Maniacal Murderers

Today was a pleasant day under Celestia's sun, the orange sun beat down upon Sweet Apple Acres with a furious gaze, a calm cooling breeze swept across the land; it was the height of summer in Equestria. The perfect weather to lay out in the sun and soak up it's rays for most, myself included at the time. But oh boy was I wrong... so, so wrong... This is the tale of betrayal, murder; pure vindictive malevolence. I shall never forget today...

Earlier that day, mid-morning.

Wow, today is wonderful, Celestia has really outdone herself this time, truly fantastic; it's been at least -- what, two days since a major disaster? -- I could not be happier. Not regretting that I decided to get up earlier for today either; I don't like it when they interrupt me when I'm thinking... damn family, always loving me! My grandma always says that I shouldn't fall too far from the apple tree, but I want to become a painter when I grow up, so keeping everyone happy will be difficult. The rolling hills of Sweet Apple Acres are perfect for scenic painting: lush trees, thick grass; a fantastic view of both the sunset and the sunrise. However, there is a problem, the only art school even near here is in Canterlot... My family would rather that I stay on the farm, but I can't if I want to achieve my dream, surely though if they love me, they will let me go. Wont they? Yes, yes they will, of course they will!

That's one of the reasons why I got up so early, to think about my future. That and to memorise the landscape of Sweet Apple Acres, it would be rather hard to paint on observation, when I'm all the way in Canterlot!

Oh, looks like the family are starting to wake up. Great.

Later that day, in the afternoon.

Well that was painful, but I love them really. How couldn't I? They help raise, guide and help me through all the situations I found hard. They still do, and they always will...

You know diary, I find it so easy to talk to you. You're the friend that always listens to me, you don't judge me for what I say, for what I've done, or even for what I intend to do, you just sit, and listen to what I have to say. Don't get me wrong, I love them all to death, but sometimes I need to be able to be understood; even if it's by an inanimate object.

Wait. Are they calling to me again!? No, no it's much more distant... Wait, it can't be. Can it?!

Same time, not so far away.

"Hooie Big Mac. Sure was hot today."

"Eeyup."

"Ya ready to harvest the last batch?"

"Eeyup."

"Well, lets get to it!"

Back to where we were before.

The Keepers, it's them! I never thought I would see the day! Wow, what should I say to them; can they even hear? No matter, I better be on my best behaviour, I hear they're very picky.

Hmm, sure it a strange way to get the job done, sort of invasive, forcing us out of our homes like that... Whatever, I'm sure they know best!

Mass transport as well? I thought it would be a little more private, never mind, I get to see all my neighbours, friends and family again to say goodbye. Boy, they really think of everything; they know how to treat us right!

"Last one sis. You think you can do it in one?"

"You're on!"

"Hehe. On the count'a three: one, two, THREE!"

I was suddenly shook, I had never felt anything like it before; even in the most heavy and furious of storms, I had not felt such a thing. I fell, fell, fell... Then all was black.

I awoke, but I wish I didn't; all I could hear was crunching; chewing, disgusting, horrifying... Words cannot express my horror; even in my dazed and barely-concious state, I could register what I saw. The Orange One, Apple-jack i think was chewing on my mother!

SHE WAS ENJOYING IT!

How could she?! After all they did for us, raising us, for what?! To eat us?!

It's all been a lie... all of it. The realisation was coming for me, Sweet Apple Acres was not a nursing ground, it was a concentration camp; a battery farm!

I have to save them! But I can't, I can't move. All I can do is watch, nay, I was forced to watch, both by my positioning and the morbid captivation; I was engrossed. All I could do was weep as I saw her pick up another of my family, another one to be savagely murdered.

Her screams filled the air, could they not hear them? Could they not hear how much hurt it causes? No, there is no excuse, how could anyone not hear that. They appeared to relish in the pain, the suffering.

I watched again as another of my friends and family were killed. Something about an 'end of day reward', sick; disgusting. This time it was The Red One, he opened up his mouth and broke my friend in half! How was that even possible?!

All i could do was hurt, wait for them to go, or for me to be next...

The time is sunset, on the grass.

I was spared, whether it be from some sort of perverted luck, or some intentional leaving so that I could feel the most amount of pain... i do not know. All I know is that I am alive, barely. Bruised, no one will want me now... I'm a cripple.

My dreams lay scattered on the ground before me, surely there is no hope of schooling now? No, no I will not let them down. They would of liked me to try; I'm sure of it. So i will not let them down.

The sun was setting now... my life is changed forever; I can no longer weep, I must push on... I heard my 'masters' talking about sending an 'Apple Bloom' to an art school; that's where I got the idea.. whatever an 'Apple Bloom' is. Maybe it's one of them, a kind one of them; one I can talk to.

Yes, I will do that then. Pursue me dream, try to escape this mad, terrible place.

My name is Red Delicious, and I'm a survivor of the 'Sweet Apple Massacre'.

A life cut short, for what!? To sate a hunger... a hunger only apples could satisfy.

I am an apple.