Broken Strings and Bucked Apples

You can hear it around you, the voices of other ponies, distant and slightly muffled. Your eyes try to flutter open slightly, but as a small amount of light seeps through the cracks that are your eyelids, you cringe slightly and shut them immediately. Well, no vision, might as well feel your surroundings. Using your hooves, you can feel that you're laying on the ground, a hard wooden floor to be exact. Slowly, the memories of last night vaguely collect in your mind. The kick ass show, the crowd cheering, and last but not least, your kiss with Lyra. A small smile instinctively splits across your face as you lay on the ground, having no idea where you are.

"See that?! Look at that smug little smile, I'm gonna kill him!"

Your ear twitches slightly as one of the muffled voices grows louder, along with several harsh thumps on the ground beneath you, causing your body to shake slightly. Your eyes instantly spring open as you feel a pair of hooves violently lift you off of the ground, your back legs dangling beneath you.

It's... Trap-Set.

Instinctively, you raise a hoof to wave at him. But something is off, his expression looks savagely angry, and his eyes look bloodshot as if he's been crying.

"Woah... D-Dude... You alright?" you ask distantly, still waking up.

"Trap, come on! Put him down!" you hear a voice shout from across the room.

Struggling in the Trap-Set's massive hooves, you look to the direction of the voice, noticing Basswave standing beside Pinkie Pie. Both carrying worried expressions.

It's then you realize it, you're still in Sugar Cube Corner. Must've passed out after the party. Sweet Celestia this place is wrecked...

Looking back to Trap-Set's anger, you realize another thing... You kissed "his" mare.

Before you can try and pull out of his grasp, he cocks his foreleg back and slams his hoof into your face. A jolt of pain hits you with the force of a freight train, leaving your face burning as you fly backwards and land on a chair. The chair buckles however, causing you to flip over it and land in a massive pile of plastic cups, your thoughts beginning to cloud.

"Jeez, Trap! What the hell?!" you shout, bringing a hoof to the afflicted spot on your face.

He pays no attention, simply stepping forward and picking you up once more.

"Pinkie, get help, now!" Basswave says, quickly trotting over to the two of you.

He begins frantically pulling on Trap-Set's forelegs, trying to free you from his grasp. Pinkie Pie looks around for a moment in panic before trotting hurriedly outside to get help.

"I told you, you little rat!" Trap screams in your face. "You've been stealing mares from me since 5th grade!"

You feel another hoof collide with your jaw before you have a chance to say anything, knocking you to the side and against the front counter of the store, sending several more cups and desert pastries flying.

"Gah... Fuck! It was heat of the moment, Trap! Calm down!" you scream in return, trying to reason with the venomously angry pony in front of you.

He gives no response and simply shrugs his shoulders forward, charging towards you.

"Trap, come on!" you shout once more.

Just as he reaches you, you dive out of the way, causing him to ram full-speed into the counter with his head, putting him in a slight daze for a moment. Taking your chance you quickly sprint a distance away from him, turning to back away slowly, putting your hooves up defensively.

"Listen, dude. We can talk about this!" you plead.

Trap-Set growls, recovering from his self-inflicted blow. He snorts angrily and spits on the floor.

"No talking. I'm going to kill you right here you weasel." he says in a grim tone.

You roll your eyes and sigh as he begins charging once more, trying to run you down. As the distance between the two of you closes, Trap-Set snaps his head downward and sets up for the perfect ramming stance. Reaching you, he jumps forward, trying to slam into you. You're able to snap away just in time however, causing him to run into nothingness and lose his balance.

"Agh! Stop delaying the inevitable you slimey- GAH!" he shouts.

He's cut off however as you slam onto his back, using it to springboard over him and continue sprinting away. You could probably handle yourself in a fight, but a fight against Trap? Not on your life.

The large earthpony clutches his afflicted area in pain and rolls over, returning to his hooves in one swift move. His anger seems to have doubled since before, steam almost emitting from his nostrils as he breathes heavily. An ear-piercing war cry sounds from his throat as he opens his mouth and charges towards you again. You look around in panic, looking for a way out. But you've boxed yourself into a corner, walls on both sides of you. Out of the corner of your eye, you quickly spot Basswave signaling to you.

"Catch!" he shouts at the top of his lungs, tossing a guitar by the neck in your direction.

You watch as it soars through the air majestically, time seeming to slow slightly as Trap-Set charges towards you. Thankfully, the hulking stallion hasn't seen it yet as it flies just over head of him, faster than his running speed. Reaching towards it, you're able to juuuust grab it, wrapping your hoof around it and bringing it down to you. Trap doesn't stop however, not noticing you now have a weapon, and continues to charge as you set up to hit him.

"Last chance, Trap! Cut it out!" you shout, warning him as he steps closer.

"FUCK YOU!" he screams in reply.

With a quick sigh, you close your eyes and brace yourself, swinging the base of the guitar upwards. You can feel the instrument vibrate as the guitar smacks the bottom of his jaw, immediately stopping his momentum and knocking him backwards. A sickening crack echoes off of the walls as you open your eyes and see your target fly backwards. A spray of blood flies from his mouth as well, along with what appears to be several pieces of teeth. He lands with a stern thud, rolling a few more feet before stopping.

Your hooves un-clench around the neck of the guitar, jaw dropping as you examine him, writhing in agony on the ground.

"D-Dude?!" you ask shakily.

Trap groans in pain, blood beginning to flow from his mouth.

"Aghhh, you hit me wif a fuckin' guitaw!" he says, the flowing fluids accenting his voice.

He slowly and shakily rises once more, turning around to face you.

"I'm still gownna kiwl you, you son of a-!"

He's quickly cut off as a pair of orange hind legs bucks him in the side of the head, sending him back to the floor. You blink once, even more confused as you notice Applejack trotting towards you.

"C'mon Sugar Cube, Royal Guards' are on their way!" she says, pulling you along.

You look to her in shock, then back to Trap as she pulls you along, the stallion moaning and groaning on the ground.

"Why, man?! Why- GahhhhHHHH YOU MOTHER FUCKER!" he screams, his face on the ground. "You watch! You watch, I'm going to-to make my own band!"

You cringe slightly, hearing the angry tone in his voice, and trot hurriedly along with Applejack out of Sugar Cube Corner, Trap-Set still screaming insults as you slam the door shut and proceed down the street.

"I got help!" Pinkie Pie says with a bright smile as you hurry away.

*  *  *

"What in the hay were you thinkin' fightin' that big'un like that?!" Applejack asks, propping you up against the side of the barn's wall.

After fleeing the scene before the guards showed up, the country-mare noticed how bad your face was bruised. So much so that a large gash had been torn from your right cheek, along with a heavily swollen eye. Her green eyes shine from the outside moonlight as she holds up a wet rag and gently places it against your afflicted area, causing you to hiss slightly in pain.

"Nnngh- Life of a rockstar." you say cheesily, a slight chuckle escaping through the pained exhale.

She shakes her head and narrows her eyebrows, a wry expression taking her face.

"Sounds more like a dysfunctional family to me." she says, pressing lightly against your black-eye over and over again.

You let her work in silence for a few minutes, dunking the rag in a bucket of water beside you to keep it cold and wash small amounts of blood from it. After a bit, you look to her and raise an eyebrow.

"So Pinkie came to you for help, huh?" you ask, trying not to sound like you're in excruciating pain.

(You are).

"Nah," she says with a shy smile. "Ah was passing by, wanted to make sure Ah thanked yah' for the show. Blew my mind, that's fer' sure."

You smirk and adjust yourself a bit as she continues.

"Why didn't you find me last night? I was hanging out after the show."

She shrugs and takes a breath, dunking the rag once more.

"Ah tried, but you were busy."

You freeze for a moment, remembering your kiss with Lyra once more. You can feel a guilt burning in your stomach for a moment, almost as if you don't want Applejack to know what happened. You swallow dryly and raise an eyebrow.

"With what?" you ask, able to keep your normal tone of voice.

She giggles and continues dressing your facial wounds.

"Being passed out in a pile'a cups."

You want to sigh, but figure it would make her suspicious, instead making a note to do it later.

After what feels like forever and an eternity in a painful hell, she backs away slightly, examining your face.

"Eyup. Ah'd say you're about done." she says, stepping back towards you, taking a seat on the floor of the barn.

"Thank you, nurse Applejack. No corrective surgery?" you ask, beginning to spout of cheese like a fondue fountain.

She rolls her eyes and jokingly brushes her hoof across the "good" side of your face, specifically the one that doesn't look like a piece of meat.

"Maybe somethin' ta' fix that big mouth'a yurs'." she says. "What in the hay got your boy all riled-up anyway?"

You pause slightly and just shrug, trying not to lie, but not necessarily tell the truth.

"Just stealing his spotlight or something... Never know with that guy."

She nods in response, looking around the barn for a moment, her eyes still sparkling as the irises move around, causing a slight smirk to split your lips. She then sighs and looks to the bloody-water bucket.

"Ehh... Ah'll take it up in the mornin'." she says, waving it off with a hoof.

You nod, leaning backwards and yawning loudly.

"Tomorrow is gonna' be fun... Guess I should set up some ads for a new drummer, heh..." you say through the extended yawn.

"Why so, Sugarcube?" she asks, tilting her head slightly.

"What, you really think Trap is going to come back to the band after that?"

"Well ya'll been friends for a while, I reckon it'll be a pretty quick make up."

You shake your head, and stretch your forelegs, slouching against the wooden wall of the barn slightly.

"Not after this. He's never come at me like that. Hell, I've never wanted him to in the first place. You know how many heads that stallion has broken?"

She shrugs and remains silent for a moment, but brightens and looks to you, her eyes slightly wider.

"Oh! New drummer, huh? Ah think ah might know somepony who'd love to fill that spot right-quick." Applejack says with a smile.

"They good?" you ask, looking up to the ceiling.

"Well, she likes to hit stuff. I reckon' that's as good'a qualification as any." she replies with a smirk.

You sigh and look down with a smile, looking specifically to her hoof, just in your reach. You reach for it, gently taking it in yours as you idly rest your head against the wall behind you. The pounding in your head has stops for a moment as you close your eyes, and the feeling of another pony's hoof in yours is helping numb the pain, specifically Applejack's. She seems slightly surprised at the way her hoof jumps a bit as you grab it, but she doesn't pull it away, instead intertwining it with yours.

"You're a great mare, AJ. I don't feel like I say that enough." you say with a smile, closing your eyes.

She giggles lightly, squeezing your appendage slightly.

"Aw, shucks. Heh, thanks, Sugarcube."

After a few seconds of feeling the edge of her hoof slide back and forth across the palm of yours, you open your eyes and look up. Then you see it, instantly feeling how you felt with Lyra at the show. The look in her eyes. It's almost the exact same. A little bit of shyness, with a definite look of hunger. Hunger for somepony, probably you, you're heart is beginning to pound too hard to process thoughts exceeding 4th grade knowledge however, so you're not sure. She looks down to the hoof in hers then back up to you.

Then you really see it. Subtly but you can tell it's there.

She bites her lip.

It's sooooo slight, but you can tell, you can feeeeel it. Your mind starts to race for a moment as you examine her face. She wants you to kiss her. You know it. She knows it. I know it. Everyone knows it. Celestia knows it. Just do it. Do it already. Lean forward. By Luna's divine grace just do it. You're gonna miss your chance, kid! Just do it already! DO IT-

"I have to pee." you say distantly.

Applejack pauses completely, her face now confused rather than hungry.

"W-What, Sugarcube?" she asks quietly.

Smooth. Why don't you just nickname yourself Mood-Killer? You feel a hot blush rush into your cheeks as you realize what you said. I have to pee? Might as well been; "Hey I want to kiss you but I'm a complete fuck-up so, screw it, bodily functions!". But, you actually do have to pee, quite bad. You release her hoof and begin standing up, trying your best not to make eye-contact to further your embarrassment.

"You alright there?" she asks, standing up as well, looking a bit disappointed.

"Yeah. I just uhh... I should go. Thanks for the- and the- yeah with the-" you stumble over your words, mimicking her touching of the rag to your face.

She rolls her eyes and sighs with a nod, extending a hoof to the exit of the barn.

"Don't mention it." she says, chuckling weakly. "Later."

You bow your head and begin to walk out of the barn, slightly shamed at your lack of control. With a sigh, you make it to the road just outside of Sweet Apple Acres, walking the few blocks towards your home. Here's to hoping Trap-Set isn't still there.

*  *  *

You place your key in the door handle as you step onto the front porch, trying to be quiet in the event that crazy-colt is still around. As you start to turn your hoof and unlock it though, it's quickly pulled open, causing you to cringe at the aspect of being socked by Trap and the heavy light from inside.

"Please don't hit me, it just stopped hurting!" you plead.

After a few minutes of silence, you hear a chuckle and uncover your eyes. Standing in the doorway is Basswave, levitating a bottle beside him.

"Nice battle-scars, kiddo." he says, turning around and walking into house.

You sigh in relief and roll your eyes, stepping inside of the home as well.

"Screw you." you retort, stepping in and placing a hoof on the couch.

Basswave steps into the living room as well, throwing himself onto the couch across the room with a light grunt, taking a sip from the bottle that is most likely beer.

"Is uhh...?" you say, motioning to upstairs.

The unicorn shakes his head as he sets the beverage down on the end table beside the couch.

"Nah. Came home after the hospital and packed his stuff right up, said he was done with everything." Basswave says with a sigh.

You sigh and step around the couch, putting a hoof to your head in disbelief.

"Shit... I put him in the hospital?" you ask quietly.

Bass nods and points to you.

"Yep, and he's sending you the bill."

You roll your eyes and sink deeper into the couch, groaning as Bass levitates another bottle across the room to you.

"C'mon, let's just chill out and forget today happened." he says, nodding to the beer floating just inside your reach.

You sigh and take it, flicking the cap off and taking a swig. Across the room, you see Basswave lift his bottle in the air, chuckling as he does so.

"Here's... To the end of the band." he says, a hint of sadness in his voice.

You swallow your swig suddenly, choking on it as you lean forward on the couch.

"Oh no. Nononono. Fuck that." you say, shaking your head wildly.

Bass nods and takes a swig, smiling at you.

"Oh ok, cool. We can just start a Mumford band. Always wanted a reason to kill myself." he says with a hearty laugh.

You roll your eyes and clear your throat.

"No! AJ knows somepony. Somepony good. She can get her to play with us."

"Another chick in the band? I don't think that went so well last time." he replies, slightly concerned.

You nod slightly and look to the ground. After a few short moments of thought, you chuckle and look up to Bass.

"Heh, you get dibs on this one, alright?" you say with a smug grin, causing him to roll his eyes.

"Whatever. That reminds me," he says, tipping his bottle in your direction. "I never said I was OK with you fucking a family friend."

"And what are you going to do to stop me?" you reply.

"Absolutely nothing!" he says with a chuckle before finishing off the rest of his drink.

You chuckle as well, looking to the ground once more. Your mind then returns to the thoughts of Applejack and your complete screw-up at the barn earlier that night. You nearly cringe at the thought of it. "I have to pee." Who says that?

"I should've kissed her." you say quietly, still staring at the floor.

Basswave looks up, raising an eyebrow.

"I thought you did. You were tonguing her throat by the time I caught a glimpse of you guys." he says.

"No, not Lyra... AJ."

"AJ?" Bass asks, sitting up. "Wait a minute dude... Are you thinking of double-dipping? Two chicks?"

Looking to him, you can see he's concerned. Maybe with good reason, just one mare had almost gotten you paralyzed today, two was signing your own death warrant.

"No!" you reply quickly. "Neither of them are official..."

Basswave rolls his eyes and exhales slowly.

"Sweet Celestia, you're an asshole..." he says through the breath.

You chuckle weakly and nod.

"That I am..." you reply.

"Just don't hurt either one of them. They're nice ponies, and one of them is a badass guitarist." he says, nodding in your direction.

You nod in response, lounging back on the couch once more, staring at the ceiling.

"I'm gonna miss Trap..." you suddenly say, thoughts now returning to your childhood friend.

"Yeah... He's a good guy when he's not trying to bash your skull in." Bass replies, burping lightly as he cracks open another drink.

"Heh, remember junior year? When he 'stood-up' to Mrs. Breeze?" you ask with a light chuckle.

"Oh yeah, I'll never forget what that idiot said."

"Drums aren't my life, it's my way of life!" you both recite, imitating Trap-Set's voice.

You both share a hearty laugh as the memories come back. You nearly roll off of the couch as your chest gasps for air from all of the rampant laughing. Bass wipes away a tear and sits back up.

"Oh gosh... Oh... The teacher was so damn confused she didn't even give him detention for walking out." he says through an exhale.

"Oh and then the spray paint on her house?" you ask.

"No... Don't even bring that up, dude!" Basswave says, chuckling loudly again. "I've never met a pony in the 11th grade who can't spell 'idiot' right...."

You both sigh as you reminisce, leaning back as the memories swirl through your mind. Or maybe that was pain. Yeah, definitely pain, coming back in strong waves. You clutch your head for a moment and groan as you stand up, using the couch for support as you make your way to your hooves.

"Fuck... Think I'm going to pack it in for the night...." you say through your pained groans, inching your way to the stairs.

"Alright, dude... Good times." he says, lifting his drink to you once more.

"And they'll keep on coming..." you say quietly to yourself, beginning to ascend up the steps.