Chapters Apple Bloom played with her dolls in her bedroom one late summer morning, only to stop for a moment and walk toward her window to gaze at her older brother and sister. Macintosh stacked hay while Applejack bucked some trees, making apples fall into the baskets that were under them. It was truly remarkable that Apple Bloom had such hardworking siblings. She thought about an old saying that Granny Smith always said to them: A day without hard work is a day wasted. She said that back in the days when she too used to buck apple trees.
Apple Bloom wished she could be out there with them. Time and again she’d attempt to prove herself as a hard working Apple. She used to accompany Applejack during her shift at the market square. She usually tried to get customer’s attention in eccentric ways, something Applejack never approved. One time she forced a poor stallion to pay extra for a single apple, followed by shoving as many apples in an unsuspecting mare’s saddlebag. In retrospect, those days could have been better. Macintosh, on the other hoof, was more lenient than Applejack. Apple Bloom often tried to imitate the way her brother bucked apple trees. A long time ago she tried to buck an apple tree as hard as she could, which caused a minor injury in her hind leg.
Since she couldn’t be outside performing the major farm work with her siblings, Granny Smith had Apple Bloom do the usual house chores; cleaning her room, cleaning the bathroom, dusting the bookshelves, things like that. Apple Bloom’s reward was her weekly allowance, six bits.
However, she still imagined herself joining her siblings during apple bucking season. If not that, then she would stack hay with Macintosh or plow the fields on Winter Wrap-Up with Applejack.
When the day was done, the Apples assembled themselves for their evening dinner. Tonight was leftover carrots and spinach, along with mashed potatoes and gravy. Apple Bloom didn’t mind the carrots and potatoes, it was the spinach she wasn’t looking forward to. Whether it was spinach, peas, or any green vegetable, Apple Bloom tried her best to eat around it.
During the course of dinner Applejack talked about how many apples she harvested. She gave thanks to her “good ‘ol bucking leg” for getting the job done. Macintosh, as always, hardly said anything; only nodding, and answering with the occasional “yep” or “nope” when he was asked a question. That was probably the reason why most mares liked him so much, Apple Bloom thought. Granny Smith spoke about gibberish that somehow made sense later on, like how she invented the first electric fryer.
Dinner was over, and Apple Bloom helped gather the dishes from the table. Afterward, they retreated into the living room and listened to another episode of The Masked Stranger on the radio. Before they went off to bed, Applejack reminded Macintosh of something very important.
“You ready to make that delivery tomorrow?”
Macintosh nodded, his only reply being “Yep.”
Apple Bloom grew curious. Macintosh and Applejack were taking a trip? “Where are y’all going?”
“Big Mac and I are delivering twelve barrels of apple cider to the next town over,” Applejack said. “In fact, we already set the wagon up a couple of days ago.”
Apple Bloom’s face gleamed with excitement. Finally, the opportunity to learn the tricks and the trade from her big brother and sister. “Can I come with ya? Please?”
“I don’t know,” said Applejack, rubbing her chin. “Galloway is several miles from here. It might take a day to two.”
“As long as you don’t cross that bridge,” Granny Smith said from the other room. She was about to go to bed until she heard Applejack talking about tomorrow’s delivery.
“Bridge? What bridge?” asked Apple Bloom.
Granny grabbed her youngest grandchild by her shoulder and pulled her close. “Apple Bloom, your brother and sister are about to venture into dangerous territory. There’s a reason nopony goes in or out of Galloway.”
“Not this again,” Applejack sighed. “Granny, I told you there is no troll under that bridge.”
“There’s a troll under a bridge?” Apple Bloom asked with fear in her voice.
“No, there isn’t a troll under the bridge that leads to Galloway. Granny here is just telling stories.”
“It is true!” exclaimed Granny. Her eyes shifted sideways, as though she feared somepony was about to sneak up on her. “I’ve seen it with my own eyes,” she whispered. “It’s big and green, with nasty yellow teeth and beady eyes. It gobbles you up even if you take one step on the bridge. Stallions, mares, even little fillies like Apple Bloom.”
Apple Bloom trembled where she stood, her teeth chattering like a pony caught in the middle of winter.
“Enough with the stories already,” Applejack said. “Apple Bloom, you know there’s no such as trolls, right?”
She had to stop and think for a moment, something Applejack rolled her eyes at. “Right,” she answered.
“And you do know that if anything goes wrong, Big Mac and I can handle it, right?”
“Uh, right.”
“Now get ready for bed, we have to wake up early tomorrow.” Apple Bloom nervously compiled and paced herself as she went upstairs, still unsure about the troll under the bridge to Galloway.
It took a long time for her get to sleep, the troll having occupied her thoughts. Apple Bloom feared it might make an appearance in her dreams. The imaginary creature grew into size in her little mind, then it vanished when Apple Bloom shook the thoughts out. Maybe Applejack was right, she thought, the troll being just one of Granny’s many stories. She pulled the blankets over her and closed her eyes, waiting for Celestia to raise the sun.
When Applejack said they were going to begin their journey early, Apple Bloom had no idea that “early” meant five o’clock in the morning. It surprised her that she and Macintosh were awake much earlier than that. She looked out her window and groaned that the moon was still out. There was no point in trying to struggle with Applejack after she pulled the blankets away.
“Let’s get a move on, Apple Bloom,” she said, “we got a long way ahead of us.”
“Can’t I at least have some cereal first,” yawned Apple Bloom.
“We ain’t got time for that. Just have an apple. They’re good for you anyway than all that sugary stuff.”
Apple Bloom grumbled under her breath about how it was way too early for her to be up at such an hour. There’s a reason ponies say “rise and shine,” she mumbled. She wiped the crust from her eyes, climbed out of her bed, stumbling as she set her legs on the ground. Applejack led her into the bathroom so she could wash herself.
Applejack then led Apple Bloom outside, where she could still hear the crickets chirping. A few tiny fireflies blinking yellow light flew over her head. Walking ahead Apple Bloom saw Macintosh testing the rope that bound the barrels of cider on the wagon. Granny Smith was outside as well. There were a few times in the past where she was the first pony in the house out of bed before the sunlight ever reached the plains, so Apple Bloom wasn’t totally surprised about that. Macintosh nodded to Applejack when he felt the ropes were tight enough to hold the cider.
“Alright Granny, we’re about to head on out,” said Applejack. She and Macintosh stepped in front of the wagon, ready to pull it forward. “We’ll be gone for at least two days. Remember not to talk to any strangers.”
“Bye Granny, see you when we get back,” Apple Bloom said as she climbed on the back of the wagon. Granny brought her face close to Apple Bloom’s. She leaned to mouth toward the young filly’s ear, whispering, “Watch out for the troll.”
She didn’t know what to make of that. However, she silently nodded. As Applejack said before, it was possible that there wasn’t a troll under the bridge to Galloway, and Apple Bloom will always trust her older sister to speak the truth. The wagon shook slightly just as her two elder siblings began to pull. Apple Bloom waved good-bye to Granny one last time before they disappeared through the trees and over the hills.
Apple Bloom’s back was on one of the barrels of cider. She gazed at the dark blue sky as the wagon pass through the shadowy trees. Despite having a rude awakening in the terribly early hours of the morning, she was glad she tagged herself along for the lengthy trip to Galloway. Ponyville was nice, and besides Canterlot she had never been to another town or city. With enough experience Apple Bloom would be able to make a delivery to another town herself. Macintosh began to whistle a familiar tone, and Apple Bloom forgot about how tired she was that she never realized she had fallen asleep.
****
“What do ya mean we’re lost?” Applejack yelled. The volume of her voice had once again gave Apple Bloom a rude awakening. When the blurriness cleared from her vision she saw it was already daylight. She also realized Applejack and Macintosh stopped pulling the wagon. Apple Bloom sat up and saw an open field with tall grass, a peaceful image filled with heated voices. “Do you at least have the map?” Applejack asked in a frustrated tone.
“About the map… I forgot it,” Macintosh replied.
“How could you forget the map?” she yelled again. “How are we supposed to know where we’re going?”
“I don’t need the map! I know where we’re going!”
“What’s going on?” Apple Bloom meekly asked. Realizing their outbursts had awoken Apple Bloom, Macintosh and Applejack glanced at each other in guilt, having completely forgot that she was riding in the wagon. Still, Applejack’s frustration over her brother’s mishap was not dissolved.
“Well, if you want know, we’re lost. And the worst part is that Big Mac left the map at home. I ain’t turning around to go get it!”
“I told you we don’t need the map!” Macintosh said. “I’ve been to Galloway before!”
“Oh really?” There was a hint of irony in her voice. “Well, show us the way then, if you can remember.”
Apple Bloom noticed the squinted glare he gave to Applejack, and on his lead they pulled the wagon again. So far the morning was off to a not quite great start. Apple Bloom listened as Applejack scolded her brother for forgetting the map. From the tone of her voice it was obvious that she has never been to Galloway either. Macintosh mumbled some unpleasant things under his breath. Apple Bloom, and possibly Applejack, pretended not to hear him.
It was quite possible that Macintosh didn’t know where he was going. As he and his sister pulled the wagon, the landscape changed from the lush field of tall grass to loopy hills. Applejack asked him if he even remembered where he went several times, in which he wouldn’t answer. Apple Bloom didn’t have a watch on her, so there was no telling how long they have been traveling on the dirt road.
“Admit it Macintosh, you don’t know where we are!” Applejack referred to him by his full name. That meant she was absolutely upset. Apple Bloom prepared for the worst.
“I told you we ain’t lost!” Macintosh bellowed back. “It’s just a little farther than I remembered!”
Apple Bloom wanted to say something to the two of them, but they were so loud that she couldn’t raise her little voice. Macintosh and Applejack kept their attention on each other instead of the road. Apple Bloom was the only one who saw that the road was about to split into two opposite directions. She climbed onto the front of the wagon, yelling in their ears, “Guys, look!” Macintosh and Applejack ceased pulling the wagon at the end of the main road.
“Well I’ll be,” Macintosh said. “I don’t remember this being here.”
“Ain’t that a surprise,” Applejack said sardonically.
“Which way do we go?” Apple Bloom asked.
The Apple siblings look toward the roads ahead. They had no idea where those roads will lead them to. There wasn’t a sign that indicated if they were close to Galloway. Macintosh held his front arm up to point the way, but Applejack stopped him before he could choose. “Since it’s obvious that Big Mac here don’t know the way, I say we should go to the right!”
“Who made you leader?” said Macintosh.
“I did. Just now.”
Apple Bloom gazed at the right side of the two roads uneasily. “Are you sure we won’t get lost?”
“I’m positive, Apple Bloom. Unlike Macintosh here, I have a great sense of direction. You’ve been camping with me before, haven’t you?”
Apple Bloom nodded her head.
Macintosh grumbled under his breath as he watched his sister lead the way.
“Applejack… where are we?” Apple Bloom asked, her voice shaking with fear.
The wagon passed under tall, menacing-looking dark trees. From both sides of the road their branches extended outward, resembling arms and hands growing out of their barks, ready to swipe them off the ground, or steal their cider if they liked that sort of thing. The trees were so high that sunlight couldn’t break through, leaving as though they were traveling at night.
Applejack swallowed the saliva that was building in her mouth, then answered cautiously, “We’re in a forest… I think.”
“You think?” Macintosh said cynical manner. “We sure ain’t at the county fair!”
He shut his mouth when he heard strange voices coming from behind the trees. There were crows and ravens squawking from all directions. Apple Bloom shivered in her yellow coat at the hoot of an owl.
“Applejack... “ Apple Bloom swallowed, “are you sure we’re not lost?”
“We ain’t lost,” she said quickly. “We just took an accidental detour, that’s all. We’ll be out of this forest in no time at all, I tell you what.” She wasn’t so sure of herself.
Apple Bloom tried to pretend she was someplace else instead of being dragged through the dark forest. She closed her eyes and imagined herself under the blue sky and yellow sun, white, puffy clouds strolling by above her. She saw herself rolling and tumbling on the soft grass, landing into a patch of flowers. Another hoot from the invisible owl took her away from her pleasant fantasy world.
Meanwhile, trickles of sweat damped Macintosh’s red coat. He shifted his eyes on each side of the forest to make sure nothing will come out and attack them.
“I’m scared,” said Apple Bloom.
She, along with Applejack and Macintosh, shriek when the wagon hit a bump on the dirt road. The bump forced Apple Bloom out of the wagon and made one of the cider barrels fall over. On impact the barrel splinter into pieces of broken wood, the cider mixing with the soil and drying up.
“Gosh-darnit!” Applejack cursed, “Our merchandise! We have eleven barrels of cider left!”
“And the wheel is broken,” Apple Bloom added after pulling herself off the ground. Just like what happened to the barrel, the wheel was broken into fragments of wood. She started once she heard hoots from the unseen owls, as well as other strange noises that she didn’t like. “Applejack, we can’t stay out here! It’s scary!”
“But how are we supposed to move the wagon without a wheel?” Applejack placed her hoof under her chin, deep in thought. Her eyes widened as she came up with an idea. “Apple Bloom, how about you find a way out of the forest?”
“What,” Apple Bloom asked in a fit of shock. “Why me?”
“Well, somepony has to guard the cider in case some troublemakers might try to steal it, and you’re too little to do that.”
“But why do I have to find a way out myself? It’s scary out here!”
Apple Bloom shivered and hid beneath her red mane when she heard the howl of a wild wolf. Then, there was the screeching of a cat, apparently in a struggle with an animal, possibly the howling wolf.
“That ain’t nothing,” Applejack said. “Now get on going, we’ll be here waiting.”
Apple Bloom tried to return to the pleasant field of blue sky and flowers in her mind; but every hoot, howl, screech, and twigs snapping sent her back to the reality of the tall dark trees. Once in awhile she turned her head back to see how far she had gone from the wagon, or if something was following her. She thought back to what Granny Smith had told her when she was in a situation like this.
“When in doubt, just whistle.”
Apple Bloom put her lips together in an attempt to whistle, but the tune she tried to emulate came sputtering from her mouth. “Dang it,” she muttered.
Her left leg stepped on something unpleasant. She slowly raised her hoof to have her face contort at the sight of it. Was it mud, or… she didn’t want to think about it. Apple Bloom dragged her hoof on the ground to make the brown stain disappear. “Not only is this place scary, it’s disgusting!”
Apple Bloom twisted her head at the sudden hoot of the owl that was bothering her before. “Why is that owl following me? Aren’t they supposed to come out at night or something?”
She froze in place when she heard a nearby bush rustle. Apple Bloom ear’s also picked up a small but very audible click on the dirt below the bush. She took a few steps back, ready to run back to the wagon. “Who’s there?” she asked nervously.
Apple Bloom closed her eyes. After a moment she opened them again, and a small mouse was standing below her. Suddenly, she didn’t feel tensed anymore.
“Hi there, little guy,” she said in a relaxed voice. “Are ya lost? I don’t have any cheese for you. Do you know a way out of here? You see, my brother and sister and I are traveling, and we - “
Her words were cut and her breath was stolen from her when an owl descended from the trees and swiped the poor little mouse from the ground. Apple Bloom watched in horror as the owl carried the mouse under its clawed-feet.
Apple Bloom let out a shrill cry of terror and ran back to the wagon. She called for Macintosh and Applejack as she ran through the frightening-looking and mangled trees. Apple Bloom returned to the wagon; unfortunately, Applejack and Macintosh were not there.
“Big Mac? Applejack?” she yelled. Apple Bloom searched over, under, and around the wagon. There was still no sign of them. “Big Mac? Applejack?” she yelled again. “Where are you?”
She screamed when she felt something touch her shoulder. Apple Bloom fell on her back and pleaded for whoever it was to not hurt her.
“Calm down, Apple Bloom! It’s only us,” Applejack said. Apple Bloom opened her eyes and saw her brother and sister standing over her. “What on earth were you screaming about?”
“I tried to find a way out, but it was so scary! I was all on my lonesome! Then I saw an owl catch a little mouse and I just couldn’t take it anymore!” Apple Bloom took the moment to catch her breath. Then she gave an accusing look to her sister. “Where we’re you?” she yelled. “I thought something done happen to you!”
“Well, there ain’t no outhouse ‘round here,” Applejack said flatly.
“... That’s gross!”
Applejack rolled her eyes, then turned her attention to the wagon. The wheel was still broken and there were only eleven barrels of cider left. She removed her stetson, scratched her head with her hoof.
“Big Mac, are you strong enough?”
“Yep. Why?”
“Get on to the back and lift that wagon up. I’ll try to pull it from the front.”
Macintosh stared at Applejack, cocked his eyebrows. He turned his head to look at the wagon for himself. “You really expect me to carry that thing all day?”
“I expect you to help me get that wagon to Galloway, pronto!”
Macintosh glared at his sister. However, seeing that there was no other way, he sighed defeatedly and walked to the back of the wagon. Applejack strapped herself to the front. She ordered Apple Bloom to climb in the wagon. “And make sure we don’t lose anymore barrels,” she said.
Apple Bloom watched as Macintosh used his strong forearms to lift the wagon off the ground with Applejack pulling it forward. Apple Bloom whince at the sound of a hooting owl.
“Our we out of the woods yet,” Macintosh said through gritted teeth. Applejack didn’t know how much time had passed since they pulled the wagon off the ground. She couldn’t remember the last time she seen sunlight. The road, nor the trees, hadn’t changed.
“Not yet, Big Mac.”
“I hope we get outta here soon,” said Apple Bloom. She hid herself between the cider barrels. “This place is giving me the creeps.”
“I know, I heard you the first four hundred times,” said Applejack.
Applejack continued to pull the wagon forward while Macintosh carried it from the back. Apple Bloom tried hard not to look at the trees, as well as not letting any of the barrels fall over. She wondered when they were going to get out of the forest, if there was actually a way out at all. Mostly, she was also worried about the things that could be lurking behind the trees. Apple Bloom spent the majority of her time looking over her shoulder.
Everypony was silent. Suddenly, the wagon stopped moving. Apple Bloom grabbed a barrel before it could fall out. Once Macintosh noticed Applejack stopped pulling forward he set the wagon down. His arm muscles throbbed painfully.
“You hear that?” said Applejack.
“... Hear what?” asked Apple Bloom.
Applejack cleared her ears to listen closely to the air. She never said anything for a full minute. Apple Bloom wondered if being isolated in the woods has finally drove Applejack to insanity.
“That sounds… like a river! We’re getting close!”
Apple Bloom gazed at the path before them, and then at her sister. “I don’t hear anything,” she said.
“What’s going on up there?” Macintosh called.
“Get on your hooves, Big Mac! We’re almost out of here!”
He grumbled under his breath; and the pain in his arms was about to fade. He sucked in air and lifted the wagon, with Applejack pulling at the front.
There was a glimmer of hope when Applejack and Apple Bloom saw the end of the dark forest. All they had to do was to pass through the wall of mist and fog that stood in their way. “Hang in there, Big Mac! We’re almost out!”
“Gladly,” he grunted.
As they arrived closer toward the end of the forest trail, fog and mist surrounded them. They couldn’t see the trees or the road anymore. This was usually the part where a frightening monster or a maniac comes out and attacks them, Apple Bloom thought.
“I can’t see a dang thing!” said Macintosh
Through the thick fog Applejack heard the rushing water. It was straight ahead. She picked up the pace, much to the displeasure of her brother. For the first time since they first entered the dark forest, Applejack saw little rays of sunlight trying to burst through the fog.
Finally, after spending heaven knows how long in the dreadful forest, the Apples found themselves under the glorious light of Celestia.
This would have been a cause for celebration.
Yes, Applejack heard a river. She assumed there would be a bridge over it. Instead, the river was almost ten yards from the other side. Applejack’s curses were loud enough to scare the birds from their trees.
“I thought you said we was outta here!” Macintosh said angrily.
“Well, excuse me for not knowing a river was going to block our path!”
The siblings gazed in bewilderment at the rushing water, and the spot of land on the other side.
“Well, look on the bright side,” Apple Bloom said climbing down next to her sister, “the sun is still out.” Macintosh and Applejack neither agreed nor disagreed with her. They continued to stare at the river in silence.
“How in the hay are we going to get across?” Applejack asked.
“Um… how about we swim,” said Apple Bloom.
“Child, you must be out of your mind!” Applejack retorted. “Ain’t no way in Tartarus are we sending that wagon across the river!”
“You have a better idea?” said Macintosh.
Of course Macintosh will be the one to speak, Applejack thought. Her emerald eyes stayed on the barrels on the wagon, then turned to the river ahead.
“I don’t want to lose anymore barrels,” she said.
“Well, there ain’t no other way,” Macintosh said. “I bet the river ain’t even that deep.”
Apple Bloom picked up a rock that was sitting next to her leg and cast it into the river. With a loud splosh the rock disappeared in the water.
“... Like I said, the river ain’t even that deep,” Macintosh repeated.
Applejack sighed. “Let’s get a move on,” she said in a defeated tone. Macintosh returned to the back of the wagon and Applejack took the lead in the front. Apple Bloom took her position inside the wagon itself, making sure none of the barrels fell out. Applejack pulled forward once her brother lifted the wagon off the ground. Going into the river, the water almost came up to her neck. Advancing forward she could no longer feel the surface. “Apple Bloom, Big Mac, hang on,” she said. “It’s going to be bumpy ride.”
It took them several minutes to cross the enormous river. The water gradually rose to Applejack’s chin. While swimming across, she feared that the weight of the barrels will make the wagon sink.
“Big Mac, how long can you hold your breath?”
“... For a few minutes. Why?”
“I need you to go under the wagon and hold it over your head.”
“You’re crazy! I ain’t doing that!”
“Do you want this wagon, and us, to go under?” she asked irritatingly.
Macintosh held his breath, quickly dipped himself into the river and under the wagon, and held over his head with his arms. He pedaled his legs to keep up with Applejack’s pulling of the wagon. Applejack lifted her head high as the water splashed on her face.
While Apple Bloom tried to keep the barrels from falling over, she noticed that water was seeping through the wood of the wagon. “Applejack, are we almost there?”
“Just hold on, sugarcube! Big Mac is doing the best he can!”
Applejack couldn’t stop now. They were almost at the other side. With a force of will she pulled forward, not minding the water in her eyes. Then, as some kind of miracle, her hooves touched the surface of the river. She felt herself slowly rising from the water, much to her relief. She heard Macintosh come out from under the wagon, inhaling and exhaling deeply and rapidly, then continued with all his might to carry the wagon.
Finally, she stopped pulling once she made it to the surface. Applejack slumped on the ground, catching her breath, with her brother crawling next to her. “We’re not… doing that… again,” she said.
When her breathing was normal she looked back at the wagon. Eleven barrels of cider were still in place. Unfortunately, she didn’t know where they are, or if they were on the right path. However, she was content that none of the barrels were lost.
“... And you said it was bad idea,” Macintosh said.
“What are we going to do about fixing the wheel?” Apple Bloom asked.
Once Applejack had dried herself she joined her brother and sister to inspect the missing wheel on the wagon. She was surprised that they made it this far with eleven barrels and three wheels, especially when crossing the river. Still, they were caught at a detour.
“The only thing we can do is to try to pull as best we can,” she said.
“Wait a minute, you don’t expect me to carry that wagon all through the trip, do you?” Macintosh said.
“It’s either that, or try to make another wheel, and I don’t think that’s going to be an option. Besides, you’re strong enough. I’ve seen you lift things much bigger than that wagon.”
“He pulled a house out of the ground once!” Apple Bloom exclaimed. “It happened last Hearts and Hooves Day!”
“That was because you and your little friends tricked me into dating your teacher!” Macintosh said accusingly.
“Alright you two, this ain’t no time for reminiscing,” Applejack said. “We gotta get a move on! Big Mac, you go on back. Apple Bloom, make sure none of them barrels fall off.”
Apple Bloom nodded, said, “Yes ma’am.”
On the count of three Macintosh lift the wagon and Applejack pulled with all her might. Apple Bloom wasn’t very sure of how she could manage to catch any of the barrels if they ever fell off the wagon. The barrels were almost the size of her, maybe an inch or two taller. They started on the road again. Apple Bloom was going to ask where they were going, only to realize they probably had no idea at this point. It wasn’t too bad. At least they were finally out of that dreaded forest. From here on out it was going to be smooth sailing, at least that what she hoped.
She leaned back on one of the barrels and gazed at the sky. The sun was still out. Apple Bloom had was not sure what time it was, but she knew it was the afternoon. The wagon passed through a dirt trail. Much of the green from earlier was gone, but not entirely. There were still hills, but they were mostly far away.
Looking back she saw her brother struggling to carry the wagon. He gritted his teeth, his eyes repeatedly closed then shot open, wincing in pain. Poor Big Mac, she thought. Apple Bloom couldn’t stand to see him like that.
“You okay?” she asked.
“I’ll be fine,” grunted Macintosh. “Just watch them barrels.”
He said he was fine, but Apple Bloom there was something she could do to help him. She’ll probably have something to do when the time comes, she thought. She kept watch over the barrels. Then she crawled through the wagon, between the barrels, until she was up front with Applejack’s back facing her.
“So how long until we get to Galloway?” she asked.
“I don’t know, sis. Right now I’m just guessing. Just hang on tight and make sure we don’t lose any cider.”
It seems that nopony had answers. Oh well. Apple Bloom sat down on the wagon. A moment later her stomach made noises. She knew she forgot something important. She hadn’t had breakfast since the early hours of the morning, and it was just an apple she ate.
“Hey y’all, I’m starving. Did we pack any lunch or something?”
Apple Bloom saw Applejack shake her head, muttering to herself. “I’m sorry there, Apple Bloom. I was so busy getting ready for the trip that I didn’t think to bring any food.”
“That’s crazy! Who goes on a trip without packing food?”
“I had a lot of stuff on my mind!”
Apple Bloom inspected the area. There were a few trees, and none of them had anything that looked edible. Everything was mostly dirt and soil. Her stomach annoyed her once more. There was much louder rumble coming from Macintosh.
“Apple Bloom’s right,” he said. “We better get something to eat soon.”
“I thought you were going to pack food!” Applejack said frustratingly. “I was busy trying to be sure we had what we need!”
Applejack and Macintosh engaged in a shouting match, and the wagon stopped moving. They called each other names, pointed hooves and gave dirty looks. Apple Bloom shook her head, rubbing her stomach. She was sorry she even mentioned food. She looked ahead, and she saw something coming down the dirt road. Not something, somepony. Apple Bloom kept watching the pony walk down the road while trying to ignore the angry voices of her siblings. The pony seemed to be rolling something down the road, something large and circular. Can it be?
“Guys, look!” Apple Bloom tried to say, but her voice was drowned in her siblings quarrel. She spoke louder, leaving no results. The pony was coming closer to their wagon, and she saw that the pony was rolling a wooden wheel. Apple Bloom took a deep breath, then yelled at the top of her lungs, “Hey, shut up!”
Macintosh and Applejack were silent. Her voice was loud enough to start the passerby. Apple Bloom pointed to the pony with the wheel. Her brother and sister shared glances, and the wheel pony just stared awkwardly.
“May I help you?” the pony asked. She was a mare, middle-aged. She had blue skin and wore a green cloak over her.
Applejack cleared her throat. “Well, ma’am, you see, me and my family here have a little situation on our hooves. We’re on the road to deliver cider, then the wheel to our wagon broke down. So… if you ain’t using that wheel, you think you can lend it to us?”
The mare rubbed her chin. “Of course I can.”
“Oh thank you, ma’am! You’ve saved our skins,” Applejack exclaimed.
“But I must have something in return,” the mare added. Then she smiled. “How about one of those barrels of cider?”
Applejack was taken aback. “Sorry, no can do. We can’t give any of these away.”
The mare shrugged. “Then I guess you don’t have a wheel.”
Applejack’s mouth was agape. This mare had quite the nerve to make such an exchange. If she wasn’t such a good pony, Applejack would have fought her for the wheel. In fact, she was going to do that right now. She removed the saddle, took off her stetson. Then a large red arm blocked her way.
“Applejack, no!” Macintosh said sharply.
“Get out of my way! I’m getting that wheel!”
“Come on, Applejack, you ain’t like that! Little Apple Bloom’s watching you!” Applejack turned to see Apple Bloom’s little head peeking over the wagon, then turned away quickly in shame.
“Are you really suggesting that we give her a barrel?” she asked angrily.
“We have to,” Macintosh said.
Applejack grumbled, muttering curses under her breath. She stomped her hoof on the dirt repeatedly, then marched to the wagon, unloading one of the barrels of cider for the mare. The cloaked mare nodded, and the wheel was theirs.
“Thank you for your cooperation,” the mare said. She continued on the road rolling the cider barrel. Once she was out of view, Applejack gritted her teeth in a fit of anger.
“I hope you’re happy, Macintosh Apple! We have ten barrels left because of you!”
“I was trying to keep you from fighting!”
“I wasn’t gonna fight her, just roughing her up a little!”
Macintosh and Applejack were locked in yet another contest of who could raise their voice the loudest. Apple Bloom sat down on the wagon. She gazed at the blue sky. It was probably in the middle of the afternoon, she thought. Her stomach rumbled.
“This stinks,” she mumbled.
The wheel was put into place on the wagon and the journey continued, but unfortunately for Apple Bloom her brother and sister were still arguing. She tried to cover her ears and distracted herself by singing, but none of that worked. Their loud voices found their way through her meditation.
Moments later, although neither of them knew how long, the arguing ceased, but Macintosh and Applejack were still upset with each other. During periods of silence they only exchanged a few words to each other out of spite.
“We’re lost, aren’t we?” asked Applejack.
“You should’ve ask that pony for directions,” Macintosh said.
“She would’ve wanted cider for that, too. I can’t believe it! The day hasn’t even ended yet, and we’re down to ten barrels!”
They were silent again.
Apple Bloom’s stomach rumbled and grumbled throughout the day. At one point there was a loud grumble coming from none other than Big Macintosh, indicating that he was hungry as well.
“Dang,” she exclaimed, “we still didn’t get anything to eat.”
“Why are you telling me for?” Applejack said. “Just think about something else instead of food, then you won’t be hungry.”
Apple Bloom took her sister’s advice. She closed her eyes and tried to visualize anything other than food. She visualized her family arriving at Galloway on time and on schedule. Nopony was upset, no one was arguing, Macintosh and Applejack had huge grins on their faces and thanked her for accompanying them on their trip. The noise of her stomach pulled out from her fantasy. That went nowhere, she thought. However, she had another idea to keep hunger away from her thoughts.
“Um, I was thinking… to pass the time, how about we play a game,” Apple Bloom suggested.
“Apple Bloom, it ain’t the time for this,” said Applejack.
“Actually, I think playing a game will be a nice idea,” Macintosh said. His tone was very antagonistic toward Applejack. “At least we’ll get a break from hearing you talk.”
“Why you - “
She was cut off. “Go on Apple Bloom, what do you want to play?”
“Um… how about I Spy? I’ll go first. I spy with my little eye…” She looked around to find anything could make the game interesting. So far the road had nothing, save for some trees, rocks, and dirt. “Something that’s… white.”
Macintosh put his hoof under his chin like a stallion thinking of something very important. The sight of them in that position irritated Applejack to no end. When couldn’t take it any longer, she exploded like a dynamite.
“For heaven’s sake, it’s a cloud! A dang cloud is the only thing that’s white around here!”
“You just ruined my turn!” Macintosh yelled.
“Okay, let’s play something else,” said Apple Bloom.
“Please Apple Bloom, not another game,” Applejack begged. “I’m not in the mood.”
“Come on, this will be a fun one. Let’s see…”
Applejack rolled her eyes, brushing off her little sister’s ideas of games. Neither of them had noticed that the environment had changed as they traveled through the trees. Actually, there weren’t any trees in their view. At the last minute, Applejack and Macintosh realized they stumbled upon a field of growing corn.
“Where in the hay are we?” asked Macintosh.
“I have no idea,” replied Applejack.
“I think you made a wrong turn” he told Applejack.
“Don’t you go blaming this one on me! Let’s just turn around!”
“No way! We ain’t turning around!” Apple Bloom said. “This is a dang cornfield for goodness sake, and I’ve been hungry all day!”
“You ain’t eating any of that corn, Apple Bloom,” Applejack said.
“Why not?”
“Because this cornfield belongs to somepony, a farmer probably, and it’s stealing!”
“You see how much corn they have?” Apple Bloom asked. “I don’t think they’re gonna know that one little corn of theirs is gone.”
Applejack shook her head in bewilderment. She gazed about at the large field of corn wondering what to do, which in part lead to her stomach to interrupt her train of thought. Applejack was the kind of pony who could go a few days without eating. Unfortunately this was not one of those times. Now she’ll have to do the unthinkable.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” she mumbled to herself. She turned to Apple Bloom. “Go out there and grab some corn for us, will you?”
“Why me?”
“You’re the one that’s hungry, aren’t you? Besides, me and Mac have to watch the wagon.”
She should’ve known this would happen. Apple Bloom had the feeling that Applejack was going to continue to use that excuse. She frowned, then climbed out of the wagon and stepped over the small wooden fence. Many of the crops she looked through didn’t have corn grown to their mature size. The search led her further within the field. She breathed a sigh of relief when she found one mature corn. Good. Now two more to go. Her stomach was becoming very impatient.
After several long minutes of searching, Apple Bloom found two more pieces of corn. Her task was complete. She would have been proud of herself if she knew the way out of the field. “Aw shoot!” she muttered. She looked around and saw nothing but tall, green crops growing from the soil. She could’ve came from any direction. Apple Bloom retraced her steps. How would that work? she thought. Everything looked the same.
She looked at the sky. From the way the sun was positioned in the sky, it was almost late in the afternoon. “Dang it, Celestia,” she said under her breath. She wandered around, not knowing where to go. Looking forward, a strange object scared her out of her wits. She let out a shriek and dropped the three pieces of corn. It was a scarecrow, hung on two pieces of wood with a shirt, pants, and hat. A horse head sewn in cloth with button eyes was used as its head with an unsettling smile.
Apple Bloom caught her breath, then retrieved the fallen pieces of corn. A small noise started her. She eyes and ears looked for the source. The noise was heard again, slightly louder this time. Another moment it was much clearer.
It was coming from the scarecrow.
Apple Bloom’s mouth flung open in an inaudible gasp. Her mind told herself to run away before it was too late, but her legs wouldn’t move. She stood and shivered in place. The arms of the scarecrow moved, and so did the head.
With a loud and angry voice he said, “What are you doing with my corn!”
Apple Bloom let out a panic-stricken cry and retreated from the area. The scarecrow jumped from his resting spot, pulled a small scythe, carried it with his teeth and chased her, yelling at the top of his voice, “Stop touching my corn!”
This has to be a dream, Apple Bloom thought. I must be imagining things. She looked back, and to her horror the scarecrow was catching up to her. She ran faster, screaming and crying. Miraculously, she found the wagon to be in her sight. She called for Macintosh and Applejack with a loud voice. She fell on her face after jumping over the wooden fence, but recovered and climbed back on the wagon.
“What’s wrong?” Applejack said anxiously.
Apple Bloom pointed to the living scarecrow that was coming their way. Not wanting to waste any time standing around, Macintosh and Applejack started their legs and took off, leaving a cloud of dirt behind them. Apple Bloom watched from the back of the wagon as the scarecrow stood in the middle of the road, yelling and waving his scythe like a madpony. She hoped she never had to come across anyone like that again.
“Did we lose him?” Applejack asked, out of breath.
“I don’t know,” replied Macintosh, panting heavily. “I think we did.”
“That was terrible,” Apple Bloom added with a tremor in her voice. She was curled in a fetal position throughout the long ride away from the cornfield. One thing was certain that she was going to have nightmares about this entire dreadful experience. And to make matters worse, she was still starving.
Macintosh looked around. They were surrounded by trees and grass, just like before. It wasn’t long before sunset. Macintosh jerked his head down and let out a sigh.
“We have to find shelter,” he said. “We can’t stay out here for long.”
“Where can we go?” Applejack asked.
Nopony wanted to travel any further, so all three decided to make camp on the spot they were standing. Macintosh and Applejack removed their saddles and rubbed their backs of the pain of pulling the wagon all day. Apple Bloom remained on the wagon. Thanks to the scarecrow, she feared that something will appear out of nowhere if she was on the ground.
“What do we do now?” Applejack said while stretching. “We don’t know where we are, we ain’t got food.”
Macintosh didn’t answer. He gazed about the woods and the dirt path. Then something up on a tree caught his eye. Hanging from branches were some kind of yellow fruit. They were of different sizes.
“I don’t think we have to worry about food,” he said.
“What do you mean?”
He pointed to the fruit on the tree, causing Applejack to make a disgusted face. “I know you ain’t expecting us to eat those,” she said.
“Unless you wanna starve, I say we have no choice.”
“But you don’t know if they’re poisonous or not! Anything could happen!”
“Applejack, if they grew on the tree then that means they’re okay!” She raised her hoof to object, but Macintosh already marched toward the tree. Applejack shook her head and grumbled. Apple Bloom climbed out of the wagon after feeling that everything was safe, and approached her sister.
“Did Mac find food?”
“I don’t know what he found,” Applejack answered.
They watched him pick three of the yellow fruit off the tree. He came toward his sisters and gave them one each. “I know it ain’t much, but it will have to do,” he said. They inspected the fruit by sniffing it. Apple Bloom tasted it with the tip of her tongue.
“Are you sure it’s safe?” Apple Bloom asked.
Macintosh shrugged. He took a bite of it. “It’s okay to me.”
Apple Bloom still wasn’t sure whether to trust her brother, but her stomach told her otherwise. She threw caution away and bit the yellow fruit. Her eyes squinted, she sucked in her cheeks. “It taste kind of sour.”
“That settles it,” said Applejack. “I ain’t eating anything that’s sour.”
“Don’t matter. There’s plenty more up that tree for me and Apple Bloom,” Macintosh said.
Applejack’s stomach made a low ruckus. She watched her brother and sister eat away the yellow fruit, then defeatedly took of a bit of it herself. She almost spat it out due to how sour it was. Just like Apple Bloom she sucked in her cheeks, but she fought through the bitterness. The yellow fruit reminded herself why she didn’t like lemons or eating green apples.
“It’s gonna get dark soon,” Applejack said. “We have to build a fire.”
“I’ll get some firewood,” Mac said flatly. He went through the bushes with the fruit in his mouth.
An air of uneasiness surrounded Apple Bloom. The scarecrow was still fresh in her mind, and she feared he might appear like a phantom, yelling at her face and wielding his scythe. She couldn’t believe something like could happen to her. Who would chase a little filly with something sharp and dangerous like that? she thought. She hope he’ll stay in that cornfield where he belongs.
She heard Applejack make a disappointed noise. “This trip is off to a great start,” she said ironically. Applejack sat on the ground, took off her stetson. Apple Bloom joined her. She thought she’d need the company.
“Apple Bloom, I just want you to know that the trips me and Mac take ain’t always like this,” she said. “What’s happening is just bad luck. Maybe tomorrow… things will get better. Hopefully.”
“Yeah… hopefully,” Apple Bloom repeatedly. Suddenly, she had a craving for a strawberry-banana ice cream sundae with a cherry on top, along with a nice, cold glass of root beer. She didn’t know why.
Macintosh returned with a pile of sticks on his back. He tossed them by their legs on the ground. Applejack sat up and struck two rocks together to make a fire. While she was doing that, Mac went to the tree to pick more of the yellow fruit. The fire was finally ablaze. Macintosh delivered the fruit to his sisters, although Applejack didn’t want to eat it a second time. She gave her piece to Apple Bloom. “You take it,” she said. “I know how hungry you are.”
They sat around the fire in silence. During times like this either Macintosh and Applejack would initiate the usual campfire activities, like songs or stories, but nopony was in the mood. It only has been a day on the road, but it already felt like an eternity. The last of the sunlight beamed through the tall trees, and soon they will be under the cover of darkness. Apple Bloom felt a sudden reaction in her stomach.
“I feel dizzy,” she said.
“Maybe you’re just tired,” said Applejack. She put her orange hoof to the side of her head. “Come to think about, I feel pretty dizzy too.”
Macintosh was about to speak, but he was feeling the same effects as his sisters were. His vision gradually became blurry and unfocused, as did Applejack and Apple Bloom’s. When they tried to say something they stumbled slowly on their words. Soon they were babbling incoherently.
Apple Bloom didn’t know what was happening to her. She rubbed her eyes as her sight became distorted. There was a yellow elephant with big eyes and wings flying back and forth from the trees, and where it the flying elephant left bright sparkles floating in mid-air. Apple Bloom screamed, but she was too weak to run away, so she crawled backwards. She tried to call out to her sister, but she didn’t know that what came out of her mouth was gibberish. Applejack didn’t fare well, either. She hid her face behind her stetson at the horrible sight of a giant balloon poodle twisting a clown into shapes she never knew were possible. Macintosh gazed at the brightly, multicolored sky as dogs and cats whose bodies were conjoined to the middle dropped pies into the ground which exploded. Soon, their senses were fading, the strange visions were going. And, without warning, the siblings dropped to the ground. Everything was black.
Apple Bloom’s head was spinning furiously. When she tried to open her eyes, her sight left everything in twisted shapes. She shut and open them repeatedly until her vision cleared. She found Macintosh and Applejack lying on the ground, motionless, but still breathing. What happened? she thought. There were only fragments of what she could remember, but she did remember from the night was something large and pink flying before her eyes. Thinking about it for too long gave her a headache. Apple Bloom wobbled on her legs, keeping steady while waking her older sister.
“Applejack, wake up,” she whispered. “It’s morning.”
She lightly tapped Applejack’s arm. Then she shook her gently. Applejack’s bottom lip twitched; she mumbled something in a slurred speech. After a few moments, she finally emerged from the ground with that “Okay, I’m out of bed, what do you want?” look.
“That was the most awful dream I had in all my years. Why does my head hurt so much?” she asked painfully.
Applejack struggled to lift herself up, afterward she approached Macintosh and woke him as well. However, she had forgotten how much of a heavy sleeper Mac was sometimes. Applejack tried to yell, but her voice was too weak to be loud. She even tried kicking him, and that wasn’t enough. “This is just dandy,” she huffed. “Who knows how long Big Mac will be asleep for.”
Apple Bloom sat herself on the ground and watched Applejack stand over the sleeping Macintosh. Despite feeling light-headed, she became puzzled. There was something itching at the back of her mind. Something about the new day was bothering her. She couldn’t put her hoof on it, but it felt as though something was missing. Something very important.
She looked around, and to her horror she realized what was missing.
“The wagon’s gone,” Apple Bloom said in a loud voice.
“... What did you say?” Applejack said flatly, although Apple Bloom could sense the outright fear in it. She stared at her little sister with huge, pleading eyes. Applejack jumped from tree to tree, from branch to branch. They must have misplaced it, she thought. The wagon can’t be gone, it was impossible. The search proved futile. Applejack slumped on her hind quarters, her hooves on the side of her head in defeat. She gazed back at Apple Bloom, frozen with disbelief.
She let out an ear-piercing cry so loud that it made Macintosh jump to his hooves.
Applejack bucked several trees in heated fury, threw rocks and screamed bloody murder. She swore like a sailor at the top of her lungs, the screamed some more. There was almost a moment she pulled her own hair out. It was a side of her neither Macintosh or Apple Bloom had seen, and hope to never see again. It was so much so that Macintosh was seeking his third born sister for protection. It didn’t seem anyone was able to calm her down. Even the environment was disturbed by her actions. After long, continuous moments of fury, Applejack once again dropped to her hind quarters, defeated and tired.
She lay on her back, put her stetson over her face. Apple Bloom slowly approached her, as she came close she heard soft crying that was muffled through her hat. The filly knelt beside her, and with caution she removed the stetson from Applejack’s face.
“Applejack,” she said. She didn’t respond, only staring at the sky. Applejack had the look of a mare who had lost all hope and was on the verge to cry a second time. In fact, she did just that. With one of her hooves over her freckled face, Applejack huffed, sniffed, and let her other hoof hit the ground.
This was impossible, they all thought. Only a day had passed, and Applejack surrendered. It was one of the very few times Macintosh and Apple Bloom had seen her cry like this.
Mac couldn’t stand to see Applejack sobbing in a puddle of her own tears. He did what any good big brother would do if they knew their sister had the world turned against them. Mac walked to her and wrapped his loving red around.
“Applejack, it ain’t your fault,” he said.
She wiped the tears away. “Of course it’s not.” Mac got a different reaction than what he expected from her. There was a coldness in Applejack’s response. Then, surprisingly, she glared at him with her tear-soaked eyes. “If anything… it’s your fault.”
Mac pulled his arm away in disgust. “What the hay are you talking about?” he asked angrily.
“Eat the fruit, Applejack,” she said, trying to mimick him. “You hungry, ain’t ya? It won’t bite! We’ve been starving all day! If you hadn’t bugged me into eating that gosh-forsaken fruit, then I wouldn’t had passed out! I would have given whoever tried to steal our wagon a good beating! It’s because of you this happened!”
“You know what, you’ve been blaming me for everything since this trip started!” Mac shouted. “You got some nerve to do that!”
“It wouldn’t happen if you remembered to bring that goshdarn map!”
“Oh there you go with that map again! Always about that map! Why didn’t you remember to bring food?”
Their voices grew louder, more angrier, echoes filled the air. Hooves were pointed to each other, it would be a matter of time before it became physical. In the midst of their squabble Apple Bloom crawled between them, and with a loud voice coming from her they stopped.
“Stop fighting, Please!” she begged. “Please… stop.”
All was silent, although nothing had changed. The wagon was still missing and the Apples were still lost. However, they both stared at Apple Bloom. She held her little arms out to both of them in an effort to stop the escalation, blocking them from going further into their heated arguing. Then, when she felt it was safe, she put her hooves down. She walked away from them. This wasn’t how things were supposed to be. Never in her life did she witness anything going downhill so fast. She looked at her siblings, finding that they dragged the tip of their hooves on the dirt, eyes to the ground in shame.
“I wanna get out of here,” she said sadly. “Let’s just go already.”
“Where can we go?” Applejack asked.
“I don’t know, I just want to leave and forget this ever happened,” Apple Bloom said. She thought back to the night Granny Smith told them about the troll that lived under the bridge to Galloway. No troll could ever come close to the situation they were in. Yet, throughout the trip, the troll never left her thoughts. Even if there were an actually troll hiding beneath the troll, Apple Bloom was too disappointed in her siblings to let it frighten her.
Macintosh looked ahead and behind him. He didn’t know which way to go. They could keep forward, but where would that lead them? He jerked his head down, sighing and groaning. The only thing he wanted for this nightmare to end.
He walked to the spot where the wagon was before. There was something on the ground that caught his eye. He scanned the dirt, and looking closely he saw wheel tracks imprinted on the ground. Not only that, there were hoofprints along with it.
“Apple Bloom, Applejack,” he called.
“What is it, Macintosh?” said Applejack wearily.
“I think I know where to find the wagon.”
Whoever these ponies were who took their wagon, they hadn’t done a good job of covering their tracks. The Apples followed them throughout the morning, not once taking their eyes away from the ground. There was not a way to know for sure how many ponies took off with the cider, but soon, everthing will be revealed in time.
“What are you guys going to do when ya find them?” Apple Bloom asked.
“I don’t know what I’ll do,” answered Applejack. “But I do know that I’m going to remind them of keeping their grubby, little hooves to themselves.”
Apple Bloom knew what that meant, but she kept quiet.
Macintosh didn’t give an answer. He kept his eyes solely on the tracks on the ground. “Are you sure these tracks will lead us to the wagon?” asked Applejack.
“I’m positive.”
“Well, I remember how positive you were about something… and look how that turned out.”
Macintosh gave her a look, the huffed and returned to the dirt tracks. Applejack shook her head. Why are they still upset with each other? Apple Bloom thought. Even when something remotely good came from all this, they still bud heads. Hopefully things will get better once they get the wagon back, although they hadn’t an idea of where to go. By then Applejack and Mac will continue to argue until they ran out of breath. Apple Bloom sighed at the thought.
They continued to follow the wheel tracks and hoofprints. At one point Applejack became annoyed. She pestering her brother on whether they were close or not, as well as asking if he knew what he was doing. Mac decided not to pay attention to her, but the more she complained he had thoughts of bucking her in the face.
Finally, but with no success, they arrived at the end of the tracks. A hill blanketed in tall, freshly green grass stood in their way.
“Will you look at that,” Applejack said. “A dead end! I should’ve known you’d lead us here! Thanks for nothing, Macintosh Apple!”
“Will you get off my back?” he said in a loud voice. “I’m telling you, the tracks are gonna lead us to our wagon!”
“Okay… where is it? I sure don’t see it!”
There they were, at it again, Apple Bloom thought. If they kept wasting time trying to raise their voices and playing the blame game, they will never find the cider wagon. Apple Bloom sat on a tree stump and watched them speak ills. This was going to take a while, as it usually did. However, their bickering ended quickly than she had expected. Macintosh and Applejack had their backs facing each other and march toward opposite directions. Their arms folded over their chests. What are they going to do now?
Suddenly, Apple Bloom’s ears picked up a faint sound from the air. What was it, and where was it coming from? She jumped off the stump and trotted to the hill.
“Do y’all here that?” she asked.
There was no answer from her siblings. All the two did was sat there and pout like stubborn foals. Apple Bloom groaned, but kept her focus on the sound. As she listened, it sounded like music being played on a flute. She climbed to the top of the hill, and from there she saw a wide-open space being occupied by ponies wearing brightly-colored clothes and strange hats, most of them resembled court jesters. A band played medieval folk music; the band consists of a pony blowing on pipes, another on banging on the drums, a smaller pony plucking the strings of a mandolin, and a tambourine player. They danced and sang along to the tune the band was playing, but there was something else that stood out from the scene.
After scanning the area, Apple Bloom found their cider wagon. “Guys, I found it! I found it! It’s over there! Come quick!”
The stubborn pair wasted no time trotting up the top of the hill. Apple Bloom pointed downward, and sure enough their wagon was present. Unfortunately, one of the barrels had a faucet attached to it, and was being used to serve drinks to the party.
Applejack’s orange skin became red with rage, even more so than Macintosh. With a voice full of spite and hatred she muttered how they only have nine barrels left. Apple Bloom inspected the party scene. Two ponies came from between the surrounding trees with a net full of fish, but that wasn’t what interested her. In the midst of the party she found a baby goat tied to a stick by the neck. Nopony wearing the bright clothes paid attention to it. They never offered it some food.
“That poor goat,” she said. “He look so sad.”
“Why are you hung up about the goat? Those thieves got our cider!” said Applejack. Each moment the colorful jesters filled their glasses made her blood boil. She couldn’t take the sight of it any longer. She marched down the steep hill, with Macintosh and Apple Bloom following behind her. The jesters noticed a trio of uninvited guests, then the music and activity ceased. “You all a bunch of sticky little thieves! Taking my wagon away like that, with yer stupid costumes! Who do you think you are! Give back my wagon, now!”
Silence passed between the jesters and Applejack. Mocking laughter filled the air, causing her heart to beat at a faster rate. Her hoof stabbed the ground.
“Oh, ho, ho, why should we give it to you?” one of them said. He was a gray earth pony with a large brown mustache. He wore a green, clownish buttoned shirt with blue overalls. From his high-pitched voice and accent Apple Bloom believed he might have been from Trottingham, much like one her friends from school, only it was less sophisticated in this pony’s case. On second thought, it sounded fake. “My lads and I found it fare and square,” he said, twirling his mustache.
“No you didn’t, y’all done stole it!” Applejack yelled.
“Well, you know the ancient saying… if thou snoozeth, thou shalt looseth.” This caused more riotous laughter from the jesters. Good show, old boy. I couldn’t have said it better myself, another one of them said. Steam blew from Applejack’s nose. Her temperature rose to dangerous levels. With a wave of his hoof the laughter faded. “Now go away, all of you. As you know, this is a private party.”
“What are we going to do, Applejack?” Apple Bloom asked.
Nothing was said. Applejack delivered a death-glare to the pony who mocked her. With a smile so vile, so repulsive, he trotted to the cider barrel and lowered his glass under the faucet. More of her precious cider was filling his glass. No, it wasn’t how it should be. This was just wrong in more ways than one. She must not let his tongue taste anymore of that cider, not even a little, tiny, insignificant drop. Applejack leaped toward the net full of fish, caught one with her teeth, and wield it like it were a sword, then tumbled toward the pony and slapped the glass from his hoof before it reached his lips.
The glass shattered on impact with the ground. The gray pony squinted his eyes at her, then tumbled to the fish net to grab a fish of his own. He held it with his teeth in the same manner as Applejack.
“En garde!” he said through his teeth.
A duel commenced. Applejack and her opponent slapped their fishes together, clashing like swords. They leaped, tumbled, twirled, caught in a dance of conflict; the gray pony held his guard while Applejack focused all her energy and hatred on him.
Macintosh took the opportunity to take the wagon, but the jesters seized him and dog piled on top of him. However, he forced them off with one push off the ground. Then a smaller pony started to strangle him, shouting and cursing at in his own munchkin tongue. Macintosh snatched the mandolin from the ground and forced it upon the munchkin’s head, which caused it to split apart. The small jester saw stars and canaries.
Apple Bloom sat next to the baby goat and watched the scene unfold. It was rather silly.
As Macintosh fought off the remaining jesters, Applejack was locked in fish combat with the gray pony. She furiously used her fish to push the pony to the ground. Although she kept up the good fight, the fish slipped from her teeth, which her opponent an opportunity. He slapped his fish on her cheek, and she fell on her side.
Macintosh saw what happened, and called out for her, but the jesters caught hold of him. The gray pony with the cartoonishly large mustache stood over Applejack. “I am the victor, and the wagon is mine!” he declared. The pony laughed like one of those villains in those old serials. Then something sent him flying into the barrel they were drinking from.
Applejack looked and found that her savior was the baby goat.
The goat bleated like a warrior and headbutt the rest of the jesters until they were lying on the ground with the wind knocked out of them. All was finished, and the wagon was reclaimed. Apple Bloom stood next to the baby goat, and to the defeated jesters she shouted, “That’s what y’all get for neglecting him!”
Applejack counted the barrels repeatedly. They were down to nine, then she counted again. How could this have happen? How was it possible that they lost three barrels over a day and a half, and they were nowhere near Galloway as of yet? What was the point in doing this? she began to think. They were just going to lose more of them, and by the might actually arrive at Galloway they will be all gone, and the troubles from their journey would have been for nothing. Applejack pushed the thoughts out of her mind before the piled on her.
“Come on, y’all. Let’s get a move on,” she said. They already made it this far, even if it didn’t feel they made any progress. The only thing the had to do was to keep moving forward, and hope for the best. She and Macintosh strapped themselves with their saddles. “Where’s Apple Bloom?” she asked, looking around.
Macintosh heard laughter, and the bleating of a goat. He took off his saddle to investigate, and saw Apple Bloom playing with the young goat. The goat jumped playfully around her, and at times it stood on its hind legs. There was one instant it ran in circles and bounced off Apple Bloom at the right moment. Mac chuckled at the two.
“Mac, can you get Apple Bloom? We have to get going,” said Applejack.
He nodded. As he approached Apple Bloom, he was reminded of the time when Winona first came to Sweet Apple Acres as a puppy. She was a happy little thing. Just as the goat, Winona jumped and leaped around Mac and Applejack when they were just Apple Bloom’s age. The goat hopped almost like a foal until it fell on its side. Apple Bloom helped it up.
“Come on, Apple Bloom. Quit playing with that goat, Applejack wants you,” he called.
Apple Bloom rushed toward the wagon, followed by the goat, then she sat herself on the back along with the animal.
“Hold on,” Applejack said. “Apple Bloom, what do you got back there?”
“Um… well…” The goat bleated before she can give an answer.
Applejack shook her head. “We’re not bringing that goat with us.”
“Please can we keep him?” she begged.
“We can’t! It doesn’t belong to us. Leave it here in the woods, or something.”
“But we can’t leave him here! He has nowhere to go!” Apple Bloom held the goat and present it to her in an effort to use his baby face to persuade her. “Let him come with us, please?” she begged again. “He’ll be lonely out here! I understand him, and he understands me!” Apple Bloom then used her best defense against her sister’s frown - her trembling bottom lip and her innocent eyes.
Applejack turned to Macintosh, who only shrugged.
“... Alright, the goat can stay,” she groaned. “But for heaven’s sake, make sure he doesn’t get near that cider!”
Apple Bloom hugged the goat, in which she received an affectionate headbutt in return. Applejack sighed in annoyance, making Macintosh laugh inwardly. She gave another one of her looks whenever he was pestering her, then the wagon moved forward.
The goat spoke very excitedly in its own language. He tried to stand on the wagon, but he kept falling on his bottom, so Apple Bloom held him in her arms. There was so much joy contained in that little creature. Although the jesters who stole their cider wagon were defeated, she still upset about how they might have treated him on the road. But she had no way knowing what they did to him. Apple Bloom smiled either way. He belonged to her now.
“What should I call you?” she asked, rubbing his head. “How about… Billy?”
Billy bleated happily for his new name.
Besides Apple Bloom and Billy, the other Apples were silent for the rest of the move forward. Much like the day before, there was no sight of ponies anywhere, and they traveled under trees that were tall enough to block the sunlight. Applejack kept a stern lookout for anything or anypony that might come out of nowhere and attempt to take their wagon, be it thieves, bandits, or…
Don’t be silly, she thought to herself. It ain’t real.
“Well… “ Macintosh said.
“Well what?” asked Applejack.
“Is there anything you like to say?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Me finding that wagon. Would you like to say anything about that? I did pretty good, didn’t I?” His posture was straight, he held his head up with pride. When Applejack saw that self-satisfied smile on his face, she stopped pulling the wagon and turned to him, with a response he didn’t expect.
“Why yes, Macintosh Apple, I would like to say something,” she said. “Your foolishness and recklessness is what got us in this mess in the first place! Yeah, maybe you did help find the wagon, but you almost gave a gotdang heart attack when it turned up missing! And by bunch of clowns, too! So it came to my attention that you ain’t taking this seriously! We worked for long days and nights to make that cider - by hoof, I may remind you - to let anything happen to it! From now, we’re only doing what I say! We ain’t doing anything, not sleeping on anywhere, and especially not eating anything unless I say is okay! You got that!”
So this is how it was going to be. Macintosh ominously stared down at her, as did Applejack. After trying to prove to her that he wasn’t such a screw-up, this is the thanks she can give in return? Macintosh thought he will never live to see the day Applejack was ungrateful for any good he tried to do.
“... Fine,” he huffed.
Applejack turned her head back. “That goes for you two, Apple Bloom!”
The wagon resumed its move forward. They got their wagon back, with some cider left, and yet they will always have time to find the other’s faults. Even she believed that Applejack was too harsh on him. After all, he did managed to find the tracks on the ground which led them to the hill. That must amount to something, didn’t it?
Billy nudged his little white head on Apple Bloom’s cheek.
“That’s just my brother and sister. They aren’t always like this… not all the time.” she said sorrowfully. “Do you have any family?”
The word family triggered something within Billy. There was none of the joy that he possessed. Billy lay flat on his stomach, his furry head set between his forelegs. The position he was in reminded Apple Bloom of herself whenever she was upset. She lied on her bed in the same manner Billy was lying.
“We’re you taken away from your family?” she asked again. Billy didn’t respond. Apple Bloom lowered herself with him, rubbing his head. “It’s okay,” she said softly.
The Apples continued on the path. Macintosh and Applejack had not said anything to each other all day. There wasn’t even an argument. It was nothing but spiteful silence. Apple Bloom stroked Billy’s back while he was sleeping. She wondered how long they were able to keep it up. Probably as long as they can, or at least until they get to Galloway, if they’ll ever make it, she thought. The she began to wonder how long until they stopped seeing trees. A few camping trips ago, Apple Bloom heard a frightening tale told by Applejack about creatures that wore red cloaks that lurked behind the trees. Instantly, she thought back to the advice her grandmother had about whistling.
She put her lips together and blew, but she sputtered and blew air. She attempt at whistling again before she gave up.
Applejack kept focus on the road ahead. She looked at the sky, but then, what was the point? She didn’t know what time it was. She glanced at Macintosh and shook her head. He forgot the map while she forgot her favorite pocket watch. It gold, with a ruby in the shape of an apple as the centerpiece, given to her as a gift. Of course, she didn’t let Mac know that.
Looking ahead, there was a figure of a pony coming toward them. Finally, a sign of life, Applejack thought. She waited until the wagon and the pony met at the middle so they can stop.
“Slow down,” she told Macintosh.
The pony was getting closer, and it looked as though he was carrying something on his back, but Applejack couldn’t make out for what it was. She got a clear view of him when they made eye contact: his skin was sky-blue, his face was covered with a brown beard, his mane and tail the same color. On his back was foal, no more than the age of two or three.
“Hello strangers, what can I do yer for?” he asked in a gruff voice.
“Please sir, we really need somepony’s help,” answered Applejack. “My family and I are completely lost. We have no idea where we are or how far we’ve come. We’re trying to deliver this wagon full of cider.”
“To where?”
“Galloway.”
The gruff pony’s eye grew in shock. “Galloway?” He turned his head to the other direction, then brought his head back and shook it. “I’d turn back if I were you. Didn’t you here? There’s a troll under the town bridge.”
Applejack stared at him, not sure of what to believe.
“He’s a big ol nasty one, too. He’ll eat you up the moment he sees you.”
“Eat you up,” the foal repeated.
Macintosh raised his hoof. “That can’t be,” he said. “I’ve been to Galloway before, and I don’t remember seeing any troll.”
“When was the last time you’ve been there?” the pony asked.
“A few years ago.”
“Well, he just made his residence sometime after. Many moons ago, me son and I narrowly escaped. We used to live in Galloway. We wanted to go camping, so we ventured out of town, but when we crossed the bridge… he just came out of nowhere, like he was hiding, waiting for anypony to come a-crossing. He reached his hand out to get us… but we ran. We ran as fast as we can. We haven’t returned since. Please, do yerselves a favor and turn back.”
Applejack swallowed the saliva that was building in her mouth. It took awhile for her to speak. “Troll or no troll,” she stammered, “I promised to make this delivery, and I always keep my promises. Just tell us the way.”
He sighed. “I can’t. Nopony goes in or out of Galloway… not anymore. A better choice is to keep wandering in circles than to be caught in the troll’s grasp. I’m sorry.”
The pony said nothing else, and continued on his path. Applejack gazed at the road that seem to have no end, full of trees. Looking around she found Macintosh staring at her, concerned, and indeed frighten, although he didn’t look it. She turned her head and saw Apple Bloom peeking behind the barrels. Applejack prayed she didn’t hear anything the gruff pony said.
“Come on… let’s keep moving,” she said, unsure of herself.
Apple Bloom stroked the white fur of the sleeping Billy. She looked at the trees. She does that from time to time. The line of trees were endless, she began to thought.
Still, that didn’t worry her as much as the story of the troll the pony told them about. After all this chaos that occurred during their trip, after all the screaming and yelling, not once did she thought about the troll. Like Applejack said, it was just a tall-tale from Granny Smith. With the passerby confirming that he’s real, maybe it was a good idea that they do turn back. Knowing Applejack, however, she wouldn’t want to do that. Apple Bloom noticed the change in her sister’s tone when the pony mentioned the troll. Was Applejack trying to brave for her?
Not a sound from was uttered during the remainder of the trip. An faint explosion was heard from the sky, and dark clouds were over their heads, followed by another booming roar from above. It was loud enough to wake Billy.
“Thunder,” Macintosh said.
“Yes, I know,” Applejack answered. She was hostile toward him, but only to a small degree. She looked at the sky. It was going to be a matter of time before it rained. Probably a thunderstorm, and a really bad one, Applejack figured.
The wagon pulled forward, slowly, cautiously. The Apples noticed that many of the trees were gone as they got further, entering a wide open space full of green. More dark clouds formed. The silent air broke when Billy made noise.
“What is it Billy? Do you see something?” asked Apple Bloom.
Billy pointed his head. Apple Bloom looked and saw a wooden house. On the front yard there were two children playing, but their mother came through the front door to call them in.
“Applejack, there’s a house down there!” she exclaimed. “Maybe they’ll let us in!”
“I don’t know, Apple Bloom. We don’t want to disturb them. We best find shelter on our own.”
Thunder cracked through the dark sky.
“We ain’t gonna find shelter, not for miles!”
“We will if we keep moving! There’ll probably be an inn somewhere!”
The first raindrops fell from the stormclouds. It was building gradually with each passing moment. Applejack gazed back at the house. The lights inside were turning. She really had no intention of intruding on their evening, but she had no other choice.
Applejack shook her head, and on her lead she and Macintosh led the wagon off the path and into the yard. The rain poured at a fast rate, almost pounding the skin on their backs. They moved quickly until they were close to the house. They parked the wagon at a considerable distance, then the Apples, along with Billy the Goat, rushed toward the front. A mare answer the door after Applejack knocked. She was yellow, with long, almost curly, brown hair.
“May I help you,” she asked timidly.
Applejack removed her stetson. “I hate to be a bother, ma’am, but would you care to offer me and my family shelter? We just need a place to stay for the night, and we’ll continue in the morning.”
The young mare glanced at the two adult ponies, and looked over them to see a wagon outside. She looked down to see a filly and a goat with them. The filly was about the same age as her two children. It was raining heavily. It wasn’t right to leave a child out there.
“... Well… alright, you can stay. There’s a shed out back to put your wagon in.”
“Oh, thank you very so much,” Applejack said with relief. The mare opened the door to let Apple Bloom and Billy enter while the other two locked the wagon in the shed. Her mane was drenched, as was Billy’s fur, dripping water where they stood. The mare stepped away from the room for a moment and came back with towels. Billy merely shook himself dry.
The mare was hospitable enough to have the Apples join her small family for dinner. It was least she can do for weary travelers such as them. The mare had a piece of carrot for Billy to eat. The children, whom were twins, finished their plates they rushed to the floor to rub Billy’s fur and pat him on his head.
“Where were you coming from?” the mare asked.
“Ponyville. My brother and I are apple farmers, and we’re having a very hard time delivering cider. My little sister wanted to tag along.”
She pointed to Apple Bloom, who was with the twins as they watched and laughed at Billy leaping in circles.
“To what town were trying to get to?” she asked again, gathering the plates full of scraps. Applejack and Macintosh removed themselves from the table to help clean.
“Have you heard of a little town called Galloway?” Applejack asked.
The young mare stopped on her tracks. Slowly, without responding, she reached for the last plate and placed on top of the stack.
“You’re going to Galloway?” she asked, a tremor in her voice.
“Yes… “
“But, but there’s a - “
Applejack raised her hoof, although there was subtle quiver. “We know. Somepony told us, already. But we have to make it, no matter what. I said it before and I’ll say it again - I’m a pony who keeps her promises.”
The mare set her plates on the table and sat down.
“But nopony has entered Galloway in a long time, not even leave. It’s dangerous. I’ve seen the… the troll for myself a long time ago. He was huge, with sharp teeth and black eyes,” she said in a loud voice, but covered her mouth for the sake of her children. Then she continued with a low voice, “He does not discriminate. The troll eat anypony who dare cross the bridge. It’s not safe. Please, I beg of you, do not continue your journey.”
“We can’t do that, ma’am. Our family is too far from Ponyville to turn back now, and I don’t intend to give up. I will not rest until that cider is delivered.”
There was a pause. The room was silent, save the jovial sounds coming from the children and the goat. “Will you tell us the way?” Applejack finally asked.
The mare sighed, then nodded. “When you leave here, continue on the path you were on. About ten miles from here there is an abandoned train station. Once you arrive, follow the tracks. It will take you a very long time, but the tracks will lead you to Galloway. However, I can’t tell you how to cross the bridge.”
Applejack closed her eyes. “We’ll think of something,” she flatly said.
“... Yep,” Macintosh added.
The Apples stayed in a spare bedroom the mare let them use for the night. The mare let her twin children play games with Apple Bloom until it was time to go to bed. Macintosh, extremely tired from the events of the day, settled in early. Applejack sat alone at the dinner table, thinking about the journey, the bridge, the troll, her siblings. How can a simple business trip turn into this? She put her hooves over her face.
There was commotion coming from the other room. The twins were arguing.
“Stop cheating!”
“No I didn’t, you skipped two spaces!”
“That’s because you switched cards!”
The brother and sister raised their voices, shouting awful things to each other. The mare rushed downstairs to break up the quarrel, until something unexpected happened.
“Guys, please stop fighting,” Apple Bloom said, calmly, but at the same time with authority. “That ain’t the way brothers and sisters talk to each other.” This caught Applejack, and the mare, off guard.
“Well… he cheated!” the filly said.
“No I didn’t, I played fair,” the colt whined.
Applejack walked toward the archway and inched her head to get a peek. She wanted to see what will happen. Before they burst into another heated argument, Apple Bloom stopped them. “Come on, y’all. It seems to me that you both cheated, and I don’t like playing games with cheaters. Now apologize to each other.”
The filly and the colt had their arms folded against their chests. They refused to make eye contact, but they received an uncomfortable stare from an impatient Apple Bloom. The twins relented and apologized simultaneously. The twins were relieved when she finally smiled.
“That’s what I want to hear. Brothers and sisters don’t treat each other that way. Sure, one might do something that’ll make the other upset, but y’all two are supposed to the best of friends.” Her smile faded. “And when there’s no one else left, all you have is each other.” Apple Bloom thought about the turmoil her family faced during the trip, and how it essentially made Applejack lose faith in her brother. She smiled again, wanting to continue their game before lights out.
Applejack stood there, and a cloud of uncertainty hovered above her head. It was uncertainty for herself and her skills as a big sister. She felt the twins’ mother standing next to her, who also watched the scene unfold.
“Your sister has such a way with words,” she said astoundingly. “She’s very mature for her age.”
“Yeah… yeah she is.”
Morning came, and the Apples gave their thanks and their farewells to the family. Applejack was willing to pay for their generosity, but the mare wanted nothing. The young twins hugged Apple Bloom and Billy for the final time before they departed.
The mare took Applejack’s hoof, grasped it into her own. “I pray no danger comes to you or your family. Please be careful.”
“We will,” said Applejack. “Believe you me, we’ve been through much worse.”
The mare let go of her hoof. Applejack and Macintosh strap the saddles on themselves, and they were on the road once more.
Much like before, the trail was filled silence. Only the birds filled the air with their morning songs. Billy was eating a bag of oats the twins gave for the long trip. Apple Bloom placed a hoof on her chin. There was something about this trip she really wanted to know. She crawled to the front through the barrels.
“Applejack, there was something I was meaning to ask you.”
“Go ahead.”
“... Why is it so important that we deliver the cider to Galloway?”
Applejack didn’t respond. The wagon kept rolling, and a minute passed until she she finally spoke. “You should know by now. As I said before, I’m a pony who keeps her promises. If I say this wagon of cider is going to reach Galloway, then by golly it’s gonna get there.”
“But who ordered it?”
“... You’ll see when the time comes. There’s also another why the delivery is so important. You see…” Applejack took a moment to gaze at Macintosh, who had his head down. “You see, Big Mac and I made that cider from scratch with our very hooves, along with one special ingredient. Do you know what it is?”
Apple Bloom shrugged.
“The secret ingredient is love.”
“Love?” Apple Bloom asked in a flat tone.
“I know it’s a dumb thing to say, but like everything in Sweet Apple Acres, we put love in everything we make, from apple pies to apple strudels to apple juice, even applesauce. That’s why everything we make taste so sweet and good. If there ain’t any love, then it’s not a Sweet Apple Acres special. Ain’t that right, Big Mac?”
Big Mac raised his head to see that Applejack was smiling at him, the first time since this dreadful trip began. He nodded, then said “Yep.”
As the mare had told them, the train station was just ahead. It was in a terrible condition, tall grass and weeds wrapped themselves around the structure. Animals from the forest must have made their homes there, for a fox was seen coming out of a hole on the side of the building. Applejack couldn’t see any tracks, but after walking further she realized that they were almost buried beneath the earth.
“What do we do now?” Macintosh asked. Applejack looked at him, unsure.
“We follow the tracks,” she said.
Applejack and Macintosh pulled forward and let the rusty train tracks lead the way. She reminded Apple Bloom to watch the barrels. She didn’t who, or what, may be in their presence. It was agreed that neither of them wanted to cross paths with rogues such as the jesters who stole their wagon.
“I wonder why the trains don’t run through here anymore,” Macintosh said.
“I think I know a few good reasons,” Applejack answered.
He nodded. Macintosh knew exactly what she was referring to.
As with the majority of the trip, the Apples were silent. It wasn’t out of spite like the times before, but it was from pure anxiety. Apple Bloom looked forward and only saw the backs of her brother and sister. She knew they were frightened, although they didn’t look it. Neither of them wanted to admit it. Even Billy hadn’t talked throughout once the journey continued. Apple Bloom drew him close and stroked his head.
She looked into Billy’s eyes. Something was troubling him, but what?
Later, it felt as though an eternity was passing them by. The tracks were a straight line, the background was changing endlessly from trees to flatlines to steep hills. It was good that the sun sat above the clouds. After days of wandering through the dark forests, it was nice to be out in the open with the sunlight beaming on their skins. If there was anything that the Apples learn through their lives, they could always count on the sun for everything. They were apple farmers after all, and all of life counted on the sun.
Little did they know that the sunlight would not last. Applejack saw something overhead. She told Macintosh to slow down, and she placed her hoof over her eyes, squinting while looking closely. The old, earth-bound tracks led to a tunnel, which in turn led underground.
She gave a questioning glance at her brother. Then Applejack stared at Apple Bloom, who gazed back at her with concern. “Is something wrong?” she asked.
Applejack fell silent. “We’re fine. Just taking a moment.”
She gazed back at the tunnel. Why am I so nervous? Applejack thought. I have to get going. I have a job to do. Applejack forced her legs to move, but she stood in place. The earth seem to stop spinning, all of reality reduced to nothing but a blur until Macintosh brought her back. She stared at him while trapped in a daze. Macintosh nodded his head toward the tunnel, and they both pulled forward.
Apple Bloom saw the tunnel as well, and just like her sister there was a feeling that something wasn’t right. She looked at Billy to find that he was trembling, curling himself as though he was hiding from something sinister.
“What’s happening?” she whispered.
“Shoot! I knew I should’ve asked that mare for a flashlight,” Applejack said in the darkness. Her voice bounced off the walls. “How could I’ve not known we’ll be walking through a tunnel? I can’t see a dang thing!”
“We’ll be out soon,” Macintosh said, although he didn’t sound sure of that. “Just hold your breath and make a wish.”
“That ain’t funny,” said Applejack.
Apple Bloom winced when the opening of the tunnel became a speck of light, then a tiny dot. The darkness was so thick that she was afraid to move. She stretched her arm out to make sure Billy was next to her. She felt his fur on her hoof, but the moment of relief was past.
Soon, she was back in that dark forest from days before. Closing her eyes didn’t help; she only saw more of the black void or the owl that was following her, taunting Apple Bloom with hoots. Her mind was probably playing tricks on her, because she was so sure she heard the same owl in the deep tunnel. Apple Bloom let out a loud yelp that echoed when the wagon made a sudden stop.
“What is it?” Macintosh asked.
“I can’t do this!” yelled Applejack. “I can’t see where I’m going! I’m scared we’re going to hit something, or trip and fall and don’t even see it, then all our cider is gone!”
“Then we’ll just have to keep walking. It ain’t no use standing around in the dark,” said Macintosh.
“We don’t have any light! I need to see, Macintosh!” Applejack’s voice was loud, but it came to a surprise for Apple Bloom when she and Mac didn’t burst into an argument. Still, she was reluctant to move on. Applejack had the idea of turning back and finding another way, but Macintosh instantly shot it down, saying that they’ve already made it this far. There was no use stopping.
The darkness of the tunnel was weighing itself on Apple Bloom. Since Billy wasn’t making any noise, she felt alone again. Something about it was bothering, as if the tunnel was a living being. Out of the darkness was a faint, inaudible sigh. Tunnels don’t do that, Apple Bloom thought. The blackness became thicker and thicker, like a blanket of shadows consuming them.
“I want to go,” she whispered.
Macintosh and Applejack couldn’t hear her. He was busy trying to bring composure to her sister, who was beginning to freak out.
Then, Apple Bloom remembered the advice Granny Smith gave to her. It was the same advice that came to her when she wandered through the dark forest.
“When in doubt, just whistle.”
Apple Bloom frowned. She couldn’t whistle. No matter how hard she tried, her lips made that noise a motorboat made when somepony was trying to turn it on. Well, Applejack always said that practice makes perfect. Apple Bloom didn’t necessarily believe that herself, seeing how perfect their siblings are, or were in this case. Applejack was trying to Macintosh to turn the wagon around, but he wouldn’t let her. Apple Bloom sighed, puckered her lips, and blew.
Finally, after all this time, she whistled.
She grinned, and she suddenly didn’t feel afraid anymore. At first Apple Bloom’s whistle was low, drowned in the voices of her siblings discussion, then the tune became loud as she continued. Applejack was the first to stop talking, started by the noise from the back, only to realize it was coming from Apple Bloom. There was silence, however, a moment later, Apple Bloom whistled Row, Row, Row Your Boat.
“Apple Bloom, what the hay are you doing?” Applejack asked.
“Whistling. Granny Smith says it helps when you’re scared.”
Apple Bloom continued to whistle. For a moment the wagon didn’t move. She heard Macintosh’s voice mutter something through her whistling, then the wagon rolled on. Apple Bloom paused to smile again, seeing that he finally convinced Applejack to endure the darkness. Even her whistling brought Billy’s spirits up. For the longest time it was as though he disappeared in the darkness, but he responded happily, although not very loud, to Apple Bloom.
Macintosh took small, cautious steps. He had too, it was the only way. He wanted to make Applejack was okay, but there was no way to see her face in the darkness. She did mumble to herself, probably repeating a mantra she learned from her friends, maybe Rarity or Twilight.
The whistling more or less put Applejack at ease, but she still wanted to get out of the dark. She silently prayed that they reach the other side of the tunnel. Applejack started, making a sudden stop and shrieked when she heard a rat passing by.
“Those dang varmints!” she yelled.
“It’s okay, keep moving!” Macintosh said.
It was during that moment Billy made noise. It wasn’t the joyful bleat baby goats often made. This one was different. There was something about the tunnel he didn’t like, something about the darkness that troubled him. Apple Bloom rubbed his back and whistled.
The tunnel also whistled.
Apple Bloom gasped, then shut her mouth. “D-did y’all hear that?” she stammered. Silence fell upon them. Billy threatened whoever may be in the tunnel, but Apple Bloom was shush him. Then the tunnel whistled once more.
With a loud voice, Apple Bloom yelled “Stop!” Macintosh was fast to obey, causing Applejack to nearly slip out of her saddle.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“There’s somepony in here,” Apple Bloom said with a tremor in her voice.
“Then why are we standing here for? We gotta get out of here!” Applejack said frantically.
Macintosh attempted to calm her, and as soon as he was about to open his mouth to say something, the tunnel whistled. Hoofsteps followed.
The dark and stillness of it all was getting to them. There were more hoofsteps, growing louder than the last. And more whistling. Macintosh ready his legs and hooves. “Run!” he said.
The wagon rolled out with great speed brought forth by himself and Applejack. Billy yelled along with Apple Bloom as the whistling from the tunnel continued. The fear of never escaping the tunnel grew in her. She held Billy tight and screamed very loudly to drown out the whistling, but it persist.
Applejack tried to keep up with her brother, who was running at an incredible speed. Through her heavy breathing she warned him to slow down or they’ll destroy the wagon, and there will be no cider. When it seem that the tunnel stretched to eternity, she beheld a small miracle ahead of her.
“Big Mac, look! The light!” she said. “We’re almost out!”
They charged forward, and the light grew brighter and brighter. Sweat trickle down their heads as they rushed to get to toward the end. It was like those ponies say when they’re dying, and they see a “bright light at the end of a long tunnel,” as they would say. Applejack shuddered at the thought. The blackness was dissipating as they reached the other side. Then, through sweet relief, the wagon was finally under the yellow sun. However, being caught in the dark for such a long period of time caused pain to their retinas. The Apples hid their eyes from the sun.
“We did it… we’re out,” Applejack panted.
“Yep,” Macintosh added.
While they were recovering, Apple Bloom found Billy in her arms, relieved and grateful to see his lovely face and white fur. She hugged him, not letting him go for even a second. Then she gazed at the tunnel. The experience was incredibly strange beyond recognition that she couldn’t find the right words. What was following them?
Hoofsteps and whistling found their way out of the tunnel, giving Apple Bloom a terrible fright. “Step on it, y’all!” she yelled. The wagon dashed away from the mouth of the tunnel. From now on, she decided that the dark forest and the scarecrow were no match for the utter, thick, consuming blackness that they had endured. Hopefully when they’re finished with the delivery they will find another way home, a path that was safe.
But it wasn’t smooth sailing from here. Not yet.
Applejack looked at the sky, shielding her eyes from the sun. She was sure it was the middle of the day. She removed her hat and wiped the perspiration coming from her forehead, as did Macintosh. His red skin was damp, his orange hair fell between his eyes. The farmponies pulled through despite the heat. With the dark tunnel far behind them they had nothing to worry about, for now. They passed through green, pastoral land and hills, with the railroad tracks fused to the ground, stretching to the horizon.
There was a small wooden house on the other side of the road, and a few yards from the house was a windmill. Applejack didn’t know what it meant. Maybe they were close to Galloway? She hoped so. There was no way of knowing.
“Apple Bloom, you alright back there?” she asked.
“Uh-huh. Just back here with Billy.”
Applejack never understood why they decided to bring the goat with them. It wasn’t the first time Apple Bloom wanted to bring a living creature home. Last Spring, during a rainy day, she found a small turtle being carried by a stream. She begged Granny and Applejack to let her keep it. Days later she claimed the turtle spoke to her, and asked Apple Bloom to let “her” go. She was very sure the turtle was female. Applejack suspected the goat was going to be long-term.
“Apple Bloom, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you,” she said.
“What?”
“Why’d you named that goat Billy?”
“... I don’t know. It seem like a name a goat would have.”
Applejack chuckled under her breath. Of course she would say something like that. She wondered what Apple Bloom will do with Billy if they when they have finished their business in Galloway… if they’ll ever make it out of Galloway. Applejack quickly pushed those thoughts out. We ain’t there yet, she told herself. Her focus was back on the road ahead.
It seemed like they were walking in circles again. Macintosh became very frustrated to the point he was grumbling to himself. Even Applejack believed they’ll never make it to Galloway. Then, just up ahead, there were approaching a small sign.
“Big Mac, look!” said Applejack. They trotted closer until they can read it clearly. GALLOWAY. 10 MILES. BEWARE.
The Apples stood and gazed at the sign. They didn’t know if they should celebrate or be nervous, especially at that last part. Macintosh furrowed his brow, Applejack swallowed the saliva that was building in her mouth. The siblings stared at each other, not sure of what to do, but after a moment’s hesitation they nodded. They already made it this far. Apple Bloom and Billy saw the sign from the back of the wagon as they passed. There was no turning back.
“Has it been ten miles yet?” Macintosh asked. Applejack didn’t answer. When he took a glance at her and saw that she had the “thousand yard stare” on her face. “I’ll take that as an I don’t know,” he said to himself.
The Apples drawing ever so close to the town of Galloway. It was the most tenseful silence they had ever felt. There was not a word that escaped the tip of their tongues during that walk. After everything they had endured, from getting lost in the wilderness and darkness, and coming from a standoff with rogues, Galloway was their destination at last. Although, and they knew why, an unknown threat still loomed over them.
Over the distance ahead Applejack could see an outline of a small town, surrounded by mountains with snow-covered peaks. A lumped grew in her throat. They were ever so close, oh so close. Her pacing slowed, along with her brother’s. Galloway was right there staring back at them.
Apple Bloom and Billy crawled to the front of the wagon, being extra careful not to knock over any barrels. They were almost there. Once they approached the town, Billy had a reaction. He hopped to the back, bleating and shouting as though he saw something terrible. Apple Bloom rushed to calm him. She spoke softly to him, stroking his back and head with gentleness. A moment later she was deep in thought. Apple Bloom sat up to look at the town again.
They were only a mere yards away from a large bridge made of stone. Then she knew the same fear Billy had.
Suddenly, the wagon was at a complete stop. Applejack and Macintosh gazed at the bridge. There used to be a river under it. Macintosh couldn’t remember if there was any water under the bridge. On the other side was Galloway. The streets were deserted, the windows and doors remained shut. Even the tranquil silence was hollow.
“We’re here… what do we do now?” he asked.
Applejack had no answer. She stared at the bridge, and the bridge gazed back at her. Not even Billy’s loud bleats woke her from her trance. Soon, everything around her seemingly began to wane into nothingness. Sounds were reduced to muffled voices and distance vibrations. Somehow, although she didn’t feel it, the breeze was blowing toward the bridge as it collided with the strands of her golden hair and orange neck. She removed the saddle and straps from her back and trotted slowly toward the bridge.
“What the hay are you doing?” Macintosh yelled. Quickly he tried to grab hold of his sister, but something was drawing her toward the bridge. Macintosh planted himself on the ground while holding Applejack back.
“Big Mac, what’s wrong?” Apple Bloom cried. She jumped out of the wagon to see the struggle, gasping in shock.
“Your sister’s gone crazy!”
It looked like she was going to escape his grasp, then Apple Bloom used her little hooves to push her back. “Applejack, stop!” she yelled.
Applejack slipped from Macintosh’s hooves and Apple Bloom fell on her back. The two watched in horror as their sister trotted toward the bridge. The little filly called for her, and in desperation ran after her. Macintosh tried to stop her, but forgot how fast of a runner Apple Bloom can be, but he caught up with her anyway. Billy called out to her friend, but stayed in place. He was afraid to be near the wickedness that dwelt beneath the bridge. She grabbed one of Applejack’s hind legs, begging for her not to go any further.
Suddenly, at the middle of the bridge, Applejack stopped. Under the bridge there was a crumpling of stone and dirt, followed by a low, monstrous rumble. Apple Bloom froze, just like at the cornfield where the scarecrow attacked her. Macintosh tried to pull them away, but that same fear petrified him as well. The growl from below increased, then a large yellowish-green hand with long nails appeared at their side. Then another hand. Soon there were arms and a muscular torso, and legs with toenails twice as long as the fingernails. Apple Bloom opened her mouth to scream, only for no sound to come out. Now the creature stood in front of them; an enormous, hairless, ugly, bipedal monstrosity, with beady, black dots for eyes and teeth much like a shark’s.
It was him, the troll who lived under the bridge, and he had hunger in his eyes. He chuckled wickedly, and his mouth formed an evil grin that will be in Apple Bloom’s nightmares for many nights to come.
“Well, a gift from the gods themselves,” he growled, staring at the ponies with a lust for flesh. “It’s been awhile since my last meal.”
Apple Bloom screamed and cried, tried to pinch Applejack, but the troll reached down to swipe them off. Quickly, Macintosh pushed them away, but the troll grabbed him instead, however it was all the same to him. The troll held Macintosh to his face and soulless eyes. “I strong pony such as yourself must look especially delicious,” he laughed. “I’m going to savor every bite I take of you.”
Billy shouted as loud as he can to get the troll’s attention, which he did. The troll stared confusingly at the little goat. “Hmm… I remember you,” he said, putting his thumb and index finger on the greasy chin. And he bellowed with laughter. “Yes, of course I remember you! I ate your brothers! Don’t worry, I still use their bones as toothpicks!”
Apple Bloom glanced at Billy, and saw the sadness mixed with rage. Now she understood. Poor Billy, she said to herself.
“Once I’m done with this wild stallion, I’m going after you two next,” the troll told Apple Bloom and Applejack, “and your little goat, too!” Billy saw how close Big Mac’s head was to the troll’s sharp teeth, dripping with saliva. He couldn’t move, but there was a fire inside him waiting to be released. Apple Bloom, his only friend, cried helplessly for her brother, and he couldn’t take it anymore. Billy already lost two brothers to that troll. He was not going to lose another. With a full strength of will he stepped forward and charged at the troll, and letting a mighty bleat of a goat warrior he headbutt him in his stomach which forced the monster to stumble on his feet. Before he fell over the bridge, he lost his grasp on Macintosh, reuniting him with his family. The thud from the troll shook the earth.
“... Thanks Billy,” he said, gasping for air. He was caught in a long, tight hug from Apple Bloom. There was moaning coming from Applejack, as though she had woken from a deep slumber.
“What happened?” she asked in a daze.
“I think you’ve been hypnotized or something,” Macintosh said. “There’s no time to explain! Let’s go before that troll comes back!”
He carried Applejack on his back and told Apple Bloom and Billy to get in the wagon. The Apples raced through the bridge and into town. Unfortunately, the troll recovered from Billy’s blow. He rubbed the sore spot on his head and glared at the speeding wagon.
“Nobody crosses my bridge and live,” he growled.
He jumped to his feet, climbed to the surface and chased the wagon. This was one of the very few times he crawled from under the bridge, which is to say never. He ran like a wild animal on all fours, panting heavily and grunting while chasing the Apples. Billy yelled at him, out of fear and hatred for the nasty creature. Apple Bloom laid on her stomach and closed her eyes. She sung a lullaby to herself to drown out the noise, stumbling on a few lyrics. Macintosh looked around. There was hardly soul outside. How could they not see the troll chasing after them? He could try and scream for help, but the effort will be futile. With each turn and maneuver of the wagon, the beastly troll followed with the speed of a cheetah bound for the hunt. The chase lasted until they reached a dead-end at the dock.
“Oh no, we’re trapped!” Applejack yelled.
“What are we gonna do?” Apple Bloom cried.
The troll had them cornered, and stood on his legs once more. The Apples and Billy huddled together in what could be their final moments as a family. The elder Apples were never ponies who asked for help, but if there was a time they could use some assistance from somepony like Twilight Sparkle, now would be a good time. The troll licked his teeth, and smiled that vile grin of his.
“That was quite an exercise,” he said, “but now it’s time for a well-deserved snack!” He scanned the ponies, and had his eye on Apple Bloom. “I’ll start with the little one as an appetizer, and the goat too!”
Apple Bloom held Billy, and Applejack wrapped them both in her arms. The ponies closed their eyes, but Billy nudged Apple Bloom’s cheek with his head. Getting her attention, he pointed to the wagon, quietly bleating, as though he thought of something.
Then Apple Bloom understood.
“Wait!” she cried. The troll stopped on his tracks with a frustrated look. “Before you eat us… would you like to try some of cider first?”
Upon hearing that, Applejack let go of her in disgust. “Are you out of your silly filly mind?” she shouted. “Why would you give cider to a monster that’s wants to eat us? Don’t you remember what nightmare we had to go through? And you want to give it to him? You’re insane!”
Apple Bloom ignored her. “Please Mr. Troll, we won’t taste as good if you don’t try at least one of our cider. Here, have a drink on us,” she said with the sweetest voice and a lovely smile.
The troll took a moment to think. “Hmm… nobody has offered me something like that before. Alright, I’ll have a drink. It better be good for your sake.”
“It is! Sweet Apple Acres cider is the best in Equestria!” Apple Bloom responded.
The troll approached the wagon and punched a hole on top of one of the barrels, whilst Applejack mumbled and grumbled about how they’re down to “eight stinking barrels.” He stuffed his nasty troll face inside the barrel and drank for several minutes. When he released his head the barrel was empty of cider.
“How do you like it?” Apple Bloom asked the troll.
Her answer was a loud belch that covered the salty ocean air in a foul stench. “I must say, little one, that cider was tasty!” he bellowed. “Now where was I? Oh yes, I was going to eat you!”
He approached Apple Bloom with great anticipation. Then he stopped. The troll’s face changed from wickedness to that of a pony who was lost. The Apples heard a low grumble, finding out that it was coming from the troll, but it wasn’t his growls. He placed his hands on his stomach. “I don’t feel so good,” he mumbled. He groaned and fell on his knees. The elder siblings just stared, having no idea of what to make of this. It seem the effects of the cider have gotten worse, because he was lying on his back with his hands to neck, choking.
“What have you done to me?” he asked through gritted teeth.
“That’s right! My brother and sister made that cider themselves!” Apple Bloom said, approaching him. She didn’t how she found herself so fearless after witnessing the troll trying to devour her family, but that was no matter. The troll began to cough violently. “You wanna know what the secret ingredient is? It’s love, an old family recipe! You see, trolls hate everything that’s good in the world, especially something like love! And it seems like you’re getting a heavy dose of it! And love hurts, doesn’t it?”
The troll screamed in pain, squirming on the ground, his hand remained on his neck. It caught the attention of the townsponies; many of them opened their doors and windows to see what the commotion was about. They held their breaths, fainted, scream and shouted when they saw the troll at the dock, but something was happening to him and they didn’t know what or why. Are those three ponies with the wagon responsible? The crowd gathered, shocked to learn that the troll was dying. The monster was holding on to dear life, but was on his last breath. Foam overflowed from his mouth. He gagged, took a last glance at the ponies who defeated him… then he fell away.
The town was dead silent, but it was much different than the silence they have known, gazing at the lifeless body of the one who held them prisoner for a long time, the one who devoured their loved ones and other innocent ponies and creatures. When the citizens of Galloway surrounded the Apples, it came to a surprise for Apple Bloom to learn that the town was only composed of earth ponies. She guessed none of them had the bravery to stand up to the troll.
An elderly mare approached them, watching them carefully. The Apples took heed to not make a move, but Billy was ready for another headbutt, although Apple Bloom had him stand down.
“... You killed him,” she finally said. “You’ve killed the troll.”
“My little sister did,” Applejack said. The elderly inspected Apple Bloom with eyes of a hawk, making her nervous.
Another moment passed. The elderly stomped her hooves on the ground, applauding Apple Bloom’s effort. The citizens of Galloway followed until the town filled the air with cheers and the ground with happy stomps. No, it wasn’t a dream. Yes, it was real. The troll was dead, and an eight-year-old filly killed him.
It was a time of great joy in the town of Galloway. Musicians of all kinds played triumphant songs, while others danced and sang with them. Children played on the bridge. Others ran out out of town to inform the rest of the world of the good news. Finally, during the midst of the celebrations, the town decided to put the troll under the earth. They wanted to bury him so deep that his body will fall into Tartarus.
The Apples didn’t join them. There was still work to be done. They have finally arrived in Galloway after experiencing the most perilous journey of their lives. A delivery was still in order.
No matter where they turned, how far away from downtown they were, the jubilant ponies of Galloway could not be escaped. And that was fine with them. The ponies deserved to be happy after being held prisoners in their own home, watching in horror as that monster their friends and neighbors. They can make all the noise they darn well please.
The wagon entered a small neighborhood with small houses that were only two colors: white and beige. Once in awhile they spotted a house made of bricks. Journeying further, they found themselves out of the neighborhood by going on a road that stretched farther out until they reached a large, white beach house that stood over the ocean.
“We made it,” Applejack said to herself. Before she proceeded any further, she took off the straps and turned to gaze at her family. She removed her stetson for full effect.
“... I just wanted to thank all of y’all for hanging in there with me,” she said with full humility. “I know this whole trip was rough, but we made it. All of us, together, in one piece.” She sighed. “And… I apologize for the way I’ve been acting. I didn’t to say or do anything y’all didn’t agree with. It’s just this delivery was so important to me… that I got carried away. Big Mac, Apple Bloom… I’m terribly sorry.”
“I’m the one that’s sorry,” Macintosh said, raising his hoof. “I forgot the map. If I hadn’t done that, the trip wouldn’t have gone downhill like it did. I also made my two sisters eat something that could’ve killed them, and I almost lost the wagon. I goofed
They gazed helplessly at themselves. Applejack nodded. “We both goofed.” She knelt down to Apple Bloom, guilt weighing down on her. “Apple Bloom, I’m sorry for putting you in harm’s way during all this. That ain’t what a big sister is supposed to do. I know you wanted to learn how Mac and I get things done, and we failed. I understand if you don’t want to go on another business trip with us again,” she said sadly.
“And I’m sorry, too,” Macintosh said. “I’ve should of had better judgement as an older brother.”
Apple Bloom tried to wrap her little arms around to pull them in for a hug, and Billy joined when they sat on the ground embracing each other. Applejack pat Billy on his white head, thanking him for all the help. They were Apples to the core once more.
They pulled the wagon in front of the beach house. The wind was gentle and the ocean smelled fresh. Looking downward they saw seagulls flying and standing on the sand as the foamy waters crashed into the shore. Applejack counted the barrels on the wagon. They were down to eight.
“You’d think… whoever it is will be disappointed?” Apple Bloom asked.
“I don’t know, but I am disappointed with myself,” Applejack said.
She stared at the wooden house. Now, after everything that happened, after all they’ve been through, Applejack wasn’t sure if she wanted to go through with it. Macintosh’s large hoof touched her. He gave her an approving nod, and a look older brothers gave to their sisters whenever they’re proud of them. Applejack nodded in return, and the Apples walked toward the front of the house together, with Billy following.
They waited, and Applejack reached out to knock on the door. Apple Bloom enjoyed the sounds of the water on the shore. She hope someday she’ll live in a house like this, away from all the noise of the city. It must have a balcony with a fantastic view of the beach, not to mention the sunrise and sunset.
Finally, somepony answered the door. A young, maybe about Applejack’s age, stood before them. Her skin was blue and her hair was white. Apple Bloom took a good look at her cutie mark, seeing seashells on her hind quarters. Her eyes widen and her mouth fell agape when she learned that Applejack was standing in front of her, as if she was a ghost.
“Aqua Marina, we’re here,” Applejack said. She pointed to the wagon. “I know you ordered twelve, but we have to give you eight. I’m very sorry.”
“Applejack… you made,” she said astonishingly. “How?”
“It’s a long story.”
Aqua Marina welcomed the Apple clan in her home, although Apple Bloom asked if Billy was allowed, which she agreed. Later, they watched the sunset from her balcony, and Apple Bloom was right when she thought it had a pleasant view. They shared remaining barrels they had left and Aqua Marina had them stay overnight in her home. It was the least she can do for travelers who came such a long way.
