Fluttershy, clad in a red and white medic's uniform and with saddlebags filled with medical supplies, led her team of similarly equipped medic ponies into Klugetown. Members of her team had already broken off to tend to a few wounded allies, including Capper and Chummer. For Fluttershy, It was heart-wrenching to see so many wounded creatures. Even worse were the slain bodies of Klugetowners and the occasional pony, thestral, or hippogriff. However, Fluttershy forced herself to press on, knowing that lives depended on her and her team.
Fluttershy bit her lip as she passed by a moaning, spear bearing Klugetowner, reaching out as he rapidly lost blood. As much as she wanted to save every creature, she knew that she had to focus on her allies first. After all, the Klugetowners were slavers, and had put countless innocent creatures under such ruthless torture, ripping them from their homes and destroying their lives. They needed to face the consequences for the horrible atrocities they had enacted upon the weak and helpless.
Fluttershy gasped when she spotted a pegasus guard lying on his side, his wing bent at an unnatural angle. She flew over to him saying, "Oh dear, oh dear. Your wing! It'll be okay! It's dislocated, but I can fix it. Right now. You'll be okay. Trust me."
Fluttershy took out a syringe from her saddlebag and said soothingly, "Here we go. I'm going to numb the pain, then your wing will be all better. Deep breaths now. Deep breaths."
Fluttershy injected the painkiller into the pegasus' wing joint, continuing to calm the guard with her voice as she waited for the medicine to take affect. Then, without warning, she quickly grabbed the wing and relocated it back into place, causing the guard to grunt a bit.
"There! There. It's done. All better. Just stay off of it for a while and you'll fly again. You've done enough now. You can head back to the airship."
The guard, now newly invigorated, jumped up and said with a gleam in his eye, "Go back? I've only begun to fight!" The pegasus then took off on foot shouting, "FOR LIBERTY! EEEEEEEEQUESTRIA!"
Slavemaster Dorf, a boar like Klugetowner with a large red snout and a pair of long sharpened tusks, scowled as he guarded the entrance to the slave compound. Beating obedience into the slaves imprisoned there was a favorite past time of his, and the cries of pain and pathetic pleas for mercy were music to his ears. Therefore, the idea of a bunch of ponies and hippogriffs coming in to take away their slaves insulted him a great deal, and he planed on using his trusty whip to flay alive any creature who dared try and free any of the slaves he was in charge of.
"Hey? Mister slaver guy?"
Dorf turned to the side to see a pink pony with a big smile staring up at him.
"I just wanted to know," Pinkie Pie said, still smiling at him, "Are ya more ugly than you are evil, or are ya more evil than you are ugly?"
Dorf snarled as he swung his whip back, and he said, "I'll slice your face in half!"
Pinkie nodded and said, "Uh-huh! I'm sure ya will, but before you do, I have one more question." She then held up a metal ring with keys hanging on it and asked, "Are these yours?"
Dorf's eyes widened, and looked down at his belt to see that his keys had indeed been stolen. He looked back up at Pinkie, only instead to see the inside of her Party Canon.
POW!
Dorf cried out in surprise as he was launched up into the air by a blast from the Party Canon. He flipped over and saw that he was headed towards a nearby roof, but what surprise him was that Pinkie Pie was someone already there and had her Party Canon aimed right at him yet again.
POW!
Dorf cried out a second time as he was launched back up into the air again, only to smash right through the roof of the slave compound with a tremendous crash.
Pinkie smiled and nodded, but her moment of satisfaction was cut off by the sound of several angry voices.
"Gah! Look what that pony did to Slavemaster Dorf!"
"Get her! Kill the pony!"
Pinkie turned and looked over the edge of the roof to see a bunch of spear wielding Klugetowners scaling the side of the building to reach her. She just laughed dementedly as she aimed her Party Canon down at them.
"Boys, Pinkie Pie's serving humble pie! Get it while it's hot!"
POW!
Dorf was dazed from the landing, and laid on the ground for a bit as he tried to regain his senses. As he slowly got it together, he began to hear voices all around him.
"Oh my gosh, it's Dorf!"
"Hey, he doesn't look so tough now!"
"That sick monsters! Always beating us for no reason!"
"That punk laughed at me when I was crying and begging him to stop!"
"He's evil, mates! Evil!"
"Let's get him!"
"Yeah, everycreature get him!"
"Kill him!"
Dorf's eyes widened as he saw that he was surrounding by a multitude of furious, hot eyed slaves. There were many types of creatures within the compound. Ponies, griffons, abyssinians, and more. However, every single one of them looked upon the slave master with unadulterated hatred.
Dorf reached for his whip out of reflex, only to find that he'd lost it during his high flying encounter with Pinkie Pie. He held out a hand in front of him as he shouted, "Get back! Get away, you slaves! I command you!"
Some of the slaves actually laughed a bit at this, while others simply continued to stare darkly at the slavemaster as the entire group closed in on him. Dorf let out a terrified scream as his former victims began the process of tearing him limb from limb.
Tempest Shadow use her horn to blast down the front door and strode calmly into the house. A Klugetowner with dark blue hair, pink loop earrings, and short brown antlers was cringing with fear as she shakily brandished a soup ladle while standing in front of a group of four teenage slaves; two Abyssinians, a pony, and a griffon.
"Don't hurt me!" the Klugetowner shouted in fright, "I surrender! I'm okay with having the slaves freed! Honestly! I actually took those slaves in during the fighting! I'm just keeping them safe! Please believe me!"
The pony slave nodded and said, "Yeah, it's true! Vera is helping us! She's on our side! The slavers would have either recaptured us or killed us if it hadn't been for her! Please, don't hurt her!"
Tempest Shadow's horn continued to crackle and spark as she studied the faces of the group before her, making sure to look long and hard at Vera's expression. Then, with her own facial expression still unreadable, Tempest said slowly as her horn stopped sparking, "You are lucky Princess Twilight taught me the importance of mercy."
Vera sighed in relief, slowly lowering the ladle she had been holding up.
Tempest turned and stuck her head out the door way. "Hey! You! And You! You two guards! We're making a safe house for the slaves here! Yes, here! And you! Yeah, you thestral, up there! Spread the word that any slaves we come across are to be directed to this home, which is to be guarded at all times until this battle is over!"
Not long after Slavemaster Gorf was disposed of, the door to the slave compound was suddenly knocked off it hinges, it's lock broken like a china plate. Through the entrance marched Applejack, smiling proudly as led a group of pony soldiers. Before her was a large metal gate that held in the slaves, who were all gathered together with wide eyes as they beheld the bold, confident Earth Pony mare.
"Howdy, ladies and gents!" Applejack said grandly, "Anycreature fancy being liberated today?"
This sent all the slaves into an excited tizzy as the spoke amongst themselves, certain that this was too good to be true.
Suddenly, a villainous voice from outside shouted, "They're in the slave compound! Don't let them take it!"
One of the royal guard ponies turned to their leader and said, "Ms. Applejack? We might be in trouble, and we have our orders to protect the Elements Bearers. . .."
Applejack nodded and said, "Ya'll go on and fight 'em off. Ah'll stay here and keep all the soon to be ex-slaves calm."
As the royal guard quickly exited to keep the foe out of the slave compound, a deep, southern sounding voice called out, "Applejack?! Did that stallion say Applejack? Applejack!?"
Applejack felt a strange sensation run through her. The voice seemed to trigger something deep within her, as if she knew who it was. Deeply confused, Applejack turned and looked at the mass of imprisoned slaves as somecreature began to force his way towards the front of the pack.
"Applejack? Applejack? Let me through! Let me though, Ah need to see! Please!" the voice said.
Applejack slowly stepped towards the metal gate, and when the speaker finally made its way towards the front, Applejack mind seemed to blow itself apart and come back together several times in rapid succession.
Applejack beheld the face of a stallion with a pale yellow coat, a messed and dirty brilliant red mane, and green eyes. Those eyes were filled with pain and desperation, but now they were slowly filling up with hope, and perhaps even a bit of joy.
Applejack was at a loss for words, her mouth was hanging open even though no words would come. However, one word eventually came to mind, and she forced herself to say it.
". . .Pa?"
Tears were streaming from Bright Mac's as he beheld his eldest daughter. "Oh, Jackie. . .Ah was so afraid. . .Ah'd. . ." he chocked on his words as he slid his right forehoof through the bars, which wasn't an easy feat due to the shackles around his legs. ". . .that Ah'd. . never see the amazin' young mare Ah'd always known ya'd be. . ."
As if in a trance, Applejack slowly walked over to the gate, slowly closing the distance between her and her father. She then slowly raised her own right forehoof and touched it to his.
"Yer. . .yer real. . ." Applejack said softly, her voice a subtle whisper as her eyes widened even further, then a smile of the purest joy spread across her face as she repeated louder, "Yer real! Here! Alive! Ah. . .Ah don't. . .how!?"
Bright Mac smiled with all the love in his heart filling his eyes, then her managed to tear his gaze away from his daughter long enough to look behind him and below, "COME ON! GET OVER HERE! QUICK! GET A MOVE ON!"
A moment after calling out, a voice could be heard slowly getting closer.
"Ah tell ya, Bright Mac, it ain't possible. Ya heard wrong. Why would she . . . be. . .here. . ?"
The crowd of slaves made some room, and Applejack once again found herself at a loss for words as she looked upon a light coated mare with long tangled orange hair and brilliant turquoise eyes. The mare gasped and lifted a forehoof to cover her mouth, her eyes shimmering with utter disbelief. Again, not an easy feat due to the shackles.
Applejack had to step back, her entire body shaking as she looked at the two ponies standing behind the metal gate. "Ah. . .wait. . .no. No, Ah don't believe it! It ain't possible! Ya'll were lost in that rock slide."
Bright Mac shrugged and said with a sad smile, "Well, Jackie, either it was just plain ol' dumb luck, or those slavers set off that rock slide on purpose to cover their tracks after they nabbed us."
This was all too much for Applejack, and she ended up falling on her knees as said in between her tearful sobs, "All this time. . .fer years. . .the whole time. . .you was. . .we were. . .why!?" She pulled her hat down over her face as she found herself unable to control her tears.
Pear Butter finally found the strength to put her forehoof back down and step forward. "Applejack. . .please, darling. Don't cry," she said soothingly.
Applejack lifted her hat back up and tearful looked at her mother, love and care seeming to radiate out from her. "Ma. . ." she sobbed as she got up and ran towards the gate. The mother and daughter shared a nuzzle through the bars, tears streaming down both their faces as the did so.
Applejack regretfully pulled away as she said with a look of determination, "Right. Stand back, all of you! I'm gonna buck open this gate!"
Bright Mac shook his head sadly and said, "That won't do much good, Jackie. We've tried to knock these gates down time and time again. Ain't nothin' gonna break these down."
Applejack turned and planted her hooves firmly on the ground, and she said, "Maybe creatures that are beaten and starved and abused can't break 'em down, but Ah don't think they can stand against a Sweet Apple Acres mare that's ready and raring to go with a fire in her heart! So stand back, 'cause here Ah go!"
CLANG!
All of the slaves jumped back as Applejack's hooves struck the gate dead center. While the lock holding them closed still held, the gate did move quite a bit from the strike.
Applejack grunted, disappointed that she hadn't broken the lock with one blow, but this only served to strengthen her resolve to get the gate open.
CLANG!
Many of the slaves let out gasps of surprise when they saw that Applejack's second buck actually bent the metal a bit.
"Applejack, no!" Pear Butter cried out nervously, "Ah don't want you to hurt your-."
CLANG-ACK!
The slaves all yet out shouts of surprise after Applejack's third buck, and for good reason. A single crack had appeared in the massive lock.
CLANG-ACK!
Applejack huffed and puffed, her entire body straining from the exertion.
"Almost there. . ." she thought to herself, "Just a bit more strength. . . more power. . and I can-."
"You're doing it the hard way, Applejack!"
Applejack turned to see Pinkie Pie leaning against the gate, holding the late Gorf's keys and swing them around her forehoof.
Applejack blinked at the grinning pink mare, then shook her head and said, "No. . .matter of principle. . ."
Pinkie shrugged and said before hopping away, "Okie dokie lokie! Suit yourself!"
Applejack closed her eyes and went into deep concentration. She thought of all of these slaves and all of the tortures they had gone through. The beatings, the humiliations, the destruction of their hopes and dreams, and the separation from their families. This led her to think of her parents. She thought of what they went through just to be together, their hardships caused by the hated Apple-Pear feud. She then thought of how she felt when they were declared deceased, much much she had missed them, and how much they had missed out in no just her life, but in Big Mac and Applebloom's lives. The fire that had been lit by seeing her parents faces again after so many years suddenly became a blaze that could burn a thousand Windigoes, and the place gave her the strength to unleash one final, mighty buck.
CLANG-SNAP!
The slaves let out a rousing cheer as the lock was finally snapped in two, allowing the hated gate to swing wide open. Slaves were jumping for joy and hugging each other, all so happy that they barely noticed Pinkie zipping around them, unlocking their shackles and removing their chains like a spirit of freedom.
As Pinkie swiftly removed their chains as well, Bright Mac and Pear Butter just stood watching their daughter in amazement as she fought to catch her breath. Applejack finally steadied he breathing, turned around to face her parents and smiled, wiping the sweat off her brow and standing proudly.
Bright Mac smiled back and said, "That's my girl."
Pear Butter ran forward and embraced her daughter like she'd disappear if she let go. Applejack all but buried her face in her mother's mane as she felt her own tears return. Bright Mac walked over and caught the two in a hug as well.
And at that moment, it didn't matter where they were, who was nearby, or what their situation was. For that one, glorious moment, there was nothing except the three of them.
Author's Note
I know what you're thinking: "That reunion was lame! There wasn't enough dialogue! Or characterization!"
I know, I'm well aware of that, but don't worry! After this story is done, I plan on writing a SEQUEL where Applejack and her parents arrive back at Sweet Apple Acres, and we get a better, more heartfelt, more emotional, more impactful reunion with the ENTIRE Apple family! This was basically a sneak peak of what's to come!
Anyway, THIS story has one more chapter to it! After all, we need to see what becomes of Verko, right?
Verko had gone from standing irately at his window to watch the battle to standing with his back to the wall beside the window so he could occasionally peak out before quickly moving back out of sight. The last thing he wanted was to be struck by an arrow, spear, or magic bolt that came zipping through his window. He had been so sure that the combined forces of his hired muscle, slave guards, and slave owning citizens would be enough to send the attackers all to Hellgates. However, as the battle ranged on below, even from his own ivory tower could Verko see that his side was loosing.
Verko body suddenly convulsed violently, causing him to slide down the wall and land on his rear. He cursed Tempest Shadow's name a bit, then let out a far more venomous stream of curses on the ponies and hippogriffs. He eventually managed to refocus his attention on his current predicament. It was clear to him that his criminal empire in Klugetown was finished. From his high vantage point, he witnessed the ponies take over the slave compound, and he knew that any slave strong enough to work would also be strong enough to fight, making his current situation all the more hopeless.
Verko slammed his fist into the wall behind him before heaving himself back up onto his feet. The only option he had was to simply leave Klugetown and start his plans anew somewhere else. He smiled as he recalled his special escape tunnel, and his own personal secret airship waiting at the other end of it.
"A mole-rat lives to run away. . .so he can scheme another day!" he said gleefully as a wicked smile grew on his face.
Verko swiftly shuddered the window, and then ran right towards a wall-safe on the other side of the room. He opened it and proceeded to load his pockets with coins and gems. He cackled to himself, finding joy in the fact that those meddlers couldn't get rid of him so easily. He was a mole-rat of means who could make it pretty much everywhere with his wealth and cunning.
"Verko. . .the world's greatest criminal mind!" he praised to himself as he shoved a claw full of bits into his pocket. Already he had plans to hire on whatever criminal element was sure to exist in whatever city he decided to settle down in. Then maybe dig up some blackmail worthy dirt, and he'd be in business again in no time.
It wasn't long before Verko's pockets were full, but the wall safe was still packed with valuables. Verko frowned at this, and sighed as he shoved a few important deeds and other documents into his top hat. It hurt to leave behind any of his wealth, but he'd grabbed enough, and his secret airship also had a stash of loot for such an emergency. Verko turned to leave, but paused when he finally noticed that his Abyssinian slave Sola was in the room with him, silently standing behind him the whole time.
Recognizing an opportunity for an elegant solution, Verko gave the slave a curt not and pointed to the safe. "Slave! Gather up as much of the contents in the safe as you can and follow me."
Sola didn't move a muscle.
"Move!" Verko demanded.
Sola still did not move. She merely stood with her arms behind her back; and a cold, hard stare on her face.
"Have you gone simple?! Carry out my orders, slave!" Verko spat furiously.
Sola's gaze didn't change as she continued to start at Verko, then she moved her left hand from behind her back, revealing that she was holding Verko's coiled up scourge.
Verko blinked in surprise at the sight of his ornate weapon. He briefly looked towards his desk, realizing he had left the scourge there earlier. He then glared his loathing and rage at the slave and said viciously, "You filthy, disgusting, worthless little thief! Give that back to me!"
". . . . .Yes," Sola finally said, and with a flick of her wrist she uncoiled the four-tailed scourge, the four bits of sharpened stone on the end seeming to glint like the diamond on the handle. "I'm going to. . .give it to you," Sola said smoothly, the loathing in her eyes clashing with her eerily calm demeanor.
Red in the face and still enraged, Verko took a step forward and held out his hand, saying, "No more games, slave! You are mine, and you will obey me! You have no life of your own! You exist to serve me! You are PROPERTY! Get your filthy paws off of my-!"
It was at this moment that something happened that finally caused Verko's cruel, craven spirit to fail him.
Sola smiled the biggest, most satisfied smile Verko had ever seen.
And Verko began to scream.
General Seaspray took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He could no longer hear sounds of battle echoing through the streets of Klugetown, for they had finally faded away. Now there was only the sounds of moaning from the inured as they were being tended to, of buzzing from the flies gathering around the bodies of the dead Klugetowners as they waited to be carted off to be burned, and of joyful weeping from the freed slaves being escorted to the allies' airship.
However, Seaspray did not smile. He simply stood firm in the street, and watched as hippogriffs and ponies alike followed proceeded to restore order to the defeated city.
"General Seaspray."
The hippogriff felt a feeling a deja-vu as he spoke without turning to look at the newcomer, "Tempest Shadow, what do you wish to report?"
Tempest stood perpendicular to him, taking a brief moment to take in his right-side profile, and she said with regret in her voice, "Minimal causalities on our side. About 13 pegasi and 6 thestrals were slain by arrows. Some hippogriffs were seen getting shot down as well, but I assume you've already received a report about them from one of your own soldiers. On the ground, 11 earth ponies and 3 unicorns were lost. As for the wounded, we've got 89 ponies altogether. There's no doubt that they'll recover. The Abyssinian Capper received a minor injury as well. The Elements of Harmony, as well as Princess Twilight's unicorn student and dragon assistant, were all unharmed."
General Seaspray nodded silently, urging Tempest to continue.
"Every Klugetowner guarding the slave compound was slain," Tempest said in a serious yet slightly bitter tone, "Same goes for Verko's hired muscle. Klugetowners with families had barricaded themselves in their homes. Most of the older slave owners fought back and ended up all dying in their attempt to torment their slaves another day."
Tempest then smiled ever so slightly as she continued, "However, a number of them were willing to let their slaves go. One of the Klugetowners, a female named Vera, is acting as a spokescreature for them all. They want a chance to make Klugetown a better place now that we've cut out all of its tumors."
Tempest was fully smiling now, and she declared, "All in all: we've won."
General Seaspray merely nodded in response.
"You aren't smiling," Tempest remarked. It wasn't a question or a challenge or any sort of judgement. It was merely a statement that she had stated.
"War is something I could never get any sort of satisfaction from," Seaspray said sternly, "Nor do I believe any other creature should. Nevertheless, this was my duty. Our duty. Something had to be done, needed to be done. Pure and simple. Where there once was injustice and evil, is now liberty and freedom."
There was a moment of silence, and then Tempest walked over and stood beside the hippogriff general.
Desiring for there to be more conversation between them, Seaspray asked, "And what of this Verko character?"
Tempest shifted on her hooves nervously, and she was thankful that the pair weren't looking at each other as she said with slight embarrassment, "I. ..wanted to take care of him myself. . .so after setting up a slave safe house with Vera. . .I made a dash for his residence."
Seaspray shook his head and said, "Going at it alone? Quite a foolish move, my dear Tempest."
The unicorn felt her cheeks heat up, much to her embarrassment. What's more, she couldn't determine if her blushing was due to her foolishly reckless action, or the fact that Seaspray had called him his "dear." Nevertheless, she continued, "Well, I found him. . .strangled with his own scourge."
Seaspray breathed out slowly and said, "By one of his own slaves, no doubt. Ironic, yet perhaps he got off easier when one considers the scope and duration of his crimes."
At this, Tempest Shadow finally turned to look at the hippogriff. ". . .His clothes were thoroughly shredded, and his entire body was covered in deep, bleeding cuts," Tempest said in a near whisper.
General Seaspray smiled.
While the bodies of the foes, including those of Mori, Dorf, and Verko; were consigned to massive bonfire lit a mile away from Klugetown; the bodies of the fallen pony and hippogriff freedom fighters were reverently carried back into the airship, where they would be magically preserved so they could be taken back to Equestria or Mount Aris respectively for their proper burial. It was a sad affair, seeing the bodies of such brave champions of good being carried past after they had given their lives to come to the aid of the oppressed and condemn their oppressors.
All thoughts of an after battle victory party were wiped from Pinkie Pie's head because of this. However, her cheerful demeanor was restored nearly instantly when it occurred to her that there was a group that needed smiles more than anycreature else right now: the newly freed slaves.
And so, below deck, in a section of the airship that purposely kept empty to accommodate the transport of Klugetown's slaves, Pinkie Pie proceeded to do her good work. The liberated creatures were treated with cakes and treats that brought tears to their eyes, and were treated to music that made their spirits soar. The amazing party pony regaled the freed creatures with tales of how much the world had changed for the better. Stories of new foods, movie theaters, arcades, holiday celebrations, and of course Princess Twilight's School of Friendship and the wonderful new union between the races of the world excited the imaginations of the freed creatures. She assured that those who wanted to go home would be home soon, and those who did not remember their homes would be given all the help they needed to find their place among their kind.
However, two of these freed slaves were more interested in hearing things from a certain other pony. That being said, Applejack was so ecstatic and excited that she was nearing Pinkie Pie's energy level. Applejack went on and on, telling her parents about the dear friends she had made, the adventures they'd had, and the things she had come to learn about running the farm, the Apple and Pie Families, and family in general. She also hinted at how Applebloom had gotten her Cutie Mark in a big, big way, but resolved not to reveal it so that the youngest member of the Apple Family could tell the tale herself. This left Bright Mac and Pear Butter filled with suspense and anticipation, and all the more eager to finally return to their dear sweet home of Sweet Apple Acres, and their all the more precious family. Again and again, Pear Butter spoke of how she just wanted to hold her precious little Applebloom again; and Bright Mac kept assuring her that she would, while also expressing a desire to see the big strong stallion Big Mac had become.
All the while, Applejack forced herself to keep the news involving the Apple Family's new connection to Sugar Belle and Grand Pear a surprise.
As for the remaining Klugetowners, a new deal and a new plan was made, overseen by General Seaspray and Princess Twilight Sparkle. Slavery was officially abolished in Klugetown, and Vera was unanimously made Mayor of Klugetown. It was an honor that Vera was quite hesitant about taking, but when Tempest Shadow spoke of Vera's actions during the battle, Twilight wasted no time in assuring the new mayor that she was just the creature for the job. And so, being a concerned citizen who really wanted to make things better, Vera accepted.
And so, at long last, with a battalion of guards staying behind to ensure that order would be restored, the airship finally took of to Equestria, a land of both friendship and of hope, a land from which a greater power resides which will always be there to strike down those who do evil anywhere on the planet.
And so, any of you who value friendship and see it's limitless potential, I welcome you to become a part of this wondrous land that embraces the fact that Friendship is Magic. It's gates are always open.
The End
Author's Note
TO BE CONTINUED IN. . . .
A Full Bushel Once Again (Working title. . .might change)
The Apple Family has been anxiously awaiting Applejack's return from Klugetown. Thankfully, the battle was a success and the forces of good were successful in liberating it's slaves. Applejack has returned to Sweet Apple Acres, and it turns out that she's brought back far more than just an exciting story.
