Underneath an overcast sky, a heavy fog had settled in amongst the trees. What little sun made it through the clouds revealed three large, hulking silhouettes slowly marching, two of them several paces behind their leader. The diamond dog brothers, Davil and Dargo, muttered amongst themselves in their rough, raspy voices.
“Arraugh, How long have we been marching? This armor is wearing my fur thin.”
“I don’t know, brother, we’ve been going in a straight line since morning. With all these clouds, who knows what time it is now?”
“Damn those flying ponies! They make it dark n’ rainy wherever dogs are, an’ it’s all fun n’ sun everywhere else, eh?”
Ahead of them, their leader was hearing every word. He kept his head pointed forward, not in the mood to discipline his mouthy soldiers. Marko Flynt was a massive diamond wolf, known for his short temper and his ferocity in battle. His coat was long and unkempt, but still kept it’s natural gray sheen. He had sharp green eyes, the left one slightly glazed over from a scar that ran from his forehead down to his cheek. He wore an undecorated solid iron cuirass and a machete that dangled from his belt. The idiots behind him began bragging about their two day old kill.
“Hey, at least there’s three less to move those clouds around, right? The fools napping on the ground were an easy kill. I even got a chance to scalp the gray one before ‘blind-eye’ over here got us moving again.” Davil opened his side pouch, revealing the hides of dead ponies, each one with a different symbol emblazoned on it.
Dargo pondered on the gray hide for a moment. “Not much to look at, but you’ve got better use for it than she does!”
The two burst into raucous laughter that echoed through the trees. Marko Flynt whipped around, striking them each in the jaw with the flat of his blade. “Shut up, you stupid sacks of meat!” he snarled. “Do you want all of Equestria to know we’re here?”
The two mumbled out hushed apologies, each with a paw on his own jaw. “Sorry, cap’n.”
“Yessir.”
Flynt slid his weapon back into his belt, continuing onward. The two fell silent, treading the soil lightly for fear of any noise eliciting another swing of the machete. They walked past trees, through grass and dirt, not following any worn path. Dargo’s short attention span got the best of him and his shame was soon forgotten. He looked around.
“You ever seen a forest with the trees so neatly organized? They’re all in straight lines.”
Flynt turned to them again, causing both Davil and Dargo to flinch. “Alright, you worthless whelps, we’re makin’ a pit stop. Fill your bellies at this apple orchard. You have ten minutes.”
Davil turned to his brother. “Case solved. You’re an idiot.” He then set about knocking down apples with his spear. Dargo pulled his axe out of his belt and did the same, muttering to himself as he did so.
“How the hell ‘m I s’posed ta know we’re in an orchard? Friggin’ blind-eye never tellin’ us anything useful.”
Applejack lay propped up against a bale of hay in her barn, a shaft of wheat resting between her lips. Bon Bon and Rose lay on their stomachs next to her and Winona was curled up in the corner, fast asleep.
Bon Bon let out a sigh. “Not much to do around here.”
“Well, it’s a barn. What’d ya want ta do? Play hide ‘n seek?” Applejack said dryly, not bothering to open her eyes.
“Well, you do live here. What did you do for fun?”
“Fun? I guess we played rodeo games to pass what little free time we had. But it ain’t safe to be playing ‘n laughing outside right now. ‘Sides, rodeos ain’t for sissies. Ain’t that right, Winona?”
The border collie opened her eyes and looked over at Applejack. “You miss them rodeo games, eh girl?” The sleepy dog gave a soft growl in agreement and shut her eyes wearily.
Bon Bon was put off by the sissy comment. “We’re both strong earth ponies, and I’ve been fighting just as long as you.”
“Keep yer mane on straight. ‘S just a joke.” Applejack waved a hoof at her. “If anyone’s a sissy here, it’s Rose.”
“Working as a chef for the pegasi was a lot more rewarding than laying around here making meals for just three ponies.”
“Out of nuthin’ but apples”, added Applejack.
Rose ignored her. “I was perfectly happy with my role, but, no, we have to keep all the earth ponies together. Same with pegasi and unicorns. Why is that?”
“Cuz hoof to hoof combat, flyin’, ‘n magic don’t mix very well in a team,” Applejack explained. “A herd of pegasi can’t get away very fast if they have to wait for an earth pony to catch up, and a pegasus would just get in the way of unicorns firin’ spells left ‘n right.”
“Ooooh, I get it. My pots and pans couldn’t fly, so naturally I was getting in their way.”
“Don’t be givin’ me any lip, Missy. Ah AM your superior.”
“Says Twilight”, Rose whispered under her breath.
“Plus, it ain’t my fault you got moved here. But now that you mention it, it’s time for perimeter check. Whose turn is it?”
Bon Bon and Rose answered her in unison. “Yours.”
Applejack rose and made her way to the door. “Now that I think about it, this would be the perfect job for a pegasus.”
Out in the orchard, Applejack trotted along the edge of her property, which was Ponyville’s western city limit. Being outside, alone under the cloud cover made her nervous, so she spoke to herself, trying to ease her nerves. “Shucks, all this fuss over a diamond mine. Ah hope my friends are all okay. Ah couldn’t live with myself if they got hurt while ah stayed home for guard duty. It’s just a matter of time, really.” She shook herself a little to relax. “Okay, stay alert an’ focused. Just because we got Celestia’s spells protectin’ us don’t mean we gotta be careless. Darn fog’s makin’ it a mite hard to see clearly though.”
She stopped at a ridge a hundred yards outside of her property, peering through the fog, out over surrounding flat land and forest.
Marko Flynt was relaxing at the base of an apple tree when his right eye glanced over towards the edge of the orchard. He spotted the figure of a pony in the mist and, without hesitation, bounded over to his cronies. Dargo, who was just elaborating his made up recipe for apple stew to Davil, received a punch in the nose.
“Ow! What was that for? What-”, Flynt wrapped his paw around Dargo’s muzzle to silence him, trapping Dargo’s tongue between his sharp teeth. He squirmed around, trying to free himself as Flynt relayed his information to Davil.
“You idiots don’t see a damn thing do you? I’ve got a blind eye and I can clearly spot an orange pony in all this fog. Make it quick and quiet. She must have friends and we don’t need any attention right now. Get to it.”
Davil gave him a salute, “Yes sir!” and began running, spear at the ready.
Flynt released Dargo, who fell to the ground, gasping for air. Davil came running back. “Uh, where is she?”
Flynt whipped out his machete. He smacked them both in the jaw and then pointed with it. The two set off, running to the edge of the orchard and vaulting over the fence. Once they were in the soft grass, they began to creep slowly on all fours towards their unsuspecting prey. Flynt used this time to position himself between the pony and the barn, cutting off any quick escape route.
The dogs were in their element, doing what they were born to do. They hugged the ground, moving silently towards their prey. Davil could feel the soft grass underneath his paws, cushioning his footsteps. He picked up the pony’s scent on the wind, getting stronger with each step. Dargo looked to his brother and gave him a nod. Ready to pounce. Davil shifted his weight to his hind legs, but his clumsiness betrayed his position. His armor made a tiny clink, causing Applejack to turn her head.
“Now!” The two dogs leaped onto Applejack knocking her onto her back.
“Hey!” She screamed. Applejack kicked, bucked and flailed wildly, trying to throw her attackers off her. But, the two dogs were big and muscular, quickly overpowering the young pony. Davil pinned her forelegs to the ground, while Dargo wrestled with her hind legs. Flynt approached them, brandishing his machete.
“Well, now, pretty pony. Out for a walk?”
Applejack didn’t answer. She put all of her remaining strength into shaking off Dargo, delivering her last kick into his jaw. The kick stunned him, but he held on. Flynt’s abuse had hardened the two diamond dogs. Applejack lay pinned to the ground, panting and helpless.
“Now, now, dear, my little pups can take a little more than that.” Marko stood over her, footpaw pressing down on her chest, his green eyes shining with glee. “You know what we do with pretty ponies like you?”
Applejack panted, glaring up at her captors. She struggled to make a small noise in between her gasps for air. “Fffff . . . “
Flynt leaned his ear down to her face, putting more pressure on her chest. He could feel every breath against his fur, each more desperate than the last, and reveled in the feeling of power it gave him. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that. One more time?”
Despite the wolf’s footpaw crushing her chest and the dogs’ claws digging into her legs, she summoned all the air she could into one small clear whistle. Flynt stood up and looked around. “Well, I don’t think anyone heard that. How about a little louder?” Now he was putting all of his weight on Applejack, pushing out every bit of air she could suck in.
Applejack’s mind was going blank. She no longer had any strength to fight for air. She panicked, giving her legs one last weak wiggle. She turned her head to the side and spit onto Flynt’s other foot.
Flynt’s rage flared. He swung his machete up, gripped it with both hands and plunged it straight down into Applejack’s stomach. She had no air to scream, but Flynt could see the pain in her eyes. Davil and Dargo released her limbs and she rolled onto her side. Flynt wasn’t finished with her. He continued to swing and hack at the lifeless body while the brothers stood to the side and watched unflinching, witnessing the extent of their chief’s temper.
“Look at how wild he goes with that thing. It’s a wonder he doesn’t cut himself more than the pony,” Davil said.
“Maybe that’s how he got that scar on his eye,” Dargo replied. They snickered at their humor, Flynt too blinded by rage to hear them.
Marko Flynt took one last swing, giving a mighty grunt, and slashed open Applejack’s throat. He yanked the blade out of the ground and began wiping it off, admiring his work. Applejack’s body lay in a mangled mess, the deep red blood nearly blotting out any hint of orange. Her body was covered with cuts and deep slashes, each one bleeding heavily. Every blade of grass surrounding her was spattered in blood, her intestines spilled out of her guts onto the ground. Her tail lay a few meters away from her body, not even a stump remained where it had once been attached.
Marko put away his blade and panted slightly. “Nothing like a fresh kill to liven up the day. Move out you two.” Marko walked away, leaving the orchard in a much brighter mood than he entered it in. Dargo and Davil followed him reluctantly.
“What about her flank?” Dargo was brave enough to venture.
Flynt wheeled around. “For that easy kill? You little whelp, I oughta run you through myself and leave your dead body with her.”
He had no chance to say more, as he was cut off by a loud coughing and sputtering. The three turned and looked in the direction of the dead pony to see Applejack staggering to her feet. She was coughing and yelling incomprehensibly, blood spurting out from the gash in her throat. What was more horrific was her ice cold stare she shot them as she gained her balance, firmly planting her hooves on the ground. Her hooves became entangled with the grass and soil, rooting herself on the spot. Her orange roots began to pulse with a soft green light, dancing up her legs and shifting around her entire body. Her pain subsided as she felt the magic flow through her veins, restoring her strength and vitality. The murderers watched in horror as the cuts and slashes on her sides and legs soaked up blood and began close right before their eyes.
Davil looked to his chief for consolation. “It’s a friggin’ zombie, boss! What do we do?”
But when looked at his leader’s eyes, he saw something he had never seen there before. Fear. Marko Flynt gave no response, but stood there, frozen to his spot.
The gash on Applejack’s throat sealed itself up and she stopped coughing. “What’s the matter? Didn’t ya know? Ya can’t kill can an earth pony on Equestrian soil!”
Flynt did the only thing he knew how to do. He charged at the earth pony, taking another swing at her neck. The blade stuck in Applejack’s skin with a thunk, like striking a tree trunk.
She gave him a devilish smile and said, “Not on Celestia’s watch, you scum. My turn.” She took a deep breath and let out an ear-piercing whistle so loud the dogs dropped to the ground covering their ears.
Flynt was officially panicking. “Don’t just lay there on the ground, you worthless idiots! Help me!” He tugged harder on the machete and it came loose, staggering him back two paces. A flash a brown fur whizzed by Applejack, dropping a coil of rope around her neck as it passed and tackled Flynt to the ground. Winona had answered her master’s call, quickly followed by Bon Bon and Rose.
Winona snarled as she gouged and bit wildly, not making a scratch in Flynt’s thick fur. But her speed and agility made her impossible to grab, keeping him on his back.
Applejack watched as she was stilled rooted to the ground. Her intestines were coiling themselves back up into her stomach as the roots gradually shrank back into her hooves. “Bon Bon, Rose, the other two down!” she ordered.
Bon Bon squared off with Davil, whose spear easily kept her at bay. She dodged and parried his thrusts, unable to get in close for a solid kick.
Rose, a less experienced fighter, stepped up to Dargo. He brandished his axe with one hand, sensing her fear. He rushed at her, axe above his head. He brought it down, narrowly missing her ear. He lifted it for another swing, as Rose turned her flank to him, readying a huge kick. Dargo let the axe drop as her kick flailed in a wild panic. Her hoof made contact with the haft of his axe, propelling the pick through his skull, directly between his eyes. He went limp, dropping to the ground, dead.
Three of Applejack’s legs were freed, leaving her front left leg still firmly rooted to the ground. She watched Winona fight a losing battle, seeing Flynt’s swipes with the machete get closer and closer. Suddenly, she remembered the rope around her neck. Whirled it around her head but was unable to keep it suspended without the full use of her legs.
Rose was standing still, shocked at what she had just done, when Bon Bon’s shouts shook her out of her trance. “A little help over here!” Bon Bon was still dancing around, avoiding Davil’s spear. Rose ran and jumped, kicking Davil in the back the head, bringing him down to a knee. Bon Bon took advantage of the stun and whipped a roundhouse kick into the side of his head, bringing him down on all fours. Bon Bon and Rose jumped to either side of him and bucked with two legs, both of them giving all their might. Davil’s head caved in on both sides with a loud crack. His misshapen face landed down in the dirt.
At that moment, Winona let out a loud yelp. The three of them looked over to see Flynt’s paw grasping her throat, his machete in the other. He did not hesitate, plunging the machete into Winona’s side.
Applejack’s heart skipped, green eyes wide open in shock. “WINONA!” With newfound strength, she yanked her rooted leg out of the ground and with lightning fast speed, slung the lasso around Flynt’s neck and pulled it tight. Flynt let out a gurgle, releasing Winona with the machete still in her side. Applejack leapt up, stringing the rope around a strong apple tree branch, hauling Flynt up until he dangled, pinning the rope to the ground with her hoof. He squirmed and writhed, pawing at his throat, trying to find and cut the rope hidden in his thick fur. He wriggle for a few more moments, Applejack watching every second with hateful eyes. His body finally went limp and she lifted her hoof, bucking him in the head on his way down.
Bon Bon and Rose were already at Winona’s side when Applejack reached her. Applejack knelt in front of her, helplessly watching her dear pet die. She dare not touch the machete in her side for fear of worsening the steady flow of blood already spilling out her side. A steady stream of tears was already falling from Applejack’s eyes.
“Winona . . .”, she moaned. Bon Bon and Rose watched, both tearing up. “I’m sorry”, Applejack whispered.
“Applejack . . .”, Bon Bon said in a soft voice.
Applejack muttered under her breath. Bon Bon and Rose strained to hear.
“It’s usele-”
Applejack exploded, screaming at Bon Bon, her angry face covered in tears. “GET HELP! NOW!”
She laid down in front of Winona as Bon Bon turned tail and ran as fast as she could towards Ponyville. Applejack nuzzled Winona. She opened her eyes weakly giving small, barely audible whimpers. Applejack stroked back Winona’s ears consolingly. Winona’s whimpers went silent and her eyes slowly closed. Applejack sobbed openly, head buried between her legs. She couldn’t tell how much time had passed when she heard Rose gasp.
“Applejack.”
She didn’t respond.
“Applejack”, she probed again.
“What?” Applejack snapped.
Rose’s voice was a whisper. “He’s gone.”
Applejack looked up, and sure enough, Flynt’s body was nowhere to be seen. She stood up with a straight face, tears gone. “Rose, go back to the barn and pack enough food for the three of us to eat for ten days.”
“Applejack, even if you find him-”
“Go!”, she said firmly.
Rose trotted swiftly back to the barn. Applejack stood over Winona, scanning the trees and plains out beyond the orchard.
“I’ll find you”, she said aloud to herself. She laid back down with Winona.
“I’ll find him”, she whispered. She placed her hoof over her right eye. “I Pinkie promise.”
