Applejack walked to her barn, two baskets of apples in her arms. The sun was about to set, which was no surprise to the farm-girl, as Applejack often worked late into the night. Tonight, however, was different. Twilight Sparkle had come over earlier today, telling Applejack to meet her at Zecora's hut by sundown. Why Twilight couldn't arrange an earlier time for them to meet was beyond her, but Applejack had Pinkie-Promised Twilight she'd be there.
As Applejack walked through the forest, a flashlight in one hand, and a regular kitchen knife in the other, she couldn't help feeling nervous.
It wasn't often she walked through the Everfree, and less so in the night. However, she knew what to expect, and so she came prepared.
As the last rays of sunlight fell beyond the horizon, and a owl in the distance, she finally stumbled across Zecora's hut.
Applejack had barely walked inside when she felt a slight pressure on the lower half of her face. She had no time to push it off, as within a few seconds she passed out completely.
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When Applejack woke up, a bright light stung at her face, making her flinch and squeeze her eyes shut.
"Applejack! You're finally awake! That means the real fun can begin. Zecora, Do you have the mirror and scalpel?" Twilight said, now focusing her attention on two small vials. One contained a dark red liquid, the other, a slightly fizzly clear liquid. She picked up the red one first, uncorking it, and then heading Applejack's way.
"Alright, Applejack, first off, I don't want to hear any whining, begging, whimpering, or pleading, got it?"
Applejack could only nod her head, hoping against hope Twilight wasn't going to hurt her too much.
"Good! The second thing is, don't try to escape or call for help. Remember, we're in the Everfree Forest, in Zecora's hut, in a soundproof room below the ground. Your chances of somepony hearing you are nonexistent, so it's useless to try. Also, keep in mind, those are STEEL cuffs on your arms, legs, forehead, and hips, so don't think you'll be able to break free of them. Are we clear?"
Applejack gave a muffled sort of answer, nodding her her head again as Zecora entered the room, a small mirror and an odd looking hunk of metal in an odd shape.
"Ah, Zecora! Do you have the "special" tool as well?"
"Of tools we use, I hold the one for a painful bruise, and of special tools I hold in my hand, I have the "one" ready to be used again."
"Good! Alright, let's start off with the usual, and then work up to the more "unique" aspects of today."
Applejack watched helplessly as Zecora advanced on her, and, to her horror, had a scalpel in each hand.
"Dear Applejack, would you like death by knife, or death by fire?"
