On the Apple Farm

Five years, Babs Seed thought. That was how long since she’d last visited Ponyville. She looked out the window as the countryside passed her by, the train horn blowing in the distance. Already she missed the gleaming towers and relative stability of Manehattan and would have killed for an oat bagel at the moment. Everything outside the city was just too depressing. She’d read about the drought, the protests, the violence that racked much of the rural regions of this once prosperous nation.

After the disastrous war with Saddle Arabia came to a conclusion, Equestria faced a new catastrophe. With so many ponies dead or maimed in the war, there weren’t enough to tend to the weather and the land. Earth pony communities had lost an entire generation of workers and farmers. Those that remained couldn’t possibly accommodate the large demand for food required to feed a growing population.

What’s more, the loss of so many pegasi meant fewer ponies to provide rain to a draught-hit country. The weather factories were working overtime, sometimes triple shifts or more, to create as much moisture as possible, but even their Hyraculean efforts proved in vain. Rumors that the pegasi were hoarding the water caused friction to grow, rumors that the pegasi adamantly denied even though their privileged status as the keepers of the sky allowed them to decide which parts of Equestria received the most water, which gave them an unfair advantage over the surface ponies.

Some pegasus factories demanded a large sum for their services, sums which struggling towns and farms were forced to pay if they wanted water for their crops. This lead to some very heated exchanges that had erupted into all-out violence. The Great Baltimare Massacre, as it had been dubbed, whereas pegasus soldiers were forced to shoot lightning into a crowd of protestors that threatened to storm their factory, had taken the life of six ponies and injured hundreds more. The Princesses themselves had to get involved to prevent the violence from escalating, but the damage had been done.

Incidents like this were becoming all too common throughout Equestria. Just last month in a Manehattan borough, a turf dispute between gangs had become a full-out war when one side was trying to muscle in on the illegal trade of artificially-enhanced seeds. As one of the safest communities in Equestria, there had never been a need to maintain a large police force, leaving the local authorizes overwhelmed and poorly-equipped to handle the fighting.

News that Las Pegasus in the west was threatening to secede from Equestria was having a domino effect throughout the country. There was even talk of mobilizing the army to put down such dissident movements, a move which would surely incite civil war. Babs couldn’t believe it would lead to that. She believed the Princesses would find a way to restore harmony and peace to Equestria. The people just needed to give them more time.

Then again, here she was, a privileged pony with a full belly and traveling in a first-class passenger seat. Ponies like her could afford to wait. She didn’t have to worry about starving or whether she’d have a roof on her head the next morning. Babs couldn’t begin to imagine the hardships her fellow ponies were facing, not when she hadn’t done a day’s hard labor in her life.

She was an earth pony, but an earth pony of comfort. She grew up in the largest, most advanced city in all Equestria, where the most difficult choice she had to make was deciding whether or not to leave her bangs the way they were or allow them to grow. Who was she to ask for patience?

Who was she to call herself an Apple?

“Are you okay, Babs?” Came the polite and cultured voice beside her.

Babs turned away from the window, relieved that her best friend had returned and bring her back from her dark musings. “I’m good,” she said in her thick Bucklyn accent. Blowing a thick red bang out of her eye, Babs smiled at Sweetie Belle. “Bout time you got back. I was worried you got lost.”

Sweetie Belle smiled. Her horn was alit with green magic as she levitated a bag of sweets in the hair. “I’m not the country filly I used to be. Trains used to seem so big to me.” She took the seat across from Babs, her illustrious mane catching a glint of the sun. Sweetie Belle was beautiful even by unicorn standards. Her cutie mark, a violet musical note surrounded by three golden stars, was a sight to see. It was much fancier and better looking than Babs’ scissor cutie mark, though at least she could lay claim to having gotten it before Sweetie Belle.

After moving to Manehattan, Sweetie Belle had difficulty assimilating to big city life. Rarity had no choice but to move, given that the Carousel Boutique had gone under after all business had left Ponyville. Her business partners in Manehattan had allowed her to start a new life for her and her little sister. As a small pony in a big town, Sweetie Belle had nopony she knew other than Babs, and the two started to hang out. It wasn’t long before they became best friends and were together all the time.

Babs was grateful that Rarity allowed Sweetie Belle to accompany her on this trip. Aside from their mutual friendship, having a Ponyville native along would be useful. Babs had only visited a hoof full of times, namely to see her favorite cousin, during the Apple Family Reunions. A lot of Apples had lost their lives in service to Equestria during the war and there hadn’t been a reunion since. Babs was worried. She missed her cousin and her kinfolk.

When she wrote to Apple Bloom telling her she wanted to visit, she finally received a letter back stating, “Come on by,” written in Apple Bloom’s flowing cursive. She packed her bags that night and readied to leave the following morning. When she told Sweetie Belle, the unicorn had practically begged to come along. She missed Apple Bloom and her hometown, and only needed an excuse to go. Convincing Rarity to leave took some effort, but Sweetie Belle was now a young mare and more than capable of making her own decisions. Besides, she was going home to Ponyville with her best friend. What could go wrong?

Sweetie Belle opened the bag and, after taking a treat for herself, offered it to Babs. “So what were you thinking about?” She asked as she munched loudly. For all her unicorn regality, there was enough “country charm” in her that made Babs smile.

“A lot of things,” Babs admitted, chewing her food.

“Apple Bloom?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“I can’t believe it’s been five years.” She swallowed and glanced outside the window. The vast fields of Equestria’s heartland rolled by like a moving picture.

“I know what you mean.” Sweetie Belle became sad. “She was one of my best friends along with Scootaloo. We used to hang out all the time.”

“The Cutie Mark Crusaders,” Babs said, looking back.

The name brought a lot of memories back to the unicorn, and Babs could see her bright green eyes light up with recollection. “That’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time.”

“Cheer up. This trip is supposed to be a way to reconnect and remind Apple Bloom we still care about her.”

“But why has she stopped writing?” Sweetie Belle put the bag on the seat and folded her hooves. “I don’t know why she wouldn’t keep in touch anymore. It’s like she didn’t want to be my friend.” She sniffed at that.

Babs moved over to sit next to the unicorn. “Hey, kid. Don’t think that way. Apple Bloom just has a lot to deal with. When AJ got injured, it was up to her to take care of the farm. That can’t be easy for a filly.” Babs put an arm around Sweetie Belle. “She ain’t got it easy. We gotta remember that. Apple Bloom couldn’t just up and leave the Apple farm.”

“But I up and left.” Guilt entered Sweetie’s voice. “I sometimes feel like I abandoned her.”

“Hey now! Your sister took you along. It’s not like you wanted to leave.”

“But I could have done something. Maybe…maybe I could have gone back every week to help her on the farm. Maybe I could have sent some money. Maybe…”

“Maybe you could accept there was nothing you could have done,” Babs cut her off. “A lot of ponies left Ponyville. It’s not easy out there. Too many bad things happening.” She rubbed Sweetie Belle’s shoulder. “Scootaloo had to leave too, remember? So did Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, and Princess Twilight is all over Equestria, trying to keep the damn thing from falling apart.”

Sweetie Belle nodded. “At least Pinkie Pie stayed.”

“That’s the thing,” Babs went on. “Some ponies have nowhere else to go so they make the best of what they have. I don’t think I could leave my family if things went south in Manehattan. I’d tough it out, Apple style. All the Apples are doing the same thing. Not one of them left their orchards. They stayed right where they are.”

“But do you think they would have left,” Sweetie Belle asked as she laid her head on Babs’ shoulder, “if they could have, I mean?”

Babs thought about that. Leaving behind everything you worked so hard to build was never easy. She figured they’d have to drag Apple Bloom and her family kicking and screaming off of Sweet Apple Acres.

“Babs?” Sweetie asked when her friend did not respond immediately.

“I think…I think they would leave if there was no other way,” she admitted. “But it takes a lot of stuff to remove an Apple. We plant our roots deep anywhere we go. It’s like my ancestors when they moved to Manehattan. We haven’t left since because it’s our home. I don’t know how bad things are in Ponyville, but I’m gonna help my cousin any way I can.”

Sweetie Belle perked up at this. “Me too.”

“I can’t wait to see her,” Babs said, looking out the window as the train whistle blew again.

Ponyville was exactly as she remembered it, and that worried Babs. The train station was nearly empty as there were few passengers who decided to disembark. Sweetie Belle had told her stories, how the town had fallen on hard times during and after the war, the mass migration of locals to more prosperous regions, the severe lack of able-bodied ponies who kept everything up and running.

Babs and Sweetie Belle had prepared themselves for what they might see. It would be heart-breaking for Sweetie Belle especially. Her last memory was a tearful goodbye between her and her friends on the very same platform before the train came to take her and Rarity away.

As much as Sweetie Belle was here to support her, Babs was there to support her friend in what would undoubtingly be a painful homecoming.

There was no such thing.

“Is this Ponyville?” Babs asked Sweetie Belle. “It don’t look like nothing’s happened.”

The town was not only alive, but prospering. There were many ponies trotting the streets. The homes had been remodeled and repainted with bright vivid colors that seemed to resemble the Apple Family barn. They were all smiling and jubilant, and more than one sent a hardy welcome to the Manehattan visitors.

“This is amazing!” Sweetie Belle was ecstatic. “I haven’t seen it like this since before the war. But I thought everypony was starving.”

“Starving?” A jolly and well-fed stallion chortled as he approached them. “Why, we’re the most stuffed town in the region. Ya folks ain’t from around here, ain’t ya?”

Sweetie Belle eyed him curiously. “Well, not exactly. I mean, I am but,” She studied the stallion. “I used to live here. But I don’t recognize you.” Ponyville was a small town and as such Sweetie Belle knew every pony on some level.

“Well ain’t that a kick in the flank!” He laughed aloud, his flippant pink mane a sharp contrast to his pitchfork cutie mark. “Ah just moved here maself not six months ago. Feel like Ah’ve lived here ever since.” He studied the two mares. “Yup. Ya look like city stock, if ma name ain’t Hoedown.”

Babs Seed took two steps toward Hoedown, putting herself between him and Sweetie Belle. It was a defensive gesture as Babs was very protective of her best friend. Something about this pony didn’t feel right. “What’s goin’ on here? Last I heard, Ponyville was in big trouble.”

“Trouble? Shoot no!” Hoedown shook his head so fast that Babs was worried it would come right off. “We ain’t been in no trouble since the Apple Farm took charge.”

“Took charge?” The mares said in unison.

“Ya city folk are strange, talkin’ at the same time an’ such.” Hoedown took a step back as Babs leered at him.

“Start talking. What do you know about the Apple Farm?”

Hoedown perked up immediately. “Well that if ain’t for them, there would be no Ponyville here now, no sir! Them Apples saved the town an’ put Ponyville back on the map. It was their apple trees that kept everypony from starvin’ t’ death. Miracles workers, them Apples!”

“How could that be?” Sweetie Belle came around Babs. “I thought the draught devastated their crops.”

“It did. But boy howdy did they show that draught what for!” Hoedown leaped and kicked his hooves in the air. “They grew sum magic apples that could grow without water. Sure nuff’, everypony fer miles aroun’ was a’comin’ to Ponyville. We got ourselves a real town again. Jus’ take a look aroun’.” Hoedown waved his hoof. “Ain’t it the pertiest slice o’ heaven you ever did see?”

“The Apples did all this?” Sweetie Belle’s voice was questioning yet full of hope. It lifted her heart to see her old town alive again.

Babs was more skeptical. Life on the tough streets of Manehattan taught her never to take things at face value. “So about these magic apples,”

Hoedown kicked his hooves in the air again. “Hoo eeh! Ya’ll wanna try some? Every shop in town sells em’. Come on. There’s a place called Sugarcube Corner that makes the best apple fritters in town.”

Sweetie Belle and Babs Seed looked at each other. If whatever wonder fruit the Apple Farm produced was good enough to be sold at Pinkie Pie’s old spot, then it must be something to eat.

“I don’t see why we can’t have a little snack before seeing Apple Bloom,” Sweetie Belle said.

Babs patted her stomach. “Maybe. But we kind of filled up on sweets on the train ride.”

But Hoedown wouldn’t take no for an answer. He slipped behind them, pushing them both towards the center of town. “Ya’ll won’t regret it. In fact, ya’ll may never wanna leave Ponyville after eatin’ our apples.”

Babs shrugged. One more bite couldn’t hurt.

Their guide was unnecessary as both mares knew where to find Sugarcube Corner. But Hoedown was insistent that he tag along, and Babs was willing to humor him if it meant she could get a look around. Almost every house resembled the Apple Family Barn, with ponies putting in work to maintain them. Not one of them was busy enough to pause and say hello as they walked by.

Babs knew the ponies here were all too friendly, but something about their greetings felt off, almost unnatural. The way they looked at her and Sweetie Belle, so cheerfully, sent shivers up and down her spine.

Fortunately, Sugarcube Corner had remained unchanged, which was a welcomed sight. Hoedown thankfully excused himself from their company—to which the mares were only too grateful—and suggested they try the fritters. Then he kicked his hooves in the air one last time before trotting off back to where they found him.

“Weirdo,” Babs said, and turned to follow Sweetie Belle inside.

Sugarcube Corner was standing room only. They didn’t see Pinkie Pie or the Cakes anywhere, which was disappointing. It was strange that they hadn’t seen a single familiar face since arriving. Had all the original inhabitants up and left? Surely they knew of their town’s remarkable revival? Having a crop that could defy a severe draught was definitely news-worthy material.

Finding a seat near a window, Babs and Sweetie looked around. “So many new faces,” Sweetie Belle said. “I haven’t seen anyone I recognize.” There was a smiling yellow mare behind the counter. That was Pinkie’s spot. Sweetie Belle had half a mind to go over there and ask about her old friend when a waitress came up with a tray of samples.

“Welcome to Ponyville,” the mare said. “Where are you visiting from?”

“Manehattan,” Babs said.

“But I was born here,” Sweetie Belle said.

The mare looked at her. “Oh, that’s great. Welcome home.”

“Thanks. Um…so did most of these ponies move in after Sweet Apple Acres started growing their new crops?”

“Sure did. I’m from Vanhoover originally. Lived all across Equestria until I found this little piece of paradise. Now I don’t ever want to leave.” Without taking their order, she began placing the samples on the table. “Enjoy!” She turned to leave.

“Wait!” Babs said. “We didn’t even order. How much is all this stuff anyway?”

The cheerful mare whirled back to them. “Oh we have a set menu. Today is fritters and candy apples. And it’s on the house.”

“Really?” Babs asked.

“Well of course. What good is having wealth if you can’t share it among friends? After all, Ponyville is the town of friendship.” Smiling, the mare bounded off to speak to another patron.

Babs turned back to their table. The samples did look good and her stomach rumbled despite eating on the train. “Huh. My cousin must be happy. If all these ponies eat is apples, then they must be making a mint.” She poked at the fritter, noticing its bright, red color.

“Looks good.” Sweetie Belle felt her mouth watering. She picked up a fritter and brought it to her mouth.”

“Psst!” The sound stopped her cold. She and Babs looked around for the source of the sound. “Don’t eat that,” it said urgently. Startled, Sweetie Belle dropped her fritter.

“What in the…” Babs eventually found the origin of the voice; hard to miss considering it was right outside their window. “Who’s there?” She leaned upward.

“Don’t make a scene,” the voice insisted. “You don’t want to eat that, trust me.”

Babs settled back down. “Trust you? We don’t even know you.”

“Yes you do,” the voice said. “Leave and meet me by the pagoda. Don’t run, or they might suspect something.”

“Who are you?” Sweetie Belle whispered back.

“A friend. Now hurry.” There was a rustling sound and the voice was gone.

“What the hay was that all about?” Babs asked Sweetie Belle.

She shrugged. “I don’t know. But do you think we should take its advice?”

Babs began to eye the patrons. They were all too busy eating to notice them. The way they ate, voraciously, as if they hadn’t eaten in days, was made all the more disturbing by how their mouths were filled with saliva. Red saliva. It trickled down the sides of their chins and pooled at the tables and floors. The waitress didn’t take any orders but kept serving out the sample trays at every table. Everypony, mare, stallion, filly, and colt, ate to their heart’s content.

“Let’s get out of here,” Babs said, her sixth sense going off. She led Sweetie Belle to the exit when they bumped into the serving mare.

“Leaving already?” She asked. “Did you enjoy your samples?”

“We ate on the train,” Babs said. “But we’ll be back for dinner,” she lied. “Come on, Sweetie Belle.” She urged her friend outside first, her eyes never leaving the smiling waitress whose teeth were stained red.

Taking the advice, the mares slowly made their way to the pagoda which was the only untouched building in the square. All others now resembled barns. The pagoda, in fact, was falling apart. Its walls were in dire need of a paintjob and the wood was splintered. The windows were cracked in some places and the bushes around the perimeters hadn’t been watered in some time.

“Wonder why the voice asked us to meet here,” Sweetie Belle paced back and forth.

Babs was on alert. She eyed everypony who looked at them, giving them her best MYOB look. They weren’t intimidated. In fact, they smiled and waved, spouting “welcome” and “hello there.”

More than twenty minutes passed before Babs, in her usual big city frustration, finally had had enough. “Okay, was this some kind of joke? Where the hay is that jerk?”

Sweetie Belle was sitting down, gently stroking her tale. “It sounded urgent.”

“It was probably a scam.”

“A scam to what?”

Babs sighed and decided to change the conversation. “Did you see how those ponies ate?”

The unicorn nodded. “Weird, huh?”

“It was more than weird. It was…feral.” She couldn’t think of another word. “I once saw a video in school about timberwolves and how they would hunt down animals, tearing them apart with their fangs and claws.”

Sweetie covered her mouth. “That’s horrible!”

“It’s how things are done in the wild. But this ain’t the wild. This is civilization.” She glanced around. “Ponyville ain’t the same anymore.”

“You don’t know the half of it,” the voice said.

Both mares visibly jumped at the sound.

“Alright, prick. Come out so I can bop ya!” Babs cried.

“Keep your voice down,” the voice told her. “We don’t want to draw any attention.” The bushes behind them rustled.

“There!” Babs threw both arms into the bushes and pulled out a small pony in a green traveling cloak. “Who are ya? Huh?” Shaking the pony, she forcefully removed his hood. The painted stallion was smaller than she was with a tuft of brown hair. Babs raised an arm to punch him when she felt Sweetie stop her.

“Hold on, Babs! It’s Pip!”

Babs looked back. “Who?”

“Pipsqueak. He used to live in Ponyville like me.” She gently nudged Babs’ raised hoof away. A grateful Pip offered a smile to Sweetie Belle, though he quickly covered up his face again, pulling the hood up tight.

“Nice to see you again, Sweetie Belle.” A hint of his old Trottingham accent had returned. How he managed to hide it so masterfully was beyond her. She always remembered the tiny colt with the funny accent who had a way of winning your heart with his charm. “Sorry for the deception, ladies. But I had to remain inconspicuous.”

“Running around in a green cloak is inconspicuous?” Babs asked.

“I blend in a great sight better than you, Miss Seed. I am, after all, a Ponyville native.” He gently removed himself from the bushes. “You’ve no idea how relieved I was to see familiar faces. I recognize almost nopony I grew up with anymore. The town’s almost completely infested.”

“Infested?” Sweetie Belle asked. “With what?”

“Them.” Pip pointed to the ponies working on the homes. “They’re not from around here.”

“Of course they ain’t. They all came here after the town got back on its hooves.” Babs rolled her eyes. “What’s with the getup anyway? You look funny.”

“Well that’s a fine way to thank a stallion that just saved your life.”

Babs blinked in confusion. “Come again?”

“Those pastries back at Sugercube Corner. Had you eaten them, you’d have no longer been yourselves. It’s why all the ponies in town are the way they are. It’s why all the old residents are no longer here. It has something to do with the apples.”

Pip took a quick look around. “You see, I’m now a member of the Royal Secret Service. Special Agent Pip.”

Babs muffled back a laugh. She failed. “Are you kidding me?” She didn’t notice Sweetie Belle’s hard glare.

“That I am not, Miss Seed. You see after Miss Cheerilee closed the school, I left Ponyville to continue my studies in Canterlot. I developed a knack for espionage and the like, which is why as soon as I was able, I joined the RSS. My first mission was to infiltrate Ponyville and learn the secret behind the town’s marvelous revitalization during these troubled times.”

“Infiltrate? But why would you need to do that?” Sweetie Belle asked. “You lived here for years.”

“Not in a long time, Miss Belle. Besides, the RSS knew something was up. You see we’ve had reports of ponies vanishing from Ponyville for a while now. We are stretched thin all over Equestria at the moment and were only able to send a couple of agents to investigate. Neither of them reported back. That’s when they sent me. With my knowledge of the town, it’s layout and its people, they figured I would have the best chance at learning what went wrong.”

“What did you find out?” Sweetie Belle asked before Babs could open her mouth.

Pip looked them squarely in the eyes when he spoke. “I believe…that ponies are being murdered.”

Silence pervaded between the ponies.

“W-What?” Babs said when she found her voice.

Pip continued. “I followed the trail of the missing agents as best I could, picking up where they left off. Whatever is going on here has something to do with Sweet Apple Acres. The place is a veritable gold mine. It single hoofedly brought the town back from the brink of complete collapse.” He leaned in close, his voice low. “But how?”

“The apples?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Quite right, Miss Belle. Based on the notes left by my predecessors, it all has something to do with the apples on that farm. They change ponies somehow. They become subservient, almost mindless. Besides rebuilding the town all they can think about is eating.”

Babs thought back to the bakery and how the ponies devoured their meal. She recalled the red spittle drooling down their faces. “So they’re all mind slaves or something?”

“That doesn’t make any sense,” Sweetie Belle said. “You’re saying the Apple family is doing this on purpose?”

“Either that, or they too have somehow been influenced by the mind-altering properties of their product. Either way, I have to find evidence linking the farm to the disappearances of the missing ponies.”

“Now hold on there,” Babs towered over Pipsqueak, her face stoic and hard. “There ain’t no way Apple Bloom and AJ would go along with this. You must have made a mistake.”

“Two missing, possibly dead agents, are no mistake, Miss Seed.”

“You ain’t got no proof,” Babs spat.

“Then perhaps you can help me get it.” He glanced from one mare to the next. “I take it you’re here to visit your cousin?” He asked Babs.

“What of it?”

“I’ve only seen Apple Bloom from a distance. Neither she nor any member of her family leaves Sweet Apple Acres. I’ve yet to penetrate the perimeter and believe that, with your help, I can finally obtain the evidence I need.”

“Yeah? And do what? Put my family behind bars?” Babs fumed.

Pip raised an eyebrow. “Am I to assume you know something I don’t?”

“Listen, kid. I don’t know what you think you know, but my cousin would never do the crap you say she’s doing. Apple Bloom’s the best pony I know.”

“And I would agree with you, Miss Seed. However, Ponyville is not the same town it used to be. There is something terribly wrong, as I’m sure you’ve come to realize in your brief time here.” He looked at Sweetie Belle. “This is your home, Miss Belle. And you,” he went back to Babs. “You have a direct relation to the primes suspects in this case. With my resources back in Canterlot, I believe the three of us can unravel this sinister web.”

Pipsqueak took a deep breath. “Listen, I realize this may be difficult to hear. I pray that I am wrong, that it is the conspiracy theorist in me that is grabbing at straws. But if we don’t work together I fear that many more innocent lives may be lost. I cannot do this without you. Please, for the sake of this town, will you help me?”

Babs inhaled. “And what if my family is responsible for all this? What will happen then, huh?”

Pipsqueak spoke clear and directly. “Then I’m afraid the law will have to step in.”

“They’ll go to jail?”

“Only if proven guilty.”

“And if they ain’t?” Babs challenged.

“Then you will have my sincerest apologies. But one way or another, we have to do something. So, are you in?”

Sweetie Belle stepped forward. “What exactly do you want us to do, Pip? Er…Agent Pip?”

“Pip will suffice, Miss Belle.”

“Sweetie Belle.”

He nodded. “As you wish, Sweetie Belle. As I’ve said, I’ve already surveyed Sweet Apple Acres. I have a general lay of the land and know various points of entry. However, I will find it difficult to get any closer so long as the Apples are up and about. I need you to distract them while I do a little digging.”

“Hold on!” Babs couldn’t believe what she’d been hearing. “First you tell me you think my relatives are responsible for a series of murders, and now you want us to go visit them? Alone? What’s the matter with you?”

“Nothing, other than my rather diminutive size, I am perfectly healthy.”

“That sound dangerous, Pip,” Sweetie Belle said. “What if we get in trouble?”

“I won’t be long. I just need enough time to search the premises; house, barn, all that. Then when I have the evidence I need, I will give you two the signal that it’s time to leave. Apple Bloom trusts you two. You are her friend and family, respectively. Should there be any trouble, however,” Pip lifted his cloak. The mares were shocked to see a long blade underneath. “I won’t be far.”

“You’re not hurting my family, kid.” Babs told him.

“I am sure it won’t come to that, Miss Seed.”

“Babs. Stop calling me Miss Seed. It sounds…perverted.”

“Alright then. Babs. As an RSS agent, I am more than capable of incapacitating a target. No harm will befall you or your family, I can promise you that.”

“You can’t make that promise,” Babs said.

“Nor can you promise that nothing unfortunate won’t happen when you see your cousin.” He looked up at the sky. “Look, the night is fast approaching. We can’t spend all day with this lollygagging. Twenty minutes is all I’ll need. After that, I will give you a signal, a bird call.” Pip raised his hooves to his lips and blew a short, harmonic whistle. “When you hear that, excuse yourself and rendezvous by the old treehouse. I’m sure you’re familiar with that, Sweetie Belle?”

“Doy. That used to be our old clubhouse.”

He nodded. “I shall await you there. Also, the treehouse will be our meeting spot should there be any trouble. It’s elevated and the only way in is via a retractable lamp. In case of danger, simply run up and pull the ramp up behind you. Hide and wait for me there. Is that clear?”

Babs took in a deep breath. It was a lot to process. “You really expecting the worse, Pip?”

“I always expect the worse and hope for the best. If we play our parts and work as a team, we can all be on a train bound for Canterlot before nightfall.”

“I think you’re wrong about this,” Babs said.

“Believe me, Babs, I sincerely hope I am.”

Babs took one look at Sweetie Belle. The fear was apparent all over her beautiful face. They had come to reconnect with a friend, not possibly put her behind bars. Apple Bloom was no murderer. Pipsqueak had to be wrong.

“Well?” Pip asked a bit urgently.

“Alright, kid. We’ll go check the place out. But you’d better be quick.”

“Quick as a whip!”

“Fine.” She nodded. “I came here to see Apple Bloom. I ain’t leaving here until I do.”

“You’re doing the right thing,” Pip said. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet, Pip.” Babs said threateningly. “Cause if you’re wrong, and Apple Bloom is innocent in all this, I’m going to knock your funny-sounding ass all the way back to Trottingham.”

“Deal.” Pipsqueak slowly slid back into the bushes. “Meet me at Sweet Apple Acres in half an hour. Until then remember, do not eat anything they give you.” He vanished suddenly, as if a rustle of air and nothing more.

Sweetie Belle began to paw at the ground. “I don’t like this, Babs.” She sat down. “Apple Bloom an accomplice to murder? It just can’t be true.” She was acting strong, Babs knew, fighting back tears that threatened to overwhelm her.

Babs realized just how hard this was for her BFF. Babs may be her cousin, but to Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle was as good as a sister. They grew up together, formed a club, had all sorts of amazing adventures. Babs loved Apple Bloom, but she didn’t know her anywhere near as well as Sweetie Belle. Would she be able to face her, Babs wondered? Could she handle this?

“You alright, Sweetie Belle?”

The unicorn mare looked up from where her eyes had been glued to the floor. It was like she was looking at the dusts of time, looking back at a moment when she and a certain red-haired filly used to play in these very streets.

“We don’t have to do this, you know,” Babs said, suddenly regretting making a decision for the two of them. “I want to see Apple Bloom, but if you’re not comfortable we can hop the next train back to Manehattan.”

But Sweetie Belle was shaking her head before Babs finished. “No, Babs. I need to do this.” Her face grew stern, as if solidifying into something stone cold, “I need to look Apple Bloom in the face and demand the truth from her. I need to know she’s not the pony Pip believes her to be. Otherwise I’ll never be able to sleep well again.”

Babs smiled. When did the prissy little filly from Ponyville get so tough? Perhaps she’d been hanging with Babs too long.

“What about you? Will you be alright?”

“Shoot yeah. City girl or not, I’m still an Apple. We look out for each other.”

“I hope Apple Bloom remembers that.”

Her tone stole the bravado from Babs. Strong as she was, Sweetie Belle was having some very serous reservations.

Babs suddenly rubbed her arms because she was cold. Then she realized there was no wind. Night was falling, but she wasn’t shivering because of that.

She was shivering…because she was scared.

Author's Note

So here's the second installment in what has suddenly become a planned trilogy. I don't know why, but I've become so enamored by MLP Dark Fics that I'm still reading them and listening to them via Youtube readings. While this is rated Mature for now, I'm not sure if I'll add any gore. I'm more into ambiance than blood and guts, but there will be blood, that I can promise you.

Note you don't necessarily have to have read "Apples Forever" to know what's going on, but there will be allusions to events in that story made by the characters. It's a good one-shot so go ahead and have a look if you're one for continuity.