Applejack was rarely roused from sleep, it just didn't happen. If all of Ponyville were to be considered not quiet, Sweet Apple Acres would be unusually quiet, but Ponyville as a whole is a tiny quiet town most of the year. The loudest citizens Applejack was already good friends with, and knew how to address them personally.
But danger is a prowling panther in the night that stalks it's delicious prey in the night silently, and Applejack might consider herself a fool not to think so, especially tonight. It was this night she was awoken, all too lucky on her part to be aware of it. As the normal pattern goes, she was a heavy sleeper, and proud of the hard work that made her so tired; such a disturbance would have to be extremely loud, this implying it was in her home.
Applejack's golden opportunity had come, perhaps not to assess the scale of the danger, but to address another root of her problems. The intruder was very good, however, and moved silently across the creaky floorboards with ease, and thereby removing the only security measure implemented in the old home. Actions not questions were needed however, and Applejack could deliver.
Maybe the first mistake she made was to leave the house so easily, when she knew the apple cellar was accessible from inside, but her logic most likely was to get to the exit and block it off. Her silence was no longer needed as she galloped to the door across fields of grass.
The shovel was the weapon of choice for the night; Applejack slid the handle between the doors that jutted out of the ground, disabling the lock from any surprise tricks. It wasn't too long, however, before there was a blast and the doors came off. The only light came from the lamp inside the masked pony's muzzle, as it ran straight through the door, and sent wood splinters among flying chunks of dusty board. Applejack was struck; there wasn't much she would be able to do.
As she lie in the dirt, realizing that she had been asleep for a couple hours and the sun was rising, she made a promise. It had not been a dream, the door was still blasted off, but it wasn't premeditated. Entering the cellar shed more light on the empty walls that were devoid of any apples, and leaving saw the defaced apple truck whoever had used to cart the apples; professionals planned this, maybe in multiple stages.
The promise made was that she would try to solve her problems seriously now, without pride or hesitation. She would go directly and ask for help, get authorities involved.
A meeting with Twilight Sparkle went quickly disappointing. Applejack's affairs were considered personal affairs, and while she could apply for compensation, the apples were gone forever. In short, none of the royal guards would be dispatched to help. While Twilight was apologetic, Applejack was not settled. A meeting was arranged, inviting all of her friends to arrange an effort.
The point is, nopony wouldn't learn their lesson today. Nopony runs around Ponyville inconsequently.
***
Chapter 1
This is where Applejack sat now, her apple-covered end pressed into one of the plush stools that decorated the ever-colorful Sugarcube Corner. The lamp inside flickered as the bulb inside died, but provided ample entertainment for Applejack as she waited for her meeting. Mrs. Cake had already come out to offer several delectable treats already, to which Applejack turned down, while thanking her for providing a spot to meet after hours. Way after hours, as the night got later and later.
Rainbow Dash stumbled in through the door, and while Applejack was glad to see she didn’t use a window, there was business to take care of. The flustered pegasus quickly filled herself in on her surroundings before dropping down on a seat by Applejack.
“Very funny sugarcube, sit down. You’re painfully late.” Applejack giggled.
“Lighten up old-timer, I’m a busy gal!” Rainbow snickered.
Applejack recalled a sheet of notes on the white spotted table. Apple Bloom recommended having a list of points to keep a larger meeting organized; this did not become the case. She should have known that if Pinkie was willing to host but not attend was a pretty poor sign, but still remained thankful for her inability to help her friends.
“Alrighty, since everyone happened to drop out last second, it’s just you and I. Bu-“
“What? Twilight always does these kinds of things! She loves to be accepted!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
“Actually, she’s a bit of the trouble this time around. See, she told me about how there’s no real protection unless it’s major, and she won’t give us any of that leverage she has.”
“Why would we need protection?”
From out her saddlebag, Applejack pulled out a notebook filled with spreadsheets containing their inventory. The spreadsheets abruptly ended in the month's apple stock hitting zero, followed by dwindling numbers leading up to this point.
"Wow, this sucks." Dash said ignorantly.
"Not everything is gone, however." Applejack directed her attention to one of the few full numbers that wasn't deficit.
A number was still in the cider section, meaning the cider refrigerator remained unchanged.
"Now, the varmint will have to return for the cider! Then we'll be waiting! Even if the Princess won't help a bit, we will!" Applejack proclaimed.
“Well of course Princess Celestia isn’t gonna help with some apple thieves, that’s embarrassing!” Dash tried to be serious, but it wasn’t happening.
“So we’re gonna do it ourselves!”
Rainbow Dash and Applejack shared a grin, but Applejack was playing a biased move.
“That sounds just as sketchy. We’ll get caught!”
“Now now, we’ll just be as much of a misdemeanor as they are! We just gotta teach them a lesson and send them home! If the guards won't help us, they won't help them!”
Applejack smiled proudly, knowing she had a convincing argument and a convincing cause that Rainbow would easily stand behind. It was just too easy. But it was too fun, and Applejack figured she’d learn a lesson on self-restraint this week as well.
"Look, these aren't real bad guys, just bullies. We're big enough to take 'em! I could really use the help, I can't manage to swing my friends this time to my side, could you help?" Applejack patted Dash on the back, eyes filled with earnestness and care.
The final blow to Dash's restraint: helping a friend out when nobody else could. But on the inside, Rainbow really wanted to. She had missed out on the last couple of big fights, and her reputation was sinking.
"You can count me in!" Rainbow exclaimed.
"Great! I hope you brought your best, because we're going now!" Applejack proclaimed determined, getting up and heading towards the door.
Rainbow Dash was not so ready.
***
There was still one massive mystery, and it was only apparent to Rainbow Dash.
"So why do you think he's coming back?" Dash asked.
"It was planned, there's no way he wouldn't known his way around the farm!"
"You know your way around the farm though, you should have gotten him?"
"It's a bit more complicated than th-"
"That's ridiculous! You should hav-"
"He knocked me cold and got away!" Applejack shouted in the privacy of the truck.
Rainbow Dash smirked and giggled. Applejack said a silent prayer that the night covered her blush, but still cursed for her misfortunes that caused the accident. Still, the giggles were pouring out, and Applejack was getting annoyed quickly.
"You LOST them? Don't you have any sort of training? Hehehehe Applejack! Sheesh hahaha!" Rainbow laughed.
"I'm sorry if I'm ashamed of not doing good work for once." Applejack glared.
Rainbow Dash folded her arms and squashed up against the seat of the apple truck. As it were, they sat parked under a stack of hay, looking out over the dashboard to enjoy the stars and the quiet cool atmosphere. Waiting out the thief was hard work with such colorful personalities from such colorful ponies.
The plan was shock and awe; the thief would enter the barn, invade the apple storage, where the truck would jump out and scare the apples out of him/her. Rainbow Dash would then catch when they run away, and the Apple family would get a year's share of justice in about an hour, or however deemed necessary; more than what kept Applejack in the drivers seat.
"How come you're so sure it was a him?" Dash quietly asked.
"That's a stupid po-"
There was a shuddering from the barn door in front of them, with a black-clad trouble tugging it open.
"NOW!" Applejack shouted.
The engine revved and the headlights flicked on. A black outline of a colt froze on the inside of the barn, and the truck roared, leaping across the pit they were entrenched in. Rainbow Dash rolled down the window, climbing onto the roof, and conveniently blowing in a draft to pump Applejack's adrenaline.
The colt turned and booked it straight into the rear wall of the barn, before that wall exploded in sheer force. Applejack drove the truck straight after, with a cursing Rainbow Dash sliding off the roof and into the truck bed. While the colt broke into a full gallop, Rainbow Dash climbed to the truck rear door and held on, signaling to Applejack to drift.
Applejack spun out and Rainbow Dash shot off the bumper straight towards the thief. He conveniently ducked under a ledge, while Rainbow Dash shot into the dark. An engine revved up and out came the colt on a motorcycle, now trailing behind Applejack, who had skidded into the direction of the bike's escape route and was now ahead of the colt.
The motorcycle kept its distance behind Applejack, and Applejack began to gain speed, expecting the bike to do the same. Suddenly Applejack slammed the brakes, as the colt continued forward with momentum previously. His defense was to glide to the right, quickly going to pass the truck. Applejack dove across the seats to hit the latch on the door, throwing it open and slamming directly into the side of the bike where it spun out and crashed into a field.
Rainbow Dash returned seconds later, blasting the open door off the truck into a farther field and knocking over a tree. None of that mattered, however, besides getting to the colt unconscious in the wreck. Applejack tackled him and ripped away the mask with her teeth, impatient for the truth, but coming face to face with Big Macintosh.
Applejack did not explode in anger as predicted, just sat there and wept. She had scarcely wept so hard in her life, and thinking of how long it had been made her weep more.
A clod of dirt kicked up in Applejack's peripherals and Rainbow Dash landed behind her. Her mouth briefly dropped, before giving Applejack a steel glare; Applejack could barely return a look. Her anger subsided into quiet realization.
"You knew, didn't you." Rainbow Dash said without her usual attitude.
Applejack nodded.
"It was an awful suspicion I've had, but it shouldn't have been true. It shouldn't have." Applejack muttered defeated.
Rainbow Dash walked over, briefly made eye contact with Applejack, before lifting Big Macintosh and walking away, back towards the home the Apple family might not hold so dear any longer.
TO BE CONTINUED...
It was a mess, one Applejack had stepped in and it was all over her hooves; nobody else was going to clean it for her.
Her suspicion was her first fear, one that was now replaced with a far more dangerous fear. Big Macintosh was too attached to Sweet Apple Acres and his only friends were family, he would be held down and never aspire beyond. Applejack told this to his face a few months ago, and rather angrily too, but it was out of love. He was banned on the farm after dinner.
It was assumed that he had found friends, he talked sparsely about them, but Applejack had her own friends to attend to. Maybe if she paid more attention, she would know why.
Chapter 2
While Applejack felt bad for dragging Rainbow Dash into this, she was glad that she had shown no boredom.
"You might like this." Rainbow handed Applejack a box. Her humor had been held since her the incident the previous night.
Big Macintosh was still unconscious and had probably shifted into sleep, so they were rushing to figure out their next move and how to handle him. Currently, the move was to lock him in the bathroom until further notice, but they may need to ask several questions. The box was as far as they had gotten.
Upon opening the box, it was filled with notes; letters to someone he held dear. There were a lot too. At least Applejack could agree that they had some of the most beautiful handwriting, but even that may be a clue. She emptied the box on the table, and cued for Rainbow Dash to begin combing over the letters.
"These look personal, like really reeeeaaally personal." Rainbow Dash blushed.
"We gotta keep going, this is the best lead we have. Just keep your giggles to yourself." Applejack groaned.
The pause that followed was filled with the light sound of shuffling papers.
"All of these are signed 'Queenpin' what the heck is that supposed to mean?" Dash asked.
"I don't know Rainbow, I don't know." Applejack said, putting her head in her hooves.
A lot of it was dirty and scandalous; a lot of it was suspicious and possibly illegal. Having a lover did not explain the apples, unless she was homeless. A spark of anger flew over Applejack's head as if Big Macintosh was selling out the apples for spending money, but it could not be the case. If Applejack wanted to believe Big Macintosh was rational, she would have to go deeper.
"I think if we determine who little miss "Queenpin" is, we'll be good!" Rainbow exclaimed.
"I'm not sure we're going to enjoy what we find in there, even if it is for our own good."
"Applejack! Quit killing the mood! We're doing this for your brother, not because it might be fun!" Rainbow stared down Applejack, who kept her head down.
"Look here," Dash passed her a letter she had found. "This one has instructions on how to get to a meeting spot, and it seems pretty regular."
Applejack finally looked up, eyes red with tears.
"Did you read the part where they're brewing something? It's definitely on the down low, and they're probably working for somebody!"
"You think they're brewing drugs?" Dash exclaimed.
"I don't think going there will get us much more than a couple of low-grade pictures." Applejack resolved.
Rainbow Dash finally had to close her eyes to focus in. Applejack wasn't being hysterical, but there was a job at hand.
"We need to cut your brother off from some possibly dangerous people, and the only way we're going to do that is if we bust this wide open! You stay here and figure out the rest, I'm going to go fly ahead and look around, sound good?"
Rainbow Dash let Applejack look up, but she was on her way out quick. Applejack cared too much to stop her, but there weren't enough good plans. Wishing her luck would do no good now; it was a matter of odds now.
Applejack still remained sitting after all this time. She had barely eaten, and while Big Macintosh remained asleep on the floor of the house, she wished time would stand still just this once. It was morning, and soon the rest of the family would get up. Apple Bloom would go to school, and Granny Smith would stay home but would spend most of the day in ignorance, so maybe Rainbow Dash's plan was plausible.
Proving her brother's innocence is a greater cost than the events of Applejack's present, and would cost just as much sacrifice to succeed.
***
The only way Applejack was going to bring herself to do it was by telling herself it was going to be okay, and reassuring her faith and trust that Rainbow Dash held. As per the time and location had arrived, the small dirt hole that was covered with excellently crafted boards had been a real thing; it could also be implied that this was the handiwork of Big Macintosh.
This secret entrance was located in an open field behind the schoolhouse, and the miles of open field behind it were a perfect location to hide the apple truck. It was a reasonable hiding space that you had to look for, and certainly inaccessible to any fillies.
Applejack lifted the door and made her way down the wooden stairs through dirt tunnel, which lead to a sort of foyer, where there was a more secured door. Closing the door did not provide total darkness, to which there was a small electric light that lit the room but still kept the hall dusty and murky. The door was more like an actual door, but with no handle and a peephole shutter device. It was essentially a speakeasy.
A knock on the door opened the shutter on the peephole and a pair of paranoid eyes crept through. It was more apparent that a lot of chatter was happening on the inside.
"Applejack? You can't be here! Nothing's happening here!" The pony squealed.
"Wait! I'm Big Macintosh's brother! He asked myself to take care of the business he couldn't do when he fell!" Applejack lied.
"Oh! Uh, excuse me!" The panicking pony quickly hobbled off, closing the latch.
Applejack pressed her ear to the door, waiting for the verdict and evaluating the danger of the entire scenario.
"We can't ask Queenie what she thinks, she's out!" A muffled voice came.
"How bad could it be? If she's busting us we'll just drop her!" Came another.
Just as Applejack was considering that Rainbow Dash might already be dead, the door swung open. Applejack trotted inside so the door might be closed quicker, but she was in an obvious problem.
The walls were carved out of the dirt and supported by wooden beams, and only slightly better lit than the tunnel. Wooden tables and chairs dotted the floors, along with several other random doors engraved in the walls. Several ponies were having drunken conversations, and others passed out. Rainbow Dash sat at one table, talking with two other ponies, emptying her mug of something.
Applejack sat down on one of the cushioned barrels provided, and leaned into the conversation next to Rainbow.
"Oh hey Applejack! You're just in time! Would you like to meet my friends? It's uh, um..." Rainbow slurred before trailing off, focus lost.
Of the two ponies at the table, Applejack recognized the twitchy pair of green eyes from the entrance. The other one was near passing out, not holding his drink at all.
"So Applejack, where's the apples?" The door pony asked suspiciously.
"They're up on the surface, but I ain't giving them until I meet with the Queenpin." Applejack snarled.
"Oh, but didn't Big Macintosh tell you? She's occupied this time of day!" A small smile curled up to her green eyes.
"I was in a bit of a hurry. When does she return?"
"In about 15 minutes, you can wait in her office."
"I'm gonna wait out here, this cider is good." Rainbow lazily mouthed.
Applejack panicked and grabbed the mug.
"Cider?!" Applejack tasted the golden brew, and tasted her famous cider recipe. She would be just as furious if she didn't taste alcohol in it, which was extremely illegal in Ponyville.
"Interesting brew here, you make it here?" Applejack asked slyly.
"Of course, nothing but the best for our clients."
The door pony got up and walked to a room in the back, and did not return. Applejack returned to the table to see how the situation had changed. Rainbow Dash was exhausted, but continued to drink, but the looser pony had awakened to the departure of the door pony. He slicked back his light blue mane with a matching blue hoof and slid over.
"I hear Queenie has a secret room she uses with Big Macintosh." The blue pony whispered with a wink.
"That's pretty gross sugarcube, I'd suggest getting back to your drinks." Applejack stared straight.
"I'm not drunk, I swear, just talk to me." He pleaded.
If Rarity had taught Applejack anything, charm isn't naturally disposed to her, but all she needed was to activate it. Her eyelids slid half way down; she had been told her eyes sparkled some more when like this.
"Give me your name and I'll think about it." Applejack winked.
"Let's not concern ourselves about names today." The pony leaned in and lightly grabbed Applejack's hoof.
A blush rose in her freckles, as fantasies from her much younger years came flooding back. Actually, they weren't from much longer ago.
"Like my friend too? We're running a twofer special tonight." Applejack used less of a slap and more of a sock-to-the-jaw type maneuver to get Rainbow Dash's attention.
The blue pony twitched and his neck swung around swiftly, checking for attention in the sleepy club, which wasn't present. He then got up and casually walked to the office the door pony had acknowledged earlier, unlocked and entered. Applejack and Rainbow Dash followed, and while Dash continued to meander lazily, Applejack locked the door.
Applejack leaned in and whispered something into Rainbow's ear, and while confused at first, did it. The colt situated himself in the desk chair inside what appeared to be an office, most likely for the Queenpin, the chair situated towards the door. Rainbow stood still, as Applejack moved behind the desk.
The colt had entertained himself with just being giddy with excitement. Rainbow Dash spread her wings and hovered just above him, slowly lowering her tail to reveal a distraction for Applejack. Applejack, meanwhile had grabbed a book from the desk and clenched it in her teeth, and positioned herself on the desk to strike.
Suddenly the colt pulled Rainbow Dash into a hug, with about 3 seconds to physical contact. Dash was supposed to flip the chair around so Applejack could subdue him, but now Dash was fighting his grip, and she observed too late. The colt and Rainbow fell backwards out, and Applejack flew over the table and into the floor. Rainbow rolled away in time for Applejack's landing to smash the colt's head.
With the colt unconscious, the Applejack was the first to get up; a glimmering object had caught her eye. The shuffle had knocked his key loose and Applejack could retrieve it to access the rest of the hideout.
"Geesh, I know you didn't intend it, but you could have told me." Rainbow rubbed her head.
"Well golly Rainbow, I didn't think you were out of the loop. I told you to do your tease thing, did that not catch you off guard?" Applejack smirked without looking at her, but for some sort of address to where the Queenpin was.
"So you did go through with my plan?" Rainbow smiled as she hoisted herself up.
"It was the hardest thing I had to do, but I had to do it." Applejack swallowed. She gave her eye contact for that one.
Applejack's eyes fell upon the door center to the desk. It was odd for an office, if it was a closet maybe, but there were very muffled voices on the inside. The key fit perfect in the lock, and Applejack went inside, to where the voices were a little bit louder.
Inside was a ladder that lead up to another closet, and a door where the voices were. Applejack turned to Rainbow and nodded for her to follow.
"If you trust my advice so much, you might want it today." Rainbow nodded towards a toppled chest with several guns in it. She tossed Applejack a pistol and kept one herself; who knows what was around the door.
The two climbed up the ladder and landed on the floor above, and were leaning on the door to open.
"I know I'm just loyal, but I'm gonna give you my advice again." Rainbow breathed.
The voices were very close. Applejack turned, pale and afraid.
"We're gonna go in, head first, and take whatever is around this door. It's guaranteed to be the Queenpin, and she's a bad dude." Rainbow reassured.
"That's why you're here Rainbow." Applejack grinned a fake grin.
The door burst open at Applejack's own accord and they aimed the revolvers in their mouths at whatever was in the room. It was a classroom.
Cheerilee is the Queenpin.
