Equestria Noir Side Story "One of Us"

by Jacoboby1

Rating: teen
Tags: Big Macintosh, Slice of Life, Applejack, Original Character, Apple Bloom, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Comedy, Other, Romance
Length: 6996

Side Story set in the Noirverse following the Apple Family.

Tyran has been taken in by the Apple Family and is trying his best to be useful to his new family. Forces are set against the farming family however. Tyran is going to need to find the courage inside him in order to protect his newfound family. Will he succeed, or will the farm be destroyed by the actions of a desperate mare?

Family is hardly ever about blood, it's about what you are willing to do for those you care about, no matter the cost.

Published 2013-02-11 01:50:02 UTC
Last updated 2013-02-11 01:50:02 UTC

"One of Us"

Equestria Noir

Side story

“One of Us”

By Jacoboby1 and Shattered Illusions

Perspective: Tyran

I lifted my hind legs and bucked the apple tree with all my might, but the apples wouldn’t come down. I sat on my haunches in frustration. It was mid-winter, but Applejack said this tree had plastic apples attached to it for bucking practice. I’d been trying all week to get those apples to come down on their own. So far not one apple had fallen from the tree.

I sighed, how was I going to persuade Applebloom’s family to keep me around? I can’t even get the apples to come-

An apple fell on my head and I rubbed my red mane. I looked up to see Applejack smiling down at me, as she asked, “Still tryin' tah get them apples down?”

“Yeah,” I said in defeat, “but they haven’t budged.” I looked up at the apples sitting there in the tree. “Maybe I’m just not cut out for farming after all.”

“Now, don’t go talkin' like that,” Applejack said, putting a hoof on my shoulder. “Yer just learnin' is all. You’ll be buckin' them trees before ya know it.”

“I wish I had your confidence, Applejack,” I said, smiling a little, “but I’ve been trying ever since I’ve arrived here.”

“You’ll get it eventually,” Applejack said, giving me a playful shove. “Now come on, Big Mac was gonna take ya tah the apple stall today.”

I nodded, Big Mac has become sort of like the big brother I’ve never had. In fact, the Apple Family has been extremely nice to take me in. They all treated me like one of the family, even Babs was nice to me when she turned over a new leaf. I just felt guilty though, they’ve done so much for me, and I can’t even knock one apple down.

I put those thoughts aside and followed Applejack down the path to the farm house I called home.

__________________________________________________________

Perspective: Applejack

Poor Tyran, he’s been tryin' all week tah get them apples down. Can’t say ah blame him, took me a long time to figure out the trick to it. Big Mac and I tried teachin' him, but so far he just doesn’t have the base strength yet. Bein' small does account fer that.

Applebloom used tah tell me that Tyran once was huge. He don’t have that strength no more. Hate to imagine what it must’ve been like. Not havin' yer own body tah work with. No kid should have tah-

OOF!!

I crashed into Ditzy while I was thinkin'. I shook off the dizziness and the mail mare said apologetically, “Sorry Applejack, I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

I waved mah hoof dismissively, “Don’t worry none, sugercube.” I gave her a smile and asked, “What’cha doin' 'round here?”

She reached into her mail bag and pulled out two envelopes. She placed them in my hoof with a smile, “Mail for you.”

“Why thank ya, sugercube,” I said, looking back up at her. “What kinda mail we talking here?”

“One of them looks official,” she said, pointin' at the bigger envelope, “but the other…”

I looked at the other one, saw the army seal on it, and blushed bright red. He wrote again! Heavens tah Betsy, he wrote! I hugged the envelope and smiled at Ditzy. “Thanks, sugercube, gotta run!” I made a bee line for the farm house.

I ran up to mah room, closed the door behind me and read the envelope to mahself.

Applejack,

I’m not one for writing pretty words, but I have read enough of your letters to me to say at least something decent. I am writing to inform you I’m on leave. I’m preparing to come by tomorrow and see Ponyville. From the way you describe it the place sounds… interesting. Expect me tomorrow morning, I’ll be there to see you.

I missed you,

Soldier Boy

Well, ain’t he a sweetheart? Ever since we met back at Appaloosa, ole soldier boy and I have been sending' these letters back and forth. At first he didn’t write much in his letters, just a basic military report on how he’s doin'. Now, however, ah get the feline' he’s at least tryin' tah open up.

What was it they called em at his base stee-

“Applejack!”

I almost dropped the letter as I looked up to see Applebloom lookin' at me. I quickly hid the letter behind me and looked down at mah little sis. “Yeah, Applebloom?”

“You’ve been sittin' there for five whole minutes readin' that letter,” she said, before giving me a suspicious look. “What’s in it?”

“Ain’t nothin'!” I yelled, tryin' tah hide mah cheeks turning red. “Ain’t nothin' fer little fillies to worry 'bout.”

Applebloom crossed her forelegs, she knew ah was lyin' through mah teeth, but she shrugged and looked down at the other envelope. “What’s this one 'ere?” she asked.

“Ah haven’t opened that one yet,” I said as I looked at the return address on the envelope…

I looked up at mah little sis and said, “Get yer brother, tell him it’s important.”

Applebloom nodded and zoomed out the door like a rabbit on caffeine. I looked down at the letter inside and frowned. If she thinks she can do this…

Then she’s never seen an Apple ticked off before.

_________________________________________________________

Perspective: Tyran

“Buy some apples!” I shouted to the crowd of ponies that walked by. “Get your delicious apples right here!” I saw a brown earth pony with an hourglass cutie mark walk by and I called, “Hey mister!”

He suddenly ran off shouting something like, “NoIdon’twantapplespleasethankyouIhaveplentyathomeAllons-y!!!!”

I blinked my yellow eyes as he ran off. I looked over at Big Mac who was finishing up a sale to a dark Pegasus with a wild mane cut. The Pegasus smiled at Big Mac and said, “Hey thanks, Big Mac, I’m sure they’d be delicious.”

“Eeyup,” was Big Mac’s response.

“So,” the Pegasus’ glance turned sly, “you gonna tell me what you and Fluttershy were doing at the hill last night?”

Big Mac’s face turned an even deeper shade of red as he replied, “Nope!”

I gave a small laugh, Big Mac was always easily embarrassed when it came to Fluttershy. Personally I can’t blame him, that Pegasus did stop Genny when she became that scary. I gave a small sigh, Genova and I used to live with Grandma. She made Genova out of different parts of all the kids she kidnapped. With my help…

I couldn’t help but feel really bad guilt enter me. I shook it off; I was going to be a great sales pony here! I was going to help Big Mac sell them apples! Huh, I’m even starting to sound like them…

Cool.

Big Mac kept talking in a rather heated conversation with the dark Pegasus. I turned and came nose to nose with Diamond Tiara. We both leapt back in shock and she pointed at me and yelled, “What’s the deal you freak? You want to give me a heart attack?”

“Sorry,” I apologized, even though I only really half meant it. “You just surprised me is all.”

She huffed and tossed her periwinkle and white mane, asking snidely, “So, what’re you doing here anyway? I didn’t know the carnival was in town.”

“Carnival?” I asked, not sure what she meant.

“Oh don’t you know, freak?” she said in a very mean tone. “Everypony in town knows that you belong in a side show. A place where freaks like you are displayed for all to see.”

Was I really a freak? I was a monster at one point…

“I’m surprised the Apple family even keeps you around,” she mocked. “Maybe they plan to cart you off when the first show asks for you.”

“Shut up!” I growled. “You don’t know what you’re talking about!”

“Why else would they keep a monster like you around?” she said, snottily. “I can’t see any other reason to have you stay at their home. You’re completely useless to them otherwise.”

“Stop it!” I growled even more dangerously.

“All you ever will be,” she declared, “is a freak, A F-R-E-A-K, I’m sure it’s hard because monsters can’t spell.”

That’s it!

I was about ready to tackle her when a green magic held me back. I struggled against it as I felt a pair of sapphire colored hooves hold me back. “Tyran, don’t!” I heard a familiar voice speak up.

I struggled for a little bit as Cross came to support Tailspin in holding me back. I just wanted to hit that bully! How dare she call me stupid!

Tailspin held me from his chair and said, “Don’t give into her, Tyran.”

“Yeah, she’s just a bully,“ Cross said, trying to hold me back with his magic, “she’s not worth it.”

Diamond Tiara laughed and walked off. I slowly let out a breath and my friends let me go. I looked at them. Cross, Tailspin and I have become pretty good friends over the past few weeks. Cross only came by recently, he was pretty smart. Tailspin was also pretty nice too.

“Sorry guys,” I apologized, “she just said things that really got under my skin.”

Tailspin shook his head and said sympathetically,“We all go through that, it’s completely understandable that you would get mad.”

“Besides,” Cross continued, “you’re not a freak like she says.”

“I was a monster at one point,” I said, looking down at the snow with my hooves. “I helped Glimmer abduct everypony back at the forest.”

Tailspin rolled up to me, looked me directly in the eye, and asked, “Do you think you’re a monster? Can you honestly tell me that?”

“No,” I admitted, “It’s just hard not to think that.”

Cross spoke up, “I may not have been there when it happened, but I know that bullies like Diamond aren’t worth fighting.” He adjusted his glasses. “Only you can decided who you wanna be.”

“Quoting my brother, are we?” Tailspin asked his cousin with small smirk.

Cross’ ears flattened a little as he admitted, “Possibly…”

“BIG MAC!” I heard a voice yell. I looked over to see Applebloom running towards us. Big Mac left his conversation with the dark Pegasus and walked over. “Ya gotta come home! Applejack needs yer help!”

“Hold on, sis,” Big Mac said, holding a hoof up to calm her down, “just take a breath and tell us what happened.”

Applebloom then took a deep breath, and then said all in one breath, “Applejack got a weird letter from some pony who’s all official like. She said to run down and get you guys, but then as I was runnin' here I saw this carriage come by! It had Aunt Orange inside and, *gasp* SHE’S THERE RIGHT NOW!”

Big Mac’s face turned grim and he looked at me, saying, “Close up the shop, Tyran, I gotta get back home.”

I watched the brother and sister leave, I asked Tailspin, “Aunt Orange?”

Cross was the one who spoke up, “Tropicana Orange, wife to Mandarin Orange, my dad used to do some work with the family.”

“Then her husband killed their foal to cover up some kind of scandal,” Tailspin said, “Private only told me a little about it, but if the Oranges are coming here…”

“Then it can’t be good,” I answered.

____________________________________________________________

Perspective: Applejack

It was bout mid afternoon when everything got settled. Right now I was sittin' next tah Big Mac on our couch. Across from me was none other the Aunt Orange herself. Her orange mane was done up in that ridiculous lookin' mane style. Her yellow coat looked like it was groomed hourly. She looked alright despite her age, although ya could tell she put a lot of work into it. Rarity only had half as much make up on and she looked far better than mah aunt did.

Granny was upstairs havin' her afternoon nap. Good thing too, otherwise this would be even more awkward then it already was. Tyran and Applebloom were upstairs as well. They didn’t need tah hear this.

My aunt turned her blue eyes tah me and spoke in that fancy accent of hers, “It’s been a long time Applejack, I must say you’ve grown up quite well.”

“Save the shmancy talk fer somepony who cares,” I said, not willin' tah buy into the act.

“I see your time in Manehattan has done little to improve your manners,” she retorted. “I was hoping this conversation would be have at least a hint of civility.”

“Yer husband tried tah frame mah brother,” I fired back. “Ya have the gall tah even come here after that? Also, don’t think Ah haven’t heard bout how you treated Babs. She’s still part of this family, ain’t that right Big Mac?” I asked, looking to mah brother for support.

He nodded firmly and said, “Eeyup.”

“Her mother was just a fling my husband had,” Aunt Orange said haughtily, “but I’m not here about Barbra Seed, I’m here about Applebloom.”

“What’cha talkin 'bout?” I asked “Applebloom is doin just fine ere”

“In a town that is constantly under attack by all manner of vicious brutes?” She fired back “Hardly a place to raise a child”

“What do ya know bout raisin' kids?” I said, tryin everything' in my power not to buck her tah next year.

“I know that I can raise them not to be savage brutes,” she said, “which is why I’m planning on suing for custody of Applebloom.”

“Are ya nuts?” Big Mac spoke up fer the first time, ya know he’s ticked off when he does that. “Applebloom is our sister! We’d never give her up tah you!”

“The courts will take your time with her into account,” Aunt Orange said in that sickening accent of hers, “but in the end they will find my home far more suitable for a growing filly.”

“Applebloom’s lived here her whole life!” I yelled. “She ain’t gonna just up and move with you! Doesn’t she get a say in the matter?”

“As her legal guardian,” Aunt Orange said, “you will be asked to speak in court for her. As she is not eighteen yet you will be required to make the consent.”

“Mah only consent is that Ah’m not given up mah sister tah ya!” I yelled louder.

“Can you even afford a lawyer?” she asked, her tone getting darker.

“We can just ask Raiden’s brother again,” Big Mac suggested. “He’d be more than happy tah help.”

“Sandā Bolt is currently tied up in Manehattan at the moment,” she said with a small smirk. “Some big case with a changeling that simply requires too much of his attention.”

“Ya knew he would be caught up!” I accused. “That’s why yer bringing' this suit now!”

“Oh, so you are able to use your head,” she insulted. “I thought bucking apple trees all day would cause it to break down.”

“That’s it!” I yelled. “Get out of mah home!” I pointed tah the door.

“This could all be avoided,” she said with a small smirk, “if you just give Applebloom to me right now. I’ll drop the suit and Applebloom will have a home where she can grow up safe, and… civilized.”

“Get out of mah house,” I screamed, “Ah won’t ask again.”

“Just as stubborn as your parents!” Aunt Orange said as she sauntered towards the door. “Don’t think this is over, Applejack, I tried to be civil…”

She walked out the door, she was lucky ah didn’t buck her into the curve as well.

_________________________________________________________

“That witch did what now?” mah cousin Sour Grapes asked over the phone. “I can’t believe she would even consider that!”

“Ah know, cuz,” I said, phone to mah ear. “It’s downright despicable.”

“Just say the word, Applejack,”she said, her tone was the typical humorless but charming voice Ah knew her by. “I’ll get some of my team on her. Let’s just say ponies are easier to convince when they’ve seen a bat pony in action.”

“Ah appreciate it, Sour,” I said with a small laugh, “but ya know Ah got this.”

“Just trying to be helpful,” she said with a small laugh of her own. “How’s Applebloom handling all this?”

“Ah haven’t talked to her yet,” I admitted. “It’s not exactly something every kid goes through.”

“You’d be surprised,” she answered, her tone sympathetic. “If you ever need anything, just let us know, okay? We are family after all.”

“Thanks, Sour,” I said, then remembered to ask,“Ya common' tah the family reunion?”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she replied. “You think Granny Smith is going to finish the quilt this year?”

“If Ah have anythin' tah say 'bout it,” I answered with a firm nod. “Also, ya wanna introduce me tah that pretty boy of yers?”

“Only if you can explain what you and a certain soldier were doing on a farm together,” she replied in a snide tone that turned me red as an apple.

“Ain’t nothin!” I yelled into the receiver

“I know, family obligation to tease I guess. I gotta run, some grapes need to be crushed.”

“See ya, cuz.”

“Take care of yourself.”

I hung the receiver up and I looked over at the stairs. There was Applebloom looking at me. I sighed and said, “It’s late Applebloom, ya should be headin' tah bed.”

“Ah can’t stop thinkin bout yer argument with Aunt Orange,” Applebloom replied glumly. “How come she doesn’t like us?”

I sighed and answered as best I could, “She just never understood what it’s like tah have a family like we do. That’s all ah can really say.”

“Yer not gonna make me go tah Manehattan, are ya?” she asked, her yellow eyes were fighting tears. “Ah don’t wanna leave Ponyville.”

“Ya won’t, sugercube,” I walked over to her and hugged mah little sister tight. “Ah’m gonna do everything' Ah can to tah keep this family together.”

She wrapped her hooves round me, she was startin' tah get bigger. She looked up at me, her eyes meeting mine and said, “Ah know ya can do it, Applejack, yer mah big sister after all.”

I ran my hoof through her mane and that brought a smile to her face. “Darn tootin,’ now what’s say we get little fillies off tah bed?”

She gave a light yawn and walked up the bed. By golly, she’s startin' tah grow up. Used tah be Ah had to wrestle her down tah go tah sleep. Now she doesn’t complain or nothin' when it’s off tah bed.

Makes me start to wonder if ah can keep looking after her.

______________________________________________________________

Perspective: Tyran

I put my head on the couch that had been my bed from the beginning of my time here. Applejack tried to persuade me to use one of their beds a while ago, but I didn’t want to burden them so the couch was just fine. It was certainly more comfortable then the floor back at the mansion.

I looked up as Big Mac pulled the blanket over me. He gave a small smile and I asked, “Big Mac?”

“Yeeup?” he replied.

“You think I’m really going to do well here?” I asked him, expecting an honest answer.

He slowly nodded and replied “Ah think so, ya not be able tah buck down trees yet, but one day yer gonna be as strong as ah am.”

“You really mean that?” I asked, my yellow eye shining.

“Count on it.” He ruffled my scarlet mane and walked over to turn out the lights. I closed my eyes as Big Mac prepared to walk upstairs to his room.

After about ten minutes of trying to go to sleep I heard somepony move down the steps. I looked up and was shocked to see two large ponies with a sack over their shoulders. The sack kept bulging out… like there was somepony inside! The size of the bag, it had to be Applebloom in there!

“Hey!” I cried out, as the two ponies subsequently ran out as fast as they could. I gave chase, they weren’t getting away on my watch! Hold on Applebloom, I’m coming for you!

__________________________________________________________

I chased the two ponies close to the border of the Everfree Forest. I hid in the bushes as we got closer. They looked back but didn’t see me as I used the foliage as cover. The darkness covered my movements as I slowly followed them.

“Did we lose that colt?” one asked his partner, both were earth ponies by the looks of it.

“Yeah,” his partner answered.“Now will you help me get this filly to sleep again?” He gestured to the squirming bag on his back. “She won’t stop moving.”

I heard a muffled cry from inside, “Somepony help me!”

“Applebloom!” I called without thinking, exposing myself. I saw the two earth ponies turn to me. I tried to be brave as I shouted, “You two let go of her right now!”

“Back off, colt,” one said, while the other set down his bag. “this doesn’t concern you.”

“It does if you’re trying to foalnap a friend of mine!” I growled. “Let her go!”

“Look at this kid,” one laughed, “he thinks he’s all that. I’m sure we can get even more money by taking them both.”

I stood my ground as one of them approached. There was no way I was going to let them take Applebloom. Not now! Not ever! I turned on my front legs and delivered a swift buck to the approaching pony’s face. A sickening crack was heard and he held his now bleeding face. I did it! I learned how to buck!

The other growled at me, “Damn brat! I’m gonna kill you for that!”

He was about to hit me when suddenly-

Bang!

The earth pony yelled as his leg got shot. I looked over to see a light green coated earth pony walk over to me. He was wearing a battle saddle on his back as he stood in front of me. He was about as big as Big Mac, with long auburn hair and his face was totally expressionless.

He was so cool!

“I highly suggest you two back off,” he said in the deepest voice I’ve ever heard.

“What do ya want ya crazy bastard?” the pony with the bloody face said, glaring at our rescuer. “We’re just trying tah put this kid in his place.”

“That’s exactly why,” he said, aiming his battle saddle and firing at the guy’s leg, keeping him from running as well, “I’m keeping you from succeeding.”

Both ponies swore as I ran to the sack. I used my teeth to tug at the string until Applebloom was free. Her yellow eyes looked at mine before she threw her forelegs around me. “Tyran!” she exclaimed as she held me tight.

Why was it getting so hot all of a sudden? I dismissed the thought and held Applebloom back tightly. I looked over at the armed pony as he held one of the earth ponies to a tree. He glared at him and asked, “Who are you working for?”

“Why should I tell you?” the kidnapper answered. “You shot me!”

“I’ll do it again if you don’t speak up,” he said, maintaining his steely eyed glare. “Now tell me, who are you working for?”

“It was that Orange bitch!” the stallion confessed. “She said to take the filly and hold her for ransom! Please don’t kill me!”

“Applebloom!” I heard a cry and looked over to see Big Mac and Applejack running towards us. Applebloom ran to be embraced by her brother. Applejack on the other hoof, was staring at our savior.

“Took you two long enough,” the guy said with the slightest hint of a smile.

“Quit bein' smug soldier boy,” she said, “and help me get these foalnappers tah Private.”

_________________________________________________________

Perspective: Applejack

Private nodded as the police took away the foalnappers. “I figured Tropicana would try to pull a stunt like this.”

“We’re lucky that you arrived, Applesnack,” I said, lookin over at him. “Ah thought you said you were common' tomorrow?”

“I was,” he answered, in that sexy bass of hi- Applejack cut it out! “but apparently my train ticket got changed to today for some reason. Then when I got on the train and I was ordered to come here.”

“By whom?” Private asked.

“Somepony by the name of Masquerade,” he answered. “I was told that somepony was going to try and take Applebloom. I couldn’t let that happen, so I followed the instructions and ended up here.”

“Weird,” Private replied, before putting his notebook away. “I’ll take these guys down to the station. Applejack, I’ve also talked to a few lawyers for you.”

“Ya know we can’t afford one,” I admitted sadly.

“I know,” he said, with a nod, “but a few lawyers owe me some favors. I’ll hook you up with the best one I can find.”

“Thanks, Private,” I said gratefully. “We really appreciate the help.”

_____________________________________________________________

I sat on my haunches beside Applesnack as we looked up at the stars together. I looked over at him, feline' red in the face already. “Been a while since Ah’ve seen ya last.”

“I know,” he replied, “I wanted to come sooner…”

“But duty calls,” I answered for him. “Ah’d expect nothing less.”

His gaze turned to me. His expression told me what he was thinking. “I missed you, Applejack,” he said softly.

“Ah missed ya too, soldier boy,” I said with a sigh, “but Ah gotta ask somethin'.”

He just nodded.

“Yer travelin' round everywhere,” I started, “ya probably see all sorts of pretty mares. Ah’m just some hick farm girl with no future. Ah gotta wonder,” I continued forcing myself to meet his green eyes, “what ya see in a girl like me?”

Slowly but surely, a small hint of a smile creased his face. “Simple, none of those mares would give it to me like you can,” he said teasingly.

I gave him a smirk and just punched him in the foreleg, “Naw, ya just like mah cookin', that’s why ya still come round.”

“Maybe,” he replied as he scooted over to press his coat to mine. Phew it was getting hot out here! “Or maybe I just want to spend more time with the chef.”

“Careful, soldier boy,” I said, looking over at him. “Keep this up and Ah’ll throw my lasso round ya and won’t untie ya”

He pressed his muzzle against me and said softly, “I wouldn’t mind being trapped for you…”

I pressed back, darn it he was just the sweetest thing when he was like that.

Ah felt mah heart wanna burst from mah chest. Ah just…

“Ah just wanna say, Applesnack,” Ah said, his eyes opened at the mention of his name.

“Yes?” he asked.

“ That Ah love ya,” I said, meeting his eyes, “and Ah missed ya so much.”

He put a hoof on my cheek and whispered, “Careful, Applejack, or else I’ll end up tying you up with your own lasso.”

I felt my face turned bright red at the implications of that, but Ah just gave in… and pressed my lips to his.

Good golly, after all the excitement, it was good just to be here , with mah soldier boy, mah Applesnack…

__________________________________________________________

Perspective: Tyran

I was trying to go back to sleep when I felt a gentle prodding on my side. I looked over and spotted Applebloom looking down at me with a worried expression on her face. I rubbed my eyes and asked, “Applebloom, what are you doing up?”

“Tyran,” she said, looking down at her hooves, “can Ah, stay with ya tonight?”

I blushed bright red, She wanted to be with me? Sweet Luna on high! Okay Tyran, calm down.

I nodded and she got up on the coach and sat on her haunches next to me. She looked over at me and said in a soft voice, “Thank ya, Tyran, ya saved mah life again.”

I blushed even more and rubbed the back of my head. “Hey, you’d do the same for me, wouldn’t you?”

“Yeah,” she said, but then she pressed her muzzle to my chest, wrapping her forelegs around me. “Ah was scared, Tyran, Ah didn’t know what would happen. Then Ah heard ya train' tah save me.” She held me tighter and said, “Tyran, thank you so much…”

I held her warmly in my forelegs. Gosh, I’ve never had anypony… want me before. She just kept her head pressed into my chest as we held each other. I spoke again and asked, “Applebloom, you don’t care about what I was?”

She looked up fondly into my eyes. “Ah knew ya weren’t really wanton' tah hurt us since ah first saw ya get smaller at the mansion. Yer one of the best friends ah got.” She pressed her muzzle into my chest again and said assuringly, “Yer part of us now.”

“Applebloom,” I said, as I gently held her, “thanks for taking me in.”

I fell asleep, holding Applebloom to me as I closed my eyes.

__________________________________________________________

Perspective: Big Mac

Ah looked down at the grave in front of me. Ah remembered havin' tah bury 'em when sickness took 'em. Mah pa was mah hero, he always put his family first no matter what happened. So ya can imagine how hard it is, standin' at your hero’s grave after what happened.

I sighed and looked down at Pa’s grave and said, “Pa, ah’m sorry ah couldn’t look after 'em.” I looked away for a moment, shame grippin' me like ya wouldn’t believe. “Ya asked me tah look afta the family ya left me, and Ah couldn’t even do that.”

Ah heard the light beat of wings behind me. I looked behind me and saw that Shy was flying towards me. Her pretty aqua eyes were lookin at me. “Hi,” she said, sitting beside me, “I heard about what happened. It must've been horrible.”

Ah looked away from Shy, still feelin' the guilt on mah heart. Ah didn’t want her tah see me like this.

She moved around me so that she was on mah other side “Big Mac, what’s wrong?” she asked with concern, as she put a hoof on mah cheek. “You know you can tell me.”

Ah sighed and finally admitted, “Ah let em down Shy.” Ah looked at the graves of mah parents with a sorry expression and continued, “Ah’m supposed tah look after mah family. In half a year ah get nearly framed for murder, and have mah sister foalnapped, not once but twice.”

“Oh, Big Mac,” she said empathetically, pressing her nose into mah neck. Golly she could make even the most sorry of hearts all right. “I’m sorry for making you say all that.”

“Don’t put blame on yerself, Shy,” I said with a sigh.

“Then don’t put all the blame on yourself,” she said, rather firmly. “Your Aunt Orange did something very mean, you’re not responsible for that. Applebloom made it out okay and Orange won’t get away with it.”

Ah sighed again, slowly smiled, and asked, “How do ya always manage tah say what ah need tah hear?”

“You’ve gotten me to say a lot,” she said, a little blush comin' to her cheeks. Heavens tah Betsy she was so sweet “Before we got together I couldn’t say two words to you, but now that we’ve gotten to know each other I’ve realized how sweet and caring you are, despite your size,” she said with a cute little smile.

“But, Shy…”

“I know you may have had some rotten luck,” she said, putting her little hoof on mah chest, “but this year a lot of good things happened to you too. You got to help Private out in a case, and you helped saved those kids in the mansion.”

“Ah met you,” Ah said, smiling sweetly.

“Well, um,” she said, going back to the Shy ah know, “I mean, that’s um, one nice thing.”

Ah gave her a kiss on her cheek and said, “One nice thing that changed everythin'.”

She blushed as red as a red delicious. She then saw mah expression and simply said,“Oh dear, I’m acting like a doormat again.”

Ah smiled at her and reached mah big forelegs round her. She sighed and curled up into me. She was such a small and delicate thing, so sweet and kind tah everypony.

Pa, ah may not have protected mah family like ah should’ve, but at least ah got help when ah mess up. Mah Shy…

______________________________________________

Perspective: Tyran

I woke up to the sound of a hammer on wood. I looked around and saw that Applebloom was gone. I got up off the couch, shook the blanket out and followed the sound. I walked outside and saw an interesting sight. Applebloom was building in one of our older trees that didn’t grow apples anymore. It was large enough to accommodate…

A house.

It wasn’t all that big, only a single room hanging up in the tree. It had a set of windows and shutters on it and a ladder leading up to it. My jaw dropped as Applebloom looked down from the roof and called, “Howdy, Tyran! Good mornin'!”

“What’s all this, Applebloom?” I asked.

“Ah figured since ya didn’t have a room of yer own,” she explained, climbing the ladder down to earth, “Ah would use some leftover wood tah make ya a place tah call yer own.”

“Applebloom, ya didn’t have to do that,” I said, blushing at what she did for me.

“Think nothin' of it,” she replied with a smile “Ah just wanted tah pay ya back fer everything'.”

“I’ll admit,” I said, looking up at the tree house, “It could be a cool base or something.”

“Mah friends have one kind of like it,” Applebloom explained. “This one is smaller though, ah ran out of wood fer the rest of what ah wanted.”

I shook my head and looked back at her “I think it’s amazing, thank you Applebloom”

“Hey,” she said, blushing, "Ah’d build anything fer ya, Tyran...”

Suddenly a small light came on her flank. I watched in awe as a mark appeared on it. She gasped in absolute shock at the sight of it. It was an apple with a hammer over it crossed with a screwdriver. She yelled in absolute joy at the sight of it, “Mah cutie mark! It came! It came!!!”

“Congratulations, Applebloom,” I said, laughing as she hopped around me. “Your talent is building stuff”

“Wait till Ah tell Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo!” she exclaimed, but then…she stopped hopping. “Tyran, look at yer flank…”

I looked down and I saw a very weird mark there. I guess it was so dark last night and with all the craziness I didn't notice it was there. It an apple and a pair of hooves bumped together. Sort of like a brohoof that I’ve seen Tailspin do with Pipsqueak. Was my talent…?

I ran to the nearest practice tree, leaned forward on my front legs, and bucked the tree with all my might. Every single one of the apples fell like rocks. I watched in sheer joy at the sight “My special talent! It’s farming! I belong here!”

“Was there ever any doubt, silly?” Applebloom asked, walking towards me with a smile. “Come on, let’s go show the others.”

“This is awesome!” I shouted. “We both got our cutie marks!”

She smiled and looked at me for a second. Then she spoke in a soft voice, “Say, Tyran, ah just wanna say thanks fer savin' me.”

“You already said that, though,” I said with a raised eyebrow.

“Thing is,” she said, looking up at me, her cheeks bright red, “Ah wanna thank ya proper like.”

“What do you mean, proper lik-“

I was cut off when she planted a kiss on my cheek. I stood there stunned as she ran off after doing so. My jaw dropped as I watched her leave. She… she….

I fainted.

_________________________________________________

Perspective:???

I sat on the couch in my rather extravagant living room. Tonight was a rather dreary night in Manehattan. It was starting to rain and I was not looking forward to it.

I never liked the rain.

“Ahem!”

I suddenly remembered what I was doing. I looked over at my guest, a young mare by the name of Tropicana Orange. A poor dear who was trying so hard to stay relevant despite all that happened. Hmm, reminds me of dear Themera in a way. Although I had far more respect for my dear friend from the Loftwings.

“Care to explain yourself?” she asked, glaring at me.

My masquerade like mask hid most of my expression. She didn’t need to know who I was yet. I adjusted the horn rimmed glasses on my muzzle and smiled the most innocent smile I could muster. “Explain what?”

“Don’t play dumb with me, Masquerade!” she growled, slamming her hoof on the arm of the chair. “I thought you arranged everything! How is it the foalnappers didn’t get Applebloom?”

“Some soldier arrived just in time to seize the stallions you hired,” I said, levitating a glass of tea to my hoof and taking a sip out of it.

“Don’t play that nonsense with me!” she yelled. “I told you to make sure all bases were covered.”

“I don’t believe so,” I stated coolly. “You simply told me to make sure dear Sandā had a case that required his undivided attention. I directed him to a case that I knew he couldn’t resist. How was I supposed to know you would try and use that to your advantage?”

“You knew that soldier would come around to save the day!” she accused. “You sent him a note! My men told me everything!”

“Masquerade sent him a note,” I answered, taking another sip of tea, “not me.”

“Aren’t you Masquerade?” she asked, clearly dumbfounded.

“If I was in fact the one who arranged everything,” I said, “do you really think I would give such an obvious pseudonym?” I shook my head, causing my long silver mane to shake with it. “No, in fact, I merely took on the name Masquerade, the police will find the real one over in Fillydelphia.”

“Then who are you?” she demanded “Who do you think you are? Setting me up like that!”

“So, that your little scheme would come to light?” I asked, “I must say, either I am some kind of genius, or you were simply too dumb to avoid falling into the trap.”

“How dare you!” she growled “Do you know who I am?”

“A disgraced little girl,” I said flatly, “who tried to destroy Ponyville by taking little Applebloom from her family.”

She cringed, her plan was revealed. I glared at her and growled, “You tried to use Applebloom as an excuse to break the trust that is held sacred to the Apple family. If word got out that one of their own got foalnapped, nopony would trust them in matters of business. Now that they have a soldier looking after them, however, that trust will remain solid. I have little tolerance for stupidity,” I said, finishing my tea and setting it down on the saucer. “So, I highly suggest you leave before you do something stupid again.”

She growled, “I demand to know who you are! How dare you insult me like this!”

Slowly but surely, I removed the mask covering my grey face. Her eyes became pin pricks “No, no, not you…”

“I warned you,” I said, smirking a little, “you should’ve left before you did something stupid again.”

Her face reeled in shock as she gasped, “You’re supposed to be in Saddle Arabia right now!”

“Wrong,” I said, my green eyes glaring at her, “I’m supposed to be in the Marribean right now, and I will be in a few days. That shows how good your information network is. I've already warned you, leave now before you do something stupid again.”

“You old hag!” she cried, reaching into her purse and pulling out a gun which she aimed at me. “I’ll kill you!”

“You wished to be convicted of murder as well, Tropicana?” I asked coldly.

“I'll be long gone before anyone finds you," she replied, smiling smugly.

“Unfortunately for you, this entire conversation is being recorded by the officer's in the next room,” I said, taking great pleasure in wiping that smug smile off her face. “You tried to destroy the town my grandson lives in! I have little tolerance for stupidity and even less tolerance for ponies who try and hurt my family.”

She dropped the gun as a pair off police officers came in, guns drawn. I smiled at the stallions as they hoof cuffed her. I added on last comment as they started dragging her out. “Also, don't call me hag, I hate being called that.”

“We’ll take care of her ma'am,” one of the officers said.

“Thank you so much, dears,” I replied, giving a charming smile as they took her away. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

I sat back on my couch and rested comfortably against it. I can’t believe somepony would have the gall to mess with my grandson’s home. There was no way I was going to let her get away with that. She fell into the trap just as I thought she would. I smiled at myself and adjusted my glasses.

I levitated a small picture of my grandson. It showed him at age six, just as he earned his cutie mark. I’ve never been more proud of him in my life, I gave a small laugh.

Idrena Andromeda Eye, you are getting old. I think it’s time though, time to ask for my wonderful grandson,

Preventus Phelps Eye…