The Great Crusade to Canterlot

It had been just a little over five days since Granny Smith and Big Macintosh departed for Manehattan. Thanks to the efforts of Rainbow Dash and Skye Shot, Applejack was able to keep up on the first day’s workload. With Skye and Dash off on the Cloudsdale Weather Tour there would be no more surprise help from either of the two capable pegasi. The biggest worry on Applejack’s mind was why she hadn’t received a letter from her family. Granny said that it wouldn’t take more than three days for her and Mac to reach Manehattan.

“I just hope they’re alright. I was expectin’ a letter by now.” Applejack took a sip of her coffee and focused on the orange ball rising over the hillside. A sleepy-eyed Chase was seated next to her waiting for his own cup of coffee to cool down a bit. “Sorry, just thinkin’ out loud. I’m sure they’re fine. They’re probably just overwhelmed by the big city. We don’t get out that way too often. And, uh, it really ain’t my cup of tea.

“Or coffee?” Chase took a small sip from his mug. His eyes widened as the boiling brew splashed against his tongue.

“Or coffee,” Applejack laughed. She finished her coffee and set the empty mug on the table. “Alright, I’m gonna get started down in the orchard. Today, I need you to run some errands in town. We’ll be settin’ up a stand at the market tomorrow. I need you to make sure we get the best spot possible. I also need you to check and see if the local distributor is still able to lend a hoof with deliveries closer to home. Feelin’ up to it?”

Chase yawned and stretched his forelegs across the table. “Piece of cake! Probably best to send me into town while I’m still around, eh?”

“Oh, right…” Applejack cleared her throat and jumped out of the chair. Her hooves quickly carried her away from the thoughts of another body leaving the farm. “Okay, then I guess we’ll meet up later tonight. I’ll have the girls on rinsin’ and inspection duty. Come tomorrow we’ll have a whole buncha apples to sell!”

Chase took a bigger sip from his mug and ignored the fiery sensation spreading through his mouth. “I can’t stay here forever…” His ears lowered as he watched Applejack trot down into the orchard.

. . . . . .

Ponyville was bustling with activity as vendors set up their stands for the upcoming market day. Some of the stands were simply carts with company names splattered in paint across a piece of wood. Others we’re actually being built as Chase trotted through the town square. The sounds of hammers and planks of wood falling to the ground made the town sound even more rustic than it already was.

Chase’s head swiveled to examine each stand. Most of the produce carts were still bare, but some of the stands offering non-perishable goods were all ready to go. From custom made pottery to clothing stands, the market looked like it would have something for everypony. “Must be a big deal around here…” Chase blurted out.

“Uh, duh, of course it’s a big deal, silly! Where else are we going to sell all our stuff?” Pinkie bounced in front of Chase and gave a big smile. “A good salespony can really clean up on market day!”

“Pinkie Pie!” Chase was happy to see a familiar face. “I haven’t seen you since the pet show.”

“Didn’t think I’d be bumping into you again, Chase!” She squeed. “Whatcha doing in Ponyville again?”

“Oh, it’s a long story… For starters, I’m helping Applejack with the Fall harvest. Still trying to save up for my trip to Canterlot.” He scanned the town square and noticed a lack of free space. “And today I’m supposed to be finding a good spot to setup the Sweet Apple Acres vendor booth for tomorrow. Though it looks like all the best spots are taken…”

“Ouch… You should’ve gotten here way earlier then! All the best spots are snagged before the sun even comes up! Market day in Ponyville is a big deal! Everypony has to duke it out for everypony else’s bits!” She pressed her muzzle against Chase’s and narrowed her eyes. “If you’re not careful… Bam! No sale!”

Chase jumped back and winced.

“Only the best of the best can survive!”

“Since you know so much, how’s about helping out your old pal Applejack… and me!” Chase forced a grin despite his confusion over the ever-changing moods of Pinkie Pie.

She shook her head and stomped a hoof. “No can do! I’ll be helping Fluttershy sell bunnies.”

“Bunnies?”

“Mmm hmm! Bunnies! Ya know, those little-“

“Yes! I know what bunnies are!” Chase huffed.

“No need to be a grouchy goat! C’mon! We’ll find you a good spot for tomorrow!” Pinkie happily sprung away.

“Maybe I can convince everypony that bunnies only eat apples… That’ll bring in some sales, right?” Chase hurried after Pinkie to stake his claim of the Ponyville marketplace.

. . . . . .

Pinkie Pie’s grin was skewed by the hammer clenched in her jaw. She had just finished hammering a sign into the ground to claim a plot of land for Sweet Apple Acres’ vendor booth. The only problem was that it was down an alleyway from the town square. Not much recognition. Then again, at least Chase didn’t have any competitors nearby.

“Told ya we’d find a great spot!” Pinkie dropped the hammer into her saddlebag. “You and Applejack are going to have this entire alley to yourself! Nopony else to threaten your sales!”

“If anypony happens to search the alleyways for apples…” Chase rolled his eyes.

“You’ll just need to get creative! I’m sure you two will be great! Just do your best and those apples will be flying off the stands faster than you can say, ‘a parade of pretty ponies purchased a parrot!’”

“Say what now?”

“Exactly!” Pinkie wrapped her hooves around Chase and shook him wildly in what could only be a hug designed to break a spine. “See ya tomorrow morning! Remember to get here bright and early, Mister Foxie!”

She bounded away once again. Chase realigned his back and leaned against the sign in the ground. “Okay, I can at least check off ‘finding a spot for tomorrow.’ Making some progress, Chase!”

. . . . . .

“Sweetie Belle! How are we coming along with that fabric?” Rarity’s voice sounded from the floor below.

Sweetie Belle sighed. Her head was resting on a foreleg as she scanned the neatly stacked mountain of fabric next to her. The Trotalus theater group would be arriving in a few days for the performance and there wasn’t much time left to work on the costumes. Rarity had all of the measurements, materials, and knowledge to create the ensemble of outfits. The only thing lacking now was the performers.

“I’ll bring it down in a second,” Sweetie said very unenthusiastically. It had been a while since she received a letter from Button. She couldn’t blame him for not writing as often. After all he was still subjected to school work. One thing Sweetie quickly learned about being with a gamer colt was just how poorly they managed their time when it came to work and play. Button Mash was no exception to this rule. Still, the absence of his letters only made Sweetie’s days in Canterlot drag on that much longer.

“Do hurry up, dear. I would like to get started on a few outfits before dinner.”

“Yeah, and I’d like to go home before dinner…” Sweetie muttered into her hoof.

. . . . . .

Chase was sitting across from a pegasus stallion dressed in a blue and red PonEx uniform. Ponyville Express was one of the best alternatives for delivering packages when the Equestrian Postal Service just wasn’t enough. Unfortunately, this meeting wasn’t going as smoothly as he had hoped. After sitting in the waiting room for what felt like an eternity, Chase had finally tracked down a PonEx representative.

“I’m sorry, sir, but we aren’t shipping any… spherical red perishable fruits at this moment.”

Chase cocked an eyebrow. “You mean apples, right?”

W-well, just the fruit that grows on trees and is generally bucked down.” The stallion pulled the collar of his uniform away from his chafed neck.

“Just say apples! What the hay is the problem? You ponies are driving me nuts! First, I had to fill out a bunch of forms. Then you made me wait for almost an hour! Now you’re telling me you can’t even ship the product I filled out all those forms for after waiting the entire afternoon?!” Chase puffed out his chest and exhaled. “Ah, better…” He smiled.

The stallion leaned closer and placed a hoof against his mouth. “L-look, I shouldn’t even be telling you this… The thing is, some of our delivery ponies were attacked on the last couple apple shipments. The carts that were brought down last week… didn’t make it.”

“Didn’t… make it?” Chase felt his heart sink. “But we… we worked so hard to meet the deadline!”

“There’s a group of bandits raiding the main roads and disrupting the entire supply chain. It’s harvest season, so of course they know just how many apples are shipped across Equestria. It’s terrible… My hooves are tied though. We can’t approve any apple shipments until the problem is solved. Any shipments of apples will need to be handled by the orchards supplying them. I’m sorry…”

Chase swallowed the lump in his throat. How many apples had they dropped off last week for delivery? His legs were still sore from all the hard work. This was Applejack’s big plan to avoid delays to her regular buyers. Without Mac carting apples to the local spots and the Ponyville delivery services unavailable, the harvest season was looking to be even more hopeless.

“Even if we did transport the apples ourselves there’s no guarantee we’d be safe either…” For the first time during his entire stay in Ponyville, Chase’s face looked empty. The optimism that usually coursed through his body had all but dried up.

. . . . . .

The day had not quite gone as planned. It was the middle of the afternoon and Chase had nothing to show for his hard work. The best plot of land he could get for the Sunday market was down an alleyway, and the shipping companies seemed to be on hold with threats of the Mirage Gang growing closer to Ponyville. The young stallion’s head was hung low enough to scrape the ground beneath his hooves.

“This day is turning out to be one for the record books. Just can’t seem to get a leg up on anything. What the hay am I supposed to tell Applejack?”

His right ear lifted as the sounds of beeping drew closer. Chase slowly lifted his head and saw neon lights flashing around a sign which read Ponyville Players Guild. Now much more excited, he cantered into the arcade and took in the familiar sights and sounds of his younger days. Arcade cabinets were neatly arranged and almost all filled up with colts and fillies dumping their hard-earned bits into the hungry machines. After all, nothing was more satisfying than seeing your initials displayed above everypony else’s!

Chase was drawn to the shouts and hollers of a colt a few games down.

With a bag of bits next to his saddlebag and bloodshot eyes; one colt stood above the rest in terms of loyalty to his pixilated protagonist. His hoof mashed the buttons at the speed of a Sonic Rainboom. Button was annihilating enemies like it was his job. Changeling Charge was the game and it involved entering the forbidden cavern of Queen Chrysalis to wipe out her army before they laid siege to Equestria.

“Come on!” Button slammed his hooves onto the game and growled. “Everypony knows that it’s impossible to clear her lair with only a single life! I shouldn’t have even died those two other times!” His irritation caused the fillies around him to scatter away. Skee ball on the other side of the room was probably a safer alternative…

Button’s eyes darted across the screen. Each click of the button and twist of the joystick brought him one step closer to glory or doom. He wiped the sweat from his brow and leaned forward. He wriggled on the stool and made sure the blood was still flowing to his almost numb hind legs. Nothing threw a gamer off like the dreaded pins and needles in a pony’s limbs. Especially not when they were about to clear a game.

“Dodge, dodge!” Button shouted as he jerked the stick to the left. A bone-shattering smash was heard on the screen. The reflection of the game in his eyes turned black.

Game Over.

“No!” Button droned on as he fell forward onto the game screen. “I put so many bits into this game… So much time… If Sweetie Belle were here maybe we could-“ He sighed and pushed his head up from the now smudgy screen.

Chase slid a bit into the second slot and hopped onto the stool next to Button. “Mind having a player two?”

Button’s ears lowered as he stared at the older pony next to him. “Um, okay…”

“I must look scarier than I thought!” Chase snickered and wrapped a foreleg around the joystick.

“N-no! It’s just, um, you’re… old.”

Chase leaned forward and grinned. “I guess I’ll take being old over being scary. Let’s see if this old stallion can lend you a hoof.”

Button nodded and readied himself for the start of the level. Despite choosing to continue the game, both he and Chase were only working with a single life. Changeling Charge was known for being a game that would bleed anypony’s account dry.

The funny thing about gamers is that the way they see a video game is drastically different from the way a normal pony observes a video game. The key to success is truly immersing one’s self into the scenario…

. . . . . .

Button was standing in the middle of large field with a sword clenched between his teeth. He was dressed in silver chainmail and heavy steel boots on each hoof. The visor on his helmet was raised allowing him to take in the scenery around him.

Chase had a feather sticking out of a cap with tight tunic clinging to his body. Sheathed on each foreleg was a dagger. A bow and quiver of arrows were hanging from his side. He trotted through the grass and tested out drawing his weapons. A quick tap of the attack button swung his forehead and caused a slash of the dagger, while a jump backward and slam of the attack button launched an arrow from his trusty bow.

“Okay, this won’t do. We need to switch.” Chase planted his flank among the waving green blades poking from the earth.

“Wh-at?” Button took a step back. “I don’t wanna be the thief class! That’s lame!”

“Hey, this is your fault! You overloaded yourself with heavy armor and now you’re complaining you can’t dodge! If you want to be up front kicking some flank then you’ll need lighter gear. Make me the knight and you be the thief. You’ll be doing more damage than you can count if your speed is higher! Nopony will be able to hit you! And I’ll take all the damage!” Chase smirked.

“How… do you know all this?”

“Just ‘cuz I’m old doesn’t mean I don’t like video games!”

Button nodded and trotted over. He reached out a hoof. “I’m Button Mash, but you can call me Button.”

Chase pressed his hoof against Button’s. “I’m Fox Chase, but you can just call me Chase. Better yet; call me partner!” He grinned as the buzzing sound of changelings drew closer. “We better switch classes before we’re toast!”

A swirl of golden light consumed both ponies. Within seconds, Chase was clad in the heavy armor, while Button was prancing around in the lighter gear of a thief.

“Whoa, you weren’t kidding! I can move around much faster!” Button narrowed his eyes onto the dark cave in front of them. “I’m ready when you are, Chase!”

“O-kay! Let’s mash some monsters, Button!”

. . . . . .

Chase parried a hoof away with his broadsword and slid backwards. Button dashed ahead and leapt into the air. His daggers started to glow.

“Cover me! I need to heal!” Chase shouted. A healing scroll was hovering over his body. “I’ll need about ten seconds!”

Button flung a dagger through the first changeling and landed on the slippery ground of the cave. His ears lowered as the buzzing menaces circled around him. “But this is where I always die!”

The scroll over Chase’s armored body tore into two pieces and a shower of green light poured down onto him. The dents on his armor were repaired and his health bar slowly started to rise once again.

Button jumped back and fired an arrow through the head of a changeling. The beast exploded into a mass of dark clouds. The colt jumped ahead and slid against a rock. He braced himself for the enemies in front of him and activated an evasion spell. He contorted his body to avoid each hoof jabbing toward him. “Can’t catch me!” Despite having less armor, Button was finding his new class to be extremely helpful. With the three enemies safely behind him he readied to launch a counterattack

A red slash of energy tore through the cave and decimated the changelings hovering between the two ponies. Chase landed on the ground and sheathed the broadsword on his back. The experience bar over his character filled slightly as the game processed his newly acquired kills.

“Told ya that the light armor would work better! Some of these games like to trick ponies. Everypony always goes for the knight. Yeah, sure, they have the best armor and damage, but when you have a ton of monsters hitting you at once that clunky armor just makes you a sitting duck!”

“I never really thought about that…”

“You ponies dare tread hoof into my lair?” A voice echoed from deeper in the cave. “Then come face your Queen. I will show you true fear…”

Chase and Button looked at one another and gulped. The colt used a healing scroll, while Chase looked through his inventory to enchant his sword. The stalactites dripped musty droplets of water onto the ground next to the scheming ponies.

“I heard the queen can change her form a lot faster than the normal Changelings. She feeds off love, so we have to make sure that our actions in there don’t raise her Emotion Gauge too much.”

“So, be a team without actually being a team?” Chase trotted forward, his armor clanging with each step.

“Yep! That’s usually how she finishes ponies off. You get into a pinch, try to help your teammate, and then Chrysalis uses her powers to fire off a nasty attack that wipes out the entire party. Then you’re back at the start of the dungeon… again. I’ve only ever seen a few ponies get this far once before. And that was with a full party of four characters!”

Chase hummed to himself and flicked his tail in thought. “So the game really is best played solo…”

“Huh?”

“No teammates to get in the way! Very clever… A multiplayer game with a cheap boss that feeds off of teamwork. Ooo, it’s a real bit-eater!” Chase rubbed his hooves together and waited for Button to catch up. “Best of luck, Button.”

The colt hurried next to Chase and trembled a bit. “Um, you too.”

The inside of Chrysalis’s chamber was covered in green pods. Unconscious ponies were trapped inside as their transformation into changelings would begin soon. A few of the pods on the walls still showed motion inside as the captors did their best to resist the horrid fate that stood before them.

The queen was hovering in the center of the room and glared at the ponies below. Her black body was very slender and aerodynamic; though ragged to say the least.  Her mane looked like wet cerulean seaweed split by the tattered horn on her head. Two insect wings kept her elevated over her enemies. There was a certain beauty to behold in the changeling queen, but nothing that could compare to an alicorn princess.

“Two very tasty looking morsels to add to my collection. For your insolence I will make sure you lead the charge against Canterlot Castle.” Chrysalis’s tongue slithered over her lips. “Show me the teamwork that brought you here! The love and friendship that surges through Equestrian warriors!”

Chase slid his visor down. “I’m going for that high score, Button…” His voice barely escaped the metal shell covering his head.

“H-hey! That wasn’t the deal! You said you were going to help me!” Button narrowed his eyes.

“In your dreams! Taking down the queen will give me more than enough points to beat that puny score of yours!” Chase charged ahead.

“Not if I beat her first!” Button snarled and scurried toward his potential demise.

The queen was dumbfounded. “This is a very odd formation of teamwork you’re displaying! If you don’t take me seriously you shall both perish!”

Not a chance, queenie. I figured this game out long before I saw your ugly face. The heat from Chase’s breath was pushing out from the slit in his helmet. He threw his head back to slide the visor up and drew his sword.

“What kinda partner betrays somepony in the final level?” Button fired an arrow into the queen’s leg.

Chase’s mind continued scanning through the inventory in his saddlebag. He galloped forward as Chrysalis descended to the ground. Her form shifted into a Timberwolf.

Button gasped and dropped his sword. The metal weapon landed with a clang. “I-I don’t think I can outmaneuver that, Chase!”

“Too bad! More points for me, little guy!” Chase felt the wolf’s jagged claws bang against the side of his armor as he skewered his sword through the wolf’s body. Splinters of wood erupted from the injured beast and sprinkled onto the arena like confetti.

Button shifted his eyes to the left and saw a pod hatching. The newly formed changeling shook the green slime from its body and joined the battle by sneaking up behind Chase. “Watch out!” The colt’s legs kicked off the ground as he steadied the bow in his mouth. He screeched to a halt and lined up an arrow. The bowstring snapped against the side of his face as the arrow planted itself into the body of the changeling assaulting Chase.  The enemy burst into a cluster of swirling, black clouds. “Ha! Now who has more points?” Button’s experience bar filled up; readying him for his special attack. You won’t get the last hit on her! Heh, I’m unleashing my final move! Button spit his bow to the side. His tiny legs carried him closer to the howling wolf, while Chase delivered another heavy-hoofed blow with his steel boot.

Chrysalis pushed Chase away and changed back to her original form. His sword was lodged in the side of her twisting body. “I still have enough power to destroy one of you!”

That’s right. Go ahead and kill me. It won’t matter in a few seconds.

The queen raised her forelegs into the air and summoned a crackling ball of energy. She noticed the colt’s glowing body and aimed her final attack in his direction.

The game is programmed to attack the most threatening player. Button’s special attack can finish her off, but the Queen’s attack will hit him long before he even has a chance to get close. It’s cute how colts just rush in. Without Role Play whooping my flank every time we hung out at the arcade I would still be the same way…

“Fall before the hatred of the changeling army!” Queen Chrysalis launched the ball of energy toward Button. A speed scroll tore itself in half over Chase’s character. Imbued with a new boost of speed, his hooves tore across the cave floor to finish the queen.

I have enough high-scores in New Jockey. I’ll let the little guy take this one.

Chase jumped between Button and the sizzling projectile. His body was immediately vaporized into purple dust.

“I warned you that teamwork would be the only way to-“ The queen grabbed her body and screamed in agony. “This pain!” She trembled and looked down at the sword lodged within her chest. “P-poison…”Her body fell to the ground and was consumed by the flurry of slashes from Button’s daggers. She reached up and screamed as her life bar quickly plunged until there was nothing left.

. . . . . .

Bold letters of red damage filled the screen as Button’s hooves mashed against the attack button. He delivered the final blow and witnessed the queen’s pixelated body vaporized into nothing. The colt blinked as he was prompted to enter his initials for the top score.

“Wh-what just happened?”

“Oh, looks like you won! Gee, that’s what I get for trying to deflect that energy ball back at her! I got my flank toasted, buttered, and served for breakfast!” Chase cracked his shoulders and slid off the stool. “Good job, kid! You really know you’re stuff!” He waved a hoof goodbye and started to trot away.

“Wow… I didn’t think I’d ever beat that game.” Button quickly entered his initials. “Wait up!” He threw his saddlebag onto his back and scampered after his new friend.

The initials BTN were flashing triumphantly on the screen above all the other names.

. . . . . .

“Order up!”

Two chocolate shakes were flung in front of Chase and a very eager Button Mash. The colt grabbed his glass and immediately jammed the straw into his mouth. His eyes shrunk as he attempted to suck the thick chocolate through his straw.

“Easy, little guy! You’re gonna make your brain explode!”

Button gave up and fell back against the green cushion of the booth. “They made it too thick…” His eyes watered.

Chase swirled his straw in the chocolaty beverage in an attempt to break up the clumps of ice cream. “I haven’t had a milkshake in a long time. This was a good idea!”

Button copied Chase and proceeded to mix his shake as well. “I used to come here all the time with Sweetie Belle.”

“Is that like your pet dog or something?” Chase’s cheeks imploded against his face as he finally managed to pull the milkshake up through the straw.

“N-no! She’s my marefriend!” Button slurped down his own shake. His lips made a satisfying smack after he managed to consume a few globs of the still nearly frozen dairy product. “Last time I try a triple-thick shake…”

“I just thought you were too young for a special somepony! When I was your age fillies had cooties!” Chase snickered.

“Sweetie Belle isn’t like other fillies! She’s smart and pretty and really nice to me!” Button looked away. “And right now she’s really far away…”

“Oh?”

“Her sister took her to Canterlot to help with some dumb play. Now I’m stuck here all by myself!” Button pinned his ears against his head. “Some of the meaner fillies in my class keep telling me that she’s going to find a better coltfriend in Canterlot.”

Canterlot. Ugh. That name is starting to make me sick… Chase wrapped a foreleg around Button and pulled him closer for a hug. “Nah, that won’t happen! She’d be crazy to leave such a great stallion like you! I know mares twice your age who would love to have a sweet colt like you around!”

“Ah, jeez, you’re just sayin’ that…” Button grinned and clamped the milkshake glass between his hooves. “How come I’ve never seen you around here before? Did you just move to Ponyville?”

“Eh, kinda… I’m working at Sweet Apple Acres during the harvest season… apparently.”

“So then you know Apple Bloom! She’s one of Sweetie’s best friends! And,” Button paused, “you know Applejack, too! She’s really good friends with Sweetie’s big sister, Rarity.”

“Come to think of it, I did hear Applejack and Bloom talking about their friends at some theatre in Canterlot.”

“Yeah… I’d love to go if it weren’t so expensive.”

“Tell me about it!”

Chase and Button sighed in unison and slid down in the booth.

“Sweetie said that their getting Manehattan’s best troupe for the play!”

The straw lodged itself into Chase’s throat. He pounded his chest and coughed. “T-Trotalus?!”

“You know them?” Button wiped the chocolate residue from his lips.

“Not all of them, but I do know one of their lead mares…” Chase looked out the window and noticed the sun starting to fall. “Crud! Sorry, Button, but I need to head back! I can’t believe I was gone this long!” Chase tossed several bits onto the table and jumped out of the booth. “You should come by the market place tomorrow! I’m sure Apple Bloom and Scootaloo would love an update on Sweetie Belle. Not to mention we need to plan our next trip to the arcade.”

“Sure thing!” Button beamed. “And, uh, Chase?” The colt’s whacky grin turned to a more solemn smile. “Thanks for everything. It’s been a while since I had this much fun.”

“Hey, a good player two always his partner’s back!” Chase winked and hurried out the door.

. . . . . .

The events of the day dragged on longer than Chase had anticipated. It was almost evening when he finally returned to Sweet Apple Acres. He didn’t hear the sounds of apple bucking or carts being hauled up from the orchard. The thirsty stallion decided to enter the kitchen before starting any new task. Dehydration was the last thing he needed to add to his list of ailments.

“Applejack? Apple Bloom? Uh… Scooty-puff? No, Scootaloo! Hel-lo? Anypony here? Sorry I’m so late!” Chase passed a few carts of apples and made for the house.

He pushed his way through the backdoor and stopped when he saw Applejack slumped over on the kitchen table. A note was crumpled up in front of her.

“A-Applejack! Are you okay?” He rushed over to her side.

She slowly lifted her head. Her eyes were bloodshot and swollen. Applejack wiped a hoof over her puffy face and sniffed. “Chase… I’m sorry ya had to see me like this. I was hopin’ I could pull myself together before ya came back. The girls are already sleepin’. They worked their little tails off today.”

Chase grabbed the note and started reading. “What is this?”

“Big Macintosh and Granny Smith were attacked on their way to Manehattan. The wagon’s gone… Our best apples are… gone.” She slammed a hoof onto the table. “I shoulda been there to help! I mighta been able to help ‘em!” Her foreleg quivered in frustration. “I knew this trip would be trouble!”

Chase smoothed the wrinkles from the letter and attempted to read the scribbled text. It didn’t help that Applejack obviously shed some tears onto the paper while she was reading. Sheesh, did she blow her nose in this thing too? He squinted and took it one word at a time.

Dear Applejack,

Sorry for not writing sooner. We hit a small snag on our trip to Manehattan. We were jumped by a gang of apple bandits! They took our wagon and almost all the apples. I managed to grab a few and threw them in my bag before Mac unhitched the cart.

Bruised or not; when yer an Apple you never give up. We’re in talks now to get that contract for next year. We’re the only supplier who showed to meet with Mr. Fuji Mogul. Everypony else was either hijacked or too chicken to make the trip. Apparently these bandits have been a real pain in the flank during the harvest season so far.

Your brother is still a little shook up, but nothin’ to fret about. We’ll be home soon enough and can discuss everything. I promise we’ll take the train this time.

You just keep an eye on the orchard,

Granny

Chase crumpled the note between his hooves. A fire was burning in his eyes, while he grinded his teeth in frustration.  I’m sick of these jerks getting in our way!

/) To be Continued (\