Everfree Guardian

"Well, there he is!"

Nate looked up from the path as he was coming up onto Sweet Apple Acres. It was early in the morning, near crack of dawn, in fact. All of the Apple Family were buzzing about to get the day started, prepping wagons and baskets while Applebloom, the youngest of the bunch, was getting ready for school. Applejack, her elder sister, and main farmhand of the ranch, was wearing her usual checker-patterned crop top and denim shorts, her cowboy boots fitted with dried-up mud and grime from the work she did yesterday and of the few minutes she's been awake this morning.

Like Fluttershy, Applejack was a looker. Not as much as Fluttershy in terms of femininity, but the cowgirl was still gifted with both womanly aspects and a strong body. It had a charm that would woo those who look for hard-working women. Tipping her stetson hat back, the cowgirl mare offered a smile down at Nate as she stood about a head taller than him.

"Didn't figure y'all be comin' so early. What's gotcha up and about this mornin', sugarcube?"

Nate didn't say anything. He didn't need to. Holding out their newspaper that he retrieved from their mailbox before coming up the path, he offered it to Applejack.

"Page three, article five..."

Applejack blinked before taking the paper and reading through the section she was told to look for. Finding it only made her grimace, then frown.

"Aww, shucks. Ah thought that's what this was all about."

"You know about this?"

Applejack nodded as she rolled the paper up, tossing it to her brother, Big Macintosh as she put on a pair of working gloves.

"We heard some commotion yesterday and went to go see what's going on. When we found out some mare saw ya near the edge of the Everfree fightin' a Manticore, we tried to disprove the mare before it got outta hand. Turns out, even the honest word of the Apples don't sway the Ponies out of their little gossipin' fun."

She shook her head as Nate growled, keeping his hood up and hands in his pockets to negate anyone from seeing his human traits.

"Damn stupid... Just as annoying as people..."

"Oh, don't get yer panties in a bunch, sugarcube. It'll all pass once the next big thing comes around."

"I guess you're right..."

Nate walked with Applejack as he picked up a thinner pair of gloves.

"So, what's on the agenda today, boss?"

"Well, Granny Smith had an issue with her hip, so she's gonna be bedridden for a good while. Big Mac and Ah gotta start on the apple-buckin', so can y'all do me a big favor and take Applebloom to school?"

"Take her to school?"

The orange mare nodded as she loaded up a few more baskets.

"We got a few less trees to worry about today, so taking an hour tops isn't gonna hurt the progress none. That, and Ah don't have anyone else to bring her. Would ya, please?"

Nate looked up at her, then towards Applebloom as she struggled slightly to get her backpack on. Pursing his lips, Nate bypassed AJ and grabbed her sister by the bag. Lifting it up, he straightened it out and let go, allowing it to thump onto Applebloom's back as she shook off the struggle fit she was just in. Looking up at him, Nate nodded for her to lead the way as he looked back at Applejack.

"I'll be back after I drop her off."

"Thank ya kindly, Nate. We'll have a few baskets ready for ya to take to the barn when ya get back."

He nodded as he ushered Applebloom along, following her down the road as he kept himself shadowed by the hood. He didn't want anyone to find out he wasn't a Pony, especially now that the news caught wind of him. Being extra careful as he made his way into the less-populated side of Ponyville, he looked down at Applebloom.

"So, how's school going, kid? You getting along fine?"

"Uhm... It's goin' okay..."

Nate rose an eyebrow, then remembered something that's been going on for a while now since he's been working for the Apple Family.

So, there's this family in town. They call themselves the Rich Family, which is a household run by two wealthy Ponies named Filthy Rich and Spoiled Rich. According to Big Mac, they're entitled pieces of shit who influenced their daughter: Diamond Tiara, to be as painful to others as they are with the community.

Now, the Apple Family has issues with them because Diamond Tiara and her friend have been harassing Applebloom and her two close companions for god-only knows how long. They've called them Blank Flanks, ostracized them from the others in class who are nice, but have Cutie Marks, and recently, it's beginning to become physical, which crossed the line for Applejack. She was going to file not only some complaints to Town Hall, but also get the family arrested and in court for harassment. Nate bet a few bits that Granny Smith would get a restraining order on them, and even refuse to sell them any of their Apple Cider or other merchandise.

Oddly enough, it was him to persuade them to wait on it, and give it time. He was sure that a few other solutions would arise, but now he's starting to see the mental toll it's having on Applebloom herself. He was afraid that his involvement, and making them wait, may have made the problems at school escalate.

Truth be told, he was just a worker. He had no business getting involved with the Apple Family drama...

But... still... Applejack is his... friend... One of the few real ones he's ever had aside from Fluttershy. Seeing as friendships like that are rare, he's willing to commit mass homicide and drench this town in red if it meant keeping Applejack and her family safe, and the same went with Fluttershy and her animals.

Be that as it may, he only had one task right now, and that was to get Applebloom to school and head back to the farm.

Upon coming closer to the school, however, he already figured that there was going to be a bit of a holdup. The Rich Family was there, father and mother both, and they were none too pleased with the mare who taught the students under her. What they were saying was incoherent since Nate and Applebloom were outside and the parents and teacher were inside, but he was still able to make out enough through their lips that the issue was with the Apples.

Sighing, Nate ushered Applebloom to go play with the other kids, and cautioned her to stay clear of her bullies till this exchange inside blows over. Nodding and walking off in another direction, Nate did something both really bold, and really stupid.

*knock-knock-knock*

He got involved, again. Stepping back from the front door to the building, which was just a giant classroom with an outdoor bench for lunchtime, Nate waited as the door began to open.

Filthy Rich and Spoiled Rich stormed past him, yelling back at the teacher about how she won't be hearing the last of them. Judging from their attitudes, they didn't seem to get what they wanted. Looking back at the pair, then turning forward, he waved to the teacher as she came out, looking him up and down. Seeing Applebloom come up to his side and grasp his hand, ignoring his gesture for her to go be with her friends, the teacher put two and two together.

"Hey there. I'm sorry to come knocking like this. I just wanted to let you know that I was dropping off Applebloom from Sweet Apple Acres. I'm an employee of the family, and I've been seeing a lot of turmoil that's effecting our work. I know it's none of my business, but I wanted to know if everything was okay."

The teacher held out a hand.

"Ah, yes. Thank you for coming. Quite frankly, I don't care who among the Apples come to settle this, I just need it solved. My name is Miss Cheerilee. I'm the one who teaches at this building for the young fillies and colts of Ponyville."

Nate shook her hand before holding up the other.

"As much as I want to help with this, I'm only a worker. I have no relations with the Apple Family other than that. Perhaps it's better if you talked with someone like Big Mac, or Applejack herself."

Cheerilee gave a forlorn frown, a sign of extreme disappointment as she wanted to get this over and done with as quickly as possible. The Rich Family was breathing down her neck with threats and bribes, wanting this all to go away and have the Cutie Mark Crusaders expelled for "putting so much on their daughter". It was bullshit, and Cheerilee saw it from a mile away.

"Yes, yes, I know I should. I just... This shouldn't have become so much of an issue. Filthy Rich and Spoiled Rich are becoming increasingly agitated, and Diamond Tiara's bullying isn't making the situation any better. If you get the chance, can you let Applejack and Big Macintosh know that I want to have a conference here at the school?"

Nate nodded, giving a thumbs up as he stepped off the porch of the school's entrance.

"I'll do so as soon as I get back. I'm supposed to be out in the fields with Applejack anyways, so I need to get moving."

He looked out towards the schoolyard, seeing Applebloom with her friends.

"If... you want my opinion on the next best step before nipping this in the bud, try and keep them separated till the parents can sort this out. If Diamond Tiara has the guts to keep picking on those three, even with this going on, she'll cause more of an uproar with the Apples. Believe me. That's not something I want to see."

Cheerilee wholeheartedly agreed, looking out into the schoolyard herself as Nate stepped off and began walking back down the path. Stealing a glance at Applebloom, he could see her doing... fairly decent right now. She was enjoying herself, and her two friends were good company, it seems. At least, now, Nate can leave and head back to the farm in good conscience. Anything that comes up, Cheerilee can deal with it.

He's overstayed his welcome in Ponyville, and he wasn't willing to risk his existence in a town already suspicious of him.

Making his way back through the less populated side of Ponyville, Nate managed to reenter Sweet Apple Acres without running into anyone. Opening up the gate, he strolled on in, rolling his shoulders as he popped a few bones in his fingers. Looking around as he got to the house, he eyed the landscape for anything orange and moving. Sure enough, he spotted something that fit half that description standing atop the first hill of the orchard.

Stepping away from the house, Nate climbed the hillside as he could hear his boss sighing out in relief after a morning's hard work.

"Phew-wee! Boy howdy, Big Mac. That there had tah be the smallest bunch we had ta harvest all season."

"Eey-yup... Almost too small for two Ponies to have done it."

Applejack smacked her brother's arm as Nate finally reached them, approaching from behind.

"Aww, don't be like that, Big Mac. No matter how small it is, a mornin' spent apple-buckin' is a mornin' well spent."

Big Mac hummed as he crossed his arms. Applejack, hearing Nate coming, smiled as he walked up beside her.

"Howdy, sugarcube. Ya back from the school, I take it?"

"Wouldn't be anywhere else, boss."

A gentle snicker came from the farm mare as she looked out into the empty apple trees, the three standing there for a while before Applejack glanced down at Nate.

"Y'all... get along okay...?"

"..."

Nate turned his head away, pursing his lips as Big Mac sighed, closing his eyes as he shook his head. Turning and walking away from them, Applejack pinched the bridge of her nose as she could see what Nate was implying.

"Lemme guess... The Rich Family...?"

Nate nodded, which incited a growl from the orange Earth Pony.

"Goddamn it..."

Nate glanced back at Applejack as she held a barely-ripe green apple in her hand, her fingers digging into it as she stormed away.

"Ah'm gettin' sick and tired of this shit."

Nate rose an eyebrow at Applejack, seeing that she took up more from him that he realized. The Apples were an honest bunch, and that also meant with their feelings and their words. If she was swearing like he would, he knew she was pissed, and was better left alone.

Turning back to the path leading into the apple trees, he could spot the baskets down below, filled to the brim with apples. Heading back to the barn, he grabbed the wagon used to haul them and began making his way down. When he reached the first basket, he picked it up by its hem and sat it inside near the corner of the wagon. Moving onto the next, he placed it down to the left of the first one. Again and again, he'd repeat this cycle for the rest of the morning and well into early afternoon.

Move the wagon, pick up the apple baskets, and place them in the wagon. Rinse and repeat.

When the sun was almost directly above him, Nate could feel the ground tremor. Looking down at one of the few apple baskets left in the orchard, he saw how they began to vibrate, then violently shake as the tremors worsened.

'What the hell...?'

He looked up through the trees as he could feel the center of the tremors coming from the plains beyond Sweet Apple Acres. Pushing through the foliage and stepping out, he skidded to a halt when he saw a bunch of... rather "large" women almost trampling over one another as they made a beeline towards Ponyville.

Nate sighed as he recognized this scenario. It was his fourth day of work all over again.

'Damn cows are riled up again...'

As the giant females were closing in on the town, a Pegasus in the air called out the stampede, urging everyone to get inside while the herd was still far enough away.

What was spooking them this time? It's not like there were many dangers out this way. Usually, the loud noises and dangerous predators hail from the Everfree Forest. Of course, what he should have known was that those very dangers can pool out of the forest and bleed into the Kingdom as well.

He knew this, and was reminded of it when he saw one of the cows in the back go down, and began to get dog-piled onto by a bunch of quadrupedal... creatures.

Looking towards the orchard, Nate could see Applejack and her dog racing for the cows. Her aim was to stop the cows from bulldozing the town, and with her occupied there, her lack of attention to the creatures could cost her life.

Nate, pressing his lips together, jogged out into the plain and pulled out his pistol. Aiming it forward, he fired as several targets moving in the tall grass. With every shot hitting its mark, he could hear the familiar cries of the most iconic, and common predators the Everfree has to offer.

'Timberwolves...'

Nate immediately reloaded and slipped the pistol back into its holster. These wooden creatures were the weakest of all monstrosities in that damned jungle of nightmares. They may be ferocious, but they're not smart, and the wood that makes them up is not very strong, either. They're just mean, and have a thing with coordination and ganging up on their prey or challengers.

With Nate being the latter, the predators no longer focused on the cow caucus. Instead, the pack of five were now solely locked onto his figure. With better game, there was a better prize. All hunters knew this, and now both sides were going to be fighting for the prize of survival.

Applejack, in the meantime, shoved herself up against the herd of rampaging, yet frightened herbivores, attempting to turn them away from the town entrance. Looking to her dog, she nodded to the other end of the herd.

"Other side, Winona! Hurry!"

"Bark! Bark!!"

The dog slowed herself, turning and rounding the back of the herd. Squeezing them together in a thin line, both Applejack and her dog were able to slow them enough for the former to bring out a lasso and wring the leading cow. Pulling back and forcing her path to shift to the right, the rest of the cows followed the frantic leader as Applejack used all her might to get her to slow to a halt. When she finally was able to stop the herd, it seemed being stationary calmed them, as they were breathing much slower than when they were running.

Taking the lasso off of the lead cow, Applejack brushed the sweat off her brow as she walked over to her.

"Phew... Now, WHAT was THAT all about?"

At first, the cow only mooed back at her, but at the sight of Applejack's risen eyebrow, she cleared her throat.

"A-Ahem...! Oh, beggin' yer pardon, Applejack, but we were all jumped when we were herdin' near the Ghastly Gorge."

"Jumped? By what?"

The cow opened her mouth to speak, but both were cut off by a yell in the distance. Turning towards the sound, the cows began to grow frightened and panicky when they spotted the Timberwolves attacking something else that got in the way of the herd's rampage. Applejack herself was stuck in place when she realized the said "something" was her employee.

Stepping up on a rock to see better, she held her stetson hat firmly against her head as she watched the two forces go at each other.

Nate, being caught in the middle of the pack, ripped his arm away from the jaws of the Timberwolf that leaped onto him. Taking it by the body, he turned and threw it into another, smashing them both to pieces on the impact as he turned to the third one. Clutching its jaws together while lifting it up into the air, he barreled it down into the ground, full-force, shattering its snout as he kicked his left foot backwards. His hardened boot clobbered a fourth Timberwolf trying to sneak up on him while his free hand grappled the fifth and final, presumably the Alpha of the group. Holding the latter in a choke hold, he grabbed the third member of the pack and slammed it down on top of the other. With the one beneath it snapped in two, he rose up his foot again and smashed the head of the second-to-last threat to splinters.

Glaring at the Timberwolf struggling against him, he kept it in his choke hold as he held down its torso with his knee. Twisting and pulling, he yanked off the head of the beast and tossed it away, dropping the body as it thumped against the dirt. Staggering back from the broken animals, Nate let out a few hoarse breaths as he situated his hood, ensuring that his face was still concealed. Looking around at the wooden carnage around him, he turned to his arm, seeing a nasty bite wound on the forearm near his hand. Frowning, he pulled out some duct tape he nabbed from the barn in case the wagon broke, and began wrapping up the bite to keep it from bleeding any further. Last thing he needed was an infection, and this tape was the only suitable substitute for bandages at the moment.

Flicking his arm as he got the last of the tape secured, he looked out towards where the cows ran off towards. Seeing that Ponyville was their destination, he was quick to retreat, but not after glancing at Applejack's relieved self one last time. Reentering Sweet Apple Acres, he got back to work.

As for Applejack herself, she only sighed and tipped her hat down, her relief washing away as she turned back to the town of Ponyville. Hearing the townsfolk cheer for her, she smiled as she shooed the cows away, letting them go on their merry way without having to fret over the Timberwolves that were previously hunting them.

Rolling her shoulder, she began to make her way back to the farm as well. She left quite a mess behind when those cows came raging through, and Granny Smith will be on her in a heartbeat, heroism be damned, if she ignores it. Coming back onto her lot, she found herself at the barn in no time, but stopped when she realized that her employee wasn't in the fields like she thought he would be. If there was one thing that Nate Schmidt was, it was a semi-workaholic.

Or rather, he had a bit of OCD when it came to getting things done. if there was a task, he'd see it through, even with a gaping wound on his arm.

So... where was he?

"Y'all need ta take better care of yerself, ye hear?"

Applejack blinked when she heard her granny's voice speaking from her house. Looking over, she saw that the human was sitting on the porch next to the elderly farm mare, the latter having his arm in her firm grip as she was pulling splinters from the holes that were left by the Timberwolf's bite. Applejack could practically feel Nate cringe every time the bark and scraps of wood were pulled from his bloodied appendage. Walking over towards them, she could hear Granny Smith scolding her worker as she got the last bit of wood out.

"You were smart to bandage it up like you did, but y'all forgot that Timberwolves leave behind these splinters to cause infections to spurt in their prey. It weakens them, ya see."

Granny Smith pulled out a wad of gauze, wrapping it around the human's arm as Applejack stopped at the bottom of the porch, stepping on the second stair up the flight.

"Ya may be strong, sonny, but ye ain't made of steel. Had y'all made one bad mistake, and ya wouldn't be walkin' away with just this here bite."

"You can say that again, Granny."

Nate looked over at Applejack as she took off her hat, wiping her brow with her forearm as she placed her other hand on her hip.

"Still, though. You handled yerself mighty fine out there. Them Timberwolves ain't even reassembling themselves after the fight."

"Of course they aren't. I aimed for the cores in their bodies. Beat them down enough, and you'll be able to trace the source of their smell. Smash that to bits, you can kill those things before they regenerate their lost bark."

Applejack nodded, knowing his knowledge of these creatures came from his time in the Everfree. She still didn't like him living out there, but he was built to survive. She saw that in how he handles himself out on her family's orchard. They may not be as prominent as her's or Big Mac's, but he's got quite the muscle hidden under his hoodie, and with his experience in surviving the dangers of those wicked woods, there was no better creature in Equestria fit to live in those harsh conditions.

Nevertheless, Applejack cared for her employee, viewing him as just as important as her family and friends. So, when she saw the blood quickly soak the gauze, she was ready to give him slack. However, as soon as he arm was bandaged with a fresh role of gauze, Nate was standing up, and heading out back to work.

"Hey, hold on, now, partner."

Applejack grabbed his shoulder, stopping him from moving on.

"Big Mac and Ah can handle the load. Why don'tcha take the rest of the day off? Ah'm sure Fluttershy would appreciate the company after that stampede earlier scared the wits out of her."

Nate looked up at her, then out to the baskets he'd yet to pick up. He didn't feel comfortable leaving a task incomplete. He wasn't built, nor did he raise himself to be lazy. Applejack seemed adamant he'd take it easy, though, and judging from the light squeeze he felt on his shoulder, he knew she was only concerned about him, and wanted him to be safe, and healthy, all things considered.

Taking a breath, he nodded.

"Alright. I don't normally leave a mess laying about, but I know we'd only argue if I decided to stay. You Apples are a stubborn bunch, after all."

Applejack only laughed.

"Y'all know us so well, sugarcube.~"

She patted him along by his back.

"Get along, and go get some rest, Nate. Y'all earned it after that fight. Just be here tomorrow bright and early. We'll have plenty for you to do, then."

"Yes, boss. I'll be there."

He waved to them as he passed by Big Mac, heading for the ranch's exit.

"Have a good one."

Applejack tipped her hat at him as she placed her hand on her hip.

"You, too, partner. Y'all get home safe, y'hear?"

Nate held up a thumbs up as he moved along, leaving the family to themselves as he made his way out. Watching him go, Granny let a smile creep onto her lips. With her and Applejack sharing a look, the two went back to their respective duties.

"Come along, Big Mac."

Applejack fanned herself with her hat before putting it back on, heading down into the orchard's acres to see what Nate missed.

"Let's get back to work."