An Apple in a Bushel of Peaches

Chapters

Crushes
More than Friends?
What Las Vegas, not Las Pegasus?
Home, Love, and Discovered Secrets
Plantin' Seeds
'Neigh'bors
Special Operations Business Part 1
Special Operations Part 2
Special Operations Part 3
New Home
Moonlit Meeting

Crushes

Chapter 1 - ‘Crushes’

An Applejack in the Vogonverse Story

Ah groaned as Ah pulled the wagon of peaches, peach jelly, and peach preserves upta the Market. Robert and Stephanie came out thankin’ me and they brought Apple Bloom a piece of Honeycomb. Ah didn’t have the heart ta tell ‘em not ta do it. After all they liked all of us purty well, and Ah liked them.

“APPLE BLOOM!” a young human colt’s voice yelled.

Ah watched ma little sister’s become excited, and she jumped off of the wagon in time to get a hug from Harold. The little fella lifted ‘Bloom off the ground. She let out a surprised squeak before she bared down on him and hugged him hard. Ah let out a laugh and I watched as ‘Bloom’s face bushed somethin’ furious. She stepped back from the hug and tried ta fix on me with a glare.

“I think think it’s sweet that they’re both so sweet on each other,” Stephanie said.

“Mom!”

Ah watched the little human colt look plum embarrassed. He kicked his left foot on the ground for a moment before Ah walked over and gave him a pat on the shoulder.

“Ain’t nothin’ ta be embarrassed about. ‘Bloom talks ‘bout ya all the time,” Ah said.

“APPLEJACK!” ma sister shouted.

Ah smiled at her as she looked like she was ready to bite some roofin’ nails in two. Ah laughed again and started toward the wagon. ‘Bloom followed me and grabbed a flat of peach preserves.

“Applejack, that was purty low,” she whispered.

“‘Bloom, Ah’m jest messing with the both of ya’ll. ‘Sides, if’n something does happen and ya’ll get together he’s gonna need to be ready fer a little pickin’,” ah whispered back.

She shook her head and carried the flat inside. Harold came over, grabbed a flat, carried it and both Stephanie and Robert started working on the peach bushels with me.

“Harold’s got a birthday coming up, and since he and Apple Bloom are such good friends we thought that we’d like to invite her,” Stephanie said.

“That’s mighty nice of ya’ll. Ah’m sur we could bring her on out here,” Ah replied.

We worked together fer a little to unload that old wagon. When it was finished I leaned against it and took a breath. It wasn’t that Ah wasn’t used to hard work. Being a farm mare Ah’m used to working from sun up sun down, but it feels a little different here. Ah’m feeling strong, but the first couple of weeks it took me twice as long to haul this old wagon out here, and now it’s easier.

That’s not the only thing. Ah’ve seen the reaction of the peach trees to me. At first Ah was jest buckin’ ‘em, but over the last month Ah’ve watched how much bigger and sweeter the peaches have been gittin’.

“Applejack, would you like a glass of cider?” Robert asked.

Ah felt ma ears perk up. Cider, Ah hadn’t had cider in a dog’s age! Ah nodded my head and he motioned fer me ta follow him. We walked into the market, and he popped the cork on a glass bottle. He poured me a mason jar full of the amber liquid. It was worth more to me than all the bits Ah’d ever see. He pushed it over, and Ah took the first drink. It wasn’t Sweet Apple Acres Cider. The slight tart bite told me that, but it was good and cold. Ah loved every single swallow, and when Ah finished Ah put the jar down and smiled at Robert. He grinned, took the jar, washed it out, and put it back up.

“So where’d that cider come from?” Ah asked.

Robert looked at the bottle and shook his head, “It’s from Rider Farms. I’ve heard about those places, and while they ain’t Corporate Farms… They’re close.”

The mention of Corporate Farms made me mad as a hornet. Big Mac had told me ‘bout some of the things they did, and not a lick of it sounded good. He even told me about the bruiser they tried to send over to scare him and Jessica off of our farm. Ah’d plum like to see ‘em try that again! Robert looked at me and Ah shook my head.

“Ma brother had some trouble with a Corporate Farm a while back,” Ah said.

“We heard. They sent over Anthony. I really hope it wasn’t because of us,” Robert said.

Ah shook my head.

“Naw, Jessica dun figured that they was a wantin’ to scare ‘em off ‘cause of the amount of business they were a doin’,” Ah said.

Robert nodded his head and walked out from around the counter.

“That makes sense I suppose. I’m just glad that Mac was there,” he said.

“Ya and me both. I dun wanna see anythin’ happenin’ to Jessica. She’s been right good to ‘Bloom and me,” Ah said.

“She’s good people,” Robert replied.

Ah grinned and walked out with him. Apple Bloom had broken her honeycomb in half and was sharing it with Harold. He in turn was sharing his Coke with her. Ah dun tried that once, and it ain’t bad, but Ah ain’t too fond of it neither. ‘Bloom sure liked it though. She took a drink, and handed him back the bottle. Ah know she didn’t think that Ah was a watching, but Ah saw her lean over and give him a kiss on the cheek.

“Isn’t that just the sweetest thing you ever saw?” Stephanie whispered.

Ah nodded. It was mighty sweet, and Ah knew better than to tease her ‘bout it. There are things that are open season. Knowin’ she likes somepony is one of them, but a first kiss is different. Even if’n it’s an innocent peck on the cheek a first kiss is somethin’ ya never tease ‘bout. Ah kept ma thoughts to maself. Harold’s a good colt, a bit excitable, but a good colt, and Ah figure he won’t try to talk ‘Bloom inta somethin’ she ain’t ready fer.

“‘Bout ready ‘Bloom?” Ah asked.

She looked at me a little surprised, and then she nodded.

“Come back and see us whenever you want,” Stephanie said.

“We will, and if’n ya’ll want Ah’ll tell Mac and Jessica ‘bout the party too,” Ah replied.

She nodded. It’d be good to be with friends. Ah got hooked up to the wagon, and ‘Bloom and me made our track back to the farm.

“Sis, what do ya figure Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle are a doin’?” she asked.

“Ah can’t say Ah know ‘Bloom. Ah know Big Macintosh said that he dun saw Pinkie a while back. He said she t’was with a right nice fella. Ah guess that if’n she’s here then maybe Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle are too,” Ah said.

“Where do ya reckon they are?” she asked.

“Ah dun know ‘Bloom. Ah figure they got ta be around somewhere, and Ah’m sure that they’ll find ya. The three of ya were peas in a pod. Ain’t nothing gonna change that,” Ah said.

“Ya think that they’ll pick on me ‘bout Harold?” she asked.

“‘Bloom, they’re your friends. Of course they’re gonna pick on ya a little, but only ‘cause they like ya,” Ah replied.

We got back to the farm in time to see a large figure walking toward the barn. Ah saw a torch in his hand and saw him trying to toss it.

“Hold it right there!” Ah yelled.

He didn’t even wait. His wrist flicked and Ah saw the torch hit the hay loft of the barn. Ah saw Big Macintosh running fer the barn and Ah ran toward the big fella. He tried to out run me, but ain’t no one gonna outrun a set of apple, and recently peach, bucking legs! Ah jumped and tackled him knocking ‘im to the ground. ‘Fore Ah could get a word out Ah felt something hit me right across ma muzzle.

I rolled off and he stood up.

Now, Ah’ve seen all kinds of these humans, but this was the first time Ah’ve ever seen one that looked like he could be a match for Big Macintosh.

“You wanna tussell do ya?” he asked.

“Mr. Ya ain’t never known what a tussell is until ya’d tusselled with an Apple,” Ah replied.

He jumped toward me, and Ah jumped back. Ah kicked out with my right leg and felt it connect with part of him. Ah expected him to slow down, but instead he caught my leg, twisted it, and made me lose balance. Ah heard ‘im falling, and Ah rolled outta the way. Ah got ta my hooves and watched him get to his feet.

In the dim light Ah could see the slight crook in his nose that Big Macintosh had caused in their fight.

“Don’t ya get it? Yer not takin’ on a single guy here! Yer takin’ on the entire McDonald’s Corporate Farm! They ain’t gonna let this be!” he shouted.

“Mister, if’n they plan on takin’ on us they better pack a lunch, ‘cause we’re in this for the long haul,” Ah said.

He grinned, but the entire time his eyes seemed to follow ever’ move Ah made. Ah could tell that Ah wasn’t just having a tussell with somepony who didn’t know how to fight. He knew, and he was waitin’ fer me to make a mistake.

He moved toward ma left, giving me a half hearted kick. Ah reacted like he must have wanted, ‘cause he stopped the kick and instead jumped toward me. Ah felt his shoulder connect with ma waist, and suddenly Ah was knocked to the ground. Ah kicked up and Ah saw his eyes close tight. There was no doubt in ma mind that Ah got ‘im in the tater sack.

He groaned, rolled away from me, and Ah stood up.

“Damn it, I’m trying to be nice about this. It ain’t often I git folks that can fight,” he said.

“Same here,” Ah replied.

“They ain’t gonna stop. Whatever happened it was enough to piss them off. They’re right mad about it, and they ain’t gonna stop until either they’ve made you move, or you’ve proved that there ain’t a damned thing they can do to get to ya,” he said.

“Like Ah said, they’re gonna have ta pack a lunch,” Ah said.

He smiled at me, turned, and waved.

“Maybe we’ll see each other again,” he said.

“Ah otta take what ya did outa yer hide!” Ah shouted.

“I’ll give you another chance,” he replied as walked off of our property.

Author's Note

(And here’s the latest chapter of An Apple in a Bushel of Peaches. Yeah… I’m introducing the Bruiser here, and you’ll get to see the fight between him and Big Mac in Plowed Fields.

Thanks for reading and commenting.

LF)

More than Friends?

An Apple in a Bushel of Peaches

Chapter 3 ‘More than Friends?’

An Applejack in the Vogonverse story

Ah saw Anthony as he tried to help with the peaches. He was still favoring his side, and ah was surprised to see ‘im out here helping us. The first week of getting ‘im back on his feet was hard. He had lost so much blood that Ah thought he was gonna die. He surprised us all, and hung in there. What he finally confessed ta me ‘bout his family made ma blood boil.

“I don’t got any family. Not anymore,” he had said.

“What cha mean?” Ah asked.

“Do you really want ta hear this?”

Ah nodded and watched him.

“My pa was a pimp, my mom was one of his working girls. When she got pregnant with me he beat the living hell outta her. He wanted her to miscarry, get rid of the little bastard she was carrying, but I was too damned ornery to die. So, when mom had me he tried to make her dump me off somewhere. That’s when mom tried to leave. She tried again, and again over the years as I grew up. My lullabys were the sounds of him beating her, screaming at her, and finally when a john that feel in love with her taught her how to shoot a gun, her killing the bastard,” he took a breath, “She wasn’t even given a trial. They took her off, and they left me inside of the stacks.”

Ah listened as he told the rest of his story. He had grown up learning what it meant to survive. The things he had to do as a colt, it made me want to cuddle him something fierce, and let him know that it would be okay. The days turned into a week, and now they turned into two weeks. Pinkie’s wedding was still on ma mind, and so was Anthony.

If’n Ah was gonna ta be honest, and honesty is kinda ma thing, Ah couldn’t help but look at him. He was a bigin, his muscles all worked in under that skin of his in a way that grabbed ma attention, but his scars. Landsakes there was a bunch of ‘em. Ah could see places he had been burnt, stabbed, and Celestia knows what else. A rough life weren’t the half of it. Ah watched as he picked up a bushel of peaches. He carried the large wood basket with little trouble, and then he stopped by where Ah was peach bucking.

“Need me to carry that one?” he asked.

“Naw, ‘Bloom should be out here in a minute,” Ah said.

“No sense in making that girl do the heavy lifting,” he replied.

Ah watched as he heffed the large basket up, and carried it along with the one he had. Ah didn’t want to stare. Ah was gettin’ used to the idea of him being here, and Ah was starting to trust him a little. His savin’ me and ‘Bloom went a long way in gettin’ that trust, but it weren’t right to be lookin’ at him. Especially when Ah was thinking ‘bout the way the muscles in his back flexed and moved.

“Luna’s teats, get a hold of yerself Applejack. Y’all’s acting like it’s the first day of yer estrus cycle,” Ah whispered to maself.

“Those hurt?” Ah heard ‘Bloom.

Ah turned around to see her standing there with Anthony. He had just put the baskets on the closest wagon, and he knelt down to her.

“Not really. The only one that still bothers me a little is the newest one. The rest of ‘em are just memories,” he said.

“What kind of memories?” she asked.

Ah walked closer as he knelt down ta her level.

“Well, the kind that helps remind me to faster than the guy that’s trying to hurt me or my friends,” he answered.

“Why’d they try ta hurt ya?” Apple Bloom asked.

Ah listened, wanting to hear something else about his childhood. Something that didn’t involve an awful stallion of a father.

“Well, when there’s a large group of people crammed into a place, and somebody’s got something. Maybe they got some extra food for their kids, or it could be that they’ve got a game that lets them not think about life for a few hours. Whatever it is that they’ve got those other folks want it. They want to have it, and they don’t think that it’s fair that one person should have it to themselves,” he said.

“Couldn’t they share?” she asked.

Ah couldn’t be more proud of ‘Bloom. Thinkin’ ‘bout others like that was something that came natural to us Apples, and it was somethin’ Ah knew she’d do in a second.

“They could, but then their kids might go hungry, or they might never get their game back. Some people still share anyway, but there are some folks in those crowded places that have been without for so long that when they get a little bit they can’t handle it. They want it all. They don’t ever want to go without again, and it leads to fights. Sometimes somebody gets killed. I used ta help make sure that didn’t happen. I didn’t want my friends gettin’ hurt, and I didn’t want anyone to take my stuff,” he said.

“They’d kill each other over some food?” she asked.

“Sometimes. Where I came from originally… It was a bad place. People there had lost hope, and all they had to look forward to was the little escapes they could afford,” he said.

“Why didn’t they have hope? Granny Smith always said that no matter how bad things might git a pony’s gotta hope for a better day. Ah believe that. Ah believe a new day is a chance fer things ta be better,” she replied.

Ah walked toward her and knelt down next ta ma little sis.

“And that’s the right attitude ‘Bloom, but from what Anthony here has told me already most of these folks have grown up in this. They’ve never known anything but what’s right there in front of ‘em,” Ah said.

“Can’t we help? Ah mean can’t we give ‘em something ta hope fer?” she asked.

“Maybe, if we could ever stop the Corporate Farms, we could possibly help make sure they had enough food ta eat. I know Rider Farms sells their food cheaper, and has a contract with the Government for their food vouchers, but it’s not enough,” he answered.

“Back home in Equestria all of us Earth Ponies grew enough food for everypony! Ah bet we could do it here!” she said excitedly.

Ah wasn’t sure what I expected him ta do. Anthony was a strange one. He was loyal ta ones he considered friends, and he went on about his honor. Ah just didn’t expect ta see a softer side ta him. He reached out and wrapped ‘Bloom into a hug.

“Don’t ever lose that. Don’t lose that part of ya that says ya can change the world. The world needs more folks that believe that,” he said.

She hugged him back, and Ah felt something inside of maself. Something that just woke up, and it dun told me that Ah needed to be near ‘im. Ah pushed it back. There had been a few stallions that called on me before, but ain’t one of ‘em t’was able to keep up with me, or with Big Macintosh. He stood up, looked around at the bushels still on the ground, and then at the house.

“What do you guys say to finishing up out here, and then taking a break for some lunch?” he asked.

“That sounds good!”

Ah watched Apple Bloom as she took off toward one of the bushels and lifted it. She carried it toward the wagon only ta git some help from Anthony. Smiling Ah walked over and began heffing up some bushels and carrying ‘em toward the wagon as well. It didn’t take long, and we filled the back of the wagon. Thisun was a heading toward the bakery up the road a piece, and the other one already in the barn was a heading off to the farmer’s market.

The smell of beans, fried taters, corn bread, and peach fritters filled the air near the farm house. We walked toward it and made it inside to see Big Macintosh coming in behind us. Ah knew he had went to work on the left side of the orchard, and Ah could see the sweat jest pourin’ off of him.

“Lunch is nearly ready,” Jessica said.

Ah watched her carry out a pan of cornbread. It smelled so good that ma mouth was a watering somethin’ terrible. Before she could even turn around Big Macintosh skedaddled right inta that kitchen.

“You don’t have to do that,” she said as he carried out the beans.

“Eeeyup,” he said.

“Macintosh Apple I’m pregnant, I’m not an invalid,” she said.

“It smells mighty good Ma’am,” Anthony said.

“Look, Mr. Vercetti, either you can call me Jessica, and I can call you Anthony, or you call me Ma’am and I’ll call you Mr. Vercetti,” she said.

“Okay, Jessica, but it feels kind of odd to call someone that’s an employer by her first name,” he said.

Ah helped ‘Bloom set the table, and the five of us sat down ta a purty good lunch. Ah knew that afterwhile we’d be having beans again, but that didn’t bother me too much. Jessica said a quick bit of grace over the food, and we began tearing inta it. There ain’t nothing, but nothing like a good plate of beans, cornbread, and fried taters after a good mornin’ of peach buckin’. Ah watched ‘Bloom as she broke her cornbread up inta the beans and let it soak up the juice, but me, naw, Ah wanted to get some butter on ma cornbread.

Ah started to reach for the butter only ta find that Anthony was holding it out ta me. Ah cut a piece of the stick of butter off, and Ah tried my hardest not think about what Ah was a feelin’ earlier.

Ah just needed ta do a heap more peach buckin’. That’s all there was ta it.

“Food’s really good,” Anthony said.

“Thanks, most of it is my Granny’s old recipes. She never liked to let anybody go hungry,” Jessica said.

We all enjoyed the food, and Apple Bloom went to tellin’ Jessica ‘bout her ideas of helping everypony. Jessica smiled, and told her that maybe she’d be the one ta do it. After a minute there was a weird chiming sound, and Jessica got up and grabbed her tablet thing and pressed a couple of buttons.

“Madam, you have an email,” the voice said.

The first time Ah heard that voice Ah nearly jumped outta my skin, but Jessica told me that it was a digital assistant she had. Since then Ah’ve talked to Hal a handful of times, but Ah kind of find that digital assistant to be a little hoity toity for my taste. Plus there’s all of this Madam business. Ah ain’t no madam, and Ah don’t like to be called one.

“Hey, we’re being invited to a bachelor and bachelorette party. It’s Pinkie Pie’s and Andy Williams… Oh wow, I mean I know we met him that one time… She wants to invite Mac, Applejack, Apple Bloom, myself, and Applejack’s coltfriend?” Jessica said.

Ah shook ma head. This was Pinkie being Pinkie. Ah swear that girl could tell just about anything that was a coming with that Pinkie Sense of hers. Ah looked at Anthony who seemed to be a bit confused.

“Where’s this shindig gonna happen?” Ah asked.

“The tickets for the train are for Las Vegas,” she said.

Author's Note

(First update in a while on this one. So, this is the leading upto chapter. The next chapter for An Apple in a Bushel of Peaches is going to be during the bachelor and bachelorette parties. Expect to see a little fun here and there.

Thanks,

LF)

What Las Vegas, not Las Pegasus?

An Apple in a Bushel of Peaches

Chapter 4 - ‘Wait, Las Vegas, not Las Pegasus?’ Part 1 of 2

And Applejack in the Vogonverse story

Ah looked around at the compartment we was in. Pinkie and Andy had been right nice to get us two different compartments, and right now ‘Bloom was down in the dining car gettin’ some vittles. Ah looked at Anthony who was leaning back, acting peaceful, and relaxing. Grinning, Ah grabbed a pillow from the other bunk and tossed it at him. It hit him and Ah watched as he quickly sat up. He looked more tense ma rope when Ah was trying to hog tie an escaped sow back at Sweet Apple Acres. He saw me, looked at the pillow, and then Ah watched him laugh, grab the pillow, and toss it toward me.

Ah grabbed up the pillow, and in minutes the two of us were swinging those things at each other, and having such a good time it coulda been a hootenanny! We stopped and Ah looked at his smiling face. Ah leaned forward, catching him in a kiss. There was things Ah didn’t know. Several things that Ah’d never claim to know, but Ah know when ya’ve found that one stallion. There’s just something inside of ya that makes ya realize this was gonna be the father of yer foals.

He leaned back, looking up at me with those purty eyes of his.

Say it. Come on you dunderhead say it. Ah’m all yer’s if’n ya say it! Ah thought.

“Applejack, I don’t rightly know if’n I’ve got the right to say what want to say. It’s not like I have a ton of money, and basically the only thing I’ve ever been good at is either fighting or working. I don’t know what I could ever even hope to offer you, but I love ya. I got interested in ya back before I came to stay with all of y’all, but you’re a good woman, a hard worker, and damn beautiful to boot. You’re honest, and I…” Ah stopped him with another kiss.

Ah felt his arms around me. Ah hugged him back, feeling the taunt muscles in his back, and at the same time enjoying the feeling of his strong arms around me. We broke our kiss and Ah looked into his grey eyes. The way they shined told me the truth. He wasn’t lying about what he told me. We changed positions, slowly, his hands moving down ma sides, reaching ma hips, and caressing them. Ah could feel him stroking ma cutie marks through ma jeans, and then he kissed ma neck.

“Ah ain’t… Ah mean sure, Ah helped Fluttershy out once or twice with her heat, but Ah ain’t never had a stallion ‘fore,” Ah admitted.

He looked at me, his hands at the bottom of ma shirt, one of them under it feeling me.

“If you want to, I’ll be gentle, and if you don’t we won’t go any further,” he said.

“Ah, want to. Ah trust ya Anthony, Ah trust ya and Ah love ya,” Ah said.

~~~~~(Clop Starts Here)~~~~~

It started slow. He kissed me again, before tugging ma shirt off. Ah felt him kissing down ma neck, to ma shoulder, and then his hands moved under ma breasts. Ah felt him tickling me slightly, but it wasn’t trying to get me ta laugh. He kissed down further and then Ah felt his lips find one of ma nipples. They covered it, sucking it inside, and his tongue tickling the tip of it. Ah barely felt his hands unbuttoning ma jeans. When he began to pull them down Ah lifted ma hips, and Ah felt his head move. He kisses rained down ma stomach, eventually finding the spot above ma panties; his lips lingered on ma pubic mound for a spell and then he slipped them underpants off.

He kissed me, gently, and then Ah felt his tongue lick ma coat from but from lower than evah. It was weird, him startin’ down below ma taint. Ah dunno what scared ma more: the fact that he did that or the fact that Ah liked it. When he found ma little love button Ah practically jumped outta ma skin! Ah let out a deep moan as his mouth made love to me. Ah put my hands on the back of his head. ma whole body was on fire; the place where Anthony was making ma feel good coursed with electricity. Ah ain’t ever felt so good in ma whole life!

“Oh Celestia, dun’t stop!” Ah cried out.

Ah felt him moving around, his tongue moving to different places, and suddenly Ah felt him touch somewhere that made my hips buck forward. A soft moan escaped ma lips and he did it again. Something inside of me was wanting this, and everythin’ else. Ah wanted him inside of me, thrusting, making me his mare, and Ah wanted it something fierce. He looked up at me, and his chin was slick with ma Apple juice.

“App..” he started before Ah shook ma head.

“Ah want you in me now,” Ah said.

He slid his jeans, shirt, and boxers off. He did so slowly, tauntin’ ma. An have never been so turned on in ma life, but there Ah was, a bitch in heat. (Heh, heat, so close to th’ truth.) Ah looked at ma prize and for a moment Ah wondered how it was gonna fit. Ah ain’t never had anything bigger than a finger in there; he was long, thick, and veiny. Ah was a might scared. Well, a might is a little of an understatement. Ah was frightened. Ah, uh, ah’ve seen Big mac, once. He wasn’t called big for nothin’. Anthony, he was in a whole ‘nother league. He looked at me, and there was a tenderness in his eyes.

“I’ll be careful,” he promised.

He settled himself ta where he was just a smidgen shy of ma sex. I was horribly nervous; it was ma first time, ever, and he had a log between his legs. He prodded at ma canal, his heat feedin’ into ma own. Ah was so anxious fer it ta happen but at tha same time, Ah was frightened. Oh, if Rainbow Dash saw ma now, she’d be laughin’. Then Ah’d belt her one, for bein’ so insensitive. All that was washed out when Anthony slid forward, plungin’ into ma depths. Oh, my Faust, that was glorious!

Ah felt him push forward, there was a feeling of something pushing into me, much like when I had diddled a little during one heat, but it was larger, thicker. Ah grunted as he slowly pushed in, letting me get used to the size, and then Ah felt him push on into me. He was completely seated inside of me, and Ah had never felt so full. He pulled out, and the feeling of being empty made me want to pull him right back. Ah let with a whine; Ah ain’t whined since Ah was a wee filly and that was many, many moons ago.

Ah guess he realized what Ah wanted because he pushed back into me and filled me again. Ah moaned as the feeling inside ma washed over ma body. It consumed every sense Ah had and Ah welcomed tha oblivion. It was the kinda thing Ah hadn’t known Ah needed but it was welcome all the same. Now Ah understand way Rares called her climaxes “la petite morte.” It certainly felt like Ah died but that was okay; Ah reveled in it, lettin’ go of ma everyday cares with the orchard and ma little sis. Ah was a mare, Ah had needs, and Anthony was plowin’ ma fields and sowin’ seeds. Ah wouldn’t have any other way and that’s a fact.

“I love you, Jackie,” he said.

Ah looked at him, at ma stallion, and Ah knew that Ah wouldn’t ever love anypony else, not like Ah loved him. Ah rolled ma hips and felt him pull back and push forward as I did.

“Ah love you too, Anthony… Now quit teasin’ ma. Rut ma, you stallion. Rut ma wild and silly and mad. Make me yer mare,” Ah said as best I could.

Anthony didn’t let up, bless ‘im. He just kept at it. Oh, Celestia, oh LAWD, Ah ain’t ever felt this good, not even when Ah went with rarity that time for a hooficure. (Ah’m afraid to admit that Ah kinda like that hooficure nonsense. Ah may need to ask Jessica if there’s anythin’ like that here.) There’s a sayin’ in tha Apple Family- Well, there’s plenah a sayin’s but there’s one Ah think fits what was happenin’ ta me. The sayin’ goes, “A stallion is the only animal that can be skinned twice.” Then an other one came ta ma “The ugliest filly is the best housewife.”

“Anthony,” Ah gasped as he continued to thrust within ma,.

“Yeah, Jackie,” He breathes, stoppin’ while he’s hilted inside ma.

“Do ya think Ah’m pretty?”

“Jackie,” Anthony moans, “of course yer pretty. You’re about the prettiest girl I dun ever saw.”

“Ya mean that?” Ah ask.

Anthony nods, sayin’, “I’ve been places, Jackie, where there’s a pretty girl on every corner. They ain’t like ya and for that Ah’m glad.”

“Why?” Ah wonder.

“Cuz I ain’t got worry about there bein’ annehb’dy else,” Anthony answers, “there cain't be anybody prettier than yah.”

“Oh, Anthony,” I coo, “Ya’ll gonna make me blush, yet.”

“Really?” Anthony asks, “well, I better keep it up.”

Anthony starts back up an’ Ah’m lost in the feelin’. Ah didn’t think Ah’d ever get to know what it was like to a be a sausage, but with Anthony constantly fillin’ me up, Ah may as well be. He kept at it, taking up over cliffs of desire. Back home, Ah never had this much- feelin’ when the girls were helpin’ me out. Now, whoa nelly! Ah think Ah’m gonna-

“Jackie,” Anthony groaned, “Ah cain’t hold it any longer…”

“Anthony, Anthony, oh Celestia, ANTHONY-!” Ah screamed.

Ah felt it when Anthony’s rod twitched for the first time. It lept up inside mah and I nearly sat up, bolt straight. As it was, Ah lost all bodily control; Ah was seizin’ up som’thin’ awful. It was kinda terrifyin’ but it also felt really good! Ah could feel ‘im spillin his seed inside mah, sowing his oats within my fields. It was the most wonderful feelin’ ever! Ah swear, he done filled mah up to burstin’!

When it was over and Anthony stopped squirtin’ his love juice in mah passage, he flopped down beside mah. Ah flet one of his meaty arms wrap around mah shoulders, his face nuzzlin’ inta mah neck and his breath ticklin’ mah coat. He was warm, sweaty, and musky. But he was mine, all mine, and if Ah had to rut him till his brains fried and his pole broke, Ah would. Ah ain’t ever gonna let somepony that made mah feel so pretty and so loved get away. Ah am an Apple, after all.

~~~~~(Clop Ends here)

Ah lay ther’ in the afterglow of what we’d done. Ma stallion had me wrapped up in his arms, ma head lying on his shoulder. Ever’thing was different and still the same. Ah wasn’t sure how to really put it into words. All Ah knew was that Ah was part of som’thin’ bigger than maself. Ah was still an Apple, and Ah’d always be an Apple, but Ah was startin’ ma own family.

“No regrets?” he asked.

“Nawt a one,” Ah replied.

Ah felt plum sleepy. It was like Ah’d done spent the last several hours apple bucking. Ah felt him strokin’ ma back, his fingers lightly rubbing into ma fur, and Ah wondered if it would always be like this. Would we always be like this to each other? Ah remember ma Mama and Pa, and Ah remember them loving one another, teasing each other, and ma Mama swishing her tail a certain way that got ma Pa’s attention. Ma eyes widened.

Pa would disappear with Mama in the barn, or out in the back orchard, or into the house ta help when her tail would swish that way. Oh sweet Celestia they were a goin’ at it like a couple of rabbits! Ah felt him move, and he pulled the sheet up over us. Ah dun’t ‘member when Ah’d felt so satisfied, safe, and happy, and then the doors open.

“Big sis, they got fifty flavors of Ice Cream! And they even had Apple Pie flavor! And what are you two doing?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Jest lying here,” Ah said.

Ah wasn’t lying to her. We was jest lying there together, now. It was a different story about fifteen minutes ago. At that point ma hooves were trying to touch ma ears. Ah felt Anthony’s fingers lightly tickle me, and Ah realized that he was trying to tease me with ma sister in here.

“Ya look all sweaty. What was y’all a doin’?” she asked.

“Bloom, Ah think that we’d both like some of that Ice Cream. Why dun’t ya go and git us both some? How about that Apple Pie kind you talked ‘bout,” Ah said.

She cocked her eyebrow at me and looked at me the same way Ah’d seen Granny Smith look at both of us ‘fore. She turned around and then studied us both again.

“Ah’m gonna go… But Ah think we ought talk afterwhile,” she said before she left.

She stepped out and Ah pulled the sheet off of us. Quickly Ah began grabbing ma clothes and tossing Anthony his.

“So, what’s bothering you?” he asked.

“Ah love ya, and Ah want Apple Bloom to know, but… Ah ain’t ready to let her know that her big sis is…” Ah stopped as he pulled me into a hug.

“It’s okay,” he said.

“Thanks, Ah love ya Anthony,” Ah said before I finished getting dressed.

Author's Note

(Sorry for the long delay, but I’m back. A huge bit of thanks to L0rd0f7hund3r for the help witht this chapter!)

Home, Love, and Discovered Secrets

An Apple in a Bushel of Peaches

Chapter 5 - ‘Home, Love, and Discovered Secrets’

An Applejack in the Vogonverse Story

Did it ever feel good gettin’ home. Ah enjoyed the weddin’, loved the time we spent in Las Vegas with Pinkie, and enjoyed the fact that fer a couple of days Ah was just a mare, with her stallion, and able to jest enjoy being able ta do the things a mare does with her stallion. Right now Ah was lying next to ma stallion, his arms holding me, the air smelling of our musk, and everythin’ was right with the world.

That’s when Ah heard the sound of hoofsteps outside of ma door. Ah looked up to see a shodow and then Ah saw the door knob turning. Ah looked at Anthony who shrugged his shoulders. Thinkin’ quick Ah grabbed ma blanket and pulled it over him. Ah hoped that ‘Bloom wouldn’t ask about what was under that old blanket, ‘cause Ah wasn’t sure Ah could lie ta her.

She opened the door, and there was that sweet smile of hers as she walked in.

"Applejack, what are ya a doin'?" Applebloom asked.

Ah looked at ma sister and tried to think of how to answer. Ah swallowed back the nervous feelin' Ah had and smiled at ma sister.

"Nothing," Ah replied.

Ah watched as she walked up to ma bed, hoped on, and there was a sound Ah couldn't explain away.

"What in tarnation is that?!" she asked as she jumped up.

Ma ears splayed out like a little filly that had just got caught doin’ something she aught not ta be. Ah swallowed down the nervous feelin’ Ah had and tried to think ‘bout how Ah was a gonna explain it when Anthony cleared his throat.

“She’s going to find out sooner or later,” he said.

He sat up and Ah watched ma sister’s eyes get wide.

“What… What in tarnation is a going on?” she asked.

“Well, see, ‘Bloom we jest… Ah dun’t know how to say this,” Ah said looking at Anthony.

She looked at us confused fer a moment.

“Was y’all havin’ a tussel?” she asked.

"Naw, it wasn't a tussel, Ya see... Well, yer sister and me, we like each other. We like each other enough that we like to have a roll in the hay together," he replied.

Ah could see the way she were looking at him, and Ah knew that ther’ was a question she was a gonna ask. Ah waited fer a moment before ‘Bloom walked toward him and touched his arm.

“Are ya gonna marry ma sister?” she asked.

Ah looked at Anthony, and Ah watched a smile cross his lips.

“I’d like ta. I like ta if’n she’d have me,” he replied.

Ah looked at him and felt kinda flustered. Here Ah was worried ‘bout ‘Bloom finding out ‘bout what we’ve been a doin’, and then Ah heard ma stallion tell ma little sister that he wants ta marry me. Ah felt him wrap his arms around me, and Ah felt his lips touchin’ the back of ma neck.

“So yer gonna be ma other brother?” she asked.

“I’d like ta. I really would, but that’s just as much up to Applejack as it to me,” he said.

Ah felt ma heart jump when he said that. Ah love Anthony, Ah do, but marriage is a different bushel of apples. But as Ah think about it… It might be the best thing in the world.

“He’s gonna be your other brother ‘Bloom,” Ah said.

She smiled, ran down stairs and Ah felt Anthony wrap me up into a tight hug.

“She knows,” he said.

“Eeeeyup, she does, and Ah’m glad. Ah didn’t like hidin’ this… But Ah got to think that Big Mac is goin’ ta have words with ya,” Ah said.

“I can handle it,” he said before he kissed my neck.

Author's Note

Short chapter. I do plan on making up for it with the next two.

RJP

Plantin' Seeds

An Apple in a Bushel of Peaches

Chapter 6 - ‘Plantin’ Seeds’

An Applejack in the Vogonverse Story

The last few days Ah felt something coming on that Ah usually was able ta work through, but it weren’t havin’ it. Ah felt it getting worse, and now Ah was out in the field, naked, sweatin’, and tryin’ ma hardest not ta just let it take me. Ah lifted a bushel of peaches up, carried ‘em ta the wagon, and Ah smelled him. Sweet Celestia he smelt all kinds of wonderful.

“You okay darlin’?” Anthony asked.

Ah walked closer to ‘im, pulled the tie outta ma mane, and let it fall all natural like. Ah came up ta ‘im and leaned in toward him. Ma body was a cryin’ out fer him something awful, and Ah knew Ah couldn’t deny it. Ah leaned in, kissed him, and felt him pullin’ me close to ‘im. His hands moved down ma back ‘till they came to ma cutie marks and then he gave those a little squeeze. Ah moaned out ma need in that kiss. Ah let him know what Ah needed, and Ah felt him lift me a little.

Ah felt him hold on ta me as he climbed up into the hay loft. Ah weren’t innocent no more, but this were perfect. This is where Ah wanted to do this. There was a connection with this old barn, maybe ‘cause it reminded me of home, but it was there. Ah couldn’t wait fer him ta get undressed. Ma hands found his shirt, ripping it open, and Ah moved on until Ah had ‘im as naked as Ah was. Ah looked at ma stallion, the way he held himself, and Ah wanted him ta take and rut me.

“Ah need ya… Anthony Ah need ya so bad. Please,” Ah found maself sayin’.

He went ta kissin’ my shoulder, givin’ me little love bites, and then he stopped. Ah saw ‘im lookin’ at me and a crooked smile crossed his lips. He leaned forward and mashed those same lips against ma own. Our mouths opened, ma tongue found his and Ah began wrestling with it. Ah knew that he could smell what was a goin’ on. Ah was in heat, and there was no way that ma stallion couldn’t miss that. He pulled back from the kiss and Ah felt him kissin’ down my stomach, ta ma marehood. Ah felt him kiss me, deepen it, and his tongue were doin’ pretty amazing things inside of me. My hands found the back of his head as Ah pulled ‘im closer.

There ain’t nothing as good as feelin’ the stallion ya wanna have foals with lickin’ ya like he was lickin’ a bowl of apple cobbler clean. Ah felt maself gettin’ purty close, and Ah let out a moan. Ah meant ta warn Anthony, but all Ah could do was moan and enjoy the wonderful things he was a doin’ ta me. He was explorin’ me and Ah was more than happy ta let him. Ah felt him moving, his fingers holding me against him as Ah held him where he was. Ah felt myself slippin’ inta that wonderful feelin’ and then Ah felt ma orgasm. Oh Sweet Celestia it felt so darned good!

“ANTHONY!” Ah cried out as Ah came. He came up, his mouth covered with ma juices.

Ah let out a soft moan, and felt him against me. His impressive rod pressing against ma folds. A moment later he was buried inside of me. Ah felt him feel me so completely, and then in a moment Ah was empty again. Ah can’t lie, Ah almost whined like a little filly when he did that, but he seemed to realize what Ah wanted and filled me again. He took control, became dominant, and Ah loved every moment of it. He held me close as he was buried deep inside of me. Ah moaned deeply as he filled and emptied me over and over again.

Ah could feel him twitchin’ inside, the size gettin’ a little bigger, and Ah knew that he was gittin’ close. Ah felt him hittin’ ma depths, and the way he was a rubbin’ me inside was causin’ me ta reach another orgasm.

“Anthony… Oh sweet Celestia rut me harder Anthony!” Ah cried out.

Ah felt him get off of me fer a second, and then he helped me turn over. Ma tail moved out of the way and I felt him back inside of me. Ah went ta moaning deeply as he pulled me inta each thrust. It felt wonderful, and Ah knew that bein’ with ‘im was a slice of heaven right here on Earth. He pulled me close, liftin’ me up and his hands went to ma breasts. Ah felt his lips on ma neck.

“I love you Jackie,” he said.

Ah ground my hips against ‘im, loving the feel of him inside of me, loving the fact that he was doing more than rutting me. He was making love ta me. Ah lowered back down and felt him continue to thrust into ma depths. It didn’t take long and Ah found that beautiful place where a mare goes when she’s reached the peak and then jumped off. Ah clamped down hard around his impressive tool and Ah felt him pull me as far down on him as he could.

The feeling of his love filling me… Ah dun’t think there is anything in the world Ah could compare it to. All Ah knew was that Ah was loved, Ah was his mare, and he was my stallion. We collapsed into a heap tagether, and he pulled me close. Both of us breathing hard, our bodies tired, but there was something more.

I touched ma belly, and ma heat weren’t as bad as it was before. Ah felt him still holding me, his impressive tool still inside of me.

“We’re gonna have ta get married,” Ah said.

Ah felt him kiss my shoulder.

“I’m fine with that,” he replied.

“Good, ‘cause Ah think yer gonna be a daddy,” Ah replied.

Ah wasn’t a bit surprised by Anthony hugging me closer. Ah could feel him shrinking a little inside, but he was still in there, still part of me.

“I’m fine with that. I’d like ta think that I could be a good father,” he said.

Ah smiled. Everything ‘bout him pointed ta Anthony bein’ a good father, a good stallion, and somepony that would raise his foals up ta be honest. Not ta mention that Ah’m purty sure he’d teach them ta be able ta finish a fight somepony else started. Ah got comfortable next ta ma stallion, lovin’ the feelin’ of us bein’ like this. His arms wrapped around me, being up against him, knowing that Ah was loved, and now having a feeling that we were gonna have a foal or two.

“You know, I’m fine with us workin’ on having little ones all day,” he said.

“Ah think that Ah’m a gonna hold ya ta that,” Ah replied.

He went ta kissin, on ma shoulder, finding that spot that made me all melty fer ‘im, and Ah found maself ready ta work on our foals some more. He’d stoked the fire of ma heat, and Ah wanted him to cool it back down again.

It didn’t take him long ta get back ta where he was earlier. Loving him was something worth facing anything fer, and Ah was glad that he felt the same way. We went on, fer hours, and it was well after the sun had sat that we finally settled. Ah was being held by ma stallion, he was deep inside ma folds, and Ah was facing him this time. We kissed, and then Ah nuzzled him.

“Ah love ya Anthony,” Ah said before my eyes closed.

“I love ya too Jackie,” he replied.

Ah began to dream, and Ah saw several little foals running around. All of them happy, healthy, and all of ‘em Apples.

Author's Note

(And here's the latest chapter of An Apple in a Bushel of Peaches. There's a wedding in the future for our country mare, and before long... there's going to be somepony else joining the family.)

'Neigh'bors

An Apple in a Bushel of Peaches

Chapter 7 - ‘Neighbors’

An Applejack in the Vogonverse Story

Ah had to look at the ring on ma finger again. Ah didn’t know when Anthony had managed ta find the time ta git it, but Ah couldn’t help but smile when Ah looked at it. There was a weight ta it. Somethin’ more than jest the little bit of gold and the small diamond on it. Naw, there was somethin’ else there that said Ah was gonna be a married mare soon.

Ah touched ma stomach and realized that would be a good thing. Ah could see the beginnin’ of a bump there, and Ah knew that Ah had a foal or two waitin’ ta pop out. Ah was happy, but Ah felt kinda scared to. Ah was so young when ma Mama and Daddy passed on. Ah remembered how much it hurt, and Ah remember how Ah had to step up, be a mare, and help raise Applebloom.

Celestia forgive me there was times Ah absolutely wanted ta hate ‘Bloom. Ah did ‘cause Ah didn’t git ta go do much of nothin’ ‘sept watchin’ ‘Bloom, well watchin’ her and changin’ her diaper. Ah ain’t scared ‘bout being a mama, but Ah am scared ‘bout somethin’ happenin’ ta me or ta Anthony. Ah jest dun’t want ta leave nun of ma foals like Ah was left. Ah touched ma belly again and Ah looked at the sleepin’ stallion ‘side me. Anthony, he’s a good stallion, and Ah know that he’s gonna be a good Daddy to our foals.

“What’s botherin’ ya?” I heard ‘im mumble.

“Ah…” Ah stopped and collected maself, “Ah jest worryin’ Nothin’ bad, jest worryin’ ‘bout our foals.”

Ah saw him raise up, look at me fer a second, and Ah realized that Ah might have dun went and stepped in it.

“Ain’t nothin’ wrong, least not that Ah can tell, but Ah… Ah told ya ‘bout ma parents, what happened, right?” Ah asked.

He nodded and Ah took a moment ‘fore Ah breathed out.

“Ah’m worried that might happen ta our foals. It ain’t right to leave ‘em like that, and Ah… Ah dun’t want ta wish that on ‘em. Ah dun’t want a little filly of mine feelin’ like she got the wrong end of the stick. Ah know it sounds silly…” I said before I felt two lips against my own.

When he backed up Ah looked at him.

“Jackie, we ain’t gonna leave our kids like that. Fer one, I plan on having somebody be their godparents, and two, well, I’m gonna do damned well everything I can to make sure we don’t leave ‘em like that,” he said.

Ah leaned against ‘im, feeling his strong arms ‘round me, and Ah believed that he’d do that. He’d do everythin’ he could ta make sure we wouldn’t be leavin’ our foals behind.

“Breakfast!!!!!!” the shout from downstairs called out

Ah wasn’t quite ready ta git up, and Ah knew that Anthony wouldn’t make me move yet. Ah felt like Ah could stay right there, right in that spot, and not have ta worry ‘bout nothin’ else ever again. He felt so soft against ma fur, soft and warm, and even with the chores that needed to be dun Ah jest wanted ta be right there, right then.

“Sis? Ain’t ya gonna come down fer Breakfast?” ‘Bloom’s voice asked from outside our door.

“In a minute ‘Bloom,” Ah said.

“Dun’t go and take too long. Jessica has fixed up a full platter of peach fritters, and she even made some chocolate chip waffles,” she said.

Ah felt ma belly growl, and even though Ah wanted to stay here, the foal or foals Ah had growin’ inside of me wanted to get some vittles in ‘em.

“Suppose we ought ta go down stairs and have some breakfast,” Ah said.

Ah felt his hug tighten, pullin’ me closer, and after a moment he gave me a little nuzzle.

“Sounds good,” he said.

Ah watched as he got up, and Ah couldn’t help but see the way his muscles worked against those scars of his. It still made me hurt somethin’ awful ta know that the stallion Ah loved, the stallion that was gonna be the father to our foals, had been treated so poorly as a colt. He stopped and Ah saw him look back at me.

“We might save a little time if’n we shower together,” he said.

Ah smiled, got up, followed him, and knew that we’d be lucky to get much breakfast at all. Ah gotta say that there ain’t nothin’ as good as, a long, hot, and relaxin’ shower. Unless of course yer stallion is in there with ya. We started gittin’ clean, and then we got all dirty again, so we had to get cleaned back up. When we both finished up Ah had ta admit that Ah was clean. Ta be honest ma tail, ma flank, ma filly bits, and ma breasts were the cleanest parts of ma body. It sure seemed that ma stallion enjoyed washin’ those more than anything else. Ah watched as Anthony pulled on some clothes, and Ah considered how Ah wanted to go around. Back home when Ah wasn’t goin’ nowhere important Ah didn’t really even worry ‘bout putting anything on but my stetson.

Since Ah’ve been here Ah’ve figured out that folks seem to be dressed all of the time. Still, Ah didn’t see no reason ta be too dressed up, so Ah grabbed an old white t-shirt of Anthony’s, and a pair of ‘em jeans that Jessica had made fer me. Ah slipped ‘em on, and we walked down stairs.

“‘Bout time. Y’all almost missed out on breakfast,” Big Mac said.

“We was jest gettin’ cleaned up,” Anthony said.

“Uh huh, Ah know that kind of cleanin’,” he said before he brought out some milk and juice.

Ah looked at all of ‘em vittles and ma stomach growled like a timberwolf. Ah heard Anthony let out a small laugh before he started handing me some of the plates of food Ah was looking at. Even when Ah’d been applebuckin’ all day long Ah ain’t never been so hungry. Ah piled ma plate plum full. Ah had waffles, a few peach fritters, some eggs, hashbrowns, and finally Ah topped it all off with some honey we had gotten from the market. Ah looked up ta see everypony a lookin’ at me.

“Sis, yer sure are eatin’ a bunch,” ‘Bloom said.

“It’s okay Apple Bloom. She’s… Well, she’s got a niece or nephew growing inside of her for you,” Jessica said.

“Ah’m a gonna be an aunt… Twice?” she asked.

Jessica nodded.

Ah looked at her holding my nephew. She did give us all a right scare when she started having her foal. Ah remember how Big Mac was a trotting up and down the hall at the hospital, and there weren’t nothin’ that could stop that colt from fretting ‘bout his mare. He kept askin’ everypony, and Ah had to finally lead him back and away from the doctors so they could do their job. Ta be honest Ah’m a little curious if’n Anthony will be the same way.

Ah looked back at the food on ma plate, and Ah took the first bite. Ah can’t say Ah know what it’s like for everypony, but maybe there’s somethin’ that makes food taste better when ya’re with foal. All Ah know is that everythin’ on ma plate tasted better than anything Ah ever ate at Canterlot, and it was makin’ a good case fer bein’ better than Pinkie Pie’s cookin’.

Ah finished up all of the vittles in front of me, and then Ah smelled somethin’. It was something Ah’d smelled a hundred times before, but Ah knew it couldn’t be right. Ah looked at Big Mac and noticed that he was smelling it too.

“Big Mac, are ya tryin’ to cook Granny Smith’s apple pie?” Ah asked.

He shook his head. Ah could still smell it, and Ah could feel a powerful need ta follow the smell. Ah got up, knowing that Big Mac and Applebloom was doing the same. Ah followed that smell outside, and Ah noticed how much stronger it got the further back Ah went into the orchard. Ah felt a hand on ma shoulder, and Ah looked at Anthony who pointed to the wall way down on the far end.

Anthony had talked about that place before, the same place where Robert, Stephanie, and Harold had all escaped from. Ah looked at it, and Ah felt confused. How could the smell of ma Granny Smith’s Apple Pie be coming from inside of there?

“Something ain’t right here. I’ve been in there when they’ve made those apple pies. None of them smelled like that,” Anthony said.

Ah looked at the wall again, and Ah jest wanted to know how they were a makin’ that smell. Finally the lot of us walked back to the house, the smell of ma granny’s pies filled the air, and it made this feel even more like home, if’n Ah was a gonna be honest. The smell didn’t stop floating down until well after midnight, and it started up again right about four am. Ah laid there, smelling what smelled like Granny Smith’s freshly baked apple pie, and Ah tried not to let it bother me. I rolled over to wake up Anthony, but instead there was an empty spot on the bed.

Slowly, Ah got up, walked down stairs, and looked to see everypony, except for Anthony, at the table. Ah began to feel something. Ah felt worry, real worry, bubblin’ up and making itself known. Ah walked outside, and Ah screamed at what Ah saw. Ah heard the door to the house slam open and Ah didn’t wait fer ‘em. Instead Ah ran to the barn, to Anthony, and found that he was still breathing.

Ah dun’t know who had worked ma stallion over like this, but Ah wasn’t gonna to jest stand back and take it. Slowly, Ah helped get him down. One of his arms hung limp, and Ah could tell it had been broken. Both of his eyes looked plum swelled shut, and his ribs… Lawd touchin’ him there nearly set him off ta screaming something terrible. Ah was as careful as Ah could be, and Ah set him down. Ah saw one of his eyes open, and he didn’t try to say a word. Instead he lifted his hand and put a slip of paper inta ma own. Ah looked at it and Ah saw Granny Smith, lookin’ mighty tired, and she was standing over a conveyor belt filled with dozens of small pie shells ready to be filled.

Author's Note

Wow, it's been a while. First, sorry for taking so long to update. Life has a way of getting into the way. That said, the next chapter most likely will have a guest author helping with it. L0rd0f7hund3r will be helping out some, and please, if you get a chance go check his page out. He deserves a few follows and some likes.

Again, sorry about it taking a while.

Thanks to all of my readers,

RJP

Special Operations Business Part 1

(Sweet Nectar Acres)

Ah looked at ma brother, both of ma sisters, and Ah knew, Ah jest knew that Ah had to get us some help. At first Ah thought ‘bout callin’ Rarity and her beau. Ah knew that she had dun said that he had been in the military, but at the same time Rarity had been mighty quiet lately. It was kinda like somethin’ had happened. So, I had to give it a good think, and Ah came up with somepony. Fluttershy and her fellar. Ark, Ah think that’s his name. They’d be a couple of someponies Ah could call. Jessica helped me get that contraption on ma head, and Ah waited while HAL connected us up to Fluttershy’s home.

Time: 18:45H (6:45 PM EDT), Sunday, November 4th, 2059
Location: 217 Bleecker St, New York, NY, 10012
Place: The Visovic Brownstone

Fluttershy and I had just finished a rather filling meal. It had been a few days since she and I made love for the first time; truth be told, we spent a great deal of our time that week shut up in my bedroom, leaving its confines only for a quick meal, to pick up the mail, or to shower. Yesterday, Flutters told me she was all worn out. She explained that her estrus was over with and her needs were sated for the time being. Good news for us, I guess. Well, for me, anyway; I was starting to shoot blanks a little it, if you catch my meaning.

Since then, we’d been enjoying each other’s company. We’d talk, watch movies off the Holonet or Netflix. Sometimes, we’d just snuggle up with each other, soaking in each other’s scent and loitering in the silence. This Sunday, though, we were getting some chores that had been left neglected while we put my mattress through their paces. Laundry had piled up, our cat had been feeding on the garbage, and a thin layer of dust had built up on all the surfaces of the living room. We spent the entire morning the cleaning down, then we spent the afternoon performing upkeep on the brownstone. It was exhausting work and it took two full charges of the batteries on my cyberpros to complete every one of our tasks.

Our evening was spent rather quietly, Snuggles curling up in Flutters’ lap and purring madly. I was doing a little maintenance on my legs; all the bending and stretching I did with them made the knee servos very stiff. A bit of lubricant oil and a tweaking of the bolts and they were right as rain again. I was leaning back after accomplishing that goal when Tolstoy emerges in The Nucleus. I can see in the background of his user interface that a call is incoming.

“My lord,” Tolstoy says dryly, “we have an incoming call. Caller Identification informs that the call originates from an agricultural site by the name of Sweet Nectar Acres. May I redirect the call?”

“Sweet Nectar Acres?” I ask, “Hey, Fluttershy, isn’t that where Applejack is holed up?”

“I- I think it is,” Fluttershy replies, “Tolstoy, put the call through please, if you don’t mind.”

“As you wish,” Tolstoy answers, “milady.”

The call connects with our holostage interface after a few moments (likely the caller has a less sophisticated holo-rig at their location) which was long enough for Flutters and I to get into our immersion gear.

“Hello?” says a accent tinged voice, “Fluttershy, ya’ll there, sugarcube?”

“Applejack?” Fluttershy calls out, “Is that you?”

“Fluttershy?!” the voice on the other end replies, more certain. Soon, the eyes and most of the face of a certain Stetson-wearing, orange-coated farm mare appear in the view port. If I didn’t know any better, I would swear this is the first time she’s ever used a holo-rig to make a call before…

“Hey, Fluttershy!” Applejack calls, “How ya’ll doin’?”

“Oh, I’m fine,” Flutters responds, “just having a lazy Sunday afternoon. And what about you? I heard you’re getting married soon.”

“When did ya’ll hear that?” Applejack asks, “And who’d ya hear it from?”

“From our mutual pink party paradox friend,” Fluttershy says coyly, “a couple of weeks back.”

“That figures,” AJ snorts, “well, anyway, this here ain’t no social call.”

“Why not?” Fluttershy asks.

“Well,” AJ begins, “ya see, we just found out somethin’ that we really need some help with. Ah don’t even know where ta begin…”

“Why don’t you start by explaining what it is you found out first?” I ask.

“Hey, who’s that?” asks a voice from off screen.

“Shush, ‘Bloom,” AJ says, “Ah’m talkin’ with Fluttershy. And Imma thinkin’ that’s her stallion friend. Th’ name’s Ark, right?”

“That’s right,” I answer, “so what’s going on, Applejack? Is there anything we can help you with?”

“Well, it’s about our Granny Smith…” Applejack explains, “we think’n we found her.”

“Yay!!” Flutters squeals, “That’s so wonderful!”

“Not really,” murmurs a deep basso voice. Joining his little sister on screen is Big Macintosh Apple, who has a little more technological savvy than his kid sister, it seems. I can see his entire face in the view screen, some of his overalls attired torso, and the white t-shirt stained faintly by blood underneath the overalls. My mind questions whose blood is that.

“Seems our Granny is in one o’ dem ‘corporate farms,’” Big mac expounds, “seems she turned up on their property a few days back. She done got put up in one o’ their kitchens, making her famous Granny Smith apple pies. From from Aj’s stallion saw, she’ been worked to the bone. There’s some younguns in there, too. They ain’t lookin’ too healthy or happy. Figurin’ they got ‘em working an assembly line making her pies. It’s right shame.”

“That sucks,” I growl, “how did you figure that out.”

“We smelled it,” AJ answers, “one afternoon, the smell of our Granny’s pies comes waftin’ to the orchard, come as ya please. We kept smellin’ it fer hours, not knowin’ where it blew in from. Then Anthony…”

AJ’s voice hitches a little; I get the sense that something awful happened here. Before I ask the necessary question, Big Mac adds to what his sister can’t seem to get out.

“Anthony done snuck up on the corporate farm; snapped some pic’ures of the place. Found Granny Smith, got snapshot o’ her, then their goons come down on him. They was in layin’, ya see, since he first crossing the o’er th’ wall. Bang’d him purty good, I reckon. We tried talking to their head honchos, but they keep stonewallin’ us. Won’t say a word about any ‘new hires.’”

“Knowing what I know of those farms, which is very little, mind you, it’s safe to say that your grandmother wasn’t really ‘hired’ in the traditional sense,” I retort, “what do you need?”

“We heard tale that ya used to be in the army,” AJ replies, “we was ahopin’ ya could lend some o’ yer expertise in gettin’ our Granny outta there.”

“Hmm,” I mused, “well, I was never in Special Forces, but I do have some people I can call who would know better. My uncle had some associates, for lack of a better word, who know a thing or three about getting in and out of places like that. I can call in some of the favors they might owe him, although I don’t know how much pull I have. My uncle may have been a major domo in the Russian Mafioso, but that doesn’t mean they’ll readily jump at my beck & call.”

“Can ya at least try?” Aj asks tearfully.

“I’ll do what I can,” I answer, “in the meantime, why don’t you send me your address. We’ll buy some tickets as soon as I can get in contact with my uncle’s ‘friends.’”

Strangely enough, Uncle Sergei’s old mob buddies were more than willing to lend a hand. There were some stipulations I had to agree to, but it wasn’t like I was gonna talk to anyone. That’d get in me in trouble with both the Feds and the Mafioso, which is ill advised. Before leaving for California, I had to delve into the cache of weapons my uncle left behind. He has some pretty serious hardware here, most of which I’m unsure he could use. He was more of a pistol guy, but there was a lot more than pistols in that wall safe behind the fireplace. I found some stuff that I know I could use without much trouble and would be of great benefit in a stealth operation.

My uncle’s contacts showed up late in the morning to pick up the gear, seeing as the security contingent on the train might take offense on my smuggling contraband infiltration hardware. My understanding was they were taking a glider out to Cali and wait for me in town. They had a local place where we can set up the op and a few well paid officials in their pocket to keep nosy busy bodies out of our hair. They would look the other way with the extra-legal firepower we were going to use.

Fluttershy and I caught the next train out. During the ride, Flutters informed me of what Granny Smith was to the Apple Family. Both matriarch to and for the Apple Clan, Granny Smith was the glue that held Big Mac, Applejack and Applebloom together. It was never explained in show canon, but according to Fluttershy, The Apples were struck down by pneumonia. An early Fall Frost would have killed the trees at Sweet Apple Acres, if not for their efforts. They caught frostbite and nearly lost their hooves, only for the pneumonia to set in and kill them. Big Mac and Applejack were devastated, naturally; Applebloom wasn’t even a year old when it happened, so she doesn’t remember it much.

Granny Smith took rein of the household, even though she was quietly approaching the century mark, and kept the three siblings happy, healthy, strong, and safe. To the Apples, Granny is the very mare that keeps the family as strong as it is. Given how old she is reported to be, I’d say that’s safe assumption. In any case, if she’s at the hands of those corporate farm thugs, then she’s in the most precarious post she could be in. The tales I’ve heard of life on the Farms is harrowing, to say the least. Extricating her from their clutches is priority one. Priority two is not getting caught!

Upon getting to California, the first thing we had to do was rent a car out to the little town Sweet Nectar Acres resided. Thankfully, Big Mac had a reservation waiting for us when we got there. (Rental cars are expensive as fuck! Especially in California.) A few hours drive and a pit stop or two for bathroom breaks (caffeine and long roads trips equals bad idea!) and we arrived in town. The influence of the MacDonald’s Farm was practically everywhere. You can see it in the way the buildings were built, the color scheme of the neighborhoods, and even the ubiquitous presence of their restaurants. Everywhere you looked in town, there were golden arches. My cholesterol was rising just being here, not to mention my transfats.

“So this is Ladera?” Fluttershy asked from the passenger seat, “it looks- nice.”

“Like the town Starlight Glimmer held sway in?” I reply.

Fluttershy shutters at the thought and says, “Don’t remind me.”

“Okay,” I say, “the orchard is just outside of town. From what Tolstoy provided in terms of maps, the orchard is just beyond the company roads, but the path he’s laid out for us has us avoiding all but one of them.”

“Uh, Ark,” Flutters calls, “what are those lights behind us?”

“The fuck?” I murmur before recognizing the flashing red and blue of police lights. I pull over in front of a MacDonald’s general store. The police car parks right behind us. From my rear view mirror, I see a pork belly emerge from the opened door of the patrol vehicle; the belly is attached to the rotund face and graying mane of an older man. He waddles a little as he walks towards us.

“Good evening, folks,” the police officer says, “name’s Arnold Chambers, sheriff of Ladera, though most folk just call me Arnie. How are we doing today?”

“We’re fine, Sheriff,” I answer, “we’re on our way to Sweet Nectar Acres. We’re visiting some friends there.”

“Is that so?”Sheriff Arnie says, “not many head out that way. Good food and all, what with those helper pony things tending Jessica’s farm and all but- Hey, will ya look at that! You got one of them helper ponies, too!”

“Oh, uh, hello,” Flutters says, “I’m Fluttershy.”

“And what a wonderful afternoon to you, Miss Fluttershy,” Arnie casually replies, “my, my, my, aren’t you the prettiest thing to come to this town?”

I can feel the heat coming off of Fluttershy as her blush rose up. As darling as she looked flustered, I still had some reservations as to why we got pulled over. Also, I’m not sure how comfortable I am with this sheriff hitting on Fluttershy. She is my- what, fillyfriend? My mare? I’ll need some clarification on that score, but later.

“If you don’t mind, Sheriff,” I inquire, “just what did you pull us over for?”

“Oh, yeah,” Arnie recalls, “I got a notice from the mayor, says some riff-raff will be making their way into town. He wanted me to see to any strangers rolling in, make sure they’re alright.”

“Well, Sheriff,” I say, “you don’t have to worry about us. We’ll be about Sweet Nectar for the next few days and then we’re back to New York.”

“New York?” Arnie muses, “Well, isn’t that something. The report the mayor gave me says some fellow coming from New York would passing through. Goes by the name of- hold on, let me check- ‘Ar-cade-y Vise-o-vic.’ That wouldn’t be you, would it?”

Truth or lie, what do I tell this guy?

“Uh, my name is Ark-ady Vis-oh-vich,” I enunciate, “you’d be surprised by how many people mispronounce it.”

“Oh, I see,” Arnie muses once more, then dropping his voice to a whisper, “our mutual friends came by to see me last night. They’re waiting by the old Hiller Orchard. They told me to inform you they marked the route, so you can’t miss them. Just stay clear of The Company Roads; the tolls will drain your wallet.. I wouldn’t stay in town if I were you, either. The Company’s ‘Quality Control Division’ is out in force today and through the week, too. They’re paid goons who don’t give two cents if you’re law abiding or not, they’ll hound you, beat to you to a pulp if they think you’ll give them grief.”

“Thanks for the tip,” I murmur back, “we’ll get going then.”

Arnie’s voice returns to it’s usual cheerfulness as he waves us off with a hearty, “You two stay safe now.”

“That was-” Fluttershy comments.

“Weird,” I finish, “I guess the sheriff isn’t towing the company line.”

~~~~~~ (Sweet Nectar Acres - Applejack’s POV)~~~~~~

Ah touched the cold rag ta ma stallion’s eyes. Nopony ever told me how much this could hurt. Ah grew up hearing how an Earth Pony shares the burdens, and right now… Right now ma stallion had more burdens on ‘im than Ah’ve ever seen before. Ah looked at his arm, and Ah winched. We had ta get a new confounded contraption to help all of us ta see what had happened.

It weren’t pretty. The durn contraption said his arm was broke in three places, five of his ribs were cracked, and another two were broken… They hurt ma stallion so bad, and Ah… Lawd Ah wanted to go over there, march inside, and make ‘em all pay. If’n it hadn’t been for Big Mac Ah know Ah would. Ah would have walked right in there, and Ah wouldn’t of stopped until Ah had paid ‘em back ten times over.

“Jackie?”

Ah looked at ma stallion and Ah touched his cheek.

“Ah’m right here,” I said.

He opened his eyes and Ah could see ‘im lookin’ at me. Ah felt his hand as he touched my cheek, like Ah was a touchin’ his, and then there was that crooked smile of his.

“Sorry this happened,” he said.

“T’ain’t yer fault. Those lowdown polecats dun did this ta ya,” Ah replied.

He groaned as he moved, and Ah helped, as best Ah could, and watched as he tried to get comfortable.

“I couldn’t do it Jackie. They wouldn’t had gotten me, or not as bad, if’n I’d jest went ahead and killed one of ‘em. I couldn’t. I kept thinkin’ that maybe this was all they knew,” he said, “I mean, it could have still been me in there.”

Ah knew what he was talkin’ ‘bout. But I dun’t think that Anthony coulda dun did what those polecats did ta ‘im. He liked fair fights, and those sorry bunch of horseapples hadn’t tried to make it a fair fight. They gained up on ma stallion, and they tried ta take ‘im ‘way from me. Ah wanted ta feel ashamed that Ah wanted whatever Ark did ta get Granny Smith out ta hurt ‘em. Ah wanted to feel ashamed that Ah wanted somepony ta suffer, but Ah didn’t. Ah didn’t feel ashamed, and it was ‘cause they had made the father of our foals hurt and suffer.

“Ah dun’t want ya fightin’ Applejack, but if’n somepony else starts it, then Ah want ya ta finish it,” ma Daddy had told me back when Ah was young.

It were one of the last times Ah got ta talk ta ‘im. It were right after Ah came home with a shiner. ‘Nother filly was a talkin’ ‘bout how Big Mac and Ah was a couple of hayseeds, and that we was only gonna be good fer workin’ and fer spittin’ out foals.

“Sis, they’re here!” Ah heard Bloom shout.

“Who’s here?” Anthony asked.

“Somepony that’s gonna help us get Granny away from those plotholes,” Ah said ‘fore Ah kissed him.

Ah helped Anthony git a bit more comfortable before Ah walked out of our room. Ah could see Fluttershy downstairs, talkin’ with Big Mac and ‘Bloom. She was always able ta be a bit more open with all of us Apples. Ah ain’t sure why, but she tended ta be a bit more social. Ah walked down and Ah saw that Fluttershy and her stallion were sitting at the table. Jessica had dun brought out some peach fritters, and cold milk fer the both of ‘em. Ah walked toward them, and before Ah could say a word Fluttershy headed over ta me, wrapped me up in a big o’ hug, and gently stroked my back.

“Thanks Sugarcube,” Ah said as Ah returned her hug.

“Is he okay?” she asked.

“He’s alive, and he’s healing up. It’s a might hard fer him to get up and down right now. Ah know he’d want ta come and say howdy if’n he could,” Ah said.

Ah started ta go and help with the food, but Jessica quickly stopped me. She shook her head and Ah listened as Ah continued to sit. Once all of the fritters were out Ah took a whiff of ‘em and ma mouth started to water. Ah missed ma Apple Fritters, but these here peach fritters had grown on me. Ah had beaten Big Mac at eatin’ ‘em and then Ah heard the sound of one of ‘em fritters bein’ bit inta. Ah looked at Fluttershy’s stallion and noticed his face when he took a bite. He quickly finished off that fritter, and then he grabbed ‘nother one. Ah saw ‘im lookin’ at me and Ah shook ma head.

“No need ta slow down. We got plenty ta eat,” Ah said.

[Arkady's Perspective]

"Ah, come on!" I protested, having my hand batted away from my ninth peach fritter, "these things are good!"

"Sorrah, Sugarcube," Applejack retorted, "but other ponies gotta eat."

I heard Fluttershy giggle beside me, apparently sharing some inside joke I wasn't privy to. I decided to stow away any further protest. It wouldn't do well to open hostilities this early in an operation.

"So, before we get down to business," I began,"what's say we start this over from the beginning. What exactly happened around here to warrant my skill set?"

Applejack sighed, then began, from her perspective, just how things started. She explained about Big Mac's arrival, then her own with her sister. How the whole of Ms. Jessica's orchard began to feel more and more like home, the social "intricacies" of keeping a running produce orchard running. Then, she went into deep detail about the night that everything changed.

"If Ah hadn't been a-lookin' fer the source of the scent, Ah woulda nev'r found Anthony in th' barn that night. Accordin' to Jessica's doodad, Anthony is in a heap of hurtin'. They messed him up but good. But what's worse, what's really, really worse, 'bout it all, is this."

Applejack slides a crumbled Polaroid photograph to me. I pick up and look diligently on the image. In it, a musty, aged conveyor belt is running. The belt is loaded with what looks like unbaked pies, apple I think. There are little kids and even some adults applying pie crusts to the products. What draws the attention of the photo, and thus mine, is the liver-spotted and aged green mare. Her silver mane is tied up in bun; the stress of working long hours had caused several strands of it to fray out. Her eyes are weary but not from age. The fragility of her fingers only makes the image that much more heartbreaking. I can see how exhausted this mare is just by the sagging in her shoulders, the way her entire body is more drooped than any woman her age has right to.

"This is Granny Smith?" I ask, more than familiar with the Apple Family matriarch from the series.

"Eeyup," answers Big Macintosh, "that's her. Anthony says they done got got her holed up in their bakery. Judgin' by the smell, they got 'er makin' pies fer fourteen hours straight. I don't know who this l'il feller is, but he seems a might helpful to Granny. He can't be enny old'r than The Cake Twins, I reckon."

(~~~~~Applejack’s Perspective~~~~~)

Fluttershy’s fellar seemed to look over that picture harder than Ah expected him ta. Ah watched as he studied it, and then he asked fer some paper and something to write with. Ah found a small pad of paper that Jessica would scribble out some of our orders on and passed it ta him. Fer a few minutes it looked like he was just studying the picture some more until he began writin.

“Ah asked some friends of ours ‘bout that room. They dun said that it’s smaller than our barn, but they got more folks crammed inta it then it’s supposta have during the shifts. One of ‘em said that the bruisers come through every so often jest ta prod the workers ta make sure they ain’t trying ta fall asleep. Ah…” Ah stopped and tried ta collect maself.

Ah didn’t want ta fall apart now. It weren’t till Ah heard the sound of someone comin’ down the stairs that Ah realized how quiet Ah gotten. Ah looked up ta see ma stallion comin’ down the stairs. Ah walked toward him, put ma arm ‘round ‘im and helped ‘im to the table.

“Figured that ya might want some inside information,” he said.

Fluttershy’s feller nodded, and Anthony cleared his throat.

“That’s the pie center. Everything from Apple, Cherry, to the seasonals gets made in there. The folks working in there don’t have to worry about the elements, but they don’t get much down time either. The farm doesn’t really insulate the machines so it usually gets about a hundred and twenty degrees in there by nine am. That’s if it’s not summer time,” he coughed and held his ribs with his good arm, “There’s three entrances ta it. The south entrance for the employees, the west entrance for the techs to work on the machines, and the north entrance.”

Ah watched him stop and nod.

“Yeah, that’s the entrance the management and the bruisers use. There’s a small room off to the side of that entrance. It’s not much, just a bed, a table, and a nightstand. That’s the reward for anyone who’s willing to bed the boss. They get to sleep in that small room over night. It’s locked, from the outside, but you can open the door to get out to the outside from in there. On the left side of the room is a small window, ‘bout the size fer somebody ta fit through if they wanted to bad enough. I got ta warn ya though. Sometimes… Sometimes the bruisers and the management use that room and don’t tell nobody ‘bout it. They jest snatch up somebody that catches their fancy,” he said.

“That’s… That’s terrible,” Ah heard Fluttershy say.

“That’s jest life in there. You go in thinkin’ that maybe ya can have somethin’ more, but it’s a lie. You ain’t never gonna have nothin’ in there,” he said.

“Could they get granny out of there?” Ah asked.

“If’n they ain’t got a problem with puttin’ a couple of bruisers in the hospital. They’re gonna be watching the pie center purty hard,” he said.

[Arkady's Perspective]

"I don't think that will be a problem," I said, earning a surprised and foreboding look from Fluttershy, "my associates and I will be armed with some top-notch infiltration gear. As well as these-"

I reached down to the bag I had brought with me in the car. It was one of the few articles the Amtrak security wouldn't be searching through, even the TSA is supposed to search all luggage getting on the trains. I pulled out several pieces of hardware and began to assemble them together on the dining room table. The weapon was in a similar design to the F2000 carbines I carried with me during my Army days, with but a few exceptions. One was the fact that the barrel of this rifle was a twenty millimeters in diameter. Second was the electronic diode pack that loaded into the stock of the weapon. Once that was in place, the weapon gave off a faint hum. IN the silent dining room, it may as well been a jackhammer.

"These," I began, "are Russian designed Yeltsin Antipersonal Airfoil Rifles. Strictly speaking they're- a little extra-legal here in the US, but they'll serve our purposes nicely."

"Just what are ya gonna do with them peashooters?" Anthony asks, still somewhat breathless from cracked ribs.

"Plenty," I declared, "these bad boys launch from saboted, electrically charged rounds that launch an airfoil at any given target. Silent and powerful, hit a body in the stomach or small of the back at a distance and you got one unconscious mook. Also, they work well with the nightvision goggles my associates have on hand. And, as an addendum to the contract I paid out for these fellas, we'll be recording everything we do when we breach the place. A little evidence for the Dee of Jay, if you will. I'm sure the Mafioso would love to get some blackmail material, too."

"When are ya'll headin' out?" Applejack whispered.

"In two days," I answered, "my associates need to get a lay of the land and I need to inform them of the new developments that your Anthony has just given me. Twenty-four hours to stake out the place, another twelve hours to plot and scheme, then around the time of a shift change, we move. We'll keep you guys informed through my adjunct, Tolstoy," I then turned to Ms. Jessica, asking, "is there somewhere I can connect back to my house? I need to see if I can invite Tolstoy into your home network."

It took a little while, but I finally got my stubborn and officious adjunct in the family homestead's network. After getting situated within their network and having a meeting with family DA, Tolstoy informed my associates wanted a word. I had him make a call to a man codenamed "Winepress," and we held a brief conversation about where I was going to be. He told me he would drive out that way to see me; he and his crew had already began the surveil of the McDonald's Corporate Farm.

Twenty minutes later, he arrived in a banged-up Rang Rover which was out of place in this part of California, where manufacturer names like Dodge and Chevrolet were dominant. He stepped out of his ride and I knew, almost without telling, that this guy was a special forces man. What branch of service, I couldn't say, but it was not something from America. I guessed at SPETSNAZ, which would go with the old Russian Federation baldric he wore.

He greeted me in a familiar Russian phrase and we began conversing about the operation. He explained in fine detail how he and his fellows had been keeping watch of the compound ever since they arrived here. They were using all available information they could get their hands on to complete the picture of the facility as completely as possible. He also let me know that they were operating a high altitude drone that was capturing stills of every square centimeter of the place. I didn't want to know how he got it or what kind of drone they got. It was one of the situations that it was better not to ask.

Eventually, I get handed a crude sketching of the farm's layout. Indicated here and there in a tight scrawl of Cyrillic are descriptions of good and bad places for ingress. Similar notations were found indicating excellent places for egress. Other notes appeared at the edge of the map, noting shift changes and also noting some of the hardware the guards hefted. There's no real interpretation of "sick stick" but the forty or so words of descriptor gave me enough to go on. These guys had nausea bars, as an old drill sergeant called them. I knew the effect they had on a body. Point, push button, and the target at the other end was given the worse case of nausea and vomiting you could imagine, Hell, I ralphed six times when it was my turn to get hit with it. God, that sucked.

"Are you sure?" I asked Winepress, speaking in the only language he knew. He told me that with few exceptions, every patrolman in the compound held a nausea bar. He also let me know of the security measures in place, things like low-light enhanced cameras, motion sensors, electrified fencing, and guard towers manned by bolt-caster wielding snipers. Obviously, they didn't want any of the "employees" hurt, but the message was "resistance is futile." Our conversation lasted long into the evening, discussing where and when we would strike. Under the various scribbles of locations for ingress, there was a marking on the map of when the place was most vulnerable: between twenty-two hundred and zero-hundred hours. This, according to Winepress, was when produce and other goods were shipped out of the facility; most of the security contingent would be concentrated by the loading docks.

With an agreement that we would get underway as soon as the final arrangements were settled, and passing along of the intelligence Anthony had gathered, Winepress took off.

(~~~~~Applejack’s POV - five hours earlier~~~~~)

Fluttershy helped me get Anthony back up to our room. Ah hurt seeing ‘im hurt so bad, but Ah knew that this was what Ah had ta do. Ah was his mare, and Ah’m gonna be his wife. When he got settled Ah gave him some of that medicine fer his pain. It didn’t take too long and he was asleepin’ again. Lookin’ at ‘im Ah felt proud. Ah can’t explain it, but Ah felt so proud that ma Anthony was helpin’. Ah walked with Fluttershy outside. When we got out there Ah heard Jessica cursin’ a bit.

“Jes is a little ticked,” ‘Bloom warned me.

Ah nodded and walked toward her. Ah found her lookin’ at the small garden she and ‘Bloom had started. There was all kinds of things a growin’ in there. Carrots, lettuce, ‘taters, some corn, and even some strawberries were collected in the garden.

“Damned rabbits,” she muttered.

“What happened?” Ah asked.

“Some rabbits got into the garden. They ate the strawberries, and looks like the lettuce is gone too. Maybe I should set some traps,” she said.

“A...actually, if you don’t mind, I could possibly keep them from getting into your garden. Um…. if you want,” Fluttershy replied.

“If you want to take a shot at it, go right ahead,” Jessica said.

Ah watched as Fluttershy walked into the garden. Ah tried to pay attention ta what she was a doin’ and after a minute there was a few little rabbits movin’ up ta her.

“Look, these plants aren’t yours. I know, I know. You were confused, and hungry, and I’m sure if I ask my friends will plant a garden just for you to have, but this was their garden first,” she said.

Ah watched as one of the rabbits sniffed her, moved closer, and hopped into her arms.

“Oh my, Well, I like you too, but don’t you have a little family? No? I guess that it would be okay to take you home with us then,” she said.

Ah saw Jessica looked surprised as the rabbits moved out of our garden, and into the orchard.

“They said that they will just go into the garden that you plant for them. Oh, one of them said they like the strawberries the best,” Fluttershy replied.

“Yeah, I noticed,” Jessica replied.

Ah noticed the way she looked at the rabbit in Fluttershy’s arms. Ah gotta figure if’n that little feller wasn’t there he might have ended up in a stew pot. No sooner had Fluttershy finished then Ah heard the sound of ma little nephew cryin’. Ah looked ta see Big Mac carryin’ Rusty out ta his mama.

“Little feller is gettin’ hungry,” he said.

She nodded, and took him into her arms. Ah decided ta give her a little space while she fed ‘im, but Fluttershy went ta cooin’ over ‘im somethin’ awful.

“Oh he’s so adorable!” she squeed.

“He is, and he’s gonna be big and strong just like his father,” Ah heard Jessica say.

“Ya know, it ain’t gonna hurt fer ya to see her a feedin’ ‘im,” Big Mac said.

“Ah know,” Ah replied.

“Jest figured ya might wanna get used ta seein’ it. Yer gonna be doin’ it ‘fore long,” he said.

Ah looked at ‘im and Ah knew he was right. Ah was a carryin’ ma and Anthony’s foal, or foals, right now. Ah didn’t like ta admit that Big Mac was right, but he was. Ah was a gonna be doin’ this ‘fore long. Ah turned around and saw ma nephew latched onto one of Jes’ teats. It… It looked right. Ah ain’t never seen something so beautiful. Seein’ that little feller bein’ held, cuddled, and watchin’ ‘im suckle at his mama while she softly rocked ‘im and sung ta ‘im. Ah felt ma own belly. Ah was a gonna git ta do that ‘fore long.

We moved ta the barn, inta the shade, and after a little while lil Rusty finished. Jessica burped him, and then Ah watched as she looked at Fluttershy.

“Would you like to hold him?” She asked.

Special Operations Part 2

Fluttershy's POV

"Would like to hold him?" Jessica asked.

It was a question that took me back a bit. Sure, I was like any other mare, aware of motherly instincts that would arise as a foal within me grew. And like any other mare, I too, was beholden to maternal instinct to care for foals. It also helped that little Rusty was the cutest foal I had ever seen. Sure, The Cake Twins were cute, but Rusty- Rusty was that perfect blend of Jessica and Big Mac, with her sparkling eyes and button nose and Macintosh's strong arms and powerful legs. I hadn't know that hoomans and ponies could merge themselves like this, but Rusty was proof; in another few months, Pinkie Pie and Andy's foal would be more evidence of this wonderful union of hooman and Equestrian.

"Oh, may I?" I asked, earning a knowing smile from Jessica.

She handed over Rusty to me and I found a hay bale to sit on. It was a little tough, what with Angel Bunny the Second still in my arms, but I still managed it. Angel was more than content to settle at my hooves while I handled little Rusty. Nestling him in the crooks of my arms, I began to sing to him. It was a soft melody that my mother hummed to me when I was but a little foal. I could see Jessica smile wistfully as I sung out the verses. Little Rusty seemed to appreciate it, too; he was smiling even as he eyes began to droop in exhaustion.

"Aww," Applejack cooed, "li'l Rusty is gettin' sleepy!"

AJ then began to poke a finger at Rusty's full belly. Instead of squirming in annoyance, the little foal began to laugh. It was the sweetest sound I ever heard. I began to think about everything that had happened over the last little while. My first real heat with Ark, the way we made love, the excitement we felt when it seemed we would be with foal as well, disappointment when it turned out it was nothing more than a hysterical pregnancy. Even though Ark was unsure if he could really be a good father, given what a piece of work his own father was, I was certain he would love and cherish our foal.

"Wow, Fluttershy," Jessica whispered, so not wake Rusty, "you really do have a way with kids. You're going to be an excellent mother!"

"Thank you," I said, a mild tinge of sadness in my voice, "I would like to be a mother one day. Not that Ark and I haven't tried. I was certain that during my last heat, I was with foal. But..."

"It happens," Jessica said, "sometimes, it's about the right circumstances and the right time. You'll get there. I don't think even a double amputee like Ark is completely sterile."

"No, he isn't," Ark whispered, startling Jessica, Applejack and myself a bit, "but it is a known fact that Visovic's tend to breed very slowly."

"W-what does that mean, Ark?" I asked, still holding firmly but gently to Rusty.

"Well, I'm the youngest of six," Ark explained, "and my oldest brother is already in his fifties. My father is well into his eighties, and my mother only just turned sixty, so, you do the math."

Ark then looked down to the bundle of snowy white that was looking up at him. He peered at Angel Bunny the Second with a look like disgust.

"Okay, hold on," Ark breathed, "Fluttershy, why is this rodent looking up at me like I'm his father?"

"Now, Ark," I said, "Angel Bunny is just getting to know you. He told me he doesn't want to return to the fields and I asked him if he would like to stay with us in New York. He was fine with that, as long as we had plenty of carrots."

"So, wait," Ark continued, "you mean you just- adopted a wild rabbit?"

I nodded and Ark replied, "First Snuggles, now this! You better not poop in my boots, buster, or I'm having you skinned."

"Arkady!"

(Applejack’s POV)

It almost felt like a smaller Apple Family Reunion out in that old barn. Fluttershy gently cooed ta little Rusty, and every once in a while she’d look up at her stallion, Arkady. He dun went and apologized ‘bout sayin’ what he dun did, but Ah’ve known Flutters fer a good long while. She might not look it, but when that gal gets angry yer in a heap of trouble. Ah’ve been on the receiving side of her bein’ all angry ‘fore.

It weren’t ‘bout ‘em bats, but it were ‘bout that rabbit of hers. Ah ain’t one for hurtin’ critters. Ah didn’t want ta hurt ‘em bats, but Ah wanted ‘em away from our trees. That rabbit of hers though… Angel loved ta come over and mess with Winona. He’d go and git her ta barkin’ up a storm, and we’d think it’d be something else. Instead there’d be that darned rabbit, lying on his back, laughin’ his little fluffy white tail off. Ah figure that Ah scared ‘em a bit more than Ah needed ta, but he’d dun went an got Winona all riled up after we dun went ta bed. Ah was tired, gettin’ in bed, and then that little critter started with makin’ ma dog all cagey.

Ah guess dropping an apple catchin’ bucket over ‘im weren’t the nice thing ta do, but Ah was plenty tired of that little critter. Ah still dun’t know what he went and a told ta Fluttershy, but Ah do know that she came over madder than a whole hive of wet hornets. Ah stood there and listened ta Fluttershy chew me out like Ah was a little school filly who decided to go and say ‘Buck it’ in front of the schoolmarm. Ah ain’t never felt so low in all ma life, and Ah had a feelin’ that Arkady was a gonna get a taste of the same thing.

Ah leaned against one of our wagons. Big Mac, ‘Bloom, and me had finished fixing it up, getting it all set to carry our bushels ta the farmer’s market. Ah looked at ‘Bloom who had went back ta workin’. Ah walked toward her as she lifted another bushel of peaches inta the wagon.

“Ya okay ‘Bloom?” Ah asked.

“Ah guess so, jest… Applejack, ya love Anthony right?” she asked.

Ah nodded, “Yeah, Ah love ‘im somethin' fierce. Ta be honest with ya… Ah didn’t know Ah could love somepony like that.”

“Did… When they hurt ‘im… Ya looked like it nearly tore yer heart out. Ah ain’t never seen ya so upset ‘fore,” she said.

Ah looked at ma little sister. She was a changin’, becomin’ a mare of her own, and Ah figured that it was time ta talk ta her like a mare.

“It hurt. Ah can’t lie ‘Bloom, Ah ain’t never hurt like that. Ah ain’t never felt like Ah wanted ta scream, ta cry out, and ta go and do somethin’ stupid cause Ah was a hurtin’. But Ah think that Ah know what yer a tryin’ ta ask me. It’s worth it. Ah got a stallion that can work right ‘side me, and Ah’m a carryin’ his foal. Ah’m gonna be a mama, and Ah got ta tell ya… Ah’m right happy ‘bout it,” Ah said as Ah hugged her, “Ah know that yer sweet on Harold. If’n ya end up tagether then ya’ll understand.”

“Awww… He’s sleeping,” Ah heard Jessica say.

“He’s so precious,” Fluttershy whispered.

“You look beautiful holding him,” Arkady replied.

Ah listened ta the life goin’ on ‘round me, and Ah smiled.

(Anthony’s POV)

“Gonna cry boy?! I’ll give ya a damned good reason ta cry! Ruined my best girl ya little shit!” the memory of my father’s voice rang out as I sat up.

I worried, so often, that I would become the same kind of bastard my father was. Sure, I wasn’t a pimp, but how much of what made my father a right bastard was inside of me? I hated him. I hated him something fierce, and I just couldn’t get around it. The things he did… The fact that he….

I had to breathe. He was gone. Mama, she took care of that. That john of hers did good showin’ her how ta use a gun. I jest wish that he’d shown her how ta do it earlier on. I felt a shooting pain in ma arm. The gift some of my former co-workers had given me as a reminder. I couldn’t help but think about Jeff Davis. That old son of a bitch was the only manager that liked to watch the bruisers mess people up.

“Anthony, Anthony, Anthony… My boy, you ain’t too bright are you? Breaking back in here… And for what? To make that little piece of pre-ordered pussy happy? Guess that explains why you don’t like the tail in here. You want to breed like an animal,” he said before they started.

It was different that time though… He… He walked over and put that enormous weight of his behind that baseball bat. It hurt… I felt my ribs givin’ way.

“So, let me guess. It was special right? Ain’t no girl special Anthony. All of ‘em, all of ‘em are good for one thing, and the same goes for that little piece of ass you’ve settled down with,” he said with a sneer, “I just wish that she ended up in here instead of that old bitch. Because… I’d seen just what it was that made you become the little traitor you are now.”

“You touch her and I’ll…” I started before I felt the bat hit me again.

“You’ll do what boy? Hmmm? Take it like the bitch you are? Think that I don’t know about you and your daddy do you? The company knows everything boy. The company knows that your daddy sold your little ass to every pedo in the stacks he could. Mr. Toughshit ain’t nothing more than a little bitch…” he said before I finally got an arm loose.

It felt so good hitting that fat bastard, and then I felt pain.

“Hold him down! Okay boy, you want pain! Here’s Pain!”

I felt the bat connect with my arm, and I gotta admit… I screamed. I screamed out as he hit me again, and again, and again. I barely remember being turned over, the punches to my face, to my stomach, but I do remember that fat bastard watching with a gleam in his eyes.

“Let’s hope that little bit of pre-order pussy is as stupid as you are. If she is… Well, I can’t promise she’ll be in the same condition when we send her back. That is if we send her back.” he laughed before I blacked out.

I breathed out hard, shaking the memory from my head. I wasn’t over there anymore, and I would die before that fat son of a bitch laid a hand on my Jackie. I looked out the window at the orchard. Off in the distance I could see the wall of the Corporate farm. I hated that Jackie’s grandma was there. I remember my mama tellin’ me ‘bout my grandma. I think… I think that I would have liked to know her.

I noticed a flash, and then I stood up. It hurt, but I had to git outside! I nearly fell down the stairs, but I needed ta get outside.

I did and I shouted as loud as I could.

“Fire!”

I heard Jackie, and I pointed. There was a smokey haze in the distance, and we both knew what was happening. I went toward the old pump, and she hooked up the large hose to it. We got it goin’ and I watched the girl I’m gonna marry run off with her brother to stop the fire those same bastards tried to set.

(Big Mac’s POV)

Ah ain’t never wanted to hurt no pony. Ain’t no reason fer it, but these folks are gittin’ mighty close. We got down there ta see that they missed the trees. Instead it was a little grass fire they started with half a bottle of whiskey.

“Look… Some horse cock and pussy. Gettin’ all scared up over a little fire?” a voice yelled from above.

Ah looked up at the man standing there. He grinned, at me before givin’ what Rainbow Dash had called ‘the birdy’. Ah snorted and Ah felt AJ’s hand on my arm.

“Better listen to her!” he shouted before he disappeared behind the wall.

“They’re wantin’ us to do somethin’ stupid,” Ah said.

“Eeeeyup,” AJ replied.

“Ah want ta real bad,” I said.

“Ah know. Ah do too,” she replied back as we walked back toward the barn.

[Arkady's Perspective]

The tumult outside quickly resolved but it left Fluttershy and I a little confused. I heard someone yell "fire" but neither she nor I saw any evidence of a blaze outside some smoke. Eventually, AJ, Big Mac, and, as a special surprise, Anthony, returned to the barn. Applejack looked mad, Big Mac was practically seething with rage, and Anthony was doing his best to keep cool and collected, though the sweat on his brow was indication of how much he was holding back. That also could have been the broken ribs of his; he was still on the mend.

"What happened?" Fluttershy asked worriedly.

"Some colt lit a fire out in th' orchard," AJ replied, "dun taunted us while we was out there puttin' it out."

"What'd did he look like?" I asked.

"Big feller," Big Mac answered, "tall as Anthony but-" Mac held out his arms to their fullest, likely showing how wide this dude was, "smelled like a barrel of aged cider, if'n ask me."

"Jeff Davis," Anthony moaned, "that fat, sunuvabitch. Tryin' to provoke us inta climbin' the wall and doing somethin' stupid."

"He that guy that gave you that set of lumps?" I asked of the injured man, to which Anthony nodded.

"Oh, Ark," Fluttershy cried, "what are we going to do?"

"For now," I replied, "we do nothing. Let this Boss Hoss taunt and jeer. When my associates and I infiltrate the compound, he'll be wishing he hadn't messed with a certain family of Equestrians!"

A few minutes after that conversation, I got a call from Winepress. They were going to meet us here at the Orchard before proceeding with the infiltration. They set the time for the meet at oh-eight-hundred. That would leave plenty of time for even to get some sleep. When I ended the call, I got a puzzled look from Applejack and Big Mac. I don't think I explained to them that my associates were former SPETSNAZ operatives working for the Russian Mafioso.

"Just what in the hay was that?" Applejack queried.

"What was what?" I answered back.

"That talkin' you was doin'," AJ replied, "sound'd like ya'll was speakin' in fancy."

"It was Russian, actually," I said, "my associates are from The Motherland and don't speak proper English. My family is Russian and I haven't fallen out of practice speaking it, so I speak with them using the shared tongue. Questions?"

"Yeah," wheezed Anthony, his hand raised, "just who are these guys ya brought along? What sort of outfit hires out Ruskies for, well, odd jobs."

"The Russian Mafioso," I answered, earning confused stares from AJ and Mac, but knowing glances from Jessica and Anthony.

"Who do you know in the Mafioso to get heavy hitters like them?" Jessica asked.

"My Uncle," I answered, "he was a high ranking member here in the States before some rivals peppered him with automatic fire. A lot of The Family stateside owe him a lot of favors. Seeing as I'm connected to him by blood, I'm, unofficially, Mafioso-by-blood. It was a fact my Stalin-worshipping father detested about my uncle, but you can't chose your family. That, and I loved my uncle, so a lot of the wealth and prestige he earned in his lifetime passed on to me. Not all of it, but enough. He was the one who got in contact with Pseudopod to replace my legs."

"Damn," Anthony moaned, "are we gonna owe anybody any favors after this?"

I shook my head, "Nope. The Mafioso has been wanting to infiltrate the corporate farms for leverage for decades now. With this raid, they'll have enough to open up the market for their goods and services. Obscenely high-priced good and services, but it would break the monopoly that Wal-mart and McDonald's have on the US market."

"When is this goin' down?" AJ asked.

"Our window is going to be eleven o'clock at night," I said, "we'll be busting in at shift change. That said, I think we should get some sleep. Winepress and his boys will be here at eight, so we can get some quality rest before hand."

Everyone in the barn agreed and Applejack showed us to one of the guest bedrooms of house, seeing as Jessica needed to put Rusty to bed. Everyone hit the sack with a vengeance, although Fluttershy and I were up for a little while longer, doing a passing imitation of rabbits mating. The fact the Flutters new bunny friend was in the room with us was not lost on me.

(~~~~~Applejack’s POV~~~~~)

While Ah’ve been here Ah’ve come to love this old farm house. Ah love the way it feels like home. Although, there are some things ‘bout it Ah ain’t so fond of. One of ‘em things is the walls are a might thin. ‘Blooms’ room is far enough away from ours that Ah ain’t gotta worry ‘bout her hearing what Big Mac and Jessica, Anthony and me, or any guests we got might be a doin’.

But Ah git ta hear it, and Ah hear it right now. One of ma best friends is a gittin’ her plot plowed, and from the sound of it she’s still surprisingly loud. Ah look at Anthony, and Ah see the expression on his face. If’n he wasn’t hurtin’ somethin’ fierce Ah’d gladly take ma stallion in a second. But… Ah jest dun’t wanna make ‘im hurt anymore.

“Jackie, scoot over here,” he said.

Ah did, and Ah felt his good arm wrap around me. His hand gently touching ma stomach, and his cheek against ma mane.

“I’m not made of glass. I won’t break,” he whispered.

“Yer hurtin’ plenty. Ah… What if Ah go and hurt ya worse?” Ah asked.

“You won’t,” he said.

Ah felt his lips on ma neck, his hand moving down ma stomach. Part of me was a wanting ta stop ‘im. Ah wanted ta protect ‘im, but another part of me wanted ta let ‘im take control. Everythin’ that happened over the last few days had been riding roughshod all over ma mind. Ah needed ‘im, and Ah needed his touch.

“Do you want to stop?”

Ah loved ‘im asking like that. Knowin’ that he wanted ta make sure Ah was okay with this.

“No, but dun’t hurt yerself,” Ah said.

Ah felt his hand guiding me, moving me, makin’ me climb up over him. Ah stayed away from his bad arm, and finally was I over his face. Ah wanted ta say somethin’, but instead Ah felt the first lick. Ah let out a breath that was all filled plum up with all of the pent-up emotion Ah’ve been carryin’ ‘round since this started. One of his fingers traced ma tail hole, and Ah didn’t have it in me to say no.

Ah felt the finger move, making me feel more relaxed, and then I felt what had ta be electricity shootin’ through me. He went ta suckin’ on ma little cowgirl like a newborn calf ta its ma. Ah felt that same finger slide inta me. Touchin’ in me while he was a makin’ me feel nothin’ but love fer ‘im. A moment later Ah felt it against ma tailhole and Ah felt it enter. Ah can’t lie… Ah tensed up somethin’ fierce.

Ah’d heard stories of ponies doin’ this, mainly colt cuddlers, but Ah ain’t never dun it. Ah’d always felt that it weren’t right. Ya didn’t have foals from there, and ya did some mighty nasty business there. Slowly, Ah felt his finger movin’ gently going in and almost out, then back in again. It felt… different. Ah can’t explain it, and while Ah wasn’t sure ‘bout it Ah wasn’t completely sold on it being all wrong either.

Ah felt maself buildin’ up to a powerful release. Ma thighs tightened and Ah felt ma stallion workin’ hard on makin’ me go. Ah leaned back and Ah couldn’t help it…

“ANTHONY!” Ah cried out his name.

Ah shakely moved toward his good arm, and collapsed beside ‘im. Ah looked at ma stallion and Ah realized that while he had helped me out, he was still in a state. Ah couldn’t have that.

(Big Mac’s POV)

There are things a stallion can go a thousand years and not feel a bit bad ‘bout not hearin’. Hearin’ yer sister cry out the feller who’s gonna be your brother-in-law’s name… That’s one of ‘em things. Ah knew what was a goin’ on, and Ah was thankful that he was a takin’ care of her. AJ… She dun’t think Ah realize it, but Ah know how much this has been a hurtin’ ‘er. It hurts me too, but Jes ain’t all tore up like Anthony. Ah… Ah dun’t know how bad it’d hurt if’n she was. Ah looked at her, and then at Rusty.

Ah was lucky. Ah found a family, and Ah was with somepony that Ah loved. Ah know that’s what our Mama and Daddy wanted fer us. It’s what Granny wanted fer us too. If’n we’re lucky Granny is a going ta get to meet our special someponies. Ah felt ma Jessica movin’ against me.

“I sure hope that helps her feel better,” she whispered.

“Eeeyup,” Ah whispered back.

“Mac, how have you been holdin’ up?”

“Ah… Ah’m alright, jest worried ‘bout Granny. She ain’t a youngin’ no more. Ah’m hoping that they’re able to git her out and that she’s a gonna be fine,” Ah said.

Ah looked over and saw Rusty a lookin’ back at me. He cried, seeing me move, and Ah got up.

“Ah got ‘im” Ah said.

Ah walked over and lifted up ma son.

“Yer gonna be a good boy ain’t ya?” Ah asked as he quieted down while being held.

[Arkady's Perspective]

Morning came fast and bright, faster than I was used to for sure. Sweet Nectar Acres was nestled in a prairie, far and away from the Pacific Ocean. The sun still rose blindingly, even though the curtains of the guest room diffused them somewhat. Fluttershy had gotten up before me, unaffected by jet lag or the fact the we were now three time zones behind the rising sun. She was still naked, though with her thin coat of golden fur it was hard to tell. She was cuddling her new best friend, Angel Bunny the Second. His eyes were closed in contentment. Given how soft her hands felt on bare skin, I couldn't fault him for the bliss he was reveling in.

"Good morning, Ark," Fluttershy said, "I'm sorry I didn't wake you. I figured you wanted to be well rested for your meeting with Mr. Winepress this morning."

I grunted, nodding my head, then asked, "What time is it?"

"Uh," Fluttershy began, "I think it's six in the morning? I can never really tell time here."

"Damn," I murmured, "only four hours."

"I think I smell coffee," Flutters remarked, "this is an orchard, you know."

"Right," I replied, "well, let's get decent and meet the others downstairs. We can see if they got anything for mess, maybe slug down some coffee, then we shower and change. Winepress should be here at eight, on the dot."

"Okay," Flutters said, putting Angel Bunny back in the tiny bassinet Jessica had found earlier in the barn. We both dragged back on what nightwear we took to bed with us, although, given how thin the walls were in this place, I doubt that anyone would believe we slept the whole night through. Slinking off downstairs, we were met with Applebloom, just coming up. She was humming a little to herself, something that sounded a little like "Dixie," crossed with "Camptown Ladies." I'm not even sure that could be a melody, but Bloom was handling it like a boss. She saw us, coming down, gave us a cheeky grin, and sped up that much quicker up the staircase. Word does get out around here...

Back downstairs, and in the combined dining room/kitchen, we edged our way around Jessica, nursing little rusty, Big Mac, and Applejack, a rosy glow on her cheeks. It resembled the sort of look Fluttershy would have after a wild night of passionate love making. That might explain why I heard those howling/hissing noises late at night... That certainly didn't sound like the water heater. Being careful not upset Anthony in his chair with a leg propped on a impromptu ottoman, we took seats opposite Big mac and Jessica. The way tension filled the air was unnerving, more so since food had not yet been served, even though a decanter of coffee sat in the middle of the table. Steam rose invitingly from its spout, so I pulled it toward me while Fluttershy reached for the last two mugs left on the Lazy Susan. I poured us both a cup, watched as Fluttershy added two cubes of sugar and a spoonful of cream, while I sipped down the caffeinated goodness.

After a brief, but terse few minutes, Big Mac spoke up.

"Expectin' them 'ssociates of yers this morning," he stated, less of question, more of a confirmation of fact.

I nodded my head, "Should be here by eight."

"How many of 'em are there?" He asked.

"Five," I answered, "all former SPETSNAZ."

"Figure they'll be hungry when they get here?" He inquired.

"Not likely," I replied, "they'll be living on MREs and vodka, whatever they could smuggle with them into California."

Little known fact about The Sunshine State that I hated: after the Big One of 2032, California had adopted some rather- unorthodox, shall we say sociological changes. In the chaos of the largest recorded earthquake on the planet, the combined populace of San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and San Diego had resorted to blanket bans on a number of items that were said to contribute to the riots and insanity San Angelinos sometimes called "The Dark Times." One of those bans included the import/export of alcohol, any alcohol, into or out of the state. Breweries within California's borders were closely monitored and any site that brewed a concoction with more than 5% alcoholic content was shut down. Thus, a booming trade of hard liquor and spirits pervaded the California border with it's neighbors to the East and North.

"I just hope that Dr. Cocteau's goon squad doesn't find them," Jessica added, "they were scary enough dropped in, unannounced, to see if our Peach Cider was 'poisonous.'"

"Looks like 'Demolition Man' wasn't that far off the mark," Anthony quipped, "what a shame."

"I didn't take you for a film buff," I retorted, "that movie is ancient by now..."

"Ya know," Applejack interceded, "eventually, we gotta talk 'bout th' elephant in th' room."

We stared at her, incredulous. I had an idea of what she was talking about, but admitting it would be problematic. It was Big Mac who stilled the oncoming shitstorm.

"Ain't we all adults here?" He asked, "Ain't ya'll possessed of a sound mind an' body?"

I nodded, dully, but Applejack still looked bewildered.

"Come on, AJ," the red stallion continued, "it ya ain't like ya heard Jessica an' me 'fore. You an' Anthony is fully grown; ya can do whatcha want in the priv'cy of your own room. Ah ain't got no say in it. Neither do Ah have a say when it comes to Fluttershy and Ark, what they get up to in the guest room. That there is their business; it t'ain't mine, nor yours. Ya hear?"

Applejack nodded, still looking argumentative, but willing to accept the situation.

"Here's how I figure," I added, "as long as nopony is willing to talk, nopony has a story to tell. Capishe?"

Everyone at the table agreed. There no further arguments as Jessica put Rusty back in his crib and passed out peach fritters and pancakes to all.

(Big Mac’s POV)

Ah watched as everypony began ta eat. The fritters were the first thing ta go, but Ah figured they would be. Despite ever’thing happening Ah was surprised Ah hadn’t forgotten ‘bout the surprise Ah had planned ‘fer ‘Bloom. Robert and Stephanie had decided ta let Harold come on out and visit with us fer a few days.

‘Course Ah was a gonna have to put some ground rules down. Ah didn’t want ma little sister ta go and do nuthin’ foolish without athinkin’ ‘bout it. Ah got ta figure that the two of ‘em are a gonna be closer applebutter and jelly on a sandwich. Ah know Harold’s a good colt, but Ah also know that ‘Bloom is gittin’ a might more interested in bein’ grown than Ah wanna admit.

Ah still remember helpin’ ta put her ta bed, and givin’ her baths. She won’t admit it, but Ah remember her callin’ AJ mama, and callin’ me Daddy on a few occasions. Ah guess that’s part of the reason Ah want ta see her doin’ more with her life. Ah know that Granny does too, and if’n we’re lucky, after all of this, Ah might be able to help make sure that she can. Ain’t nothing wrong with workin’ a farm, but Ah want ta see her be her own mare. Ah think that Harold would help her do that.

The sound of gravel crunchin’ under somethin’ got ma attention, and Ah stood up. Ah looked out ta see several more stallions, and one human mare walkin’ toward the house. Now… Ah’ve seen several folks, but that mare… There was somethin’... Somethin’ dark in her eyes. Ah got the feelin’ that out of the lot of ‘em… She was the one that was a gonna be the most dangerous.

[Arkady's Perspective]

The following conversation was difficult, to say the least. I spoke with Winepress and his fellows, then translated the Russian (and occasionally Cyrillic) into English for those not born of or from the Motherland. Then I interpreted the "Yank speak" for my Russian comrades, that way there'd be a constant flow of information.

Now, according to Winepress, the pie factory was one of the most secure buildings in the compound. Guards in constant rotation, no more than hour apart in patrol. Our window at eleven o'clock was looking rather slim. Winepress did have a plan, though. They had another operative with them, code named Jumper Cable, who had hacked into the communications grid of The Farm. At the right moment, he was gonna knock out power to the place, but only for forty-five seconds. He had overridden the back generators for only that long. A fail safe installed in their core programming mean they automatically kick on after that, although they were originally set for five seconds. Windepress explained that the point in the perimeter we were breaching was the least secure, well away from patrols. The cafeteria building, which was erected on the Southernmost side of the complex, has no guard patrols, even though there were motion sensors set up there. Jumper Cable's intrusion to their security would knock out those sensors, but we need to move fast.

Winepress, myself, Cavalier, Saber, Bolshevik, and Bear would breach, take out the guards and any intruding personnel en route, secure our target(s) and egress out the way we came. The South wall was well away from Sweet Nectar Acres, so the Management could assume whomever they liked about who committed the intrusion. The girl on the team, I learned, was a precaution, a little insurance if anything went pear shaped. She would cover our sixes from the hilltop beyond, with a Dragunov M2033 rifle. The M2033 was an answer to the Chinese variant of the Barrett .50 cal rifle. Unlike it's progenitor, the Model 1963, the M2033 was of a bullpup design chambered in 7.92x55mm rounds. The rounds themselves are fin stabilized with polycarbonate bonded tips. They'll penetrate through body armor almost as well a green tip 5.56 round or a Black Talon coated bullet. According to Winepress, Arkangel was the best sniper in the modern history of SPETSNAZ.

With planning and explanation done, our group broke up for lunch. My associates retreated outside for borsche and coffee. Meanwhile, Jessica and Applejack had made us some delicious apple brown betties. AJ admitted she had bought some apples from Robert and Stephanie's store; they didn't taste like anything she grew, but she put the seeds in a part of the orchard Jessica had declared "barren." The results: two dozen red delicious apple trees that were as good as any found on Sweet Apple Acres. And I have to say, they were mighty fine to eat!

(Apple Bloom’s POV)

Sweet Celesita Ah sure hope nopony heard that. Ah… Ah ain’t sure if’n Ah like this part of bein’ all grown up. Ah mean Ah came upstairs ta go ta ma room for a moment and the next thing Ah know Ah’m a feelin’ all hot all over. Ah ain’t dumb, and Ah know what’s goin’ on. Thing is… Ah ain’t got nopony to help me this time. Plum didn’t help that Ah was a moanin’ Harold’s name either. Oh Lawd… If’n Applejack heard me Ah ain’t never gonna hear the end of it.

Ah sighed and laid against the bed. Somethin’ wrong with me. Ah know there is. Granny’s in that awful place, and Ah’m… Ah’m thinkin’ ‘bout sneakin’ out and headin’ out ta see ma coltfriend. Thing is Ah ain’t sure Ah’d make it. Not that Ah’m worried ‘bout anypony, or anythin’, but Ah’ve heard stories ‘bout mares who didn’t care if’n it was their special somepony or not. Ah dun’t think that Ah’d be like that… ‘Cause Ah really want Harold ta be the one ta make a mare of me.

“‘Bloom, ya okay in there?”

The sound of ma sister’s voice was a blessin’.

“Yeah… Jest… Applejack… Can Ah talk ta ya fer a minute?”

She opened the door and Ah saw her muzzle scrunch up. She looked at me and Ah saw a small smile cross her face.

“Guessin’ this was why ya didn’t want ta stay downstairs,” she said.

“What’s wrong with me? Ah’m… Ah’m all wantin’ ta do stuff with Harold, and Ah ain’t hardly thought ‘bout Granny t’all,” Ah said.

She pulled me inta a hug and Ah hugged her back.

“Ain’t nuthin’ wrong with ya lil’ sis. Yer jest in heat. Ah know what it’s like,” she said.

“Ah… Ah feel so bad that Ah was thinkin’ ‘bout gittin’ rutted ‘stead of gittin’ Granny out of there,” Ah replied.

She shook her head and smiled.

“‘Bloom, that’s normal. Ah can promise ya Ah went through the same thing ‘fore,” Ah said.

“Ya did?”

She nodded and looked at the wall.

“It were after Mama and Daddy died. Ah… Ah was goin’ through ma second heat. Ah knew Ah shoulda been sad, and Ah knew that Ah shoulda wanted to make sure that everythin’ on the farm was fine. But instead Ah kept thinkin’ about a colt that were in class with me. Ah… lawd… Ah wanted ta bend over fer ‘im so bad. Fer days that’s all Ah could think ‘bout. Luckily Granny knew what was a goin’ on and she had me stay in the house. Ah’m glad she did,” she said.

“So… Ain’t nuthin’ really wrong with me?” Ah asked.

“Naw, ain’t nuthin’ wrong with ya ‘Bloom. Yer just goin’ through yer heat. It’s a gonna be a few bad days, but yer gonna be fine,” she said.

Ah watched her get up and walk ta the door. Outside of it… I smelled so many stallions. Fer a moment Ah thought ‘bout all of ‘em, and then they all turned ta Harold. Ah slammed ma head against ma pillow.

“Why couldn’t this happens to colts instead?!” Ah yelled out.

(Jessica’s POV)

When I heard Apple Bloom I thought it best to ask Applejack what might be going on. She let me know, and instantly I felt terrible for my little sister in law. Here she was, dealing with the fact that her body was telling her that she was hornier than a nymphomaniac at a virgin and proud convention, and there wasn’t a thing she could do about it.

I considered getting online and ordering her something, but between the actual delivery date, not to mention being given a form of relief from a sister-in-law… I decided against it. Still, I felt so bad about the poor girl. I know that my granny always used to say that girl’s were sweeter than boys, but we were just as dirty. She was right. I’m usually just as horny as Big Mac. I hated to think like this, but it might be an idea to introduce her to a cucumber and a condom. If nothing else it should help ease things. Maybe I could let Applejack tell her about it.

I thought about that for a second. Did Applejack really want to tell her little sister about how she could use a cucumber, and a condom, to help ease her estrus? There’s also the fact that talking about it might really embarrass the poor girl. I held my son, silently thanking God, Celestia, any other deity that Big Mac and I had a boy instead of a girl. Would he go through something similar? Sure, but he wouldn’t go through that week of barely controlled urges.

I usually wished that my granny was here, but I really, really wished that she was here so that she could have a talk with ‘Bloom. She was always pretty direct about things, and I know that she would be able to tell her that what she was going through was normal, and that there’s no shame in trying to ease it by using something. Just not to ever, ever use a person unless you loved them. She would place a big emphasis on use. It confused me for a long time why she said that. Then, as I began high school, I saw the meaning in her wisdom.

“Yeah, she’d do that… Granny, maybe I get it across without embarrassing the poor girl,” I thought.

Special Operations Part 3

An Apple in a Bushel of Peaches

Special Operations Part 3

[Arkady's Perspective]

It was going to be another six hours before we breached the McDonald's Corporate Farm walls. I was getting that feeling, the one I used to get when an op was about to go tits up. I couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to go terribly wrong. Part of that sensation was aimed at the "colleagues" I was working with. All of them were former SPETSNAZ, all of them now worked for The Mafioso, likely under my cousin's, Dmitri, direct orders. Dmitri had been my favorite cousin, until he made moves on Fluttershy. Now, I had to wonder many things. Could this action be a way of making of amends? He was a long way from making up for the fact he nearly raped Fluttershy. A long way...

Still, it would be a good idea to get an idea of who I was working with here. All of the team was a mystery to me, except for Arkangel. That girl- as hollow and lifeless as her eyes seemed to me (Big Mac wasn't the only taken aback when she walked in), she also seemed vaguely familiar. It had been niggling on me since the meeting broke for lunch. I could have sworn I saw that girl before, but my memories of the event are rather vague. Who could she be and when/where did I know her?

The best to solve this conundrum was to work it out on my own. With a little resolve, I approached the crew as the prepared in the barn. I hadn't thought of the sort of gear they might bring for this whole raid, but some of what I saw astounded me. There were white phosphorous grenades, microwave stun guns, Taser pistols, an assortment of caltrops, tear gas canisters that look to fit an M203 grenade launcher, and even a futuristic looking thing that turned out to be an ion rifle. The also had ghillie suits, night vision goggles that would not out of place in a Splinter Cell game, throat mikes, and something that looked like a rubber ball, but with a band of titanium around the equator.

" I asked of Bear.

"" answered the hulking Russian, ""

"" I murmured.

Bear replied, ""

"" Winepress added coming upon stealthily, ""

"" I said, ""

That got a hearty laugh from both Bear and Winepress. Bolshevik just scowled, but I had a feeling that was his default expression for everything. Cavalier and Saber, the youngest of the team, snorted behind their gloved hands; if I didn't know any better, I'd swear I was getting mocked. Instead, I got a brief, but highly informative, chawing session. Bear, as big and brawny as he looked, actually ran a florist shop. (Couldn't tell me were and I didn't feel like asking.) Bolshevik, who rarely spoke and was a sullen presence in the merriment, was a bouncer at a swanky nightclub that was a Mafioso front. He also acted as a bodyguard form some of the Family's major bosses. Saber taught fencing, thus the name, but his hobbies include knitting and haberdashery. I thought that was apparent by the hand-sewn cravat he wore. Cavalier was a real soldier-of-fortune, taking mercenary gigs from all over the world.

"" he explained, ""

"" Bear agreed, ""

Winepress wasn't that much more exciting; he was a sommelier for The Family, but was knowledgeable enough in stealth and urban combat that he also served as an enforcer, mostly for Janovic Krushenko. If there was one Mafioso character you didn't wanna cross, it was Krushenko; the guy is believed to have the heads of his enemies packed in a special room of his Portland, Oregon, home. That left Arkangel, who hadn't spoken at all during this little get together. When she slinked towards us, silent and swift as death itself, all she needed was a nod in Winepress' direction to get the team to stop speaking.

"" Winepress interrupted, ""

"" I mused.

"" Winepress continued, ""

"Okay..." I whispered, following in the wake of Arkangel's steps. We stepped out of the barn, around it's side, and then moved to the back. We walk past the barn, moving towards the tree line; I noted the fat, ripening peaches on the trees. They seemed incongruous with the lithe, utterly silent woman who was leading me into the grove. Snatches of memory were coming to me now: a young girl, aged six years, a mane of strawberry blonde hair that was at odds with her deep, chocolate brown eyes. The tinkling laugh she gave off was mesmerizing to me at the time, though now that I had Fluttershy in my life, that laugh was poor cousin to the golden pegasus twittering.

We finally stopped about ten meters past the treeline, well out of line-of-sight of the barn or the farm house. She turned around to see me, her face expressionless.

"" she said, ""

And that's when the lightbulb when on in my head!

"Anastasia?!" I exclaimed.

"Arkady," she smiled, a beaming spread of her lips that seemed to go when into her eyes, "my, my, how well you have grown."

"Jesus, Anastasia!" I said, "It's been what, ten years? How've ya been?"

"Fairly well, actually," she replied. I could still hear the trace of an accent in her voice. "Given this lot, I would say that I managing very well, indeed."

"I-"

She came close, and gave me a Russian greeting, kissing each cheek. Then she planted a quick peck on my lips that sent shock waves through me. I had completely forgotten about Anastasia Sulev. I met her when I was seven; she was the new girl in the Bronx Stacks and virtually alone. Her mother was pimped out by her husband, who was a low level mook in the Mafioso. I even think he was working for Uncle Sergei for a time, but I don't completely remember. We hung out, like little kids did back then, swinging on monkey bars, poking sticks at absolutely disgusting things, and shooting rocks from used and worn slingshots. She was the one who gave my first kiss... Christ, the day she went missing, I bawled for hours, which earned me the strap from my Father.

"I know," Anastasia said, "it has been a long time. I nearly leapt out of my skin when I saw you!"

(Applejack’s POV)

Ah wasn't sure how Ah wanted ta talk 'bout this. Ah didn't want ta go ta Jessica. It seemed wrong ta even ask if'n she'd done this 'fore, but Ah had to talk ta somepony 'bout it.

It felt.. Ah thought it'd feel wrong, lettin' Anthony stick a finger up there, but... it didn't feel bad, at least not then. Now, now Ah wasn't sure what ta think 'bout it.

Here Ah was, a mare 'bout ta be married, pregnant with foals, and Ah... Ah can't, fer the life of me, make sense 'bout this.

Ah had ta talk ta somepony. Ah wasn't callin' Pinkie. Ah love ma cousin, she's a great gal, but Ah wasn't in the mood fer an 'Applejack just lost her black cherry' party.

Rarity.. Yeah, sure, Ah could jest hear Rarity tellin' me that it was uncooth. Ah'm fairly sure that Twilight's still a virgin, and Ah ain't go no clue as to where Rainbow Dash is. That left Fluttershy.

It was bad enough that the two of us had... Well, when yer heat is on purty bad ya need help, and we dun handled our heat the best we could. Ah'm sure she dun told her fellar 'bout it...

'Okay Applejack, jest go in there, look at Fluttershy, and talk about yer husband ta be stickin' his finger up yer tailhole, and that ya kind of liked it....

“'Bloom, Ah sure wish ya were a couple years older, and dun been with Harold... That or Ah kind of wish that Granny was already here,” Ah thought as Ah walked out toward the orchard.

Ah smelled the sweet air that hung ‘round the house. It smelled clean out here. Right back with nature, and then Ah heard her. Fluttershy was a singin’ over near the garden, and there was a few of ‘em critters that had came ‘round ta be near her. Ah gotta figure that they would. She always had a way with critters anyway, and it seemed like the critters here were jest as acceptin’ of her as the critters back home.

Ah walked toward her, knowing that there was a good chance ma friend was a goin’ ta think ah was some kind of… weirdo.

“Fluttershy, sugarcube, ya got a minute?” Ah asked.

“Of course. Oh, don’t worry little friends, I’ll be back in a little while to sing to you again,” she said before she floated toward me.

Ah wasn’t sure how ta start. What do Ah say? Ah can’t figure that coming out and sayin’ that Ah got a finger up my tailhole would be much of an ice breaker.

“Applejack, it looks like something’s bothering you,” she said.

“It is… sugarcube, Ah… Ah got ta ask ya somethin’, and Ah ain’t quite sure how ta ask, so Ah guess that Ah jest gotta ask. Has Ark ever put anythin’ up your tailhole?” Ah asked.

Ah must have caught her off guard fer a second, but then she took my hand and Ah felt her leadin’ me into the orchard.

“What happened?” she asked.

“Ah… Well… Ya mind to answer ma question first… Ah hate ta be like that, but Ah really need ta talk ta somepony ‘bout this, and Ah figure it’d be easier if’n they’ve dun had it dun to ‘em,” Ah said.

"Well, uh, to be honest, y-yes, I have. Ark and I have- you could say, 'laid pipe in the fudge factory.'"

Ah breathed out, looked at Fluttershy and closed ma eyes.

“Last night… Me and Anthony got ta foolin’ around, and we.. Well, we was a doing a few things and he dun went and put a finger up there. Ah ain’t gonna say Ah didn’t like it, but… it seems awful dirty,” Ah said.

Ah looked at ma friend and saw a gentle smile on her face.

“That’s what you wanted to talk to me about?”

Ah nodded. Ah needed somepony ta talk ta. Ah ain’t sure if’n Ah should as worried ‘bout this as Ah am, but Ah can’t help it. It seems kinda wrong since doin’ that kind of thing is jest… Well.. It’s dirty, and it ain’t fer makin’ foals, so Ah’d guess it’d jest be ‘cause somepony figured it felt good.

Fluttershy hummed for a little bit, a single note without a tune, then said, "Well, if it's any consolation, I didn't like it, at first."

"Ya didn't?" Ah asked, "Why n- I mean, because it was wrong?"

"Oh, no, it wasn't that," Fluttershy answered, "it was because it hurt. I mean, it hurt when Ark and I first made love, which was- weird..."

"Considerin' ev'rthin' we did together?" Ah asked.

"Yes-" Fluttershy hesitated, "and no. It's just that, between you and I, I was sure I wasn't a- well, a virgin."

"Huh," Ah breathed, "ya know, Ah had the same thing happen when Anthony and I took a roll in the hay th' first time. It was like Ah was a shy, first-estrus filly all over again. Kinda excited meh a little, Ah reckon."

Fluttershy tittered lightly before a blush formed over her cheeks, "Of- of course, I'm not laughing at you, Applejack. I would never do that."

Ah nodded and allowed her to continue.

"Well, uh, the first time I took it, uh, back there, it was kinda by accident-?" Flutters admitted.

"Say what?" I asked, stunned, "how in tarnation does a pony do something like- that, by accident?"

"Well," Fluttershy continued, "it was during last estrus, when Ark and I finally got intimate. I was, uh, I was trying to ride him. Ark says that hoomans call that 'cowgirl style.'"

"Ya don't say?" I deadpanned.

Fluttershy nods, her blush glowin' brighter, and says, "Yeah, so, I was trying to do that, but- I missed."

Ah couldn't help but stare at the golden Pegasus. Ah've known her most of my adult life and Ah cain't recall any time when my shyest friend had ever been so forward. Last time Ah'd seen her be so bold was after Iron Will made her be so dagguum overtly assertive. This was somethin' new...

"So, uh, I came down on his- you know," Flutters continued, "and it hurt. Have you ever stepped on a piece of thistle and have a hard time removing it from your frog?"

Ah nodded, knowin' full well how many thistles an' briars that didn't jes get caught in mah coat, but in mah tail, mane, my fetlocks, my plot, and yes, even in mah frogs. They hurt like all get out!

"We-well, it was like that, with Ark inside my tail hole," Flutters went on, "but I couldn't get him out of me. He was too far inside, his- rod,was so thick. I couldn't pull him out. So- so, I had to ride him until he cli- climaxed. It took a long time before he finally came, but as I rode him it hurt less and less until it suddenly felt really good."

"And ya enjoyed it?" Ah asked.

Fluttershy nodded enthusiastically, much to mah surprise, "It was amazing!"

Ah looked at ma friend and felt plenty surprised. Ah guess Ah was surprised ‘cause when we had, helped each other we didn’t get inta tryin’ that. Ah’d never figure that Fluttershy would even want ta try it. ‘Sides, it jest dun’t seem right. Ah mean, it goes against ever’thin’ ma Mama and Daddy dun told me when Ah was a youngin’.

“Ah… Ah dun’t think that it’s somethin’ Ah want ta do too much,” Ah said.

“Did it hurt really bad?”

“Naw, but, it’s jest… Mama always said that yer suppost ta like ruttin’ yer husband. ‘Cause that’s a gonna give ya foals, but ta remember that while ruttin’ was fine, even when ya ain’t in heat, that what it’s fer is having foals, and showin’ how much ya love each other. Ah… Ah can’t figure that doin’ that is a gonna really show ma stallion how much Ah love ‘im,” Ah said.

“Applejack, you’d be surprised. Don’t just jump in, but keep an open mind,” she said

Ah felt a little better, gettin’ ta talk ta a good friend will do that fer a pony, but there was a lingerin’ doubt still hangin’ ‘round in ma head. Ah walked with Fluttershy back toward the house. Part of me was purty glad ta have talked, and part of me wasn’t sure if’n Ah really got anywhere t’all ‘causin’ Ah felt a might more confused.

We walked inside and Ah could hear ma stallion. Ah could hear ‘im movin’ ‘round, tryin’ his hardest not ta let all of this get ta ‘im. Ah thanked Fluttershy fer the talk, and walked upstairs. When Ah got there Ah saw ‘im. Ah watched as he walked, stopped, and tried to keep himself from doubling over in pain. Ah walked up behind ‘im, waiting until he was standing still, and Ah touched ‘im.

“Anthony,” Ah whispered.

He turned around, and Ah could see the pain right there on his face. He hid it, tryin’ to make it look like he wasn’t a hurtin’, but Ah’d learned a long time ago that Ah had a knack fer tellin’ when somepony was a hidin’ something. Ah could tell that he was a tryin’ ta keep me from seein’ that he was a hurtin’ something awful. Ah gently pulled him into a hug, feeling the way he felt against me, and Ah kissed his cheek. Ah wanted him ta know that Ah love him.

“It’s gonna be okay darlin’,” he whispered.

Ah knew it would be, but for right now it was a hard time. Ma husband was a hurtin’ somethin’ awful, and Ah hated it. Ah wanted ta make those so and sos pay fer hurtin’ ‘im so bad. Gently Ah held him, not wantin’ nothin’ more than to jest be there with ‘im.

(Arkady’s Perspective)

“So, what the fuck happened to you?!” I ask, “One day you’re there, and in the next, gone.”

“I am sorry about that, Spark,” she answers, calling me by that old, childhood nickname, “it was your uncle. He saw what was happening in my home. He became afraid for me when my father made known his inclinations for me to follow in the footsteps of my mother. Uncle Sergei, he-”

I didn’t need for to explain further, I already had a sense about what happened after that. My uncle arranged for her father to meet with an “accident.” Wouldn’t be the first time Sergei made something like that happened. From what others have told me, he probably called in her dad for some special favor or task. Then he sent out with one or two of his own enforcers. They took him to someplace remote, probably the lake house on the Ontario that was my uncle’s home away from home, and shot him in the back of the head. Or beat him to death with tire irons or lead pipes. Or better still, the old Chicago Mob tribute of boxing the guy up and pouring cement into the box, a sort of impromptu coffin/tomb.

“So your Dad goes missing, your mom gets a nice fat check am I right?” I say.

Ana nods, adding, “she slipped into the Virtual but not before signing me off to a boarding school in England. I get a nice little shopping spree in the middle of the night, then get sent to London on a First Class ticket, accompanied by some muscleheads.”

“And so you spent the last tens years there, getting a fine education and then joining the Russian Army?” I ask.

“” she replies, “I was given a fast track, given my entrance exam scores. Graduated at twelve and went on to Oxford, doing Russian Folklore and History.”

“That must have been up your alley,” I smirk.

“You have no idea,” Ana replies, “Baba Yaga beats Cinderella hands down.”

“But Cinderella is pretty,” I retort, “and the very symbol of the proletariat.”

“And a syllogism for oligarchal patriarchy,” Ana shot back, “she has to marry a prince, remember?”

I reply with, “Touche.”

After a brief pause for some libations, Ana continues, “Oxford was a blast, but I was starting to get bored of the intellectuals and academia. All talk and little action. Plus, I had burned my way through London’s streets very early in collegiate career; very few shop owners were willing to see me when I was on a tear. Then came a call from The Motherland…”

“You mean, the RusFed recruited you?”

Ana nods, “Exactly; they wanted an agent like myself working for them; someone with the knowledge and credentials to pass for a learned researcher or somesuch. Fluent English was a plus and they liked that I had some rudimentary understanding of American culture.”

“So, what, you get a post with the new KGB?” I ask.

“In a way,” Aana answers, “I did to come back home, from time to time, acting as a liaison for RusFed and getting some actual spycraft training in. That, and I got to become part of SPETSNAZ. A welcome plus.”

“I have a hard time believing this…” I mumbled.

“It all does seem rather incredible,” Ana replies, “but it did happen. So, I spent five years playing the field as a triple agent before retiring from service. Certainly you know what that’s like, given what I heard about you.”

“Not as much as might think,” I answer, looking down at my artificial legs, “the call of glory can sometimes mean losing parts of yourself. And sometimes, all of yourself.”

Ana nodded, continuing, “Well, after getting in touch with some old contacts of my father, and attending my mother’s funeral-”

“Your mom died?!” I interject.

“Yes, very sad,” Ana says nonchalantly, “She had The Google. Couldn’t keep from trawling for mentions of herself within the social networking scene; eventually stopped living in any normative capacity. Died of starvation, I was told, living in her own filth.”

“Wow,” I murmur, “just- wow.”

“I can’t complain,” Ana adds, “she wasn’t really a mother to me. In any case, I still have the high life, adventuring near and far, and I still have family to call on. That reminds me, I need to send a letter to Peitr…”

(Applejack’s Perspective)

Ma stallion lay sleeping, resting peacefully, and Ah looked over him. He was a good sort, had a rough start of things, and in truth that reminded me a bit of Rainbow. There were a few that figured that we were a couple. That wasn’t the case. Rainbow’s a darned good friend, but we weren’t never a couple. Ah liked stallions too much, and Rainbow, well, Ah figure that filly wasn’t too picky, but the two of us were a might too much like family.

The only filly Ah ever even curbed ma heat with was Fluttershy. The two of us would help each other out, making sure that we didn’t go and do no fool thing. Ah got up and watched as Ark talked to one of the fellars that came to help us out, and Ah could tell that they had history. Ah ain’t one to go snoopin’ in on other ponies, that’s more of Rarity’s thing, but Ah couldn’t help but notice that the two of them seemed awfully close.

But the way he was a acting Ah wasn’t worried. He was bein’ friendly, but not flirtin’ and that meant that he had eyes fer ma friend. Ah headed past the room they were in, and instead Ah headed outside. Ah could see Big Mac, already hard at work, gettin’ the harvest ready for delivery.

“Applejack?”

Hearin’ the voice Ah turned toward one of ma oldest friends, “Yeah Sugarcube?”

Fluttershy smiled at me, and then looked over the orchard, “It’s peaceful out there.”

Ah nodded. We were far enough out from the town that we didn’t hear too much noise, and even though the Corporate Farm was evil straight from Tartarus itself it was still a good place to make a good life. Sweet Nectar Acres wasn’t exactly Sweet Apple Acres, but Ah didn’t mind it.

“It’s right peaceful. Ah love it out here. Reminds me a good deal of home.”

Ah could see Fluttershy looking a little forlorn at that. Ah didn’t have any intention of makin’ my friend sad, but still she looked right lost.

“Have you noticed that none of the places we know are out there. I mean there’s a few that’s close. Las Vegas, Manhattan, and Philadelphia are certainly close to Las Pegasus, Manehattan, and Fillydelphia, but they aren’t quite the same. It’s kind of like they just don’t exist anywhere,” she looked toward the ground, “I… I’ve tried to keep from thinking about it, but I think everything we knew is gone.”

Ah nodded, “Ah know what ya mean.”

She looked at me, and Ah let out a sigh, “Ah dun had HAL look fer me. Couldn’t find a thing out there. Sugarcube, Ah ain’t sure what happened, but Ah figure that we’re here fer a reason. Ah’m damned glad that mah family and friends are here with me. Knowing y’all are safe is a load off mah mind.”

Ah watched as she touched her stomach, “I keep hoping that my critter friends made it. That Angel bunny is out there somewhere, and Harry the bear, and all of the others. Not to mention the Breezies. I’ve thought about trying to get Discord’s attention and asking him.”

Ah shook my head, “Flutters, Discord might be a friend, but Ah wouldn’t trust him ta be honest.”

Ah could see the stink eye and Ah cleared my throat, “Dun’t mean nothin’ by it. Discord seems like he’s a good friend, but Ah gotta believe he’d want ya to be happy, and if’n it was something bad that happened, well, Ah gotta figure that he’d think that tellin’ something that wasn’t quite true would be better than bein’ honest.”

She sighed, “I guess you’ve got a point. But what about the ponies we haven’t seen?”

Ah shrugged my shoulders, “Ah dun’t know. Ah ain’t got a clue why we’re here, but Ah gotta figure that whatever it is, well, it’s gotta be a good reason. Ah know that Jessica said that the land has been putting out more fruit than she’s seen in a long time,” Ah looked up at the sky, “And there’s been stories ‘bout the weather gettin’ controlled, droughts endin, and things jest gettin’ better. Shy, maybe we’re here cause we’re the only ones that was able to help these folks. Least that’s the idea Ah got.”

She nodded and Ah gave her a smile. Course, Ah wasn’t gonna ta lie. Getting rutted good and hard by mah husband was another good reason fer my being here. Anthony knew how to ride me hard and put me away wet. Ah’d have the shivers fer hours afterward if’n it was a good long slow rut against the wall, or on the bed, or on the floor.

Celestia help me, We’ve rutted on the table a time, or three, and luckily we were able to clean it up. Ah wasn’t sure how we’d get away with doing that kind of thing once we got Granny back. Best Ah remembered Granny could tell when ya went and did something just by lookin’ at ya. Course, maybe that was part of why Ah liked doin’ that kind of thing. It felt like Ah could get in trouble, so it made it worth it.

Ah watched Fluttershy as she looked back at me, and Ah knew what she was thinking about.

“Ya want ta talk ‘bout mah expecting huh?”

She nodded, “I wasn’t sure if you wanted to or not…”

Ah shrugged, “Ah ain’t worried. Apples been having foals fer a good long time, so Ah ain’t worried ‘bout that part of it,” ah touched my swollen belly, “Be lying if’n Ah said Ah wasn’t worried at all though. Gonna be a mama, and that’s something special and scary all on its own. Ah hope that Ah’m a good mama, but Ah dun’t know if’n I’m gonna be.”

Fluttershy sighed, “Before we came down, we just really finished up… my estrus. I don’t know if we are, at least not yet, but I keep wondering what’s going to happen if I am.”

Ah let out a laugh, which earned me another slight glare, “Shy, yer stallion seems plum crazy ‘bout you. Ah wouldn’t worry about what ya’ll gonna do. Seems durn likely that ya’ll raise your foal, love ‘em, and go on ‘bout yer day.”

Six hours later - Pie Processing - Team ‘leader’ POV

The smell was getting to me. I loved the fresh baked smell of pie, but the stink rolling off of these workers sucks. I groaned as I looked at the clock. I had another hour of making sure the quota is met, and then I was going hand it off to Wilkings, go to the company bar, have a beer, and maybe talk one of the farm rats into a good comfortable screw. I saw that Equestrian thing, that older than dirt green one that’s been cranking out pies. She looked tired, but it didn’t matter. Her apple pies have been selling faster than we can produce them.

As tired as she looked I figured that she was going to drop from exhaustion at any point. Of course when that happened we were going to have to prod her until she got up. I watched as she wavered, her head most likely swiming from the heat, the long hours, the mind numbing work, and God knows what else. I got my prod ready. A good shock straight to the ass usually worked with most workers. I walked toward her and stopped when I heard something. I turned to hear the door opening, clearance apparently given to my replacement.

That was weird, because Wilkings never came in early. I turned to look at him only to see a few masked individuals I’d never seen before. They covered this once, during training. Hostile infiltration of products. I never thought that I’d actually ever see it, but there they were. I raised my hands, showing myself to be a non-combative individual. Of course we were supposed to fight to the last man, and I would, the moment they got close enough.

A flash, and blinding pain later I found myself on the ground, clutching my leg.

Granny Smith’s POV

Ah felt the hands of a young stallion as he touched me. Ah looked at him, and ta be honest Ah ain’t never felt so tired. Ah ain’t ever told Jackie this, but when she was a youngin’ and Bloom was just a tiny foal, Ah was practically dead on my hooves most of the time. This was worse, but as they led me out Ah motioned toward the colt that’d taken up with me. Be honest, he reminded me a bit of Big Mac when he was a little colt. Those stallions, and that mare, they led me out, right on out, right up until we were out inside of an honest ta Celestia orchard. Ah felt it, the feeling like it was home, and Ah followed ‘em right up ta the house.

Ah saw ‘em, all three of mah grand foals, and Ah was durn happy ta see ‘em. Course if’n Ah was home Ah was a gonna get some sleep. Those other ponies… They liked ta try ta work a mare plum ta death!

Author's Note

(AN:Wow! It's been a hot second hasn't it?! Well, I'm getting back to the Vogonverse material, and I'm bringing it back from the dead. That said, An Apple in a Bushel of Peaches only has about another four chapters before it's done.

I wanted to thank all of you reading, and I'm glad that I was finally able to update this!

Also huge props for L0rd0f7hund3r for being willing to jump back in and finish up the crossover bit with his story.)

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New Home

An Apple in a Bushel of Peaches

Introduction chapter - New Home

An Applejack in the Vogonverse story

Ah looked at Bloom as we rode out to somewhere we’d never been. Ah couldn’t really remember gettin’ in this contraption, but Ah wasn’t too worried about it. I smiled at Bloom as she fiddled with her little overalls. The shirt she had on matched her little bow, and finally she looked up at me.

“Applejack, where are we goin’?” she asked.

“Ah’m not too sure Bloom, but it’ll be okay,” Ah said.

The contraption finally stopped, and a moment later a door opened up. Ah looked out to see a couple of steps that lead down to the ground, and outside there was green grass, and Big Macintosh! Ah scooped up Bloom and we both ran to him. He sprinted over to us and I felt him lift us up in his powerful arms.

“Bloom, AJ! It’s so darned good to see you both!” he said.

He sat us down, and I looked to see somepony that kind of looked like us, but she was a little different. She walked up and leaned against Mac as he let us down.

“Applejack, Apple Bloom, this is Jessica,” he said.

Ah studied her for a moment, and then she stretched out her hand to ma own.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said.

Ah watched her close fer a moment before Ah took her hand and shook it.

“Pleasure to meet ya,” Ah said.

“This ain’t Sweet Apple Acres,” Apple Bloom said.

“Eeeeenope, this is Sweet Nectar Acres. This is Jessica and ma farm,” Big Mac said.

“Wait… Big Mac are ya sayin’ that the two of ya are hitched?” Ah asked.

He shuffled his hoof and finally looked up at her.

“More or less,” he replied.

“What do ya mean more or less. It ain’t a more or less question! Big Macintosh Apple, Granny Smith would be mighty disappointed in ya if’n ya weren’t married, but was just shacked up with some filly!” Ah shouted at him.

“We’re married. We haven’t had the official ceremony yet, but we are married,” she said.

Ah took a look at her, nodded, and looked at Apple Bloom who was trying to figure out what was going on.

“So… Yer ma sister?” Apple Bloom asked.

“I suppose I am,” Jessica replied.

“Ah got another sister! Ah got another sister! Applejack this is awesome!” Apple Bloom said as she pranced around.

“Why don’t the both of you come inside, and we’ll have a bit of peach pie,” Jessica suggested.

Ah followed them into the house and sucks, it was as clean and purty as any Ah’d be in before. Jessica cut both Apple Bloom and me a large slice of that pie, and then she cut Big Mac a large piece, before cutting herself a slightly smaller one. Ah took a whiff of the piece of pie I had before me before taking a bite. The flavors exploded in ma mouth as I chewed the first bite.

Ah always said that there weren’t nothing as good as a Sweet Apple Acres Apple Pie. Ah still believe that, but this peach pie is a close second. I looked over at Apple Bloom and saw that she had done away with her piece of pie and was eyeing the half a pie that was left.

“If you want another piece help yourself,” Jessica said.

Apple Bloom cut herself another piece of the peach pie and quickly plopped it onto her plate. Ah watched as she tore into that piece of pie like a starving foal, but then Ah guess she was one. Ah couldn’t remember the last time we’d ate, and Ah was still feeling mighty hungry as well. Jessica pushed the pie plate toward me, and Ah gave her a smile before Ah cut another piece and followed Apple Bloom’s example.

When we finished up eatin’ Jessica took us on a little tour of Sweet Nectar Acres. There were Peach Trees on just about every scrap of land they had, and then there was the barn. Ah walked toward the old barn and Ah saw the wagon full of bushels, with about another half a dozen bushels on the ground.

“Ya’ll’s doin’ purty good huh?” Ah asked.

“We’re doing okay, but in truth there’s just too many peaches for us to really keep up with. Our farm is fairly small compared to some of the others, but recently the peach trees have been producing more peaches than they ever have before. We’ve got a market for them, but getting them moved out before they get too ripe is getting to be a problem,” Jessica said.

“Eeeeeyup,” Big Mac said in agreement.

Ah looked at the peaches, then back at the wagon. Ah took a look around and could see the parts to another wagon that hadn’t been assembled yet. Ah walked toward it and studied the antiquated mode of transportation. Ah reached out and felt the rough wood of the wagon, studied the old bench that was on top, and then looked at the wagon wheels.

“If’n we can git this wagon in working condition then Big Mac and Ah can haul the peaches out. It’d only seem right since ‘Bloom and me are stayin’ with ya’ll,” Ah said, “Those doors in the back open up?”

Big Mac walked past me and opened the doors up. They seemed to creak as the hinges moved, but both of them opened wide. Once they were opened Ah walked toward the wagon and looked at Mac.

“Wanna help me move this thing out there?” Ah asked.

“Be careful, that wagon bed has to weigh at least seven hundred pounds,” Jessica said.

Ah watched as Big Mac reached down, grabbed his side of the wagon and lifted it. He didn’t look too strained, and I followed his example. She was right that it was heavy. Ah could feel ma muscles screaming for release as we walked that wagon bed out behind the barn. We sat it down and Ah walked on the top of it. The boards held my weight, but one of them buckled a little. It was gonna need changed before We could haul much on it.

“It’ll be a fine wagon once we git it fixed. Mac, ya’ll feel like helpin’ me get this thing right?” Ah asked.

“Eeeeeyup,” he answered.

Ah walked with him back into the barn and we went to grabbin’ the wagon wheels, spare lumber, and the tools we’d need. Once we got back out we sat onta fixin’ that wagon like Pinkie Pie would sat onta clearin’ a whole buffet table of cakes and pies. Ah looked up to see Jessica taking ‘Bloom back to the house, and in a few minutes they both walked back out with a hose. She helped ‘Bloom hook the hose up to a spigot on the side of the house.

“So, what are we waterin’?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Well, partly we’re gonna water the trees, but I also want do another check on the back five’s irrigation system. It’s been working fairly well, but there’s still some places that don’t seem the get the water that the rest of the orchard does,” Jessica said.

I watched they hooked the hose up to a another spigot, and then she turned it on. For a moment nothing happened and then I heard the gurgling of a tank being filled. I looked over at Big Mac.

“There’s a thousand gallon tank buried over there. The pump is inside of the blocked off room in the front of the barn. Usually she doesn’t fill the tank with the small hose, but since it’s only down about a hundred gallons I’m guessing she just wants to add enough to make sure there’s enough pressure,” he said.

She stayed there with ‘Bloom until finally she smiled and nodded to ma little sister. I watched as ‘Bloom took off back toward the house and turned off the spigot there. She then unhooked the hose and started rollin’ it back toward Jessica. I watched as she helped ‘Bloom hook the ends together and then she walked into the barn with her and opened the door to the small closed off room.

“That’s an awfully big thing-a-ma-jig,” Apple Bloom said.

“That’s the water pump for the entire orchard. My grandmother told me that her father named it old Reliable, because it never broke down on him,” Jessica said.

She flicked on a switch and the pump started coming to life. Ah watched as it started making a loud racket and soon there was another gurgling sound as the little places around where the trees were began sending out water from the ground. She grinned and walked with ‘Bloom back toward the back of the orchard, and Ah watched as they walked off.

“‘Bloom’ll be fine AJ,” Big Mac said.

“How’d ya’ll meet?” Ah asked.

“Well, a couple of fellars gave me a ride out here. Ah ‘member tellin’ ‘em that Ah liked farms, and they brought me here. Jessica had a spare room, and Ah took it. I started helping out around here, and… Well, ya’ll sure you wanna hear ‘bout it?” he asked.

Ah nodded and he went to work on a wagon wheel as he let out a breath.

“Alright,” he said.

(Big Mac’s POV/three and a half months ago)

“The orchard finally looks like how my Granny used to say it looked like,” Jessica said.

Ah sniffed the air and smiled at the hard work we had done. The entire orchard was clear of weeds, and the peach trees on the rest of the orchard had been checked for bugs, the dead limbs removed, and at the end of it was an orchard worth having. It had been three weeks of hard work, and now it was something to be proud of.

Ah followed Jessica into the house and the two of us took a seat at the kitchen table. She leaned back, and then a smile crossed her face. She got up, walked over to the refrigrator, opened it, and pulled out a rich brown bottle. She worked with the plug for a moment and then when it came off she grabbed a couple of mason jars and poured what was in the bottle into those jars.

“I figured we could use a little celebration,” she said.

Ah took the bottle and sniffed it. It smelled sweet, like the peaches, and it was like someone had brewed peach whiskey, and bottled it. It tasted sweet on ma tongue, burned ma throat, and left a comfortable burn in ma belly. Jessica finished off her glass, and then she poured another for us before putting the bottle back.

“You know, you’re the first male I feel like I can trust. Mac, I know that you’ve checked me out a few times, but you’ve never done anything about it. You’ve been a gentleman, gentlecolt, whatever, the entire time. I… I never thought that I would ever trust another man. Not after what my mom’s loser boyfriend did,” she said.

“What happened?” Ah asked.

She looked at the table, took another swig from her jar, and then shook her head.

“I was so stupid. I mean I was just a kid, but I was so stupid. My granny wanted me to live with her, but I wanted to be close to my mom. I didn’t realize that my granny was trying to protect me. I should’ve though,” she whimpered.

“What did he do to ya?” Ah asked getting angry with this stallion Ah didn’t even know.

“It was late, both he and my mom were pretty messed up on Scratch,” she said as she looked at me, “It’s a bad drug… a really bad one that makes you do stupid and irresponsible things. They were both really messed up on it when he stumbled into my room. I was sleeping, and I… I was sleeping when he…”

Ah pulled her tight against me as she cried out and held on to her. She held onto ma shirt, crying out the hurt and pain that stallion put on her. It came flooding out, and Ah let her get settled. We sat there for a couple of hours before she finally looked up at me. She surprised me when she gave me a kiss. Ah wasn’t expecting it, and Ah wouldn’t have tried to get one anyway. Not since she had been hurt the way she was. It wouldn’t have been right to try anything with her feeling the way she did ‘bout stallions.

She got up, offered me her hand, and she led me into her room.

(Applejack’s POV/Present time)

Ah looked at ma brother as he stopped tellin’ me ‘bout what happened between him and Jessica.

“Ya mean to tell me that some stallion made her… against her durned will?!” Ah almost shouted.

He nodded, and continued working on the wagon wheel.

“We slept together, but didn’t do nuthing else that night. Just let her snuggle close to me as Ah held her. We did that fer a while, and then well things happened,” he said as he rubbed the back of his head.

“Ah don’t wanna know Big Mac, but it sounds like ya helped her,” Ah said.

He nodded.

“Eeeeyup,” he said.

We worked with that wagon fer the next couple of hours until it started looking like a wagon again. When we finished we rolled it around and noticed that it moved easily enough. After that we started loading the peach bushels in it and soon it was completely full.

“‘Morrow we got to make some delivers, and the farmers market said that if we had enough they would take our surplus to sell in their grocery stores,” he said.

“Sounds like the two of ya have been doing purty good,” Ah said.

“Been alright, but missed seeing ya AJ,” he said.

Ah smiled and hugged him tight. he returned it and smiled at me.

The sky was already getting dark, and so the two of us made our way into the house. We got in there found Jessica setting the table along with Apple Bloom. Ah watched ma little sister as she carried a pot of something that smelled purty good to the table and sat it on a pot holder.

“I hope that beans, cornbread, and peach cobbler sounds good,” Jessica said.

“Sounds mighty good, thank ya,” Ah replied.

We began eating and Jessica brought something else over. I eyed the platter sitting there. It looked like apple fritters, but Ah knew it wasn’t.

“Mac said that you were the champion Apple Fritter eater back home,” she said.

“Eeeyup, ain’t nopony can eat more apple fritters than me,” Ah said.

“Well, currently Mac holds the record for the most Peach Fritters eaten. He even beat my great uncle Michael’s record of twenty-seven,” she said.

“Really?” Ah said looking at him.

“Eeeeyup,” he said leaning back.

“How you feel about losing that record?” Ah asked.

“Eeeeenope,” he said looking at me.

Ah could see Jessica’s eyes widen as Ah took four fritters and quickly shoveled them into ma muzzle. Mac did the same thing and soon the two of us were a clearing off that platter.

“Apple bloom, we need to fix some more fritters,” she said.

A few minutes later two more platters were brought in and we began taking care of them. Ah was taking three or four of ‘em at a time, and Mac was right behind me. We cleared the platters, and the next set brought out, and the set after that. Ah don’t know how many fritters we ate when I heard Mac belch and push away from the table.

“Ah can’t eat ‘nother bite,” he said.

“Applejack, Mac’s ahead by three fritters. He’s got thirty-seven to your thirty-four,” Apple Bloom said.

“Ah Luv ya Affle Boom,” Ah mumbled as I shoved the last four fritters on the platter into ma mouth.

“Ah love you too Applejack,” she said.

Ah leaned forward and Ah heard,and felt, the most tremendous fart rip outta of me before I fell down flat on the table. Ah looked over at Mac who looked like he wasn’t gonna be able to hold down his fritters, but it served him right. Trying to get ahead of me.

“Mac, you feel like you could help me carry her to her bed?” Jessica asked.

Ah saw him nod, and a moment later Ah was in the air, and ma belly felt all bloated and terrible. Mac held me by under ma arms as Jessica carried ma feet and legs. They laid me on a bed that felt like ma old feather bed back home. A moment later Jessica brought in a bottle of something fizzing.

“Drink this in a little bit, and it will help,” she said.

“Thank ya,” Ah whispered.

Ah felt sleep taking me, and Ah let it sweep over me. About an hour later Ah heard something that woke me up. Ah lay in that confounded bed and listened to what was supposed to be ma sister-in-law making little soft moans, saying ma brother’s name over and over, and then there was the sound of that damned bed. Those springs squeaking, the headboard slapping the wall. Finally Ah couldn’t take another minute and Ah walked to his room, and banged on the door.

“Better get some shut eye ‘cause we got a lotta buckin’ ‘morrow, and I expect ta get it all done!” I shouted.

“Kinda busy,” he replied through the door.

“Celestia, please, please just make me deaf for tonight. Ah wanna sleep,” Ah whimpered as I walked back to ma room.

Author's Note

(And that’s where I’m stopping. So, this is the introduction story to Applejack’s introduction into the Vogonverse. I do hope that everypony enjoyed it. Thanks for reading and commenting.

LF)

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Moonlit Meeting

An Apple in a Bushel of Peaches

Chapter 2 - ‘Moonlit meeting’’

An Applejack in the Vogonverse Story

Ah let out a soft groan as Ah stood up and stretched ma back. The last week and a half had been busy, and both Mac and Ah had to replace some of the flooring up in the loft of the barn. Ah looked at the bushels of peaches we had ready ta go, and I saw something else. Jessica was carrying somethin’ in a five gallon bucket, and she stopped out near where I was. She gave me a grin and put the bucket down.

“I did a little talking with Margret and Frank. They had stopped by one of the nurseries that supplies Rider Farms, and they found a bunch of apple trees ready to be sold to some of the corporate and private farms. I thought that you and Mac might want to plant this, and let it grow into a big strong apple tree,” she said.

Ah walked forward and looked at the little thing. It was an apple tree, Ah could see that, but it was a ways away from producing any fruit. Ah smiled at her and nodded.

“Thank ya,” Ah said.

Ah walked over to her and gave her a hug. Ah’ll admit that Ah got a little misty over the gift. What with it being so sweet and all. The little sapling had the potential to grow into a strong tree. Why Ah figured it could get as big as Bloomberg, and that’s when it hit me. Ah walked back over to the sapling, and Ah stroked its trunk for a moment.

“Welcome home Harmony,” Ah said.

Ah picked the bucket up, and Ah walked with Jessica out into the orchard. Ah could see a place where there was a nice empty spot. It looked plumb big enough fer two trees, and Ah thought that maybe later we could git another apple tree. Jessica and Ah walked back toward the barn and Ah saw Big Mac coming back from making his latest delivery. He walked toward us, and then Ah watched as he gathered Jessica up in his arms and the two of them kissed somethin’ fierce.

He put her down and then looked over at me.

“Finished delivering the peaches?” Ah asked.

“Eeeeyup,” he replied.

“Did they like the homemade peach pie and fritters?” Jessica asked.

“Eeeyup. They actually had a few customers ask about the fritters and pie. They asked if we’d be willing ta make and sell them some of the pies and fritters,” he asked.

“Big Mac, it’d be like back home,” Ah said.

“Eeeeyup,” he replied.

“I don’t mind to do it, but what’s the order they want filled?” Jessica asked.

“A dozen pies, and about three dozen fritters is what they want to start off with,” he said.

Ah smiled at the thought of being able to sell some baked goods again. Ah wanted to make them Apple Family baked goods, and a thought hit me. Ah was. Anything we make was still Apple Family goods. Sure, we were gonna use peaches instead of apples, but it was still made by us Apples. Granny Smith once said that what made ever’thing we made so good was that it was made with love.

Ah knew she was right too. The Pies that Jessica and Big Macintosh made fer us tasted mighty good, and they did because the both of them put the love they had into makin’ ‘em. We walked back toward the house and talked about how we wanted to store the pies that we was gonna take with us. Ah could hear Apple Bloom up on the porch, and Ah looked to see her with a card in an envelope in her hands. Ah walked up to her.

“What’s ya got ‘Bloom?” Ah asked.

“Ah dun know. It’s from Pinkie Pie though,” she said.

Ah looked at it and noticed that it was made out ta me, ‘Bloom, Big Mac, and Jessica.

“Ah didn’t know that Pinkie knew we was even here,” Ah said.

“Ah didn’t either,” Apple bloom replied.

Ah opened the envelope and pulled out a white looking card with balloons for the border. Ah opened the card and suddenly I heard Pinkie Pie’s voice. Once her song ended there was a slight pause before Ah heard her voice again.

“Applejack! Hi! How ya doing Cousin?! Oooo… the little red light’s blinking, Andy, what’s that mean?”

“It means you’ve got about six minutes left,” another voice said.

“Awwww… I wanted to sing another song for them! Well phooey! Can I sing another song anyway?”

“Sure, but if you want to invite them you might want to work it in there,”

“Okie Dokie, Lokie! It’s a nice day for a white wedding!” Pinkie’s voice snorted.

“You really want to sing Billy Idol to them?”

“Applejack, I wanted to invite you, Apple Bloom, Big Macintosh, and Jessica to my wedding. Andy and I are going to be getting married, and I really want to see you there. Please? Pretty Please with sugar and cupcakes and chocolate and frosting… sweet creamy, creamy frosting.. and a bunch of other really good stuff please come?”

“How am Ah supposed to tell her yes?” Ah asked.

“She said yes!” Pinkie’s voice shouted.

“Pinkie, how do you know? We’re still recording this,” Andy asked.

“I just got a feeling. We’ll see you here! Andy’s gonna to arrange for train tickets for you. Oh, if you have a special somepony that you meet before you come out just call and let us know. We’ll make arrangements for them to come too!”

There was a small click and Ah watched the card light up fer a second. When it finished there was some writing on the card.

You are Cordially Invited to the wedding between

Andrew Franklin Williams

and

Pinkamena Diane Pie

The nuptials shall take place in one Month on October the second, 2054 at two pm. The wedding and reception shall be held at Anderson’s Funland Arcade. Gift Regestry on Amazon.com.

“Pinkie’s gonna marry that nice fella huh?” Mac asked.

“Ah… Ah guess so,” Ah said.

“How’d she even know ya said yes sis?” Apple Bloom asked.

“It’s Pinkie being Pinkie,” Ah answered.

We walked inside and Ah looked at the invitation again ‘fore handing it off to Jessica. She looked it over and smiled.

“When we go to town next week we should take a look at the clothing stores. It wouldn’t hurt to get something special to wear to the wedding,” she said.

Ah nodded, and Ah knew she was right. We could use somethin’ nice to wear to the wedding. Ah walked into the kitchen, and once in there Ah helped fix supper with ma family. We finally took a seat, and Ah was about to eat when I heard a voice off in the distance. Big Mac stood up, and Ah did the same. The two of us nodded to each other.

“Ya’ll stay in here,” Ah said to ‘Bloom and Jessica.

We walked out and Mac headed out toward the back side of the orchard, and Ah headed toward the barn. Ah walked in and saw the fella that tried ta burn the barn down. Ah started rushing toward him until I noticed he wasn’t trying to burn anything down. Instead he t’was holding a bottle.

“Told ‘em it wasn’t worth it,” he said facing away from me.

“What are you talking about?” Ah asked.

“I told them that this farm wasn’t worth the trouble they were trying to take in scaring you off. That it was going to take something more than just playing with fire. I won’t do what they wanted me to do next. I can’t. A man’s gotta draw a line somewhere,” he replied.

Ah walked closer and noticed that his breath stunk like whiskey.

“They wanted me to wait until either you, or the little one, or that other woman that’s involved with the big fella was alone. I can’t do it. I’ll do damned near anything to stay outta the stacks, but I won’t be turned into monster like that. Fuck ‘em,” he said.

Ah watched as he took another swig of his bottle and held it out to me.

“What did they want ya ta do?” Ah asked.

He laughed a bitter sounding laugh and shook his head.

“They said I should rape one of you. Maybe even kill ya afterward. They’ve got the DA for this area in their pocket, so it wouldn’t matter. Thing is it matters to me. I’m a fighter, a scraper, fuck a fucking Bruiser if you want to call a spade a spade. But I’m not a fuckin’ rapist piece of shit. The other fella was though,” he said.

Ah watched him stand and walk. There was a wet spot on the front of his shirt. Something that was making it cling to him.

“He… He followed ya out into the orchard. I couldn’t let him do it. I just couldn’t. Yer a fighter. Yer like me in that way. We fight, we know how to fight, and there’s some honor in that, but what that bastard was gonna do… I couldn’t let him,” he slurred before he stumbled.

Ah watched him fall to his knees, and Ah rushed forward to him. Ah put my arms around his waist and Ah felt the sticky and slickness there. Ah raised my hands and saw blood.

“He got me too. Fucker was carrying a knife… I think he wanted to slit yer throat. I didn’t let him. I fucked him up really good… Left him beside their wall… They know I did it… Guess I don’t have a job no more,” he muttered.

Ah helped him toward the farmhouse. Ah couldn’t let him bleed out like this. Not if what he was saying was true. We made it into the house and Ah heard ‘Bloom shouting.

“‘Bloom! Get something to help stop the bleeding!” Ah shouted.

“I’ve got a first aid kit, and a basic instruction program for wounds. It should give us a walk through on what to do,” Jessica said as she ran upstairs.

“Anyone ever tell you that yer mighty purty?” he mumbled.

“Jest keep talking. Don’t go ta sleep on me now,” Ah said.

“Sleep sounds good,” he muttered.

“Ain’t no sleeping on ma watch! Ya got a lot of work ta to ta make up for trying to burn down our barn, and Ah aim to make ya hold up to it! So no sleeping!” Ah shouted.

Jessica got back and opened up the lid of the first aid kit. A sort of smokey mirror started to light up and some critter wearing a doctor’s clothes appeared.

“Hello, this is a Johnson & Johnson First Aid Kit! This kit is able to handle simple to mildly complex situations. What seems to be the situation?” the critter asked.

“He’s been stabbed!” Ah shouted.

“Ah, a stabbing, well then you need to remove the following items from this kit. Needle, forceps, suture thread, local anesthesia, and of course the alcohol. Begin with cleaning the wound. Check to see if there is any foreign particles in the wound, and if there are remove them using the forceps,” the critter said.

“Ah ain’t even got his shirt off yet!” Ah yelled.

“Oh my, well my dear time is of the most importance. I suggest that you cut or otherwise remove his shirt, and then we proceed,” the critter said.

Ah grabbed his shirt, pulled hard and heard the fabric ripping. Once it was off Ah cleaned the gash he had. It was bleein’ something fierce, and Ah hoped this kit’s critter would help me stop it.

“What now?” Ah asked.

“Check to see if there is anything foreign,” the critter said.

Ah looked, but Ah didn’t see a thing sticking out.

“Looks clear,” Ah said.

“Very good. Thread the needle. Be sure to re-sterilize it with alcohol, and begin sewing him up,” it said.

“What about the bleeding?” Ah asked.

“If he has lost quite a bit of blood a trip to your local hospital may be advised. This kit does not contain a reserve of plasma,” the critter said.

Ah went to work sewing him up. Ah kept the loops small, trying to make sure it would pull everything tight. Part of me wished that Ah had paid more attention to Rarity when she was a sewing dresses. Maybe Ah would’ve learned something.

“Will he keep bleeding?” Jessica asked.

“If the muscle and skin has been sewn together properly he should stop bleeding, but I would suggest a trip to a hospital as soon as possible,” the critter said.

“Whiskey,” he groaned.

Ah looked at him and then at the bottle.

“Ah know that only makes ya bleed worse,” Ah said.

He groaned a little and quieted down.

“What should we do?” Ah asked.

“Want to take him to the hospital? The closest one that isn’t working for the Corporate Farm is a good hour away,” Jessica said.

“No, you stitched me up fine. This isn’t the first time I’ve had this happen,” he said through gritted teeth, “Still tired though.”

“Yer not going ta sleep!” Ah shouted at him.

Author's Note

(And our cast has grown a little. I wanted to add this in, and I’ve been planning on making our Bruiser part of the main cast for a little while. Even though he worked for that Corporate Farm I liked the idea of him having a sort of code of honor. What they wanted him to do violated that code.

And Pinkie Pie is getting married! The fun has been doubled!!!

Thanks for reading and commenting.

LF)

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