Moonlite Ranger

Chapter 3: Oil that tastes like…

(Part 2)

“Sugar?”

Shako and Willow declined, while Chache graciously accepted a cube. They were seated on an ancient dusty leather sofa, across from them was an equally aged woman. Her hair was snow white tied neatly in a bun, while relatively small barely large enough to fit the recliner she sat in. Not one of them doubted the authority exuding from the Apple family matriarch. Chache took a small sip of his tea, finding its taste rather pleasing.

“Been in the family for three generations.” Granny Smith proudly explained holding a similar cup. Leaning in the doorway, Applejack swirled the contents of her own, eyes occasionally flicking towards him. Chache took another drag before setting down the cup. Shako set hers down beside the tremor in her hands having abated. When both of them had returned, clothes disheveled she’d assumed the worse. Now sitting in their home the Sheriff could only wonder what had occurred in the short time they'd been apart.

“So Marshal, I understand that you need my granddaughter's help?” Smith started, looking back to Applejack who nodded curtly.

“In a manner of speaking, yes. I believe she said you all have a map…” As he spoke another Apple skipped into the room. Her hair tied into pig tails a fiery red she bore a striking resemblance to Applejack save being a full head shorter. The woman was also not nearly as dressed as her counterpart wearing only a midriff showing top that revealed a healthy shelf of cleavage and daisy dukes cut so short they might have well been nonexistent. Fully aware of the collective jaw drop at her entrance she took the extra measure of swaying her hips giving a pleasant view of her ass.

“Ere ya go sis.” Drawled Applebloom handing Applejack a yellowed parchment. Her sister scowled at the state of dress, of course she'd seen what had happened in the orchard. Applebloom winked at her head tilting towards Chache. Before she could properly throttle the shit Applebloom skipped away a tittering laugh following down the hallway she’d come from. Applejack cleared her throat going over to the coffee table and setting down the map. Chache shifted to the edge of his seat as she marked the location of their farm.

“Ok so here's the situation …” Chache tapped the map around the farm with his index finger.

“As it is, all water sources to the north of your homestead have had no issues, while everything south is gradually undrinkable.” He makes an invisible line on the southern edge of their property again, tapping his finger.

“From what I've seen aside from…some questionable practices that will be discussed at a later date, I have seen nothing here that could cause something of such scale.”

Granny Smith rubbed her chin mulling over his explanation.

“Do you have some idea as to whuts causing this?” she asked, to which he nodded, crossing his arms and leaning back into the couch.

“Yes I do, it's magic. And if not stopped soon, we’re gonna have more than just dead cattle to worry about.”

—

There are two distinctively different aspects to magic. The first is the most common which is the application of changing or manipulation of a natural source and using it for means outside of intended purpose. Most Equestrians had a greater understanding of this as three quarters of the population were gifted. Even more were able to quite literally conjure things from thin air, this took an excessive amount of skill but with the right amount of training anything was possible.

Then there was the reverse side.

Earth Magic.

This is the natural state of being every object in the world was attuned with. Very reason as to why ice elementals, stone giants, or ents existed in the first place. It is old, a wild and very dangerous thing to behold let alone try to manipulate. Some can, with weary caution entire city's have vanished beneath a sudden volcano forming in its center at wanton use. The Apples family had always been known for their ‘green thumbs’ having been to farm the same land for well over a century. In part this was due to their ability to attune to Earth magic ,while they flaunted it or made a show of the power they held . It flowed through them to the ground they toiled, to the trees they built a life off of.

What was happening to the water was because of Earth magic. Someone or something was tampering with the natural flow left unchecked…

Applejack shook her head, hands clenched into fists. Chache laid out a plan to which everyone present carefully listened to.

“I believe the source is above ground here in the Everfree Forest. We need to spilt into groups and try to find whatever it is that's doing this. It's not going to be natural but if it is likely youd be able to spot it . The sooner the better I say, so given your proximity I ask that you help us in that regard.”

Willow shot a panicked look at Shako stepping into the Everfree was dangerous. He wanted them to traipse around the deepest parts of it on his first day?

“Big ask their Marshal.” Smith said, closing both eyes as she rocked back and forthing in thought. Applejack was already set to go Granny Smith was just weighing her options.

“Mac hun you mine helping these dearies out?”

A heavy set of footfalls drifted in from the kitchen as a giant of a man ducked into the living room. He was broad shouldered, hard muscled, stoic in both face and demeanor. Big Macintosh large green eyes fixed on the sheriff and deputy. Both women swallowed as his massive arms crossed over one another.

“Eyup.” He said simply.

Granny smiled, opening one eye giving Chache a mischievous look.

“You can take Applejack to, just try to be gentle with her. She's single ,if you were wondering about it.”

Chache found himself speechless, Applejack face turned beet red which she hid beneath her hat. Granny let out a cackle positively beaming. She'd been waiting forever to say something like that.

—

Meanwhile…

Twilight Sparkle was NOT having a good morning. Waking up hungover didn't make anything better for what seemed like the hundredth time she swore never to drink again. Paired with the fact that she missed several meetings two of which had with Celestia herself, Twilight could feel the scolding words beating into her brain.

“Spiiikkke…” She groaned face down at her crystalin desk. Her ward/ surrogate brother looked up from his paperwork, he'd gotten tall over the last few years, no longer a short chubby cheeked bright eyed boy. More than a few had tried to make a pass on the young dragon however his heart was dead set on one woman only. Not that he had any luck in that regard one day though…

“Kill me please.” Twilight whined covering her head to block out the sun the shone through the massive window overlooking the town

“I did say stick to cider.” He remarked, grabbing a pitcher of water near himself. Twilight huffed with a wave of her hand casting a magic finger to flick him in the head. Spike poured her a tall glass setting the pitcher beside it with a kind smile on his face. Begrudgingly she picked herself up, took the glass in both hands and drank it all in one gulp. With a slap to the cheek her eyes flashed magenta and just like that she was fresh as a morning daisy.

“Let's do this!” She cheered Spike clapped relieved to see her so revitalized. And so their day began….

With having to sign three hundred and forty three tax documents. By the end of it Twilight was pretty sure she had carpal tunnel. Spike watched her soul begin to leave the theatrics where a welcome break in-between the manonoity. A buzzing noise caught his attention, with a wave he brought up the front door to the manor. He grinned at the sight.

“Rainbow Dash is here.”

Twilight stood like she'd been shocked, a mirror appeared floating before her. The princess quickly began to clean herself up cursing all the while.

“Shitshitshitshit!” Why did she have to forget having brunch with Rainbow Dash. After insisting for months? Practically begging the women to find some time in her tight schedule? Perhaps even going so far to manipulate the local weather for clear skies and having a good talk to her brother on putting the Wonderbolts on standby status for a week.

For brunch.

A totally normal brunch.

Just a “Hey I'm single, you're single and cool and hot and I want you to tell me about how hard your workout was ,how sweaty it gets you, maybe watch too.” Meetup. Totally didn't have any other intention besides that.

Twilight snapped her fingers changing clothes in an instant. Now wearing a black blouse with a white shirt a size way too small because Dash may or may not like larger busts. And a pair of modest blue slacks that made her hips really stand out. Spike chuckled to himself thinking it best to not mention that Rainbow Dash wasn't alone. She disappeared in a flash of magenta. He made sure to have the view pulled up to watch the show…

–

Twilight took a breathe grabbing the door handles. She'd read every book, scoured ever moldy scroll, even went so far as to ask Cadence how proper courtship worked.

“You can do this.” She insisted, rolling her shoulders and pulled the door open

“Hey seeeeexxxyyy-guys hiiiiiii!”

Rainbow waved standing beside a starry eyed Fluttershy. Beside both of the Rarity was picking at her manicured nails giving Pinkie Pie the side eye. The red haired woman was recalling the complexities of a baby shower, birthday , wedding all at the same time.

Twilight forced a smile nervously laughing.

“I didn't expect all of you so early.”

“That'd be her doing.” Rarity pointed to Dash who stuck out her tongue.

“Yeah well it's important so I figured now would be as good a time as any.” She groused, grabbing Fluttershy's arm and dragging her towards the door. Shy protested but her strong grip squashed any way of getting out of what was coming. Dash paused for a moment looking Twilight over.

“Looking good by the way.”

Twilight bowed her head bashfully letting her friends inside. While not according to plan, whatever was important to get almost all of them together at such a time took priority. Rarity entered last an all to knowing aura about her.

“Sexy huh Twilight? That's what you were going to start with?”

The afformentioned princess gaped in embarrassment as Rarity cupped her face with one hand.

“I'm sure Dash would have appreciated the sentiment. But she's far too dense for that, next time wear nothing at all and say that. She'll be yours forever then.” The fashionista smiled, patted her cheek and followed the others. Twilight filed that information away for later having never thought to be so direct.

–

“Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

“Seriously?”

“As a heart attack.”

Rarity rubbed the bridge of her nose feeling a migraine forming. She had been working on a rather pressing order for a noble family, it'd been slow going having lacked inspiration. But this morning had brought with it enlightenment, fabric took tailered shape before her very eyes. It was to be a masterpiece of a selection fit for the very ballroom floors of Canterlot!

Then Rainbow Dash all but kicked down her front door. At that time it seemed like a serious emergency.

“You dragged us all here because Fluttershy. Had an orgasm?”

Pinkie fell out of her chair belting out a laugh holding her stomach as she rolled around the floor. While Fluttershy did her best to shrink into her chair, face burning. Twilight suppressed a snicker doing her best to keep a straight face. Dash nodded her head in complete seriousness, further building the aneurysm threating to burst in Rarity’s brain. Twilight cleared her throat sensing the fashionista's magic flare into a rather unpleasant curse that would have turned Dash bald .

“While I can only assume there must have been extenuating circumstances for that. I'm sure there was some other reason…?” She managed to keep her tone as level as possible. Rainbow cocked her head confused until Fluttershy stood and whispered in her ear.

“Oh right! Waters being poisoned in the Everfree, new Marshals heading over to Applejacks to do something about it.”

A pin drop could be heard….

“WHY DIDN'T YOU LEAD WITH THAT!?!!”

–

Chache glanced over his shoulder loading the last hull in the shotgun. Himself, Applejack, Macintosh, Deputy Willow and Sheriff Shako were gathered around the beaten path leading into the Everfree at the southern border of the orchard.

“What's up?” Applejack asked, Chache frowned, shaking his head.

“Thought I heard…it's nothing.” He slung it over his shoulder. She shrugged adjusting her gun belt letting it hang loose around her waist . Mac carried a massive woodcutting ax resting it over his shoulder, Willow and Shako busied themselves with looking like they weren't absolutely terrified.

“Remember, anything out of place. Find it, shoot up a flare , handle accordingly.” Chache reiterated gesturing to Applejack and Max who took point for the teams.

“I would like to point out just how bad an idea this is.” Voiced Shako keeping extremely close to the axe wielding Apple, Willow followed suit.

“Noted. Cowboy up Sheriff.” He replied keeping pace with Applejack who was already ahead of all of them.

—

Chapter 3 : (interlude part 2) Can't both become the…

It became so dark it'd be easy to dismiss it being night time. Such is the thickness of the overhead canopy. Applejack kept a good speed, stopping only occasionally to check of Chache was to far behind. The old man was fit for age, and he seemed a competent woodsman too. Navigating through the foliage with near silent precision.

The other party had long since been lost in the brush, Applejack was confident both women would be more than fine under Mac's watch. Neither had spoken since losing sight of them. She found this to be rather…grating eagerness otherwise overcoming the seriousness of the situation.

“Nice legs.”

Applejack stumbled as they crested the trench of a fallen oak just being caught by her gun belt, faces inches from a dagger like tree branch. Chache grunted, pulling her upright. She blinked rapidly at the narrow brush of death.

“Come again?”

“It takes a lot of effort climbing trees…” He said awkwardly shifting from side to side, clearly not what he'd met.

“Right…” Applejack huffed, taking the lead again.

“You're legs aren't so bad either.” She paused at the bottom as he slid the rest of the way down.

“Oh? Thank you?”

The look Applejack gave him could have dried fresh paint.

“I…didn't mean to say that out loud.” He relented, adjusting the sling over his shoulder. Applejack had both hands on her hips cocking them slightly. Chache sighed tilting his head back scanning the canopy.

“I'm not apologizing.”

“Good, dont.”

She swiveled around taking the extra measure to add extra sway of her hips in each step. Chache clicked his tongue watching the Apple bottom sway deliciously. Either he was very much misunderstanding the situation or…

This girl was coming on to him.

The former seemed most likely to the latter, but then…

Having sex once did not make a relationship, while true in his feelings towards the bright eyed woman he’d met the night before. Under no right was he wholly hers and free to do as he wished in that respect. With that in mind Chache broke into a jog until he was once more beside the blonde.

So far they'd yet to see anything of note, a few passing deer here and an occasional swooping bird of prey there. Chache knelt down at regular intervals sifting through the ferns every time coming up with a dour expression on his face. Applejack began to feel something was off as well, a tingling sensation on the back of neck it makes her fingers clench into her palm.

“Look at this.”

Chache waved her over, he'd knelt down to an exposed root prodeing it with a stick he'd picked up. As she approached the stick went through the root revealing a rotten black core. Both of them recoiled as a pungent wave of death filled the air.

“I think we're close.” He gagged holding his nose, Applejack grabbed his shoulder pulling him to her chest. Wide eyed Chache let out a startled yelp only to be silenced by her hand over his mouth. He asked a muffled question only for her to pin him to a tree.

It was then he noticed they were not alone.

They were as big as horses.

Their heads shaped in the grim visage of a wolves skull with rows of jagged fangs lined in lipless bone. A timber wolf true to its name was a beast made of the very stuff of nightmares. While a creature common enough to encounter in most places in Equestria, those of the Everfree were a whole different breed altogether. Masters of ambush, with cunning that denoted a level of intelligence that bordered on human. For indeed while the forest provided many sources of food the flesh of man was the sweetest.

Patches of moss grew across their contorted bark skin making for a perfect camouflage. The size of the pack must have numbered in the thirty or forty. How long had they been followed? How long had these creatures stalked the edge of their vision blending seamlessly into the background? Applejack could take them easy, which is the only reason they'd shown themselves.

They knew who she was.

Chache wouldn't survive, sheer weight of number would see him dragged away screaming. They'd kill him slowly, it's how they preferred it when making a meal of men. Yellow eyes watched them dragging the long moment out like a blade.Some of them they could see opened and closed their rotten maws, sap drooling in a steady stream down diseased necks. Some shook, barely able to keep upright, occasionally having to be nudged by those who were in even worse states.

“They're sick.” Chache whispered, freeing his mouth but wrapped his arms around her waist. As he spoke the wolves bowed their heads parting the way for a true monster. The alpha put them all to shame in sheer bulk more akin to a bull in muscle and height, while fairing as bad as the rest of them hide bearing weeping sores it was in no way any weaker. It was on them in a single bound a snarl leaving its maw much like a chainsaw revving. A yellow eye bright as sunlight bathed them in a sickly glow. Chaches grip around her waist tightened as the wolf let of a grunt stomping away. It paused for a moment, eyes narrowed, head facing just to the right through a thicket rumbling a growl out.

Then they were gone.

Melding into the trees, the Alpha's paw prints the only trace of their existence. Chache let out the breath he didn't realize he’d been holding his heart in his throat. He’d thought he'd seen every horror life could offer but that would haunt his dreams till the day he died.

“Just what sort-hmpf!”

Applejack's lips crashed against his so hard their teeth bounced against each other. She's ravenous to the point of desperation unashamedly grinding against his body. Each protest only drew more of the monster before him out. Her hands attacking his belt buckle was the final straw, bracing a boot against the tree he launched themselves forward. Applejack landed flat on her back; he was on top of her a second later pinning her to the forest floor. Her chest heaved as Chache forced both her arms down, she made no effort to resist.

“Hell has gotten into you!?” He demanded

“Shut up and fuck me.” Applejack replied.

Chache was speechless, his mouth opening and closing.

The young woman's thighs rubbed together, hips rising yearning for just the right sensation. Her mouth parting with heated breaths, tongue licking pursed lips, eyes locked on his. Emerald orbs dancing with flames of temptation.

Never had in his long life had he seen a woman so ready to have her world rocked.

Bought as green as a light could get in his book.

She tastes sweet like…apples dipped in toffee, her tongue battles him as they mash their bodies against one another. Applejack all but rips her top off as they sit upright breaking away only to tear her shirt and bra off. Chache grabs both of the ripe mounds of flesh while nowhere as near as big as Fluttershys by the Moon did they compare in softness. She moans softly and takes one hand to grab her tight ass still trapped in the prison of jeans. Without prompt she's undone them and has thrown them away. Chache wastes little time feeling up the exposed skin her black laced thong and hat, the only articles she had left to wear.

“Your turn.” She whispered tracing down the center of his chest to the bulge in his crotch.

“Darlin I don't have a -”

“I don't. Care. Fuck me proper Marshal, now!”

In a series of perhaps bad decisions made this day, Chache decides what the harm of another could do. His pants come off just as Applejack turns her back to him. She shifts to her knees ass firmly in his lap a coo bubbling from her throat at the twitching head of his shaft against her eager folds.

It's her choice, he's just a bystander now raising her hips parting her soaked panties and spearing herself on him. She cries out as he thrusts into her.

Yes.

Their rhythm builds, his teeth are at her throat.

YES.

Were they still there? Still watching? Wondering?

YES!

Weighing the thought, it'd be so easy now. To pin her down, clamping eager jaws across her windpipe , and and -

“YES!YES! YES!”

Applejack shudders, clamping against his cock like a vice. Chache gasps burying himself into her balls deep, the young woman's eyes roll to the back of her head as he fills her so completely. They collapsed into the tree in a mixture of bodily fluids and rapture.

“Holy fuck.” They say together voices shaking from the adrenaline.

(End interlude)

–

They dress in muted silence both facing away from one another. Applejack's hands shake as she does what little buttons remain of her flannel shirt up. Neither had said a word after everything having happened so fast. She touched a hand to her navel, rubbing the warmed surface gently.

“If you end up…”

“I'm on the pill so-”

“If you end up expecting.” He continued half turning to her his aged face set as stone.

“I'll accept responsibility, understand?” There was a cold reality to his tone, not a trace of anger or regret. A dark thrill shot up her spine. Applejack nodded once as he picked up the shotgun that had fallen against the tree. Chache shoulders it, pointing the barrel towards the waiting thicket.

“You ready?”

Just like that he was ready for round two. Applejack smiled hand on the butt of her pistol.

“Ready.”

He grinned, proceeding ahead ducking through the undergrowth…

–

An elder tree was for one a very ancient thing often a forest would have several scattered through deeping on size. Secondly in terms of scale they dwarfed all others; the largest ever recorded had a trunk 8 meters wide and rose some three hundred feet tall. This tree wasn't close to that scale, just a fledgling with a meter wide base and canopy that just reached the tops of the trees around it. Given time it would likely have become a true monarch.

That day would never come.

It was dead, bark peeling away oozing black iccor from hundreds of weeping holes. No leaf clung to the wilting branches giving it a visage of skeletal remains. What had brought such a mighty thing so low? The forest wept at the promise of a fallen king. What matter of cruelty exists to force it to a state of undeath unable to pass on to give itself back to the earth?

That answer came twofold.

At a distance distinguishing the pair of men would have been close to impossible. Similar in both height, build facial features and eye colors. The likeness between them ended subtly; one had a mustache that curled upwards while the other curled downwards. Both were dressed in carny outfits down to having curved canes in opposite hands. One of the men was singing, the beauty of his song formed literal notes in the air that drifted to the base of the tree. On contact the notes burst into a snot green mist melding into the bark.

“Mother fuckers.” Growled Applejack being stopped by Chaches firm hand. They were both crouched a fair distance from the two men.

“You know them?” He asked to which she nodded.

Flim and Flam, the two conest con men to ever grace Ponyville. They'd always had some scheme going or some other. Applejack dealings with them usually ended with both brothers flat on their ass with sizable bruises on their faces. But this, this was something new, beyond something a simple ass kicking could rectify.

Flim shifted nervously beside his brother wringing his cane with both hands. Flam seemed to be getting into whatever his role was in this, a hand to his chest really hitting the high notes. Chache had seen enough of whatever this was standing up and strolling into the clearing.

“Gentleman!” He shouted, they both spun a grating screech like nails on a chalkboard at the sudden interruption. A smell of ozone filled the air at a spell canceled short of its completion. The brothers paled, clutching their canes, seeing the shotgun in his shoulder.

“I'm Marshall Chache and the two of you are-”

“Sir please there's a reasonable-” Began Flam with wirey grin on his face.

“SHUT THE FUCK UP!” Roared Applejack bursting from the hiding place pistol in hand. Both of them flinched, the rage in her voice told them talking their way out was no longer an option.

“...Under arrest, hands to the heavens slow like canes on the ground.” He flicked the barrel to the cleared forest floor. Flim dropped his without hesitation, throwing his hands up. Flam rounded on his brother a snarl on his lips.

“Coward!” Brandishing the end of his against Flims chest. Chache racked the shotgun at the sudden aggression.

“Don't make me say it again.” He warned, Flam licked his lips, his eyes flicking between Chache and Applejack.

“Igni!”

A magic word left his mouth both barely had time to dive to the ground as a cascade of fire lashed out like a whip. Applejack recovered rolling to her feet, hair slightly burnt on the ends. Chache slapped at his pants patting down his burning thigh. Flam was running the opposite way leaving his shocked brother behind.

“After him!” Chache yelled through the pain keeping the shotgun trained on Flim his leg still smoking. Applejack broke into a run crashing through the forest after the fleeing man. Chache hobbled over to him reaching into his back pocket and tossing a pair of nickel plated cuffs onto the ground.

“On your knees.”

Tears streamed down Flims face as he sniffed, lowering himself to the floor.

Movement at the corner of his vision drew Chaches attention away from the weeping man. Applejack walked back into the clearing, her head hung low. Her steps were measured and her hands were raised like she was…

“G-gun down Marshal!” Flam said behind Applejack one hand grabbing the base of her braid the other at the center of her back. Chache kept his aim leveled at both of them , Applejack had a nasty gash across her forehead but otherwise she looked alright.

“Can't do that son. You alright Applejack?”

“Asshole hit me with a tree branch, but yeah I'm good.”

“Shut up! Both of you!” He snapped pulling her hair sharply, pressing the barrel of the gun against the side of her neck .

“Let the girl go, you can still walk away from this.”

Flam let out a dry laugh, forcing Applejack forward at an awkward gaint.

“Walk away? Marshal you have no idea how far I've come to just walk away.”

Chaches aim never waved, his grip tightening as they moved. From his position Flim wiped his leaking nose and shot his brother a pleading look.

“Flam please brother this is beyond both of us!”

“Shut up you miserable excuse for a sibling!”

“Brother, please-”

“Shut up!”

“It's not to-”

“SHUT UP!”

“Just let her-”

“I SAID SHUT UP!”

Flam pointed the gun at his brother's head, Applejacks elbow snapped up smashing into the man's face breaking his nose. He howled and let her hair go.

Now it was at her head his eyes filled with murder.

Applejack's eyes widened her life flashing before her eyes.

A white light.

A deafening roar of fire.

A shower of bright red gore.

A piercing wail of something lost.

Smoke drifted from the end of Chaches gun, his gray eyes chilled as stone slamming a fresh round forward. Flam had been launched back, his chest a slurry of shattered bone and ruptured organs. His eyes stared blankly up ward the gun tumbled from his hands clattering down the roots of the tree. Blood leaked out of his mouth pooling with the rest of it staining the trunk.

Applejack touched her face, fingertips coming away red with…

Blood

His blood.

Her stomach turned vomit shooting up suddenly. She hunched over spilling her guts hands on her knees as Chache limped over to her side.

“I’m f-fine.” Applejack assured spitting the taste of the bile out of her mouth. He patted her back brushing her hair out from hanging over her shoulder. She shuddered, closing her eyes trying to regain her bearing. Flam stared blankly ahead, his mind not fully comprehending what he'd just seen. Chache grimaced, holding his leg limping over him.

“You're going to tell me everything boy.” He said through gritted teeth pointing at Flams bloody corpse.

“Y-you killed him…” Flim mumbled in disbelief, Chache put the barrel under his chin forcing his head up.

“And I've half a mind to do worse to you if you don't cooperate.”

Flim started to sob, shaking uncontrollably hunching over as he fell into hysteria.

“Applejack!” Big Machintosh shouted at his sister's side shucking off his shirt to wipe away the blood drying on her face. The big man was wicked fast when he wanted to be, quiet to but if he was here then-

“Marshal.”

His head turns slowly to Sheriff Shako she looks like hell; hair filled with nettles and leaves clinging stubbornly to be once neat uniform. Deputy Willow is in a similar state her uniform torn in several places. Both had their guns drawn thumbs resting on the hammers.

“You missed the party .”

“Looks like you didn't miss anything.” Shako said grimly nodding to the slouched Flam. Chache slowly lowered the shotgun from Flims chin letting the man fall over completely.

“He didn't give me a much of a choice, Applejack can attest to that.”

Applejack managed to push her fussing brother away having most of Flam whipped away. She held her stomach taking numb steps to Chaches side.

“Flam had me at gunpoint, if Chache hadnt-”

“What have you done.”

Thunder roles at the raw fury in her words. Twilight Sparkle is above them her wings spread eyes burning majenta in unbridled rage. The Princess of Friendship descends landing before Chache towering over the marshal barely able to contain herself. Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash ,Rarity and Pinkie Pie flank her spread wings. Shako and Willow drop to their knees in terror never before having seen the god like wraith broiling before them.

“Princess Twilight Sparkle I assume?” Chache guessed seemingly unfazed. He tilted his head seeing Dash and Fluttershy standing behind her.

“What.Have.You.Done.” She repeats enunciating each word pointing to the sprawled Flam who'd tumbled forward and now lay face first in the dirt.

“The law ma’am. He was going to shoot your friend here dead. It was her or him, I made the decision. If he'd surrendered none of this would have happened.”

Applejack stepped forward putting herself between them meeting Twilight burning gaze with her own. Flecks of dried blood flew off her face as a tempest flared at the princesses magic discharged.

“He saved my life, Twi. It's the truth now settle down your scaring everyone.” She calmly wrapped both her arms around Twilights waist embracing her in a tight hug. It took a long minute for the accumulated magic to settle she breathed out sharply through clenched teeth. Twilights wings folded into her back as she signed feeling her friend shake against her.

“I want an report of what occurred here on my desk tomorrow morning Marshal. Not a single detail spared.” She said keeping a tone just above a growl as Applejack pulled away and the rest of her friends came forward.

“Aye I'll do just that.” Chache shifted nodding towards the elder tree.

“Think you'll be able to take care of that?” He asked, Twilights lips curled in disgust a nauseous wave of magic flooded her senses. It was the most toxic thing she'd ever beheld nothing could undo the damage done here.

“We’d have to burn it.”

“I think theyd appreciate that.” Announced Pinkie Pie making everyone present turn to her. The woman was positively beaming bouncing up and down pointing at the assembly of timber wolves surrounding them. The wolves formed a seemy circle in the clearing, with the massive Alpha sitting patiently on its haunches. Twilight and Rarity both had a spell ready in hand sparkles dancing between twitching finger tips.

“Enough both of you.” Barked Rainbow Dash pulling both of them back by their shoulders. The Alpha stood padding forward until it was just a few feet away from them. It bowed it's head jaws opening slightly dropping something wriggling onto the ground. Fluttershy let out a small gasp knowing exactly what was happening.

“It's a pup.”

As she spoke the last heathy timber wolf pup rolled over bright yellow eyes gleaming letting out a delighted yip from its tiny jaws. It faced the Alpha tail wagging its entire body, tounge lolled as a much larger one lapped it's little head. With a nudge it was moved forward, for a second the pup hesitated letting out a keening whine. The Alpha snarled in anger sending it scurrying under all their legs until it huddled behind Chache whimpering.

Again the Alpha sat on its haunches letting out a snort shaking it's diseased frame.

“They'll contain the fire.” Fluttershy whispered whipping away a tear sniffing. Twilight bit the inner part of her cheek not liking any part of what was happening here.

“Ma’am please.” Spoke up Shako who'd picked herself and Willow off the ground.

“Twilight…” Rarity started as the princess raised a hand towards the tree bursting it wholly in flames. The heat hit them all like an open furnace Twilight lowered her arm hands balling into fists.

“Were done here.”

A circle bloomed at their feet, there was a crackle of lightning ozone burned then a flash.

Only the wolves remained.

The Alpha threw it's head back letting out a final howl. It's pack gathered around the burning tree each singing a final song as the flames turned a fallen king and kingdom to ash….

—

Chache grimaced as the bandage was pulled tight around his thigh. Fluttershy whispered an apology putting small amount of pressure on the burn. It'd be a few hours since the princess had teleported them back to town inside her palace, Flam had been whisked to the mortuary while Flim was dragged to the jail for interrogation. Shako and Willow had given him a weary berthe, as far as first days and impressions went he’d blown every expectation out of the literal water. They didn't hate him not as far as he could tell but certainly had a heathy shred of understanding of what kind of man he was after today's events.

Twilight left himself and everyone shortly after in a rare display of anger storming away to who knew where in the manor. Rarity shook her head giving Chache a helpless shrug.

“She's thankful. We all are.” She said following after the princess.

Pinkie Pie bounced after her giving him a wink before leaving a unsettling smile plastered on her face. Rainbow Dash was well aware of what that looks meant and shuddered at the thought. Fluttershy finished with bandaging his leg standing up just enough to be level with his face. She kissed him on the lips it was gentle with a warm smile.

“Id like that date if possible.” She murmured cupping his cheek and kissing him again before he could protest. Applejack bit her thumbnail watching jealously, however a small part of her writhed in knowing that perhaps she wasn't completely out of this game yet.

Alot of things were going on in Chaches mind most of which focused on the girl before him sucking on his face. It wasn't simple magic that the boy had been fiddling with it'd been directed with a purpose and well beyond anyone of his ilks skill to control. Maybe the living brother could shed some light on that subject. At least point him in the right direction at most.

For now, he let the day settle into his bones. He felt a set of paws against his leg the timber wolf pups yellow eyes meeting his brimming with a unsettling intelligence.

Whatever future lay ahead of him Chache was sure of one thing…

This Moonlite Ranger was just getting started.

End chapter 3.