Once more into the wilderness I went, I've been stuck here for about three weeks now and so far I haven't found the edge of this stupid forest. Luckily I had run into anything dangerous yet like a bear, but I really didn't want to stay here for too long. My clothes were getting pretty ragged now and I couldn't keep living off random fruits for too long. For such a large forest, it had surprisingly few animals. The one or two I had seen immediately scampered off before I could try to catch them. I say 'try' because I've been far too hungry to even think of giving chase lately. The small stream near my 'camp' was all I could use for water, cleaning and everything. I only had one set of clothes though, so usually I kept cleaning to a minimum and used my jacket as a blanket if needed.
The first few days were the worst, I had no idea how to get a fire started, I woke up with a pounding headache each morning and I was starving because most of the fruits I ate now were on the other side of the stream. On the third day I'd grown sick of the cold nights and in my frustration I somehow managed to get a campfire lit. Since then I'd been keeping the fire alive as long as possible, I'd had no idea how I lit it so it was all I could do to keep chucking sticks onto it. I didn't have to worry about the smoke attracting predators apparently, since the sickly green flame didn't give off any. Yes I know that's weird, and no I didn't care at the time since I was just happy to have any warmth.
When I'd woke up the next morning I tried my best to replicate it, with horrible results, so I eventually gave up and went back to looking for civilization. I used the stream first, seeing which way the water was flowing and following it upstream. It took about four hours of walking before I reached the river it came from which led to my next issue. Rather than flow downstream and split into two, this was two rivers that connected into one. I never cared about geography so I couldn't pretend to know how it worked. The river was about fifty feet across and really slow, which made it incredibly easy to cross. That day though I returned to camp first to make sure the fire was still alive.
There was a tree near my campfire that I'd used to start mapping the place, namely each part of the river and around the campfire. Two weeks in and so far I may as well have been stranded in Egypt. Today though, today was different. This morning I woke up pretty late, and for once the headache was gone, it must've been a sign of good luck since on my usual trek I managed to see a plume of smoke in the distance. Even better it was in the direction of one of the rivers so it wouldn't be too hard to follow. I took what was left of my clothes and the stick I'd been using to carve into the tree before putting out my fire. Then I ran, for once I was almost looking forward to getting back home, and the smoke only grew closer as I ran. Usually I couldn't venture too far along the river since it would take too long to get back to camp by nightfall but this time I had a goal.
I'd been ignoring everything else as I ran, my partially ruined shoes keeping me from damaging my feet too much beyond the blisters. I was so caught up in my hope I didn't really pick up on the implications of the smoke. I should've known before I set off, the smoke stack was much too large to be a simple campfire or chimney smoke. So when I'd finally reached the edge of the forest, I wasn't smiling as much as I thought I would be. Don't get me wrong, the houses in the distance were fantastic to see, almost as much as the barn nearby. I just didn't enjoy the size of hundreds of apple trees, all in neat rows, all alight.
My legs were sore from running since this morning, but I still couldn't just watch could I? So, rather than stand there and watch, I looked around for the edge of the trees and soon found the fence bordering them. I ran around it, staying outside of the trees to avoid getting burnt, and headed to the barn. The least I could do was carry a bucket or two, maybe help fill them with water. Once I rounded the corner and found the entrance I gave up on that. Instead of people scrambling for water, or even firemen running around, there wasn't anyone. Well, there were a few people, but they weren't... people.
A purple unicorn was barking orders at some of the other colored horses. Two of them even had wings, one saluting the unicorn and the other simply nodding before flying off into the sky. A bright pink one without a horn or wings was apparently trying to console another bare one who was shivering next against the barn. Each of them had weird pictures on their flanks as well. It was a surreal sight and I had no idea what to do, so I stood there dumbly as clouds rolled overhead, apparently drawn towards the smoke as they perfectly blanketed most of the trees. At some point I tried hiding behind the wooden fence, crouching as I watched the weird horses and tried to figure out what the hell was going on.
They were obviously sentient, and obviously somewhat intelligent. No matter how much I wracked my brain I could not figure out where the hell I was. I obviously wasn't dreaming, I've been here for weeks now. Was I hallucinating? Did the fruit in the forest have some horrible side-effect where people looked like colorful horses? No, that wasn't it. It doesn't explain the two who flew off. Was I in a twisted game show? Ehh, no, that wouldn't be it. It'd cost too much. I'd ended up lost in my thoughts, didn't even noticed as the orange horse spotted me, her eyes widening as she pointed a shakey hoof in my direction.
That was also when the two winged ones returned, the blue of the two following her friends(?) hoof before glaring at me and flying right for me. I'd only had a few seconds to react, jumping back as she(?) almost rammed straight into me. "Hey! Who do you think you are? Burning all of AJ's trees?!" She (definitely a she) thought I did it? Why would she think that? Wait, she can talk?!
"What are you talking about?! I just got here!" I was panicking slightly as the pegasus glared at me, looking me up and down before backing off slightly.
"You can talk? What even are you anyway?" She questioned before shaking her head and glaring at me once more. "Doesn't matter, I'm still going to teach you not to mess with my friends."
Whoa there little miss confident, she hand't even met me and she already thought she could beat me? That's just naive, and I really hate being looked down on. I glared back at her as I though of a plan, reaching into my pocket and wrapping my hand around the stone I had used to carve into the tree back at camp. I couldn't risk her getting close since those hooves of hers would probably cave in my ribs, and I wasn't confident enough to hit her from this far away. Maybe I could use her speed against her?
She smirked as she watched me before flaring out her wings and speeding right towards me. I could see why she was so confident with speed like that, I barely managed to take out the rock and pull my arm back. The precious few seconds I had to aim only grew shorter as she drew closer and I had to take a chance. When she was about twenty feet away from me when I threw the stone, twisting my leg as I jumped to the side. The horse barely had time to dodge as she sped towards the rock. My aim was off just a little bit but apparently she was naturally inclined to dodge to the right, attempting to tilt herself out of the way of the rock only for it to nail her right in the forehead.
I'm not really sure what knocked her out, whether it was the rock hitting her or when she crashed into the fence. Either way, I'd somehow managed to win against the speed demon. I only managed to pump my fist and yell "FUCK YE-" before I was cut off by a dull pain in the back of my head. Everything grew fuzzy as my vision swam, and eventually I ended up knocked out cold on the ground as well, not before seeing a few frowny faces above me though, and one... less than frowny face. When I was knocked out though I could've sworn I heard something, it sounded like laughter?
Oh well, that was my first day in Ponyville.
"Now ya better get ta sleep alright? I don't wanna be getting up ta get a drink tonight only ta find ya huddled on the floor under all yer blankets, plannin' yer next crusade." It was really necessary to be strict with Applebloom. Nothing drastic, but a simple reminder of the past should be enough to stop her from repeating her mistakes.
Applebloom groaned while Applejack tucked her in, using her teeth to pull the covers along. "Fine sis, ah promise it won't happen again." The filly looked defeated while her sister scrutinized her, even as Applebloom pulled off an adorable pout she knew she could not be swayed, especially tonight of all nights.
"Do ya pinkie promise?" She'd gotten her with that one, Applebloom clicked her tongue before sighing and pledging the oath of promise keeping. It almost felt like she was making a horrible pact with some kind of monster from the Everfree as she spoke, and she could almost feel Pinkie Pie staring at her all the way from Sugarcube corner. Satisfied, Applejack nodded her head and left, muttering a quick "Sleep well Applebloom," before turning off the lights and closing the door.
There was a reason tonight was special, well more the day after. It was crucial that Applejack get in a decent amount of rest before tomorrow, thankfully Big Mac would be there to help her with Applebuck Season. She really couldn't imagine how she'd fare if he wasn't around. Once she'd finally reached her own room she flicked her stetson off with practiced ease, landing it amongst the others currently hung on the hat rack. She'd made the mistake of almost going hat-less one day and it was safe to say that day would probably never come around again.
She made extra sure to kick off any remaining dirt from her hooves and put away her mane and tail ribbons before climbing into bed, snuggling into the cold sheets and slowly warming them up with her own body heat. She kept her eyes on the picture adorning her bedside table, in it was portrayed the smiling faces of her own family. It had been taken three years ago during the annual family reunion. More importantly she focused on the four ponies in the middle. Almost directly in the middle was Granny Smith with Applejack standing to her right and big Mac to her left. Just in front of both Granny Smith and Applejack was a beaming Applebloom, a few bits of apple pie still stuck to her main from the face war she'd had with the all of the food.
Before her eyes finally closed she thought to her parents, just as she had each night before. Their departure had been part of why she had gone to the city in order to find her cutie mark initially, a vain hope that she could find them amongst the crowded city streets. She missed them more than anything, but she still remained happy. No matter what happened she could always push through it, her family close behind her, for that was the Apple family legacy.
Once she had finally closed her eyes she felt something, a faint cry for help that immediately had her open her eyes once more. For barely a moment she thought it could have been her mind playing tricks, a hallucination caused by her own tired mind, but then she heard it once more. It could barely be heard, even in the quiet of the country night, but there was no mistaking it. She hurriedly leapt out of bed, knocking her hat off the stand only for it to land perfectly balanced on top of her head.
It'd be a waste of time trying to search for anyone in the dark as she assumed the moon had only just begun to rise. Before she knew it she had already sprinted downstairs, giving Big Macs door a quick knock to warn him something was wrong. The entire house seemed to blur past her as she found herself outside, scanning the nearby apple tree's with the light of the lantern currently hanging from her mouth.
The run outside had been too disorienting and she ended up losing her main point of focus quickly. Calming down, she closed her eyes and listened. It would be a fruitless effort to just blindly search the entire farm so she kept her ears out for anything that could help her locate the cry for help. The entire world felt as though it only grew darker with each passing moment, dread slowly making its way into her mind before she finally heard it again, though this time it sounded like more of a pained scream.
Focusing, she begun her sprint directly towards the heart of the farm. The trees around her began to blur while the moon still yet remained absent, the darkness of the world only kept at bay by the lantern she held. Leaves rustled in the non existent wind, her tail and mane flying behind her, only kept in order by the red ribbons securely tied around them. She was getting closer now and she begun to hear the muffled screams of who she assumed was a young filly. The cries were similar but her mind was adamant in its refusal to connect the dots.
She reached the clearing, and that's when her mind finally put the pieces together. Without any kind of transition, the sky had grown a sickly red color. The clouds above almost like splotches of red paint randomly thrown across a canvas, all in broken circles around a single tree that shouldn't have been there because it was just that, a tree. No leaves decorated it and the branches twisted and turned in ways that would have made Applejack feel nauseous if she weren't solely paying attention to what the tree held in front of itself.
Facing her was none other than her sister. Scratches and bruises covering her body with her mane randomly torn off in places, pieces of it covering her face and keeping it from view. Applejack's eyes turned to pinpricks as she absorbed the situation, one of Blooms hind legs was being twisted cruelly, the only thing keeping it attached to her body being the few strands of skin twisted around each other. Applejack dropped the lantern from her mouth, the clattering alerting the broken filly and causing her to raise her head, a glimmer of hope sparkling in one eye as the other dangled uselessly from its socket.
"A... pple-" She had barely gotten the word out of her mouth when a thick and twisted branch impaled the back of her skull, digging through her head and almost mockingly wormed its way out of her mouth before slowly tearing her head from the base of her neck. Applejack could only stare at the horrifying scene, the faint smell of smoke reaching her nostrils as her throat dried up. 'This can't be real...' her thoughts questioned as she put one hoof forward.
"This can't be real!" her cry was as much out of hope as it was out of desperation, her legs taking her towards the head of her sister even as the tree hid the body from her view. Tears clouded her eyesight as she screamed and cried, seemingly getting no closer to her sister. In her haste she managed to trip over a particularly large root, an oddity among the tidy fields of Sweet Apple Acres. She kept crying as she tried to pull herself up, blinking the tears away only to find the tree gone from sight, along with her sister.
The sky still remained a sickly red, only now the clouds began to move of their own accord, now circling around Applejack herself. She had no idea how to react, grief still filling her mind as she tried to find answers, spinning around fruitlessly as tears poured down her muzzle. It was then she heard a laugh. It began small, barely carrying across the wind, but it quickly grew much louder. When she turned towards its direction she unconsciously took a step back.
It certainly wasn't anything she'd ever seen before, its body long and thin as it stood on two legs. The fur on its hind legs seemed ragged and torn while its torso displayed an ugly pattern of green and red stripes. She couldn't make out its face under the shadow provided by its hat, and on one hand it sported long, incredibly thin claws that reflected the twisted night sky almost spectacularly. In her observations she failed to notice the being calm down, apparently wiping away a tear as it began to walk towards her.
She didn't utter a peep as it drew closer, its footsteps were silent but she could faintly hear the loud banging of machinery, even the occasionally hiss of steam as it, no, he, stood in front of her. Her mind had been running far too quickly for her body to obey any of its orders, so she could only stand still with a fearful expression as the creature leaned down. For a moment she closed her eyes, the horrible smell of his breath violating her nostrils, only for her to freeze up once more, eyes wide open, as he spoke.
"So, this is my new home huh?" His malicious grin grew wider as she finally made out the details of his face, horrible scars covering it almost completely with piercing silver eyes tracing along her body. Once their eyes met she could feel nothing but fear, completely ignoring the fierce sense of heat growing behind her, she had no idea what he was but every instinct she had screamed at her to run only for her body to ignore it completely. He raised his clawed hand slowly, almost forcing her to watch each millimeter of space it crossed on its way to grasp her chin.
For a moment she felt she had a chance, that she might be able to make a break for it, only for his calm smile to dissuade every single thought of retreat her mind could come up with. She barely felt the pain as he slowly traced a claw down her cheek, blood trailing its way down her face. Once a single drop hit the floor he began to fade, almost as if his body was being overtaken by a sickly green fire. It didn't worry him in the slightest, only seeming to amuse him as he spoke for the last time that night.
"One, Two, Freddy's coming for you~"
Then she woke up, a cold sweat drenching her mane as tears rolled down her cheeks. The memories of her dream came out in bits of pieces, the most prominent being of her sister, an odd creature, and fear. Shaking off her head though she dismissed the memories. It wasn't going to be any good slacking off on the first day of Applebuck Season. As she shook her head she felt the traces of a pain down her cheek, drawing a hoof to it as she winced and pulling it away to reveal a bloody smudge.
Everything came back to her at once, the scream, the running, the sky, her sister and the creature. All cascading in a mixed up in a horrifying cascade along with the words he left behind. She sat frozen in her bed for a good, long time before the smell of smoke wafted towards her nostrils. It was then she remembered some of the more insignificant parts of her dream. The lantern, the smell of smoke, the heat. Quickly, she jumped out of her bed, ignoring her stetson along with her ribbons as she looked out her window, and all she could see was fire.