In the Name of Harmony

Sweet Apple Acres looked lovely. AJ was taking a break at the dining table in the kitchen. The daily chores were halfway done by the time the schools started to let out and she was doing a great job as usual if she could say so herself. AJ called them chores but it was obviously farm work. Upkeep to have the farm looking and running good. Big Mac was a big help when it came to that. Four hands are better than two, especially when you only have four hands to feed four mouths. Any extra help is appreciated.

She looks at the clock in the kitchen. Any minute now her baby sister was gonna pop up, most likely with friends. She was expecting that and she was hoping someone else was tagging along. Not a moment later, and little Amy Beth bursts into the kitchen declaring, “I’m home, AJ!” and runs to give her older sister a deep hug. AJ shows the same kindness. Behind AB piles in the usual subjects, Casey, Caroline, and Drake, all showing proper manners by thanking AJ for letting them stay and play at their farm once again. She appreciated the gesture but they didn’t need to do it anymore. She didn’t tell them to stop, though. Common courtesy needs to be reinforced in the children before they become amoral, doing things for the sake of it without the thought of how it would affect someone and society. That indifference can turn sinister fast leading them down a path of immorality. Though, people can say what she’s doing, running a gang and robbing people, is immoral. She doesn’t let them get to her, because she knows the truth and once her plan comes to fruition, society will finally understand.

As quickly as the kids appeared, they vanished into the backyard, to their treehouse. And the newest addition to the cause makes an appearance. “Twilight. It’s nice to see ya,” AJ greets, “I appreciate you getting my sister from school.”

“If anything, they led me here; so, I should thank them.” Twilight says. She was practically hugging the doorway as she stood awkwardly within the rustic house. Applejack chuckles.

“C’mon. Sit down, I don’t bite.” AJ motions for Twilight to take a seat across from her and the high-schooler does after a little hesitation. Twilight was wary of her, she could tell. But what was she wary of? Her strength? Her tactics? The incident itself? AJ couldn’t place her finger on it, but she didn’t blame her all the same. It was a new space and they had beef less than a week prior. Maybe she was just scared. AJ thought it was possible but the term wasn’t the best fit. Cautious was more like it.

“So,” Twilight starts, “what are we gonna do today? Am I gonna be put to a new test? See if I really have what it takes?”

AJ’s chuckle almost breaks through her smile. “No, no,” she quells her questions. “I just brought ya here to be on equal footing; you got questions and I got answers, so ask away.”

Twilight’s face threatens to contort in confusion. “Seriously?” She asks.

“Seriously.” AJ answers. It doesn’t take longer than a second for Twilight to ask her next question.

“What was that ‘interview’ testing, exactly?” A predictable question. Out of all the things Twilight could ask, it was probably the easiest to answer.

“I was testing your fightin’ ability and, more importantly, how honest you are.”

“Why?”

“Would you want to work with someone who would lie to your face?” Twilight nodded in understanding, but quickly found a worrying situation within this thought process.

“What if any one of us is being interrogated? Being honest in that situation is not ideal,” counters Twilight. AJ doesn’t have to think about the answer. It was ingrained into her way of life since she was old enough to remember.

“Then don’t say anything,” AJ shoots back immediately. Twilight’s surprise by the quick response shows in her widening eyes. "If the info is that important, it’s better to not say anything. Or just say something misleading,” AJ elaborates.

“Isn’t that being dishonest in and of itself?” Twilight wonders out loud.

“It’s being disingenuous,” the cowgirl states bluntly, “I can easily say things that are true that don’t help the current situation, or lead you into thinking something else is true by association.”

“Like what you said about your brother,” realization falls over Twilight.

“Exactly. Both statements were true; he does box and he did teach me everything I know, but you decided to believe that all he taught me was boxing techniques. Many will say that’s a lie by omission, but it isn’t a true lie. Once I’m asked the correct question the full truth is readily revealed or nothing is said. You just gotta ask the right questions.” AJ could see the cogs turning in Twilight’s head.

“Who taught you that?”

“My parents were big on honesty.”

“Where are your parents?”

“Gone.” A long pause falls upon the two. AJ can see Twilight shifting a little uncomfortably. She continues to talk. No point in leaving her in the dark, “They’re the reason I made the gang in the first place. They were innocent, hard working farmers caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“What happened?”

“Collateral damage in a drive-by. Fuckers didn’t even hit who they were aiming for. Hit Ma ‘n Pa though. Walking to their car coming from a museum. Ma got hit with the worst of it. Found bullets in her chest, abdomen, left arm, a nick was left in her right ear. Pa only got hit in the stomach and upper thigh. He was a strong one though. Had enough strength to carry her to the car and drive her to the hospital, though the nearest one with an ER was thirty minutes away. But he did it. Got her into the lobby before the blood loss finally caught up to him. Last thing he was able to croak out was her name. Died right there. The doctors tried to stabilize Ma but it was too late and the damage too severe. She fought hard too. Was conscious up until they got her in the stretcher and died on the table. Last thing she said was ‘Hold on a little longer, sugar cube. I’ll be back.” Tears well up in AJ’s eyes. She can’t see the face Twilight is making and she thinks it’s for the best. Her imagination of the shock on her face is enough.

“When did the doctors tell you that?” Twilight asks.

“They didn’t.” A heavy breath racks her body. “Heard it straight from the horses’ mouths.”

“No… you were…?” Twilight can’t bear to finish the thought. A small nod from AJ confirmed all too much.

“It was my birthday. Big Mac never liked museums. Finds ‘em borin’. He chose to stay behind and look after Amy Beth with Granny. When shit hit the fan, Pa had enough time to push me into a nearby car for cover. Scraped my knee but I chased after Pa as he ran to our car like it was nothin’. Sat in the front seat. Watched the agony and terror in his eyes as he sped to the hospital. Felt the heat leave his body on that cold floor. Got my clothes covered in his blood. Tore myself from his body to check on Ma. Her bloody hand wiped across my face as the doctors wheeled her away. Called Big Mac after she was placed in the Operating Room. Pa’s body was moved by the time they got there, but the blood wasn’t. Granny nearly had a heart attack seeing me covered in it. We were all there to hear Ma’s fate.” AJ pauses for a second to keep from sobbing. “I’ll remember a lot from that day, and one of those things is what the shooter said after missing his targets and hitting a random couple with their daughter.” Her voice darkens and rage spills out of every word she says next, “‘Don’t fuck with the Crystal Kings.’” Twilight gasps audibly. She was very familiar with the name.

The biggest gang in Ponyville Heights and Crystal Gardens. The Crystal Kings took over years ago and slowly started expanding into the Ponyville area. Every wannabe gang member wants to be a part of them because they’re the baddest thing around without going to Canterlot to try to join The Shadowbolts. And since the cops in the lower income boroughs don’t really do anything, they just get away with whatever. Those who go against the Crystal Kings are killed. Usually.

“It’s been eight years since then. In order to bring peace to Equestria we need to deal with them and their leader, Sombra, first.” Was it revenge that led AJ here or was it the feeling to bring justice and peace to the community? AJ couldn’t fully tell, and she didn’t care. The one truth she knew was that The Crystal Kings and Sombra needed to be stopped. AJ wipes her tears and apologizes to Twilight., “I got a little too carried away there.” Twilight refutes her claim.

“I’m sorry that I brought it up.” She looks at the clock and laments the time passed, “I gotta get home and cook for everyone. I’m sorry to leave like this.”

AJ waves off the girl's apology. She knows she dumped a lot of personal and emotional baggage on her lap. The look on her face tells AJ, Twilight doesn’t know how to help or what to do. AJ chuckles warmly, “I got family, too. I understand.” She was going to be fine. Twilight was helping more than she could’ve imagined right now. Twilight sees the statement for what it is: an out. AJ knew she was smart. Just a little stunted.

Twilight smiles softly, “I’ll leave Spike with you. Thanks again.”

AJ watches Twilight leave before getting up and sitting in the living room rocking chair. Next to the chair on an end table sits a photo of her parents before they got married. The youth on their skin and pure joy in their eyes would be infectious if the image of them cold and lifeless was not burned into memory. AJ picks up the photo and softly mutters under her breath one word.