.buck//Moment

“So Applejack,” Ardent began, “how about you tell us what you think happened first?”

Applejack looked thoughtful for a few moments before nodding in agreement, describing Aura speaking to her and blessing her, infusing her with magic, her body rejuvenating and the bracelet binding itself to her. Idly she felt the markings on her hooves, no longer warm from the magic within them, pondering out loud what they meant. Starlight was the one who pointed out that she also had similar symbols on her cheeks, and that her eyes had changed colour. The conversation quickly turned to the attack she'd performed on the golem, which she had no idea about.

“It fired by itself,” she'd stated, completely at a loss. “All Ah knew was it was doin' somethin', didn't know what.”

Violet had her hoof on her chin, humming in thought, while Starlight was running a hoof over where the bracelet had been. “Strange. I don't feel anything there.” Silence fell over the group as they speculated. Ideas were passed between them, ranging from a rogue admin to a bug in the game to a secret event, but all arguments had their flaws and the six were left as clueless as before.

“We have to test this,” Violet stated, before a yawn broke her train of thought. It spread infectiously, and soon the cathedral was filled with the sounds of six sleepy mares. Quickly it devolved into quiet giggles as the girls teased Violet.

“Y'all need to sleep, Vi, else we ain't gonna solve this.” Applejack placed a hoof on her shoulder and grinned, before turning to the rest of the group. “An' Ah think Ah might hit the hay mahself. Been a long day.”

Around her the ponies nodded and agreed, saying their goodbyes and logging off in turn, thanking the others for playing. Party was extremely giddy, thanking Applejack for letting them fight something 'uber powerful', while Shadow expressed her admiration for her combat abilities. Starlight gave a short nod in the girls direction, complimenting Applejack's new appearance, before explaining that she had a busy day tomorrow and needed to get some sleep.

Soon it was just Ardent, Applejack and Violet left. The pegasus expressed some concern for Applejack's well-being, but otherwise smiled and wished her well, logging off to get some well earned rest in her eyes. The two remaining ponies stared awkwardly around each other for a several moments before Applejack spoke.

“So Violet...” she scratched her neck leisurely, “Ah'm assumin' nothin' like this has happened before?”

Violet shook her head. “Nope, at least not that I've heard of. I'll just go check the boards.” She began to walk away, but Applejack put a hoof on her shoulder and gently pulled her back.

“Twilight, get some sleep. We can look this up later.” She looked solemnly into her friends eyes, her tiredness seeping through subtly. Reluctantly, Violet nodded, placing a hoof to her mouth as she yawned again, too tired to protest. Stepping back, she waved at her, her body fading as she logged out, wishing her goodnight.

Applejack was about to log out herself when she paused and shook her head, grinning. Instead, she warped back to town.

The cathedral was once again silent, the inside torn and wrecked from the chaotic battle. A low hum came over the zone, and a burst of static would've flashed across the view of anypony present. As soon as it was over, the cathedral was once again pristine, well kept. Benches were back in their place and looked unused. The remains of the golem were gone, the scorch and scratch marks from combat ceasing to exist. An eternal sunset shone through the window, framing the statue of Aura.

Applejack appeared in town by the Chaos Gate. She'd have to guess it was quite late now, probably near to midnight, by the lack of ponies. There were a few wandering around, but none that she recognized. But instead of going into the town proper, she waited by the gate, leaning against the wall, hidden in the shadows. A quiet yawn broke the tension, and she looked over to see a unicorn sat in the corner, cuddling a blade her size. Her hair was messy and unkempt, teal with glimmering stripes of cerulean. Her long tail wrapped around her coat, a very pale pink, almost white, plain metal plates covering her upper legs and down her spine. Her eyes were shut, and she looked almost as though she were about to fall asleep.

“Y'alright, sugarcube?” Applejack called over quietly, not wanting to startle her. The mare turned her head in her direction, cracking a magenta eye open and regarding the orange pony. She smiled slightly.

“Yeah, just waitin' for a friend.” The pony lazily gestured for Applejack to join her, and she complied, sitting next to her and leaning against the wall. The unicorn threw her head back, sighing loudly. “She was supposed to be here aaaaaages ago!”

Applejack chuckled. “Yeah, Ah know ponies like that. 'Ah'll meet ya at 10', then they don't show up fer another hour!” The two laughed amongst themselves, the unicorn playfully prodding her in the ribs.

As the laughter died down to quiet chuckles, the pony held a hoof out. “Name's Scratch.”

Applejack smiled and bumped hooves. “Ah'm Applejack. Nice ta meet ya.”

Scratch looked contemplatively at her for a moment, scratching her chin. “You know, I'm pretty sure I've heard of somepony with that name...” Applejack winced slightly, shook her head, waiting for the inevitable question, but it never came. Instead Scratch shrugged and grinned. “Your character looks pretty unique. How'd you do that?”

Applejack looked confused for a moment, to which her companion gestured to her cheeks and hooves. Letting out a small “oh” in comprehension, she was about to explain when she thought back to the others. Maybe best to keep what happened secret. Racking her brains, she tried to come up with an excuse.

“It was... uh... an... event?” she lied, unconvincingly. To her credit though, Scratch just looked amused at her for a moment before shrugging and looking back to the Chaos Gate.

“Cool, sounds like a fun event. Look suits you too.” She gave her a quick glance and coy smile, winking. Applejack felt her cheeks warm slightly as she blushed and coughed nervously, joining her in watching the floating orb.

“So, who are you waiting for?” Scratch broke the silence, looking aside to Applejack.

She paused. “A friend. Said they'd go offline, but Ah reckon they're jus' waitin'.”

Scratch laughed, wrapping a hoof around her neck and grinning. “Oh I know what you mean. Tell you what.” She brought up a menu and swung it across in front of Applejack. Manipulating it, she prodded a few options faster than she could read until it settled on a pale yellow screen.

Quest Log

Active Quest: Δ Expansive Haunted Sea of Sand

Level: 3

Applejack raised an eyebrow as she continued. “I have this quest I never got 'round to doing. It's about your level, right?” She nodded, and Scratch grinned. “Right, so if my friend shows up before yours, you have to come beat it with me. Cool?”

For a few moments, Applejack just stared blankly. “Uh, surely y'all can beat it faster without me slowin' ya down?”

Scratch shrugged and winked. “Yeah, but I won't get anything for doing it aside from clearing it from my log.” She playfully punched Applejack's shoulder. “Plus this means I'm doing my good deed for the day: helping a newbie!”

She continued to stare, moving to protest, state that she was too tired, before she shrugged and quelled those thoughts, shaking her head and smiling. Raising her hoof, she spat on it before holding it up for Scratch, who mirrored the action and reciprocated. “Yer on!”

Unfortunately for Applejack, the words hadn't even finished echoing when a 'whoosh' from the Chaos Gate signalled a log in. Scratch's grin widened as she glanced at the newcomer, before she burst out laughing, falling onto her back and holding her sword close as she tried to calm down. Curiously, Applejack turned to see what was so funny.

Standing by the Chaos Gate was a tan earth pony, hoof on her face as she saw the floored unicorn. Her short black mane curved around her face, framing it as she sighed. Applejack glanced down the rest of the mare, taking in her tight-fitting leather jacket that covered a good half of her body, and her short, tidy tail. Strapped to her side was a very strange looking instrument, kind of like a guitar, but made of a dark metal.

A cough caught her attention, and she broke out of her stare and looked up at the pony, who was considering her with bright green eyes. At Applejack's look she appeared to flinch slightly, before nodding politely and turning to Scratch, who was still laughing.

“Scratch, what is it this time?” she questioned, and Applejack assumed this was the friend they were waiting for. Muttering, she cursed her luck and stepped back, letting the two talk.

Breathing heavily, Scratch managed to calm herself enough to respond. “It's just... we just bet and... you showed up... perfect...” she descended back into fits of laughter, and the earth pony shook her head and looked to Applejack instead.

“Do you have any idea what's with her?”

Applejack glanced over and rolled her eyes. “Ah was waitin' fer a friend, so was she, we made a bet on who was gonna turn up first, and then y'all show up as we agree.” She shook her head. “Can't believe mah luck t'day.”

The earth pony was silent for a few moments before letting out a single, short chuckle and tapping Scratch on the forehead. Leaving her friend on the ground to collect herself, she trotted over to Applejack's side and bowed her head.

“My name is Alto Clef.” She brushed a rogue strand of hair out of her eyes, looking up in a gesture for her to reply.

“Applejack. Pleased ta meetcha.” The pony held a hoof out to her new acquaintance, who shook it gently to her surprise. The two smiled at each other, then turned to Scratch, who was now forcing herself upright, cheeks wet with tears of laughter. Applejack shook her head while her companion face-hoofed again. Scratch wiped her face, then winked at the two of them.

“Glad to see you finally show up, Clef!”

The earth pony groaned and rolled her eyes. “You know how it is with the orchestra.”

“I know, I know, I'm just teasing,” Scratch gave a sweet smile, then turned her attention to Applejack. “Looks like I win!”

Applejack smiled slightly as she copied Clef's expression. “Fine, Ah'll clear that area fer ya.”

Scratch looked taken aback for a brief moment, gasping. “No no no! I believe the deal was you helped me clear it. So...” she paused for a moment, bringing up a menu, “to that end...”

Player  Chkchkchk  wishes to exchange Member Addresses!

Applejack stared blankly at the message for a while, glancing between it and the unicorn in front of her. Tentatively, she accepted it. “That's an... interesting name y'all've got there.”

“Mmhmm, but it's pretty unique.” She winked as she sent the orange mare a party invite, which was accepted quickly.

“Ahem.” Clef coughed, looking between the two. “Do either of you want to explain what's going on?”

Scratch flashed a smile at the earth pony before gesturing to Applejack. “I said if you showed up first, she'd help me clear a low level area!”

“And why did you decide to do this exactly?”

“I dunno, she seemed like a nice pony and is pretty new so I thought I'd help her out.” Smiling sweetly at Applejack, she saluted.

“And I suppose you think I'm coming too?” The tan mare's tone of voice clearly showed her resignation.

“Come on Clef, it'll be nice and easy, and you'll get to relax a bit.” She looked knowingly at her companion. “I know what you're like after your concerts.”

A subtle blush came over Clef, who averted her gaze and coughed. “Yes well, I suppose so,” she turned her attention to Applejack, tapping a few times at a menu.

Player  Alto Clef  wishes to exchange Member Addresses!

Applejack nodded, accepting the invite. “Howdy, Miss Clef,” she bowed slightly to her new friend. “Although Ah do need ta learn how ta do that mahself.”

Scratch laughed. “I'm sure you'll pick it up in time. Now, we have an area to...” she trailed off as a soft whoosh echoed behind them, and all three turned to face the newcomer, a lavender unicorn with a fiery mane. The mare looked skittish, not looking at any of them and beginning to trot into town when Applejack coughed, getting her attention. Glancing up, she froze, forcing a smile as the two recognized each other.

“Applejack! Oh, I wasn't expecting--” Violet began.

“Violet, go to bed.”

Violet hung her head solemnly, “Yes ma'am.” And then she faded.

The three looked at one another before bursting into laughter. Well, Applejack and Scratch burst into laughter; Clef was content with a more refined and subtle chuckle.

“That's your friend?” Scratch had finally got the breath to utter, to which Applejack nodded. She began laughing again. “Wow, already in with the big leagues, huh?”

Applejack cocked an eyebrow, smile still warm on her face. “Beg yer pardon?”

“Well,” Scratch opened her eyes, wiping away a happy tear, “You are apparently friends with the strongest character in the game.”

“Ah am?”

It was Scratch's turn to look curious. “Yeah. Violet Blaze. Highest level pony in the entire game. You didn't know?”

Applejack coughed quietly, shaking her head. Clef nodded, speaking up. “Well, to be fair, it's not like she relishes the attention.” At the Applejack's interested look, she continued. “She's not one to brag. Unlike that Dusk Glimmer,” she glared angrily at a particular stone in the gate before turning back, face neutral. “Wouldn't surprise me if she didn't tell you, she doesn't think it's a particularly big thing.”

Nodding, Applejack agreed. “Yeah, doesn't sound like her,” when the two looked at her inquisitively, she stammered on, “Ah know her in real life. Braggin' doesn't fit her real self much.”

Her two new friends glanced at each other for a moment before sounding their acceptance. Silence fell briefly until Scratch suddenly leapt at the Chaos Gate, shouting “Hey let's go!”

Player  Chkchkchk  is teleporting to  Δ Expansive Haunted Sea of Sand ! Join?

Clef and Applejack exchanged a look before hitting the accept button simultaneously, the world falling apart around them.

*****

“Well, it certainly lives up to it's name,” Applejack remarked as she stared out at the landscape. It was, well, an expansive sea of sand. Not so much haunted though, at least not yet. The flat plain was broken intermittently by grey rocks jutting out of the ground, and a light breeze carried a few grains of sand lazily by. Applejack followed Scratch to the dungeon, not too far away this time, chatting to Clef as they walked.

“Mm yes. At least it isn't too hot,” Alto Clef replied, adjusting her jacket. Her hoof caught a couple of strings on her instrument and a sharp tone rang through the desert. Applejack glanced over, nosily.

“What's that thing ya got there?” she pointed to the guitar-thing. Clef followed her gaze and lifted it up for her to inspect.

“This old thing? A ukulele, dear.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow, noting that she might have to buy some tape so she could lock her face in that expression and save herself some energy. “Never heard of it.”

“Well, they are quite rare in Equestria, that's for sure,” she smiled softly. “Of course, in this world, such restrictions don't apply.”

The orange mare nodded in acceptance, but scratched her chin. “Still, doesn't seem like much of a weapon, when everypony else is tryin' ta kill everythin'.”

To her surprise, Clef laughed. “Oh my dear, you've never seen a bard in action, have you?” Before she could continue, they heard a shout from the dungeon entrance, and looked up to see Scratch there, yelling at them to hurry up. They glanced at each other then rolled their eyes in unison, picking up their pace to meet her as she stood by the giant oak door and holding it open.

“Ladies first,” she bowed, grinning.

“Shut up, Scratch,” Clef muttered, striding through. Applejack took a look at the building proper before she entered. Unlike the dreary castle in the first zone, this one looked far more regal, fitting for royalty. The stone was a plain yellow sandstone, with windows obscured by brightly coloured silk curtains. Feeling far more content with this dungeon, she trotted in, nodding a thanks to Scratch as she passed.

Inside was even more impressive. The walls were adorned with paintings, markings and all sorts of other decorations, even vibrant flowers hanging in baskets from the ceiling. A golden light shone through the building, calming her and giving the castle a sense of being lived in, despite the lack of any evidence for it. Stepping forwards, she inspected a couple of the paintings on the walls, none of which she recognized, although she'd be the first to say she was never one for art.

Whispers from behind her caught her attention, and she glanced at her two companions, deep in conversation. Despite herself, she ended up eavesdropping a little bit.

“...was supposed to be our time.”

“I know, but look at her. Don't you want to know how she ended up like that?”

“Yes, but not right now. I was hoping to get some private time with you but you just had to invite somepony else, didn't you?”

“Look, it was just today. I'll owe you after, alright? How about we--”

It was after the next few statements that were in exquisite detail Applejack felt she really didn't need to know, that she realised she was listening to a conversation she was not meant to be hearing and trotted briskly down the hallway, pretending to be enraptured by some other art piece further away. Fighting against the blush in her cheeks, she rounded the corner, breathing heavily.

“Brain, Ah don't need that image,” she stated, hooves drilling into her temples as she tried to forget everything she'd just heard. It wasn't working, and she groaned quietly.

A hoofstep nearby caught her attention, and she looked up only to find hooves suddenly pressing at her neck and on her mouth before she could even react. Wildly she flailed, but felt a sharp crack in her back and winced as she watched her health meter drop to half. She went limp, feeling herself be dragged by an unknown assailant into a nearby sideroom. Deposited roughly onto the floor, she stared at the ceiling, paralyzed, as she heard the wooden door creak closed and a metal bolt lock into place. Blinking away tears, she saw shadows moving in the edge of her vision and tried to move.

“Aww, ain't that cute. Newbie's got a little fight in her!” This voice was completely new; for one thing it was a gravelly stallion's, but she had no idea who it was.

“I doubt it, Chuckles,” a different voice, deeper than the previous one. “Watch.” Applejack felt the paralysis wear off and forced herself to her hooves, leaping away from the voices and drawing her sword, growling. Now she could see her opponents: four dark coated pegasi, all in similar light armour and with similar physical builds, aside from one who was a noticeable amount larger than the others. All of them towered above Applejack though, and she gulped.

One of them whistled as the leader stepped forwards, a dark grin on his face. “Now little mare, we just want to ask you a few questions.”

Applejack snorted, biting harder on her sword. Except... she looked down, realising her mouth was empty. One of the stallions laughed, and she glanced up at him to see him twirling her sword in his hooves.

“Looking for this?” it was the first stallion. Applejack gulped.

“W-what d' y'all want?”

The leader took another step closer. “I just said, we just want to ask a few questions. Now...” he stepped again, Applejack backing up. She felt the oak door on her back, the metal bar keeping it shut cool against her spine. As the leader advanced, towering over her, she felt beads of sweat roll down her forehead. Nearly panicking, she turned her head to yell for help.

The world flipped as she soared through the air, spluttering as the blow to her neck made it difficult to breath. Her vision wavered and she tried to force herself up but failed, legs collapsing under her. Around her laughter echoed, as the leader leaned down towards her.

“Don't call for help. Understand?” He placed a hoof on her throat threateningly. Swallowing, Applejack complied, nodding her head. The hoof retracted. “Good. Now, what I was going to say was, how did you end up with markings like those?”

Applejack... paused for a few moments. That was it? “Well...” she stammered, trying to fight past the pain in her throat. “It was an... event.”

One of the smaller pegasi laughed, and she faintly felt a hoof kick at her back. “What do you take us for, idiots?”

The leader glared at the other pegasus, who cowered slightly and backed away. He turned his attention back to Applejack, moving closer. “I'm going to ask again. How did you get those markings?”

Swallowing loudly, she stammered. “I-it was an event, Ah swear.”

A cold, steel point pressed itself into her neck, and she felt herself being dragged to her hooves. “That isn't how the game works, newbie. Now I'm going to ask one last time. Markings. How?” The point she realised belonged to her own sword, and it jabbed painfully into her without piercing to drive the point home. Her eyes went wide and she tried desperately to hold herself together, unable to articulate a response.

After a few moments, the blade was removed, and Applejack let in a deep breath before feeling hooves on her windpipe, threatening to crush it. Her hooves left the ground as she was lifted into the air, struggling weakly. Two of the pegasi laughed, while the leader looked almost disappointedly at her. “Well, this was a waste of time.” At Applejack's pathetic attempts to fight back, he grinned. “Oh yeah, forgot. This is how it works, newbie. You're weak. We're strong. You give us what we want, or we kill you. And since you haven't given us what we want...” he trailed off, his grin turning malevolent and widening. The hooves pressed more strongly as blackness crept into the edges of her vision.

“Sorry newbie, looks like it's ga--”

Then the door exploded.