The Great Crusade to Canterlot

A blanket of grey clouds hung over the ocean and pushed itself inward to the shores of New Jockey. Waves broke and smashed against the legs of the pier reaching out into the murky abyss. Two stallions were sitting on the small fishing dock as the clouds rolled in and consumed them. Anypony out at sea would surely be lost for days in conditions this severe.

“You really shouldn’t be out here, Chase. If a wave catches your hooves you’ll be pulled out into the sea. Not even my magic could bring you back. You’d be lost forever.”

Chase continued dangling his hind legs over the frothy waters and ignored the warning. “Sometimes I wonder what’s on the other side, ya know? Across this ocean. Far away from Equestria…”

“Why would you want to leave New Jockey? Aren’t you happy here?”

“I could ask you the same thing, Role… Why are you leaving?” Chase breathed in the salty air and closed his eyes. “I feel like I’m already being pulled away into the ocean.”

The misty silhouette of Role Play’s body fell back onto the rickety planks. “We all have things to do with our lives. Dreams we need to strive toward. Goals we need to shoot for before our time runs out. I can’t achieve everything I want to here.”

“So you’re just going to leave your friends behind?” Chase snapped. He slammed a hoof down. “We can come with you! We can keep helping you just like we have since we were colts! I… We’ve given you everything!”

Role kicked his legs as the water broke against his hooves. There was a satisfied look on his face as he felt the warm ocean foam stick to his fur. “That’s the problem; you and Skye give too much. I want you both to go out and live your own lives. Not just help me with my dreams. You know how badly Skye wants to be a weather pony.”

“And what about me? I don’t even know what to do with myself… I can’t just live on a farm my whole life. Being with you and Skye is the only thing that gave my life any-“

“Chase… You always ask me what’s beyond the ocean, and yet you’re too afraid to even step hoof further into Equestria. This land has more stories to tell than you can imagine. For all we know the ocean just stretches on forever. Stop worrying about what’s out of reach and start thinking about all the things you’re missing around you right now.” Role sat up and braced himself on his forelegs. “Whether we’re sitting together listening to the seagulls or stuck on opposite sides of the world; we’ll always be friends. You think I’d ever forget a screwball like you?”

Chase laughed as he was grabbed around the neck and received a grinding hoof into his mane. “C-cut it out! You’re gonna drill into my brain!”

Role released him and cast his gaze back out over the ocean. “It’s time you show the rest of Equestria that smile of yours. Maybe you don’t think you’re cut out for life on your own, but I know you’ll do great. You and Reynard need to stretch your legs a bit. Go find what really matters to you.”

What really matters…?

“Friendship is a great thing, Chase. But it’s something best shared with as many ponies as possible.” Role jumped onto his hooves and started walking away from his friend. “Your cutie mark may not show it, but you have the power to touch ponies' lives. The power to change the world around you.” He stopped in the middle of the pier and looked back one last time. “I’ll always envy you for that. See ya around, buddy.”

Chase wiped a tear from under his eye and listened as the sound of Role's hoofsteps away from him grew louder.

Louder?

The knocking of Role’s hooves against the wood grew more aggressive until finally the earth pony was forced to clamp his ears shut.

. . . . . .

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Chase threw the blanket from his body and sprung up to attention. His chest was heaving. His face was covered in sweat. “That dream again…” The knocking sound; it was coming from the barn door. Reynard was still curled up in a ball despite the commotion. If he wasn’t lifting as much as an ear then there was most likely no threat on the other side of that door.

“Coming!” Chase wiped his sleepy eyes with a foreleg and unlatched the beam keeping him locked away from his uninvited guest. As he pushed the door open he noticed it was still dark outside. He also noticed a shivering pegasus. “Fluttershy? What’s going on?”

“D-did I w-wake you? I’m s-sorry!” Her teeth chattered.

“Hurry up and get your flank in here! Reynard! Blanket!” Chase shouted and glared at the yawning fox. The nights were growing colder with each passing day. Just another reason it was important to finish this harvest as soon as possible.

Fluttershy took a seat on the mound of hay Chase called his bed. Reynard obediently threw the blanket over her and padded over to Chase’s side. The barn door was shut and locked once again to keep the cool air from invading.

“It’s so warm in here…” Fluttershy pulled the blanket up to her mouth and nestled into the pile of hay.

“Heh, you don’t live on a farm your whole life and not figure out how to insulate a run-down shack! Reynard and his friends probably have a cozier den than my entire home!” Chase dropped next to Fluttershy and tightened the blanket around her. “Now, back to the matter of why you’re here. I’m pretty sure Applejack has a ‘no mares allowed’ policy for her stallion guests.”

Fluttershy blushed and quickly shook her head. “N-no! I’m just here because Pinkie was telling me about your troubles finding a spot at the market place. I was thinking, um, we could share my booth. You could keep your apples down the alleyway, you know for storage, but then Applejack or you could get everypony’s attention in the middle of the town square at my booth.” She tucked her head into the blanket. “That is, if you want. I don’t mean to step on your hooves and tell you what to do…”

“If you weren’t so terrified of everything I would hug you right now!” Chase exclaimed. “That’s a great idea! But why did you come here so late… or early.” He looked out the small window above the door and tried to determine if Luna was in charge or if Celestia would be giving her sister the royal boot soon.

“Well, the last time we talked was at the pet show. I wasn’t sure if you’d listen to somepony who couldn’t even control her own pet…”

“You think I have much control over that bag of fuzz over there?” Chase eyed Reynard, who was giving an innocent tilt of his head. “Yeah, keep puttin’ on a show for all the mares and fillies around here! I swear… His loyalty comes down to who can give a better belly rub.”

Fluttershy pushed her face from the blanket and smiled. “He’s a good boy! Always listening to his daddy! Isn’t that right?”

Reynard yipped and gave two nods of approval.

“Ugh!” Chase facehoofed.

“You know, if we get a head start now we can have the stand ready before Applejack even wakes up! I know she’s been working extra hard lately. It might be nice to take some of the trouble off her shoulders.”

“Definitely… I can’t even keep up with her.” Chase’s ears lowered. He realized that despite his best efforts there was just too much work to go around. This farm needed somepony like Big Mac, who could just move from task to task without even breaking a sweat.

Fluttershy shook the blanket from her shoulders. “Just think how hard she’d have it if you weren’t around. There are a lot of happy ponies eating her apples because of everything you’re doing to help!”

Yeah, not exactly… More like happy bandits munching away on our profits. Chase pushed the negative thoughts aside and tried to focus. Can’t think like that! You can make up those lost shipments tomorrow! Or today… What time is it?!

. . . . . .

Chase and Fluttershy arrived in Ponyville just before the sunrise. A loaded wagon of apples was hooked around Chase’s body. The two spent the trip talking about the upcoming change in the seasons and the short window of time Applejack has to both buck and deliver all of the apples in the orchard for the final harvest of the year. Throughout the conversation Chase’s mind frequently wandered to the shipments that had been plundered by the bandits. His stomach turned when he thought about how hard Applejack had been pushing herself to run the orchard just to have it stolen away. Not to mention that now her family was at risk.

“Once the Running of the Leaves is finished it won’t be much longer before the pegasi bring in the severe cold fronts and snow. I love winter, but I could really do without the chilly wind. Then again, being all snuggled up in your favorite blanket is nice too. Oh, and hot cocoa!” Fluttershy happily trotted along. Her mind was on blankets and beverages, while Chase’s mind was still stuck on Applejack and the ever-growing issues around him.

Are the bandits hoarding the apples? Selling the apples? Eating the apples?! Why all of a sudden? I never heard of widespread robberies like this before. Is this related to Canterlot’s lockdown?

“Pinkie always comes over right after the first snowfall and we build snowponies! This one time we made a really grumpy looking Rainbow Dash out of snow. Oh, she was mad! She threatened to take away all the snow if we didn’t knock it down. Later on she apologized though. That’s Rainbow for you. She’s such a sweetheart deep down. I knew she’d never take away one of my favorite things!” Fluttershy’s hooves were practically skipping along as she shared stories of her friends with Chase.

Are the bandits really that close to Ponyville if local shipments are being targeted now? I wonder where Granny Smith and Big Mac were hit… If they really are closing in on Central Equestria then they probably started out east and are sweeping over the entire country. It doesn’t matter, Chase. Worrying isn’t going to fix anything. Just stay close to the orchard and keep an eye on Applejack.

Chase came to a halt at the same time as Fluttershy’s voice behind him. “I’m sorry if I’m boring you…” She brushed a hoof along the dirt in front of her.

“N-no! I’m the one being rude. Sometimes I get things stuck in my head and they just kinda take over.” Chase chuckled nervously. Hurting Fluttershy’s feelings was on the very bottom of his to-do list. “You were saying that you like playing in the snow?”

She nodded. It didn’t take long for her legs to bring her back to Chase’s side. “I do. But I’m not very good at making snowballs. Rarity and Twilight are so much better than I am.”

Rarity is the big sister of Button’s marefriend. And we all know who Twilight is… I figured she was just a stuffy princess. Never thought she’d be the kind of mare who played in the snow.

Chase was much more talkative on the last leg of the journey into the town square. Fluttershy was eager to listen to his stories of the ocean, being out on a boat, and even catching fish to trade to the local griffons. Their lives were so different even though they came from the same land. Equestria had become much more than just a small beach town for Chase.

It was just like the last time I saw Role Play. He kept telling me to go out and see the world. To change things. I may be seeing a lot more, but I’m certainly not changing anything.

“Okay, here we are! I tried to get a spot the bunnies would like too. I mean who doesn’t like sitting near a water fountain?” Fluttershy beamed. Her booth was right across from the water fountain in the town square. The trickling of the water and softness of her voice was enough to lull Chase back to sleep.

“Alright, I’ll go unload this batch in the alley. If I know Applejack, she’ll be up before the sun’s high enough to even cast a shadow. Can’t wait to see the look on her face when she finds out what we did!” Chase grunted and slowly moved forward once again with the cartload of apples.

“I’ll come help you!” Fluttershy eagerly followed behind.

Chase slid his body out from the restricting grasp of the wagon harness. His shoulders were still sore from the frequent commutes across the orchard to the storage shed. “Those fillies have it so easy. Rinsing apples has to be a whole lot simpler than kicking trees and dragging baskets around all afternoon!” He stopped his whining when he heard the sound of hoofsteps around the corner.

“Boss’ll be moving into Ponyville real soon.”

“We only hit three carts on the road yesterday. Canterlot’s back to normal and the royal guard has been patrolling the roads a lot more often.”

Chase pressed his body against the edge of the corner and lifted an ear. He did everything possible to stop the intense pounding in his chest.  Canterlot’s back to… normal?

“We need to sell off the wagons we got last week and keep movin’ west.”

“Shouldn’t be a problem. After all, we run the apple trade this year! We have control of almost half the apple sales in Equestria right now! Manehattan’s paid triple for their supply!”

“We’re gonna live like kings! Only one more job to finish and it’s off to Las Pegasus. Gotta save the best apples for them. If they’re anything like Manehattan they’ll keep throwin’ bags of bits at us until we suffocate!”

Chase’s body shook as he listened to the ponies on the other side of the wall. One more job? What are they planning? His mind and heart were both racing to see which would act first.

“C’mon let’s get outta here. I’m beat.”

Chase quickly grabbed Fluttershy’s foreleg. “Follow my lead.” He commanded in a whisper. Before she could nod in approval, Chase pulled her around the corner. He stumbled around on his hooves and slung his arm over Fluttershy’s shoulders.

“Whoa’s! What are you guys’s doin’ here?” Chase had obviously taken a few lessons from the tipsy sailors that would occasionally turn up near the New Jockey arcade. “You’s better turn down them voices!”

Fluttershy’s eyes were bouncing between the two thugs in front of her and the strange new pony hugging her. “Wh-what’s happening?”

“Quiet, butterfly, the stallions is talkin’ now.” Chase winked and curved a corner of his lips.

“Were we really that loud? Oh jeez, somepony could’ve overheard the whole thing!” The smaller stallion panicked. “The raid on that orchard would be blown!”

Chase's foreleg tightened around Fluttershy. “Y-yeah! The orchard raid on, uh, what was it called again?”

“Sweet Apple Acres! Pay more attention when the boss is talkin’!” The larger stallion scoffed.

“That’s the place! We’ll probably make more from them apples then all the other wagonloads combined!” Chase threw his head back and cackled.

“We better split up now. If anypony sees us out here it could create some, uh, sup-pishon.”

“Suspicion’s?” Chase corrected in his sultry tone.

“Yeah, that’s the word! We don’t wanna create no suspension over our plan. Just remember to meet up in the Everfree Forest. Boss’s wolves’ll keep us safe while we plan our attack. With those new toys of ours those wooden mutts’ll listen to anypony!”

“Um, hey, sugar…fox?” Fluttershy yanked on Chase’s leg. “We should, uh, get going… for that thing we have to do!” Her attempts to blend in with gang were whole-hearted but ultimately failed on every level. It was obvious that she wanted to get away from this scene as quickly as possible.

“Whoa ho-oh! Sounds like somepony needs their alone time with a certain stallion!”

Fluttershy whimpered and covered her mouth. “N-no, I didn’t mean-“

“Apples ain’t the only thing getting’ bucked around here!” Chase pushed the laughter up from his sore throat and leaned closer to Fluttershy.

“Oh? Is there a peach tree nearby that we need to harvest? I do love a juicy peach! Then again, I don’t think my legs are strong enough to buck a tree.” The clueless expression lingered on her face.

The stallions waved a hoof goodbye and galloped away. Chase released Fluttershy from his grasp and slumped forward. “Sorry about all that… I was just worried we’d be in even bigger trouble if they spotted us first.”

Fluttershy lowered her muzzle to Chase’s level. “Um, so why are you in a gang that steals apples from people?” She pulled away as he smacked himself in the head with a hoof. “Sorry, was that too personal of a question?”

“I’ll explain while we set up the apples.” Chase sighed.

. . . . . .

Fluttershy released the green apple hanging from her mouth. It rolled a few inches and settled in place. She smiled at the arrangement displayed in the alleyway. Baskets of apples were neatly stacked and priced behind the cramped stand in the alley. The sun’s light was peeking over the roofs in Ponyville. Even out in the town square ponies were already arriving to set up their stands. Pinkie Pie wasn’t kidding when she warned Chase to arrive early.

“Looking good!” Chase interrupted her examination of the baskets.

“This will save Applejack so much time.” Fluttershy hovered off the ground and tilted her head. “They look delicious.”

“They taste delicious too!” Chase grinned with a mouthful of apple pieces. “I figured we could snack on a few. Plenty of apples to go around!”

“Should we go and get Applejack now?”

“Are you kidding? And leave our tasty jewels out in the open for those bandits? No way! I left a note on Reynard before we left. If he wants to spend all of his time with Apple Bloom and Scoocha… uh…”

“Scootaloo?” Fluttershy guessed.

“Yeah! Scootaloo. Anyway, if he wants to lounge around the house with those fillies, then I’m just going to use him as a walking notepad from now on.”

Fluttershy lowered her ears and walked closer. “Do you really think those bandits are going to steal from her orchard?”

“Not on my watch! I’m taking a stroll into the Everfree Forest to find where these morons are hiding out. I bet they have an entire city’s worth of apples hoarded there!”

Her wings spread out in protest. “No! You can’t go in there! It’s too dangerous!” Fluttershy shivered. “I only go in there when I absolutely have to…”

“Yeah? Well, I absolutely have to!” Chase stubbornly protested. “Look, let’s at least promise we won’t mention any of this to Applejack. She needs to keep her mind focused on the orchard. I can’t have her staying up every night on the lookout for those ruffians.

. . . . . . Three Days Ago . . . . . .

“This place is somethin’ else…” Granny Smith had one eyebrow raised as she took in the less-than-familiar décor surrounding her.

After a shaky trek to Manehattan’s business district, the two Apples found themselves away from the big city and instead on a small orchard off to the west. Home of supply chain mastermind and apple enthusiast: Fuji Mogul. Fuji had been directing apple shipments along the east coast ever since his grandfather passed down the family business to him. While only a few years older than Mac, Fuji had an incredibly strong business sense and enough charisma to make even the stuffiest mare consider joining a harem dedicated strictly to him.  Luckily, he didn’t abuse his powers and instead kept business and pleasure separated.

Well, as much as he could anyway…

Fuji’s orchard was dwarfed by Sweet Apple Acres, but rather than having a farmhouse and feed silos, he constructed a dwelling inspired by the ponies of the Far East. This stallion was definitely authentic; from sliding paper doors separating his rooms to kimono-clad mares pruning his indoor trees, he had taken his unique heritage and planted it deep into Equestrian soil. Big Mac even sampled Fuji’s love for fish when he accidentally fell into the koi pond that sat in the middle of the room. In Mac’s defense, there were no ponds to avoid in the middle of his home.

Granny winced as a filly plucked the string of a shamisen and bowed to her. The filly’s mane was in a bun with two chopsticks crossed through her hair. “I don’t think we’re in Equestria anymore, Mac…”

“Eenope.” Big Mac blushed at the giggling kimono mare skimming the koi pond behind him. Once again, Mac’s attention was split. It would only be a matter of time before the stallion took another swim in the overgrown fish puddle.

“Apples! You’ve made it. Welcome, welcome!” The eccentric pegasus waved them over from afar. The sleeves of his blue kimono hung down just above the scruffy white fur around his hooves. His mane was a cross between an intense red and dark shade of pink. Not surprisingly, he was known around Manehattan as the Cerise Samurai. The only thing brighter than his neatly parted mane was his attitude. After being attacked by a band of maniacs, an eccentric pegasus was a welcomed change.

“I see you have acquainted yourself with my award-winning koi pond, my big, red friend!” Fuji grinned as Big Mac looked away in embarrassment. “Not a problem. I’ve already had colts sneak in here during the hot summer days in an effort to swim with my prize-winning fish. At least your trip into my pond was an accident.”

“We have a river back home that Apple Bloom uses to take a dip in during the summer. You should see all the dirt and sweat that can come off a little filly! She can be a real stinker.”

“That is horrifyingly descriptive.” The smirk was still plastered on his face despite listening to Granny’s description of a day in the life of a dirty apple. “Still, I do admire that rustic charm you frontier ponies have about you. Come, take a seat.”

Mac and Granny awkwardly sat on the rectangular mat positioned on the other side of the tea table. A bowl of Fuji brand apples were situated at the center. Mac’s eye caught a glimpse of a slender piece of wood hanging from the side of the oddly dressed pony.

“I see you’ve noticed my blade. It can cut through that entire bowl of apples with just a flick of my wing.” He rested his forelegs on his lap. “But enough about my apples. We’re here to discuss your apples. Or rather, lack thereof.”

“You think them rascals would take the entire haul from me? Not a chance!” Granny tossed her bonnet onto the table. Out rolled three apples straight from the orchard. Even with the unfavorable conditions they still gleamed with the beauty of Sweet Apple Acres.

“You country ponies never cease to amaze me.” Fuji wrapped his wing around the hilt of his sword and twisted his body. Mac’s eyes were wide with fear as he watched one of their apples split into two pieces. Fuji twirled the sword between his feathers and quickly sheathed it. “And look at this! Beautiful… It’s so crisp, so juicy, so perfect! These are the apples I want in Manehattan. I don’t care how much hoofwork it takes to ship them here.” He picked up half the apple and took a bite. He swished the pieces in his mouth as he chewed; savoring each morsel. “My orchard isn’t large enough to meet the demand of Manehattan’s elite. They crave an apple with integrity! An apple bright enough to shine through the dull banter that clouds their barely droll gatherings. Do you follow me?”

“Eenope…” Mac was still terrified of the sword at Fuji’s side.

“You want a… tasty apple?” Granny blurted out.

“Yes! Exactly! Ah, Granny Smith. If I were only a few hundred years older you’d make a fine wife.”

“Not sure if that’s a compliment… I do have a granddaughter though.” Granny teased.

“Yes, the lovely Applejack! She’s very well-known around these parts. There isn’t an orchard in Equestria that doesn’t strive to live up to her example. Perhaps I should pay her a visit…”

“Then I’d bring that big knife of yers. I believe she already has an admirer. Whether she knows it or not…” Granny snickered and nudged a hoof into her grandson.

Fuji stood up and shouted. “You all have so much spirit! Even after the attack.” He ran the tip of a wing along the part in his mane. “Which by the way you must tell me about.” The pegasus fell back onto his padded mat and leaned forward. His ears belonged to Granny.

“Ain’t much to tell. Mac and I were practically halfway to Manehattan when all of a sudden the wagon stopped. Mac looked down and both of his front legs were lassoed by rope! Booby trapped I tell ya! He couldn’t budge an inch. Poor thing was practically tearing his own legs off tryin’ to get loose… That’s when I saw him. A big ugly fella. He had a mangy brown coat. His mane was short and his tail was cropped like Mac’s.  Missing one eye. If I recall, there was a big scar across the right side of his face. And it felt like the ground was going to split open when he approached us.”

“And that club on his back...” Mac chimed in.

“Right! It looked like a gnarled tree branch, but it was beaten into some kinda weapon. I couldn’t believe he could hold that thing in his jaw! I thought for sure we were done for, but then Mac managed to take the bandits holdin’ the rope off guard and started chargin’ away! We kept runnin’ and runnin’, but they were gainin’ on us fast! We did what we had to do and unhooked the cart. I watched one of my best crops of apples get away.” Granny sighed and felt Mac’s comforting foreleg wrap around her neck. He pulled her closer and nuzzled her trembling head.

The tears streaming down Fuji’s face could probably start another pond for his fish collection. “Praise Celestia you were able to escape!” He composed himself and coughed into his hoof. “Pardon me. I was indeed moved by your harrowing tale. I assure you that I have sent letter after letter to Canterlot demanding protection for our trade routes. The tightened security in Canterlot has led to much lawlessness along our best roads for transport.” Fuji narrowed his eyes and outstretched his wings. “And that monster you saw on the road was the leader of the Mirage Gang: Cracker the Beastly. A real barbarian. He lacks the grace of myself or the work ethic of your kin. Deep down he’s a coward. He uses his size to intimidate travelers and takes anything he wants. Only targeting small groups on the roads or sneaking into prized orchards when everypony lets their guard down.”

Mac and Granny looked at one another. “Now when you say ‘prized orchards…’” Granny knew where this was going.

“Something not many ponies know is that Cracker’s gang – no, I shouldn’t call them that – the ponies with him are just hard-working folks like you and I. He picked on the weaker orchards first. Took them over. Stole more apples than some orchards put out in a year. He offered the workers protection and bits if they followed his orders. With nopony to help them, they of course agreed to do anything necessary to ensure the safety of their families and friends. As their numbers grew Cracker spread his influence across the unguarded eastern trade routes. This of course is where you were struck. The harvest time is almost over. He may be cowardly, but he knows that his window of opportunity is closing. He’ll become more aggressive now.” Fuji massaged his temples. “With Canterlot handling their internal problems we’ve been left to fend for ourselves. A battle we’re quickly losing. We simply don’t have the impact as trained members of the royal guard would.”

“Well, us Apples ain’t about to hand over our orchard to that overgrown thug!” Granny raised her shaking hoof. “We’re fighters! Always have been; always will be.”

“It’s almost impossible to protect an orchard of your size. If Cracker continues following his current route he will go directly through Ponyville. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that he’ll pay a visit to Sweet Apple Acres to sample some more of your goods. I just hope nopony gets hurt…”

/) To be Continued (\