The storm was awful last night, I could barely sleep. The wind was intense, the rain was pounding, and the lightning when it flashed was as light as day. Bonbon and I were waiting with the lights off. The storm wasn't the reason I couldn't sleep, it was because the princess's guards were out. They were looking for Bonbon, and they had found her. We were holding each other as close as we could, as quiet as we could. We were both utterly terrified. We both knew that it was our last night together, all we did was sit and wait. There were no words said, because words were meaningless at the time. They still are. Words would have meant "We'll get out of this," but we both knew that Bonbon was dead. the only question was, "Is it public, or privet?" which I didn't want to know because it would have ruined our last moments of piece.
Then we heard it. the banging on the door. "Go wait in your room," Bonbon whispered. "What ever you do, don't let them see you. If they see you, you'll get charged for aiding a pony against the crown, and then we'll both be dead," Bonbon explained, hurriedly.
"Bonbon! Are you crazy!? I'm not leaving you!" I hissed.
"Listen! You don't have a choice anymore! Go hide!" Bonbon hissed back, more angry.
"Okay, just, if there is an afterlife, I hope you make it to Elysium," I whispered.
She started crying as she whispered back, "Thank you," and stood up.
She turned on the light and I crept to my room as fast as I could. Bonbon opened the door and the last thing I heard the guards say was, "Beat her down!" Bonbon didn't scream, nor did she beg for them to stop. She simply took it and let them fly her away. I risked a glance outside and I saw across the street the librarian walk away from her window. She watched the entire thing and did nothing. Of course, I did nothing, but Bonbon told me not to. The librarian didn't have specific orders from her so she could have done something. But she didn't. I didn't. And now she's dead.
I look at the Earth Pony sitting in the desk in front of me, finishing my story. "I see," she said, seriously looking into my eyes. Her southern accent mixing with a Manehattan one. "It seems to me, Ms. Lyra Heartstrings, that you want a job in this facility as a revenge scheme for losing Bonbon. Now, I'm not going to lie, Bonbon was a brilliant and hard working agent under my leadership. But that can't be the reason you join us. Bonbon used to say that you hated her coming here everyday. Even calling our work 'reckless' and 'useless'. Care to explain why we should let you in?" she says, and I look sheepish.
"Look, Leader Apple Jack, I can prove to you that I am great addition to the resistance," I start. For one, I found the base all on my own! It wasn't hard to figure out that there is a tunnel inside Sugar Cube Corner, or that the tunnels span throughout the entire town. Well, it's easy if you know what you're looking for. It helps to have a friend in the resistance like I do, did. "For example, I am a great team player, I am efficient, fast learner,-" I get cut off.
"Do you think this is a job interview?" Apple Jack asks, confused. I look at her blankly and don't respond. "Look, Bonbon was an agent. Her job was to shoot, interrogate, and kill. In that order. Can you shoot?"
"Uh," I say, not sure how to answer.
"If I hand you a riffle right now, can I trust you to shoot a pony so that they are immobile but not dead?"
"I, uh, I took an anatomy classes in school, and I used to do archery classes on the weekends," I offer. Apple Jack looks at me with a raised eyebrow.
"Tell you what, I'll give you three days, and if you don't impress me, then you're done here and will be terminated," she says. I nod nervously. "Scratch!" Apple Jack calls, and I white unicorn with magenta eyes and electric blue mane runs through the door.
"Yes, Ma'am!" She announces, right hoof above the eye.
"Vinyl, this is Lyra. She will be studying and learning from you. Teach her all the basics. Do it however you want and don't make me look idiotic," Apple Jack instructs.
"Yes, Leader Apple Jack ma'am!" Vinyl shouts and puts her hoof down.
"Dismissed!" she orders. I follow Vinyl out.
I watch her every move. How she holds herself, how she walks, how she places her ears, and I try to copy her the best I can. We pass a number of ponies down the dirt hallways and rooms. Earth Ponies, Pegasi, Unicorns, even a few Donkeys and Zebras. "Everypony here is a part of the resistance?" I ask.
"Duh, Newby," Vinyl comments.
"Sorry, that was a stupid question. I guess I'm just a little nervous," I explain.
"No problem, saying as I might have to kill you, I don't mind the stupid questions," Vinyl explains, and my throat get's dry.
"I-Is that what she meant by" I gulp, "Terminated?" I ask, nervously.
"Well, yeah, What did you think it means?" she asks.
"I don't know, not that!" I say, exasperated.
"Wow! And here I thought you were an intelligent clever pony from the way Bonbon talked about you," Vinyl explains, clearly a bit disappointed.
"You knew Bobon?" I ask.
"Yeah, we were on the same team. She was very smart and quick in the face of danger. A master with any kind of gun too, didn't know her personally though, my condolences," Vinyl says. "She was a talker too, never stopped talking about her best friend 'Lyra Heartstrings', kinda figured that was you when I saw the leader give you that kind of offer, trust me, if you weren't Bonbon's friend, she would have had Fluttershy kill you as soon as you walked in," Vinyl adds.
"Fluttershy?" I question.
"The leader's right-hoof mare. She is quick, quiet, and knows how to get a job done with no kind of mess. She looks innocent, but trust me, a lot of ponies around here are afraid of her."
"And you're not?"
"Nah, I mean, don't get me wrong, she's terrifying up close, but she can be really kind and sweet if you aren't any harm. Plus, we grew up in Ponyville together. We go far back her and I."
"You wanted to see me Apple Jack?" a yellow mare, with a timid voice, asks walking into the head office.
The earth pony glares at her and nods her head. "I did, Fluttershy, come in," she demands. "Zecora and her team spotted a unicorn in the Everfree last night," she starts.
"Oh? What did they find?" Fluttershy asks, knowing exactly what they found.
"They found you. Helping her. Did I not give you specific instructions not to engage unknowns?" Apple Jack explains.
"Zecora must have been seeing things, Leader Apple Jack, her spies must be giving false information."
"You know, as well as I do, that Zecora's team is the best team of spies we have. Why did you help that unknown?" Apple Jack demands.
"She didn't seem suspicious, or dangerous. She was just hurt! And why was Zecora's team in the Everfree anyway?" Fluttershy says.
"Classified," Apple Jack responds. "Listen, and listen well. If I ever catch word that you are helping another unknown, I will not hesitate to send Sunset Shimmer after you," Apple Jack warns. the pegasus trembles in fear. "Dismissed."
Almost every pony in the resistance is afraid of Fluttershy if they know what's good for them, but there is one pony alone who she fears. Sunset Shimmer. A trained and highly dangerous assassin who came to Apple Jack to become apart of the resistance after Nightmare Moon destroyed her town. Apple Jack trained her herself and Sunset is now Apple Jack's 'lap dog' so to speak, and the only one who can scare Fluttershy. So the fact that Fluttershy was threatened by Apple Jack like that, makes her on edge.
"These are the barracks! It's where you sleep. If you impress the leader, you get to sleep in your own house, but until then," Vinyl says, pushing me in, "You're stuck here, Newby!" Vinyl finishes.
The room she pushes me into is big enough for a cot and a little bit of walking space, grey, with no lighting. "This is were I have to sleep?" I ask, appalled.
"Yup! We start tomorrow, goodnight, Newby!" she calls, walking away.
"Ah, so here's the little unicorn that's causing all the attention," a yellow unicorn mare with teal eyes and a red and yellow mane says. "Welcome! I'm Sunset, I didn't catch a name," she says.
"Lyra," I say, unsure of what her intent is.
"Well, Lyra. You don't have to worry about me, I won't harm a hair on your head unless Leader tells me to, and upon hearing the little bet that you made with her, I'm sure that'll happen in about three days! Have fun sleeping, little unicorn, it might be one of your last," Sunset explains maliciously.
"W-wait" I stutter. "I-I thought Fluttershy was the one I had to look out for," I say.
"Oh, she is. Don't get me wrong, if you cross her, she will make your life a living Tartarus. Me, however, I will make sure that you aren't lucky enough to meet her. In other words, you are dead before you know what she looks like," Sunset explains. "Sweet dreams," she adds, walking away.
And I am once again petrified. Fluttershy is the dangerous one, and Sunset is the deadly one. Got it. I hope this wasn't a stupid decision. I hope Bonbon can see me and be proud of me.
For four generations the Apple family has been prosperous in everything that they do. And for that, the name Apple has become a very popular name and is known all over Equestria. But the most famous part of the Apple name, isn't the name itself, it's the Apple Farm residing in Ponyville. The Apples were once pioneers and walked all across Equestria starting communities, including Ponyville, and became the foundation of such communities. That is what the Public eye of the Apple Family is. Not everypony knows the real reasons starting those communities. There is a reason why, though, that rumours of rebellion started in those towns that the Apples founded. Ponies just called it coincidence.
But for generations, the Apple Family has been the leaders of the rebellion. Starting with Granny Smith's pa and her uncles, and now passed onto their children's children, and grandchildren. Apple Jack is the leader of Ponyville. Big Mac is the leader of Manehattan, Apple Dumplin is the leader in Baltimare, Braeburn is the leader in Appleoosa, Apple Sprite is the leader in Cloudsdale, Gala Apple is the leader in Los Pegasus, but there are more still. And each month the leaders all go to the Apple Farm to discuss future plans. That is where Apple Jack is now. Greeting all her family members. "Big Mac, good to see you. How are the foals?" she asks.
"They're fine, Zap Apple is a little sick, but he's a champ. He will be better soon," Big Mac explains.
"What about Sour Apple?" Apple Jack asks.
"He's fine too, starting to take responsibility for his own chores," Big Mac explains.
"Oh really? Awe, they've grown up so fast," Apple Jack comments.
The Apple Siblings had lost their parents at a young age. Granny Smith did all that she could, but she was very old and died only two years after. Apple Jack was sent to live with their aunt and uncle Orange in Manehattan, Big Mac went to live with their Aunt and Uncle Green in Dodge Junction, and Apple Bloom went with Cousin Ginger in Trottingham. The farm was given to Apple Jack when she was old enough. It was run by Apple Fritter and Apple Pie before that.
"Cider! How are you?" Apple Jack greets, seeing the pregnant mare walk through the door. She walks towards her and gives her a hug.
"Apple Jack! I'm great! A little sick, but overall not bad," she explains.
"How far along are you? Seven months?"
"Eight. Last month was seven," Cider explains. "What about you, Apple Jack? Any colt friend yet?"
"No, not yet. But that's okay, Apple Bloom is going to be taking over after me anyway," Apple Jack explains.
"I guess that's true. Honeycrisp was supposed to take over from me, but he decided to not be apart of this anymore, and now he is taking an extended vacation in Yak Yakistan," Cider explains.
"I heard, my condolences," Apple Jack comments.
She continues to greet everypony until they all arrive and ready to begin.
"So, who wants to begin?" Apple Jack asks.
"Appleloosa is almost ready. We just need a few more weeks," Braeburn says.
"Manehattan is looking promising, but we're not quite ready yet," Big Mac explains.
"Same with Cloudsdale. Though, I'm sure we'll be ready in the next couple of months," Apple Sprite adds.
"Los Pegasus is locked and loaded. We are just waiting on everypony else," Gala reports.
"Same in Baltimare."
"In Dodge Junction too."
"Rainbow Falls needs a few weeks."
"Winsome Falls is days away."
"Fillydelphia is ready."
"Trottingham is ready also."
"Seaward Shoals is lacking. I'm unimpressed, but there is nothing I can do at this point."
"Same in Maretonia."
"Maretania is all set."
"As for Ponyville, we were ready, but this idiot unicorn thought that she's avenging the death of her friend, and my second in command talked to an unknown. So I'll need a few days to set everything straight," Apple Jack admits.
"Whinnyapolis has just gained two new recruits. We need time too," Sunny Apples adds.
"Hoof City is accounted for," Sweet Tart finishes the run down.
"I gotta say, this is better than the last two months we had meetings," Apple Sprite says.
"Yeah! Barely enough were ready, but now the majority is either ready or close to being ready," Cider agrees.
"Do you need help with your recruits, Sunny?" Big Mac offers.
"I would, actually. The pegasus is stubborn as hell, and the unicorn is lacking in everything but strength," Sunny explains.
"I'll be there in a few days to help then," Big Mac explains.
"What about you, Apple Jack? Do you need help?" Cinnamon Apple, Leader in Winsome Falls, asks.
"No, I'm fine. I can deal with it quickly," Apple Jack states.
"What about Seaward Shoals?" Cinnamon asks her brother.
"No, I can deal with my problem too. I'll report back next month, and it will be better," Cinnamon Treats explains.
"Good. Is that all we need to report?" Apple Jack asks.
"Actually, I am noticing a high level of arrests in Appleoosa, mostly of the ponies claiming to be in the rebellion. Of course, none were apart of the rebellion, but After Shining, Octavia, Caramel, Cherry Jubilee, Upper Crust, and now Bonbon, we need to be more careful. So those who are training new ponies, be on high alert," Braeburn explains.
"Braeburn is right. That is a high number of ponies to be caught and executed. Though all very brave and died of honour, the less deaths we have the better. So y'all stay safe out there, especially you, Cider, what you carrying a foal and all," Big Mac says. The family nods in agreement.
"I plan to, Cousin. You as well," Cider explains.
"Are there any other issues or concerns that we need to address?" Apple Jack asks.
They all shake their heads in response.
"Great, so we're all good with the plan. I tell you, Apple Family. We are so close to living our great grandfathers' dream. We worked hard, for many generations, and a lot of us are no longer here, but very soon we will be freed," Apple Jack says.
"Yeah!" Is her response.
"Too long we've lived under the moon!"
"Yeah!"
"Too long we've hidden our faces and kept secrets!"
"Yeah!"
"Too long has our family's bloodline worked until perfection!"
"Yeah!"
"But we are Apples! And finally, WE. ARE. READY!"
"YEAH!"
"Almost!" Apple Sprite points out, causing silence suddenly.
"Give er take a few months!" Apple Jack shouts.
Another "Yeah!" rings through the house. With that, the meeting was adjourned and conversation became more casual.
"Are you leaving already, Ginger?" Big Mac asks.
"Yeah, my ol' legs got a lot to do before reaching Trottingham," he explains.
"Say 'hi' to Apple Bloom for us, Cousin Ginger!" Apple Jack calls to the old stallion.
"Will do, Apple Jack!" he calls back.
"See yah next month, Cousin Ginger," Big Mac says.
"You too, Cousin Big Mac!" he says, waddling out like the old horse he is.
One by one the Apple Family leaves and Apple Jack is once again alone. She walks silently to the top of the stairs. On the wall is a picture of a red stallion with orange hair and green eyes. Beside him is an orange mare with red hair and eyes all the colors of a sun rise. They are smiling in the sunlight in front of an orchard. Beside that picture hangs another picture. This picture is inside with no other light but a fire light and the flash of the camera. In the picture, is an old mare, light green with white, tangled hair in a bun. She is looking at a pony behind the camera, smiling warmly at him with her old, orange eyes as he takes it. Apple Jack looks at each photo and smiles sweetly at the ponies in each one. "Don't worry, you three," she says. "Your little foals will bring everypony the freedom you always wanted," she finishes. "I love you, Ma, Pa, and Granny," She whispers. She turns her back to the photos and heads to her room.
She walks in and walks excitedly to the bed, sleep crawling faster around her body than a rat crawling away from a trap. Tomorrow she'll have to test Fluttershy, receive reports from Zecora, Vinyl, Sunset, and any other department head that wants to keep their job, which should be all of them. But for now, sleep. And so Apple Jack does just that.
