Walking through the orchard Applejack listens contently as the wails of her past victims fill her ears. When she had taken her first victim all those years ago she hated hearing their wails constantly in her head. She lost many hours of sleep as a filly because of those accursed screams. She refused to sleep. She refused to eat. Working in the fields became impossible as all she could see was mangled faces of countless victims. For that first year she was truly and entirely in a living hell. Now though several victims later it no longer bothers her. It is merely another part of her life no different than eating, or breathing.
As she passes a small clearing she gazes at a beautiful tree sits atop a hill. Smiling Applejack lowers her head. The memory of THAT tree rushes to the forefront of her mind.
It was a cold Autumn evening the leaves had long since fallen, and ponies were preparing for the long winter ahead. Applejack on the other hoof was out walking through town. The smiles of friends and families creates a knot in her stomach.
"One day...one more day until I...I," Apple jack mutters under her breathe as she turns a corner. The burden of having to find her next sacrifice weighs heavy on her heart. This was not an easy choice. These were her friends; her neighbors. How could she choose one to become part of her family's dark secret?
As she reached the town's market she saw her father selling apples to ponies. She waited until he was alone before she approached.
"Morning Pa. How's the stall?" Aj asked the timidity in her voice giving away her fears.
"Speak up AJ! We are Apples! We don't mumble!"
"Sorry pa,"
"No need to apologize. Now what's on yer mind?" Applejack's fathers asks as he puts his old Stetson hat on.
" Ah well you see its about the Hunter's moo.."
"Shut yer mouth! We don't talk bout our family secret so openly!" The sudden outburst from her father makes Aj whimper a little. She never liked it when he got mad. His stern face softens only slightly as he looks down at her. He lets out a soft sigh " Now if yer done dawdling you'd best head back home. Supper should almost be ready, and you know how yer mother is when you're late. We'll talk more after,"
"Right see ya back home pa,"
Aj trots back home even though she wasn't looking forward to going back to the orchard. She was by no means looking forward to making her mother mad by getting home late. Thinking about the scolding she would get from her mother if she was late makes her shudder. Apple Jack goes from a trot to a full out gallop. Wind swept across her freckled face as she rushed home. The red barn that had held their family for generations stood off in the distance.
She makes her way to the porch the smell of food permeates the air making her stomach growl. Opening the door she sneaks in hoping not to alert her mother to her presence. As she passes the living area, and reaches the stairs to her bedroom her mother calls out to her.
"Applejack you better not be tracking any fucking mud on my clean floors!"
Looking down Aj winces as her hooves were in fact covered in mud. A trail of hoof steps follow her all the way from the door to the stairs where she was standing. She knew she had to think quick, or she'd be getting the switch later tonight.
" We live on a farm ma. Tracking mud is as common as eggs in a chicken coup,"
"You fucking did didn't you! I just fucking cleaned those floors!"
"You know what pa says you can't make good cider without mashing a couple apples,"
" He also says don't step in pig shit! Also don't be using your father's quotes to change the subject! Now go out in back, and wash off with a hose. When ya get back yer scrubbing the floors, and they better be fucking spotless!'
"Yes ma," Aj says as she heads back outside to wash up. The cold water makes her shiver as she washes the dirt, and grime off of her. Once clean she heads back inside her brother was already setting up the table as Granny Smith cradled her new born sister. A knot twists deep inside of Aj's gut as she looks at her little sister. It wouldn't be too long before she would be told their family secret. Before she would make her first kill. As she gazes at her sister her pa walks through the doorway, and nudges her with his hoof.
"Stop gawking at yer sister, and go sit down Aj Suppers ready,"
Apple Jack goes, and sits down at the dinner table. Her eyes scan the food in front of her. From: hearty stew to vibrant salads, to piping hot apple pie. The food in front of her looks so delicious she couldn't help but lick her lips. She was about to dig in, but the icy gaze from her mother freezes her in her tracks. One by one they brought their hooves up, and bowed their heads as her father started to pray.
"We give thanks to those who brought us this bounty. From our fore fathers, and their fathers before them we give thanks for their sacrifice. We honor those who gave their lives to fulfill our pact with the mother of the forest. They will never be forgotten for they are family now, and forever. So it is,"
"So shall it be," they all say in unison.
As was tradition once her father finished their prayer her mother filled their plates, and they ate. Though she had lost her appetite quite a while ago the food still smelled good. It tasted like heaven, but she could only think about the screams coming from the nursery. She could only see the twisted faces of the victims. She couldn't enjoy it, it was as ash in her mouth. Her mother notices her face, and scowls.
"What? Ya don't like my cooking any more? I thought my apple pie was your favorite,"
"No, its not that,"
"Then why aren't ya eating? Don't think I hadn't noticed you've been eating less, and less this past year. You still sore about killing..."
"DON'T SAY HER NAME!" Apple Jacks slams her hoof into the table making it shake.
"Don't you fucking raise your voice to me Aj! I'll tan yer hide till your ass is redder than your bother's coat!"
Big Mac lowers his head as he slowly sinks down under the table. He was smart enough to know that when his mother got like this it was best to hide until the storm passed. Maybe even a little later than that just to be safe. Their mother gets up from the table, and starts to walk over to Aj. Their father simply stretches a hoof out, and looks her in the eyes.
"Oh fine talk some fucking sense into your daughter. I'm gonna go wash the fucking dishes. Big Mac go tuck Apple Bloom into bed then go get ready for bed. You better be asleep within the hour, or its your ass that will be getting tanned,"
Big Mac goes, and plucks the new born from a sleeping Granny before giving Aj a ' This is your fault' look. Once Big Mac took her upstairs they were alone save for the sleeping Granny. Apple Jack's father Heads outside, and nods to Aj to follow him. They head outside to the front porch. The yard was filled with several glowing fireflies. Their luminescence somehow eased Aj's heart if only a little. Sitting next to her father she marveled at how much taller he was then most ponies. Even though she was still rather young she was just under most mare's chins. Hell she was already almost as tall as granny Smith, and her mother wasn't much taller, but when it came to her father she barely came up to his chest. She looks into his burning green eyes, and marvels at how much they looked like hers.
" Listen Aj your mother does love you,"
"She has a funny way of showing it,"
"Oh that's just her way of showing affection. Always been like that,"
"Then Why'd ya marry her? I bet you could get any mare ya wanted,"
"True. I could have had any mare I wanted when I was younger, but she's the one I wanted. Not that she wanted me at first. Hehe it took a lot of effort to finally get her attention, but ya know what they say the harder you work for something the sweeter it is when ya finally get it. Don't let her barbed tongue rattle ya she's just bad with words,"
"O...ok,"
"Hmm good now let's talk about what ya wanted to earlier. What's on yer mind my little apple seed?"
" W...well its just. Must I kill some pony? I hate it! The screaming! The twitching! The roots pouring out of their skin like maggots! I hate it Pa! I hate it with every part of me! Please pa why must I be the one to do it!?"
Silence hangs in the air for a few moments as Apple Jack just looks at her father her eyes blurry with tears. With a sigh her father responds.
"Listen I know what you are going through Aj. Believe me when I made my first kill all those years ago I went through the same thing. I lost a lot of weight, and countless hours of sleep. Thinking bout how I had killed muh best friend made me all sour inside. I would have lost myself to muh sorrows if it weren't for yer grandpa. He told me that I was looking at it all wrong. I shouldn't be looking at it like I was killing ponies, but rather they were becoming part of our family. They become apart of something greater than any one pony could ever dream. They become an apple, and they live on through us,"
" b...but I still hear the screaming,"
" That will fade with time Aj trust me," her father takes his hoof, and rustles his daughter's mane making her giggle a little despite still feeling bad.
The two of them sit in silence watching the fireflies dance in the cool Autumn air. A soft thump surprises Apple Jack she looks up to see her father's hat was no longer on his head, but on hers. He smiles down at her before casting his gaze back at the glowing insects. She nuzzles into her father before she falls into a restful slumber. A pair of gentle hooves wrap around her, and place the sleeping filly onto their back. Her mother looks up into his eyes with love, and a deep concern. Apple Jack nestles into her mother's soft mane as her parents simply nod to each other, and take her inside.
Watching his wife, and daughter go inside he turns his head back towards the Orchard. A pair of glowing yellow eyes meet his gaze. He lowers his head before heading inside himself. A large silhouette just barely visible slowly recedes into the dark shadows. The fireflies follow suit, and accompany the figure into the void of night. Leaving nothing, but utter darkness.
Apple Jack watches ponies go about their daily activities. A group of fillies her age playing a game of ball. A vendor selling their goods while chatting up his customers. To an old couple cuddling on a bench like two love birds. Her eyes gloss over as her guilt builds up in her chest. Since her talk with her father last night it hasn't been as bad, but it was still a bitter pill to digest. Her mother sits next to her watching everything like a hawk. Every couple of minutes she would lower herself to whisper things into Aj's ear. Teaching her how to pick her target. From using her body language; to feigning hurt feelings; to even something so simple as country hospitality. She learned it all.
The day crept on. The two mares went to a local diner to see if they could find a target while they ate. As usual the only ponies who came in contact with them were her Mother's friends. Aj could have decided to target one of them. After all most of them lived alone. They wouldn't be missed if they disappeared. It'd be easy to get them to come over for tea. A weary smile crept on her lips as she tried to talk to them. However she froze in place when she saw the cold glare in her mother's eyes. Aj sinks into herself while the older mares talk. It isn't until they leave does she relax a little. Her mother looks down at her.
"If you were thinking bout choosing one of them. Think again. Golden Bliss has cancer. Jasmine is with child, and the other ones are past their prime if ya catch my drift," Aj's mother says as she dabs her chin with her napkin.
"Oh uh I um Huh?" Aj says as she looks up to her mother in confusion.
" Your pa didn't tell you yet!? Ugh course not. Its like this. That tree pony thingy your family made a pact with doesn't like weak sacrifices. Bliss has cancer which would mean the tree would be sick, and would quickly die. Jasmine is with child so if ya chose her the baby would take the curse, and not her. I don't think she would like to give birth to sumthing like that. Would You? As for the others they can't have children anymore which means that they wouldn't be able to produce any fruit once turned. No point in beating a dead horse if ya catch my drift. That's why we pick the younger ones. They're healthy, and strong. Now do ya understand?"
Aj doesn't respond she just nods her head.
"Good now that, that's out of the way. Maybe you could make your pick a bit easier now,"
"but ma why me? Why can't pa, or Big Mac do it?"
"Your brother tried. He even managed to do it for a few years, but as time went by he lost his touch. Not many ponies want to be around a stallion who can't shut his trap for more than three seconds. As for your father he isn't the spring chicken he used to be. It takes everything he has to maintain the farm, and stall. Granny can barely walk these days, and I'm busy taking care of Apple Bloom. I know ya don't like it, but right now its either you, or no pony. If that happens we're all goners. The fields will dry up. The townsfolk will starve, or become prey for the animals of the Everfree, and I imagine the tree pony wont take it so kindly on us. So for now our fate rests in your hooves Sugar cube,"
Sugar cube the one thing her mother calls her when she's not in a bad mood. A sweet little treat that warms your soul. Aj remembers the first time she was able to buck a tree, and how her mother called her that. She was soo proud in that moment. She remembers all of the good times she shared with her mother. Baking apple pies in the kitchen. Sewing a pretty green dress for her to wear to the town ball. Even just cuddling with her during thunderstorms. A sea of happiness swells within her chest. As not just memories of her mother, but her father, her brother, Granny, even the recently added Apple Bloom. Countless memories fill her until the screams die out. However a sudden jolt of icy pain hits her in her chest as she begins to think about the thing her family made a pact with, and how it would not only harm her, but her family as well. Shaking away her tears Aj nods to her mother.
"I've decided ma,"
"That's my girl. I'll head home, and prepare the tea. Once your friend drinks it just ask if they want to go outside to play tag. Lead them to the nursery, and let the tea do its job. We can talk some more once its all over,"
Aj's mom gets up from the table pays the waiter, and heads home to prepare. Aj waits till her mother is completely out of view before breaking out into a full out sprint towards the nursery. She only needed to sacrifice one pony, and she knew exactly who that pony should be. The sun is quickly beginning to set she would only have one chance at this. The orchard quickly comes into view as Aj gallops ever closer. She rushes through the first couple of acres where most ponies would see their normal looking trees. It doesn't take long for her to reach the inner sanctum where the more twisted trees dwell within their eternal torment. Their song pierces her head echoing their agony off of the walls of her mind. Pressing her ears to her head she ignores them she didn't have time to feel bad for them at the moment.
Panting heavily Aj comes to a stop as she reaches the wall of crawling ivy. The slithering squirming vines dance as the young filly drew near them as if expecting a snack. They writhe as they move clearing the guarded path to the nursery. Taking a steady breathe she steps into the nursery. The scene still played fresh in her mind as she saw where her friend still stood. Frozen forever in pain, and betrayal. She expected to cry when she saw her, but really she felt nothing. She came here with a purpose, and she would achieve it. Going to the top of a nearby hill Aj waits.
The sun quietly sets below the horizon casting the valley in long creeping shadows. The air grows deathly cold as one by one the stars pint the sky. Taking a deep inhale she watches the Hunter's moon come into view it wouldn't be long now. Closing her eyes she begins the ancient incantation.
"Mother of the Soil. Mother of the trees. Spirit of vengeance, and fertility. Bound in earthly frame you are summoned. Come forth to fulfill your pact in blood,"
A gust of wind rushes through the trees as one by one they add their voice to the incantation. Reciting the ancient rite on the tongues of their decrepit souls. Apple Jack's body goes completely numb as her mind is filled with their choir. The chanting consumes the air, and just as suddenly as it had come it stops. All familiar sounds of night disappear leaving only an unsettling calm. Before long a sign of life showed itself to the young filly.
A single little firefly flying towards her. Another one soon followed then another, and another. Slowly but surely an ungodly light began to emerge from the black void of night. As more fireflies come into view all surrounding a rather large figure. As the creature comes to the foot of the hill she is able to see its form clearly. A tall lithe pony covered in dark brown wood looked at her with two very large yellow eyes. Ominous looking flowers dance within its moss made mane, and tail. Inside of her exposed chest were clusters of pulsating pieces of blood red fruit. However what made this creature truly monstrous was her sickly mouth. Long dripping thorns protrude out of her muzzle like that of a carnivorous plant! The creature peers into Aj's eyes, and with a voice strewn with both honey, and venom speaks.
"Ah dear little Apple Jack the now second youngest child of your clan. What brings you here to my nursery...alone? Surely you must know what will happen if your family's oath to me goes unsatisfied?"
"I...I wished to talk to you,"
"Oh!? How intriguing. I must say the last time any of your kind tried talking to me was when your kin summoned me all those years ago. Speak little one! Maybe I'll listen to what you have to say, but be warned you still have a price to pay before the night is spent,"
"I wish to make you a trade. Break this pact you have with my family, and end this cycle of needless slaughter. In return you can have.....me,"
" An interesting proposition my dearest little Apple Jack. I can't say that I'm not impressed with your love towards your family. However I fail to see where I gain in your ordeal. After all a trade is of something of either equal, or greater value, and I fail to see where killing you benefits me in the slightest. May I make a counter offer? I will alter the pact I made with your kin all those years ago. The future generations wont have to sacrifice a pony to me. Not unless they wish to that is. However you must become my instrument of destruction. You must follow my command to the letter without question, or hesitation. You must become my daughter,"
The dryad queen smirks as she looks into the filly's fear filled eyes as she hears her proposal. Aj wasn't expecting this. She was hoping that by sacrificing herself she could save her family from their curse. The filly weighs hers options on one hoof she could forget her plan snatch a filly from their bed sacrifice them, and try something else next year. On another hoof she could refuse, and be forced to watch as Ponyville is destroyed before being killed herself. Or she could except the queen's terms become her weapon of death, and become an indentured servant for all of eternity. Yes, she would be doomed to live in her personal hell, but her family would be free. This wasn't going to be easy for the filly to decide.
"Time is running out Apple Jack the night is almost over. Make your decision. Save your family, or save yourself,"
Aj looks up at the night sky no doubt about it, it was close to daybreak. If she didn't make a decision soon it would be made for her.
"I...chose...my family,"
The Dryad queen smiles at the filly's decision.
"Good don't worry my daughter it won't be as bad as what you might be thinking, but I digress let us make our new pact final,"
"What you gonna make me eat that gross looking fruit inside you?"
"What? Oh no nothing like that! We must seal this oath as they did in the days of yore. We must seal it...with blood!"
With that a cluster of vines explode from the queen's back and begin to wrap themselves around the young filly. Apple Jack screams in terror as the vines slowly pull her towards the queen's now gaping maw. She struggles as her legs begin to descend down her throat. Tiny thorns coating her insides tear Aj's skin to shreds as she is forced down her gullet. A bright green pod begins to form inside her chest bubbling, and swelling as the filly fills its interior. As the last bit of her is swallowed a low moan of satisfaction emanates from the Queen's throat.
As the pod grows to its fullest it spills from her exposed cavity, and begins to bloom. Low screams of terror pierce through the pod as a slime covered Aj begins to emerge from its head. She pants for breathe as she coughs up bits of green sludge. As the slime begins to evaporate the several small cuts covering her body begin to heal at a phenomenal rate. Her eyes burst open a brilliant luminescence accentuates her green eyes. They now resemble that of two brilliant emeralds glowing in the light of the sun. Aj looks up from her splayed position up to the Queen who she now serves forever.
"Aw there's my little girl. You look so pretty with those big green eyes of yours. As promised your family is free of its oath. However there is one small problem. You see there is still the matter of the final sacrifice that is still owed for that pact, and as is custom a celebration of our new agreement. So you actually need two offerings,"
Aj's eyes grow wide as she comes to realize what was being implied.
"That's right now do your mama proud and go kill your parents for me,"
She no longer has a choice she must obey. Her body moves of its own accord, and rushes towards the farm with leaps, and bounds. It takes only a matter of seconds to rush through the large orchard. Screams echo throughout the farmhouse as Apple Jack does as she was ordered. By the time she returns to her queen she is covered in blood, and viscera. Two barely recognizable bodies are atop the small mare's back. Her eyes are blurred by her tears as she plops their corpses in front of her hooves.
"Ah don't look soo sad my little sapling here let me give you a present after all it is your birthday,"
Taking the sap from a nearby tree she places it on top of the fresh bodies. They twist, and meld into a large beautiful tree. Aj marvels as it resembles her parents locked within a loving embrace. A small smile crosses the filly's lips as she looks at the tree made from her now dead parents. Her gaze soon scans all of the trees within the nursery, and she could see all kinds of small nuances that she had missed prior. She could see the beauty of each individual tree. The screaming that once plagued her mind was gone replaced now with a heartfelt melody she couldn't help but sing.
As the years went on Apple Jack continued to kill ponies for her mother. Not that she was ordered to, but for the sense of enjoyment. The thrill of the hunt. The panicked look of her prey as they take their final breathe. She had taken a liking to it. Even to the point that she killed when it wasn't the Hunter's moon just to feel the sensation of watching a pony die. Taking a shovel she places her newest addition over to where Twilight stands, and carefully digs a hole for her new tree.
"There we go Fluttershy right next ta Twi. That way you'll at least be next to a pony ya know,"
Apple Jack swipes the sweat from her brow, and heads back to the farm singing that song that she knows all too well.
