Author's Note
The first story made, and the last chronologically in the series. Future stories will have an actual chronology to them as best I can make. This is just a starter piece. All stories will be reference to the future main story, and vice versa. The main fic needs something of an overhaul thanks to new events in the show. Some of which has come dangerously close to my fannon, and made certain plot points seem like a rip off of the show. Having delayed publishing it for so many years I'm now stuck with this problem of catching up to the shows cannon while trying to rework some of my ideas into a more original story.
Shadow Play in particular has narrowly nailed a story I was working on years ago as an attempt to explain the elements and the story that drove Vera to Equestria. This old "Legend" has it's own story and fic, and is vital to Vera's plot. Hopefully I can get it going and finished so we can get to Vera's story in full.
Theme for this chapter: Alone In This World - Moby
Some stories will have a theme song I add to them, just cause. Enjoy the song, or don't, it's just a directors cut extra.
Apple Seeds
Once Upon A Time In Sweet Apple Acres...
She was walking down the well worn road to Sweet Apple Acres, PonyVille's premier, and only, apple farm. It was an average day in Equestia; warm, sunny, clear skies, friendly ponies going about their lives. Like a dream world of Zen and peace had been birthed each morning, or very late the previous night. It was perpetual-
"Boredom." She thought with a sigh.
She knew the wild and crazy things that could, were and had been happening in Equestria, yet she seemed to miss out on them. During those periods of intrigue, she was often elsewhere, either on her own adventure, or doing side jobs for bits. Her quest didn't fund itself too often, that and, it required long waits for contacts and information to pass around. She certainly wasn't operating the most... approved search in foreign lands. Most ponies back home had no idea she was even here, and that's how she wanted to keep it.
So, with a heart full of furious boredom, where of she was commander
With a flat broke spear and pony of air er... flight
To the wilderness she wandered.
Seeking side quest to fill her time and pocket!
Her soft gray tail and mane with it's perplexing curl and white strip, gently flowed in the breeze. Her dark gray coat, in contrast to her hair, seemed to absorb the light that hit it. Her prominent bat like ears were dwarfed by her actual prominent size. A match for Celestia certainly. It made her stand out perhaps more than fangs, ears and occasional slit of her pupils. Her wings were covered in feathers, so it had the affect of separating her from the nocturnes of Luna's night guard. Her nose twitched at the sweet scents all around her, as if being assaulted by a massive army. Her camo saddlebags stood out all over Equestia, filled with all sorts of secrets, and tools of course.
She was here to assist Granny Smith with jarring preserves and jams, a simple gig that paid very little. It was simply a distraction from recent events, a rather large dead end she had hit. Not to mention it would remind her of home for a bit. The orchards and farmland had been a large part of the villa she was from, tending to them was a family pastime. How she dreaded the thought of having to go back there empty hoofed. The promises she would have to break if that were the case gave her a lump in her chest.
She reached the front door to the apple family home, took a short breath, and knocked. She waited a few seconds, nothing, then knocked again.
"Hold on to yer britches." Came Granny Smith's somewhat shaky voice.
She plastered on her best grin and patiently waited, the old pony would certainly take her well deserved time. She could hear her hoof steps as she neared the door.
"Ah, It's you, come on in." Granny opened the door, then smiled, stepped aside and gestured her in.
"Yep, it's me. I hope you're doing well Ms. Smith." Vera replied, her fangs emerging from her lips as her grin broadened a little.
She stepped inside, trying to resist the urge to stoop, the regular pony sized home feeling only just a little claustrophobic.
"I'm doing well, you know you can just call me Granny, everyone does." Ms. Smith replied, a little annoyed with Vera's constant formality.
"Can't help it, sorry." Vera grinned back.
"Now don't go apologizing on me, start doing that again." Ms. Smith shook her head, not wanting to go through that again.
Vera had taken odd jobs at the Acres before, usually to maintain large equipment or clear any disease from the orchards and crops. Sometimes just to help harvest. While being a farmhoof wasn't glamorous, it was normal, which made it fun for her. Just not something she wanted to do full time. She did enjoy her excitement and danger. Though it seemed she was doing these odd jobs more and more.
"Shall we get to it Ms. Smith? Or did you want to visit first." Vera asked, knowing the answer.
"Work first, fun later as my pappy always used to say. Besides, we can do both really." Ms. Smith softly cackled.
With a simple nod, Vera followed Granny back to the kitchen. Inside the sparsely decorated kitchen were numerous pots filled to the brim with jams, sauces and preserves all quietly cooking. There were also ingredients for more batches laying nearby.
"As you can probably see, I've been kinda busy." Ms. Smith dryly chuckled.
"Indeed. Let's get started shall we." Vera responded with a nod as she walked over to the large stack of jars and grabbed a funnel.
"I just need yer help lifting the pots, if I tried to ladle all this stuff, it'd be too cool to seal the jars, then I'd have ter warm it and bleh..." Ms. Smith stuck her tongue out. "Work smart, not hard, right?"
Vera simply nodded and got to work, giving the first pot a check before getting the jars for filling, setting the funnel next to the stove. While she did Granny got to work checking all the other pots and turning off the burners. It was going to be a long afternoon of this, so best to just dive right in.
Once the first batch was jarred, it was time to start the second batch. Vera, having done this before, knew what to do, but ever respectful of apple family tradition, double checked the recipe with Granny first.
"Yeah, that's right, though for this batch we add just a bit of cinnamon though." Ms. Smith nodded then walked away, happy to take a seat for a bit.
While Vera poured in the ingredients and kept with the cooking, Granny took the time to jaw.
"Usually I'd have Big Mac do the lifting and AJ do the cooking, but Big Mac is out with his marefriend right now. And Apple Jack is probably off saving Equestria or something, again." Ms. Smith stared off out the window.
"I'd have Apple Bloom screwing the lids on those jars, teaching her the recipe while she watches Apple Jack cook. But, she's off doing her own thing now. Helping ponies with their cutie marks and what have you." Ms. Smith slowly spoke, seeming to trail off.
"I bet you're so very proud of them." Vera said from the stove with a smile, sensing the old mares troubles.
"Darn tooting! Best family in all of Equestria right here!" Ms. Smith shouted with a slap of her knee, which she quickly rubbed after.
"AJ has helped save Equestria from disaster more times than any old princess has, being the element of Honesty and all." Ms. Smith nodded, too old to care about sacrilege.
Vera smiled back at Granny quickly while stirring the pots before her.
"Apple Bloom used to be such terror, always getting into trouble over getting her darned cutie mark. Always told her it would happen when it happened. Never saw a pony my age without one." Ms. Smith shook her head. "Now, her and her 'Crusader' friends are helping other ponies get their cutie marks. And other ponies remember what it was that got them their cutie marks in the first place. She's a real good k- young mare." Ms. Smith caught herself, acknowledging how much Apple Bloom had grown.
"Then you got Big Mac, used to be such an up tight chatterbox, then he learned what fer. Then there was that whole potion thing, I was worried it had ruined the poor boy, until I heard about this marefriend of his that is. Now I know he'll be alright." Ms. Smith laughed.
"They're so lucky to have you, must mean the world to them to know how much pride you feel." Vera remarked from the stove.
"I sure hope it does. Hope they know how much their parents would be proud." Ms. Smith grew silent.
"I've got no doubt." Vera announced, feeling a pang of her own loss.
"Look at me cackling like an old hen while you do all the work. I really should-" Ms. Smith started to get up, but sat back down with a gesture from Vera.
"You hired me to do this, so I insist you sit down. I've got this covered." Vera said.
Granny smiled a bittersweet smile.
"Even with all the Apple's out there, I still need to hire help sometimes." Ms. Smith commented.
"All that family, but they're either too far away or too busy. I know how that goes, makes you feel a little abandoned." Vera agreed while lining up jars for the second batch.
Granny nodded, seeing her feelings reach a knowing pony.
"I'm glad they've got their own lives, and that they're doing fine. I just feel a little forgotten sometimes. Maybe they are just punishing me. All those years I wasted, not talking about their parents. I feel so ashamed." Ms. Smith sniffled a bit.
"I wouldn't blame them." She continued. "It was just so hard."
"It's done though, can't change that. There's a song I know, goes on to say that 'There's Nothing I Can Do About It Now'. All you can do is move forward." Vera said while carefully pouring the contents of the first pot into the funnel and into each jar.
The hot pot wedged between her mitted hoof and pot holder covered shoulder.
"I know that's fer sure. Still doesn't ease my guilt. Once you get old, you tend to feel a lot more of that. Try to make up for things as much as possible before you go." Ms. Smith mournfully replied.
"For the record, I don't think they'd punish you. It's just too easy to get caught up in your own life. I know they'll remember you, not that they've forgotten." Vera slowly said, setting down the first pot just to pick up a second and continue pouring.
"I know, it just feels that way. Maybe I'm just going senile, like old Uncle Mulch, lost his wits and went around digging pot holes in all the roads. Like a weird super gopher." Ms. Smith recalled with a shake of her head and raised brow.
Vera paused a second to picture it in her mind without laughing.
After awhile, with the third and final batch of jam and preserves being sealed away in their jars, Vera breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thanks for your help, I know it wasn't much fun with me getting all sentimental on you." Ms. Smith rubbed the back of her head.
"Oh, it wasn't any trouble. I enjoyed our chat. I know it can get lonely out here when you're alone. It's alright Ms. Smith." Vera responded with an awkward grin.
"Call me Granny, please. After all you've done, you're certainly no stranger. So, don't act like one." Ms. Smith chastised.
She nodded, but part of her just couldn't do it. She knew how much Granny Smith needed to hear it, so why couldn't she just say it?
"I really wish I could just, say it. But, it's a bit hard. My grandmare on my father's side, she passed before I could meet her. So I only really got to know my grandmare on my mom's side. She Lived on Corona Island, out in the Bonifate sea, not too far south of the villa. We'd fly out and visit her every other weekend. She kind of didn't like my father, so he stayed behind." Vera recalled, her eyes looking into space as she pictured her grandmare. "She had this white coat and blue mane, always kept it styled and regal. Rarity sort of reminds me of her, just a lot younger. Even in her coffin, she looked like she had just gotten her mane done."
"I see, well I understand there young'in. It's alright." Granny Smith patted Vera's hoof.
"Thank you..." She struggled a bit. "Granny." Vera stammered a bit.
Granny smith cut a smile and nodded knowingly.
"Well, I suppose you'll be wanting to get paid now, and head off on your way. Know how busy you can be. Just like my AJ, always going off and helping somepony who needs it." Granny Smith broke the sudden silence.
"Don't worry about it." Vera pleaded.
"No, no, I insist now." Granny sternly shook her head while she looked for her purse.
"Well, I know I can't refuse you, wouldn't allow me to. But how about I just take a jar of some of that zap apple jam, and we call it square?" Vera said with a roll of her eyes, knowing stubborn ponies.
"You've got yerself a deal." Granny laughed. "Since I can't seem to find my purse anyhow."
With a wave goodbye, and a jar of jam in her camo saddlebags, she set off. Lighter, and heavier of step. Glad to have kept Granny Smith company and help her, sad to have remembered home and the past. Left with a bittersweet taste in her mouth, she kept moving forward. Equestria had this awful habit of making her feel this way. And it was only getting worse. The closer she got to these ponies, the worse she felt. She needed to help her homeland, to give them a brighter future.
Once she got to her little hill house near the Everfree, she'd mail off the jar back home, let her siblings taste the impressive jam for themselves. That would certainly lighten her mood some. Now if only she could send an answer back, a solution to all the strife.
"You're such a pretty mare Vera, you'll make a wonderful wife for someone some day. Just don't end up like your mother or me, marry for true love. Promise me, okay? You're too special for just anyone, let no one tell you otherwise. You deserve the best." Nightshade, her grandmare, had told Vera from her deathbed.
The memory made her stop. She stood there at the edge of Sweet Apple Acres, a few tears dripping down her cheeks.
Author's Note
Two in a day. Here's the real beginning, and here is the theme for this chapter along with an ending theme here. Once more, just a director's cut extra. As you might guess in the future, some of these stories are going to be based in some measure on the theme song/picture. Mostly just a bunch of short stories detailing some interactions with Vera, shaded to her world view.
Somewhere Beyond The Sea
Once Upon A Time In Manehatten...
She stepped off the boat, it's thick plumes of smoke from the boiler floated off into nothingness high above her head. The rusty bulk of the repurposed commercial fishing ship gently bobbed in the water. It's real name, a questionable one at that, was hidden beneath a false one dubbing it the "Mary Sue Your Flank Off". It's captain, Torn Net, was an old friend and former colleague, a real stern sort and thorough bred sailor.
True to his name, he never could catch a fish or anything for that matter. So he turned to the black-market, transporting international goods. One of the few who even knew where Matavita was. That is to say, Vera's homeland, the continent of Matavita, all the way on the other side of the world.
She walked up the dock, towards the commercial shipping district of Manehatten, a very familiar place. One she had visited several times while working for the once notorious Applereti Mafia. Her and her cousin had spent too much time working for them, doing far too many questionable things. She still felt a bit of guilt about that. At least now, she had far nobler causes, one of them driving her to secretly flee her country, in search of a solution to better it's tomorrow.
She expected to see some familiar faces along her journey, and plenty of new ones. Some she was dreading, particularly some bad characters from her homeland, looking to spread some sort of corruption to Equestria.
"Well now, isn't this a pleasant surprise." Came a familiar and welcome voice.
"Yep, it's me. Back for more. How have you been Korra?" Vera smiled her fangs spooking a nosy dock worker.
"I've been well, trying to keep that old salt out of trouble." Korra replied with her own broad smile.
Korra Had, the first mate and only other real crew of Torn Net's ship. She was a slight built zebra with slightly curved stripes, her mane rose then halfway up lazily fell to the left like a tired mohawk. Her glistening amber eyes shone with an unrivaled optimism among sailors. She was not superstitious, surprising given she was both a sailor and zebra.
"He's not thinking of making another trip to bug those dragons, is he?" Vera asked with a raised brow, glancing back at the ship.
"Not yet, let's hope he has forgotten about it. Hate to see them burn even more than the top deck." Korra laughed. "So what about you? Are you here to cause trouble?"
"No, not this time. Trying to prevent it really, some scum from back home may have wandered over here, so I'll be keeping an eye out for them." Vera responded, then in a more sober tone; "I'm really here because of that dream of his."
Korra's face fell. "Right, him. I'm really sorry about what happened to your cousin, he was a great stallion, even if he didn't think so. You guys were just doing what you had to do."
Vera nodded.
"I know, but that doesn't make it right. Which is why I have to do this. He gave up everything in the hopes of ending the endless cycle of war and suffering back home. He was certain Equestria had the answer." Vera somberly replied.
"You don't owe anyone anything V. All the same, I know no one could talk you out of this. If I can help in any way, don't even bother asking, I'll do whatever you need. Old salty too." Korra said with Japonese anime levels of determination.
"Glad to know I can count on you, and Net, even if he doesn't know it." Vera grinned, feeling the contagious hope of Korra.
They walked off, leaving Net to his quarters where he would sleep for an unknown amount of time. Heading towards a little diner not far from the docks. A usual spot for them since they first came to Equestria. Belle's Burgers was one of the very rare omnivore's diners in all of Equestria, serving all manner of food for the many varied species of visitors to Manehatten.
They entered the diner, a tinkling bell announcing their arrival. They were greeted with a sloppy cheer from several frequent visitors who recognized them. Belle's face poked in from the kitchen window, her scaly face contorted into a grin as she gave a loud squee of excitement.
"I'll be right there you two!" Belle shouted to them before disappearing into the kitchen.
Belle was a very sparky and quirky dragoness, her violet scales, tan belly and crimson spikes were the welcome sight to many species who had a hard time finding something more their taste. Her satin eyes could peer right through your soul, and her size kept many customers in check.
They plopped down in the normal booth, listening to the sound of metallic cookware clash and clang as Belle worked her way to the kitchen door.
"Move it Leek!" She shouted as she flung open the kitchen door with dangerous speed.
"Hi Belle." Vera said with a wave of her hoof.
"Well skin my hide and make me a pair of shoes! I haven't seen you in years! Glad you're back." Belle boomed as she walked over.
"Yep, there was kinda another war." Vera sheepishly replied.
"Another? GEEZ! They sure don't like peace over there do they? Always making a ruckus! I suppose Wubby was right." Belle was talking, then her face contorted into one of shock.
Vera maintained composure, though she was silent as she stared at the empty spot next to her where her cousin once sat. Korra also looked at the empty seat, then to Vera, her own face marked with concern.
"Not even two minutes go by and I've already stepped on my own tail! I'm sorry V, I just..." Belle trailed off.
"It's alright. Sure it can be hard, being back here and all. But I've moved on. It's okay, honestly, so don't worry." Vera comforted.
"You two always were too proud and tuff for your own good. I'm sad to see that empty spot, not as sad as you'll ever be I know, but still." Belle sighed. "So what will it be, the usual?" She cautiously inquired.
"Something light actually, I've got a lot of ground to cover." Vera replied.
"I see, shame you won't be sticking around, but I get it, got a lot to do." Belle replied with a soft nod, looking to Korra who gave a nod in return.
"I'll have a usual." Korra announced to Belle as she began to make her way back to the kitchen.
She looked a Vera for a few seconds, choosing her next words carefully.
"Are you going to be alright? We could always take it to go." She asked Vera.
"He wouldn't want me being sad about it. If he could he would punch me for even trying to pity him." Vera quickly said.
"You can't help how you feel." Korra interjected.
"I feel a little sad, sad he's gone. But I also feel pride. In the end, he really was a great pony, and that's how he'd want to be remembered. So I try to do that." Vera smiled, her eyelids a bit heavy and her tone slightly mournful.
"Okay, just checking." Korra said, letting herself smile again.
The meal was a quiet one, Korra spent most of it trying not to remind Vera of her cousin. She was also trying not to remind herself. The last ride they had all gone on was years ago. He had been very quiet when she and Net had picked him up. Once they got Vera at their next stop, he immediately brought Vera into the galley. From there, they had a very long conversation, Korra hadn't intended to eavesdrop on it, so she didn't hear much of it. But she did hear him talking about going home, quitting the Applereti's organization and making a go of improving life back home.
They paid their bill and left, leaving a waving Belle behind, her face had a smile, but her eyes were somber. Their steps in unintended sync, they made their way deeper into Manehatten. The streets hadn't changed, but that was about all that stayed the same.
"So, how is filing paperwork going? Net mentioned something about you being trapped in that tiny little office." Vera broke the silence.
"That, yeah, it's been very boring. Net hasn't been taking care of his paperwork since he started. If we are ever going to go legit, we have to get all of that sorted." Korra replied, glad to have a new subject in her head.
"It'll all be worth though." Vera assured.
"I sure hope so, Net is worried we won't be able to break even." Korra said.
She recalled all Net had done for her, an orphaned zebra living at the docks of Saddle Arabia. He offered her a job working on his ship, offered to teach her how to sail. To teach her how to escape from the lonely solitude of being rooted to the same docks. She became an expert navigator and helms mare, surpassing Net in all but commerce skill. He could strike a deal with a dragon to transport it's horde. She owed that pale red coated sea foam green mane'd salt everything. And she could guess that he had been grateful to have her around, as a surrogate daughter. He would never openly admit it, but he more proud of her than anything else in his life.
Once they reached the transit center of Manehatten, Korra hugged Vera goodbye before heading back to the docks, she had to make sure Net didn't sleep through the night without a meal.
Vera adjusted her camo saddlebags, thinking about how her cousin would wear his father's old military saddlebags. Now she had a pair of her own. Had it not been for that day in the capital, they might have been in the same unit together, keeping each other alive. She would have made certain he survived, if only she could have been by his side.
"Nice to see you made it." Came a slightly shrill voice off to her right.
"Good to see you again Alter." Vera said, picking herself up to look as regal and powerful as possible.
The changeling emerged from the shadows, stopping to give her one of his very low bows.
"Anything for you Mistress." Alter cooed in his high yet raspy voice.
Years ago, she had encountered this small hive of changelings, their queen had long vanished leaving them to fend for themselves. Alter had taken charge with his sharp mind and brutal strength. He was the same size as a buff pony, his gleaming exoskeleton and greenish-yellow wings and eyes glowed with pride.
They were being plagued by a massive leviathan beast and it's raiding party of followers. Known only as Al Breach, simply because it would pop out of nowhere and begin attacking while the raiding party snatched up everything in sight. The leviathan was in fact a Monolith, massive stone shelled monsters that roamed the Arcanian Desert. Following this normally nomadic creature was a small band of Tusken raiders, an odd bipedal race of horned nomads. They kept themselves wrapped in cloths and wore mask over their horned heads. A single pair of tusk could be seen poking out beneath their mask.
Happening upon a raid, she had intervened. Using some unknown magic to blast the Monolith, then her ferocious stare and growl to frighten it off. The raiders charged her, even with their staffs and clubs, they were no match for her. Her visage and prowess both awed and terrified Alter, who saw in her the perfect predator, the apex of creatures upon the planet. That primal terror he felt was mixed with admiration for her, and with their enemies driven off, he pledged the hive to her, declaring her their new queen. To which she refused. She gave them a new home, free residence on an island her family owned, still refusing to be their new queen.
All the same, they would faithfully do anything she asked of them. Even though she only wanted them to live out their lives, they would constantly hound her, seeking to serve her in some way. Until she finally had a thought. She selected Alter to be her servant, at beck and call whenever she needed him. It worked well enough to keep the hive from bugging her, no pun intended.
"I need you to do something for me, it's a pretty big task, and it might take a long time, but it's important. Do you accept?" She announced, looking down to Alter and his statuesque form.
"Anything you wish Mistress, I am at your command." Alter unblinkingly replied.
She could never tell exactly why he was so loyal to her, why he treated her like she was his queen. She always pondered if he had an ulterior motive of some kind, yet, each time his reverence of her was unquestioningly like that of a drone to the queen. It always made her somewhat uneasy, not that he could tell. Only that she seemed to despise giving orders.
