Princess Celestia's New Creed

Apple Jack no longer fought the Pegasus holding her. Her mother always told her that her strength was in her Stetson.

At this moment, she agreed. It seems the very second she threw her hat to Skorpeon, her strength failed her.

Pinkie Pie whimpered to her left, of which the guard noticed;

“Shut up!” There was a sound of hoof to flesh, and Pinkie Pie screamed in pain.

Apple Jack just closed her eyes, making note not to “Speak unless spoken to”.

That’s what The Combine said.

Apple Jack looked at her left hoof. Visually, it was just like her right.

But it wasn’t.

Apple Jack was used to this treatment. That’s why she was so quiet. That’s why she gave Skorpeon the hat her father gave her before he died.

She missed him. Her father was the one who taught her all she knew.

“Miss Griselda Smith?” The nurse came out into the foyer where Winona, Big Mac, Granny, and little Apple Jack were sitting. The look on her face confirmed Granny’s fears. Still, the wizened old Pony asked that fateful question;

“Will he be okay?” She seemed resolutely calm.

The nurse shook her head, “The cancer spread too fast. If we were to operate, we’d kill him. He’s just to deteriorated to do anything. I’m sorry.”

Apple Jack, still a blank filly, was leaning against Mac, sleeping peacefully.

“What?” Winona’s blue eyes started to water over. “Morgan’s…”

The nurse sighed, “I estimate a month. Maybe two. I’m so sorry.”

The nurse turned around, her own eyes starting to water over.

Winona looked at Big Mac, then to her little Jackie. She was sleeping peacefully against her elder brother.

“Ma?” Big Mac looked at his mother, his green eyes impassive, “I think ta’ll be better if Ay Jay knew the truth. Not some--”

“Stop right there Macintosh. She’s still a filly.” She sighed, “A filly without a father.”

The doors opened once more, revealing the nurse from before, and the burly black workhorse.

What was left of his majestic mane was frayed, the RadioMagtive therapy letting the rest fall out at an exceeding rate. His eyes, once the vivid green she knew, were clouded over and grey.

“Winona.” He whispered, “I don’t give a rat’s flank what these here doctors say, I ain’t leavin’ ya. I promise.”

Big Mac shifted, trying not to wake his baby sister. Unfortunately, Apple Jack shifted at that moment, falling to the floor.

“Whabouthegoldendeliscious. Huh?” She shook her head, then saw her father. “Daddy!” She galloped to him, giving him a small hug. “Wha did them doctor folk say?”

Winona and Morgan shot Big Mac a look that screamed don’t say a word or you are grounded!

“Daddy’s okay. For the time being.” Winona said, trying to create a loophole.

Apple Jack grinned, “Then we can still go to the Summie Sol-oli-stice?”

Morgan chuckled, “Daddy will be around to take you to the Solstice. Don’t worry.”

Thinking back on it, Apple Jack was surprised that her father lasted long enough to go to the Summer Solstice that year. He had still kept up with his chores, while the cancer killed him from the inside out.

Morgan was trotting down the road, his daughter riding on his back. He smiled as she took in all the sights, sights he cared not about. He never did like the fancy-shmancy stuff these Canterlot Ponies did.

“Daddy! Can ah get that hat?” He looked in the direction of the tiny orange hoof pointing to a diamond tiara perched on a stand.
“Let’s see how much it is.” He trotted over, bending to the price tag. His eyes widened to the fact that there were enough zero’s in Equestria to make the price tag.
“Daddy? Can ah get it?” Apple Jack asked her father when he turned around.
“Ah don’t think mah little Jackie needs something like that.”
“Aw.” She whined, “Why not?”
“’Cause yore pretty enough without it.” He simply stated.
They went along a bit longer, eventually coming across;
“Mandarin!” Morgan called, out, “Mandarin Orange!”
A pale yellow mare turned around, “Ah, Morgan! How goes it?”
Morgan ran up to his sister, “Not too well.” He lowered his voice when Apple Jack jumped down to give her uncle a hug. “The barrel only has a few apples left.”
Mandarin’s eyes widened, “At least you still have a full orchard. Does Ay Jay know?”
He shook his head, “Winona and ah don’t want her to worry none, but ah know it will hurt later in life, but ah don’t wanna hurt her now.”
Mandarin nodded, trying to imagine life without her Mosely.
A fanfare caused the three ponies to jump, “Daddy! It’s Princess Celestia!”
Morgan scooped Apple Jack onto his back, standing on his hind legs so she could see.
Celestia stood for a moment, then started flapping her wings. Even from this distance, Apple Jack could see that her horn was glowing like all You-nee-corns did.
“Daddy! She’s raising the sun!” she squealed.
“Yeah, and she also moves the moon.”
The sun moved right in front of the princess, silhouetting her in an orange fireball.
“Daddy?”
“Yeah sugercube?”
“Ah wanna be like Celestia someday.”
Morgan looked at his daughter, “And you will. Here.” He slid Apple Jack from his back, flicking his head. He caught the orange Stetson he wore in his mouth.
He placed the hat on his daughter’s head. “This here hat was given to me by yore granddad Smith before he left. He told me what I’m gonna tell you now.
“Never give up on yore dreams. Even though yore heroes will leave ya physically, they’ll never leave ya forever. They’ll always be there, whether in the whisper of the wind, or the shadow in the yard. Always remember us. Never forget.”

Apple Jack felt a tear running down her muzzle. She missed her father. It hadn’t been long after her father’s death that AppleBloom was born. And her mother joined her father in child birth. It was then did Granny Smith and Big Mac tell the truth about her father.
“Shut up!” Apple Jack felt something connect with her face. She didn’t show any sign of breaking.
Stay silent. Stay resolute. She kept telling herself. Though they were breaking her body, they weren’t breaking her spirit.
She looked at her hoof again. She moved it, faintly hearing the pneumatics hissing.
You survived The Combine. You can survive this new creed.
She looked up, seeing a large wooden box. A box cart. The doors opened, and Pinkie Pie and her were practically thrown into it. The doors closed with a slam, leaving the two Earth Ponies in the pitch dark.
“Pinkie Pie?” Apple Jack asked, “You okay?”
Her answer was a bone-crushing hug and a wet shoulder.
“”Sall gonna be alright Sugar Cube.” Apple Jack told her sobbing friend. “Jus’ show no sign of breaking, and they’ll let up eventually.”
Pinkie sniffed, “Will it work?”
“It worked when ah was with them Combine. Noriko told me to stay strong.”
“Who?” If Apple Jack could see, she probably would be looking into the confused face of Pinkie Pie.
“She’s a… friend ah met when the Combine got me. She was the only one who was on mah side. The other prisoners tried to shunt me to the sides. The food lines, the beds. Noriko tried to get them to shape up, but they never loosened.”
Apple Jack took a breath, then continues her story as the rail car bumped and clattered to an unknown destination.

“Come on! MOVE!” Apple Jack woke up with a start, jumping right to her feet.

“Come on! WE haven’t got all day!” A pegasus guard was yelling.

“Let’s go Pinkie.” A light blue stallion with hot pink hair was looking at Pinkie Pie, “Remember what you--”

“Shut up! No talking!” A guard landed a hoof in the Stallion’s chest.

The three ponies marched in unison towards another wooden cart, this one had iron bars.

“You will remain here until the auction in two weeks!” the guard kicked Apple Jack in, turning to Pinkie Pie, “I suggest you get comfortable.” He laughed, kicking her after Apple Jack.

That same stallion tried to trot in, but was impeded but the guard, “What?”

“You think I’m going to let the three of you in one? Fat chance. Those two, yes, but not you.”

He nodded, allowing himself to be shunted into the cage next to the mare’s.

“Pinkamena? Apple Jack?” The two ponies turned, seeing a familiar pony.

“Cousin Braeburn!” Apple Jack ran to her cousin, crushing him in a massive hug.

“Apple Jack. At least we’re in the same boat.” He said, “Hello Pinkie Pie.”

Pinkie muttered something, looking at the floor. Without warning, and with a sound like a deflating balloon, Pinkie’s hair started to lay flat.

“You okay Sugarcube?” Apple Jack trotted back to Pinkie, Braeburn following on her hooves.

“I’m fine.” The pink pony muttered, “Really.”

“Ya’ll don’t look fine.” Braeburn said, “Ya’ll look a might down in the ruts, if’n ya know what ah mean.”

Pinkie Pie sniffed, looking into the green eyes of her friend. “Why would Celestia do this?”

Apple Jack snorted, “Ah was wonderin’ the same thing. Ah understand why The Combine did what they did ta me, but Celestia? Nah. Ah know she’s good. Yore guess is as good as mine.”

“Combine?” Braeburn asked, “Whacha talkin’ ‘bout cuz?”

Apple Jack sighed, holding her left hoof up. “Lisen close now.” She moved it, and if you held your breath, you could hear a slight hissing.

“Ah don’t get it.” Braeburn heard it, “What’s that got to--”

“These people kidnapped me an’ tortured me. They did horrible stuff, and they ripped mah hoof off. Skorpeon RyDer, mah protector, hooked me up with this here ‘sinth’ hoof, as he called it.”

Braeburn’s eyes widened, “Who would do a thang to us ponyfolk?”

Pinkie Pie looked up, “Tyrants like Celestia.”

The cage door opened, and two more ponies were thrown in. They rolled a few times, grunting in pain.

“Aloe? You alright?” One with a blue coat and bright pink mane helped the other up.

“No.” the pink one was crying. “I want to go home.”

“That’s not an option.” The two sisters looked up, seeing they were not alone.

“Ah know you two!” Apple Jack said, “You’re the ponies that work at the spa in Ponyville!”

“And you’re Apple Jack! Element of Laughter, right?” Aloe looked up, her vivid blue eyes brimming with tears.

“Nah, Ah’m honesty. Pinkie Pie’s laughter.” Apple Jack pointed a hoof at Pinkie Pie, still brooding in a corner.

“Oh, My mistake. I’m Tranquil Lotus. This is my twin sister, Tranquil Aloe.”

They shook hooves, jumping as a massive THUMP! The ponies looked at the wall, slowly backing away.

“The guards could just use the door.” Lotus said, “Why would they--”

THUMP!

“What in tarnation are they doing?” Braeburn asked, stepping protectively in front of the mares.

CRASH!

A pony tumbled through the new hole in the wall. He rolled, then stood.

“Not interrupting, am I?” He brushed himself off, showing his identity.

“Hairspray?” Pinkie asked, “What did you do?”

He chuckled, “I knocked a hole in the wall. So?”

She laid back down, continuing her brooding. Hairspray trotted to Aloe and Lotus.

The three ponies went to the far corner, which wasn’t far, considering the size of the cage they were in.

Pinkie, Apple Jack and Braeburn took the other corner, huddling together protectively.

The three ponies talked in hushed tones, trying to get Pinkie’s hopes up.

Suddenly, there was a massive clatter that caused all the ponies to turn towards the gate.

“Apple Jack, Pinkie Pie. Come here.” A voice called out.

“Princess Celestia?” Apple Jack couldn’t mistake the flowing mane and silhouette of her.

“Yes, Apple Jack. Now that you know my name, come here!” She commanded. The two ponies went up to the princess, bowing slightly.

“You two I want to be my personal servants.” Celestia said. “I want you by my side from sunset to moonrise. And all times in between. You got that?” She slammed the door shut on the rest of the Earth Ponies’ curious glances.

“I said, do you get it?” she spoke louder, going on the brink of “The Royal Voice”.

“Yes Celestia.” The two muttered.

She slapped the two of them. Hard. “When you answer me, you answer with ‘Yes your Highness.’ GOT THAT?”

Not wanting to make another mistake, the two slaves acknowledged.

Celestia smiled. “Good. Now latch yourselves onto that cart. I don’t want to walk all the way to the castle.”

Apple Jack looked at Canterlot Castle: a mere block away. “Pardon me, your Highness, but it’s a short walk. Wouldn’t it be better to--?”

Celestia’s hoof connected with Apple Jack’s hoof. “YOU WILL SPEAK WHEN SPOKEN TO! Whelp.”

Apple Jack picked herself up, spitting some blood from her mouth. Her face stung, but she showed no sign of breaking.

Like she told Pinkie Pie.

“Pinkie Pie!” somepony called. “Pinkie Pie!”

The two ponies turned, seeing Hairspray galloping towards them, “WAIT!”

“Guards!” Celestia called, “GUARDS!”

Two unicorn guards appeared out of nowhere, ensnaring the stallion in two cases of magic.

“Celestia, you tyrant!” Hairspray tried to free himself, “You’ll never get away with his!”

Celestia chuckled, shaking a hoof. “I already have.” She shoved her hoof onto his chest, causing him to scream in pain.

“Hairspray!” Pinkie Pie, abandoning safety, knocked Apple Jack to the ground as she ran to the fallen stallion.

“Pinkie.” He coughed. Apple Jack couldn’t hear what he said next, but she could see it from here;

She saw Pinkie cradling the stallion, then heard her wail as his head slumped.

Apple Jack’s stomach lurched, a memory breaking her barriers;

Noriko was bent over an orange pile, pressing a spare uniform on a red spot.

“It’s alright, Apple Jack. It’s stopping. I can feel it.”

Apple Jack had her eyes closed tight, trying not to emit even a whimper. She figured if she even opened her mouth, all her pain would fall forward.

“Apple Jack, you’re lucky to be alive.” Noriko said, “I’m surprised that you can stay awake too. Most people can’t handle losing this much blood.”

Noriko pulled something from a small bag at her knees; a small needle. She inserted the tip in Apple Jack’s shoulder, then pushed the plunger.

Apple Jack opened her eyes, looking at the bloody patch. “What is that?”

Noriko smiled, “I stole a bag from the interrogation room. It had medical supplies, no doubt for the Conscripts.”

Apple Jack felt her shoulder cool down, then the pain stopped. She tried to look, but Noriko placed a hand on her eyes.

“You don’t want to look. Trust me.”

Apple Jack let Noriko tidy up the wound, and then she sighed. “Ah don’t know why ya think I’m such a baby.”

Noriko rolled her eyes, “I don’t think you’re a baby. You’re a lot stronger than me. If this happened, I would have either died when they did it, or passed out from blood loss. You didn’t do either.”

Apple Jack looked at the bandage, “Thanks, Noriko.”

She placed a hand on the pony’s good shoulder. “That’s what friends are for. Now; let’s get some lunch.”

The two exited their cell, heading to the mess hall.

Two soldiers, one in brown armor, the other in white, walked past. Though they knew better, Apple Jack and Noriko tried to listen in on their conversation.

“Something about a proximity alarm.” The Elite replied to the Soldier’s question

“Did they get footage?”

“There were tracks. But footage shows a cloaked figure walking on two legs.”

“What did The Consul say?”

“Consul said the tracks looked like a fox’s. How many fox’s are six feet tall and wear black cloaks?”

Apple Jack gasped, shoving a hoof in her mouth. Or trying to anyway.

The two Combine turned to the sound, seeing Apple Jack and Noriko, they changed course.

“You two looking at?” the red light of the Elite was shoved in Noriko’s face.

“Simply? You’re uniform. My friend and I want to join the ranks.”

The Shotgunner laughed, his vocader making it all the more eerie. “Yeah, like you two will ever join the ranks.”

Noriko simply turned, continuing down the hall. When they were out of earshot, Noriko bent to Apple Jack’s ear. “Why did you gasp? You could’ve gotten us shot on site!”

“That figure they were talking about, the fox tracks and the cloaked figure. Ah think that might be Skorpeon RyDer!”

“The guardian you keep talking about?”

“Yeah, ah think--”

Her sentence was cut off as a shotgun blast rang from the corridor. The two friends turned, seeing the guards from before glaring right at them.

“You two! Come over here! NOW!”

The two slowly walked back to the soldiers, Noriko holding her hands behind her head.

“You heard our conversation?” the Elite asked, glaring at Apple Jack.

“Only about some tracks and footage of a cloaked figure.”

“Then who is it?” the Shotgunner shoved his weapon in Apple Jack’s face, “WHO IS IT?!”

“Ah—Ah don’t know! It’s just, yore description reminds me of a friend of mahn!”

The elite stuck his weapon in her face too, “And who is that?”

Apple Jack took a step backward, “Ah- ah don’t thank ya’ll would know him!”

The Shotgunner pumped his gun, “Try us.”

She took a breath, “RyDer. His name’s RyDer.”

The two combine looked at each other, “Tell the Consul Anti-citizen Two’s lurking? Might be good on our ranks.”

The Shotgunner chuckled, “Yeah, and we’ll take these two to back us up. MOVE!” He shoved his shotgun in Noriko’s back, the Elite placing his AR2 against Apple Jack’s head.

“Don’t try anything funny, or you’ll find you body open to sunlight.”

“Yeah? And If you two move, spaghetti sauce will look rather chunky!” The three humans and pony turned, seeing a blood-red fox standing behind them. In his paws was a massive gun.

The two soldiers shoved Apple Jack and Noriko in front of them, “Try something funny, and they’ll get it!”

Skorpeon growled, pulling a lever back. The barrels started to spin, emitting a loud noise as the engines moved them at a high speed.

“POWER DOWN!” The Shotgunner moved his shotgun against Noriko’s back, “Power down or I WILL kill her!”

Skorpeon narrowed his eyes, pushing the lever forward. The gun stopped spinning as he set it on the ground. He tipped it forward, placing his paws at his shoulders.

If you could see his face, you would see the Shotgunner smile. His finger twitched. There was a noise of thunder as Noriko fell to the ground, screaming in pain.

“DOWN!” Skorpeon Pulled the gun towards him, pulling the lever once more. Apple Jack dove into an alcove, closing her eyes as she heard the sounds of weapons being fired, bullets flying, and the sickening sound of flesh being ripped apart.

“Apple Jack! Come on! We don’t have any time!” Apple Jack stepped from the alcove, looking at the fallen form of Noriko.

“Apple Jack.” The human whispered, trying to wave the pony closer. “Thank you.”

Apple Jack looked at the human’s back, the pooling blood censoring her entrails. Apple Jack was grateful.

“For what Sugar Cube?” her eyes started brimming with tears.

“Apple Jack!” Skorpeon tried to get her attention.

“For being my friend. Never before would I think I would die in the presence of a talking pony.”

Apple Jack placed a hoof on Noriko’s mouth. “Don’t talk like that Sugar Cube.” She sniffed, “Skorpeon? He’s a powerful wizard. He’ll fix you up in no time.”

Noriko smiled, “Even if he could, I don’t want him to. I want to go home. Be with my family.”

Apple Jack shook her head, “But wha ‘bout me?”

“You still have your other friends.”

“Apple Jack!” Skorpeon called, a hint of panic on his voice.

“But not you. You’re the only one who showed me true kindness here. We can help you.”

Noriko smiled, “Apple Jack. You’ve been a good friend. It was an honor knowing you. You’re friends have no idea what they have.”

Apple Jack bent her head low, a few tears soaking the floor. “Ah’m gonna miss you, Noriko.”

Noriko looked into the green eyes of her only friend, “Exile, Vilify.” She whispered, the light leaving her eyes.

Apple Jack heard them coming. She heard Skorpeon’s gun power up. She heard more gunshot. She felt a bullet hit her shoulder.

Apple Jack didn’t react to anything. The only pain she felt was the pain in her heart as the friend that consoled her the past eternity died, her only friend crying over her.