down the walls.

“What in Celestia’s name is this?” the agent asked as he marveled at the strangeness of side ways room.

“I believe this is an old Minotaur War weapon. Something from H.Y.D.R.A. most likely,” Hoity pointed out as he used started climbing down towards the main control console in front of the window.

The other agent cracked another glow stick and threw it ahead of his superior. “What is that?” he asked as it landed on the glass surface below.

Hoity looked where the glow stick had landed and smiled. Just a few feet from the light source he could see a round metallic object covered in a thin layer of ice. It’s multi-colored surface tinted green by the glowstick. “That is what we’re looking for,” he said as he finished climbing down to the remarkably thick glass.

The ice below the glass was thick as well. Hoity approached the object as the glowstick died, his own flashlight illuminating the true colors of it. A shield with rings of White and Red surrounding a white sun in a final blue circle. The sun was Celestia’s sun, the same design that was used in the Equestrian flag.

“Get an ice pick down here now!” Hoity ordered as he stood up. The other agent nodded as he put his flashlight on his belt and started climbing down to bring the tool to Hoity. The swinging flashlight on the agents belt illuminated the area around Hoity. Hoity turned back to the shield when something in the pilots seat caught his eye.

Hoity pointed his own flashlight at the ponyshaped object and his eyes went wide as he registered the uniform that matched the shield at his feet. He walked towards the pony in the seat slowly as his partner joined him.

“Sir I have the pick,” the agent informed, confused by his bosses behavior. The Agent walked up behind Hoity and looked over his shoulder, his jaw dropping at what he saw. “Sir is that who I think it is?” he asked in awe.

“Yes it is,” Hoity replied in bewilderment. “Captain Equestria.”

Author's Note

And now for my first MLPU story written as Anthro from the beginning. Huzzah!

Okay, it shouldn't be too hard to guess where the story is going from here, but understand this.

NO! FUCKING! MONTAGING! I will not write a performance montage or montage the battles against Hydra. That didn't work in the movie and it would work even less in a written format. I'm also not going to try and trick you in the middle of the story and make you think the star of the story dies in a fiery explosion. You wouldn't believe it and I would be dissapointed if you did. I'll build up suspense and what not, but no bs.

Okay got that out of my system. Leave comments, tell me what I'm doing wrong, what I'm doing right, troll me, start unrelated conversations, whatever.

Stay Tuned.

Part of the Apple Family

"Applejack! Breakfast time!" A yellow earth pony mare shouted as she burst into her older sister's room startling the orange pony into waking up.

"A'right, 'm up, 'm up," Applejack said, yawning and stretching her bony arms as she sat up in bed. She looked over to the door where her eighteen year old sister Applebloom stood, leaning against the door.

The younger mare was wearing her usual red plaid shirt and her brown work pants. "Come on lazy bones, we got work to do," Applebloom told her sister as Applejack got out of bed and started getting dressed.

"Ya mind shuttin the door?" Applejack told her sister. Applebloom rolled her eyes as she left the room and closed the door behind her. Applejack quickly changed out of her night clothes and into a white button up shirt and pants that seemed a size too big for her small frame.

Her thin frame was due to several ailments she'd had from birth preventing her from being as active as a healthy pony, such as Asthma, high blood pressure and a palpitation in her heart. She'd had to take several kinds of medicine since she was little and she still couldn't exert herself without causing problems.

Applejack sighed as she observed herself in the mirror, unimpressed as she always was with her physique. Applejack grabbed her stetson off of her bedside table and strode to the door. She jumped when she opened it and found her sister waiting right outside.

"Dammit, Bloom, you tryin ta gimme a heart attack," Applejack said angrily as she tried to calm herself.

Applebloom gave her an apologetic look. "Sorry, Ah wasn't tryin ta scare ya or nothin. Ah was just waitin fer ya ta come out fer breakfast," Applebloom stated, looking sheepish, despite standing a head taller than her sister.

Applejack hated having to look up at her younger sister despite being six years older. "It's fine, jus' be more mindful of yerself," she sighed unable to stay mad at her sister.

The pair quickly made their way downstairs to the kitchen for breakfast. The smell of fresh baked apples greeted Apple Jack's nose and she smiled at the thought of whatever their mother, Ginger Smith Apple, had made for breakfast.

"Mornin momma!" Applebloom cheered as she entered the kitchen behind her sister.

The green mare at the stove turned as she caught a pancake in her frying pan. "Mornin girls," Ginger greeted as her daughters sat down at the circular table where a large stack of cinnamon apple pancakes on a plate and a jug of cider sat. There, baby brother Macintosh Junior was already sitting in his high chair with a plate of syrupy mush that Applejack assumed had been a pancake.

"Mornin," Applejack greeted as she slid two pancakes onto a plate and poured a glass of cider, while her sister played peek-a-boo with the two year old. "What's on the agenda today?" she asked, as she tucked in.

"Same as always fer you two. Take the cart intah town and sell some apples. Oh and while yer there, you girls mind hangin this up at town hall?" Ginger asked, as she finished the last pancake and set it on the stack. She set a piece of paper on the table between the sister's. Applejack and Applebloom leaned over in their seats to read it.

"Help wanted at Sweet Apple Acres?" Applebloom questioned, looking at her mother quizzically. "Did we lose more farm hands?" she asked.

Ginger sighed as she answered. "Yeah. More of our help got drafted last week," she said in a heavy tone.

Applejack stopped eating as she was reminded of the war, that had cost her father's life. Macintosh Apple Senior had signed up for the army three years ago, near the beginning if the war and while Ginger was pregnant with Macintosh Junior. Six months later a military officer arrived at their home with a condolence letter and a medal of honor.

The memory of the stallion that raised her always brought a tear to Applejack's eye. Not only because she missed him, but also because he had taught his children to always stand up for those weaker than themselves. The problem was that Applejack had never met anyone weaker than her. She was always the one that needed to be protected.

The rest of the meal passed in silence. Applejack and Applebloom excused themselves from the table, intent on getting started as early as possible.

///////////////////////////////

"Apples here! Git em while they're fresh!" Applejack called out into the crowded farmer's market in Ponyville. Ponies everywhere were weighing and buying fruits and vegetables at stands from all the local farms. The Sweet Apple Acres' stand had only been set up an hour ago and Applejack had already made several sales.

Applejack heard her sister chuckling from her seat next to the stand and shot the teenager an annoyed glare. Applebloom was reading a comic book entitled Super Stallion and Bat Mane, leaving the work of selling apples to her older sister.

"Aren't you a little old for comics?" Applejack asked. "And maybe a little busy," she pointed out, giving her sister a disapproving look.

Applebloom looked up from the comic book and gave her sister a sheepish look. "Sorry sis. Not like I'm much help selling apples anyway," she said, lifting up her sleeve and showing off the crossed hammer and wrench on her shoulder, the cutie mark she'd gotten nearly ten years ago after fixing the very cart they were selling apples from. "Pretty sure momma only sends me with ya tah make sure no one tries tah rob ya," she continued as she reclined in her seat and returned her comic.

Applejack glared at her sister. "Ah don't need yer help with that. Ah'm perfectly capable of watchin out fer mahself," she huffed. Despite her denial, Applejack knew her sister was right. Their mother had fretted over Applejack since she had been diagnosed with all her ailments as an infant.

Applebloom, rolled her eyes at her sister's affirmation. "Well, if that's the case, how about Ah go pin up momma's flier up by town hall?" she suggested.

Applejack, not being one to turn down what she saw as a challenge, shrugged her shoulders and pulled the flier out of her back pocket. "Sounds like a good idea. Ah'll be here when ya git back," she replied, as Applebloom stood up and took the flier.

"See ya in a bit then," Applebloom said as she started walking down the dirt road that led to the center of town.

///////////////////////////

Applebloom walked through the mostly barren streets of Ponyville on her way to town square. Most ponies were either at the farmers market or still in bed this early in the morning. The perfect excuse for Applebloom to walk through the streets with her nose buried in her comic book.

It didn't take her long to reach Town Hall. It was easily the tallest building in town, with five stories and several offices of local politicians. Near the front door stood a large corkboard where important announcements would be placed. It was usually used to announce celebrations like the Summer Sun Festival, but job listings could also be seen in the mass of papers pinned to the wall.

Applebloom pulled out a thumb tack that wasn't being used at that moment and pinned her mother's flier over an outdated poster for the annual Sister Hooves Social. "That oughta do it," she muttered to herself as she turned to leave. Before the young mare had the chance to start reading her comic again she noticed a massive dull green tent had been set up around the side of Town Hall. Having never seen this tent before, Applebloom approached to investigate.

The first thing Applebloom noticed once she had moved around to the side of the tent was the long line of mares and stallions sitting outside filling out paperwork on clipboards. Applebloom scanned the crowd and noticed a familiar stallion sitting on the ground with his back to the tent. Corn Husker, a burly yellow stallion with a dark green mane, tail and eyes, was sitting outside the tent, looking over his paperwork intently. Applebloom had gone to highschool with the former hoof ball prodigy. The two had never been the closest of friends, but they always shared a friendly conversation when they saw each other.

"Hey, Corn," Applebloom called out as she walked up to the stallion, hands in her pockets.

The stallion looked up from his paperwork at the made as she stopped in front of him. "Well how ya doin Bloom?" he greeted with a smile on his face. "Ain't seen ya much since graduation."

"Been helpin out a lot around the farm lately," Applebloom told him. "So what's goin on here?" she asked, more than a little curious about the tent.

Corn held up his clipboard for Applebloom. "Army recruitment. They set up just yesterday and started askin fer anypony who might be interested," Corn informed the mare.

Applebloom looked at Corn like he'd grown a second head. "Yer signin up for that? Ain'tcha scared a gittin shot at by them minotaurs?" she asked, a note if concern in her voice.

Corn shrugged. "Not much choice. Things ain't been easy at home and meh family could use the extra money," he countered.

"What extra money?" Applebloom asked, very interested in helping out in a bigger way at home.

"They're offerin a mighty big salary for soldiers. One thousand bits a month. Plus they feed ya, shelter ya and train ya and ya git paid fer that too," Corn explained, noting the conflicted expression on Applebloom's face. "Thinkin a signin up?" he asked.

Applebloom thought for a moment. It would mean more money comin in and I'm sure there wouldn be a problem sendin mosta it home, but Momma and Applejack won't be happy when they find out.. Applebloom thought about the flier she'd just hung up before answering Corn's question. "Ah reckon it's worth a look," she reasoned as she started walking to the entrance of the tent.

Author's Note

Okay first things first. The current time setting is the late 60's 68 to be exact. The main reason for this was so so Comet Dash could be a reasanoble age in Iron Mare.

Next the war. It's less WWII more Vietnam or Korea. Minotaurs vs Goats. Several acts of greater tyranny brought Equestria into the conflict. That will be elaborated on later.

Next up is chapter length. I figure it's become quite clear at this point long drawn out chapters are more my style. Stories like these are best when they aren't dragged down by useless details in my opinion.

Now as of this chapter I'm going to start throwing bits of trivia at you guys. I'll ask a question in one chapter and reveal the answer in the next. Sound fun? No idea. Let's do it.

First off, try to answer these questions from personal knowledge, not internet research.

So first Question. How long was Captain America frozen when he was first discovered by the Avengers and in what issue did this happen? Two answers for the first question. Good luck with it.

Stay Tuned.

Dr. Reinstein

"Thank ya fer stoppin by," Applejack said as her latest customer walked away with a bushel of apples in a brown paper bag. Applejack opened a green tin on the end of her cart and dropped in the bits she'd gotten from the sale.

"Not bad," Applejack told herself proudly, shaking the tin. She may not have been strong enough to do any of the heavy lifting back at the farm, but she was better than most at making sales. She'd always believed in being an honest salesmare, so when she said she was selling the best apples in ponyville she knew it to be true.

"Just leave me alone!" Applejack heard a mare several yards from her stand say. Applejack hated eavesdropping, but the mare sounded less than pleased. Applejack peeked around her wagon to see a yellow mare in a flowery dress being harassed by a brown stallion nearly twice her size.

"Oh, come on sweetheart. I'm just lookin fer a lil company. How bout ya come git a drink with me," the stallion offered, stepping closer to the mare.

"I said no, now stop following me you creep," the mare seethed as she put distance between the two of them.

Applejack watched as the stallion continued to follow the mare around the farmers market. Finally fed up with no one stepping in Applejack stepped away from her stand.

"Ah jus wanna show ya a good time," the stallion pressed, smiling at the mare.

"And she said she ain't interested," Applejack interrupted. The stallion turned and glared at the much smaller mare. "So maybe it'd be a good idea tah leave her be," Applejack suggested, mustering all of the confidence she could.

The stallion towered over her as he started walking towards her. "And who's gonna make me half pint?" he asked, making Applejack back up, her confidence starting to fade. "What are you gonna do?" the stallion asked, pushing Applejack backwards into her wagon, making a few apples tumble onto the ground.

"I believe she could call the police," a voice suggested, catching everyone's attention. Applejack turned to see a goat, not much bigger than her and dressed in an itchy looking cotton suit standing just a few feet from them. "Asking for help is the best way to handle a bully," the goat continued.

The stallion glared at the goat for a moment, before turning back to Applejack. "Next time mind your own business," he threatened as he turned to walk away, crushing an apple under his boot.

Applejack took a breath of relief as the goat approached her wagon. "Well this has been an eventful day at the market," he stated, a small smile on his face.

Applejack gave a half hearted laugh. "Thanks fer steppin in fer me," she said gratefully. "I'm Applejack Apple," she continued, holding out a hand to shake.

The goat shook her hand. "I'm Dr. Reinstein," he replied. "Tell me though Ms. Apple, why did you step in?" Reinstein asked curiously.

Applejack looked at the goat, confused by the question. "Jus seemed like the right thing tah do I guess," she replied, shrugging.

Reinstein smiled at the answer. "Of course. This may seem like an odd question, but what do you think of the war?" he asked looking at Applejack intently.

Applejack stopped to think for a moment. "Ah think the Minotaurs shouldn't have invaded like they did. If the news is right they did it fer Goatany's natural resources. If Minotine needed help they should have asked fer it. Stealin what ain't theirs is just dishonest," Applejack said confidently, noticing the impressed look on Dr. Reinstein's face.

"Well I have to admit, that is the best answer I have ever gotten for that question," Reinstein replied, a pleased smile spreading across his lips. "Ms. Apple I'd like to offer you a chance to help in the war effort," the goat said placing a hand on Appkejack's shoulder.

Applejack looked at Reinstein confused. "Ah don't know what use you think Ah'd be, but Ah ain't a soldier," Applejack replied. "And Ah doubt Ah'd be aloud in the military anyway."

"I am offering you this chance because you are not a soldier. At least give it some thought. I'll be in town at the recruitment tent tomorrow. Let me know if you are interested," Reinstein said as he turned to leave. "Oh before I go," he said turning back to the wagon. "How much for an apple?"

"Two bits," Applejack responded, giving the goat a strange look. Reinstein picked up an apple as he deposited four bits into Applejack's tin before turning to leave. "Ah said two bits," Applejack called after him.

"I know. The other two were for the apple the bully stepped on," Reinstein said, waving as he disappeared into the crowd.

//////////////////////////

Applejack had plenty of time to think about Reinstein's offer throughout the rest of the day. It was taking up so much of her focus that she had barely noticed how reserved and nervous Applebloom was after returning from town hall, a trip that had taken far longer than it should have. Applejack only stopped thinking about the choice she'd been given long enough to help Applebloom pack up their wagon.

"Ya okay Applejack? Ya look a lil... distracted," Applebloom asked as the pair walked along the road leading to Sweet Apple Acres.

"What?" Applejack asked absentmindedly. "Oh, nah, Ah'm fine, jus' a bit tired is all. Ah'll be fine," Applejack explained, giving Applebloom a reassuring look and taking notice of her sister's apprehensiveness. "What about you?" Applejack asked curiously.

"Umm, it's nothin'. I'll tell you an' Mama after dinner," Applebloom said scratching the back of her head and almost losing control of the wagon she was pulling. She quickly regained control and gave Applejack a nervous chuckle, picking up the pace. Applejack watched her sister in confusion as they walked.

////////////////////////

Dinner had been laid out as soon as Applejack and Applebloom got home. Applebloom seemed to get even more nervous the longer she sat in her chair, poking at her vegetables with her fork.

"Applebloom, those are carrots on yer plate, not toys," Ginger scolded her daughter, making Applebloom gulp. "Eat," she finished as she returned to trying to get Macintosh Jr. To do the same.

Applejack watched her sister for a moment as she took a bite of her own carrots. "What's gotcha all fidgety Bloom?" Applejack asked, unable to hold back her curiosity.

Everyone in the room turned to look at Applebloom, who seemed uncomfortable with the attention. Even Mac was quiet for a few moments. "Ah...," she started trailing off.

Ginger looked at her daughter with concern. "Bloom honey, it's okay. Jus' say it," she said in a comforting tone.

Applebloom took a deep breath before she spoke. "Ah signed up fer the army," she blurted out, looking away from her family.

Ginger's jaw dropped as Applejack jumped out of her seat. "Ya did what?!" Applejack shouted in shock, surprising her little brother.

"Ah had a good reason!" Applebloom defended.

Applejack opened her mouth to reply, but Ginger cut in. "Stop! Both of you!" She yelled. "Let yer sister explain," she told Applejack as she lifted her son out of his high chair and started calming him down. Applejack still looked angry, but sat back down and gestured for Applebloom to continue.

"Ah'll get pay as soon as mah trainin starts. It's a thousan' bits a month fer as long as Ah'm in the service," she explained. "Ah know things've been hard here on the farm. With me in the military Ah can send money back tah you and ya won't have tah feed me," Applebloom finished.

Applejack hated to say it, but she knew her sister was right. This would make things easier. "Ah'm still not sure. Bloom there're ponies gettin killed. We might have more money here, but with you gettin shot at, it'll get even more stressful," Applejack argued.

Applebloom sighed. "Ah know, but we're runnin outta options. Ah had tah do somethin. Ah'm sorry Ah didn't talk tah ya about it first, but this is what Ah have tah do fer meh family," Applebloom reasoned.

Ginger sniffed back a few tears as she approached Applebloom. Applebloom was surprised when her mother hugged her, but didn't fight. Applebloom hugged back as Mac wrapped his small arms around her shoulder and leaned on her. Applejack joined her family in the hug as Ginger spoke.

"Promise you'll be careful," Ginger said softly as everyone pulled away.

Applebloom nodded, smiling. "Ah'll call every day," she promised.

"Ya better. If ya don't Ah'm gonna come find ya and drag ya back home," Applejack joked, giving her sister a playful punch on the arm. Applebloom chuckled.

"Well it's time tah git Mac ready fer bed. Don't you two stay up long. There's still work tah do tomarrah," Ginger said as she walked out of the kitchen, followed closely by Applebloom.

Applejack stood alone in the kitchen, thinking about Dr. Reinstein's offer more seriously. "Ah suppose it couldn't hurt tah find out what he wants from me," she told herself.

/////////////////////

Half way around the world in a small village between Canistan and Minotine a young Diamond Dog ran to a secret crypt on the edge of the village. He could hear the gunfire and explosions coming from the far end of his home. A large force of minotaurs had attacked in the night and had started killing villagers indiscriminately.

The Diamond Dog entered the crypt and closed the door behind him. He turned only to be met with a gun held by an elderly dog. Recognizing his apprentice the old dog lowered his aim. "Were you followed?" the old dog barked as he put the gun away.

"No sir, but it's only a matter of time until they find us. They know it's here. Maybe we should try to escape with it," the young dog suggested as his mentor lit a flashlight.

The old dog shook his head. "We'd never make it. All we can do now is pray they never find it's hiding place," he explained shining his light on an ornate carving of a tree on the back wall of the crypt.

The young dog nodded in understanding. "Right. I'll guard the-" a gunshot cut him off. The older dog whipped around only to find a yellow stallion pointing a gun at him while his student bled on the ground.

"Won't be any need for that," the stallion said as the older dig reached for his weapon. The stallion shot him twice before he could raise it. "Thanks for showing me where the Tesseract is good sir," the stallion told the corpse as he picked up the flashlight and pointed it at the carving on the wall.

The stallion searched for several minutes until he found a carving of a snake in the roots of the tree. "Here we go," he said as he inspected the snake. He found a small space separating the eye from the rest of the carving and pushed it in. A small drawer popped out, emanating a bright glow. "Oh, Flim is gonna be one happy stallion," the pony said smiling.

Author's Note

Okay that's all the chapter we have for now. Time for the first trivia answer and it's more than I thought it would be.

First off Steve Rogers was discovered in Avengers #4. The Avengers found him frozen in a block of ice being worshipped by Eskimos while they were chasing Namor to the Arctic. Yeah a lot of that was weird, but it was the sixties. Anyways The returned Captain America wound up freeing his new allies from a stranded aliens plot, battled a platoon if Namor's soldiers and befriended young Rick Jones all in that one issue. Oh the days when Marvel didn't mess around. How I miss them. Congrats to Comicfan616 getting the answer half right.

Now as for how long Cap was frozen, well that's much more complicated. Yes he was originally discovered in 1963, but as a way to keep their characters young, Marvel devised a rather complex system known as Sliding Time. The concept is that every decade or so the years and events in the Marvel universe condense into a smaller time line, keeping the most recent events in line with the present day.

What does this mean for the Star Spangled Man with a Plan? Well, it means that the time he was discovered is pushed further and further into the future. Captain America us actually one of the biggest problems with Sliding Time because of this. You see Cap actually participated in all of the major wars that took place after he was discovered in 63, like the Vietnam war. So now Marvel has a problem. How can Cap have been in these events while his date of discovery gets pushed forward? The answer is retconning. Yes Cap's history has been retconed so he has only spent about twenty years out of the ice. So about 1994. With his last comic book appearance before Marvel got him being in 1954 that puts him in the ice for about 50 years.

Now for the next question.

Who were the members of Captain America's main team in WWII?

Stay tuned.

Enlistment

It was almost four in the evening the next day when Applejack started packing up the Sweet Apple Acres Vending cart as the Farmer’s Market came to a close. The other vendors had started packing as well, but Applebloom took notice that her sister was moving faster than the others.

“You in some kinda hurry Applejack?” she asked, curiously, wondering if her sister might still be angry that Applebloom had enlisted the day before. “Ya been rushin around all day.”

Applejack paused as she pulled the cloth cover over the apples. “Ah’m fine. Just got some place Ah gotta be in a little bit,” she explained, finishing her task. “Ya mind walkin the cart back home by yourself? Ah might be awhile,” Applejack asked, looking distracted.

“Sure,” Applebloom agreed. “Where ya gonna be?” she asked hoping her sister wouldn’t be too long. Their mother didn’t take kindly to them being late for dinner. She was more lenient now then when they were younger, but Ginger Smith Apples wrath was still to be feared.

Applejack looked distracted as she came up with a reply. “Ah’m just meetin a friend fer a drink. Ah’ll be home before dinner,” she explained as she started walking towards town hall.

Applebloom smirked as her sister left. “Didn know ya had a coltfriend AJ. When ya gonna introduce him tah yer family?” she called after her sister. Applejack didn’t seem to hear the taunt as Applebloom grabbed the cart and started pulling it towards home.

/////////////////////////////////

Applejack arrived at town hall and easily spotted the large tent the military was using for recruitment. “No turning back now,” she told herself. She walked through the flap on the front of the structure and looked around. A grey mare in a green uniform sat at a table near the entrance and behind her there were rows of stalls covered by curtains that Applejack guessed were for check ups. Lamps hung from the ceiling, lighting the interior.

“Is there something I can help you with?” the mare at the table asked, smiling sweetly at Applejack.

Applejack quickly scanned the open area of the tent for Dr. Reinstein. “Ummm… Dr. Reinstein asked me to come. Said he had an offer to make,” she told the receptionist, who gave her an odd look.

“His office is in the back of the tent,” the mare told Applejack, looking her up and down as she spoke.

“Thank ya kindly,” Applejack told the receptionist, eager to get away from the judging gaze of the mare whose eyes seemed to follow Applejack as she walked towards the back of the tent.

After a short walk Applejack came to a small cubicle at the end of the row that wasn’t covered by a curtain. Applejack peeked around the corner and saw Dr. Reinstein looking over several files and jotting down notes as he compared one to another. Applejack cleared her throat and caught the doctor’s attention.

“Oh, goodness, Applejack, I hope you haven’t been waiting long,” Reinstein apologized as he stood up to shake hands with Applejack.

“Jus’ got here actually,” Applejack said shaking the goat’s hand. “So what exactly did ya wanna see me about?” Applejack asked, hoping to get straight to the point. The sooner she figured out what she could do to help with the war, the better.

“Have a seat,” Reinstein offered, gesturing to a small chair on the opposite side of his desk. Applejack sat down as Reinstein retrieved a file from a drawer in his desk. “The Equestrian Military is funding a project that could possibly end the war,” Reinstein began, surprising Applejack. “We have been recruiting candidates for the project, but for this to succeed I need to know that we’ve picked the right soldier for the job,” Reinstein explained as he showed Applejack the file.

Applejack glanced at the complex diagrams and formulas in front of her. “Ya think Ah’m the right soldier fer the job?” Applejack asked, trying to make sense of the science jargon in the file.

“No,” Reinstein replied, earning a confused glare from Applejack. “I don’t think you’re a soldier at all. You are simply a mare who wants to do good,” Reinstein said thoughtfully. “Good intentions have more power behind them than any bullet from a gun,” he continued.

Applejack thought for a moment, letting the doctor’s words sink in. “If Ah agree to this, what exactly are ya gonna to need from me?” she asked, worried that any one of her ailments could prevent her from being eligible.

Reinstein smiled as he answered. “You and the other candidates will attend one month at Camp Nomad. A few other administrators and myself will choose the best candidate from among you,” Reinstein explained pulling a few forms from the drawer in his desk and sliding them to Applejack with a pen.

“What’ll happen to me if I’m not picked?” Applejack asked as she picked up the pen and looked at the papers hesitantly.

Reinstein took a moment before answering. “If you are half as good as you seem, I won’t let them pick the others,” he told her smiling. “I want somepony who can make a good choice without being given orders.”

Applejack took a deep breath as she started filling out the enlistment form.

/////////////////////////////////

Applebloom arrived home to the sight of her mother hanging laundry out to dry in front of the farm house, while Macintosh played with a few toys in the grass nearby. “Hey there lil’ buddy. How’s yer day been?” she asked her younger brother, picking him up as Ginger turned around. Ginger smiled as her daughter made silly faces at the colt, entertaining him for a moment.

“How was the market?” Ginger asked as she returned to hanging a sheet.

Applebloom set her brother back on the ground as she answered. “Kinda slow. Ah tell ya though, Applejack was antsy all day. Soon as everypony else started packing up she she was already sendin’ me back home with the cart,” Applebloom said, still curious about who Applejack had to rush off to meet.

Ginger gave her daughter a confused look. “Applejack is still in town?” she asked, earning a nod from Applebloom. Ginger sighed. “Ah suppose it’s not a problem as long as she’s home before dinner,” she told herself as she continued working.

Applebloom sat on the grass next to Macintosh and watched him as he picked up a toy soldier and made whooshing noises while pretending the soldier could fly. Applebloom smiled her brother play. “Ah’m gonna miss ya big guy,” she said sadly, pulling her brother into a hug.

Applebloom felt a pair of arms wrap around her and looked up into her mother’s eyes. “It’s gonna be okay Applebloom,” she said, comforting her daughter.

Applebloom looked away as a question popped into her head. “Have ya ever felt like ya made a mistake ya can’t take back?” she asked, staring at the ground.

Ginger looked at her daughter and smiled. “Of course. Everyone does at some point. Ya just have to ask yerself why ya did what ya did. If it’s a good reason, one worth the sacrifice, than that’s all that matters,” she answered, hoping this would put Applebloom’s mind at ease.

Applebloom huffed as she wiped a stray tear from her eye. “Try tellin’ AJ that. She’s barely said a word to me since yesterday,” Applebloom said, hurt in her voice.

Ginger smiled. “Yer sister’s just bein’ protective. She hates the idea of you goin’ off to war as much as the rest of us, but Ah’m sure she’ll be there to see ya off. She’s never been one to stay angry fer long,” Ginger replied, earning an agreeing nod from her daughter “Now let’s get inside and get washed up fer dinner. If yer sister don’t show up soon though Ah’m sendin’ ya to get her,” Ginger said as she stood up and started towards the house.

Applebloom stood up to follow with Macintosh in her arms as the colt’s small hand shot in front of her face. Applebloom looked at the soldier in the hand surprised. “This fer me Mac?” she asked, earning a nod from the toddler. “Oh, thank ya. Just what I wanted,” she said as she accepted the gift and put it in her pocket as she followed her mother inside.

////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Applejack nervously stepped up to the front door of her home as the sun started to set, casting an orange glow over the porch. She knew that after giving her sister a hard time about enlisting she’d be in for more of the same, but she had to push through anyway. They’d find out eventually.

“Better sooner than later,” Applejack told herself as she opened the door and stepped inside.

"Applejack is that you?” Applejack heard her mother call from the kitchen.

Applejack took a deep breath before she stepped into the kitchen. “Yeah, sorry Ah’m home late. I had something I needed to do,” she replied as she stepped into the kitchen and saw her mother preparing supper.

A thumping noise came from upstairs and Apple Bloom arrived in the kitchen a moment later, with Macintosh riding on her back. “Hey sis, what took ya so long? Momma almost sent me to fetch ya,” Apple Bloom inquired as she moved to the dining room and set her brother in his high chair.

Applejack gulped. “Ah was…,” she paused, her hands starting to shake. “Ah was enlistin,” she admitted. The room went quiet as her family looked at her strangely, as though waiting for her to deliver the punch line to a joke.

“Whatta ya mean?” Apple Bloom asked, confusion etched in her tone. Their mother had yet to say anything or even turn away from the vegetables she’d been cutting, but Applejack knew
she was paying attention.

Applejack took a deep breath. “Yesterday at the market I met this goat, Dr. Reinstein. He made me an offer to join a special project and I went to see him today and told him I’d join’” Applejack explained, glancing at her sister and noticing the glare on Apple Bloom’s face.

Apple Bloom shook her head like she’d been slapped. “Ya… Ya signed up fer the army?” she asked, bewildered. Applejack nodded. “Ya got angry at me fer it yesterday and then it’s fine fer you to go and sign up!” Apple Bloom shouted angrily.

“Ah just wanna be there to watch yer back,” Applejack replied, trying to calm her sister.

Apple Bloom quickly left the room. “Ah can watch out fer mahself!” she shouted as she stomped up the stairs.

Applejack sighed in defeat. She had expected some anger, but she hadn’t realized how this would make her sister feel. Applejack turned to where her mother was frozen holding a knife over a carrot on a cutting board. “Momma?” she asked, hoping for a kind word or two. When she got no reply, Applejack stepped closer to her mother.

Ginger finally turned and revealed her tear streaked face. “Ah’ve lost my husband to this war. Just make sure Ah don’t lose mah children too,” she told Applejack, her words hitting like a brick.

Applejack quickly backed out of the room and went upstairs.

//////////////////////////////////////////

Flim sat in a chair facing a window, over looking a mountain side covered in several feet of snow. Footsteps outside his door alerted him to his visitor moments before his door opened. Flim turned his chair as his brother Flam entered with a pair of Minotaur soldiers following him and carrying a heavy iron box.

“I hope you’re ready brother, because today our plans take a new step,” Flam announced as he gestured for the soldiers to set the box on a steel table several feet from Flim’s desk. The soldiers then turned to face Flim as the stallion stood from his chair.

“Leave us,” Flim commanded as he walked slowly towards the box. Flam smiled as his brother lifted the top of the box, a bright purple glow emerging from the opening created. “Our vision does indeed take new light,” he commented as he lifted a golden tiara with a purple stone in the shape of a starburst from the box.

Flam grinned as his brother placed the artifact back in it’s container. “Shall I have it sent down to Dr, Solar for testing?” he suggested.

“I see no reason to waste anymore time,” Flim replied as he returned to the window and continued staring at the snow covered slopes. “Our new world order is close to being realized. Soon, all will bow before us,” he told his brother.

Author's Note

And here we are moving right along. Not much to say that the chapter doesn't do for me.

So moving to the answer for the trivia question from last week.

The members of Captain America's team from WWII....

The Sub-Mariner, aka, Namor, King of Arlantis and when submerged in water can match the Hulk blow for blow. The Original Human Torch, and Android gifted with Pyrokinesis, and his partner Toro. And last but certainly not least, James "Bucky" Buchannan Barnes, Now known as The Winter Soldier.

A shorter than average answer, but I needed a break after explaining Sliding Time before.

And moving on...

Cap's original Shield wasn't the Vibranium Disc he throws around now. When he first became a hero he had a badge shaped shield. So, What happened to Cap's original Shield and how did he get the Vibranium replacement?

Stay Tuned.

Parting Ways

Applejack stood by the side of the road with her family. Things had been eerily quiet at the Apple residence the last few days. Applejack’s enlistment had caused more hurt feelings than she’d meant it to, but her mother seemed to have taken the news the hardest. Ginger Smith had lost her husband to a war and now she was facing the possibility of losing her children to another. She hadn’t spoken much and did the daily chores in a somber mood, wiping tears from her eyes more often with each passing day.

Even now Ginger was holding onto Apple Bloom as they waited for the bus to arrive for all of the recruits from Ponyville. Apple Bloom herself hadn’t spoken much to Applejack recently, but Apple Bloom had made a point to avoid her sister. The only time she was ever around Applejack for more than a few minutes was at dinner and when she pulled the apple cart into the farmer’s market each morning.

Applejack watched her sister as she promised their mother she’d write to them and call when she could. Apple Bloom looked at Applejack over Ginger’s shoulder, frowning and unable to meet her sister’s eyes. “Gimme a second,” Applebloom said as she pulled herself away from her mother and walked over to Applejack.

Applejack looked up at her sister. “Apple Bloom Ah’m-” Applejack began, only to be silenced, by her sister’s hand.

Applebloom scratched the back of her head as she spoke the first words to Applejack in days. “Ah get why ya did it. Ah was a little angry cuz Ah felt like ya still thought of me as a foal,” Apple Bloom began. Applejack hung her head in shame. “But I don’t wanna leave angry,” she finished, smiling at her sister. “So Ah forgive ya,” she said holding her arms open for a hug.

Applejack smiled as she sniffed back a few tears as she accepted the hug. “Ah know ya can take care a yerself. Ah only signed up to git the war done quicker,” Applejack said. Apple Bloom pulled away from the hug and tilted her head in confusion. “Way I figure it, the war’ll be over twice as quick with both of us in the thick of it,” Applejack joked, earning a smile from her sister.

“Sounds like a plan,” Applebloom agreed as the transport bus came into view down the road. “Jus’ make sure that goat don’t change ya too much. I still wanna have a big sister after this,” she finished as they joined their mother who was holding Mac.

“Ah don’t think there’s much of a chance any of Reinstein’s fancy science stickin in mah head,” Applejack assured her as the bus came to a stop in front of them. “Try not tah win the war before I get there,” she continued, making her sister laugh.

“It’s good tah see you two on good terms again,” Ginger said smiling, but unable to hide the tears in her eyes. “Ah just want the both of ya tah remember tah be careful,” she told them as sternly as she could while trying to hold back tears.

Apple Bloom smiled as she hugged her mother one more time as the bus doors swung open and the other recruits started boarding with their luggage in tow. Applebloom grabbed her bags off of the ground and stepped in line as well. Giving her family a salute as she turned to the bus. Once she was on board Apple Bloom quickly found a seat near the middle next to an orange stallion wearing a bowler hat and sat down with her bag in her lap. She waved to her family through the window as the bus started moving forward. Several other ponies on the bus were leaning out of windows to give their last goodbyes to their families.

As the bus continued down the bumpy road, Applebloom opened her bag and pulled the small toy soldier Mac had given her from inside. She smiled at the thought of her little brother’s face and held the toy close to her heart.

“That from somepony special?” the stallion next to her asked.

Apple Bloom looked at the stallion with a start. “Kinda. Last gift from my lil brother,” she answered, giving the stallion a once over. She quickly noticed he looked several years older than her and had a thick bushy mustache. “No offense, but ya look a lil old to be going to bootcamp with the rest of us,” she told him, earning a chuckle from the stallion.

“I was in the Navy, but I could never get my sea legs. Decided to switch to the Army and they are requiring me to back through basic training. Some crap about the army being tougher,” he said rolling his eyes.

Apple Bloom looked at him interested. “Is the Army tougher than the Navy?” she asked. She knew boot camp wasn’t going to be a vacation, but she had hoped it wouldn’t be so tough a soldier that had already been through training couldn’t handle it.

The stallion laughed. “Only advice I’ll give ya kid is stick with the program and you’ll do fine,” he said, still smiling. “Names Dum Dum by the way,” he continued, holding out a hand for Apple Bloom to shake.

“Apple Bloom,” she replied shaking the stallion’s hand.

////////////////////////////////////////

The next day Applejack found herself back at the recruitment tent, under going a few medical tests as the military police on duty were clearing out the space they had been using. Applejack sat in a chair in the waiting area as the Dr. Reinstein ran the results of her test through a large computer in the only remaining office space.

“So what’s the verdict doc?” Applejack asked, hoping he hadn’t found some reason they couldn’t let her participate in the program.

“Everything looks like it should. Nothing to worry about,” Reinstein replied as he finished his work and shut the computer off. “Everything is set. We’ll be leaving in the morning. I suggest you go and spend some time with your family before you leave,” the doctor said as he picked up a few files off of his desk and put them in a leather bag. “It won’t do any good if you’re homesick before we even leave.”

Applejack smiled at the doctor’s thoughtfulness. “Sounds like a plan doc. Before I go though I gotta ask. Do you really think I’m the right choice?” she asked, still questioning the doctor’s choice.

Reinstein smiled as he slung his bag over his shoulder. “Applejack, I have never been more sure of anything in my entire life,” he said as he and Applejack left the tent.

“Sorry. Ah’m just havin trouble wrappin mah head around all of this. I mean I can barely lift mah own weight now, but yer tellin me Ah’m the one you want tah end a war. It’s all a little hard to take in,” Applejack explained, unsure of how she was even supposed to end the war.

Reinstein smiled at Applejack. “Do you think it is any different for the other candidates?” he asked. Applejack gave him a confused look. “Most of the soldiers we asked to volunteer refused, claiming we were attempting the impossible. In truth they simply didn’t understand what we were attempting and it frightened them,” he explained.

“To be honest doc, it scares me too,” Applejack admitted.

“Precisely,” Reinstein replied simply. “You are looking beyond that fear. It doesn’t matter what drives you forward, only that whatever is driving you is pushing you in the right direction. You accepted my offer because you care about your family. Your love for them outweighs your fear of what will happen to you. Another reason of many that makes me feel certain you are the pony I have been looking for,” he finished. “Now if you’ll excuse me I have a hay burger waiting for me in my hotel room. Good night Applejack,” the doctor said, waving as he walked towards the center of town and away from Applejack.

////////////////////////////////////

Applejack walked through the front door of the farmhouse and was met with the smell of a home cooked meal. “Ma, Ah’m back,” Applejack called out as she walked towards the kitchen and found her mother making apple pancakes, Applejack’s favorite food. “Seems a little late fer breakfast,” Applejack commented, taking in another whiff of the delicious pancakes.

Ginger smiled at the pleased look on her daughter’s face. “Well yer all set to leave in mornin and I wanted to make sure ya had one last taste a home before ya left.” she explained as set the last of the pancakes on a plate. “Git the milk outta the fridge and bring it to the table fer me,” Ginger requested as she picked up the plate and carried it into the dining room.

Applejack heard Mac giggling at the sight of dinner and smiled as she opened the fridge. She hadn’t really realized what she was leaving behind until now. I feel like I’m doin the right thing, but How is this gonna effect mah family? she asked herself. She knew that her mother would be able to hire on extra hands with the wages she and Applebloom would be sending home, but what if that wasn’t enough.

“No, just enjoy yer last night home,” Applejack told herself as she grabbed the plastic milk jug and closed the fridge, following her mother’s path into the dining room to enjoy the last meal she might have at home for several months at best.

///////////////////////////

The next morning Applejack saw her mother crying again, over her this time. “It’s gonna be alright ma. Ah’ll be back eventually,” Applejack said, trying to sooth her mother a few feet from their front porch. They had been locked in an embrace with Applejack holding Mac while their mother cried into Applejack’s shoulder. several feet away from them Dr. Reinstein and a pair of military police were waiting by a car, ready to take Applejack to a training camp near Canterlot for basic training.

“Ah know you’ll take care a yerself, but you gotta make sure they give ya enough to eat. Those military rations won’t be enough,” she said, sniffing back more tears.

Dr. Reinstein stepped forward. “Mrs. Apple I give you my word we will make sure your daughter is taken care of,” he promised, not wanting to rush the farewell, but at the same time they’d have to leave soon.

Ginger turned her tear streaked face to the goat and glared at him. “You’d better. I’ll trust a smart man like yerself should know what’d happen tah you if I don’t git mah daughter back,” she threatened, surprising Applejack.

“Ma!” Applejack said still having a hard time believing what she had just heard.

“It’s okay Applejack,” Reinstein assured her. “She is a mother worried for her child. I’d be worried if she wasn’t angry with me,” he said as he looked Ginger in the eye. “I swear on my life that Applejack will come home to you,” he promised, holding Ginger’s gaze as she searched his face for any kind of deception.

Applejack waited for the tension to break as Mac yawned and laid his head on her shoulder. Ginger nodded her head, evidently satisfied with the goat’s answer. “Okay, well I guess ya should be going then,” she said, turning back to Applejack.

“Yeah,” Applejack replied, not knowing what else to say. She silently handed her brother to Ginger and hugged them both for the last time. “Me an Bloom are comin home,” she whispered in her mother’s ear, breaking the hug soon after. “Okay doc,” Applejack said, turning to Reinstein. “I think Ah’m ready,” she said, walking slowly to the car. One of the military police opened the rear passenger door for her and Applejack climbed in, her luggage having been loaded into the trunk nearly twenty minutes ago.

Reinstein climbed into the car on the other side and the military police got into the front, the driver turning the key and starting the car. “Well then, next stop Camp Nomad,” he said as Applejack waved to her mother one last time.

Author's Note

OMG Another chapter!!! Yes I've been gone awhile, but now I'm back posting stuff again...

Well that's all see ya in a couple months!

Kidding, maybe...

Anyways I suppose we have things to talk about. Mostly the previous trivia question.

The fate of Cap's original badge shaped shield.

It was way back in the 40's when a rival comic company to, the then known as, Timely Comics, stated that Cap's shield was too similar to a character called the patriot and Timely comics changed the design to the disk shape in the next issue. This is the reason for the change, but several years ago the change was explained in the story.

During WWII Cap met KIng Tchaka, ruler of Wakanda and father of the future Black Panther, and was gifted a chunk of Vibranium. In return Cap left his original shield in Wakanda where it is still protected as a national treasure. Cap went back to America with the Vibranium and it later became the bouncing disk that bad guys fear.

I suppose I should try to come up with some kind of prize for people answering these questions. Well anyway on to the next question.

Who were the original creative minds behind the Red, White and Blue Avenger?

Stay Tuned.

A Day at Camp

“Alright you maggots, outta bed!” a gruff voice shouted causing Applejack to fall out of her bunk in surprise, her body impacting the hardwood floors of the cold barack. She quickly picked herself up and stood at the end of her bunk, the rest of her platoon just barely ahead of her. Applejack’s Drill Sergeant, Major Hardy, looked at her with what Applejack thought was disapproval for the umpteenth time since Applejack had arrived at Camp Nomad nearly a week ago. Applejack had failed to complete almost every exercise she had attempted since day one and this had caused her platoon to run laps until dusk every day.

However, Applejack didn’t care much about the physical exercises, because Dr. Reinstein had told her that her physical ailments wouldn’t effect the procedure she was to undergo in little more than a week. Of course that was assuming she was the candidate picked for the procedure.

“Everypony line up outside! You have ten seconds!” Major Hardy shouted, making Applejack wince. Not even the early mornings of farm life had prepared her for the difficulty of military life, but she was determined to push through it. “We got a few guests that wanna get a look at you,” the Major said as he exited the barracks, Applejack and the other soldiers following soon after.

Once outside Applejack lined up with her comrades, each of them still wearing the simple sweatpants and white undershirts they wore to bed and some of them, including Applejack, shivering slightly in the cold morning air. Most mornings would start with Major Hardy telling them what the day’s exercise was going to be, but Applejack noticed a standard issue Army truck parked nearby, a young, but disciplined looking stallion sitting at the wheel and an older, grumpier stallion in the back. The most peculiar passengers, however, was the diamond dog sitting in in the front passenger seat, and another stallion, sitting behind the dog, who looked to be a few years younger than Apple Bloom.

“Attention!” Major Hardy shouted as the ponies and dog climbed out of the vehicle, every soldier in the line standing straight and facing forward. The Major’s guests neared and all but the older stallion stopped, the approaching stallion going down the line of soldiers and inspecting them. He raised an eyebrow as he passed Applejack, but made no comment as he stood before the saluting Major.

“At ease Major,” the older stallion said before holding a whispered conversation with Major Hardy. The Major nodded at something the stallion said and then turned to the soldiers lined up in their pajamas.

“The stallion behind me is General Pants of the Equestrian Army. He is here for the final evaluation to see which of you is gonna be Dr. Reinstein’s first test subject,” Hardy announced. “He and I will be going over your psych evaluations and current scores, while Lieutenant Howlett,” Hardy continued, gesturing at the Diamond Dog,” will be running you through the day’s drills. Any questions?”

“No sir!” Applejack shouted along with the rest of her platoon.

“They’re all yours Lieutenant,” Hardy said to the diamond dog, who nodded back while he looked at the soldiers, seemingly unimpressed. Applejack took notice of her platoon mates and was relieved she wasn’t the only who thought the dog’s presence was strange.

The dog stepped in front of the group with the younger stallion who had been at the wheel of the truck as Major Hardy lead the general and the younger stallion to his office.

Howlett stared at the group, some of whom were giving him strange looks. “Yes, I am a diamond dog. I’m here as part of the joint war effort between our countries. I don’t care who any of you are, only why you’re here. I’m only putting my vote in for one of you and that’s all I’m here for,” the dog announced, his tone harsh. “Alright, enough standing around in your pjs, go get ready. I’m gonna make you wish Major Hardy was back before the end of the first exercise,” Lieutenant Howlett told them, Applejack and her platoon quickly filing back into the barracks to get dressed and get their gear.

/////////////////////////////////////////

“Let’s just get to business Hardy,” General Pants said as he entered the Major’s office in the administrative building. “Who are we putting in Reinstein and Dash’s contraption first?”

The younger stallion, Comet Dash, looked at the General quizzically. “Shouldn’t we wait for the Lieutenant’s opinion before we make a decision?” he inquired.

“If the candidate isn’t clear at this point, none of those ponies are going in,” the General said as he turned back to Hardy. “So which one?”

Major Hardy looked thoughtful for a moment. “It wasn’t an easy choice and my personal pick is some what of a surprise,” the Major said.

General Pants looked at Hardy, raising an eyebrow. “The small mare?” he asked, sounding less than convinced.

“Yes sir. Applejack Apple may not be as big as the others, but she has what we need,” Hardy replied, looking the General in the eye as he spoke. General Pants didn’t respond and Hardy took that as a sign to continue. “The first day I was put in charge of those ponies, I asked each of them why they were here, and every one of them told me ‘to serve my country’,” Hardy explained. “All of them, except that mare. When I asked her, she looked at me and said she was here to end the war,” Hardy told his superior, smiling at the memory.

General Pants nodded in understanding, while Comet looked between the two stallions confused. “Why is that a better answer?” Comet asked, being the only non-military stallion in the room.

“Because it means Ms. Apple has a clear goal in mind. She isn’t just going to walk into the war and take orders, she’s prepared to go in there and do what she needs to win the war,” General Pants answered, seemingly impressed. “How is she in her physical training?”

Hardy grimaced at the thought of the mare trying to run with her platoon. “She understands how to fight and shoot a gun, but she doesn’t have the muscle or the stamina to back it up,” Hardy confessed.

“That’s not really an issue,” Comet said, attracting the other stallion’s attention. “Dr. Reinstein’s serum puts a pony at peak physical condition, so it doesn’t matter if the pony is like Ms. Apple or an Equestrian Games body builder, the end result would make them as physically fit as a pony can possibly get,” Comet explained. “Of course that’s assuming any pony spends literally all of their time building muscle. No sleeping, no eating, just exercise.”

Hardy looked at Comet, his mouth open in shock. “So they’d be in a physical condition any other pony would have to kill themselves to get in?” he asked.

“Yes sir,” Comet answered, pleased smile on his face.

“Sounds like what we need on the frontlines,” General Pants replied.

////////////////////////////////////

“I hope for her sake she never ends up on the front lines,” Corporal Hurricane said to Lieutenant Howlett, who was sitting on a crate that had been in the back of the truck they had a arrived in, as they watched an orange mare trying to climb the rope wall on the obstacle course. The mare was about half way up and her progress had slowed to a turtle pace.

Howlett looked at the mare as she struggled to pull herself over the top of the wall. “Maybe, but she don’t give up easy. Who is she?” he asked.

“Private Applejack Apple,” Hurricane stated looking at a clipboard with the names of the candidates for the experiment. “Reinstein’s personal pick,” he said.

“Well, it’s easy to see what he likes about her,” Howlett stood up pointed out as Applejack finally joined the rest of the platoon at the end of the course. “Alright let’s make 'em sweat,” Howlett told Hurricane as he observed the soldiers from a distance. None of them had really stuck out to him yet. Of course the day had barely begun. He’d know which one was ready for the experiment by the end of this.

“Everypony line up!” Hurricane shouted at the tired ponies before they could catch their breath. The group lined up in front of Howlett and Hurricane as the lieutenant opened the crate he had been sitting on, revealing several large disk weights.The platoon looked at them curiously. “Open your bags soldiers and step up one at a time,” Hurricane ordered as Howlett picked up a weight with little effort.

The first recruit, a unicorn stallion, stepped up after unzipping his bag and Howlett dropped the weight in, causing the recruit to stumble forward and almost fall. The recruit grunted as he struggled to lift the bag back onto his shoulders. Howlett smiled at the stallion’s effort. “Next,” he called. He continued the pattern until Applejack stepped up, looking apprehensive, her muscles tensed and ready for the weight.. Howlett sized up the mare before dropping the metal disc in her bag, the mare instantly toppling over from the weight. Howlett gave her a disappointed look as Applejack picked herself up and mostly dragged the bag as she joined the rest of the group.

Howlett eyed the platoon for a moment before nodding his head at the obstacle course. The platoon looked as well, before glancing fearfully at Howlett. “Run it again,” Howlett said uncaringly as he took his seat on the crate again. Howlett smiled as the troops started moving through the course again, albeit, much slower than before.

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Applejack’s lungs burned as she tried to keep up with the rest of the group as they marched around the camp, the weights from the obstacle course still in their bags. Corporal Hurricane was out in front leading the march, as Howlett followed the group, keeping an eye out for anyone who started to fall behind, although Applejack could almost feel his gaze on the back of her head.. Applejack, who had been at the back of the middle column, started to lose pace with the others.

“Take five kid,” Howlett said, rolling his eyes as he caught up and startled Applejack.

“Ah’m… fine sir,” Applejack heaved, sounding as though she were about to have an asthma attack, which wouldn’t have been the first one today. Applejack was going to need a new inhaler by the end of the day.

Howlett looked at the mare curiously. “No, you aren’t. You need to stop pushing yourself past your limits,” he told her, hoping to avoid sending her home in a casket.

“It… doesn’t… matter…,” Applejack wheezed, feeling it would be unfair to take the easy way out. “Ain't... nopony else... takin’ a break…, so neither… am Ah… sir,” she stated.

Howlett looked thoughtful for a moment. “Alright you wastes of space, take a break! I’m sick of watching you look pitiful!” the dog shouted as the group came to a halt and started drinking from their canteens. Howlett approached Applejack, who was bent over trying to catch her breath. “You follow me,” he ordered, not waiting to see if the mare followed him.

Howlett led Applejack to where Hurricane was waiting at the front of the group. “What do ya need sir?” she asked, regaining her breath, but still sounding exhausted. Applejack hoped the dog wasn’t about to expel her from the program for her safety.

“I wanna know what you're here for?” Howlett asked the mare, catching Hurricane’s attention as well.

Applejack seemed unsure what to say at first. “Ah’m here fer Dr. Reinstein’s experiment,” she said.

Howlett shook his head. “No, not that. I want you to tell me what made you agree to the experiment in the first place,” he specified.

Applejack looked at the ground for a moment. “Mah lil sister signed up fer the army the day before Ah did. She was hopin the extra money would be enough to ease things round the farm. I’m here to end the war, so I can see mah family together again,” Applejack explained, locking eyes with Howlett.

The dog looked at the mare for a moment. “I see,” he said, expressionless, searching the mare’s face for any sign her resolve was wavering. When he saw none he turned away from her. “Alright you lot, fall in! I wanna get done with this march by dinner time and you still have to hit the shooting range!” the dog shouted as he and Hurricane lead the marching ponies back towards the barracks.

//////////////////////////////////////////

Howlett gave the candidates for the experiment the afternoon off, mostly because half of them were ready to keel over, but also because he intended to give General Pants his verdict on the best candidate in the platoon. He and Hurricane arrived at Major Hardy’s office and entered to see the other occupants waiting for them.

“Give me some good news Lieutenant,” General Pants told the dog as Howlett took a seat in the corner of the room.

“Private Apple sir,” he said without hesitation. The general gave him an expectant look. “She’s the only one in that group that seems to be thinking beyond the war. If she can see past the war, I’d be willing to bet she can see the end of it too,” Howlett explained. “She’s also a hell of a lot more determined than the others,” he added.

General Pants looked from the confident diamond dog, to the smug Major, although Hardy was trying to mask his emotions. “Well what about you?” the General said looking at Corporal Hurricane. Hurricane seemed genuinely surprised the general was even asking for his opinion.

“I think Private Apple is a farmer, not a soldier sir,” he stated, the general seemed curious about the younger stallion’s answer, as did the others in the room. “That being said, I agree she’s the only one in the group that has any real motivation. She’d be my pick as well sir,” Hurricane said with confidence.

General Pants looked around the room, gauging the level of certainty each of his officers had in the decision. “Well, I suppose you like the look of her as well,” he said to Comet Dash who had been silent up to this point.

The stallion smiled at the general who seemed agitated in the decision his advisors had made. “My interest is only in the science. Who we actually put in the rebirth chamber doesn’t matter, so long as they’re of sound mind,” he stated, showing little interest in the discussion up to this point.

General Pants sighed as he came to a decision. “Well, I asked for your opinions myself. I’d be a fool to say no when you all agree,” he conceded. “Even if you’re agreeing with that damn goat,” he muttered to himself. “Dr. Reinstein will be arriving later today. He’d have been here with the rest of us, but he had some last minute tests to run on his serum. We’ll notify him of our decision then and he can give Private Apple the good news,” General Pants stated. “Until then, keep them running drills,” he told Howlett and Hurricane, both of whom saluted, although the dog’s salute seemed half hearted.

///////////////////////////////////////////

That evening, Applejack entered the mess hall with the rest of her platoon for dinner. She had only just sat down when the door opened and Major Hardy entered. Applejack and the others stood and saluted the Major as he walked by.

“At ease,” Hardy said as he approached Applejack. “Private Apple. A word please,” Hardy said, gesturing for Applejack to follow him, as he started for the door. Applejack wore a curious look as she followed Hardy.

“Is something wrong sir?” she asked as they left the mess hall and moved towards the administrative building. Applejack noted a second truck like the one the General and Lieutenant Howlett showed up in and a pair of soldiers standing outside of the building they were approaching.

“No private, but General Pants wants to see you,” Hardy said as he walked up to the door, receiving salutes from the soldiers, and entered the building with Applejack close behind.

Applejack wondered what the general wanted from her as Hardy opened the door to his office. Inside Applejack saw the General, as well as the others he had arrived with earlier that day, and Dr. Reinstein, who gave Applejack a warm smile as he spotted her.

“Applejack, it’s good to see you,” the goat said as he stood up and shook Applejack’s hand.

“Same to ya doc, but if’n ya don’t mind me askin, why am I here?” Applejack questioned, confused at being the only private in a room of ranking officials.

Reinstein smiled as he looked at Hardy. “You could have told her on the way here,” he stated with a smile, before turning back to Applejack. “Congratulations. You have been selected to be the first candidate to undergo the procedure,” Reinstein stated, seeming very pleased with the decision.

Applejack looked around the room, half expecting someone else present to tell her it was a joke. When no one spoke up, Applejack took a breath and looked back at the doctor. “Alright then, what happens next?” Applejack asked, her quick acceptance of the announcement, drawing her a few curious stares.

“Well, she can take big news well,” Comet said from the far side of the room, smiling at the seemingly unfazed mare. “I hope she handles the changes from the procedure just as well.”

Applejack shrugged as she looked at the young stallion. “Ain’t time for it. ‘Sides, I’m just a grunt. Ain’t my place to question the decisions of my superiors,” Applejack reasoned.

General Pants nodded in agreement. “Well, in any case, congratulations, soldier. We’ll see you in the morning. We leave at first light,” the general told her, shaking her hand as well. “Now go and get something to eat and get some rest,” he said in a commanding tone.

Applejack saluted before turning to leave. “Oh, and skip breakfast tomorrow,” Comet called out to her. “I don’t want you throwing up in the rebirth chamber,” he commented as Applejack left, wondering what would make her throw up.

Author's Note

Okay well here's a chapter I think I actually put more work into than most of the rest of the chapters for this story.

Anyways, enjoy and as always Stay Tuned.

The Rebirth Chamber

Applejack gulped as she stared out of the car window at the passing buildings. She and Dr. Reinstein were currently being driven to the lab where Applejack would undergo the procedure to become the first super soldier for the equestrian military. Saying she was nervous would be an understatement.

“Still having second thoughts?” Reinstein asked, smiling at the nervous mare.

“No,” Applejack replied, not sounding as confident as she’d meant to. “It’s all jus’ a lot tah think about Ah guess,” she said, unsure how to word her thoughts.

Reinstein smiled at the young mare. “It’s alright to be nervous. We’re breaking new ground in science. There’s a lot to be nervous about,” Reinstein said, chuckling.

“Ah guess. Jus’ wish Ah coulda worn somethin more comfortable,” Applejack said, tugging at the necktie for her uniform. She was dressed in military formal attire and Applejack found the clothes to be restricting.

Reinstein laughed. “Not to worry. You only have to wear that for the introductions to a few military and government officials. We’ll have something else for you to wear for the experiment,” he explained as the car pulled to a stop outside of an antique shop. “You’ll probably need a new uniform later anyway. We expect you’ll grow a few sizes.”

Applejack looked at the goat in bewilderment. “That sounds like a bit of a dramatic change,” she replied, as they stepped out of the vehicle. “What are we here fer anyway?” she asked eyeing the little shop and the dusty items in the window, the interior looking like it hadn’t seen a customer in years.

“We are here for the experiment,” Reinstein stated leading the way into the shop. The mare at the counter glanced up at them for a moment before tapping on the wall behind her rhythmically.

To Applejack’s surprise the wall opened revealing a stallion in a security uniform standing at the top of a staircase that lead below the shop. “Right this way Doctor,” the stallion said as he stepped to the side allowing Reinstein and Applejack through.

“This seems like a lil much,” Applejack commented as she and Reinstein started down the stairs.

“All necessary security, I assure you. Our enemies want nothing more than to get their hands on the formula for the project. It is of the utmost importance we not let them have it,” Reinstein explained, seeming more serious than usual as they reached a door at the bottom of the stairs.

Applejack was more than a little shocked to see a large office space on the other side of the doors. A few dozen cubicles were set up in the middle of the room with several ponies, diamond dogs and goats typing away on keyboards and sorting files. Several doors lined the walls, some indicating they were the private offices of higher ranking staff and others labeled as storage closets or labs.

“Helluva set up Doc,” Applejack commented as her eyes wandered around the room. She noticed a few of the workers giving her curious glances as they walked by.

Reinstein smiled at his companion. “Yes, the allied nations are being very protective and discrete about this project. Which I truly appreciate of them,” Reinstein commented as he lead Applejack through a set of double doors on the left side of the room. A sign above the door read Project Rebirth.

Inside the room Applejack saw a handful of older stallions, goats and diamond dogs standing in a small room with a large floor to ceiling window on the far side. A row of seats had been set up in front of the window which was overlooking a large room with computers lining the walls. In the center of the room was a pod like object, that Applejack guessed she was going to be in very soon, surrounded by a semi-circular control console. The young stallion Applejack had met briefly before leaving Camp Nomad was moving animatedly over the console, probably making last minute adjustments.

“Applejack I’m sure you remember General Pants,” Reinstein said, pulling Applejack’s attention back into the viewing room.

Recognizing a superior Applejack threw the General a salute and stood as straight as she could. The General chuckled at the display. “At ease soldier,” he said, holding out a hand for Applejack to shake. “How are you feeling?” General Pants asked, seeming more curious than worried.

“Ah’m fine sir, just a lil nervous is all. Not to used tah bein the center of attention like this,” Applejack explained, gesturing to the others in the room.

“Oh don’t worry about them. Most of the dignitaries here are only here for formalities,” the general told her, looking over his shoulder at the diamond dogs and goats present. “Wouldn’t hurt for you to say hello to them though,” Pants whispered to her with a smile.

“Will do sir,” Applejack said as she and Reinstein moved over to the goats on the far side of the room.

Reinstein made a few short introductions and Applejack greeted each guest with a kind hello before the conversation turned to politics in Goatsico, which Applejack didn’t really understand. Looking around the room, Applejack spotted Lieutenant Howlett standing near an older diamond dog by the window, a bored expression on his face. She quickly excused herself from the goats’ conversation and walked over to the bored dog.

“Evenin Lieutenant,” Applejack greeted, earning a curious glance from the dog.

Howlett glanced at the soldier curiously. “Shouldn’t you be saluting me?” he asked, eyebrow raised.

Applejack smiled at him. “You’re in the Canistan military, so you’re not technically my superior unless the General says otherwise,” she told him. Applejack may not have done well in the physical portions of her training, but she had an easy time remembering who her superiors were and how to address and greet them.

Howlett smiled as he stood a little straighter. “I suppose not,” he said with a smile. “Nervous about the big day,” Howlett asked.

Applejack chuckled. “Less’n’less the more Ah’m asked. I am gonna be happy to be able to handle your training without breaking a sweat,” she said with a smile.

Howlett laughed. “We’ll see about that kid. You might get some muscle from this but I’ll find a way to make ya sweat,” Howlett replied with a grin.

Before Applejack could reply, Reinstein interrupted. “We’ll be ready to begin in a moment. Go get changed while I help Comet finish the preparations,” the goat said with a smile as he walked to a door leading down to the room below.

Applejack gave Howlett a nod as she walked away. “Looks like Ah’m up,” she said with a nervous chuckle.

“Knock em dead kid,” Howlett called after her.

////////////////////

Applejack stepped out into the lab a few minutes later wearing gray army sweatpants and a white tank top that was about one size too big for her. She saw Comet finishing a few things on the console and Reinstein was busy placing several vials filled with a blue liquid into slots on the rebirth chamber, which was now open and lying flat almost like a bed. A lab assistant, a unicorn mare, strode over to Applejack and made her sit in a chair just to the side of the main area.

The assistant pulled a medical tray close to Applejack and picked a rather large needle from the neatly sorted medical supplies on the table. “What’s that fer?” Applejack asked, eyeing the large needle, weary that it might just go straight through her thin arm.

“This is just a shot of penicillin to prevent any possible infection from the procedure,” the mare said as she filled the needle with a clear fluid. “Please hold still,” the mare requested, preparing to stick the needle in Applejack’s arm. Applejack winced as the needle went in. The assistant pulled the needle out a moment later and wiped off and bandaged the miniscule hole the needle had left. “All done her Dr. Reinstein.”

“Good,” the goat replied gesturing for Applejack to join him at the rebirth chamber. Applejack walked across the room, almost able to feel the stares of those watching from the room above. “Lie down here,” Reinstein instructed as the assistant joined them.

Applejack climbed into the bed of the pod and laid down while Reinstein and the assistant bound her hands and feet so she couldn’t thrash around inside the chamber.

“Ready?” Reinstein asked once the straps were secure.

Applejack took a calming breath before nodding her head.

“Alright then. Dash we may begin,” Reinstein told Comet, who began flipping switches on the console.

Applejack felt the Rebirth Chamber start to move her into an upright position, the door closing and leaving her with a small window to see into the rest of the room, although she was just eye level with the bottom of the window. Applejack noticed a series of needles that were now pointed directly at her arms at various intervals.

“Everything okay in there Applejack,” Reinstein called from outside.

“So far, so good,” Applejack called back, unable to stop herself from shaking, mostly in fear for what would happen next.

“Dash, you may activate the machine,” Reinstein said. Applejack could just barely see Comet moving around the console, turning dials and flipping switches. It wasn’t long before she heard a low hum coming from the machine and the pinch of the needles inserting themselves into her arm. Applejack felt the liquid enter her body.

For just a moment Applejack thought the procedure wouldn’t be so bad. Then her stomach lurched and she was glad she hadn’t eaten breakfast. Before she could get over the feeling in her abdomen pain shot through her body and a loud noise filled her ears. Applejack couldn’t think straight. Every part of her felt like it was being ripped apart from the inside, like some beast was trying to escape from her body.

After what felt like an hour the pain started to die down and Applejack realized the loud noise from before had been her own screams of pain. She took a moment to calm herself and looked at the window, wondering why it seemed to be lower than before, her gaze coming closer to the top of it now.

As her breathing slowed and her mind calmed, Applejack noticed sharp pains at her wrists and ankles. Before she could figure out the cause the pod opened and those in the room stared up at her for a moment. Reinstein was the first to react, quickly removing the bindings that had held her down. As she was released the pains in her extremities subsided into a soreness and she almost fell out of the pod. Reinstein and the assistant quickly caught her and held her up right until she found her footing.

After nearly a minute Applejack felt more stable and pulled herself from the grips of the Reinstein and the assistant and stood up straight. She was startled by the loud and joyous cheers coming from the observation room. Applejack looked around confused as those in the room with her joined the cheering. She turned to ask Reinstein if it worked and found herself looking down at the goat her had thrown his arms around her.

Realization hit Applejack like train. “Ah got bigger,” she observed, shocked at the drastic change she had undergone in a matter of minutes.

“To say the least my friend,” Reinstein laughed as he stood next to Applejack and observed his work.

Applejack was so concentrated on the feeling of the muscle she’d put on she hadn’t even noticed that the watchers from the room above had joined them. Over the course of the next few minutes Applejack took pictures with and shook hands with nearly every important figure in the room.

After the desire for pictures died down she scanned the room for Reinstein and saw him talking with Comet. Just as she started making her way over to them she noticed the lab assistant from before fiddling with the box that had contained the serum.

“What are you doing?” Reinstein asked, having also taken notice of the mare’s activity. The mare, realizing she’d been discovered reached into her lab coat and pulled out a small pistol. Before anyone could react she fired three shots at Reinstein. Everyone in the room began to scatter in search of cover as the mare continued shooting. Applejack rushed over to Reinstein who had fallen on the floor in front of Comet. The unicorn was frozen in shock, unable to move.

“Applejack,” Reinstein said, placing a shaking hand on her shoulder. “Get… the serum,” the goat said weakly, the life leaving his eyes shortly after. Applejack was shell shocked for a moment before her anger took over.

She stood up just in time to see the mare leaving the observation room into the main office area and quickly ran after her.

Applejack slammed through the doors to the office area, almost unhinging them and spotted the mare running for the stairs, a few soldiers firing at her. Applejack broke into a sprint after the mare and made her way up the stairs that led back to the antique shop above. Applejack got to the top of the stairs and saw three stallions standing in the main area. Applejack ducked back behind the doorway as they opened fire. Applejack wasn’t sure what to do. Before she could make a plan Howlett joined her at the top of the stairs.

“Be ready to run,” he told her as he ran into the shop.

“No wait!” Applejack shouted, reaching out to stop him, but grabbing only air. Applejack heard the stallions open fire very briefly and assumed Howlett was dead.

“All clear kid, get moving,” the gruff voice of Howlet called.

Applejack stepped into the shop and saw the stallions covered in claw marks. “What in the hell?” she said shocked.

“Don’t worry about them. That mare’s in a cab headed north. CPD are after them, but they’re gonna need help. Go,” Howlett explained earning a nod from Applejack.

Applejack sprinted out of the store and into the streets the sounds of sirens in the distance greeting her ears. She started running in the direction of the noise and the sound of gunfire could be heard. Applejack couldn’t tell how much faster she was until now as she passed cars left and right. Putting her speed to the back of her mind she concentrated on the sirens that were quickly growing louder.

It wasn’t long before she saw a police car weaving in and out of traffic and a cab just ahead of it. Applejack kept going until she’d passed the police car and had gotten close to the cab. When she was just a few feet behind the cab she saw the mare look at her in disbelief before raising her gun. Not wanting to find out if she was bullet proof Applejack leaped over the car as the mare opened fire. Applejack landed on the hood of the car and steadied herself as the mare turned the gun on her again. Without thinking, Applejack put her hand through the windshield of the car and grabbed the gun, prying it from the mare’s hand.

Disarmed and looking panicked the mare started swerving the car to try and shake Applejack off. Applejack gripped the roof of the car, creating a dent in the metal she could easily grip. Applejack punched through the windshield again, this time grabbing the steering wheel and using her greater strength to steady the vehicle. The mare fought for only a moment before she looked ahead, eyes wide and quickly opened the door and leapt from the vehicle, hitting the asphalt and rolling. Applejack turned to see what was ahead and saw she was headed straight for a brick wall. Applejack slid off the side of the cab, landing on her feet and running after the escaping mare, ignoring the sound of the car crashing into the wall.

Applejack watched the mare duck into an alley and followed after her, freezing at the entrance, when she found the alley empty. Applejack started through the alley checking behind objects as she went. A noise alerted her to a dumpster she’d just passed and Applejack felt the weight of her quarry land on her shoulders and felt a thin wire wrap itself around her neck. Applejack started thrashing around, trying to dislodge the mare so she could breath again and finally backed into the alley wall hard. The mare grunted and fell off of Applejack. Applejack whipped around and grabbed the mare before she could escape.

“Who are?! Why’d ya kill Dr. Reinstein?!” she yelled at the mare, only receiving a grin.

“Cut off one head,” the mare said moving her jaw around in an odd way. “Two more shall take it’s place.” Applejack heard something crunch in the mare’s mouth before she started frothing at the mouth. Applejack jumped away from the dying mare shocked at the display. As she sat there the events of the last half hour started to sink in.

“What the hell have Ah gotten mahself into?” Applejack asked herself, unsure what her future would hold.

Author's Note

And we now have...
Captain Equestria!

Also I'm back. Anyways

Comment like fave, whatever. Have a nice day and

Stay Tuned.

No Right Direction

Applejack sat quietly in a dimly lit interrogation room, the events of the last few hours weighing on her mind. She’d seen someone die for the first time. Even if it had been the cyanide pill that had killed the mare, Applejack couldn’t help but feel partially responsible for backing the mare into a corner.

Then there was Dr. Reinstein. Applejack had chased after his assassin so quickly she didn’t think to stop and make sure the goat would live. He’d been more than kind to her and she hadn’t even tried to save him. After all he’d done for her, she hadn’t thought about him until it was too late. “Some super soldier Ah turned out to be,” she mumbled to herself, laying her head on the dusty table she sat at.

A moment later the door opened and Applejack looked up to see Howlett walk in followed by Corporal Hurricane, who was carrying a clipboard. “We apologize for the wait Ms. Apple,” Hurricane started off, sounding more official than supportive. The pair sat across the table from Applejack and Hurricane set his clipboard on the table and pulled a pen out of his pocket. “I know you must be under a lot of stress, but we’d like to go over what happened after you left the shop upstairs,” Hurricane stated, holding the pen over the clipboard, ready to copy down everything Applejack said.

Applejack glanced at Howlett, receiving a nod from the diamond dog. Applejack took a moment to collect herself and take a breath before she began, recounting how she had chased the mare down on foot and fought her in the alley. “After that she ate somethin and died right there,” Applejack told them, ending her tale, a distant look in her eye.

“Did she say anything to you during any of this?” Howlett asked, not questioning the legitimacy of Applejack’s story.

Applejack recalled what the mare had said before dying. “She said, ‘cut off one head, two more shall take its place’,” Applejack told them. Howlett and Hurricane shared a look before Hurricane made a note of it on his clipboard. “What does that mean?” Applejack asked, knowing they knew something.

Howlett sighed. “I’m not actually sure how much you’re cleared to know, but Corporal Hurricane can go to the General and find out,” he said, looking at Hurricane and gesturing for him to leave.

“I’ll be back in a moment,” Hurricane said as he stood and left, clipboard in hand.

Applejack and Howlett sat in silence for a moment. “How are ya holding up kid?” Howlett asked, looking at Applejack in a way that reminded her of her father when she was younger. Applejack would have hurt herself or have an asthma attack and he’d be the first to comfort her as she recovered.

“Ah’ve… never seen anyone die before,” she admitted, feeling ashamed that she was saying that to a seasoned soldier. Howlett had probably seen much worse than her. Applejack didn’t feel like she had the right to sulk about this.

“It’s always hard to deal with the first time,” Howlett told her. “Even if ya didn’t know ‘em as well as you knew the doc. What you need to do is accept that what happened was out of your control, experiment and serum be damned. No matter how strong you get, you’ll never be able to save everyone,” Howlett told her, a faraway look in his eyes.

Applejack regarded the diamond dog with a newfound respect. She didn’t know what she had expected him to say, but she didn’t think he’d be so straightforward. “Does it ever get easier?” she asked, hoping he’d tell her it would, even if she knew he wouldn’t lie.

Howlett sighed and looked Applejack in the eye. “In a way. The more ya see of the war, the more you’ll be able to rationalize it, but the faces’ll stay with ya forever,” he told her.

Applejack gulped. She knew she was in over her head, but the fact that Howlett still thought she was going to see how bad the war was added a new level of fear to the situation. Applejack had never even been in a fight. Sure she was shown some basic moves in training, but she had never had the time to practice. She felt horribly ill prepared.

After a few more minutes of silence the door opened again and Hurricane returned with General Pants in tow. Applejack stood and saluted her superior. “At ease soldier,” the General said, taking a seat at the table. Applejack returned to her own seat as Hurricane stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him.

“Private Apple, what we are about to discuss does not leave this room. Understood?” General Pants started, surprising Applejack with how serious he sounded. Applejack wasn’t sure she wanted to know what he had to say, but if it got her closer to understanding why Reinstein was dead, she’d listen.

“Understood sir,” Applejack replied, ready to get this over with.

General Pants nodded. “A few years ago, just before the war started, a small terrorist cell made itself known. Called themselves Hydra. We didn’t see them as a threat at first and by the time we did they had already convinced the Minotine government to invade the goats,” General Pants explained. “They started forcibly recruiting scientists from among the conquered population and we got word that one of those scientists was developing a formula that could put a stop to several ailments, despite a difference in species,” the General continued

“Dr. Reinstein,” Applejack said, starting to see the pieces falling into place. “So you rescued him?” she asked.

General Hurricane nodded. “We allied with the Canistan military and mounted a rescue, but too little too late. By the time we’d pulled him out he’d already gone past testing. The leader of Hydra, Flim Pinstripe, had forced Reinstein to administer the serum to himself,” Hurricane said, pausing for a moment, as if unsure how to explain the next part. “I can’t say for sure what, but Reinstein told us something had gone wrong during the process. Could have been any number of things, but whatever went wrong it changed Flim, almost the same as it changed you,” the general said, looking Applejack up and down.

Applejack was confused to say the least. “So he’s stronger’n normal… and faster. That’s why you needed super soldiers. If they figure out how tah do this without Reinstein, it’d turn things in their favor,” Applejack guessed earning a nod from the general.

“Fortunately, you were able to stop that mare from getting away,” the general said looking down cast. “Unfortunately at some point she tampered with the serum. Added something to it. Dash is trying to find a way to undo what she did, but he isn’t hopeful and neither are we.”

“Where do we go from here then?” Applejack asked, looking at the General in anticipation, wondering where on the warfront she'd be sent first.

“We don't,” Pants replied, confusing Applejack. “We can't risk you falling into enemy hands and that means you're staying off the front line,” he explained, standing up.

Applejack's jaw fell open. “Then all this was fer nothin’?” she asked, not believing that after what she'd done after coming out if the chamber, they'd keep her out of sight.

“Of course not,” the General replied. “We still intend to have you help in the war effort.” Applejack noticed Howlett shift uncomfortably and look away. Applejack got the feeling she wasn't going to like her part in the war.

General pants held his hand out to Hurricane, who quickly handed him a file Applejack hadn't noticed before. “In the last few months, military budgets have been cut and it's gotten to the point we've had to turn to donations from the citizens to keep our troops fed and armed,” the General began, sliding the file across the table to Applejack. Confused, she hesitated before taking the folder. “We need somepony to raise morale amongst the populace. Somepony foals can look up to and soldiers would follow without question,” General Pants continued as Applejack opened the file and read it's contents.

Applejack grimaced as came upon a poster. “An’ Ah’m supposin’ that somepony is…,” she paused as she looked back at the file. “The Patriot Soldier, Captain Equestria,” Applejack read from the poster depicting a mare that looked much like her, only wearing a gaudy red, white and blue uniform with the Celestial Sun on the chest and a capital E on the forehead of the helmet.

General Pants wore a pleased smile as Howlett rolled his eyes and shook his head. Hurricane simply stood by the door, expressionless. “Is this fer real?” Applejack asked, more than a little put off at that thought of being gawked at like a sideshow attraction.

“It is,” General Pants said, frowning. “I know this wasn't the original plan, but this is what the country needs,” the General urged, nodding his head at the poster Applejack held. Applejack glanced at the advertisement. “We need the people rallied behind us.”

Applejack looked to Howlett who only shrugged in response. “An’ ya think Ah’m the pony they'll follow?” she asked, still unsure.

The General smiled as he held his hand out to Hurricane again, this time receiving a newspaper, the evening edition of the Canterlot Post. “They're already following you,” he said, passing her the paper.

Right on the front page was an unfocused picture of Applejack running through traffic under the headline Mystery Mare Stops Minotine Spy.

Applejack took a breath and looked at the General, who was smiling at Applejack. “Where do we start?” she asked, resigning herself to help the only way she could.

////////////////////

Apple Bloom gulped as the troop transport she was in sped down a dirt road somewhere near the border of Canistan and Minotine. Her platoon had been cleared for combat early due to a lack of soldiers in vital areas along the war front. Dumdum sat next to her, his own lack of panic disturbing Apple Bloom.

“Relax Bloom. It'll still be awhile before we see any actual action. First we have to meet up with our detachment and get a briefing from the CO,” Dumdum explained, helping relieve Apple Bloom's nerves a bit.

“Well ain’t that a relief. Them minotaurs are gonna have to wait another day tah shoot at us,” Apple Bloom replied, expressing her disagreement with the command to send them out early.

“Didn’t you get put in an engineering squad?” a grey stallion sitting across from the pair asked. Sureshot was a sniper trainee Apple Bloom and Dumdum had met the first day of basic training. “How many bullets you think you’re gonna catch fixing our equipment?” Sureshot continued.

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. “Ah’m on the same squad yer on, an seein as how trouble finds you like rat to cheese, yer gonna get both of us shot at,” Apple Bloom shot back, having had enough of the stallion’s bad attitude.

“Shut up both of you!” a navy blue mare next to Sureshot spoke up, surprising most of the ponies in the transport. Birdie, one of the communications officers, spent as much time as she could sleeping. She was a pleasant conversationalist when she was well rested, but having been at boot camp the last couple of weeks she was anything but. “You two wanna knock eachother out that’s fine, but keep in mind you’ll be sharing a bunk for awhile, so maybe try not to kill each other.” Birdie then turned away from her comrades and closed her eyes again.

“My bits are on her killing the both of you before either of you does the other in,” Dumdum said with a smile as the transport hit another bump in the road. Apple Bloom and Sureshot rolled their eyes at the older stallion as the group fell into silence among the chatter of the other soldiers.

////////////////////

By the time Apple Bloom had arrived at the small camp that would serve as their home for the foreseeable future it was already dark. Lights had been set up at the entrances to several tents. Apple Bloom and the rest of her platoon clambered out of the troop transport in twos and lined up in front of the tent of the officer in charge.

“I’m gonna make this quick,” the aged pony standing before them said. “You lot are going on patrol at first light. I know you’re under trained, but we’ve been losing soldiers faster than we’re recruitin’ ‘em. I’ll assign a captain in the morning. Now get to bed,” he finished quickly, retreating back into his tent.

Apple Bloom blinked in surprise. “Didn’ even introduce himself,” she muttered, as one of the stallions that had helped unload the truck when they arrived led them to a tent on the far edge of the camp.

“They probably don’t see new faces that last long around here,” Dumdum replied, frowning as he scanned the camp. “Didn’t think it was this bad. Almost Nopony here,” he observed.

Apple Bloom followed his gaze with a raised eyebrow. “Maybe everypony’s sleeping or they got a few out on patrol,” she guessed, not quite understanding her friends nervousness.

“There should still be guards posted near the munitions tent,” Dumdum said, nodding towards a tent further away from most of the others. “I’m surprised the CO doesn’t have a few ponies outside his tent too.” Dumdum shook his head as they reached their destination. “This war is taking more of toll than I thought.”

Apple Bloom felt her nerves starting to fail her again. “Weren’t you tellin me not tah worry a lil bit ago,” she said glaring at Dumdum as they entered their tent.

Dumdum grimaced at the reminder. “Yeah well, shit might hit the fan sooner than expected,” he replied taking the top bunk of the bed nearest the entrance, followed by AppleBloom taking the lower bunk.

“Always seems to,” she whispered to herself, praying Applejack was having a better go of it.

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Flim stalked through the barren halls of the base his allies had set up for them deep within Minotine’s borders. He stopped when he came to a heavy steel door near the end of the corridor, a bright blue glow visible beneath the door. He entered without knocking, greeted by the sight of brown unicorn stallion wearing thick goggles as he studied several monitors that had been hooked up to the cube to gain some grasp as to how much energy it could put out.

The cube itself was situated in the center of a large, cylindrical machine in the middle of the room, the source of the bright glow. “How goes your research Dr. Solar?” Flim asked, startling the stallion.

The stallion rushed to a table that had papers strewn about it. “Very well sir. I’ve been able to make an unbelievable amount of progress on your weapons now that we have the cube,” he started, an excited smile spreading across his face.

Flim smirked as he stared at the cube. “And how soon can we begin production?” he asked, only giving Solar a brief glance, Flim’s attention absorbed by the artifact.

“Within the week,” Solar replied. “The power output of the cube is so great we can use it not only to power the production plant, but we can also store the energy in battery cells to power every weapon we make,” the scientist explained as he found the documents he was looking for and brought them to Flim.

Flim took the papers and flipped through them. “And have you made any progress replicating the serum from my blood?” he asked, impressed with Solar’s progress.

Solar frowned as he returned to the clutter of his desk and started digging again. “Sadly without test subjects all I can tell you is that the serum does seem active in your blood samples,” the stallion explained nervously, once more locating the files pertaining to replicating Reinstein’s serum.

Flim sighed as he handed the notes he’d finished with back, ignoring Solar’s attempt to show him the failure to recreate the only thing Flim truly wanted.

“If test subjects is all you need, I’ll send Flam out soon to get them for you,” Flim began stepping up to Solar until they were nose to nose. “But I will not tolerate any further failures,” he seethed, watching Solar gulp in fear.

“Yes sir,” the scientist replied meekly.

Flim smiled. “Good. I’ll send Flam out tomorrow and have those test subjects to you within the month,” Flam said as he walked back to the door, feeling an odd discomfort around his lower jaw. “I’ll see you tomorrow about the weapons.” Flim closed the door to the lab, massaging his chin and making sure the false skin he wore, covered his true face completely.

Author's Note

Back again Losers! Hey who's still reading these? Guess it'd be kinda hard to when I almost never update. Oh well. LIfe's been a bitch lately and I'm in need of stress relief. Enjoy the chapter... which you did cause this is at the end.

Stay Tuned.