//-------------------------------------------------------//
            SWWC Side Story 4: Falling Stardom             
                -by Lighttone GryphonStar-                 
//-------------------------------------------------------//
//-------------------------------------------------------//
               "Applejack... I love you..."                
//-------------------------------------------------------//
"Applejack... I love you..."
The rain gently peppered over the burnt buildings of Ponyville. No longer its kind grace, it carried only the bitter taste of ashy dust and despair. The vibrant, bustling town, a haven of friendship and magic, was gone. In its place lay a desolate void, a barren landscape haunted by the ghosts of what once was. And within this emptiness, a contorted figure moved. A tortured puppet dancing to a sinister tune.
She walked with unnatural grace, her limbs bending in ways no living creature should. Invisible threads seemed to pull at her, drawing her forward across the scorched roads, each step heavy with a silent, agonizing resistance. She was a prisoner within her own body, her own will subjugated to an evil power. The king had claimed this land and chosen her to march upon it, in search of a great power.
The brave heroes that stood against him fell to ash under her toes, swept away with ruthless efficiency. Their bodies, once symbols of courage and friendship were no more. For soon any remaining pieces of flesh would be reanimated, strength twisted into serving a cause the antithesis of their ideals of friendship. All of them, like many other villages and towns, would be bent to the King's gruesome ambition. It was a desecration that made the very air in Ponyville hang thick with a sickening dread.
A mournful sigh across the desolate landscape, whipped around her veils as she moved forward. Each step was a laborious affair, an unnervingly stiff movement that hinted at something unnatural in her gait. This was no easy journey for the host, ground underfoot was treacherous and littered with the debris of a forgotten life. In the distance, silhouetted against the bruised browning of the twilight sky, stood a sight that sent a chill deeper than any autumn breeze.
Sweet Apple Acres. Once the heart of this region, a place synonymous with warmth, laughter, and the comforting aroma of freshly harvested goods, it was now a spectral husk. The once vibrant farmhouse, its windows like cheerful eyes gazing upon the world, was nothing more than a skeletal framing barely at the edge of collapsing.
The host body paused at the edge of the property, the rain a constant companion to her growing dread. The air felt thick, charged with a lingering presence, an echo of the past that refused to be silenced. What happened here? What could have caused such a complete and utter collapse? And why, despite the palpable sense of dread, was she drawn to this place where hope had died?
The answers, she knew, were buried within the ruins. They lay waiting, silent and ominous, in the shadows of what once was. And she, the puppet-like figure, would face them against her will.
The journey to this ravaged place was not her own. Against her will, she was forced forward, each movement a betrayal of her inner self. Her puppeteer was relentless, a shadowy force covered in holes hanging over her form. It never once allowed room for rebellion. What this elusive ‘something’ was, she did not know. But the desperation, the frantic energy of her forced movements, hinted that it was vital to the King's plans.
The echoes of the past whispered in the empty spaces. Memories of friendship, laughter, and courageous actions flickered within her consciousness like dying embers. These memories fueled a desperate struggle against the invisible strings that bound her. A struggle that refused to be silenced anymore.
All she could do was crash herself hard onto the ground, splattering mud all over her decaying and undead form. The sudden action took her puppeteer off guard, leaving the host body to scream in agony. Her only chances at freedom came with such violent and horrible pain. It was a torment that seared through her dormant veins and threatened to drive her mad.
"Foolish mare... Your body is mine!" The voice, harsh and distorted, growled from the shadow covered in holes. The sound was enough to send shivers down the host's spine. The puppetry hung her back up so hard that her body crashed into the fence and her bones snapped. She cried out in pain and terror as she tried desperately to move her broken bones. Yet the voice simply winced and repaired the shattered limbs with more strings, tightening their grip. "You are merely my vessel and nothing more."
This was the voice of the witch simply known as Nyan Nocturnus. However, this was only name the host knew. She couldn't understand the title, emblems, or meanings tied to such a name. Only that this witch was a grand master of necromancy and, as such the source of the King's undead armies. Despite the host body's desire for freedom, none could reach this witch, for this was also the King's most loyal and devoted consort.
Yes, as sickening as it sounded, but luck came in the fact the host body was too decayed to be enjoyed in such horrid sexual activities. Even the witch was a bit put off by her uselessness. Still, the King found many more uses for the host body. Direct communication was one thing, but also her body's connection to one of his major enemies. Hence a possible reason this host body was here was to lure out that foe. A certain apple mare had a strong bond with the host body.
"Push forward my dear... we must find it." Nyan sneered at her resistance and the strings tightened. The host's legs were bound tightly to her chest and her neck was wrapped so much that her head couldn't move. Her arms were pulled back behind her, forcing her body to be a rigid bow. She cried out again, feeling her muscles and bones being stretched and contorted beyond the limits of what should have been possible. Her limbs, already damaged from her struggle, snapped and cracked like brittle twigs under the pressure.
And yet, despite the pain and terror, the host body continued her rebellion. With all the strength she could muster, she pushed her body up off the ground and managed to stay in place. Trying with all her might, despite her limbs twisting and contorting. Her head was forced forward, and she could feel her bones creaking and threatening to snap. Her body trembled and shook, and her breath came in short, labored gasps.
Nyan could feel her growing stronger. Best to switch to plan B. Several strings swarmed out of the shadow covered in holes and wrapped around the veils over the host body's face. She screamed violently, feeling them drill through her pours and orifice and into her brain. She could hear the sickening squelching of flesh and the sensation of blood and bile trickling down her chin and neck.
They dug in deep, swimming around through the tiniest of gaps until they found the brain stem. And once they latched on, the host's body screamed even more and her body thrashed so hard and violently. The strings climbed up the shaft and dug into her brain, searching for the source of her most powerful memories. It was an agonizing sensation as if someone was clawing at her mind with a razor blade. The host body could feel the witch probing, digging through her most private thoughts and feelings.
"Yes. the moments of your death..." Nyan snickered in her ears. "No, what about your birth... Maybe your sweetest dreams, or worst nightmares." The host's eyes were forced wide open and all she could see was a blinding white light. Her own memories flicked back and forth with a crude and twisted slide show. The strings tightened again, forcing her to see everything she had ever seen or heard, and more. Each moment was a fresh wave of agony, her mind and soul being ripped apart and put back together. It was a torture beyond imagining, and yet it was not the worst of the witch's tricks. There were moments, brief but terrifying when the host felt as if she had left her body.
"Wait..." Nyan slowed down. "There, that one will be perfect." It all stopped in an instant, flashing so bright that it burned her irises and her eardrums with powerful and forgotten moments she didn't want to relive ever again.
******
A cart raced through a similar rainstorm at a rough pace, much to the annoyance of the driver. However, their passenger wasn't even noticing it. Her hands were over her face and mane, making sure everything was perfect. She didn't know why she was so on edge today. She just wanted to see a friend. No, it was more than just a friend. She pulled back and waved her head in denial. "She's just a friend... A friend I haven't seen since."
"What was that, Coloratura?" the driver asked.
"Oh, nothing!" She shivered back in her seat and looked out the window. The crazy storm did little to dull her edginess, but again, she barely noticed it when seeing how close they were to reaching the farm. "We're almost there!" Her mind raced faster the closer they got, and she didn't know why.
It cut through the path and into the middle of the farmland. Her heart skipped a beat upon seeing the front door come into view. She exited the cart and started to walk toward the house. She saw that a light was still on in the window. However, she was tossed off guard by the harsh rain pouring down. Hearing the warnings from her driver did little to stop her advance.
Coloratura ignored it as she walked across the field. She rushed through the yard and stood right outside the door. However, she froze as her hand reached the knob. Why was she suddenly scared about seeing her friend? This made no sense, so she forced herself to knock instead, rather louder than she wanted.
There was no answer at first, leaving her a bit disheartened. Then she heard shuffling and the door opened a crack. Coloratura sighed with relief to see the face that had been at the front of her thoughts this whole trip. "Hello, Applejack!"
"Rara!" the apple mare didn't even hesitate to call her by her nickname. "What are you doing here so late?!" She quickly pulled out an umbrella that she already had in hand. "I expected you tomorrow morning."
"I'm sorry... I couldn't wait any longer." Coloratura bashfully backed away, getting her clothes more soaked in the rain.
"Can this wait!" Applejack tried to push her aside. "I need to return to my search."
"Please..." Rara grabbed her arm. "I know about... and..." Her words jumbled back and forth between the current thoughts and the important thoughts. As if she didn't want to get sidetracked at all. "I'm sorry, Applejack. I need to come in."
"Well, sure..." Applejack turned away and ushered her inside. "Come in, before you catch a cold!!" Despite, the mare grabbing her by the hand, Coloratura found it even harder to step inside.
"A-Alright." Coloratura moved inside and closed the door, still shivering even inside the warmth of the farmhouse.
Applejack suddenly backed away from her, looking quite as confused and flustered. "Come on, get over to the table. I just made a warm pie based on my cousin's recipes."
Coloratura shook herself a few times to get into the moment. "I'm sorry I came here so late, but I didn't know what else to do." The mare pulled out the chair, but finally remembered how soaked her clothes were and didn't want to ruin the wood.
"What do you mean, Rara?" Applejack laughed at her friend's state and quickly pulled out a towel. Wrapping it around her, pulled both of them close and left a soft blush between them.
Coloratura broke the embrace and looked over the room while Applejack left to go get two slices of pie out of the oven. The front was the kitchen, as simple as always. Her eyes were raised at the lack of plates even though a pie was heating up. "Where is your family?"
"Out of town, getting supplies ready for the big harvest in a month. They will be gone for two more days." Applejack returned with two plates of food. In such a rush, she tripped over the chair and threw it into the air.
Luckily, Coloratura's reflexes were still so strong, catching both plates with ease. The mare laughed at the other mare's poor efforts and sat the food down.
"Just as fast as you were in summer camp." Applejack winked and dusted herself off. With the tension cut, the two sat down to enjoy the food.
"Yeah... Nothing has changed between us... since then..." Coloratura felt a strong heat puff in her face.
Applejack took the first bite as Coloratura wrapped herself up in the warm towels before sitting down. "Not as good as Pinkie's."
"It smells fine enough." Coloratura didn't expect to be enjoying a meal upon arriving. Instead, her mind was in such a rush to everything she wanted to say to Applejack after all these years. However, seeing Applejack present her with a slice made it hard to argue. She bit down into the slice and felt the softness spread across her mouth. "Not bad at all!" She took another bite.
"Now, don't give me too many compliments." Applejack chuckled nervously and faced away from her. She was unsure of why she was suddenly feeling so shy around her friend, and she hoped the reason was as silly as she thought it was.
"No, it's good..." Coloratura pushed the plate away and found herself leaning toward Applejack, wanting her to face her again. "Applejack, there's so much we've missed out on. I had so much I wanted to tell you."
Applejack chuckled and put down the fork. "Rara, what makes you think I don't have a ton of things I want to tell you?" Her face filled with so much warmth. "I've missed you so much." She covered her mouth, not wanting to sound so forceful.
"I've missed you even more!" Coloratura covered her mouth too for the same reason. She looked up at Applejack and bit down on her lip. Her friend slowly looked back, bringing full warmth to both of them. Coloratura forced herself to drop her eyes. "Applejack, there's something I wanted to tell you for years." She gulped and put her hands together in her lap, playing with her fingers. "And after you stood up to my agent... things just got harder to say!" Her voice went so high that she could barely say anymore with shouting from excitement. "After a long conversation with Apple Bloom... I think I'm ready to confront this."
"Yeah, the same has been happening with me!" Applejack could barely speak back. "I just saw him being so cruel and just had to step in!" She jumped up from her chair as if reliving the defending of Coloratura's honor. "I'd do anything to protect you!" Her voice dropped. "I mean, I want to stand beside you... No, I mean..." Applejack was at a complete loss of words just like Coloratura was when they arrived.
"Applejack..." Coloratura grabbed her hand firmly. "What do you mean?" She stood up and gestured for her to stand too. "Is it the same thing... I mean."
"What?!" Applejack blushed wildly. "You're the one who came here so late to tell me something!!" She tried to change the subject matter. "Look, the storm seems to be getting worse. How about you stay the night?" Applejack stopped midsentence, not sure why she was so afraid.
"Sure!" Coloratura shouted with excitement, dropping her hands to hide her joy. "I mean... sure..." She then looked around the room, noticing that she was still dripping with rain. "But first I need to clean up."
"Right!" Applejack blushed even brighter. "I'll find you some spare clothes."
"Okay." Coloratura chuckled, realizing how much of an awkward mess this situation was becoming. She watched Applejack dash away in embarrassment. Standing away from the table, she used the towels around her to dry off while walking over to the broom closet. Memory served that the place was pretty big and private enough to drop her clothes.
Opening the closet, she stepped inside and pulled down everything. Dragging the towel over her body to ensure that she didn't drag any more water around. Placing her tall boots to one side with another towel underneath. She clipped the larger towel around her nude body and waited for Applejack to return. Time moved much more slowly than she thought it might and feeling exposed, even in a closet was making her blush wild, especially remembering that she was inside Applejack's house.
However, her emotions stopped upon spotting old scratches on the floorboard. Her eyes lit up at the handwritten messages. Remembering this was her and Applejack's favorite hiding spot when they were fillies. She traced over every letter, hearing her younger self say each in the back of her mind. Stopped at the image of AJ X RARA, writing in a heart. It had been scribbled out by her long ago.
Seeing it again, made her drop the towel covering her body and she slowly spoke out the feeling she had that day. "Applejack I think--" She stopped cold to see the door creak open. "Wait!"
"Rara I got you some clothes--" Applejack was stopped at the sight of her friend's naked body. Memories of old shattered in that moment inside Applejack's brain. As fillies, the two used to swim together, change clothes in front of each other, and even bathe together. But all that shatter upon seeing Coloratura's exposed very adult body. All sense of innocence went out the window for the two adult mares standing in front of each other.
Before any more could be said, the power went out, followed by the sound of a loud thunder strike. She couldn't see a thing, but the image of Coloratura exposure stayed fresh.
Applejack's hands found Coloratura's hands and gripped tightly. "A-Are you okay?" she asked. "Coloratura--" She was stopped as they both fell onto the floor, overtop of each other.
Applejack..." The singer blushed so intensely that her voice was caught in her throat. The mere touch of Applejack's buckles against her exposed skin was too much even if neither could see the other.
"Y-Yeah." Applejack was struggling to breathe normally as she felt the naked body press against her. "I should get you some clothes." She tried to pull away, but Coloratura held her in place.
"Wait, Applejack..." Coloratura whispered and placed her hand over the farmer's body. "Don't move..." Her mind screamed against such a body demand. However, her heart was too strong to listen.
"Okay..." Applejack was still frozen in place, barely able to breathe as she felt the warm hands gliding against her overalls. "What are you... Rara..." Her words got so jumbled, feeling the mare's breasts press against her clothing. "Please... What is happening... here?"
Coloratura could feel her face and body getting hotter as her hand touched a rough texture that had to be the buckles on Applejack's shirt. She didn't care, and moved up even higher, tracing her hand over the other mare's sides and shoulder. Finally, she moved her hand against the mare's neck and felt her hair. "Applejack, I... I'm sorry..." Her breath was caught in her throat as the thunder boomed and lightning lit the room.
Both found each face to face, lips mere centimeters apart. Both froze as their eyes locked and they stared into each other's souls. Neither knew what to do next. Even as Applejack's body moved first. The farmer gasped and winced fighting against her desire to take those lips. "Rara, I...I'm sorry." She wanted to look away, but she couldn't.
"Applejack... I know, and it's okay..." Coloratura was unable to control her desires anymore either. She grabbed the other mare's head and pushed the sweet kiss into a passionate one. Her eyes closed tightly as the warmth spread through her lips and body.
"Oh, Rara." Applejack moaned through the kiss and grabbed her back, pressing her body tight against hers. Her will faded away, fingers pulled up her shirt and dropped her overalls.
"Yes, Applejack..." Coloratura was in complete ecstasy, feeling her own desire rising up inside her. She broke the kiss and leaned upward, pressing her large breasts into Applejack's mouth. "Take me... Please take me." She grabbed the mare's head, feeling the warm tongue dance over her chest.
Applejack could not be convinced any faster. She kissed and sucked at those breasts with all her might, pushing the mare's hips against her own slowly exposing her body. The rain outside poured harder and the thunder boomed louder. Each flash tore through the blackness to reveal more of their naked adult bodies dancing over the floor.
"Applejack... Yes..." Coloratura's cries were swallowed up in the storm. She pushed her body forward, pressing her legs between the farmer. Her eyes widened, feeling her pussy touch Applejack's own most private spots. Heard her lovely moan and wince below her as she groped and dug into her breasts. The singer felt her hips start to thrust, her breasts breaking free from those jaws and slapping outward
Applejack was the first to lose control, arching her back as she let out a powerful moan. Her hands dropped around her lover's hips, pressing the pussy tight against each other. The warmth of their touching was driving both mad. "Yes... Oh yes... Rara."
"I know, Applejack... I know." Coloratura couldn't believe she just admitted it, but the words felt right as she spoke.
The two didn't know when or how it happened. They simply gave in and let their bodies be swept up in the moment. Pressing harder and faster, they rubbed their pussies into each other. Moaning and grunting as their bodies crashed and rubbed into each other. They rolled over the kitchen floor, gasping and grunting, each second feeling like hours.
In the frisk of the moment, Applejack's incredible strength was used to pick up Coloratura and throw her body onto the table.
"Applejack, don't stop." The mare whimpered as her friend climbed on top of her and started thrusting faster. The wooden table cracked under their weight, but neither cared as their lips locked in another powerful kiss.
The singer's arms wrapped around her body, digging into her hair and her ass. The farmer was going to claim her prize and never let go. The two mares cried and grunted louder and louder, their bodies and sweat mixing as the rain poured and the thunder gave a final loud crashing. Their lips locked in one last kiss before the climax ripped through their bodies.
*******
The memories flashed away from their lovely and erotic moment into something just as potential. Clothing all around her and the sweet scent of roses at her side. Locked in a dressing room, waiting for the help of a certain seamstress.
"You want me to make a dress for you?!" Rarity's voice echoed in her mind, a mix of excitement and disbelief.
"Yeah, something perfect for Applejack to see me in," Coloratura had replied, her voice a melodic harmony of hope and anticipation.
Rarity had paused, her heart fluttering at the notion. The idea of creating this kind of dress is not just a random thought. She could see it all over the singer's face, the utter blush couldn't be denied. "Of course. I'll design you a dress that sweeps her off her feet."
As she bent over her sketches, Rarity imagined how the fabric would flow and shimmer under the light of the farmland. How it would embrace Colortura’s vibrant personality while still honoring Applejack’s down-to-earth charm.
"I trust you with this secret--" Colortura's words were caught off by the ground shaking. Time in the memories moved so fast and before she could even realize it, the building was being ripped apart. The entirety of Canterlot had been attacked.
Her body flung out of the room and tumbled to the ground below. This was followed by a violent sound that twisted deep into her psyche. The echoes of her neck shatter. She didn't die, not once. But was also trapped in place, unable to stop the king's arrival upon her broken body. Unable to even scream as the strings of Nyan Nocturnus took control of her limbs.
******
The once vibrant hues of a forgotten dress that Rarity had given her were now nothing more than shredded veils. Each covered the fragments that once defined Coloratura. The memories of those stolen moments and the fiery connection with Applejack ignited her soul, the tender words exchanged blossomed into a consuming love. They all painted a picture of a life once brimming with joy and romance. But the canvas of her existence had been irrevocably torn, replaced by a stark and chilling shape.
Coloratura’s descent began, not with a whimper, but with a deafening crash. A fall from into the void. The impact was swift upon the mud in the present day. Her body broke against the jagged rocks in front of the apple crops. "No... No..." Her body struggled to push forward. But she didn't want to listen to it. It wasn't hers anymore.
Coloratura’s body twitched and staggered, her movements jerky and unnatural as the dark strings of Nyan Nocturnus pulled her forward, dragging her toward the apple trees. The once-pristine beauty of her mane and fur was now matted and stained with a sinister black ooze that seeped into her very being. Her heart screamed within her chest, but her lips could not form the words she so desperately wanted to cry out.
Her once-brilliant turquoise eyes, now dulled by pain and despair, flicked to the farmhouse ahead. Applejack. The thought of her, even now, pierced through the haze of torment. "I'm not... I'm not..." she choked out, her voice cracking as tears streamed down her face, mixing with the dirt and ooze. "Please, I'm not..." But her pleas were met with silence, the witch's power overriding her every thought and movement.
Suddenly, the strings pulled harder, jerking her head up. Her gaze locked on the silhouette of a figure in a trench coat. Her eyes widened at the distance ten-gallon hat upon her head and mane tossed over one side of her face matching the braids she knew so well. It was the one, no other possible answer. Applejack was standing at the edge of the orchard, her hat tilted forward as she stared, frozen in shock at the sight before her.
"Rara?" The voice of the figure was barely a whisper, but it reached Coloratura's ears like a thunderclap. Seeing revolvers at the figure's side filled her with confusion the trapped spirit with disbelief, but most of all, heartbreak.
Coloratura's legs moved forward, each step a betrayal of her will. "Applejack..." she managed to gasp, her voice cracking, but her own words were drowned out by the voice that erupted from her throat. "You arrived, just as he said you would." Nyan Nocturnus cackled with Coloratura's own tongue. "Do you see now, farm girl? Your precious singer is no more. She belongs to me now. And soon... you will too."
"Veiled Mare..." The figure's eyes narrowed, the shock giving way to determination. She took a step forward, her jaw set. "Rara, I know you're still in there," she called her voice firm but shaking at the edges. "You fight this. You hear me? You fight it, Rara. You’re stronger than this... Stronger than whatever’s got a hold of you."
Coloratura's body halted for a moment, the strings quivering as if in response to the figure’s words. Deep inside, she felt a flicker of warmth of Applejack's love, a reminder of who she was, of who she used to be. But the witch snarled, yanking her forward with more force, sending her flying at the apple mare. "You die now Applejack!!"
The figure clenched her teeth, determination blazing in her last working eye, the other flooding with decay and cursed magic that kept her alive on this hellish path. She raised a revolver as Veiled Mare inched closer in the air. "Applejack is dead... Coloratura is dead..." With that final word, she squeezed the trigger.
A loud bang echoed over the farm as the rain finally stopped.
******
Author's Note
Might be the rockiest one so far, given I wrote out, especially the explicit scenes, while in incredible pain. So sorry if the sex seemed simple, my aim was purely to separate the pure and innocent from the adults they are now to starkly contrast the darker future.
And yes, the ending is meant to be ambiguous. Did Appljeack kill her, wasn't even Applejack standing there to deliver the final plow. All these are for you to decide. One more side story coming in February and that one will be a bit more straight forward, but at the same time, it won't.