Really Bad Fanfics: "Apple Corruption"

by Wolfboy183

Rating: mature
Tags: Big Macintosh, Random, Derpy Hooves, Sweetie Belle, Applejack, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Alternate Universe, Granny Smith
Length: 139125

Sweetie Belle is adopted by Applejack, and finds out the hard way how strict, stern, and brutally old fashioned and superstitious the Apple Family really is.

Everything decays, and order cannot persist without chaos. As per the laws of entropy, EVERYTHING decays, be it inanimate objects, life forms, or magic. The Elements of Harmony are no exception. Designed and created by HH Princess Celestia to bring out the best in ponies, these Elements, if not tended to or maintained by Her, will deteriorate, and corrupt the ponies whose souls they have been connected to, and bring about illness and disorder in many dire forms, and unleash chaos upon the ponies in question and their communities.

The M6, especially Applejack, are no exception to the rules, and are unwittingly corrupted, especially Applejack. The effects and terror begin, and so takes place a crisis first witnessed by Sweetie Belle, and soon all of Ponyville.

*contains some dark, violent content*

Published 2013-05-12 21:20:02 UTC
Last updated 2017-04-26 02:22:01 UTC

"Rarity's dead, Apple Belle."

When it came to Apple family culture, the idea of individualism was looked down upon, unless anypony’s uniqueness centered around apples. Nearly everypony in the whole family had the word ‘apple’ in his or her name, or their names were composed of words relating to apples, such as “Annie Smith” aka “Granny Smith”

Even longtime acquaintances, and frequent visitors were issued a nicname bearing words representing apples. Ponies who ended up living with Apple family clans or foals fostered and adopted by them were re-named Apples.

As the case with Sweetie Belle, two weeks after being taken in by Applejack, Applejack and the rest of the family began calling her Apple Belle. Sweetie Belle resented this, and repeatly talked back, and said things like, “My name isn’t Apple Belle, it’s Sweetie Belle, get it right!”

And instead of respecting her wish, most of the Apple ponies reacted in anger, and shouted at her or beat her. After she got a hard beating by Applejack for snapping at Granny Smith, Applejack told her, “From now on, yer name is Apple Belle. You get it right, little missy!”

And to prove her point, Applejack dragged her by the ear down to the Ponyville administration office to have her name officially changed. Applejack countered every protest from Sweetie Belle with threats of forced labor and beatings. And she never let up on the threat of having her dehorned.

When her turn came up, Sweetie Belle was taken into an office, while the pony officer asked Applejack to wait in the lounge.

“Your name is Sweetie Belle, is it not?”

“Y-yes, sir,” she stuttered nervously.

“Now then, the proposal here on this application form, is to change your legal name to...’Apple Belle Sweetapple. You are the only one who has the consent to change your name, hence is why we asked your guardian to wait in the lounge, so as not to influence your decision. Now then, do you agree with this nor not?”

Sweetie Belle would not have known if she had a rebellious fit or was actually trying to protect her own identity, and prevent it from being washed over and repainted.

“No sir. I don’t like it. I want my name to still be Sweetie Belle," the filly replied. She thought of her name as a gift from Rarity's (and her own) family.

“Very well, I’ll just mark that as a ‘no,’” the officer said, drawing a huge ‘X’ mark across the paper.

After she got home, Applejack gave her a hard thrashing for that, and she couldn’t sit on her bottom for a week. Applejack was incensed over this little rebellion and vowed to drive any other flare out of her through the forced labor and such.

“...An’ Ah don’t care what them folks in down say, yer’ name is still Apple Belle as far as Ah’m concerned, so don’t ya dare talk back with this ‘Sweetie’ crap!”

Another means of repressing her own identity was the cutie mark talk around winter time, around Hearth's Warming. A bunch of relatives from the surrounding farms stayed at Sweet Apple Acres, and many of them swooned and fawned over Sweetie Belle. She wanted to get away from them but Applejack forced her to spend that two weeks in the guest house with them. While many of the relatives praised her for her good behavior, and said she'd be a great asset to Sweet Apple Acres, those from Nimbuscait, talked about how she needed to be brought up the hardcore way. One creepy religious old coot talked about how she had to be baptized at the cathedral at Nimbuscait. And Applegem never shut up about how she should be dehorned. Many of them took time to teach her how to do every little thing their own way, such as writing, sewing, cooking, reading and speaking. It was part of their loosely collected effort to make her into an Apple pony.

Then for an hour they talked about what kind of cutie mark they'd like to see her have. "Oh, Ah think her cutie mark will be a big shiny red apple."

"Nay, it should be an apple pie"

"What about a cup o' applejuice?

"Psh, Ah think she ought to have a symbol of a heart shaped gala apple."

"Hmf," Applegem scoffed coldly, "If you ask me, it should be an apple shaped gem with a sun on it."

Sweetie Belle was no less creeped out and uncomfortable than Applebloom. Then when Applejack showed up with a bucket of apple chunks for stewing, she remarked, "Any cutie mark them two get is fine with me, so long as it's an apple. Because if it ain't Ah'll hoof beat them two fillies till the sun don't shine in Equestria no more."

Sweetie Belle had recurring nightmares once every few nights. Most often consisted of her discovering she had an apple shaped cutie mark on her flank and the Apple ponies swooning and cheering, as if acting or celebrating in some sick way of how they succeeded in dominating and destroying her. One terrifying dream she had after coming home from Nimbuscait depicted her in the courtyard of the cathedral, those creepy crimson robed priests standing around her, some earth pony chopping her horn off with a large pair of bush clippers, and the apple cutie mark springing up the second her horn came off. And Applegem and Applejack watching, with smiles on their faces. In the dream she cried out for help or for Rarity until the horn was cut off, and blood-saturated ooze dripped down her face. She often woke up in sweat and tears after that nightmare.

Another hurtful thing Applejack did in the name of authority and dominance was when she told Sweetie Belle the bad news.

It was over month after the Carousel Boutique burned down, and Applejack ran out of patience with Sweetie Belle constantly pestering her about Rarity.

“Applejack, when’s Rarity gonna come back?”

“How come we can’t go see her in the hospital?”

“I miss her.”

And one day, when Sweetie Belle and Applebloom were finished work, covered in dirt and manure and exhausted to the point of passing out, Sweetie spouted out, “I don’t want to live here anymore, I want to go back home and live with Rarity again.”

“Apple Belle,” Applejack barked at her, “You want to know the truth? Fine, here it is: Rarity is dead.”

That statement pierced through Sweetie Belle like a bullet. Her big sister, her only family, gone?

“D-dead?” the filly stuttered, trying to hold back tears.

“You got that right,” Applejack confirmed, “She died on the train to Canterlot. She’s dead, and that’s that. An’ besides, Ah’ve heard plenty how she never wanted you, and how you were nothing but a burden on her, so she never deserved to take care o’ you. So get over it, and stop asking me about her. There ain’t no Rarity, there ain’t no home, and there ain’t gonna be, ever. We’re yer’ family, and you belong to us now. Sweet Apple Acres is yer home, and that’s that. And quit yer bloody sniveling, it’s pissin me off. From now on, Ah don’t ever want to hear about Rarity again, you hear? Ah don’t want you askin’ about her or talkin’ about her. She’s dead, and there’s more important things in yer’ life that need tendin’ to, like school work and chores. So toughen up, an’ get over it, Apple Belle.”

Applebloom, who sat in the tub with Sweetie Belle and listened to all that was just as surprised with Applejack’s cold insensitivity. When a close friend or family member died, Applejack took more time to talk about the subject more softly and comfort her. Though used to the strictness of it all, she didn’t like how Applejack treated Sweetie Belle.

Sweetie Belle tried to hold back the tears for the rest of the day, and Applejack punished her good and hard everytime she saw a tear. Each tear Sweetie Belle shed, she got whipped with a stick.

That night and a few nights after, when Sweetie Belle cried in her bed, Applebloom climbed into her bed, and nestled up to her to comfort her, something Applejack refused to do when Sweetie Belle came to her for comfort.

And so Sweetie Belle ended up having to repress her grief about losing Rarity and pretend like it never affected her. One time or another, she felt guilty for being mean to Rarity and wanting to replace her with Applejack as her big sis. She prayed to Celestia over and over again. She thought that dispute resolved itself when Rarity showed up to race with her at the Sisterhooves Social. She and Rarity had their conflicts but in the end they were family. Sweetie Belle couldn’t believe that Celestia, the god queen of all things, actually took Rarity away from her over some mislead thoughts.

The Trip to Nimbuscait

In the middle of Autumn season, around the 40th day (roughly the end of October), the Apple family at Sweet Apple Acres went on their trip to Nimbuscait, a good 300 kilotrots north of Ponyville. Several ponies packed up and eagerly marched to the railway station and boarded the train. While the adult mares and stallions delighted in visiting their relatives far away, the fillies, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were fearful and apprehensive of what they were to expect. From the stories Applegem told them, they would have stayed in Ponyville while Applejack, Big Mack, Granny Smith and a bunch of others went off.

Applebloom asked if she and Sweetie Belle could stay with Scootaloo and her parents, but Applejack sternly said no.

So in the thick of pouring rain and dense fog, they boarded the train and switched to their next train at the town of Risette. They stayed overnight at a place called the Trainstay Inn, a barn furnished to accommodate passengers waiting trains. The next morning, the Apples boarded the westbound train for Nimbuscait. Early in the afternoon, the train crossed over the 500-trot wide Arod River, and virtually into another world. Most ponies not from Nimbuscait felt like they travelled back in time whenever they crossed the border from Arod County to its east, or Abille County to the south (Ponyville County was south of Abille Co.)

First thing one would see was the huge stone wall and fortified towers built into the shore along the Arod river. At the location where the rail tracks crossed the river, huge religious monuments and signs written with stern warnings welcomed incoming travellers. At points where roads crossed into Nimbuscait, border stations were set up, along with gates. Ponies trotting in and out of Numbuscait, most of them local traders and merchants, were closely scrutinized by the zealous border guards, bent on preserving the historic culture in their homeland. The trains went straight on through, and stopped at the station outside of Nimbuscait City.

Ponies here wore clothes, and kept a puritan like fashion. It was a requirement to wear clothes in Nimbuscait, and if a pony didn’t he or she was severely punished if not scrutinized, shamed, condemned, preached, or ostracized. The Trainstay Inn at Risette had its own little shop full of new and used clothing. Apparently, regulation required that all ponies entering or passing through Nimbuscait had to have at least one set of clothes in possession. Then, at Bristle Thatch, the last stop before Nimbuscait, was a “mandatory shop” for those without adequate clothing. The train crew kicked off anypony who failed or refused to purchase an outfit. Doing so saved their own flanks from the wrath of the deranged priests who ruled the county.

The first thing Sweetie Belle felt as the train passed through the gate was a chill. She gazed out the window as the train steamed through the dark farmlands. Most fields were all but mud, already harvested and planted for next spring. Distant lamps lit up the fields, and could barely make out shapes of ponies patrolling their fields. The stormy night shrouded the huge lake just behind the thin patch of forest behind the fields. It was early in the morning, about 60° (8:00am), and it was still nearly dark out.

5° (50 minutes) later, the train lurched to a stop, its wheels belching a metallic screech along the tracks as it pulled into the station.

”Nimbuscait, folks.” called the conductor on the PA speaker.

“C’mon Applebloom, Apple Belle. Up ‘n’ at ‘em.” Applejack barked, rousing Applebloom and Sweetie Belle from their sleep. Granny Smith went ahead and left the train. A few minutes later, they were out on the platform in the chilly morning wind. Sweetie Belle shivered uncomfortably in her dress and coat. She tried to pull the bonnet tighter over her head to keep the icy wind out, but that did no good. Fully afraid, she instinctively kept close to Applejack.

The soldiers, big bulky stallions donned in armor and religious tabards, inspected everypony who got off. Several more boarded the train to check the passengers onboard and search their luggage.

“Applejack Sweet Apple...” the guard said as he wrote AJ’s name on a waxboard.

“Yessir,”

“And who are these two?”

“These’r mah two sisters, Applebloom and Applebelle.”

The guard nodded but snarled when he saw Sweetie Belle’s horn. He then cast Applejack a stern glance.

“Ah know, sir. But they don’t do dehornings in Ponyville.”

Sweetie Belle immediately stepped behind Applejack in a futile effort to hide from the prying eyes of the guard.

“...that’s why Ah brought her.”

The guard grunted as he thought, then replied, “Very well. Make the proper arrangements then. If that unicorn casts a single spark of magic, it will be put to death, am I clear?”

“Y-yes, sir,” Applejack stuttered.

The guard nodded his dismissal. Applejack looked back, and saw Sweetie Belle walking back through the crowd of ponies to the train. It was a half-assed attempt to slither away, but the crowd parted to give her space- fearful of her being a unicorn. Nimbuscait was not unicorn-friendly territory.

“Stay here!” she barked at Applebloom, then bolted after Sweetie Belle. She caught the filly just in the nick of time as she was about to sneak aboard the train. Applejack bit Sweetie Belle on the ear and violently yanked her away from the train. Sweetie cried in pain as Applejack dragged her by the ear back towards the guard and Applebloom.

“Ow, you’re hurting me, lemme go!”

“You shut yer yap, Apple Belle!” Applejack snarled in her ear. “You sneak off like that again, anypony will take you an’ burn you at the stake!”

“You sure you got a handle on that unicorn?” the guard asked sternly.

“Yes-yessir,” Applejack stuttered nervously.

“Then take it and begone!” the guard ordered.

The trio walked out of the station and joined Granny Smith who was chatting away with the family members who came to the station to meet them. Applegem was among them.

“Ah’d like you to meet my grandfilly Applejack,” Granny Smith said, nodding to AJ. “And the two darling fillies here are Applebloom and Apple Belle.”

“My, Applebloom, you’ve grown up so much! Last time I saw you, you were just a wee little one,” the creaky old grey mare commented.

“And these ponyfolk here are Applesteam, Apple Canelle, Apple Poppins, and Applegem,” Granny smith introduced the four to Applejack and the fillies.

“Howdy, nice to meet y’all.” Applejack said with a nervous smile.

“We missed you, Applejack,” ‘Gem said in her creepy cordial accent.

Apple Poppins, the old grey mare cast a stern look at Sweetie Belle, and the others did the same.

“Annie Smith,” Applesteam stated sternly, “Why have you brought a unicorn into our town? And why in Equestria does AJ say she’s her sister?”

“We adopted her. Her mother, er- Ah mean her sister who she was living with was killed in a fire. Ah thought it would be good to introduce her to y’all, and get her to know the Apple family. She’s too young to be casting magic, and therefore won’t be a problem, Ah assure ya.”

Applesteam wasn’t convinced and still cast her death glare down at Sweetie Belle, who cowered behind Applebloom.

“Annie Smith, you know unicorns aren’t welcome here in Nimbuscait. Applejack?” Applegem prompted.

“Ah, yes, we brought here to have her dehorned. Nopony will do it back home.”

Granny Smith would have blasted Applejack for that, but not infront of their relatives.

“I think we should get going,” Apple Poppins urged uneasily, “Looks as thought it might rain again.”

As the group began to walk along the dark cobbled streets, Applesteam glared at Sweetie Belle, and hissed, “I’m watching you, don’t you dare get any ideas.”

Dehorning

The Apple family in Nimbuscait owned a large property too, just like Sweet Apple Acres, and produced tons of apples each year, as well as milk, eggs, wool, and a wide variety of garden vegetables. They also produced leather and jerky by slaughtering cows on their farm. Leather was made into clothes by the family leatherworker and the few others in down, and the meat was shipped off to other regions of Equestria where ponies actually ate meat. Some of the Nimbuscait Apple meat products even made it all the way to Pegasi customers in the clouds. There were over a hundred ponies working and living on the Apple farm in Nimbuscait. They were a very hardy and old fashioned bunch.

When Granny Smith, Applejack, Big Mac and the two fillies arrived, they were given a huge tour of the farm by Applegem, Apple Poppins, and a giant of a stallian, Applewood or ‘Woody’ as everypony called him. He was the Big Mac of their family though much bigger than Big Mac.

“What’s this site here for?” Applejack asked, pointing to an empty muddy plot of land.

“Oh, that’s going to be a pool some day. We wanted to build a pool, however, we’re always busy. We could use some extra hooves to help with the digging.” Apple Poppins suggested.

“Why, our two fillies’ll help with that while we’re here, Miss.” Applejack said, instantly crushing any hopes Applebloom and Sweetie Bell had for a vacation.

“Well, then, hard work is always good for the health. Woody, show them two where the shovels are, and they can get right to it.”

“E ’yarp.”

“B-But Applejack,” Applebloom tried to protest-

“Shut yer muzzle! Y’all need to show some appreciation for their hospitality! They need extra hooves on this here pool project, and Ah ain’t gonna have you to runnin around their here farm causin’ a ruckus! Now get along, do as yer cousin Big Woody says and get to work!” Applejack snapped harshly.

The girls both looked pleadingly at Granny Smith. She sighed, “Well, Ah was hopin’ of another way to keep you two busy, but it looks like everypony’s a-workin’ Whyn’cha two jus’ help out fer a wee bit. These Apples appreciate some hard workin’ young’n’s. and it’ll show them we Sweet Apple ponies ain’t gone soft. AJ and Big Mac might be workin’ a bit here on the farm as well.”

“Okay,” Applebloom said, and she nodded for Sweetie Belle to follow her.

“And Apple Belle!” Applejack snapped, “Ah don’t want to hear nothin’ about you complainin’ or gettin’ into trouble, understand?”

“Yes,”

+ +

By mid day, the sky lit up briefly, and there was a lull in the rain.

The two foals shovelled slowly, handling the shovels via special hoof shoes that latched onto the shovels.  Already their backs and hooves hurt. The mud was especially heavy. Whenever a pony walked by they tried to work fast, or look like they were working hard.  When they started, Applewood told them he wanted to see a full trot of dirt dug out by noon. The pit was rectangular, about 10 trots by 20 trots., was supposed to be at least three trots deep.

They didn’t accomplish that in time, and they were forced to skip lunch. By afternoon, both fillies were cold and wet, hungry and tired. The freezing rain slowed them down, and they had a hard time staying on their hooves in the muck.

“This blows,” Applebloom groaned miserably, “Ah don’t even like these Nimbuscait ponies. Ah just want to go home.”

Sweetie Belle grunted in agreement, as she struggled with her shovel. Being a unicorn, she had typically less muscle mass than Applebloom. All the weeks of gruelling hard labor Applejack put her through didn’t do much to build up new muscle. She knew she was covered in rain and mud from head to hooves, and knew Rarity, Celestia rest her soul, would have had a shitfit just by looking at her.

“Ah’m awfully disappointed in you two. Ah expected to see a full trot of dirt out of there, maybe even two by now. What do you have to say for yourselves?” Woody bellowed over the wind and rain.

“We’re sorry,” Applebloom said with a cough. Behind her Sweetie Belle let off two loud sneezes, which left a drip of snot hanging from her nose.

“You damn well better be. ‘Cuz if you two were my fillies, I’d bash yer’ bums black and blue fer’ a week. You got a lot of repentin’ to do, young ladies. You know Celestia’s watchin’ you, and she ain’t gonna be pleased. By slackin’ off and loafin down in the much, I’m sure you angered her pretty good. You better repent, pray for your slothness, and hope she don’t bring the moon down on us! Ah thought Applejack taught you better. Give me one good reason why Ah shouldn’t jus’ leave you two down there fer the night?”

Applebloom and Sweetie Belle said nothing. They just bowed their heads and stared at the mud in front of their hooves.

“Damn straight you two don’t have a good reason. Cuz if you tried to give me a good reason, I’d have left you two down there fer the night then beat you some myself if I don’t see two trots of dirt out of there by sun up.”

Applewood dragged over the ladder and lowered it into the pit so they could climb out. Then when they did, he struck each of them hard in the flank with a hoof.

“Ow!” Applebloom cried, then she got hit again even harder. Same with Sweetie Belle.

+ +

“Hold still!” Applejack said as she pressed the sponge against Applebloom’s ears. The two fillies were in a tub full of cold, soapy water.

“Let me see yer hooves,” Granny Smith instructed Sweetie Belle. She lifted both front hooves out of the water.

“Dang nab’it, the dirt’s logged in there deep.”

“So,” Applejack said sternly, “Big Woody told me that you two didn’t do jack for work today. Why?”

“We tried, it was just hard,” Appleblood answered.

“Don’t y’dare tell me y’all tried!” Applejack snarled at her, “There is no ‘try,’ just ‘do’! Big Woody wanted two trots of dirt out of that pit from the two of you. Two measly trots. Big Mac, Ah, or even Granny Smith could’ve done that in two degrees! You two’re just makin us look bad!”

“Ah’m awfully sorry,” Applebloom said, holding back sobs. She sneezed again, so did Sweetie Belle.

“Ah think these two’ve been in the cold dirt fer’ too long. They’s gettin sick,” Granny Smith lamented.

“It’s because they didn’t work hard, Granny Smith! They got sick because they didn’t work hard enough to keep themselves warm. Ah bet Celestia made them good an’ sick as punishment for their loafin’ off,” AJ argued back.

“That’s jus’ plain  sour applesauce, AJ.”

The fillies were only let out after an hour after they were deemed clean enough to enter the house. Dinner was a sombre event; over a meal of thick grainy stew. It was also considered worship time where the family thanked Celestia for their successes today.

Applejack had to yank Applebloom by the ear to get her to pause and say grace before eating. She and Sweetie Belle were extremely famished. But they were forced to eat properly as opposed to gobble down their meals like back home. They didn’t pay attention to any of the conversation among the grown up ponies. They just wanted to eat then sleep. But that wasn’t the case.

The two of them were put on dish duty with two other foals who were forbidden from speaking. Then they had to scrub the pots, pans, and the kitchen floor. Apple Poppins inspected the place, and gave each of them a toothy yank on the ear for missing a spot. Two hours later and the whole kitchen was done.

At bed time, the foals were required to read passages out of books to the adult ponies. The book was strange to Applebloom and Sweetie Belle- it’s writing was hardly readable to them, and the words made no sense. They were grilled for their poor reading skills, and the pony women of the family barked and snarked about the two being sent here to attend the more hardcore rigid school.

Finally, late at night, the two foals were shown their bunks in one of the spare bedrooms of the house. Sweetie Belle expected to pass out the instant her head hit the pillow but she didn’t. She was so tired, she couldn’t even sleep.

Applebloom passed out right away and started snoring. Her snoring didn’t do much to drown out the adult ponies’ conversation from the parlor room down the hall. The door was ajar, so the audio from their conversation trickled in. Her ears perked when she heard Applejack’s and Granny Smith’s voices. Then as she was about to doze off, she heard her name, and her bloodshot eyes snapped wide open.

She slowly pushed the blanket off and got up, stepping carefully as not to make a sound (Applesteam threatened each of them a good hard hoof beating if they so much as made a sound during the night).

She peeked through the narrow opening and saw Applejack, Applegem, Apple Poppins, and a stallion named Great Bear Apple (his ears were shortened and look like a bear’s).

Sweetie Belle’s heart raced as she listened in on their conversation.

“Ah said, we brought Apple Belle up here to be dehorned. Nopony anywhere in Ponyville will do it, or even in the county. Ah mean y’all no offense in bringing her here, but it’s gotta be done.”

Sweetie Belle felt the fear returning. That was why Applejack brought her to Nimbuscait.

“Well, you could have told us in advance, Applejack. I do not like the idea of that unicorn sleeping in our house! Suppose she could put a hex on us!” Apple Canelle crooned.

“Yes, we could have had her taken right to the chapel the minute you arrived here. It would have been done then and there, and problem solved,” Poppins chimed in.

“Ah’m real sorry, can y’all please forgive me? Ah adopted her when her mother died. Ah want to make sure Apple Belle has the best life a hard working Apple pony can get. Ah don’t want her gettin’ struck down and sent to hell by Celestia.”

“Well, tomorrow’s Solar Sun Day,” Great Bear Apple grunted in his gruff voice, “How’s about first thing, we take down to the chapel and have a word with the priests. Father Grimes would very much oblige to dehorn her. It will be done at the start of service tomorrow morning.”

“And forget what Granny Smith said,” Applegem soothed, placing a hoof on Applejack’s shoulder.

“Yes, take it from me,” Apple Poppins chimed, “Annie Smith has been gone from us for so long that she’s gone soft. Trust me, Applejack, you’re doing the right thing, and in the future, Apple Belle will most surely thank you and our Solar Mother (Celestia) for dehorning her.”

“Very well, what time do we get up tomorrow?” AJ asked.

“Well, the service starts at around 40° tomorrow morning, we’ll have to get there a hour early so about 30° degrees. We’ll have ample time to speak with the priests, and then they can ring the church bell early.”

“It’s gonna be a public thing?” Applejack asked, nervously.

“Why yes, dear, most dehornings are public. During busy times, there’s almost one a week, and they’re done on holy days, and the whole town can witness the unicorn being dehorned. Consider it a baptization. Families celebrate dehornings and we revel in the fact that evil has been cut off, and the unicorn spared, along with the rest of us.”

“Very well, Applegem,” Applejack agreed, “Fine, I’ll get them two up at 25° and-”

“No dear, you simply need to wake Apple Belle. Let Applebloom sleep until its time for service.”

Sweetie Belle began hyperventilating. She felt trapped, with no way out. She did not want to be dehorned. She wanted to cast magic, like her sister Rarity. She didn’t want to be dehorned. She didn’t want to be repressed and made into an Apple pony the rest of her life. Tears welled up in her eyes.

She tried waking Applebloom by nudging her gently. “Applebloom,” she whispered desperately. She thought she’d feel safe if Applebloom was awake. Maybe...maybe the two of them could Cutie Mark Crusader their way out of Nimbuscait and back to Ponyville. Sneak over to the train station and sneak on the next train out of here.

“Applebloom,” she sobbed. But Applebloom was passed out like a log. Sweetie Belle stood by the side of her bed silently crying to herself in the dark room.

“I don’t want to be dehorned. Celestia, Luna, I don’t want to be dehorned. Please help me. Rarity help me...”

“And while the procedure is being carried out,” Apple Poppins was saying, “we all sing a particular hymn that is said to cleanse all through song.”

“That’s a great thing,” Applejack said.

Sweetie Belle wanted to scream, but she kept quiet. For all she knew, they’d probably cut out her vocal cords too.

“Applebloom, please wake up!” she cried, nudging her again. But Applebloom kept snoring.

Suddenly the door opened and the lights went on, blinding her, and scaring the crap out of her.

“What the hay, Apple Belle! What in tarnation you doing outta yer bed, missy?”

“I-I I had a bad dream!” Sweetie Belle protested.

“Well, I doubt that,” Apple Poppins snarled as she pushed Applejack aside and stormed into the room, about to grab her by the-

Sweetie Belle bolted past her and made for the door at stunning speed. Flight mode kicked in. And she damn near knocked over Applejack as she tried to catch her.

“Apple Belle, you stop right now!” she shouted.

“No!” Sweetie Belle cried out as Applejack tackled her to the hardwood floor.

“I don’t wanna be dehorned!” she screamed at the top of her lungs, “No!”

Sweetie Belle struggled to get free and kicked Applejack in the face just out of sheer panic.

“OW! Why you little-”

Sweetie Belle got free and bolted into the parlor room, frantically looking for a way out of the house. She wanted to get away. From them.

“Apple Belle!” Applegem shouted as she galloped into the kitchen. Applegem heard the commotion from the hallway. She took a wooden spoon, reached back and swung hard at Sweetie Belle, striking her full force in the face. The filly tripped up and crashed into the pantry.

Applejack, enraged, pounced on her, and started thrashing at her with her hooves. Sweetie screamed in panic and pain, then Applejack slammed her head into the floor and jammed her hooves over the filly’s mouth.

“Shut up! Just shut up you wretched little brat!”

“What’s all the noise!” roared the big old Apple Thumper, another big pony as he entered the kitchen.

“Thumper, this filly brat is acting up! I think she’s posessed,” Applegem said.

“No, she ain’t she’s just acting up because she doesn’t know when to shut up, and do what she is told!” Applejack snarled, still pressing on Sweetie Belle with her full weight.

“Ah,” Thumper grunted. “Hoof that brat to me. I’ll give’ er a good thrashing she won’t soon forget!”

“Applejack get off her,” Poppins barked.

“She’s mine, I’ll discipline her,” Applejack protested.

“Any foal that walks on this here farm is mine and I’ll punish it as I see fit, so watch yer tongue, young Sweet Apple,” Thumper roared.

“V-very well.” Applejack got off of Sweetie Belle, and Thumper stepped over her, grabbed her by the neck with his teeth and dragged her downstairs.

“Don’t beat her too hard,” Apple Poppins shouted over Sweetie Belle’s cries and screams, “She needs to be presentable for the dehorning tomorrow!”

Instead she got tied to a post and lashed with a rope, and forced to memorize religious verses and such.

Then after an hour of brutal whipping, Thumper left her hanging, tied by her front hooves, for the rest of the night.

Applebloom slept through it all, or she would have been real upset over seeing Sweetie Belle’s treatment.

+ +

Morning came, at at precisely 30°, Apple Thumper himself dragged Sweetie Belle by the neck via a leash, out of the house and through the dark streets of Nimbuscait to the huge cathedral that towered over the town square. Applejack, Applegem, and Apple Poppins followed suit. They knocked on a side door of the huge cathedral and were let in by a monk pony.

The cathedral was a grand and magnificent stone brick structure. For more than four hundred years it weathered the elements, and was the place of worship for the twisted religion that dominated the way of life in Nimbuscait.

“Father Grimes,” the monk pony nervously spoke to the crimson robed aged pony priest, who sat hunched over his desk. Grimes looked up. He was fat, his face droopy and leathery. He was so old, and disfigured by age he hardly even looked like a pony.

“Yes, what is it?” he asked in his scratchy voice.

“A troupe of ponies arrived to seek your urgent counsel. They’re requesting a dehorning at today’s service.”

“Hmm...” Grimes grunted, and he stood up.

Sweetie Belle looked at the old preacher with total fear on her face. He looked more like a bloated demon creature than a pony.

“Apples. I should have known. Who do you bring to me this time?” Grimes demanded.

“Father Grimes, my niece, Applejack here adopted this unicorn brat, and we wish to have her dehorned.”

“Hmm,” Grimes grunted again as he leaned in close to inspect Sweetie Belle. She cringed and tried not to breathe. His breath was rancid.

“Another cursed one. Very well,” he said, putting a hoof on Sweetie Belle’s chin. She could hardly move and almost had to be held up by Applejack. She was stiff from the walloping she got from Apple Thumper. Thumper was a strict and mean as they came.

“Look at me, you wretched vermin!” Grimes snarled at her. She had to force herself to look at his face, which terrified her.

“Hmmm, yes. Very well, Apple clan. We have one other uicorn vermin to dehorn. She’ll be next. Thumper, you know the drill. Have this foal prepped, and caged! Pip!” he called to the monk pony.

“Yes, Father?”

“Have Apple...jack here learn the proper cantations for the ceremony. She shall become this foal’s primary aid to salvation. Applejack, she will be saved after that infernal horn is removed, but don’t you dare let her deviate from righteousness.”

“Y-yessir.”

+ +

At 38° in the morning, the entire town gathered in the town square. The huge brass bells rang, echoing to the entire county. The church choir were singing their hymns as the townsponies arrived to witness the dehorning. The Apples were all present.

Sweetie Belle found herself trapped in a cage- a specialized device which closed around her body, locking her in place. She had nowhere to go. She was terrified and tears streamed down her eyes. Freezing rain pelted her. Her mane had been cut short around the horn. The creepy crimson robed church ponies stood around her, and the other foal locked in a similar restraint. He didn’t struggle like she did, he seemed resigned to his fate. He didn’t look good at all.

At the stroke of 40°, the choirs fell silent. Father Grimes, the creepy, freaky looking priest, walked around, flanked by two priests. Around his neck he sported a large golden necklace that resembled Princess Celestia’s cutie mark, their religious symbol.

Applejack stood in the audience. She was written off as untrustworthy to read the dehorning ‘blessings’ to Sweetie Belle, and the job was assigned to Apple Thumper, who was cold hearted and trustworthy enough to read them out to her with conviction.

“Psst, Poppins, what’s that they’re bringin’ out next to her?” Applejack hissed.

“Why, that’s the oil. Dehorning is a very risky process. If it brings out the magic, then the foal is doused in oil and set alight. It’s the only way to save her soul.”

Applejack gulped. She didn’t expect this to be a gamble on Sweetie Belle’s life.

“Noble stallions and mares!” Father Grimes shouted out to the crowd, “I bid you all welcome, and a happy Solar Sunday. Today before we begin today’s catechisms and sermon, I bear you to witness the cleansing of two young foals cursed by the evils to become unicorn wretches. Twinkle Leaf, and Apple Belle Sweet Apple.” Then he turned to his priests, and said, “You may begin.

The choir started singing as the priests, their faces hidden by their hoods, approached the foal named Twinkle Leaf. One pony pulled out a book and started reading a verse of an old language. The ‘executioner’ a black leather robed pony stepped up on stage, ceremoniously slipped his forward hooves into hoof shoes that had a pair of giant shears attached to them. He then turned to Twinkle Leaf, and placed the shears over his horn. Suddenly the foal began shaking and panicking, still unable to move in his cage, which was clamped tightly around him, just like Sweetie Belle.

Sweetie Belle couldn't watch and she heard the sickening crunch and wrenching snap, and the pained, agonized shriek of the foal. The horn hit the floor of the platform. A priest scooped it up with a shovel and placed into a metal container, sealed a lid on it, then tossed it into a metal barrel. He then placed a lid on it. There was a loud metallic pop, and the barrel shook.

The foal cried hard, then there was a spark of magic from the bloody gash where the horn used to be.

“The magic flares! It must be burned!” Grimes shouted, and the real horror show began. Sweetie Belle tried to turn to see the crowd, but she was positioned to face the other foal instead. The townsponies and church choirs simple began singing, then it happened. The cauldron of oil was heaved up by a hulking stallion, and dumped onto the foal. He screamed in unnatural agony as the oil began melting his coat and skin off. Before any of that could be seen, they put a torch to him and he lit up into a squirming fireball.

His screams would haunt Sweetie Belle for the rest of her life.

“And now, the other one!” Grimes proclaimed loudly.

“No...no!....NO!!!” Sweetie Belle screamed as she started shaking and trying to thrash about in her cage. She continued screaming.

“Shut yer muzzle and behave, Apple Belle!” Applejack shouted from the crowd.

Despite her screaming, the black robed pony approached as Thumper began reading his verse to her. Two robed priests approached and clamped their hooves on her face to keep her head still.

Sweetie Belle felt the bloody shears touching the base of her horn. This was it. Nothing she could do. She’d likely be oiled and burned alive like the other foal, whose screams ceased. She squeezed her eyes shut and waited for the end of her life as she knew it.

Just as the shears were about to close in on her horn, there was a sudden violent impact, and a groan from the black robed ‘executioner’ stallion. He hit the floorboards of the platform. At the same time, everypony else gasped in total surprise. Sweetie Belle looked, but couldn’t see who knocked him on his flank. There a few more hits as the other priests were thrown off their hooves.

Suddenly as loud metallic clank, and the cage that kept her clamped popped open, releasing her. Her savior grabbed her by the neck and dragged her off stage.

“What? Who? Stop her!”

“Annie Smith! What is the meaning of this?”

After she was dragged onto the street, Sweetie Belle looked up, and to her greatest relief, she saw Granny Smith standing over her, as if to protect her from the blood thirsty priests.

Granny Smith held Sweetie Belle tight, and stared hard at the priests, then she turned her head to scowl at the crowd.

“This dehornin’ is hereby cancelled! This filly is mah family, and ain’t nopony gonna hurt her!”

Safely nestled between her front legs, Sweetie Belle briefly rested her head against Granny smith’s chest and cried. She was still shit scared of what everypony would do.

“Annie Smith!” Grimes shouted at her, “You commit unforgivable blasphemy!”

“Unforgivable, you say, by who? Princess Celestia?” Granny Smith shot back, “Or by you monstrous freaks? Yer’ all sadistic! Craving the suffering and death of ponies! You’re all a despicable lot!”

More shocked gasps from the crowd. Nopony’s talked back to the priests before.

“Y’all speak of Celestia’s wrath? Hell, she ought’ta bring it down y’all for being so callous, twisted and downright cruel! Why do you think mah family left here and settled far away? To get away from you zealous freaks! We wanted to live an honest, decent livelihood not hijacked and controlled by you monsters who call yourselves priests. How dare you mock Princess Celestia this way, and tell us you represent her!”

Then she turned to the crowd, “And how dare you all for lettin’ this happen! Shame on you. Shame on all of you! Ah hope Nightmare Moon haunts your dreams for the rest of yer lives fer’ what you been doin' to all these unicorns! If Ah ever seen evil, it’s all right here in this town and this county! Frankly, y’all make sick!

“SILENCE!” Grimes shouted. As townsponies began to approach her, Big Mac galloped out and stood next to her, ready to take one anypony that dared to attack her or Sweetie Belle.

“You hush up you fiend!” Granny Smith shot back. “If earth ponies and unicorns weren't meant to live together, why in Equestria do y’all think Celestia put us on this land together? Take a look at this filly. She’s downright terrified. What harm has she ever done to you? All them wars, and mass murder and witch hunts is nothing more than the rotten fruits of your twisted runaway imaginations. Ah am sick and deeply ashamed of you ponies. Ah never want to set hoof in this here hell hole of a town again.

“Get them! Burn them all!” Grimes shouted. As the townsponies were about to converge on the three ofthem like an angry mob, the local Apple ponies stampeded out into the open and surrounded Granny Smith, Big Mac, and Sweetie Belle, and faced outward at the crowd.

“So be it, Annie Smith,” Apple Thumper said sternly, “We don’t want yer kind here anyway. You best go before we let this crowd loose on you.”

“Quit yer sniveling,” Granny Smith barked at Sweetie Belle, “We are leaving!”

Because of the influence of the Apple ponies in Nimbuscait, the crowd respected them and parted, allowing access to the train station a few blocks away.

The train, headed eastbound back to Risette, was stopped, as the train conductor and crews were forced to attend the service. In a show of solidarity to the small group of Ponyville Apples, they also walked with them back to the train.

It was a tense scene at the station. Despite they’d be cutting Granny Smith’s family off forever, the Nimbuscait Apple ponies carried out one last courtesy of protection, and formed a barrier to keep the angry townsponies from storming the train, grabbing Granny Smith, Big Mac and Sweetie Belle, and dragging them back to the pyre to burn them. There were hardly words between the two families. There was nothing to be said despite what the Nimbuscait Apples believed to be high treason on Granny Smith's part.

“Applejack,” Applegem said, “You belong with them. I’ll never understand why your grandmother stopped the dehorning, but she is the senior of your family, and you must respect her wishes,”

“Ah...Ah know...” Applejack replied, too stunned to really say anything or react. She felt sudden deep shame for double crossing Granny Smith big time, and she knew she’d get an earful of it from her on the way back home.

“Ah’ll miss ya’ll...” she said. “Come one Applebloom, get on aboard.”

Within minutes, the train crew fired up the engines and pulled out as fast as they could.

Sweetie Belle was still shaken, and even more so by the sudden save by Granny Smith. She was extremely grateful. Celestia did answer her prayers just in time. Safe and sound next to Granny Smith, who stared Applejack down, Sweetie Belle lied down on the bench next to her and cried herself to sleep.

Crushed

The wooden trestle spanning the wide Arod River shook beneath the weight of the train as it thundered across at full speed. The locomotives roared and belched out a pale blue cloud of ozone (which rapidly dissipated as the ozone molecules broke apart back into oxygen gas particles).

Outside the cabin, an unsettled mare approached a member of the train crew. “Excuse me, sir, but why are we going so fast?”

“My apologies, dear mare, but there was an incident at Nimbuscait, and had to depart ahead of schedule for security reasons. Once we are over the river, we’ll return to our normal speed, and layover at our next stop.”

Onboard, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom stared out the window feeling great relief as the huge stone walls bordering Nimbuscait disappeared behind them.

Sweetie Belle still sobbed softly, her chest heaving in short sharp breaths as tears streamed down from her eyes.

“Stop it!” Granny Smith snapped, “There ain’t no need to cry, Apple Belle. Ain’t nopony’s gonna hurt you. It’s over. Yer safe.”

Sweetie Belle tried not to cry, but she was still terrified by what happened back there. “Th-thank you, Granny Smith,” she finally said.

“You’re welcome,” Granny Smith said, patting her gently on the head.

Across the cabin, Applejack sat, with her hat in her hooves, staring out the window. She didn’t dare speak. Big Mac wasn’t inclined to say much either. They all knew the whole purpose of this trip was so they could dehorn Sweetie Belle. And it was Applejack’s idea.

“Applebloom, Sweetie Belle,” Why’cha two run along n’ gander around the train fer’ a bit?” Granny Smith suggested.

“Yes, Granny Smith,” the two said as they stepped down from their seats and exited the cabin.

As Sweetie Belle slid the door shut, the small cabin became electrified with intensity. Big Mac sensed the voltage in the air and it made him uncomfortable. He did not take well to family drama. All the big red stallion wanted some peace and quiet. Why was that so much to ask?

“Applejack Sweet Apple, look at me,” Granny Smith barked. Applejack obeyed and looked up.

“I have one question fer’ you: Why did you do it?”

Applejack didn’t answer right away.

Granny Smith grew impatient fast. “Why did you bring us all the way to Nimbuscait, just to have her dehorned? An’ why in bloody tarnation did you disobey me, and even go behind mah flank? Answer me!”

Applejack felt solid in her convictions, despite being corrupted with superstition by Applegem and the Nimbuscait Apples, but she felt herself wavering infront of Granny Smith. She felt briefly that she was entirely wrong. As an automated mental defense, she pulled up her reasoning from everything Applegem told her. She wasn’t one to lose face, not even in front of a seething mad Granny Smith.

“What if all that stuff them Apples said was true? About Celestia’s wrath an’ unicorns plaguing us-”

“That is bullshit, and you know it, AJ!” Granny Smith shouted, her shrill high pitch voice ringing out. “Is that why you did it? Because you gone and went all paranoid? Just listened to them twisted ponies without even thinking? Sweetie Belle was damn near killed today, Applejack, and so were we! If it wasn’t fer Apple family tradition to protect each other no matter what, we’d all been burned alive!”

“That’s cus’ you went and attacked the priests!” Applejack shouted back, the anger flaring up in her, “Nopony dares attack a priest, and certainly not in Nimbuscait, Granny Smith! It’s family tradition that saved us from your reckless action! You could’ve been hurt.”

“Ah don’t care if they’re ‘priests’ or the town guard or even the damned Canterlot royal guards! I’d do it again to protect any o’ mah family, even you, AJ! After all Ah taught you...has it really been fer nothing?”

“Dang nab it, Granny Smith,” Applejack fumed, “If you just sat there and let them priests do their job, none o’this would’ve happened! We wouldn’ta been disowned by our fellow Apples! How you feel about that? You went and screwed us over all fer some unicorn filly!”

There was a brief pause, then Granny Smith countered. “Ah’m glad we ain’t family with those ponies. They were really our enemies, and Ah showed ‘em up fer it. Ah won’t have my family familiate with the likes o’them. An’ Ah woulda done the damn same if they tried to de-hoof you lulling in yer work, stab out Big Mac’s eye for lookin’ at the mares, or cut out Applebloom’s tongue fer talkin’ too much.”

“What?” Applejack asked in disbelief. “Cut out A’bloom’s tongue-”

“Oh yeah, they was talkin’ about that when the lot o’ ‘em came down to visit fer Hearth’s Warming last year. You know how Applebloom is. They loathed her, remember? Would you idle on yer’ flank if they dragged her out and mutilated her in the name of purity and Celestia and all that bullcrap?”

Applejack’s ears sank and dipped downward. “Uh, no, Granny Smith-”

“And what about me? What if they wanted to flame-broil mah old flank jus’ fer bein’ old? Ah been in Nimbuscait enough times to know they execute their old folks, saying it’s an assured sendoff to heaven or some bullwacky like that.”

“Ah swear, no!”

Granny Smith’s eyes squinted as she stared Applejack down, then she said, “Ah don’t trust you.”

Applejack didn't quite show it, but that statement hurt. She simply looked down at the floor again.

Granny Smith continued her verbal onslaught. “How would any o’ us know you ain’t been brainwashed by all their religious talk to the point you’d rather let us be hobbled and scorched in the name of their religion? As sure as hell wouldn't. An’ Ah was convinced so when you didn't jump up on stage to save Sweetie Belle. Ah ran from the house buck naked, Big Mac too, when we heard the dehornin’ was underway. An’ you know how them Nimbuscait ponies don’t like it when we don’t wear clothes like in Ponyville.

“You brought us here so our relatives could shelter you and keep you soaked in their hooey, and keep us from protecting Sweetie Belle. This whole trip was so you could hurt a pony. Ah never thought Ah’d say this, but shame on you.”

That stopped Applejack dead in her argument. It was like a knife through her heart. She always aimed to make everypony happy, and hearing that from Granny Smith hurt quite a bit, but she was tough and didn't show any tears.

“This is why we never go to Nimbuscait, AJ, and this is why we hardly ever have them ponies over at Sweet Apple acres unless a harvest is compromised. They got to your head. You let them get to yer’ head, AJ. You've got alot of thinking to do, young lady. Alot. Think about what kind of pony you really are, and what kind of pony you jus’ might become. Ah know Ah’m gonna die soon, and you will be in charge of Sweet Apple Acres. You will be responsible for the raising of our apples, our vegetables, our livestock, our barns, and even Applebloom’s and Sweetie Belle’s upbringing to full grown marehood. Ah sure as rotten hay don’t want to look down from the stars and see the curse of Nimbuscait corrupt and destroy our family and farm.”

Applejack said nothing. Granny Smith got up from her seat. “Now, if y’all’ll excuse me, Ah got to use the loo.”

And Granny Smith exited the cabin. Big Mac took one look at her and left too, leaving Applejack on her own.

She sat there, slouched against the back of the seat, staring forward, completely restless. She was horribly torn between what she suddenly came to believe, and the harsh stinging, accusing words by Granny Smith. It was a harsh personal attack, and that three word phrase actually triggered her brain to release storm of hurtful memories that surged up in her. Things Applejack bottled up for years and never told anypony. Things she tried to forget since she came to Sweet Apple Acres to start a new life long ago.

She never wanted to tell anypony. She wanted to believe she was fine, and everything was dandy, but the pain came back in full force and was almost unbearable. Then she felt an instant surge of bitterness, anger and contempt towards Granny Smith for what she said to her. She practically accused Applejack of bringing down the family, and killing them, something she sure as hell would never ever do. Despite what she did back in Nimbuscait earlier (which she still felt right to do), she hated Granny Smith of saying she’d let harm come to her family.

“It had to be done!” she shouted out loud to herself, “That unicorn will hex us all and bring us all down. Ah did it to protect y’all!”

But nopony heard her. She wanted to say that, right before Granny Smith ripped her apart with her words. But then a jarring thought hit her: What if Granny Smith was right? What if the Nimbuscait Apples, who she seemingly sided with, condemned one of her own family, and decided to have one of them butchered or burned at the cathedral? She had allowed herself to be overcome with fear and superstition-

Applejack vehemently denied that line of thought, and struck herself in the head with a hoof for thinking such trash thought. She’d never let that happen to anypony she loved. Unless it was a unicorn.... She tried to keep ontop of her wave of denial to push back the pain that threatened to crush her heart.

+  + +

Applebloom and Sweetie Belle walked the entire length of the ten passenger car train. Behind the passenger cars was another locomotive that hauled a long line of freight cars. Off limits to passengers. The two locomotives that pulled the train were powered by magic, which was stored in massive magic batteries. While magic propelled the engines, some of it was converted to electricity to provide lighting and communications.

The two fillies tried to put their anxieties aside as they explored the train. Each of the passenger cars was different from the other. One car was built fairly new, another nearly a hundred years old. The ‘dining’ car was fairly cheap. All there was for food was a large despenser machine full of trail mix, which ponies poured into containers. There was a concession bar, but the food, other than fruits and vegetables, was expensive. The two fillies, having removed their clothes worn in Nimbuscait, gandered at the groups of ponies who came from even further away than Nimbuscait. The Equestrian Railroad spanned the entire country (the world) and went on for thousands of kilotrots. Most ponies hardly left their own local areas, and those who had the luxury of long distance travel viewed it as an adventure.

They joined a motley group of foals who brought along boardgames and books for the trip. The two fillies did all they could to put the ‘family vacation’ out of their minds.

+ +

Anypony in neighboring Arod County who lived close to the river that bordered with Nimbuscait could say that the weather was almost always better on their side of the river. Local talk has it that darker clouds and heavier rains and fogs always hung over Nimbuscait, as if to reflect the somber atmosphere behind the huge stone wall. Today it rained there, but as the train traveled further away, the weather became nicer.

By mid afternoon, the train stopped for its layover at the town of Bristle Thatch, then resumed on schedule to Risette and arrived by evening. Ponies travelling on the other line that lead south to Corlett, Wooton, and Ponyville had to board another train, which didn't come till noon the next day. Then it would be a day and a half back home. ++

The train pulled into the station at Ponyville late in the afternoon. Scootaloo, missing her fellow Cutie Mark Crusaders, waited anxiously on the platform. Then she spotted them. “Applebloom! Sweetie Belle! Over here!”

Oblivious to their mood, she galloped up to them and hugged Applebloom tight, then Sweetie Belle.

“You guys, I was wondering when you’d get back, I was so bored! I wanted to go too but my parents wouldn't let me.”

“It’s a good thing you stayed here,” Applebloom said, “Nimbuscait sucks. Don’t ever go there.”

“Really?” Scootaloo asked, “Why?” She looked at Sweetie Belle, who just looked down at the ground. She never wanted to hear about that place ever again.

Applebloom took a quick glance at Applejack who was over talking to some other Apple ponies who came to the station to meet them. She quickly waved a hoof, indicating for Scootaloo to come close.

“Them ponies up there are complete freaks. They hate unicorns. They tried to chop Sweetie Belle’s horn o-”

“Applebloom! What y’all talkin about so hushlike for?” Applejack called.

Applebloom nervously backed away from the other two. “Uhh, Ah was just tellin' them about Big Apple Thumper’s zap apple pie-”

“Well shut yer mouth, that’s Apple Family business! An’ don’t y’dare talk about anything else, ya hear? Now come along you two, we got plenty of chores to be done!”

When something was said to be Apple Family business, that meant it wasn't to be discussed with outsiders.

Scootaloo followed them through town, asking Applebloom and Sweetie Belle a bunch of questions, and telling them about Pinkie Pie’s latest mishap at Sugarcube Corner. Apparently she screwed up on some crazy recipe and a birthday cake exploded all over the place. Scootaloo and Dinky Doo spent the day with Pinkie Pie licking up the mess. The cake was delicious. The special ingredient: pop rock candies.

“Aww gee, we haven’t been to Sugarcube Corner in so long,” Applebloom lamented.

“Scootaloo,” Applejack called, “Unless y’want to be spending the evenin’ doin chores with these two, y’better skedaddle and get on home.”

Scootaloo didn't have to be told twice. She said goodbye and was gone.

+ +

A notable thing in the history of Apple family superstition that wasn’t limited to the Nimbuscait Apples, was the concept of an equilibrium that suggested what comes up, must also come down. That translated to the Apple family as if too many good things happened, bad things would follow. That principle was what kept the Apple clans all over Equestria from enjoying life too much other than via hard work. They strongly and instinctively believed there was a trade off when it came to life and death. For every foal born into the Apple family, or a life saved, another was expected to die in some accident or sickness.

Either case, Granny Smith’s number came up. Her tragic end occurred on a day of heavy rain. Big Mac and Braeburn were trying to haul a cart full of applekins, the last of their applekin harvest. Applekins were what they got when they crossbred apples with pumpkins. The pumpkins looked like pumpkins on the outside, but under the skin, it was all apple. The Sweet Apples scratched their heads when they discovered the first applekin years ago- they cut open the pumpkin, and discovered it wasn’t a pumpkin.

Applekins were heavier than pumpkins, and Braeburn and Big Mac had a hell of a time carting them from the fields along the muddy paths to the barn. Took both stallions to haul one cart through the mud.

Granny Smith showed up and offered them some freshly baked apple cinnamon chocolate cookies and some milk.

“Why, thank you kindly, Ms Smith,” Braeburn said, tipping his hat as he ate the cookies.

“Eyyup,” Big Mac panted, and nodded.

“Aw, it ain’t nothin’ you two. So this is the last of the applekins?”

“Eyup.”

“Well you only got a hundred trots to go and the harvest will be finished. Thanks fer all yer’ help Braeburn!”

“It’s a pleasure, Ms. Smith,” Braeburn chuckled, “C’mon Mac, let’s giddyup this thing to the barn,”

“Eeyyup.”

As the two stallions proceeded to pull the wagon, the wooden wheel on it’s starboard (right) side suddenly collapsed into splinters. The whole thing suddenly lurched over, and slid, and the wagon, applekins, all fell on Granny Smith, instantly crushing her.

“GRANNY SMITH!” Big Mac and Braeburn both shouted. They immediately unfastened themselves from the cart, and began bucking the applekins and pushed the wagon off of her.

Applejack came galloping full speed from the house up the hill. “What happened?” she shouted.

“She’s hurt! Real bad!”

Granny Smith tried to speak, but coughed, and blood came up.

“N-no! It can’t be! Granny Smith!” Applejack saw right away that the old mare’s ribcage had collapsed, and she was struggling to breathe.

“We’ll get you to the hospital, hang on. Apple Cinnamon! Run into town and get help!”

“It...look...like...Ah’m...done...here,” Granny Smith croaked through her labored breathing. She looked up at the three of them and her eyes filled with tears. “Ah...Ah...Ah’ll be...watchin y’all.”

Applejack took Granny Smith’s hoof in hers. “Granny Smith, don’t die, hang in there! We’ll getcha to the hospital and fix you right up brand new, you’ll see!”

Granny Smith took one last look at Applejack, and with her final breath, she wheezed: “Remember *cough* what Ah said, A...J...don’t let this farm.*cough*...family...die...”

But Princess Celestia, the giver and taker of all life, apparently didn’t let Granny Smith finish, because, she lost consciousness and went limp. She was dead.

Applejack screamed at the top of her lungs, and held Granny Smith’s body close and cried, Big Mac and Braeburn standing over her, completely dumbstruck by Granny Smith’s sudden passing. They knew she was nearing her end but didn’t expect her to go out like this.

Despite the whole Nimbuscait thing only weeks ago, Applejack still loved and revered Granny Smith. Her death became somewhat too much for the orange pony to take.

On the following Solar Sun Day, the funeral was held at the cemetery on the western edge of Sweet Apple Acres. Many ponies came out to pay their respects. To some, she was the icon of Sweet Apple Acres, others, she was an icon of living history- one of the last connections to the founding of Ponyville. She was known and revered by many. Sure she was odd at times, but almost nopony thought lowly of her. Even Filthy Rich, one of Sweet Apple’s biggest zap apple customers, came out to pay his respect, and he dragged the unappreciative spoiled brat, Diamond Tiara, with him. The other five members of the Mane Six, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Twilight Sparkle attended the funeral and tried to console Applejack.

The pallbearer ponies lowered the casket into the grave and shoveled in the dirt. An elaborate tombstone was etched out and planted to mark the grave.

Applejack, one of the most proud, resilient, cheerful, stern, and mentally strong ponies in town, cried harder than the other Sweet Apple members. AJ, the one who scolded Applebloom for crying; who believed crying was for the weak, simply let it all out, or so was thought.

As winter set in, Applejack spiraled into a depression, and her grieving went on longer than normal; a concern for her friends and family. Twilight Sparkle tried to examine her, but she refused to talk about much, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy tried to cheer her up but with little success.

One day in early Winter, as freezing rain and snow lashed the landscape, Applejack sat in her bedroom staring out the window. The raindrops spattered loudly on the glass, and the wheels in her mind began turning erratically. At first she blamed herself for Granny Smith’s death, and beat herself up for not seeing it coming, not being out there to pull Granny Smith out of harm’s way, or stop the cart from falling on her.

The mystery of the accident was quickly figured out: the wheel collapsed under the weight of the applekins. All night she prayed to Celestia, begging for forgiveness, and asking why this had to happen but she never got a reply.

Then, as her mind destabilized, she spotted Big Mac, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle hauling another cart full of feed for the animals. She looked at the wheels on that cart, then at Sweetie Belle, then a bunch of nerves suddenly snapped together in her brain with an electrical surge, and her thoughts suddenly became clear:

Sweetie Belle killed Granny Smith. That little unicorn witch put a spell on that cart. Made the wheel give out. All the things the Nimbuscait Apples told her ran through her head over and over again, about unicorns, curses, death and destruction. She remembered the reasons Applegem told her they had about dehorning and killing unicorns. Then she remembered the what-goes-up-must-come-down principle: Granny Smith saved Sweetie Belle, and for that Granny Smith was killed. Suddenly, she felt a surge as all her hatred focused on Sweetie Belle.

Applejack wanted to kill her. Not just for killing Granny Smith, but to stop her from bringing more curses, mayhem, death, disease, and destruction on the farm. Applejack remembered what Granny Smith always told her about family and farm: never let the two fall and die out.

Applejack wanted to take a pitchfork, and jam it right through that little unicorn’s heart and lungs. She wanted to tie her up, douse her in oil and set her on fire, just like the priests rightfully did to the other foal back in Nimbuscait. She wanted to pack that unicorn two trots under the dirt in Everfree, so that the dangerous, vile creatures there may devour the body and magic.

However, her intent to kill Sweetie Belle was cut short by Granny Smith’s harsh words on the train, and her warning of who Applejack just might become. Applejack always respected Granny Smith, and always followed through with what she said, until she was exposed to the superstition from the Apples up north. She also remembered what she was told at a young age about death:

When ponies died, their spirits ascended to the sky and watched the living through the nighttime stars. Their souls went back to Princess Celestia, but their spirits remained in a new ethereal form and watched the living through Celestia and Luna. She knew that just because Granny Smith died, she’d still be watching Applejack, and one day, when Applejack kicked the bucket, she’d join Granny Smith in the next life, or in pony heaven or wherever, and she’d get it for sure whatever she did in these years between their deaths.

Fear of disappointing Granny Smith, her one great parent and mentor in her life, was what shut down Applejack’s intent to kill Sweetie Belle, and placed her back at the center of her struggle between her loyalty to Granny Smith, and belief and obedience in the strict superstitious ways of the ponies in Nimbuscait, and the fear of hell they instilled in her.

Also, to make matters much worse, Applejack’s past memories surged through her and mixed with all this. She went insane. Insane with anger and frustration. At herself, at Granny Smith, and at Sweetie Belle. Applejack bucked and kicked the furniture in her bedroom until everything was damn near destroyed, and the walls were ruined with hoof sized dents. She screamed bloody murder and went insane as the demons of her past haunted her. Eventually, she hit the floor and curled up in a heap and cried.

If anypony opened the door and saw her like this, she just might have tried to kill them out of mere impulse. She couldn’t stand to see herself like this, no way in hell she’d let anypony else see her in this condition.

In the week following that fateful day, Applejack remained secluded in her room while Big Mac and the fillies carried out the daily chores. School ended for winter break, so Applebloom and Sweetie Belle had more time to help Big Mac with the chores. Winter chores were far less than summer chores. All that had to be done on a daily basis was to feed the animals and clean up their slop.

Applejack finally put herself back together, and re-appeared as she stepped down the stairs into the kitchen.

“Been a while AJ. Y’all right?” Big Mac asked.

“Y-yeah, Ah’m fine. Never been better actually. Ah been prayin’ to Celestia is all. Ah hate-”

She set her eyes on Sweetie Belle, and they flared with anger, then she caught herself.

“-mahself fer what happened to Granny Smith. Ah should’ve been there to protect her.” From you, blasted unicorn wretch.

“These things happen,” Big Mac said matter of fact-ly, “Real sad, but she’s with Celestia now. Perhaps pray to Luna, and Luna just might let you visit Granny Smith in yer’ dreams when y’ sleep.”

“Really?” Applebloom asked, wide eyed.

“Eyyup. Eat yer’ soup, A’bloom. You too Apple Belle.”

“Heh.” Applejack grunted. She was still slightly out of it. “Well, she’ll be sorely missed, but never forgotten. Ah’m ready to get back to it. Thanks fer’ coverin’ for me Big Mac.”

“Eyyup.”

From this point on, Applejack’s personality fractured. When she was in control of herself, she was the normal Applejack, who got over her grandmother’s death and was the proud owner and hard working chief commanding farmer of Sweet Apple Acres, and her family.

However, the other side of her always threatened to seep in, and flood her mind with thoughts about her subconscious grudge against Sweetie Belle, and her unrelenting anger over Granny Smith’s death.

Such hatred played out whenever Applejack was angry at Sweetie Belle, and when she disciplined her for this or that.

Without even her knowing it, as the days, weeks, and months passed, Applejack grew colder, meaner, sterner, and stricter. She turned into a crazed workaholic, always obsessing about the farm and all the work needed to be done to keep the place in top condition. She soon came to become furious when she saw ponies loafing off and playing around, especially Applebloom and Sweetie Belle, even when their work was done.

She took it out on them by assigning more chores and projects, and making the two fillies work on their school work for hours in the evening, even though their homework was already done. Applejack got another Apple pony to make up busy work for them and keep them on their hooves from dawn till dusk.

At first they complained, griped, groaned, whined, then Applejack took out the belt, or a stick, or a rope and lashed that out of them. They learned the hard way that the meaner, angrier, workaholic Applejack was here to stay, and they better hoof down and obey. The days when Applejack was a nicer, kinder earth pony were slowly waning into the past.  And Sweetie Belle got the worst of it.

After Hearth’s Warming, Applejack put those two on a tough regimen of schoolwork and chores. Her expectation was that their school grades went up. She flew into a rage if there was so much as one bad mark on their weekly report cards from their teacher Cheerilee. She expected no less than 99% marks on all their assignments. And she whooped them good when they came home with bad results.

Of course, the chores ran from early morning before school, all day after school and into the evening. That was followed by hours of homework and homeschooling by Apple Dumpling. They were not allowed to get tired, or distracted. Social time was also cut short, even to the point where Scootaloo was not allowed over unless she joined Applebloom and Sweetie Belle in their chores and homework.

They hardly ever got time to go back to their Cutie Mark Crusader treehouse, which eventually got taken over by other foals. Each of the CMC’s sadly speculated that the days of the Cutie Mark Crusade were over.

Sugarcube Corner was declared off limits. Applejack’s reasoning: Sweets, candies, cakes, puddings, and all that was bad for their health, and they were only allowed to eat food produced and cooked on the farm. One time during spring when Applebloom and Sweetie Belle snuck off and joined Scootaloo at the Corner, Applejack caught them, and lashed them hard for it, and sentenced them to no supper for three days.

Another thing was that Applejack hardly let the two out of her sight when they went into town, and that was basically only to sell apples and buy supplies and materials. Foals usually ran around town free, there was a general agreement that everypony look out for everypony else’s foals. If there was a problem, anyone could help out and get that foal back to his or her parents. Ponies in town did take note and comment to one another about Applejack keeping her fillies on a tight leash in town. They had to be in her sights or they got in trouble.

But the best part was Applejack’s explosive reaction when Sweetie Belle brought up magic. It was suppertime during a day in mid spring. Sweetie Belle spent the last two weeks gathering the courage to ask. She knew full well Applejack despised unicorn magic, but she went ahead and brought up the subject at her peril.

They were sitting at the table, eating a vegetable-hay pot pie, when Sweetie Belle swallowed her food and began to ask.

“Um...Auntie Applejack?” Sweetie Belle hesitantly asked.

“What is it, sugarcube? Well, go on, spit it out!”

“I....I...well...you...know....you know Tootsie Flute? She’s in our class. She...she signed up for-”

“C’mon Apple Belle, quit acting like a broken sheep whistle and talk already! Yer’ stuttering is startin’ to piss me off,” Applejack strongly prompted her.

“She started having magic sparks.”

“What!?”

Applebloom couldn't take the suspense, and with the innocent of intent on being helpful, she spoke up. “Tootsie Flute started making magic in class on Mariday. Cheerilee said she should sign up for magic training. Parents have to sign a permission form. Sweetie- er I mean Apple Belle wants to go too.”

Applejack flipped the buck out. If she saw this coming, she would have tried to keep herself under control, and given a more calm lecture about how much she hated and forbade magic. She jumped up and slammed her hooves on the table, tipping over the juice jug and their glasses. Juice spilled everywhere.

“What the bloody rotten hay are you talking about goin to yer’ infernal magic trainin’ for, you little brat! So you can hurt ponies and burn their houses down? So you can poison their food and sour their milk? Is that it? Is it not enough for you that Granny Smith died to save yer life-damned flank?” she shouted at the top of her lungs.

Sweetie Belle’s eyes welled up with tears.

“Don’t you dare start up the water works, little missy, or Ah’ll take you out back by the ear and hoof beat ‘em tears out of ya!”

Both fillies were too stunned and scared to even move. They sat with their flanks rooted to their chairs. Applejack continued ranting. “You get this right and remember it real damn good, Apple Belle. Magic is a cursed power from the evil. The enemy of Celestia and life itself. Ah don’t care who or exactly where it comes from, but it is absolutely forbidden here on mah farm and in mah family! Ah won’t you growin’ up to be another accursed witch! Ah don’t care if the other unicorn brats in yer class are popping out their little infernal unholy sparks. Cheerilee ought’a put caps on them so they don’t burn down the whole dang school! No, yer’ NOT going to that hocus pocus magic club, an Ah’m gonna make damn sure Cheerilee knows that. Don’t you dare ever, ever ask me about magic or mention it to me again, Apple Belle! Or Ah swear to Princess Celestia, Ah will drag you by the ear all the way to Nimbuscait and chop that horn off mahself! Do Ah make myself clear?”

That shut Sweetie Belle up, and she simply nodded. She was paralyzed with fear. No Granny Smith to save her this time. The all-too-clear memories of the other unicorn that got flamebroiled alive next to her came back.

“Yer’ gonna grow up to be a hard workin’ earth pony, and that’s that. Now shut up and finish yer supper.”

Minutes later, Big Mac entered the kitchen through the back door, carrying a bucket of milk. He saw the two fillies sitting scared stiff in their chairs, and spilled juice all over the table and floor.

“Dang it, Applejack, what y’ blow a gasket over this time?”

“Big Mac,” Applejack replied, pointing her spoon at Sweetie Belle, “Apple Belle here needs to learn real good that magic is absolutely forbidden, and she will NOT be using magic at all on the farm, in school, or anywhere else in her life as long as Ah’m in charge, and that is final.”

And so these things were just a small hoof-full of examples that indicated Applejack was slowly becoming a psychopathic deranged workaholic religious control freak.

Rarity's Alive

As Applejack became more totalitarian of a family dictator, Sweetie Bell engaged in another survival strategy: she tried to conform. She wanted to please the Apple family. She felt a faint glimmer of hope in trying to do as Applejack expected of her. She also thought that when she became an adult mare, she could make her own decisions, leave Sweet Apple Acres and live like a normal unicorn and learn some magic.

Despite being rescued by Granny Smith back in Nimbuscait, Sweetie Belle slowly gave up hope that she could escape from the Apple family, and figured she had to accept this new life Princess Celestia gave her. Celestia took away Rarity, and her own life as she knew it, and planted her in Applejack’s family. Sweetie prayed most nights, asking, even begging why Celestia did this to her.

Granny Smith’s death was just as hard on Sweetie Belle as it was for Applejack. Granny Smith was the one mare in the family the unicorn filly trusted, the one who saved her life. Now she was gone, and Applejack reigned supreme over her entire life...and she never let up on her threats of having her dehorned. Applejack slipped those words in her scoldings and her casual talk when she ranted about unicorns and magic. One time Sweetie Belle asked her what about all the other unicorns in Ponyville, the ones who bought their apples.

“Apple Belle, them unicorns are good customers, and Ah don’t mind them bein’ in Ponyville and all, but Ah sure ain’t havin’ none of them and none of their hocus pocus magic on mah farm! Ah won’t risk Celestia ventin’ her wrath on us!”

“But AJ, you met her. Isn't she nice?” Applebloom protested.

“Heh,” Applejack spat, “That’s what Celestia WANTS y’all to think. But anypony is a dumbass fool to assume that Celestia’s jus’ nice and all friendlike. She’s just puttin’ on a show to reward her subjects for our loyalty and servitude, but any smart pony knows that they can be wiped out in the blink of an eye. Any wise pony knows he or she better live in fear. That’s what Princess Celestia really wants, and Ah ain’t riskin anything or anypony dear to me by trottin around like she can’t hurt us, because she can! That’s why she took Granny Smith from us.”

And of course, Applejack glared at Sweetie Belle, with a brief flicker of subconscious hatred in her eye.

That made sense to Sweetie Belle. She felt horrible. Rarity was too decadent, too posh-like and self centered of a unicorn, obsessing about clothes and ignoring real problems in the world. And so Celestia acted, and to prevent Sweetie Belle from following in Rarity’s hoofsteps, Celestia killed Rarity, and placed Sweetie in the ultra-pious Apple family.

So she tried to hoof down and do as she was told. She hated life, but reminded herself of what Applejack said, and did what she could to make the best of it. On days Applejack wasn’t full of loathing and hatred for the filly, she saw an improvement in her attitude and behavior.

+ +

However, of all the things Sweetie Belle had to deal with on a daily basis, from the moment she woke up to the moment she was back in bed, one thing was inevitable: the magic. It would not be ignored. It would not be suppressed. It would grow in her whether she wanted it to or not.

When young unicorn foals come of age, their magic systems begin to develop and become active. The process is almost like a magical form of puberty. The body begins to produce magic, which is stored in the horn. As her system’s magic capacity began to grow, she would ‘max out’ and unwittingly release small sparks of magic from her horn.

In other families, parents celebrated their foals’ ‘first spark,’ and dutifully began bringing home spell books. At the Ponyville school, foals’ whose magic was just beginning to blossom were placed in a standard magic training program during the day. Most unicorn parents hardly objected, unless they wanted to train their little ones themselves.

The onset of magic development wasn’t always perfect; foals experienced aches in their bodies as they were exposed to their own magic for the first time, most often in their horns. Some stayed home from school. While lucky unicorn foals experienced little pain or odd sensations, others experienced what doctors called ‘magic migraines,’ which kept the poor foals in bed.

Another great symptom was magic radiation sickness the foals experienced as their bodies were exposed to more radiation. The sickness lasted at least two weeks as their bodies adapted to the radiation of magic.

Learning to control their magic was a long process, and almost every unicorn can say he or she was uncontrollably shooting sparks everywhere at some time or another. One of the many functions Twilight Sparkle had in Ponyville was workshop classes for foals and their parents to help cope with this important stage in their lives.

But for a little white filly who was destined for a magicless life on the apple farm, the onset of magic meant the start of a new living hell.

Sweetie Belle experienced more headaches and was still forced to work and complete her school work. She began to feel itching, burning and aching sensations all over her body, and sometimes it really bothered her, and yet she had to pretend like nothing was wrong when Applejack was around.

One fun day, Sweetie Belle staggered all the way to school. She lasted the morning in class, then at recess, she puked. Cheerilee, having taught for years, knew her plight and took Sweetie Belle to the infirmary.

Sweetie Belle begged Cheerilee not to send a note to Applejack.

“Sweetie Belle,” Cheerilee said soothingly, “It’s just magic sickness. Each unicorn goes through it. I do think you need to go home and rest. I’m sure Applejack will understand.”

Applejack understood allright, and she showed it by lashing her with a rope until her flank was bright red, then dragged her out to the chapel in the farm and made her sit and pray.

Sweetie Belle tried to stifle the magic at home, and she got motivation from the Apple ponies to do so: a beat to the horn. That hurt like hell, and it caused her to involuntarily collapse in a heap, unable to move for at least a minute.

But the magic would not be ignored. It was a part of her and would drive her to hell and back to make itself known to poor Sweetie Belle.

In mid Spring, Applegem paid a surprise visit to Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack was thrilled to see her and told her to invite some of the Nimbuscait ponies to live here (many more ponies were needed as she was expanding Sweet Apple Acres).

“I’m sorry, Applejack, dear,” Applegem lamented over tea in the parlor of the house that afternoon. “But nopony in the family will even see you, write to you or talk to you. They’re all very angry with what happened.”

“Ah, know, Gemmy,” Applejack sighed, “Ah was really hoping we could patch things up now that Granny Smith is gone.”

“So was I, but they won’t have any of it. Apple Thumper was all a-rage for a week, saying if you showed up in Nimbuscait again, he’d personally tie you to the pyre and burn you.”

“Heh,” Applejack chuckled nervously, then she grew bitter. “All ‘cuz o’ that damn unicorn brat. She hexed Granny Smith. Ah know so. Ah should’ve ripped that horn out of her fer that.”

“It’s sad, really,” Applegem lamented. “Oh, by the way, dear, I was disturbed when I received your letter about Apple Belle generating magic. I bought a couple of things during my stay in Abille.”

Applegem opened one of her side bags, and pulled out a leather cone-shaped article with straps and buckles one it and everything.

“What is that?” AJ enquired.

“It’s a horn cap, dear. Place it over Apple Belle’s horn, and it will stifle the magic. It’s got thin iron plates underneath the leather. The iron will keep magic from flaring up in her and should help to prevent further growth, provided she wears this cap alot.”

“Why, that’s awful kind of you, Gemmie,” AJ thanked her.

“Not at all, I’m sure. I’ve also brought some medicine from the alchemist in Nimbuscait. We would have had some made for you, but you had arrived on the weekend, and the alchemist there wasn’t available.”

Applegem pulled out a jar full of a thick milky liquid.

“What is that? Some kind of weird milk?”

“Something like that,” Applegem replied. “I’m not sure exactly what it’s made from, the alchemists like to keep their concoctions a secret for business’ sake. What that will do is it will seep into the magic glands and the horn and slowly kill them, making Apple Belle no longer able to make magic. She must have a spoonful twice a day at breakfast, and at bedtime. The alchemist warned that for a first few days as it begins to take effect, the filly will feel sick, but its normal, and after a week or two, she shouldn’t feel a thing. It is imperative, he said, that Apple Belle finish this bottle from the start, and not miss a dose.”

“Very well, she’ll start this at supper.” Applejack replied.

“Yes, a double dose, one at supper and one at bedtime should be sufficient.” +

After a hard day of working the fields, Big Mac, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle washed up over by the pumps and washhouse, and entered the house.

“Ah’m famished!” Applebloom blurted out.

“Well, that’s mighty good to hear,” Applejack said from the kitchen, ‘Cuz Ah got carrot soup and salad on here fer ya.”

Supper was a typical event: the fillies ate silently as the adult ponies talked. When she saw Applegem, Sweetie’s heart sank and she felt afraid, but she greeted her respectfully, pretending not be frightened of the mare who suggested the whole dehorning thing.

Applegem talked about her trip to the Apple family up in the town of Abille, some creepy place just south of Nimbuscait.

“...And of course, Applejack, I told them about all the help needed down here at Sweet Apple Acres, and quite a few ponies agreed to move down here. Apparently it’s getting too crowded in Abille,”

“Well, that’s a dandy relief,”

“Of course. They should be here in a couple of weeks,”

After the dishes were finished, the two fillies left the kitchen to join Apple Dumpling in the parlor for their evening schooling.

“Apple Belle, come back in the kitchen! It’s time for yer medicine,”

Sweetie Belle hesitated, then slowly came back. Applejack and Applegem stood there, staring her down.

“W...what medicine?”

Applejack showed her the jar of ‘milk,’ then grabbed a tiny shot glass from the cupboard..

“It’s good fer you. It’ll keep that infernal magic from brewin’ up in ya.”

Sweetie Belle would have simply said, ‘Yes, Auntie Applejack,’ however, her magic driven instinct caused her to hesitate, and she said, “I...I...I don’t want to take that medicine. I can keep my magic from sparking, honest.”

“Don’t you dare talk back to me like that!” Applejack snapped furiously, “Ah said yer gonna take this medicine, and yer’ damn well gonna take it! Now open up, or Ah’ll cram it down yer throat!”

Applegem didn’t even give Sweetie Belle a chance to respond, instead she bit her by the ear and yanked her toward Applejack. “You sit there, and do as she says!”

“Ow!”

“Shush up!” Applejack snapped, “Now open up.”

Still she hesitated, then Applegem did the downright cruel thing, she struck her on the horn. Sweetie Belle was instantly paralyzed by the sheer electrical agony as it surged through her. She let out a high pitched squeak and fell to the floor. Applegem then pried open Sweetie’s mouth and Applejack poured the foul smelling medicine in.

It was the most disgusting, metallic, dusty kind of thing Sweetie ever tasted, and her face scrunched up, but she got no time to react as Applejack clamped her mouth shut with her hooves. “Swallow it if ya know what’s good fer ya! Ah said swallow it, or Gemmie will strike you on the horn again!”

Sweetie Belle, fuelled by fear, forced herself to swallow the nasty concoction. Her stomach threatened to eject it, but she managed to hold it in. She laid on the floor sobbing.

Applegem then took the horn cap and placed it over the filly’s horn and tightened the straps. It’s weight pushing any which way on her horn was very uncomfortable.

“This horn cap stays on, you hear?”

Sweetie nodded.

“Enough of the water works, Apple Belle. Now get up and go join Apple Dumpling!” AJ commanded. The filly, crushed into submission again, obeyed.

As predicted, the medicine made her good and sick. The next morning, Sweetie Belle woke up in a sweat, with her body aching all over. She felt weak and hardly able to move at all. When she tried to eat, she simply puked. She felt extremely dizzy and was almost unable to talk. And her horn throbbed with so much pain she could hardly move her head at all.

“Y’best stay in bed,’ Applejack told her, “Must be a real bad bug you caught there.”

A few days later, Sweetie Belle felt well enough to go to school, but that morning’s dose put her out of it again, and she spent the morning in class slumped over her desk shaking. Cheerilee, assuming it was typical magic sickness, took her to the infirmary.

The horn cap didn’t help either. It was itchy, it made her horn hurt and gave her killer headaches, and she felt completely humiliated whenever she was forced to wear it on the farm. On the other hoof, Applejack refused to let Sweetie wear the horn cap when she went to school or anywhere in town. On the farm, however, Sweetie took it off often when Applejack wasn’t looking just for a mere moment of relief from the itching and pain it caused her.

After the first week of that medicine, Sweetie Belle generally felt weaker than usual and even walking or doing the easy chores turned into a difficult feat. She was punished by the Apple ponies for being lazy, but she couldn’t help it.

Then, some good news: one Saturday morning, while the fillies were out helping the other ponies with the farm work, Applejack found the bottle in the garbage can, smashed, and its contents spilled all over the trash. She was livid.

“Apple Belle!” she screamed from the porch of the house. Sweetie Belle came back. “Y...yes, Auntie Applejack?”

“You mind telling me why your medicine is in this here garbage can?”

“It wasn’t me, I swear!” Sweetie protested. “I never knew where you kept it.”

“Don’t you dare lie to me or Ah’ll give you a good paddlin’!

“I didn’t touch it!”

Just as Applejack was about to reach back with a hoof and bop her, she saw the truth in the filly’s eyes. Being one for honesty, or even the Element of honesty and truth, she knew Sweetie didn’t do it.

“Fine, get outta here and finish up yer work! An’ go tell everypony that Apple Cobbler and Apple Leaves almost got them hay pancakes ready.”

After breakfast, they loaded up the apple cart, and hauled it into the market square in Ponyville. They spent the morning and early afternoon selling apples. In town, Applejack acted joyful and cordial to everypony. She was favorite among them, even the unicorns she secretly despised. The Apples sold out quickly, and Big Mac was getting the cart ready to tow it back to the farm.

Having finished selling their apples and apple goods early, Applejack took her two fillies to the general store. There she ran into Cheerilee. While the two talked, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle looked around at the books.

“Hey, you two! Keep to the farm section where Ah can see you!” she called.

While Applebloom looked at the wide variety of farming publications and books, Sweetie Belle once again followed her magic instinct. If she could describe how she felt about her own magic, she would say that it was hurt, and angry, and still wouldn’t relent.

Sweetie even speculated that she might have smashed the bottle of ‘medicine’ while walking in her sleep. She then bitterly thought, why couldn’t she sleepwalk out of Sweet Apple Acres and far away? Wake up somewhere safe and seek out some unicorns who could help her. She thought if she went across the county line into Corlett, a good sixty kilotrots east, somepony would be willing to listen and help her, and not just send her back to Applejack. That would be at least two or three days to get there on her little hooves, but if she could sneak out of the house during the night when nopony could notice, she’d make the long walk.

Sweetie mused in thought when she got the urge to walk over to the magic book section. The spell books were small, with only a few pages. They were basic spells, nothing fancy; just for levitating and moving objects, making colors with magic, putting on little light shows, and such.

“Those books are about 25 bits each,” the store keeper called to her, startling her.

“Uh, thank you, sir,” Sweetie said in a hushed voice. She breathed a sigh of relief when she realized Applejack didn’t see her here.

She’d have opened the spell books one by one and read through them, but they were sealed. A smaller selection of ‘used’ spell books and scrolls filled a nearby box. She thought to take a look. Sweetie sifted through the spell books with her hoof.

“Those won’t do you any good, little filly,” the storekeeper said, “they’ve been used up. Those are to be recycled by the alchemist and enchanters. You can read them, but you won’t get anything out of them.”

“Oh, ok,” Sweetie nodded sadly. She didn’t really know that was how spell books worked.

Meanwhile, Applejack and Cheerilee got into a heated debate. Sweetie Belle peered around the bookshelf and tried to listen in on them.

Sweetie felt safe looking at the books. She read through the magic self help books, and tried to look for something on horn caps or anti-magic ‘medicine.’ Above the table was an old poster of a famous pegasus, Snowdrop. The words below her read in capital letters, ‘BELIEVE & ACHIEVE.’

Sweetie recalled Cheerilee’s lecture on Snowdrop, who lived thousands of years ago, and invented snowflakes. Apparently Snowdrop was blind, and she made snowflakes.

Sweetie thought about that, and considered that one had to see to design snowflakes. Somehow Snowdrop got the job done. On that note, Sweetie asked herself, how the hell could a magicless unicorn accomplish something magic related? She stared at the poster. It had yellowed, and torn along its edges. This general store was old; it had been built around the time Ponyville was founded.

Sweetie tuned her ears to Applejack’s and Cheerilee’s conversation.

“...this whole thing with Big Mac, it ain’t right, Cheerilee,” Applejack was saying.

“What do you mean it isn’t right?” Cheerilee challenged.

“Well, jus’ look at you two. It’s like two puzzle pieces that don’t fit. Yer’ a fine upstanding school teacher, and everypony respects you. Yer smart, intelligent, pretty, an’ all that, and well, Ah think yer’ out of Big Mac’s league. You can find yerself a much better stallion who’s more compatible with you.”

Sweetie shook her head in disgust. Applejack was trying to split Big Mac and Cheerilee up. That relationship was one of the accomplishments of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. She, Applebloom, and Scootaloo got those two to fall in love two years ago, and now they were getting serious.

After chores and supper, Big Mac left the farm to spend the evenings with her.

“So?” Cheerilee argued, “So what if we’re different.”

“Between you and me,” Applejack said quieter, “Ah think ur love with him is a foul trick by them unicorns. They must be laughin’ their flanks off at you two.”

“Really, Applejack?” Cheerilee questioned, unimpressed, “I don’t think so. And why don’t you like us being together? Is it an Apple family thing?”

“No,” AJ replied, “Yer smart, Big Mac, well, he’s dumb. He’s just dumb. Ah mean he’s good at the farm n’ all, but his brain’s emptier than a spider’s web in Winter. He’s just a big dumb lug, and he don’t talk much.”

Cheerilee scoffed, “Big Mac doesn’t seem to talk much, but when he does, he shows me a world of insights and knowledge he has. He’s alot smarter and more inquisitive than you think or he even lets on. He’s your brother-”

“Ah know that.”

“-and you should be supportive of him, not trying to ruin things. If I didn’t know any better, I’d guess you want to control him and make sure he’s helping on your farm.”

Applejack sighed. Cheerilee got her there. “Miss Cheer, Ah do need all the hooves Ah can get at Sweet Apple Acres, and Ah can’t have ponies gettin’ distracted and runnin off-”

“Applejack, I want you to know that I am not keeping your brother from his work, and that is not my intent. As far as I know, Big Macintosh is happy at Sweet Apple Acres, and when he decides he wants to pursue something else, it will be his decision and not mine. Now, I’d like you to stop interfering with us, please. I’m done talking about it.”

“Very well,” Applejack ceded, “by the way, how are Applebloom and Apple Belle doin’ at school?”

“Why do you insist on calling her Apple Belle?” Cheerilee was asking.

“That’s her name. We changed it,” AJ answered, “She just refuses to accept it is all.”

“But still...anyways, the name isn’t my only concern,” Cheerilee went on, “The last few days, Sweetie Belle has been home sick alot, and I’m just wondering if she’s ok-”

“She is perfectly fine. We had some relatives come down from Abille, and she caught a bad bug from them. Now, how are they on their school work?”

Cheerilee sighed, “No less than perfect. I almost wish the rest of my class worked as hard as those two do. What’s your secret?”

“Ah got mah cousin Apple Dumpling schooling them in the evenings.”

“I see. Now, about Sweetie Belle- The last few moons, she has sauntered into class looking very down in the dumps. She has spoken to me about some things-”

“Like what?” Applejack demanded. “Because that filly has no right to complain about anything.”

“Well,” Cheerilee said, trying to gather her thoughts, “Sweetie Belle told me that she gets in trouble for her magic at home, even an involuntary spark, and she told me that magic is not allowed at home. She also said that you refused to let her attend the magic class-”

“Miss Cheerilee, Ah need to ask you not to worry about that. Those matters are Apple family business, and she’s got no right complaining’ to other ponies about it! What else she say?”

“I overheard Sweetie Belle talking to her friends about ponies trying to dehorn her?”

“Hah,” Applejack scoffed, “Now Ah know that is a pure lie. She’s jus’ makin’ that up to get attention. Ah’d never do that to her. And the whole thing about magic not bein’ allowed on the farm is another lie she made up. Y’see the thing is, we do a lot of work around the farm, takin’ care of the animals, gathering the apples, plant’n new stuff all the time. Sweetie just hates the work is all. Applebloom does it no problem, but Sweetie- you know how Rarity raised her. She think’s everypony in Equestria will cater to her, well Ah’m trying to straighten her up and iron that right out of her.”

Cheerilee wasn't solidly convinced, but didn't see a point in pursuing the argument. “Very well. I simply brought it up because lately, she’s been very miserable.”

“That’s jus’ her bein’ a rotten spoiled brat, Ah assure you.”

“You’re nice,” Cheerilee scoffed. Their conversation continued a bit more and Sweetie Belle found the magazine rack.

The magazine rack had weekly and monthly publications from the town, county, and even from Canterlot. Sweetie looked at the magazines about magic. They had new spells conjured up by unicorns for day-to-day life. Then, she looked at the second magazine, and she gasped. Her eyes went wide open and jaw dropped. It was a hell of a shock, because on the cover of the  Canterlot Fashion Magic Weekly was Rarity.

‘Ah told you fer the last time,’ Applejack’s words rang out in the back of her mind, ‘Rarity is DEAD!’

Sweetie Belle nervously looked around, and checked to make sure Applejack wasn’t walking around. To her relief, Applejack was talking to somepony else. Cheerilee had bought a box of chalk for her chalkboard and left.

Her heart racing, Sweetie Belle picked up the magazine and flipped through it. Maybe it’s just a memorial tribute thing for her, the thought. Afterall, why would Applejack lie about her being dead?

Sweetie found the article and started reading through it, looking up and checking for Applejack. If Applejack caught her in the magic book section, she’d get whipped for sure.

After reading, Sweetie tried to sum it up in her brain: Rarity was alive. She had recovered from the fire, went out and started a new fashion boutique in Canterlot, and from what Sweetie read, Rarity was having much better success than in Ponyville. She was actually tailoring for some of the elite ponies, including Fancy Pants and his club; even Princess Cadence. She was making colossal amounts of bits. Not once in the interview script was there any mention of Sweetie Belle. She waved a hoof at Applebloom who silently came to her.

“Take a look at this,” Sweetie said, pointing a hoof at a page, “Rarity’s alive.”

“Really?” Applebloom asked in disbelief, and she looked it over-

“Applebloom! Apple Belle! Where are you two?” Applejack snapped. Both fillies rushed over to the farm book section, but AJ was on to them.

“What the hay you two doin’ over there?”

Applebloom quickly covered for Sweetie Belle: “We was lookin at some fancy tractor books over there, h-honest.”

“Y’better not be lyin’ to me, A’bloom!”

Applebloom shook her head.

“Fine. Let’s go, it’s gettin’ late. We gotta get back and milk them cows.”

+ +

That night, in bed, Sweetie felt completely restless, and couldn’t sleep. All her thoughts were on Rarity, and the life she had in Rarity’s home before the fire. Rarity was virtually the only family she had; the parents seldom in Ponyville to see her.

Rarity was the uptight, proper, classy kind of unicorn; sometimes even more so than some of the Apple family ponies, but in a different, nicer kind of way. She always liked having her home and workplace (the Carousel Boutique) being clean and tidy, as Rarity had an obsession for cleanliness. The only mess she permitted was in her studio where all the materials and supplies were in such a mess she knew where everything was, and somehow the ‘arrangement’ of things inspired new dress designs.

Rarity was an uptight, finicky one, and at times full of herself, or overboard with her flair for drama. Sweetie Belle on the other hoof was the obnoxious one, full of energy, and with a short attention span. She was more than a hoof-ful for Rarity at times, especially when she was at home bored. Often Sweetie Belle got into trouble, by washing Rarity’s expensive one-of-a-kind wool sweater, causing it to shrink; using Rarity’s expensive gems to make a picture; and filling the whole place with smoke when she tried to cook surprise breakfasts. Somehow, Sweetie Belle never got things right, and she felt little more than a nuisance in Rarity’s eyes.

Sweetie Belle had to admit that Rarity wasn’t always very accommodating of her; it seemed she cared more about her work and desire to climb to fame and fortune in the fashion industry, than about Sweetie.

The two bickered and fought alot, almost to the point Sweetie Belle and Rarity shouted at eachother and hurling insults that cut deep. But at the end of the day, Sweetie remembered, Rarity still loved her, housed her, and fed her. And most of the time Rarity apologized for the things she said. To compensate for the lack of attention, Rarity often gave Sweetie bits and told her to go out and keep busy ‘till sundown.

Then a couple of years ago they had their dispute over the Sisterhooves Social, an annual event put on by the Apple family. Rarity scoffed and ridiculed the idea of her and Sweetie participating. Sweetie got mad and went to Applejack for help. That seemed like eons ago, Sweetie thought to herself. The Applejack of the past was so entirely different, she may as well have been a different pony. Back then, Applejack was kind, patient, and she and Applebloom shared a wonderful sister bond that now ceased to exist.

Sweetie Belle recalled wanting to adopt Applejack as her big sister, and even live with the Apple family, as she felt she meant nothing to Rarity. Applejack mediated the situation and taught Rarity a lesson or two on sisterly love, and even got Rarity to participate in the races at the Sisterhooves social. Rarity seemed a lot more open and patient with Sweetie since then.

Sweetie Belle had somewhat a desire to learn about fashion, and in the months leading up to the fire, Rarity allowed her to watch as she designed and put together new clothes. When she told Rarity she wanted to be a fashion designer like her, Rarity replied, “That’s fine with me, dear, but make sure it’s what you want to do. I’ve a thing for clothes as you’ve noticed, and not all ponies share it. I just don’t want you to trudge through somepony else’s hoofsteps and following their dreams instead of your own.”

Around that time, Rarity bought her a crystal guide book that contained detailed information on all the minerals used to make gems. From then on, Sweetie Belle grew increasingly interested in minerals and rocks, and often visited and bought things at the rock shop. Rarity suggested she take up geology and jewellry when she entered college.

Then there was the magic. Rarity was full of it, casting magic nearly every waking moment to do her work. She hardly even used her hooves, and Sweetie couldn’t remember any time Rarity wore a hoof shoe that allowed a pony to use hand tools. Sweetie, however, was a late bloomer when it came to magic. In the spring, summer, and fall of the year before the Carousel Boutique burned to the ground, most of the unicorn foals at school were having their first sparks. Sweetie still went out and bought spell books, or took home free ones from school, and tried to read through them, but the thing with spell books was they weren’t written normally. The words were replaced by strange texts of weird symbols and arrangements of dots. Rarity explained that she wasn’t supposed to read a spell book like any ordinary book, it was supposed to be automatically read by the part of her mind connected to her magic system. But, she was still too young to effectively absorb a spell from the books.

“It will come, Sweetie, dear, don’t fret, your magic is simply taking it’s sweet time,” Rarity assured her.

Pretty soon after, Sweetie did have her first spark, and she was over excited. She foolishly assumed she could do anything like her sister, and she ran into the kitchen and cast her new magic on a basket full of apples, trying to move or levitate it. The result was an explosive disaster.

“Sweetie Belle! What on earth are you doing?” Rarity shrieked when she burst into the kitchen, and found her in the middle of what remained of that basket of apples she had bought just the other day.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to! I got my first spark and wanted to- I was just trying to-”

“Why Sweetie Belle,” Rarity said, “Of course you didn’t mean to incinerate my basket, burn my table cloth, and splatter apples all over my kitchen.”

Sweetie Belle thought she was gonna get it big time now. She crouched down, covered her eyes, and started whimpering. “I’m sorry, sis.”

“I’ll clean this up,” Rarity sighed. The kitchen reeked of smoke, burnt apples, and ozone, the foul smelling odour left after raw magic crackled through the air.

The filly saw no point in offering to help. In minutes, Rarity accomplished what would have taken an earth pony up to an hour. Sweetie Belle was amazed with the grace and precision to which Rarity floated the trash can, the broom, the dustpan, the mop, and the water bucket. Pretty quick, the kitchen was spotless and clean.

But to her biggest surprise, Rarity wasn’t angry or upset with her. Surprisingly, she seemed to understand.

“Sweetie Belle,” Rarity said a few weeks later, “I’ve been observing you and your attempts at magic for quite some time now, and-”

“I know, you’re disappointed in me,” Sweetie muttered, looking down at the floor.

“I wouldn’t say disappointed,” Rarity replied, “Concerned would be more accurate. I went through the same troubles when I first began to have magic. Believe me, I stirred up quite some trouble at your age. But this magic business is no light matter. As your big sister, I’m worried about you and your magic, and well, your future. What with your school grades and all...”

“But Rarity, I’m trying to good at school.”

“Frankly, I don’t quite believe that, looking at your report cards. Your class has thirty students, and when your teacher finally checks on you, you and your friends are always goofing off.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll do better, honest.”

“I’ve got a better idea,” Rarity said with a smile. “How would you like to go to the magic academy?”

“Really?” Sweetie Belle’s eyes lit up.

“Yes, the Royal Equestrian Magic Academy in Canterlot. It’s the best school of magic in the entire country. It’s where all the great unicorns come from, my dear. Twilight Sparkle went there, so did Princess Cadence, Shining Armor, umm, Trixie, myself. Believe me, it’s the best place for any unicorn to learn about magic and become masterfully skilled at using it!”

Sweetie Belle’s excitement dampened at the obvious expense of such a place. “But Sis, isn’t it like a million bits to go there?”

“Nonsense, dear. It is pricey, I’ll give it that, but I do know some unicorns in Canterlot who might be able pull some strings and get you in for free.”

“Really??”

“Of course, dear. My friends Jet Set and Upper Crust and I have already talked. They’re both well established in the magic academy, and they can have the school waive your fee.

Sweetie’s eyes glittered with excitement over going to the best school in all of Equestria, but then she felt torn between that and the heartache of leaving her friends, Ponyville, and the life she knew.

“But...what about my friends?” Sweetie never considered leaving Applebloom and Scootaloo. Thing is, the three of them made a pact to stay together and continue the Cutie Mark Crusade until they got their cutie marks. She admitted this to Rarity.

“Sweetie Belle, that’s quite absurd,” Rarity spoke, “The only thing you three are doing by keeping to your silly crusade is you’re going to hold yourselves back from getting your unique cutie marks.”

“What do you mean?” Sweetie asked defensively.

“Well,” Rarity explained, “First of all, you three are getting older, and soon you’ll come of age when you’ll outgrow the whole Cutie Mark Crusaders thing. I’m surprise it’s lasted this long, and you three have done quite a bit. But none of you have your cutie marks. Am I right?”

“Yes...”

“And on top of that,” she continued, “your magic is just beginning to grow, and so far, without the proper schooling, training and spells, you won’t get any further than most of the unicorns in town who can hardly levitate a thing. Scootaloo i going to have to learn to fly someday, I’m sure she’ll be sent to a flight school up in Cloudsdale, and Applebloom, well...I think she’ll be learning how to run the farm at Sweet Apple Acres.”

“Oh...”

“What I mean is, you three are going to be split up by the circumstances of your lives, and you will each have to carve out your own path. By sticking together, you’ll be doing each other and yourselves a dis-service.”

Sweetie Belle didn’t like what she heard, but she somewhat understood. “...but...we don’t want to be blank flanks forever...that’s why-”

“Sweetie,” Rarity said a little more sternly, “It’s time to grow up. You have an opportunity to attend the best magic school in all of Equestria. Do you really want to pass that up for the sake of your friends? What will they sacrifice in return. I think the longer you keep up your Cutie Mark Crusader business, the longer you will remain blank flanks. Cutie marks were not meant to be acquired in group ventures.”

Sweetie looked down at her flank. She had trouble wrapping her mind around what Rarity just said. Rarity was right about getting in free at one of the most expensive and best known schools in the country. All these years, she felt useless and nothing more than a worthless nuisance to Rarity. And now Rarity was offering her a chance to go to a school where she could learn all kinds of things and get lots of new skills. It was the chance of a lifetime.

“I’ll go to the magic academy, sis. Thanks,” Sweetie said, resigned to her sister’s expectations. “But...can I still be friends with-”

“Of course, dear! You’ll always be able to write to your friends and they can write to you. You’ll always be friends, even when you become adult mares. I think those two will realize they need to take their own paths when you take yours. It will be good for the three of you, trust me.”

“Okay,” Sweetie nodded, “I want to ask...are you doing it to get me away? I know I’m not much more than a useless-”

“Shhh,” Rarity replied soothingly, and she hugged the filly. “I’m very sorry for all the things I’ve said to you, Sweetie, and I’m terribly sorry I wasn’t there for you as much as I should have been. You know how I get carried away with my work. I’ve so much to do to keep my business running and the bits coming in so I can support us. I want to get you into the magic academy to...make up for my...poor job as a big sister. That way, I can focus more on my work, and you can learn all the magic you want, and find out what you want to do in life and succeed. I regret I wasn’t more attentive to you, but that’s just the way it is.”

Sweetie Belle, knowing how Rarity was, understood. Going to the academy for free was a huge gift she thought made up more than for all the times Rarity called her a useless nuisance, and wished she was gone.

“W...will you still want to see me?”

“Of course! I’ll make sure to come visit when I’m in Canterlot, and I’ll have you here during the holidays and school breaks. No matter what happens, you and I will always be family. I’ll buy you a spellbook for telepathy when we get to Canterlot, and I’ll get myself one too, so that we can both learn the spell and we can communicate to each other as often as we want.”

+ +

As per Rarity’s intent, she made arrangements with her friends in Canterlot, to stay there for a few days and have Sweetie Belle enrolled at the magic academy. Sweetie Belle asked that her last day at the Ponyville school not be announced- she felt afraid of betraying Applebloom and Scootaloo, and didn’t want them to know and get upset with her.

“I think it’s better you tell them. Not easy of course, but you should, nonetheless,” Rarity told her.

And then there was the sick, cruel twist of fate that completely changed everything. Turned out Sweetie Belle’s last day at school was the day the Carousel Boutique burned down, and Rarity hospitalized. That evening, they were to take the next train to Canterlot.

Everyone at school noticed the fire when they ran outside for lunch hour and saw the column of smoke rising into the sky from the edge of town. Sweetie Belle was a little oblivious, and assumed it was another building on fire.

Then when the foals came back inside for class, Cheerilee told her she had to stay behind afterschool.

“But why, Miss Cheerilee? I didn’t even do anything.”

“That’s not the point...” Cheerilee tried to explain. “Look, just stay after class, and I will explain the reason then.”

+ +

A Visit at Twilight's

On the day the Carousel Boutique burned down, at precisely 30° in the afternoon ( around 4pm human time), the school bell rang, and the foals in each classroom grabbed their saddlebags and ran outside. Sweetie Belle had no inclination to stay behind, but Cheerilee kept her eye on her and made her stay seated at her desk.

Everypony could see the black column of smoke rising from where the Carousel Boutique used to be. When the fire first began, the flames were visible from the school.

She was being held in detention and it wasn’t even her fault.

“It’s about time that shop burnt to the ground,” Diamond Tiara had said earlier that afternoon. Sweetie recalled the conversation. “Why would you say that? I know you hate me because I’m a blank flank, but why do you hate my sister and our home so much?” Sweetie protested.

“Ugh, it’s more than you can even understand,” Silver Spoons sneered.

“Definitely,” Diamond continued, “Your mom, er- I mean ‘sister,’ is just a pathetic wannabe and a loser. The dresses she makes are horrible, and so is everything else she ever made. My daddy says she’s an embarrassment to all ponies who design fashion. Look on the bright side, Orphan Belle, whoever burnt down your mother’s shop did everypony a favor, including you.”

“What? What the hay, Diamond Tiara! And she's not my mother. She's my sister, and she's in the hospital! She could have died!”

Diamond and Silver Spoons both scoffed and chuckled. “Think of it this way,” Diamond Tiara said, placing a hoof around Sweetie Belle’s shoulders, “She’ll probably die, well everypony hopes she will, and you will be free of her forever. Don’t think we don’t know what she says about you. She doesn’t even care about you. Rarity always thought you were a burden. Perhaps that is why her, ahem, ‘line of work’ has gone down the ditch. Ever since you were born, she had to focus on keeping you alive, so thanks to you, she is a failure.”

Sweetie Belle started tearing up. She tried to hold it back. She knew deep down, Diamond Tiara, a manipulative, coercive, conniving spoiled princess, was right.

“Look on the bright side,” Diamond continued, “If you’re lucky, you might get adopted by the Apple family. You’ll probably be useful shoveling manure and bucking the apples out of their trees. That’s probably all you’ll be good for.”  And with that and a laugh, she and Silver Spoons walked out of the school building.

Sweetie Belle sat at her desk, with her head down, crying silently. Cherilee sat behind her teacher’s desk reading paperwork. A mail pony arrived and knocked on the door.

“Yes?” Cheerilee asked, looking up.

The pony, dressed up in the postal service uniform, opened the door and entered, pulling an envelope from his side bag and gave it to her.

“Thank you, kindly.”

“Not at all.” And he was gone. Cheerilee opened the envelope, pulled out the letter, unfolded it, and read it. Then she put it down and went back to her paperwork.

“Excuse me, Miss Cheerilee?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Yes? What is it?”

“Um, why am I in detention again? I didn’t do anything.”

Cheerilee stopped writing and put the pen down. She slid the tool-shoe off her hoof, and placed it on the desk, briefly glad to feel the cool breeze on the fur on her hoof. Then she looked up at her. “Sweetie Belle,” she spoke, “I’m sure you know this by now, but the Carousel Boutique is on fire. As per emergency arrangements at the school, and in town, we cannot let you leave until a family member or somepony they trust can come and get you.”

“Well, when’s Rarity gonna get here?”

“Rarity,” Cheerilee replied, “is in the hospital, and from what this note here says, she’s not doing good at all.”

Sweetie’s eyes widened as the shock seeped through her. Diamond Tiara’s harsh words about Rarity cut through her like knives. She didn’t want to believe it. Suddenly, no home, no Rarity.

“So what now? I get punished?” A weak argument.

“No,” Cheerilee answered, “I keep you here until somepony Rarity obviously trusts to care for you shows up. Basically, you’re going to a new home and a new family.”

“Wait, can I choose who I can-”

“No,” Cheerilee cut her off, “it’s already been decided.” Cheerilee checked the second page of the note. “In the event of an emergency, Rarity arranged for Applejack to take you in, and of course you’ll be living on her farm.”

“You might get adopted by the Apple family. You’ll probably be useful shoveling manure and bucking the apples out of their trees. That’s probably all you’ll be good for!”

Sweetie did not want to live at the Apple farm. They had endless chores day and night, and when fillies worked too slow, Applejack shouted at them. That’s all she, Scootaloo, and Dinky Doo did when the four of them went to spend nights, weekends, and holidays with the Apple family. Sometimes, they had likened Sweet Apple Acres to a labor camp.

“Miss Cheerilee, I don’t want to live with the Apples! They’re mean and they make us do chores all day everyday-”

“Sweetie Belle, it’s out of my hooves. And you will have to adapt to a different family environment and get along. I’m sorry, but that’s life,” Cheerilee replied sternly, then with a smile, she said, “But I’m sure Rarity will pull through and she’ll get out of the hospital. When she’s recovered, you will go back to her. This arrangement is only temporary. Now, if you please, I've got work to do, and I think you have homework too.”

Sweetie Belle thought about sneaking out. She thought about living with Scootaloo and her family. The Loo’s were really nice and welcoming, for her anyway. They were an earth pony couple who adopted Scootaloo and gave her her name when she was just a baby. They also adopted a unicorn foal and had twins of their own.  She decided she would go live with the Loo’s. The clock ticked loudly, and Cheerilee hummed to herself.

Two other foals sat at their desks, saying nothing. Sweetie Belle looked at the clock. 34°. It had been 40 minutes since the rest of the class got out.

Sweetie slowly got up, careful not to make a noise. She tip-hoofed her way to the cubby area, then near the door, which was open. Problem was, it was next to Cheerilee's desk.

But her hopes of escaping quickly evaporated, as Applejack showed up.

“Howdy, Miss Cheerilee,” she greeted her in her loud southern voice.

“Good afternoon. You’re here to pick up Sweetie Belle?”

“You betcha,”

Sweetie Belle hid behind one of the display boards. She desperately hoped not to get noticed-“Sweetie Belle! Come on out!” Applejack barked. Sweetie’s heart sank, and she slowly stepped out from behind the display board.

“What’cha doin’ hidin’ behind that there wheeler wall thing?” Applejack demanded. Sweetie Belle just looked down at the floor, “I...I was just looking for a snack I brought...”

Applejack walked up to her, and gave her the look. “What have I told you about lyin’ to yer’ Auntie Applejack?”

“I’m...sorry....”

“An’ don’t go telling me you don’t like stayin’ on the farm. The fresh air and all them chores is good fer’ you. Speaking of which, we best get on home, Grab yer’ bag and come along now.”

Once they were outside the school, Sweetie asked, “Is Rarity okay?”

“Ah ain’t sure,” Applejack replied, “She got fried up pretty bad. Them pegasi had to blast a hole in the burnin’ place with a waterspout and a tornado to get her out. Ah don’t know if she’s gonna make it. From the look of her, she jus’ might die, Celestia take her.”

“Oh...” Sweetie Belle murmured as she walked with Applejack back to the farm. She would have reacted, or got upset, but Applejack got real pissed when ponies got emotional. Still Sweetie was anything but calm. Her throat swelled and her lungs started squeezing the air out in short sharp bursts. She felt tears pooling around the corners of her eyes.  Her remembering that time when Applejack whacked Applebloom with a broom for crying didn’t help stifle the emotions.

“Applejack?”

“That’s Auntie Applejack to you, Sweetie Belle. What do you want- hey, you better not be crying. Cryin’s for weak ponies.”

“I...I wanna go see Rarity!”

“NO!” Applejack shouted at her, scaring her. The filly froze.

“You will see Rarity when Ah decide you see her, understand?”

Sweetie belle nodded.

“It’s already been settled. Ah own you now, now come along!”

+ +

The following Spring, after the trip to Nimbuscait, and since when Applejack turned into a mean, cold hearted crazed disciplinarian, Rarity’s ‘death’ seemed like only yesterday. Sweetie Belle recalled the magazine she read the other day at the general store in town. Rarity was alive and well; she never died, but for the filly, somehow she died, and until the other day, was dead to her, and now suddenly resurrected. Applejack repeatedly told her with growing impatience that Rarity died; she was burnt to death in the fire last Summer.

Sweetie Belle didn’t dare bring up the subject to Applejack, as she would know Sweetie broke the ‘no-magic’ rules by looking at a magic magazine. Of all the things Applejack scolded, shouted, and whacked her and Applebloom for, she reserved full on hoof beatings if Sweetie Belle defied her expectations concerning magic.

But, she felt angry, and had to keep calm to keep magic from surging and sparking out of her horn, even with the horn cap on. She hated it before, but now it protected her, despite killing her little day by day. Without even knowing it, she did know her own magic was ‘angry’ it was being suppressed. Yet she had to remain silent about it and pretend she was happy to be at Sweet Apple Acres. Since the Winter Wrapup festival, Applejack talked several Apple ponies from across the county into relocating to Sweet Apple Acres. Some came from Abille, others came from Appleloosa, Wooton, Corlett, and even the rugged Roundbottom County. She did this by mailing out stacks of letters to as many Apple farms as she could find, and as it turned out, the Apple farm out in Roundbottom County had too many ponies and they were constantly quarreling with one another, so Applejack’s invitation to come to Sweet Apple Acres was a welcome opportunity, and in early spring, they arrived. Not too many of them were pleased about a unicorn filly living among them, and Applejack had to assure them Sweetie Belle was not going to engage in magic whatsoever. And for her safety, Sweetie Belle had to play the part.

But she couldn’t stay silent forever, so one day, during lunch hour at school, Sweetie Belle snuck off school grounds and sought the help of Ponyville’s brightest unicorn, Twilight Sparkle.

+ +

That morning at breakfast, Applejack was once again pissed off. She had these moments often when she thought too much about things. This time, however, she received a letter from Applegem saying the medicine she brought would cost Applejack 190 bits to replace. That was bloody expensive. Upstairs, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were tidying up for school.

“And when y’two get back,” Apple Dumpling, their homeschool tutor instructed them, “Ah want to see your report cards. Do not forget them.”

“Sure thing!” Applebloom said enthusiastically.

“Yes, ma’am,” Sweetie Belle replied quietly as she put on her saddlebags.

“Allrighty, have a nice day at school, and do good on your test today.” Apple Dumpling left them and returned to her room.

Applebloom grunted. “Why does Cheerilee have to make us do tests every Pluday?”

Sweetie Belle said nothing, and felt a growing resentment even for Applebloom.

Then they began to hear Applejack shouting from the kitchen downstairs. “One hunnard n’ ninety bits? Y’gotta be shittin’ me! Where the sam hell am Ah gonna get that many bits? That’s just dang expensive!”

“Applejack, simmer yer’ saddle already.” It was Big Mac.

“That medicine was supposed to last fer a whole moon! Ah bet it was that unicorn brat who smashed it.” Applejack cast a withering glare at Sweetie Belle as she and Applebloom entered the kitchen. The other Apple ponies in the house seemed unsettled as well, not only by Applejack’s ranting but by the sight of Sweetie, even with that horn cap on. The filly desperately wanted to get out of the house, out of Sweet Apple Acres, and throw the cap into the gate house, a small shed by the gate to the main road.

“You smashed it, didn’t you?” Applejack snarled as she boiled with rage.

“I didn’t, honest!”

“Don’t’cha go talkin’ to me about honesty, ya little wretch! You unicorns is anything but honest! You hexed yer’self so you could go lookin’ all innocent like, didn’t you?”

“N...no...”

“Don’t lie to me, you little-”

Big Mac stepped right infront of Applejack. “Here’s a newsflash fer’ ya, AJ: I smashed it.”

“Wha...Big Mac, how could you? What the hell for? That stuff was gonna stop Apple Belle’s magic once an’ fer all. Yer’ lyin, Big Mac! Lyin’ for that little witch! She’s put a hex on you, so snap out of it.”

Big Mac leaned in close and stared Applejack down. “Do Ah look hexed? Maybe yer’ hexin’ yerself with all of yer nonsense, and it’s startin’ to piss me off, AJ.”

“Damn it, Big Mac,” Applejack shouted back, “That little witchling’s been hexin’ us since the day Ah brought her home. She’s been hexin everypony around here, and she hexed that cart!”

Big Mac grunted. “No, AJ, that wheel ain’t hexed. It was full of termites. They ate that wheel out from the inside, and it crushed. Ain’t no unicorn magic involved-”

“Then she put them termites in that wheel!” Applejack countered.

“Them termites been around a lot longer than she has, AJ, so quit blamin’ her for what happened to Granny Smith.”

Applejack was at a brief loss for words. Big Mac turned to the two fillies. “You two, get on out of here! You’re gonna be late for school.”

They both quietly nodded and exited through the kitchen door. But Applebloom and Sweetie Belle both hid under the window sill and listened on.

“Fine, maybe she didn’t kill Granny Smith,” Applejack conceded, remembering their longtime termite infestation in the old buildings and equipment. “Ah love Apple Belle dearly, an’ Ah want the magic snuffed right out of her so she can live right, jus’ like us. Applegem brought us that medicine so it could purify her.”

Big Mac grunted. “A purified unicorn is a dead unicorn, AJ. Them unicorns need their magic like the rest of us need air and water. Even if they don’t cast magic, they still need it to live. It’s a part of ‘em and ain’t nothing can take away a unicorn’s magic without killing it. That medicine’s been killing Sweetie Belle-”

“Her name is Apple Belle, Big Mac, get it right.”

“Whatever, it’s been killing her slowly. She gettin’ sick real often, she gettin’ weak and could hardly walk. She’d be dead by the time you stuff the last cup of that medicine down her throat. How’d you like havin’ the death of a unicorn on yer hooves, AJ-”

“If that stuff is so toxic, then why them alchemists in Nimbuscait make it in the first place?” Applejack countered.

“Them alchemists live in Nimbuscait, that’s why. As far as they’re concerned, the only good unicorn’s a dead unicorn. They dehorn ‘em, force feed ‘em that medicine, and when them unicorns are too weak to work, they burn ‘em. Unicorn health is no concern of them evil Nimbuscait ponies-”

“Don’t call them evil!” Applejack shouted. “Them Nimbuscait ponies got it right all along! They’re followin’ the true path to righteousness-” Applejack fell silent when she saw the big stallion’s cold stare.

“Like Ah said,” Big Mac resumed, “their medicine would’ve killed Sweetie Belle. It would’ve killed every cell that’s part of her magic system, then she’d drop dead from some sickness or disease we ponies are normally immune to. She’d be dead, you wouldn’t have your precious little Apple Belle no more.”

“But...that’s Celestia’s doing. She can make anypony live or die with a mere thought. Ah been prayin’ that she get Apple Belle through this so she can live on as an honest hard workin’ earth pony.”

Big Mac shook his head in disgust. There was no getting through to Applejack. “Ah can’t believe you jus’ said that, AJ. What about all them other unicorns who died like this? Anyways it’s real simple: without the magic, the unicorn will die. Or am Ah just a ‘big dumb lug’ like you told Cheerilee?”

“Dang it, Big Mac!” Applejack snapped, “Y’know full well she’s way outta yer league! She’s all smart like, an’ pretty and quite refined! She needs a pony more of her caliber! An’ Ah need you here on the farm! Big Mac, if yer’ so desperate to find yerself a mare, Ah could talk to any Apple clan in the county and we’d match you with a fine Apple mare. Y’two could get married, have a bunch of Apple foals, and you could still help us buck them apples.”

“Ah want Cheerilee,” Big Mac snarled impatiently, “An’ I won’t tolerate you meddlin’ in my romantic business, understand?”

“Oh you big doofus! Don’tcha see? Everypony in Ponyville thinks you two aren’t right for each other. There’s no natural way you an’ her could fall in love! The whole thing’s a hex! It’s cuz of them dang unicorns! Ah’ll bet Apple Belle did it to curse you! Them unicorns an' their infernal magic. The folks in Nimbuscait had the right idea to deal with them-

“Even when they killed Mama?” Big Mac snarled, “When they put her on the pyre and set her on fire, with Applebloom still inside-”

Applejack exploded in a furious rage and charged at Big Mac. Her fury brought on by the electrical surge in her brain as those painful memories she vowed to bury forever flooded her mind. She’d never forget the pain, and the guilt.

“DON’TCHA EVER TALK ABOUT MAMA, YOU-”

Applejack slammed into Big Mac with her hooves up at full speed, bent on knocking the big stallion on his flank, but the big lug had remarkably fast reflexes. He reared himself on his hind legs, caught Applejack and shoved her real hard. Applejack flew backwards and slammed into the pantry, then slid and hit the floor on her back. Right then Big Mac was on her, pressing down on her chest with both his front hooves, pressing his weight against her, so she couldn’t struggle.

“Do Ah gotta remind you what happened the last time you tried to fight me, AJ?” Big Mac snarled.

“N-no...” Applejack wheezed. The hit knocked the wind, and the delusional rage right out of her.

“Ah am mighty tired of you praisin’ them Nimbuscait ponyfolk. An’ you know damn well why.”

“But...them unicorns are evil. Apple Belle...”

“But nothing. Not all unicorns are bad and same with earth ponies. You know that real good, now quit yer bitchin.”

“Get off of me,” Applejack grunted, fighting back tears. Big Mac did so, and she stormed out of the kitchen to the porch outside. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle, having just heard all that, were already gone.

+ +

At the school, hunch hour came, and Sweetie Belle snuck out of the school. She galloped quickly through Ponyville when her throbbing headache and aching hooves didn't hurt too much.

She would have had her horn cap on, and told anypony who asked that Applejack forced her to wear it, and that Applejack was an abusive, controlling xenophobic freak, but her head throbbed and ached. It was almost too bright to keep her eyes fully open. These headaches and aches all over her body were almost a daily occurrence now. And she felt weaker every few days. Who knew even walking would be so much a chore. But she strode into Ponyville, all the way to the Goldenoaks Library, home of the smartest unicorn in town, and disciple of Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle. On the way, she stopped at the general store, and bought the magazine with the bits she stole from a chest in Applejack’s room.

She knocked on Twilight's door with a hoof, but got no response. Last time she was here, at least the baby dragon, Spike, opened up. Sweetie Belle felt a surge of impatience, and banged a little harder.

The top half of the door slowly opened, and a drowsy Twilight appeared, her eyes bloodshot and half closed, mane a real mess.

“Yes? what is it?” she yawned.

“I...sorry to bother you,” Sweetie said nervously, “But I need to talk to somepony and I...kinda wanted to talk to you.”

Twilight yawned. How many times a day did ponies come pestering her with their problems?

“Eh, Sweetie Belle, I’m sorry, but I can’t really take the time to talk right now.”

“Why not?” Sweetie demanded, then feeling surprised over her own response. Must’ve been the magic. “I really need to talk to you, please.”

“I have at least fifteen projects going on, and half of them are due in two days if not sooner,” Twilight replied, “and I have to finish my weekly report for Celestia; it’s due tonight. I’m sorry, Sweetie Belle, but you’ll have to find somepony else to talk to about your problems.”

Sweetie would have felt despair...then it turned into frustration. The anger began boiling up in her out of nowhere, as all the memories of all the shit she went through the last year flashed through her mind. This was her one chance in many moons, to talk to somepony that might be able to help her. Twilight, who was one of Applejack’s closest friend, despite that she was a unicorn. Maybe Twilight could get Applejack to stop being so mean and let her do magic. And Twilight was blowing her off.

“Now,” Twilight was saying, “I need to get back to work. Please run along now,” Twilight said with a weary smile as she began to close the upper part of the door.

“Please!” Sweetie rose her voice, “I need to talk to you!”

“Find somepony else, I’m busy. And don’t shout, it’s disrespectful-” Twilight snapped back.

“Applejack doesn't want me to do magic ever! she want’s me to be another earth pony and spend the rest of my life at Sweet Apple Acres! She tried to have them chop my horn off, and she hates me because Granny Smith is dead! I didn’t kill Granny Smith! Honest!” the filly blurted out all in one big breath. All she got in reply from Twilight was a scoff.

Fed up, Sweetie reached into her side bag, grabbed the horn cap, then heaved herself onto her hind legs, and threw it hard. The horn cap flew through the air, bounced off the door, and nailed Twilight right in the face.

“Ow! What the hell?!” Twilight shouted from inside, “And what is this thing?”

“That’s a horn cap,” Sweetie hollered from outside, “That thing stops magic in the horn, and gives me a killer headache. Applejack makes me wear it all the time at home. It really hurts to wear it. I have to wear it all the time. You try and wear it for a whole day!”

Sweetie was breathing hard from yelling, and shaking from her own fury. She was never angry enough throw something at somepony. Must’ve been the magic talking right through her. It would not be ignored, not by her, not even by Twilight Sparkle, the unicorn she so desperately counted on.

“And Rarity’s alive and Applejack told me she was dead! I wanted to ask you about that-”

Twilight yanked open her door, and wrapped Sweetie Belle with her magic, and pulled her inside.

“Hey!”

Twilight plopped Sweetie Belle on a chair in the middle of the main room, which was a complete mess of books, papers, notes, scrolls, and broken quills.

“Don’t touch anything!” Twilight snarled impatiently. She trotted off into another room.

Sweetie Belle suddenly felt scared- she had angered another pony. She expected to be punished, then her eyes widened as she realized Twilight might tell Applejack that she threw the horn cap at her. She knew Applejack would pound the snot out of her and lock her in a basement closet for a week.

Twilight came back, a two emerald crystals levitating in front of her. She placed one of them on a nearby table.

“Open up,” Twilight ordered.

“Wha-what is it? I’m sorry, I was just-”

“I said, open up,” Twilight snapped impatiently. Sweetie gulped and obeyed, though full of fear. She felt no surge from her own magic. That was because she was well within Twilight’s strong magic field.

Using her magic, Twilight placed the crystal in the filly’s mouth.

“Now close your mouth and hold it there. Don’t swallow it,” Twilight said, purely annoyed at her.

Sweetie held the rock in her mouth, and felt mild tingling sensations throughout her mouth and head.

“It’s a memory crystal,” Twilight explained, “It will record all your memory so I can look at it when I am not busy with a million projects.”

Sweetie nodded, then she noticed the scratch on Twilight’s left cheek, right below her eye, from the horn cap. She sat silently as Twilight paced around the library, swearing and muttering under her breath. Sweetie cringed at what she thought would happen when Applejack found out about this.

After twenty minutes, Twilight removed the crystal from her mouth, only to place another one.

“Wha is or?” Sweetie tried to speak.

“Uhh, a magic diagnostic check, now sit there and be quiet.”

Sweetie felt some relief- at least Twilight was ‘listening,’ to her well, collecting her memory anyway.

Another ten minutes later, Twilight took the crystal out, and placed them both in a box, then opened the door. “Now, I think you need to leave,” Twilight said.

“Umm...thanks Twi...and I’m sorry I hit you with the horn cap...”

“Just take it and go!”

+ +

After the visit to the library, Sweetie Belle came back to school, and had to make up a good fib to Cheerilee for coming back so late. She said she was playing hide-n-seek, hid in a bush, then passed out.

“I see...” Cheerilee said, not really believing her.

“Miss Cheerilee,” Diamond Tiara cooed, “She’s lying, she-”

“Quiet, Diamond!” Cheerilee snapped, “And you, Sweetie Belle, we will be having a conversation after class. Now sit in your desk, open your notebook and pay attention!”

+

After school, Sweetie Belle ended up spilling the beans on her life at home. “It’s A-Apple family business...” she whimpered.

“At this rate, Sweetie Belle, I don’t care whose business it is. You tell me right now where you went during lunch, or I will speak to Applejack about this matter.”

“I...I went to Twilight’s house. I really needed her help.”

“About what?” Cheerilee asked, “Why didn’t you come see me instead?”

Because you would've told Applejack.

Sweetie was too scared to come up with words, so she pulled the horn cap out of her sidebag and showed it to her. She told Cheerilee what it was meant for, and that it made her feel sick and that she was forced to wear it at home. Then she told her of the things Applejack and Applegem did to her. Then she begged and pleaded for Cheerilee not to tell Applejack.

“Applejack...she’ll kill me. She thinks I put a spell on her wagon’s wheel, made it break and kill Granny Smith. I didn’t, honest to Celestia.”

Cheerilee seemed to have a look of disbelief on her face. “So, is this what you went to Twilight about?”

“Y...yes. But she didn’t even listen. She just put these crystals in my mouth and made me hold them, then spit them out.”

“I see,” Cheerilee said quietly, knowing Twilight Sparkle had Sweetie Belle's memories. “Look, Sweetie, I’ll speak to Twilight about you, and for now Applejack doesn't need to know. Now run along home. And don’t leave the school again, you hear me?”

“Y-yes,” Sweetie Belle said, fully afraid of Applejack knowing and being ready to pound the lights out of her by the time she got back home.

+ +

That afternoon, Sweetie was back at Sweet Apple Acres on a distant field from the farm house. She sat on a haystack atop the hill overlooking the vast expanse of fields and hills to the north west. The filly felt herself sinking into a depression. She was terrified over what the outcome of her confrontation with Twilight Sparkle would be. She didn’t mean to be mouthy, pushy and rude, and sure as hell never planned to throw the horn cap at her. Sweetie looked down. The horn cap lay on the hay next to her. She hated it with a passion. It represented everything Applejack and the family put her though. She wanted to burn it. She wanted to see Applegem, that twisted bitch from Nimbuscait burn. Just like that other foal did after he was dehorned. Sweetie dabbled in these thoughts of hatred she harbored towards the Apples. She wanted them all to die horrible deaths. She couldn't fathom why Princess Celestia would ever permit such ponies to exist in the first place. They deserved to be destroyed.

Sweetie Belle reminisced of Granny Smith’s death. She knew Applejack blamed her for it. But she was at school when it happened. Sweetie wished it was Applejack who got crushed by the cart.

“If I had magic spells, I’d burn down this whole bucking farm,” she said out loud, then frantically looked around to see if anypony heard her.

She wished she bought a fire spell book from the general store but all the bits she found was only enough to buy the magazine, which she wanted to show Twilight. She left it at Twilight's.

Then Sweetie began to sob. She felt horrible for thinking such evil thoughts. She prayed to Celestia for forgiveness, and begged for a real way out of the Apple family; or at least for Twilight Sparkle to talk some sense into Applejack.

“‘Ey, Sweetie Belle,”

The filly spun around and nearly panicked. It was Big Mac. She jumped down from haystack, grabbed the horn cap and quickly put it on.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know what to do after I did the...please don’t hurt me!” Sweetie cowered before the big red stallion.

“Ease up, Sweetie Belle, Ah ain’t gonna hurt you,” Big Mac said, looking perplexed. Since when did he actually hurt Sweetie Belle? Big Mac never laid a hoof on her. She should know better than to be afraid of him. Sweetie was surprised to hear her real name for the first time from anypony around here. Even those in town began calling her Apple Belle.

“....no?” she asked dumbly.

“No,” Big Mac assured her, “Now take that thing off your head. It ain’t good fer ya.”

Sweetie Belle hesitated, wondering if it was some kind of cruel trick, then she slowly removed the horn cap..

“Why do you want me to take it off?”

“Ah just told you: it ain’t good fer ya.”

Sweetie felt confused. Why was Big Mac being so different now anyway? “But...Applejack said-”

“It don’t matter what AJ says, alright.”

Sweetie Belle nodded,and she tried to fight back tears. “T-then...why does...she want me...dehorned?”

“Applejack went and got her head filled up of that superstitious nonsense and hate. Fed to her by them ponies in Nimbuscait. Ah never did like them. Now she’s paranoid as a jackrabbit full on them strange mushrooms from Everfree. Ah can’t seem to talk some sense into her. Ah just might have to knock some sense into her with my hoof,” Big Mac explained.

Sweetie Belle said nothing. She wanted to ask why Big Mac was being nicer than normal. The big red stallion was never mean to her. He never hurt her or shouted at her. But now he was actually sitting here out on the field talking to her. Then came another surprise.

Big mac opened his saddlebag, and pulled out a book and dropped it in front of the filly. It hit the grass with a soft *whump*

Sweetie Belle’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped. A spell book!

“It’s yours. Applebloom meant to give it to you,” Big Mac explained, “Ah took it because if Applejack found it, she would’ve beat the two of you to the point you both would be in bed for a month.”

Sweetie was still speechless. Big Mac gave her a spell book! She never expected this. “But...isn’t magic not allowed here?”

“Nope, so you’ll have to find a good spot to practice where nopony around here can see ya.”

Sweetie picked up the spell book. It was a simple one, for lifting small objects. She quickly stuffed it into her saddlebag.

“Up there,” Big Mac pointed to the south west, “is an old cabin, y’can use your magic there. Hide the spell book there, and do not bring that thing anywhere near the house, understand?”

Sweetie Belle nodded. “Th-thank you, Big Mac”

“Eyyup.”

Sweetie wanted to ask a burning question: “Why does Applejack hate unicorns so much?”

Big Mac scratched his chin with a hoof. “That be no easy answer. It’s a long story. Ah don’t think I should tell you. AJ got a good knack for tellin’ if ponies know business that ain’t theirs.”

“I...I heard you said something about Applejack’s mama...”

“Eavesdroppin eh?” Big Mac said, lowering his head so that he was level with her, scaring her.

“I’m sorry, I was just curious, please don’t-”

“Hush up,” Big Mac replied sternly. “Fine, you want to know? Our mama was burned to death in a fire. By them Nimbuscait ponyfolk. We didn’t live there, but they came to our town. Something about chasin’ unicorns who attacked our town. They got Mama real good. Ah saw it with mah own eyes, Sweetie Belle.”

Sweetie’s eyes widened. So that was why-

“Them unicorns was mighty angry with the other earth ponies in our town. An old grudge they intended to settle that night. They was’ goin after Papa, and Mama got in the way, so they zapped her along with him. Them priests and their guards from Nimbuscait showed up, and did the worst thing Ah ever saw in mah life. They tied all the injured ponies to the stake, and threw Mama on the pyre. Granny Smith tried to stop them, long enough to get Applebloom out.”

“Wait,” Sweetie Belle asked, eyes wide, “You mean that's when she was born?”

“Eyyup, and them priests were gonna burn her too. Granny Smith tried to hold them off. Then their tecchie pony showed up and used a magic counter device, and found Applebloom wasn't contaminated with the magic, so Granny Smith was allowed to take Applebloom. We was forced to watch as Mama burned. She fried up real good before she finally died. The sight of it all damn near Blew Applejack’s brain apart. She was real messed up after that. So we left town that morning with Granny Smith an’ she brought us here to her home. That’s why Applejack is so protective of Applebloom.”

“Whoa....” Sweetie Belle said. She didn’t know what to think. Big Mac continued,

“Applejack tried to forget it all, and Granny Smith gave us jobs and put us to work to get it out of our systems. Applejack did forget, but her grudge against unicorns never died, she just hid it is all. Ah think her obsession with chores and work is her way of dealin’ with the past. She said sorry alot for what happened and Granny Smith almost had to smack her one to shut her up.”

“No...no wonder she hates unicorns...” Sweetie Belle said, feeling real bad for Applejack, then she stifled her sympathy, but didn’t show it.

“Them unicorns ain’t the only problem, Sweetie Belle,” Big Mac explained, “Them earth ponies are also the problem. Our mama was hurt by the unicorns in their revenge, then she was put to the fire for bein’ tainted with their magic. Both groups were despicable, especially up in that town. Ah learned they were both our enemies, an’ that’s why Granny Smith brought the three of us out of that hell hole and all the way to Ponyville where the earth ponies and unicorns don’t try to kill each other on a daily basis. Y’ understand?”

Sweetie nodded, “But I never did anything. She’s taking out her old grudge on me, and I hate-”

“Don’t y’dare use that word,” Big Mac warned her, “Ah won’t stand for any o’that sentiment to come on this farm. Y’wanna do yer magic, fine. Y’wanna go to magic class after school, Fine, Ah’ll sign the permit paper. Y’wanna do all the magic you want? Fine, y’can do it all y’want in that cabin like I told ya. But don’t let any other pony around here see you doin’ magic, am I clear?”

Sweetie nodded. Big Mac continued talking. “Alot of them ponies AJ invited to move in and live here are terrified of magic like she is, and if they see you, there’ll be a big bag full o’ problems.”

“Can’t you just tell them you said I could-”

“It ain’t that easy. Ah ain’t lookin’ to gettin’ disowned by my own family. Ah wouldn’t even know where to go beyond this here farm. Jus’ do as I say, and you’ll be fine, understand?”

Sweetie nodded.

“Now get that spellbook up to the cabin and be back for supper. And stay away from my brewery, understand?”

“Yes, Big Mac,” and Sweetie Belle took off, and galloped in the direction of the old cabin.

+ + +

Big Mac was very territorial over his brewery and workshop. He worked in a small building fixing tools and making cider. He dictated the cider recipes for the annual cider event. Making and drinking cider had been a hobby of his. Big Mac never was a heavy drinker, but he made plenty enough for other ponies, and when the Apple family hauled some apples and other goods into the town market, he brought with him his cider.

Perhaps the his biggest fan of the cider was Applejack, who, since the mid spring got into heavy drinking. Applejack never drank during the day when she worked like crazy but when she ran out of chores to do, she took a bottle and pounded the cider back. For Applebloom and Sweetie Belle, Applejack was surprisingly nice when she was drunk. And she didn't use corporal punishment when the two got in trouble.

Sweetie Belle didn't dare go near Big Mac's brewery and workshop, but Applebloom became pretty brazen about it; she snuck in, swiped a few bottles of cider, then placed them around the house at the end of the day before Applejack got home. Doing so helped facilitate Applejack's drinking habit, as she at first considered not drinking at all, but for somepony as distressed as she was, she became addicted to the alcoholic beverages. Her addiction compounded with the fact she couldn't sleep much at night due to the stress of work and other things that plagued her mind. When Big Mac found he was missing his cider, he spoke to Applejack about it as he allowed her into the shed where he kept the bottles. By mid spring, Applejack's routine centered around hard work during the day, and drinking herself to sleep at night. Surprisingly enough, she should know better that the ponies of Nimbuscait forbade alcohol, but Apple family tradition allowed for consumption of cider after all the work was done.

However, even if Applejack didn't intend to collect more bottles from Big Mac's cellar, she found one waiting for her when she finished work. For the two fillies, she was too drunk and weary to beat the daylights out of them if they didn't work hard enough. It seemed like a win-win for all.

First Day in Magic Class

Big Mac made good on his promise to get Sweetie Belle signed up to the school’s magic program, and he even hoof stamped the permission forms himself when he arrived to take them home afterschool.

“Magic class is taught by Sea Spray and Sugarberry, and goes for an extra hour afterschool on Maridays and Vendays. There is no specific grading of the foals’ magic development because each unicorn’s pace of learning and growth is so different. Magic class basically is to enhance their learning in magic. We’ll also provide her with a few basic spell books,” Cheerilee explained, “and she is free to study any of the spell books in the school library.”

“Thank you kindly,” Big Mac said with a smile and a look of affection towards the love of his life. They were in the classroom and it was the end of the school day. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were waiting for him.

“Not at all, however, magic class is about to start in the classroom down the hall. Sweetie Belle, I think you should get going.”

“Yes, Ms. Cheerilee. Thank you, Big Mac.”

“Eyup. Just you do real good in yer magic studies like you do in the rest of yer schoolin’, y’ hear me?”

“Y-yes, sir,”

Big Mac moved aside and Sweetie Belle dashed off to magic class.

+ +

Sweetie Belle felt nervous and afraid the minute she appeared at the door of the classroom. Sea Spray, the unicorn teaching magic class, kindly ushered her in.

The other unicorn foals in the class looked at her with apprehension or indifference. They all knew that she was forbidden from doing magic before.

“Allright, my little sparkies,” Sea Spray sang as she closed the door with her magic, “It’s magic time!”

The foals and fillies quickly sat down, and pulled their notebooks out of their bags, and put on their ‘pen-shoes,’ hoof shoes equipped with pens or pencils.

Sweetie Belle found a seat in the back.

“Allright, class, please take out your spell books, and turn to the page with the blue strip in it please,” Sea Spray chimed.

Sweetie Belle sat, with her extra notebook on her desk. She dared not take magic notes in her other school book because Applejack and Apple Dumpling checked her school books at home. She could at least hide this one at school or ask Sea Spray to hold onto it. She remembered the spell book hidden at the shed and contemplating swiping it during early morning chores and bringing it to school.

“Sweetie Belle? Where’s your spellbook?” Sea Spray called softly.

“Umm, I...I don’t have one...”

“But dear, didn’t your friend Applebloom give it to you?”

Crap. Sweetie Belle thought. She didn’t know the spellbook Big Mac gave her came from Sea Spray. She didn’t know how to respond so out of nervousness, she said ‘no,’

“Very well,” Sea Spray sighed, “It’s your first day. However, I must teach everypony this next lesson. Sun Glimmer, can you please take from the shelf the book called ‘a history of magic,’ and pass it to Sweetie Belle?”

The filly did so and using her hooves, placed it on her desk.

“Th-thanks,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Thank you, Glimmer. Sweetie Belle, feel free to read any part of that book you wish, I will get to you after I’ve finished the lesson.”

“Okay...” and Sweetie Belle opened the book. She felt disappointed about not being able to take part in the lesson. As Sea Spray began talking, Sweetie Belle heard hushed whispers from the other foals.

“She isn’t gonna be able to do magic.”

“I bet she didn’t even get her first spark yet.”

“Sea Spray’s gonna kick her out, she never even sparked once.”

“I heard they tried to chop off her horn.”

“Applejack is mean...”

“They’ll never let her do magic, what is she even doing here?”

Sweetie Belle said nothing and kept her head down. She felt scared. She was surrounded by unicorns but why did she have to be so alienated by them?

Sea Spray read out loud the spell on the page, slowly pronouncing strange tones and words that Sweetie Belle never heard before.

“Now, everypony,” Sea Spray announced, “Today we will look at the basic levitation spell. Levitation is the holding of objects without your hooves or your teeth, but with your magic instead. Today you’ll learn how to hold a small object, such as a pencil or an eraser a few inches off your desks. Before we begin, allow me to demonstrate the full ability of levitation that one day you will all become skilled at.”

Sea Spray walked around the classroom, checking up on each of the foals. “Don’t get upset if nothing happens. Just relax, gaze over the symbols and words like you would if not trying to read them. Imagine yourselves already casting this spell and lifting your pencils with your magic. Just sit back and even close your eyes and picture yourselves levitating any object you want. Or better yet,” Sea Spray chirped, “imagine levitating yourselves in the air, floating, rocking back and forth. Nearly all of unicorns’ abilities come from our imagination, it is partly what drives the magic.”

Sweetie Belle put the book down and leaned back in her chair. She suddenly sat bolt upright, then reminded herself she was not at home, where Applejack would have bashed her upside the head with the soup ladle for slouching in her chair. She felt sleepy, the history book bored her. Sweetie Belle imagined the whole self levitation thing. She somehow pictured levitating herself in her’s and Applebloom’s bedroom at home. Then her eyes snapped wide open and she got the idea.

Oh my gosh, I could FINALLY sneak out of there, go all the way to Canterlot and find Rarity-

“Sweetie Belle, are you--” Sea Spray cut into her thoughts.

“Oh,” Sweetie gasped, grabbing the book in front of her. “Sorry, I- I was just doing the imagination thing.”

Sea Spray chuckled softly. “Don’t be sorry. Imagination is a good exercise when it comes to magic. It stimulates your magic system through your mind.”

Sweetie nodded.

“I got it!” some filly shouted from the front.  She got a series of gasps and ‘oooh’ ‘s in return. The filly, Tootsie Flute, had just begun levitating her pencil. Her horn glowed and emitted a swirling aura of a glowing violet, which then extended from her horn down to the pencil on her desk, swallowed the pencil and as she moved her eyes, which were fixated on the pencil, it rose from the desk and hovered in the air in front of her.

“Well done, Tootsie,” Sea Spray chimed. Throughout the class, several others began casting the same spell. Then they began complaining about being tired or having headaches.

“Now now,” Sea Spray assured them, “Don’t do too much, or you will just give yourselves headaches. Now those of you who figured it out, Do this for a few minutes every day, just don’t make yourselves sick. My, look at the time, it’s getting late. Alright, those of you who have learned the spell, I am very proud of you, now run along home and show your parents.”

The foals began packing their books into their sidebags and galloped out of the classroom and down the hallway.

The few remaining foals were Sun Glimmer, Sweetie Belle, and Dinky Doo. They were the only three who didn’t know the spell, or figure it out yet.

Dinky just stared out the window at some birds in a tree, her eyes pointed in different directions. Sun Glimmer kept skimming through the pages of the book.

“Allright you three, now that everypony has gone home, let’s take a little more time. You too Sweetie Belle.”

“Umm...” Sweetie said nervously, “Miss Sea Spray, I think I need to be home. I missed a lot of chores already,”

“I wouldn’t worry about that, I’m sure the Apples understand.”

Sweetie Belle shivered at the thought.

“Dinky, please look at the page, dear.”

“Oh..okay”

Sun Glimmer looked like she was getting frustrated.

“Sunny, relax, there is no time limit,”

“I know but I hate falling behind.”

“How about this,” Sea Spray suggested, taking the two spell books with her magic and placing them on an unoccupied desk behind her. “Forget the books for now, magic doesn’t all come from books, it comes from each one of you. These spellbooks are written records of unicorns’ imagination, and a means to show to our subconsciousness the action involving the magic. Even just reading the pages over and over again is still some work in your little brains, even if nothing comes from it now.

“I would like the three of you to lean back and relax. Close your eyes if you want. We’re going to imagine casting this spell. Picture yourselves in your favorite place. It could be at home, the park, the woods, Sugarcube Corner, in the clouds, or at the lake. Now look around you and find something you want to pick up, but not with your hooves.

“Now feel yourself casting the spell, make your horns glow, glow with your favorite color, now reach out with the magic and grasp the item of your choice, now lift!”

Sweetie Belle pictured herself in the Cutie Mark Crusaders’ clubhouse, in the center of the typical mess of arts and craft supplies. She pictured herself lifting a crayon.

“Now hold it, and make it rotate in front of you...” Sea Spray said softly.

Sweetie Belle did so, but her imagination wandered, and projections of Applebloom and Scootaloo joined her in the imaginary clubhouse. Then she began to see Rarity- and somepony’s snoring interrupted the whole thing.

“Dinky Doo!” Sea Spray hissed, “Wake up,”

Dinky Doo managed to pass out and began snoring, with a little bubble growing and shrinking from her nose.

“Dinky,” Sea Spray said, gently shaking her with a hoof.

Suddenly Dinky’s eyes snapped open, and she just stared at Sea Spray for a few seconds, then it happened. Her horn lit up like a lightbulb, and the bright yellow aura burst in a flash, forcing Sea Spray and the others to turn away. When Sweetie Belle opened her eyes next, she saw Dinky Doo, bathed in her own magic, hovering upside down three feet above her desk.

“Whoa...”

“Dear sweet Celestia...” Sea Spray gazed.

“What the buck-”

“Sun Glimmer, language!”

Dinky Doo spun slowly, like she was in zero gravity, and she started laughing hysterically over her own feat.

“Whee!”

The others were speechless, then Dinky Doo did the next thing: She looked at other desks, and using her eye sight as some sort of anchor, she hovered around the room, and began doing it quickly.

“Yay! I can fly! Sweetie Belle, look, I can FLY!!!” she laughed, as she levitated herself around erratically.

“Alright, alright, Dinky, slow down!” Sea Spray called.

Dinky ‘landed’ on her hooves on the ceiling, and narrowly avoided falling to the floor when she changed her magic levitation focus from a desk on the floor to the ceiling. Now she was running around upside down on the ceiling. She looked ‘up’ and saw her teacher and class mates. She sat ‘down’ and shouted, “Hi everypony! Cutie Mark Crusaders, ho!”

Then her magic suddenly died, and she fell. Dinky squeaked in terror, but Sea Spray caught the filly in her powerful magic, and gently set her down.

Dinky, feeling like she just screwed up, looked down and a tear came out from her right eye.

Sun Glimmer hugged her. “Don’t be sad, Dinky, you did wonderful, but...this is why I tell you don’t over do it, you’ll hurt yourselves.”

Sweetie Belle and Sun Glimmer nodded.

“Well, I think that wraps up our class for today. Get on home, eat a big supper, and I’ll see you next time,” Sea Spray chirped as she packed her saddle bags, and left the room.

“Good job, Dinky,” Sweetie Belle commented as the three of them walked down the hallway to the door.

“T-thanks!”

“You have to tell us your secret, please!” Sun Glimmer begged her.

“Secret?...I don’t have a secret...” then Dinky quoted her mother, “I...I just don’t know what went wrong. I tried to lift the pencil...”

“Wrong? There’s nothing wrong with your magic, Dinky!” Sun Glimmer jealously argued, “You lifted yourself and you walked on the ceiling! Where did you learn that anti-gravity spell? I need to know!”

“Glimmer, stop it, you’re scaring her,” Sweetie Belle cut in. Sun Glimmer, being an impatient filly yearning to be a big time achiever like her siblings, looked at Dinky Doo and realized Sweetie Belle was right.

Sun Glimmer sighed, “And I don’t suppose you will be doing the same thing next time, Sweetie Belle?”

“Huh?”

“Dinky never even cast a single bit of magic since she started coming to magic class. I thought she never even had her first spark. Now she can defy gravity of all things!”

“Just let it go, Glimmer. If you’re so jealous, then just go through all the spell books you can find, and learn some gnarly impressive spell, and show it off to everypony.”

“I mean you,” Glimmer pointed a hoof to Sweetie Belle, “Did you even have your first spark yet?”

Sweetie reminisced briefly, and realized that was over half a year ago. Felt like much longer.

“Yes, I did.”

“Oh.”

“What about you?”

“I had mine.”

The conversation died as they exited the school building and went their separate ways. Outside, Glimmer trotted off, and Derpy Hooves swooped down to get Dinky Doo.

“Momma! Momma!” Dinky hollered, “I can fly!”

“Fly?” Derpy asked, perplexed.

“Yeah, look!”

Without so much as a thought, Dinky looked at Sweetie Belle, and used her as her focus point, and lifted herself into the air.

“oooh!” Derpy mused, totally impressed. For a long time Dinky had always been upset over not being able to fly like her mother.

Sweetie Belle got a more painful experience out of all this: Her body surged with painful electric tingling as Dinky’s magic coursed through her damaged system and her horn began to hurt alot. She was basically being used as a magical spring board.

“Ow...Dinky stop, you’re hurting me!” Sweetie Belle cried.

“Wha-” Dinky fell, and Derpy caught her in her wings. They both looked shocked when they saw Sweetie Belle holding her head between her hooves, eyes scrunched shut and her breathing heavily.

“Are...are...are you okay?” Derpy asked, slowly approaching her, about to reach out with a wing to comfort her.

“Leave me alone!” Sweetie Belle shouted back and she took off, galloping as fast as she could, to get away from them.

“Wait!” Derpy called after her, but she didn’t stop.

+ +

Sweetie Belle struggled to keep galloping through the streets, barely succeeding in dodging ponies left, right and center. Her whole head throbbed and felt like she just got chopped in half with an axe. When she finally reached the edge of town, Sweetie hid behind a bush and cried.

Her whole body felt like it was on fire, and the pain coming from her horn was almost unbearable. It almost felt worse than all those times the Apple ponies hit her there. But she also felt really hurt by Dinky and Derpy. She felt like she practically used as a tool by Dinky, and she felt a seething resentment for them both. Is that all Sweetie Belle was going to be worth now? Among the unicorns? To be used as a mere tool so they could advance their magic?

She bitterly pictured her life- Rendered unable to perform magic by Applejack, and used and spat on by the rest of the unicorns. She felt anger, and hatred for everypony. It was times like these when Sweetie Belle just wanted to watch the whole world burn.

Would she say something to Dinky? What would she say? Did Dinky do it on purpose? as a show of dominance? Or just without thought at all? Perhaps Dinky didn’t mean any harm, but the act alone pinched too many nerves in Sweetie Belle’s brain and heart. She felt like she had been condemned and pictured what she perceived future magic classes to be like. She thought they’d all use her as some sort of tool or experiment in their magic spells.

She looked out into town and saw the buildings of Ponyville bathed in the reddish sunlight as the sun began to disappear behind the hills to the west.

It was the end of the day, and she was already late. She missed so many chores, and she was sure Applejack would be waiting for her at the gate, ready to pound her some for being so late. How the hell would Sweetie Belle explain this to Applejack. AJ already knew about the magic program; even sports practices didn’t run this late after school.

She looked up and saw Derpy flying above, with Dinky on her back. Sweetie Belle presumed they were looking for her, so she wedged herself under the bush. She didn’t want their choking pity.

Sweetie decided not to take the main road back to Sweet Apple Acres.

+ +

“Yer late!” Big Mac barked when he saw her pass the barn.

“S...sorry Uncle Big Mac,” Sweetie Belle said quietly, “..alot...alot happened. I snuck in because I didn’t want to see Applejack.”

“Damn straight you didn't want to run into her. AJ’s mighty pissed off right now. One o’ them apple orchards caught some sort of bug and the apples are dropping. They ain't even grown yet. Them leaves is all spotty.”

“Sorry I missed my chores.”

Big Mac just grunted, “Just you go an’ wash up fer supper. Them Roundbottom cousins o' yours did yer’ chores fer ya.”

Sweetie Belle obeyed and carefully made her way to the house. Her head and horn didn’t hurt so much now that the sun had set.

+ +

The house had been more packed now that some of the Roundbottom Apple ponies were living at Sweet Apple Acres.

Tonight’s supper was apple-cinnamon wheat stew, with cheese sandwiches.

“Apple Belle!” Applebloom greeted her as she placed her sidebag on the bed.

“Hi,” Sweetie Belle muttered.

“Where ya been all day?”

She didn’t want to say. “I...I had to help Cheerilee with some stuff.”

“what for?” Applebloom asked.

Sweetie Belle grunted in frustration. Applebloom’s nosiness was really starting to irritate the hell out of her now. In the recent months, Applebloom had also changed and she liked her less and less.

“I had homework, and...and...Cheerilee needed help sorting her...desk and the teachers’ lounge.”

“Oh...” Applebloom said, then “What about magic class? You finally in that? Cuz Ah know it was today.”

Sweetie Belle froze and felt like she was just put in check. But then why should she fear Applebloom, the one who risked her neck to get her that spell book? She felt bad for scorning Applebloom, even if she was annoying.

“...yeah, I went. I didn’t know that book was from Miss Sea Spray. Thanks alot.”

“Why didn’t you say so?” Applebloom asked.

Sweetie sighed. She was exhausted and didn’t feel like explaining what Dinky Doo did to her.

“I don’t want Applejack to kill me.”

“Ah, right. Well, did you have fun?”

Sweetie tried to fake it but Applebloom got the hint.

“Come on you two,” Apple Tarty barked, “It’s supper time.”

The Roundbottom Apple mares and stallions all cast hostile glances at Sweetie Belle as she tried to eat. She kept her eyes down but couldn’t shake off the heat of their death glares.

“Well, looks as though you’ve done it this time,” Apple Leaves shunned her.

“I didn’t do anything,” Sweetie Belle said quietly.

“Like hell you ain’t. We lost about 28 trees today. All diseased. Apples no good no more.”

“It wasn’t me I swear.”

After supper, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were washing the dishes when Applejack and Big Mac entered the kitchen, arguing fiercely with one another. Typically she blamed Sweetie Belle for the diseased trees.

“Dang nab it, AJ, just when are you gonna get it through yer’ thick skull? Sweetie Belle ain’t got nothin’ to do with every single thing that goes wrong around here!” Big Mac grunted.

“Little things my ass!” AJ shouted back. “We’re talking 28 trees and a good few thousand bits worth of apples gone!”

“Trees can be infected too,” Big Mac grunted, “It’s a natural calamity, and you know that real good.”

“It was that unicorn. What’s she done this time? Don’t you get it? Celestia’s punishin’ us!”

Big Mac put a hoof to his face. He was running out of patience. At times he pondered he’d might actually have to face off against his own sister over this.

“She ain’t doing nothing wrong AJ. Maybe you best consider Celestia is punishin’ us fer all of your antics!”

The two of them bickered till Applejack stormed out of the kitchen.

Arrested Development

Life continued normally as Sweetie Belle went to magic class on Maridays and Vendays, and she remembered to bring her own spellbook. Sea Spray even agreed to keep it for her so she didn't have to take it home. Each class, a few more foals figured out the levitation spell.

One day at lunch time, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Applebloom were hanging out, like they always did. Sometimes they eagerly included Dinky Doo when she was too bored to wander off in her own little world.

It was mid Spring, and the days were already getting hotter. This week, Ponyville was under a heat wave. Sweetie Belle and the others sat slouched over the picnic table while Dinky Doo, with her attention deficit disorder, saw a butterfly and chased after it.

Scootaloo groaned. Since the beginning of Spring, flight school had been a grueling process. She was already over a year late on learning how to fly, and the other pegasus foals were hovering in the air no problem. Turned out her wings were stunted and under developed. It was a feat just to hover off the ground for several seconds, despite she could propel herself on her scooter around Ponyville at gallop speed, bowling ponies over if they didn't jump out of her way. To make matters worse, her harsh judgmental and critical idol, Rainbow Dash, took over flight classes after school.

She had to endure countless times of Rainbow Dash shouting, yelling, and cursing at her when she couldn't perform as expected. Everytime Rainbow Dash looked at her and did a facehoof, Scootaloo felt like she got stabbed in the heart. She was obsessed with the unattainable goal of getting Rainbow Dash’s approval.

Applebloom didn't have any special after school classes, and she went back home for her afternoon chores.

And Sweetie Belle didn’t really fancy going to magic class. Two weeks in Sea Spray’s classes and she had nothing to show for it. Not even a spark. Turned out her last spark was the day before Rarity’s shop burned down, back at the start of the school year.

What the three of them missed the most was their Cutie Mark Crusades. They had better luck trying to earn their cutie marks than now. Between Apple family chores, magic class, and flight school, the three of them only got to hang out at school during lunch hour.

“I don’t wanna go to flight school,” Scootaloo complained, fearing Rainbow Dash’s wrath and constant disapproval.

“I don’t wanna go to magic class,” Sweetie Belle lamented.

“Yeah, but you just got in,” Applebloom chimed, don’tcha think y’two should give it more time?”

“Rainbow Dash hates me.”

“They just use me to make their own magic look good.”

“Aww,” Applebloom whined, “Come on, y’all, Ah hate to see y’two like this...wait, what if we sneak out on Saturday and meet up behind Fluttershy’s house like we used to. You two could try yer flyin’ an’ magic without all them ponies breathin’ down yer necks. How about it, girls?”

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo looked at each other. It was worth a shot. They never actually tried out their abilities on their own.

“I’ll go.”

“I’m down.”

“That’s the spirit girls,” Applebloom said, raising her hoof for a hoof bump. The other two did so. They’d have been more enthusiastic if it wasn't for the afternoon heat. The school bell rang, and the three of them returned to class.

+ +

Saturday rolled around, and clouds rolled in to bring a cool breeze over Ponyville. Applejack was in town, working at the Sweet Apple office. After the two fillies finished up their morning chores, they snuck out of Sweet Apple Acres to meet Scootaloo.

The Bucephalus Creek trickled over the rocks of its own riverbed, and the frogs living along the river never stopped croaking. Two cranes, magnificent beautiful birds, strolled along the shallow part of the river, diving their beaks into the water, and snatching up small fish.

The three fillies met at a particular spot hidden from the world by a bush that reached over the edge into the riverbed. This was their designated meeting spot and made a good hiding place if any pissed off pony came looking for them.

“I was wondering if you’d show up,” Scootaloo said as Applebloom and Scootaloo entered the half-burrow.

“Nah, AJ wasn’t home so we split. And look, Big Mac even gave us this,” Applebloom said, producing a bag of nuts for them to eat.

“Big Mac let you out?” Scootaloo asked in disbelief.

“Sure. He don’t care if we go into town. We did our chores and helped him out, that’s all he cares about.”

“Nice.” Scootaloo said as she took a hoof-ful of nuts and ate them. As usual, she always left the house before remembering to eat. “So you guys, I was thinking, lets go to the obstacle course, there’s nopony there.”

The other two agreed, and they all set out.

+ +

The obstacle course was located on the eastern slope of Dawn Hill, a mountlet located on the eastern side of Ponyville. From the obstacle course eastward, the farmlands stretched to the horizon, while the forests bordering Everfree occupied the south.

The obstacle course was large, more like a giant playground as opposed to a direct course of jumps, ropes, hanging rubber tires, ladders and such. Here the young pegasi had their training classes. Those just learning scampered about the playground, trying to fly from point to point (more like flying leaps), while the more advanced fliers joined their teacher in the sky. The playground was deserted, the three CMC’s had the whole place to themselves.

Scootaloo knew the unmarked course by heart. Rainbow Dash made her climb and drop the whole way through. She perfected the act of getting over the obstacles and jumps easy enough, but flying was still another story. Another section consisted of a loose pile of planks and poles, used by unicorn trainees to assemble structures. Sea Spray conducted one class out here, so Sweetie Belle was familiar with the site.

“Alright,” Applebloom said to the other two, “Let’s get to it.Sweetie, you try lifting those planks over there, and Scootaloo, uhh, jus’ go off a big jump and see how long you can hover over the grass.” Not much for a teacher. “Cutie Mark Crusaders, ho!”

That slogan brought back old fond memories. As Scootaloo pumped herself up and tried her hovering exercises, Sweetie Belle walked over the pile of planks. On Venday, Sea Spray brought the class here, and had those who figured out the levitation spell build a basic cube structure. Took a while for them to get the team work right, but in the end, they built their cube.

Sweetie Belle took out her spell book with her teeth and placed it on the ground. She opened it to the levitation spell page and tried reading it again. She stared blankly at the patterns and images on the page, then it happened. Her horn started sparking, and did so painfully. Then a thin, barely visible bolt leapt from her horn to the spell book, and she was momentarily paralyzed and unable to move. She felt tingling from her horn, which spread to her brain, and then down her spine to her magic glands. It was a very strange and discerning sensation that surged through her as her subconsciousness opened up and read the page on the spell book itself. The spell was recorded in the depths of her brain and etched into her magic system. There was a poof as the magic dissipated, and Sweetie Belle wobbled over, and fell on her flank. The ordeal left her dizzy and she felt like puking. Her horn and head hurt alot as the magic surged through the damaged areas. Tears welled up and she felt like crying.

“Sweetie Belle! You okay?” Applebloom called as she galloped over to her. “Ah saw what happened. You alright?”

“Learning spells hurts...” Sweetie whined. Then the two heard the loud thump as Scootaloo hit the dirt hard, face first. She leapt off of the tower and failed horribly at hovering, somehow turned herself upside down and fell.

“Scoots!” Applebloom shouted. Scootaloo got up, spat out the dirt, groaned in pain, and whimpered. “You think that hurts? Try jumping off of that!” she hollered in agony.

But the pain subsided in both of them, and they both felt clueless how they were to proceed, and about their destinies as failures.

“Aw come on!” Applebloom said with frustration at her friends’ dismay. It hurt to see them like this, and she didn’t like it one bit. “Y...Y’ know what, forget about flying and magic. It’s not like life has to be all about that! M...maybe Princess Celestia meant for us to do other things not like most ponies! Ah mean, we’re the CMC’s and all, but surely we’re good at something or at least as a team we are! Look at all them things we done when we were doin’ our Cutie Mark Crusade. Ah bet we did more stuff than most ponies had the balls to.”

She was right about that. “Look, y’all, we gotta keep findin’ our nick in life, and it ain’t what other ponies usually do. Ah don’t like how we’re trying to do what other ponies want us to do but we ain’t gonna be good at. Let’s choose for ourselves what we can be good at! Scoots, you can go faster than a gallop on yer scooter! Me and Sweetie Belle...well, we’ll figure something out, you’ll see!”

“You two are the best friends I have. That’s gotta count for something.” Scootaloo said.

“Yeah, same for me too. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Sweetie Belle added.

She remembered what Rarity once told her about the Cutie Mark Crusade being nothing but a dead waste. And how she offered Sweetie Belle a free ticket into the magic school at Canterlot. In Rarity’s words, Applebloom and Scootaloo were disposable, but not now. These two were the most important ponies in her life, and she couldn't fathom giving them up now.

“Look,” Applebloom said, trying to fight back tears. Losing her friends to Apple chores, magic class, flight school and everything else, and seeing her friends (and herself) feeling hopelessly crushed by the ponies’ of this world and all their expectations that the three of them just spend their lives catering to them, really started to make her upset.

“Forget them ponies and everything they say...If we can’t be good at something on our own, then we sure as sugar sweet hay do alot of things together....Ah propose we three keep doing the Cutie Mark Crusade for life, even if we grow up and don’t call it that no more. We can do anything as a team, we can go places...” then she went on a tangent. “We can sneak out of Ponyville and travel around Equestria! We can sneak on carts, trains, boats, even them fancy zeppelins, and go places! Ah’m sick of Ponyville, Sweet Apple Acres and everything and everypony around here! Tellin’ us what to do then bein’ all disappointed and saying we’re nothin...Well, we are nothing...nothing to them ponies, but we can be everything do everything as a team. How about it, girls?”

Scootaloo and Sweetie didn't object, they raised their hooves and hoof bumped with Applebloom, and screamed, “YEAH!”

Of course, even though Applebloom never meant for them to quit flying and magic altogether, she meant for her friends to take on a new view of their lives and the world around them. She tried with the fancy speech she thought up for the last two weeks but forgot most of it. However, all three of them liked the idea of travelling, and for a few days each of them contemplated sneaking onboard the train and leaving Ponyville.

But, that never happened. At Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack kept a sharp eye on Applebloom and Sweetie Belle, and she could tell when Applebloom had an idea she didn't like.

Scootaloo tried dropping out of flight school but either they forced her to go or Rainbow Dash showed up at their door and dragged the filly off herself.

And Sweetie Belle...magic class was one of the only few respites from the farm.

The following Mariday, magic class resumed once again.

“Allright, Sweetie Belle,” Sea Spray sang, “Your turn now. Focus on your pencil and levitate it for me please.”

Sweetie Belle felt ashamed for not trying to lift the wood back at the obstacle course, but part of her knew she could damn well lift a seven gram pencil with pure ease.

She did as she was told and stared at it, and imagined it rising above. She tried to flex her brain and felt the painful sparks going off in her head and horn. Why did magic have to hurt so much? She closed her eyes and squinted them shut, as if she was sitting on the toilet with bad bowel cramps.

Then something happened and she felt a very sharp pain shoot down through her brain from her horn, briefly knocked out, her head hit the desk. Tootsie Flute and her elite friends all snickered until Sea Spray stared them down as she tended to Sweetie Belle.

“Are you alright, dear?”

Sweetie nodded. “I...I can’t....make the magic...”

“Here, let me give you a boost,” Sea Spray said as she gently touched horns with Sweetie Belle, and applied some of her own magic. Sweetie expected to feel pain but instead she felt a warm fuzzy sensation as Sea Spray’s magic trickled down through her horn into her body. Sea Spray mastered the art of transferring magic at safe frequencies, enabling her to ‘charge’ her students like batteries, allowing them extra magic to do spells. And no, it was NOT magic molestation.

“Now try again,” Sea Spray coaxed. Sweetie Belle stared at the pencil, and tried again. Magic stretched from her horn, swallowed the pencil, and with her mere thoughts, it lifted off of the desk into the air, and hovered infront of her face. Sea Spray’s warm fuzzy magic flowed through her damaged magic system, and for a few minutes it kept her own magic from trying to eat her alive.

“Move the pencil left, then right, turn it upside down, then place it on the desk,” Sea Spray instructed. Sweetie Belle did the exercises, then she used up all of Sea Spray’s magic. It cut out and the pencil dropped, bounced off the desk and hit the floor. She tried to catch it with her own magic but short circuited herself again. “Ow!”

Some of the others snickered and laughed at her. Now they all viewed her as a failure for needing Sea Spray’s help for such an insignificant spell.

“Loser,” Tootsie Flute scoffed.

Sea Spray lifted the pencil and placed it back on the desk, satisfied that Sweetie Belle was capable of learning and performing, despite the filly’s magic conduction problems.

“Alright, my little sparkies, today we have a fun project. I bought a bag of little blocks, and we are going to build a castle using our spells. Everypony, please put your books away, and stand up.” Everypony did so and with a simple and awe-striking wave of magic, she easily lifted all 28 desks and chairs, and stacked them against the wall.

“Let’s form a circle, please!” Sea Spray called, and the class did so. She dumped the sack of wooden blocks on the floor into a pile, and using only their magic levitation spells, they began building. Sweetie tried to levitate the blocks, and fried herself everytime she did so. She felt like crying. That’s when they all began to bully her by zapping her with sparks from their horns.

“Ow! Quit it!” Sweetie snapped and shouted many times.

“Oops” Tootsie Flute sang as she ‘tripped’ and bumped into Sweetie Belle, with their horns hitting, and she sadistically applied a high voltage magic surge on poor Sweetie.

Sweetie fell and hit the floor, balled up and started crying.

“Aww, what’s the matter? My magic not good enough for you?” Tootsie taunted her. In a fit of furious rage, Sweetie resisted the instant migraine she just got, jumped up, and violently shoved Tootsie, who fell back and landed on the blocks, instantly taking out Sun Glimmer’s towers.

“Ow, you little bitch! Miss Sea Spray! She shoved me!”

But Sea Spray didn’t buy any of it, and she sent both of them home early, after lecturing them about magic abuse and violence.

And that’s how magic class went for a couple weeks. Sweetie almost always required a magic jumpstart from her teacher in order to recite new spells, with the students laughing and taunting her for being unable to produce her own magic properly. Things even got worse when they began picking on her an zapping her in the school yard, and even in town. Sure the adult unicorns paid no attention to her, but a lot of the unicorn foals began turning on her.

During the week, the CMC’s managed to bail from school together before an Apple pony showed up to take them to the farm. Scootaloo’s parents arranged with Applejack to accommodate Scootaloo, to get her away from the other young pegasi that began tormenting her too. In town, a bunch of older unicorn fillies swarmed Sweetie Belle, shoved her into an alley behind a house and zapped her, right in the horn until heaped up into a ball on the cobble street and whimpered, completely paralyzed by the pain.

“Get up, it didn't even hurt, quit being such a whiner,” Blue Zap snapped, bopping the poor filly on the head. He and his friends who joined the younger goals in tormenting her had no idea the pain they really put her through. Tootsie Flute joined her cousin and nudged Sweetie Belle when she stopped moving. Then she applied another painful surge of horn-to-horn magic. Sweetie squealed and convulse. The others who stopped and joined the group, did the same, under orders from the older unicorn adolescents.

“Okay, she’s still alive,” another commented.

“What a failicorn.” Tootsie spat.

“Why...why...are you doing this...?” Sweetie groaned, “I didn’t do nothing...”

“It’s called tough love, kid,” Blue Zap said, “We don’t appreciate failures like you leeching off of the teachers and everything else. We’re sick of all these failicorns going to the magic bank to leech magic off other unicorns. We’re not batteries for you to use at your disposal! Think of this as a little encouragement, Apple Belle. Until you snap out of your delusions that magic class is a free ride, this ‘special training,’ (he said with a smile), is not gonna stop. We’ll beat and zap the magic into you whatever which way, whether you like it or not!”

“Apparently she’s broken,” Firelock commented, “I heard the Apples tried to dehorn her and made her take medicine that damaged her magic system.”

“Broken, my ass, all she needs is a real good surge,” Tootsie Flute shot back. Firelock didn't seem to disagree.

“Go ahead, fry her up, see if you can get her to cast a spell!” Tootsie said, as she opened Sweetie Belle’s side bag, took out out the spell book, and threw it right in her face.

“OWww!” Sweetie Belle squealed as she squirmed. The migraine seemed like was about to kill her.

“Okay,” Firelock said as she leaned down and touched horns with Sweetie Belle, and applied another agonizing surge. Sweetie Belle tried to move away from her.

“Come on! I’m trying to help you here!” Firelock shouted at her, then she pounced on Sweetie and shot her full of more painful magic. For Sweetie Belle, felt like she was being electrocuted.

“Do it slowly!” Tootsie Flute shouted, “You’re gonna kill her!”

“...fine, I’ll try-”

“Hey! Y’all get away from her!” Applebloom shouted as she and Scootaloo charged at them.

“Hey look, it’s the dumbass Apple kid and the Little Miss Broken Wings.” Tootsie cooed menacingly.

“Beat it, you two, Unicorn business. This doesn't concern you!”

“To hell with yer unicorn business! She’s our friend, and our business, not yer’s!” Applebloom shouted back. Scootaloo just charge at them, propelling herself at full gallop speed on her scooter, aimed at Firelock, the closest to Sweetie Belle.

Firelock was prepared, and lit her horn up with a bright amber aura. She shot Scootaloo with a small fireball, knocking her off the scooter, which Firelock still had to dodge as it sped past her.

“I’m on fire!” Scootaloo screamed in panic, trying to put out the flames on her mane. Tootsie then cast her levitation spell, scooped up Scootaloo, then threw her at Applebloom. Both girls went down in a heap.

“Now beat it, you two!” Blue Zap shouted. “You can scrape up your friend after we’re done with her!”

Suddenly, a pegasus swooped in out of nowhere, completely unnoticed by them, In a quick, startling motion, she snatched up Scootaloo by her wings in her teeth, and and quickly launched herself into the air, springing higher than the rooftops, and out of sight.

“Well, I guess that settles that, You’re out of options, Applebloom, now get the hell out of here!” Firelock shouted.

Applebloom, feeling quite defeated and unable to protect her friends, teared up. “Y...Y’all really suck!” she hollered before she ran off, chased by two unicorn foals.

“Now we can have some quiet playtime with the failicorn-”

“HEY!” They all looked up, and saw a pegasus swooping down on them. It was Derpy, with Dinky Doo on her back.

“Get away from her!” she roared as she hit the ground right over Sweetie Belle, forcing the unicorns to scatter and run.

“Eww, what is it to you, Derpy, you retard?” one of the unicorn foals shouted at her. Derpy was enraged at the comment. Dinky Doo scrambled behind her mother as Derpy reached back with her wings, and ‘punched’ them forward, blasting the brats with a powerful burst of wind.

“Let me guess, somepony stole your muffins?” Blue Zap taunted. Derpy cocked her wings for another air burst. Zap turned and saw his friends running out onto the street.

“You halfwit, weird eyed freak! I don’t get why they never put you in their rainbow factory!” he shouted as he ran off with his friends.

They still didn’t dare challenge an adult pony. Under Ponyville law, all parents had general parental rights to all foals, and were free to intervene when foals got into fights in town. Derpy picked up Sweetie Belle by the scruff of her neck, much like a mother cat with a kitten, tucked Dinky Doo between her hooves, and launched herself into the air. She landed a few minutes later in the park, where some other ‘concerned’ ponies told her to get away from Sweetie Belle, and her own daughter. Feeling hurt, Derpy sauntered off, and Dinky was taken to her adopted home, and Applebloom found Sweetie Belle.

“Y’all right?”

“Uh huh...” Sweetie grunted, now somewhat coherent, and able to sit and stand on her own.

“Wh...wh...where is Scoots?”

“Them pegasi took her away-”

“Applebloom! Apple Belle! What in tarnation are you two doing still in town?!” Apple Dumpling shouted. She and Tarty were on a shopping trip when they spotted the two. Now they were in trouble.

“Just you wait until Applejack finds out about this!” Apple Dumpling shouted. “Now march!” And back to Sweet Apple Acres they went.

+ + +

A week later, Sweetie Belle tried to skip out on magic class, but Cheerilee caught her on the way out and escorted her to Sea Spray’s classroom. The filly couldn’t stand to look the others in the eye. She knew when magic class got out, she had to gallop back to the apple farm to avoid being zapped and beat by her classmates. She hated them all. She wanted them to burn.

Before coming to class, Sweetie Belle brooded and fantasized about getting revenge in all kinds of ways. She wanted to set Firelock on fire, and jam Tootsie Flute into the ground head first, and break her pretty little face in half-

“Allright, my little sparkies, let’s begin!” Sea Spray sang, “Please open your spell books to the light spell!”

Sweetie opened her book. She spent the last several days trying to learn all the spells, but levitation was all she knew. She tried practicing levitation and managed to gain some progress against all the pain her own magic put her through. She was now capable of lifting and carrying small objects. She wanted to do more. She wanted to throw an object at hundreds of trots per second and embed it in one of her tormenters’ brains. She wanted to learn the fire spell, and make Tootsie and Firelock burn.

Sea Spray demonstrated, by making a bright light shine at the tip of her horn, and it lit up the whole classroom.

“Whoa....” the foals all said with amazement. The more advanced ones learned the spell a long time ago and weren’t that impressed. Sea Spray was not amused to see the smug look on their faces.

In the back, Sweetie Belle felt bad for thinking hateful thoughts. Rarity often verbally chided her for being hateful. She silently prayed to Celestia, and begged for forgiveness and help in making her magic work. She didn’t want anymore of Sea Spray’s magic boosts. She wanted to cast her own magic, which she knew very well was surging angrily within her, and wanted out. She opened the page to the spell Sea Spray talked about, and stared at it. No letters or numbers, but strange patterns and symbols designed by unicorn scholar-mages to be read by the subconscious. She stared at it and let her mind relax, like she did back at the obstacle course. Then it happened, the familiar paralysis, the magic sparking through her horn and brain, the symbols glowing (a hallucination typical of spellbook reading), and piercing their way in through her eyes, and a very brief, yet very vivid hallucination of her casting the horn light spell, and lighting up a vast darkened area. The little trip ended with less of a headache and dizziness than when she learned the levitation spell. And now she felt confident. Confident she could make her horn light up.

So when Sea Spray called her name, she tried. Nothing happen. She flexed every muscle she had, and still her horn refused to light up.

“Fail,” some foal called.

“Hmph,” another grunted.

“You need some magic, Sweetie Belle?” Sea Spray offered as she came over.

“NO! Er, I mean no thanks, Miss Sea Spray. I want to use my own magic.”

But Sea Spray didn’t regard her stubbornness and approached, lowering her head to touch horns with Sweetie when Sweetie’s horn lit up, nearly blinding her. She had to look away, and so did the foals near her.

Sweetie Belle did it. Even though the magic was hurting her, she made her horn light up brighter than the fireworks at the Summer Sun Celebration. It was brighter than any light bulb in school.

“Whoa,” Tootsie gasped.

“Oooooh,” Dinky mused, staring into the blinding light like a dumb moth.

Sweetie tried to hold the spell and keep it going. She felt sweat dripping down her face. Then she realized she succeeded at something for once, and felt triumphant.

“Okay, okay, Sweetie, you’re going to run out magic and short circuit yourself. Please stop!” Sea Spray urged her.

Sweetie knew all about that and let the spell die. She then realized she had been holding her breath and was now panting. She slouched in her seat, feeling exhausted by the spell. “Good work, Sweetie, you did very well!” Sea Spray praised her.

Thank Celestia, Sweetie thought, still beaming with pride. Perhaps the other unicorns would leave her alone now. She wanted to giggle and dance like she used to when she was happy. Perhaps this was a sign she could still control her magic and use it to learn more spells.

After magic class let out, Sweetie galloped home, eager to show Applebloom and Big Mac, the two who helped get her into magic class and get the spellbook.

She snuck her way into Sweet Apple Acres, then full of excitement, she completely forgot why she was trying to sneak onto the farm. Applejack still didn’t know about her being in magic class. Big Mac had told her she was in some group exercise thing with the earth pony foals. She foolishly galloped her way across the farm, calling out for Applebloom. She ran through one of the huge sheep and cattle barns. The animals looked bewildered at the excited filly as she ran past their stalls.

“Applebloom! I did it! I did it, I did it!”

A sheep bleated its reply as she ran past.

The excited filly ran out the other door of the barn, around the corner-

-and slammed full speed, face first right into Applejack. She tumbled and fell into the dirt outside the barn. A bucket full of milk flew and splattered all over the wall of the barn.

“Ow, what the hell- Apple Belle, what in tarnation you runnin' like a hopped up jackrabbit for-”

Sweetie Belle’s blood instantly turned to ice before she even hit the ground. She wasn't watching where she was going. But that wasn’t the kicker. The kicker was the minute she slammed into Applejack, her sidebag popped open, and the spellbook flew out, and hit the ground, open to the page of the levitation spell, right in front of Applejack.

Applejack was stunned by what she saw, and it all came together in her mind: The unicorn brat had been in that hocus pocus magic club this whole time. Big lied to her, about everything.

Her blood instantly boiled with rage. This filly tried to subvert her authority. She hexed Big Mac, tricked him into letting her go to the magic class and say she was in the earth pony foal exercise program.

Applejack flew into a furious psychotic rage, and all her anger exploded, and she screamed bloody murder.

Applejack leaped and pounced on Sweetie Belle with her full weight, both her hooves on the filly’s head.

“You little bitch! You rotten bucking little infernal bitch!! Ah said no to yer infernal hocus pocus magic club!!

Sweetie Belle screamed in pain and terror.

“Ah’ll teach you to disobey me!” Applejack screamed, and she went into a frenzy and began thrashing Sweetie Belle, and trampling her with all her weight. Applejack screamed, swore, and cursed while she pounded the snot out of Sweetie Belle. She let loose with all her hatred against unicorns.

She picked Sweetie Belle up by the neck and head and slammed her repeatedly into the ground, and into the barn walls, and into the cart. Sweetie Belle screamed and cried for mercy, and Applejack beat her harder and harder.

Applejack began stomping on Sweetie Belle’s horn too, and just did not let up one bit. She had finally lost it, and in her furious rage, she was determined to rip Sweetie Belle apart.

Applebloom saw her beating the hell out of her from her, and she ran off, as quickly as she could, not to avoid getting beat into a coma herself, but to find big Mac.

+

Big Mac was hauling a cart of apples he hoofpicked for his next cider batch. He whistled as he walked, and he saw Applebloom running towards him, completely distraught, and he was already alert.

“Big Mac! Big Mac! It’s Applejack! She’s trying to kill Sweetie Belle! She’s bustin’ her up real bad! Please stop her!” Applebloom cried.

Without a word, Big Mac unfastened himself from the cart. “Where is she?”

“At the big cow an’ sheep barn, the south side!”

“You stay here!” he barked at her before galloping off.

Applebloom sat by the cart completely terrified. It took her six minutes to get here, it would take Big Mac at least three or four to reach Applejack. She couldn’t take Applejack’s terror no more and started crying, praying and begging for Celestia to stop Applejack and all her madness and terror.

She was scared of losing Sweetie Belle, and she hated herself for not being grown enough to fight Applejack and get her off, and save her.

Hoofbeatin'

It was a sudden and violent beating, nothing at all like the standard Apple family corporal punishment Sweetie Belle had to endure before. It got so bad each hit of the hoof felt like she had been hit by a cannonball, and poor Sweetie Belle felt as if every bone in her body was about to snap apart. Equally terrifying was the sheer unprecedented explosive rage from Applejack, who relentlessly pounded and stomped her from head to hooves.

Sweetie cried and screamed, begging for her to stop, only to be beaten even harder as her cries enraged Applejack all the more. One of the last things Sweetie Belle saw was Applejack’s face, twisted and contorted into a frown that screamed raging insanity, and then Applejack stomped her in the face, busting up her mouth, nose and eyes, to the point she was coughing and spitting blood, and to the point her eyes were swollen shut.

Each blow to the head and a instant bright spark flashed across her vision.

“You lis’en to me ya wretched little varmint,” Applejack shouted loudly in her ear, “If Ah ever, EVER see you doin’ magic again, Ah will rip that infernal horn o’ yer’s right outta yer’ skull, ya hear me?”

Too busted up to cry or speak, Sweetie Belle simply whimpered as tears streamed from her swollen shut eyes across her bruised face. She was sad sight. She was lumped and thumped all over, and swollen everywhere she could be. The bruises even showed through her once beautiful white coat. After what seemed like fifteen minutes of this brutal beating, Anypony else would have been horrified to see her nearly black and blue all over, her face covered in blood.

“Ah said did ya hear me!” Applejack roared, right in the filly’s ear.

Sweetie Belle gargled up blood, coughed and spat it out, and tried to speak.

“Quit yer’ snivelin’! Applejack shouted, stomping the filly once more in the face with a front hoof.

“You better shut up. Ah got plenty more where that came from!” she shouted. “Y’better start talkin' sense in the next five seconds, or Ah’ll-”

Sweetie Belle coughed loudly, spewing more blood onto the dirt in front of her face. Finally she senselessly gargled the words, “Rarity...help me...”

Applejack once again completely lost it. She slammed the little filly right in the neck with her front hooves, and violently clamped her teeth around Sweetie Belle’s horn and began to jerk violently, determined to rip it out. Sweetie Belle screamed in panic and agony.

“APPLEJACK, STOP!”

Applejack froze and released Sweetie Belle. The filly collapsed in a heap in front of her. Applejack looked up and saw Big Mac standing a few trots away from them. He had that dead serious look on his face, a clear indication to Applejack he would have charged at her to keep her from hurting the filly even more. His loud thundering roar froze Applejack in her tracks, and broke through the rage that drove her insane. She was first stricken with fear, then a wave of emotions splashed through her. She even wondered, had she gone too far this time?

Big Mac stepped in, urging Applejack to back away from Sweetie Belle. The hulking red stallion examined the scene, and quickly pinpointed the source of Applejack’s outrage: a tome- a little magic spell book, shredded and torn to pieces; scattered around them. He put two and two together: Applejack caught Sweetie Belle doing magic. Here at Sweet Apple Acres, or any Apple family establishment, magic was a strictly forbidden taboo. Unicorns aren't exempt from family rules. At least not anymore.

He grunted, then looked his sister in the eye and said in his well known hick farmer accent, “That’s enough, AJ. Beat her all y’ want, but don’t rip that horn out. You’ll kill her. Is that y’want?”

“The hell it won’t kill the brat,” Applejack snarled, still angry, “Ah reckon snappin’ that blasted horn off o’ her head will make her a hard workin’ earth pony, jus’ like you an’ me, Big Mac.”

“Applejack,” Big Mac rebuked her, “she is a unicorn, and that’s that. You rip the horn off a unicorn, that unicorn will die. You didn’t adopt her and make her part of our family jus’ so you could stomp her to death.”

“Ah ain’t stompin' nopony to death, ya big lug!” Applejack shouted back, “It’s jus’ a hoof beatin’ like she deserves! I will not stand fer’ this magic hocus pocus on mah farm! Ah wont! Ah just won’t stand fer it! We got a big crop full of apples jus’ about ready fer’ buckin’ and this little witch jus’ might hex us all with her infernal magic!” she was hysterical, but failed to faze Big Mac with her emotional rage.

“Big Mac, she-she jus’ might bring Celestia’s wrath down on all o’us!-”

“That’s enough outta you, AJ! You oughta be ashamed o’ yerself, givin’ into that superstitious nonsense. Celestia would’ve burned up all o’ Ponyville and us fer’ lettin’ unicorns trot on into our farm already. Yer’ jus’ makin it worse by bitin’ her horn off. Ah don’t like magic anymore than you do, AJ, but Sweetie Belle ain’t done nothin’ worth gettin’ killed over.An’ I think you’ve done her in more than enough. No doubt she’ll learn her lesson real good this time-”

“Okay, I get it!” Applejack snapped. “Ah jus’ never want to see another spark of that magic come outta her again!”

“You get on home, have a cider and take a load off.” Big Mac commanded her. Normally Applejack never took orders from the big “dumb” red brother of hers, but she was too distraught right now. He knew very well she’d be too messed up to work the rest of the afternoon.

“O-okay...” and she sauntered off.

Big Mac gently picked up Sweetie Belle by the teeth, placed her on his back, and carried her home.

Sweetie Belle spent the next several days in bed, too bruised and sore to do anything. All she was capable of eating was apple cabbage soup. A doctor from town came down to check on her, deemed her well enough to recover here at the farm, and left. Each day after school, Applebloom came home and delivered new homework.

Sweetie Belle sobbed at night when nopony was awake to scold or bop her for crying, and she tried to act tough but remorseful when Applejack, Big Mack, or any other Apple pony was in the room.

As for Applejack, she never felt the slightest remorse for what she did to Sweetie Belle. She was too proud and stuck in her ways to be. To her, it was standard discipline. Afterall, Apple family ponies from generations ago burned unicorns at the stake for using magic on their property.

Nearly all the unicorns living in Ponyville were faithful customers of the Apples’, but they knew well to be respectful when at Sweet Apple Acres.

As for Sweetie Belle, being here was pretty much a life sentence.

A Failed Intervention

When Twilight Sparkle finally got around to reviewing the memory crystals she recorded from Sweetie Belle, she immediately regretted the way she treated the distraught filly. Most of the time foals came to her house asking her for something or to put on a magic show or some crap like that. But here was a filly who really needed help, and Twilight pretty much shunned her, and coldly turned her away, until Sweetie threw that horn cap in her face.

She didn't believe the things Sweetie was saying until she threw the horn cap at her. Twilight rubbed her cheek, still remembering the pain from when it hit her. That filly could throw hard. She watched the memories again on the white screen. She, like all ponies, knew Applejack was not right since Granny Smith was killed in that cart during the autumn storms.

On the outside, when she was in public, Applejack had always been the friendly, cordial, and jolly pony everypony knew her to be. She was like a celebrity in this town. Thought to be completely harmless, but from these new findings in Sweetie Belle’s memories, that was anything but truth. Applejack had become something of a dictator at Sweet Apple Acres. She worked poor Applebloom and Sweetie Belle to the bone for at least ten hours a day when they weren't at school. And it was evident Applejack held paranoid religious prejudice against unicorns.

Applejack never showed any problems with the unicorns in town, nor with Twilight and Rarity. She had always been a great part of their Mane Six team. Twilight had always been curious as to what went on behind the scenes at Sweet Apple Acres, but the Apple ponies were very territorial, and selective of who they welcomed on their property. They were almost secretive of their affairs, and all things "Apple family business." In the four years she had lived in Ponyville, Twilight had only been to Sweet Apple Acres about eight times.

Then there was the lie Applejack told Sweetie Belle, about Rarity dying after the fire. In reality, Rarity was sent to the hospital in Canterlot, and recovered under the superior magical medical care of the unicorns there. The reason she didn't come back to Ponyville was that a bag full of opportunities opened itself up for her. Her high class friends helped her buy and start up a boutique in town, and her line of clothes became popular, hence, her business boomed.

Rarity and Twilight exchanged letters and telepathic messages frequently. Rarity had wanted to fully establish herself before having Sweetie Belle sent to her. She was content with Sweetie Belle being under Applejack’s care, and planned to have her come to their new home in Canterlot when the school year ended. Then Rarity had written back with concern as to why all her letters and packages to Sweet Apple Acres went unanswered, give a few letters from Applejack assuring her that Sweetie Belle was 'well behaved, disciplined, and 'workin' hard and giving back for once.'

Applejack even turned down Rarity's request to send Sweetie Belle to stay with her at Canterlot during Hearth's Warming.

Over the last few months, had Twilight not been so busy with her other projects, and weeks she spent in Canterlot undergoing special training, she would have noticed and been concerned a long time ago.

And Applejack trying to suppress Sweetie’s magic growth and even have her dehorned was very worrying. She wanted to confront Applejack and speak to her, but as stubborn as she was, Applejack would not easily spill her beans and allow herself to be easily manipulated or even reasoned with. And she didn’t want to jeopardize her friendship, or at least not yet.

So Twilight took the matter to the town guard.

An hour later, she sat in the office with the town guard chief, Acorn Tibbs, or Tibbs for short. She showed him the magic crystals and they viewed the memories in private.

“Twilight,” Tibbs grunted, “As you can see, I regrettably can’t send in the troops, break out Sweetie Belle, Applebloom and any other foals on that farm, and arrest Applejack.”

“Why not?” Twilight asked, perplexed.

“Sweet Apple Acres is not our jurisdiction. We have no legal right to go in and intervene in their affairs.”

“But- but Chief, Sweet Apple Acres is right outside of town; less than a thousand trots away,” Twilight protested.

“And there is a reason behind that, you should know, you've worked with us for years, Twi,” Tibbs reminded her. “As per the town charter, the Ponyville town guard may not interfere with affairs that occur at Sweet Apple Acres. The Sweet Apple ponies are responsible for enforcing the law on their own turf. If we go in, arrest Applejack, and charge her, the county judge will throw the case out.”

Twilight grunted in frustration. “But Applejack is abusing a foal! No, two of them! Isn't there something we can do to stop this?”

Tibbs shrugged. “Well, the problem is, this county’s guard is few and far between. Investigations are sluggish, especially if more than one town guard’s involved. I can put out a letter asking for intervention and put it to a vote by the town council, which does handle county affairs. Just don’t expect any immediate results.”

Twilight still grunted. She did not like bureaucracy in any form. Canterlot was full of it. She had to go through so many ponies just to get a permit just to get a bloody spellbook.

“What you can do,” Chief Tibbs cut into her thoughts, “is talk to Applejack yourself. You two are good friends, right? And you’re both part of the Mane Six. You’re a very well respected unicorn in this town, I’m sure Applejack will listen to reason.”

“Yeah, I’ll do that-”

“But I must warn you, there’s a lot of concerning activity going on at Sweet Apple Acres and the area around it.”

“What kind of activity?” Twilight asked, perplexed.

“Applejack’s looking to expand the farm, and she’s bringing in a lot of ponies to do that. I assigned a few officers to lay low and keep an eye on the farm. We've actually been watching these Sweet Apple ponies for a while. In the last year, more and more of them have been showing up and moving in at Sweet Apple Acres, ever since Granny Smith died. Here in town, a few ponies sent in notes and complaints regarding Applejack’s demeanor and behavior when her two fillies were with her.

“I also have a complaint from schoolteacher Cheerilee where she explains Applejack’s interference in her romantic life, and her treatment of Sweetie Belle, and she also wrote up some of the things Sweetie Belle said to her.”

Tibbs passed Twilight a stack of papers. They were the complaints ponies wrote and sent in.

“There are also a mountain of applications filed by these new Apple ponies for town guard duty. Applejack was actually in here the other day, arguing about how Apples made up over half the town guard when Ponyville was founded. We hired a few of them already based on their qualifications and experience, but AJ was demanding that I hire all of them.

“Why does Applejack want so many of her relatives in the town guard all of a sudden?” Twilight didn’t understand.

“Beats me, and I don’t like sudden drastic changes to our roster. I met with Mayor Mare last week, and she told me that there have been quite a few Apple applications to join the town council. None of them qualify as they must have lived in Ponyville for two years at least. But these memory crystals have made this no less than disturbing to me, Twilight.”

Screenshots of Nimbuscait as seen by Sweetie Belle flashed onto the white wall across the room from them. The video played out from the magic powered crystal-scope device, and Twilight had to watch the grueling dehorning ordeal. She puked the first time she watched that Twinkle Leaf foal burn. They reviewed the crystals, and got a good look at some of the Nimbuscait  Apples.

“Do we have to watch all of this? I already did...” Twilight said, trying to remain collected.

“Stop the rock,” Tibbs ordered. Ponyspeak for ‘stop the tape.’

Twilight did so with her magic, and the screen went blank. They had already watched the things Applejack said and did. She even watched the recording from when Sweetie Belle asked for help, and threw the horn cap at her. Below the screen were colored bars indicating emotions. She was stunned to find Sweetie was terrified of her. She felt horrible.

“Twilight,” Tibbs spoke, “When Ponyville was officially founded, the town council passed a resolution calling for the collective cooperation between the three pony races, and to resist and defend against the never ending conflict that looms just outside the Breadbasket region. You know, the pegasi vs. the unicorns vs. the earth ponies. Ponyfolk in Roundbottom aren’t so bad, but Nimbuscait has always been a concern. They’re constantly fighting skirmishes with the town guards along the Arod River, the border between Nimbuscait and Abille counties. Turns out Applejack is from a town that got destroyed up there. Who would have thunk it, eh?”

Twilight just nodded. The chief resumed his speech.

“And of course, if it weren’t for this data you extracted from that filly, nopony would have known or even had an idea that Applejack consorts with these Nimbuscait freaks.”

“Turns out there’s an Apple clan up there.”

“Big one at that, Twi. And this evidence confirms absolutely that these Nimbuscait ponies haven’t changed one bit. Burning a foal to death after chopping its horn off. That atrocity only hints at the long list of things these ponies have done, still do, and plan to do in the future. And it turns out some of these ponies have re-located to Sweet Apple Acres. They’re just lyin’ low. And I got all these other Apple ponies from Luna-knows-where in Equestria. Thorn Valley. Have you heard of it, Twilight?”

“...yes, I did actually. it’s where those explosive blood apples grow.”

Chief Tibbs looked at her. “Is that right? How do you know?”

Twilight sighed. “It’s in the forbidden history. Highly classified. I need a permit to even talk about it.”

“Twilight,” Tibbs said impatiently, “I need to know as much as I can about what to expect from all these Apple ponies.  I don’t know much about all these other ponies from Nightmare Moon-knows-where in Equestria. I got over a hundred applications from a bunch of Apple-Pommes, Applewoods, Appletons, Applegroves, Applehills, Applerocks, Applebarks, Appleshines,  Sunshine Apples, Applestones, Appleyards, Applegroves, Apple Saints, how about that? And of course...Blood Apple ponies. The lot of them come from areas saturated in the blood of ponies or unicorns or pegasi over hundreds or thousands of years. Tell me something, like...where the hell did these Blood Apple ponies come from? I can’t imagine them not being a bunch of freaks!”

Twilight stared down at the desk, thought a prayer, pleading Celestia for forgiveness, then spoke. “I read about them before in the Apple Family Compendium, Year 975 edition. Blood Apple ponies named themselves so after the name of the fruit they discovered and farmed, the fruit being called blood apples. According to the forbidden history, blood apples were created by the Pegasi during the Second Era. Exactly how they were deployed against the unicorns, I don’t know. They adapted to the environment of the valleys and made it their native home, and the remaining unicorns were forced out, and these Blood Apple ponies took it over. The trees are thorny, hence the region the plants took over was re-named the Thorn Valley.”

“Well,” Tibbs grunted. “the Thorn Valleys, or Thorn Valley or whatever the hay it’s called, can't be home to normal ponies. According to the boys whom I've posted on 'watch' duty outside Sweet Apple Acres, and on those new Apple ponies lurking in Ponyville, these Blood Apples have talked about planting their signature fruit in our back yard. I don't know much about these blood apples, but I already don't like the prospects. I want you to get me some more information on the blood apple, and whether these ponies can legally plant them or not. Afterall, there’s plenty of local stuff the Sweet Apples can grow right here. Am I right?”

Twilight shrugged. “Yes, sir. I guess we’ll find out very soon. Applejack hasn't been altogether in the brain since she lost Granny Smith or was exposed to the influence of the Nimbuscaits. Speaking of which, how many are there here?”

Tibbs looked over the papers. “Just one actually. A mare named Applegem Frost Apple. She's been visiting here quite a few times actually. Never caused a problem, but I'll bet she seeded Applejack with her religious crap. They said in the video of the memories they disowned the Sweet Apples after Granny Smith’s heroic deed. Didn’t see that one coming.”

Twilight cleared her throat. “They disowned them in exchange for their lives. Apparently there is a protocol among Apple ponies to protect one another. No doubt if any Sweet Apple shows his or her face in Nimbuscait again, they’ll be burned,” Twilight added. “I should go. I need to speak to Applejack.”

“Be careful, Twilight. Until we know for sure about all these new ponies, assume they are unfriendly at best. If anything else goes down, get the hell outta there, and report back to me, got it?”

Twilight nodded. “Yes, Chief.” And she left the office and exited the town guard house.

+ +

“By the light of Princess Celestia and all that is holy, righteous, and pure, Applejack, you damn near killed her! It amazes me that she is still alive.”

Applejack spat. “She damn well deserved every bit of it, Doc. That’s what Apple Belle, or any other foal on my farm gets for disobeyin’ mah rules, and mah orders against magic. She skipped behind mah flank and went to some hocus pocus magic club at school in town. Ah specifically told her no, and she went and did it anyway.”

Apple Aid, a member of the Apple Saint clan, was the family doctor. His arrival spared Applejack the burden of taking Sweetie Belle to a doctor in town, and making up something to explain to every meddlesome pony around. Apple Aid was middle aged, olive colored stallion, with a shining copper mane. On his flank, he bore a cutie mark of an apple, with a red cross over it. His wife, Apple Mend, had a similar cutie mark. The Apple Saints hailed from a region where many of them became masters in nursing injured and sick earth ponies back to health during war times. Applejack simply referred to them as Doc, and Heal.

She had Doc and Heal come in and inspect Sweetie Belle, who was bruised, lumped, and swollen beyond recognition. Doc and Heal both checked Sweetie Belle for broken bones, but they concluded with astonishment that nothing was actually broken.

“Perhaps everything is just really fractured.” Doc said. Sweetie Belle cried out in muffled weeps and squeaks when they padded her body gently, checking for broken bones. “Give her lots and lots of milk. She is going to need it to repair the bone fractures,” Doc instructed.

“Awright, she’ll get her milk,” Applejack agreed.

“And for Celestia’s sake, I beg you, leave her horn alone. That thing’s about to come right off. what the hell did you do to it?”

“Ah tried to rip it off. Then that big lout Mac had to interfere. Would've solved all her magic problems,” Applejack spat bitterly.

“Of course, then she’d be dead,” Doc said, “Look, Applejack, Mend and I are very grateful to come join you. Very grateful, and if you don’t want this filly doin’ magic, I won’t say nothin about it, but for her sake, leave the horn alone. Whip or slap her if you need to keep her in line, but please, I beg you, on her behalf, let her horn alone.”

"Fine," Applejack replied grudgingly. Another pony entered the room. Apple Tarty. She had brought a cup of soup and a straw for Sweetie Belle.  Applejack had beat the filly so bad that she was unable to move her jaw (Surprisingly, her jaws weren't broken or dislocated, just the muscles and tendons were badly bruised). As a result, Sweetie Belle was drinking her meals through a straw.

Apple Tarty held the cup close to Sweetie Belle and extended the long end of the straw into Sweetie's mouth. Sweetie Belle was barely able to suck on the straw to get the soup. Then Applebloom showed up with a book. Applejack made her spend a lot of time reading books for Sweetie Belle.

"So, Doc, how long y'think she's gonna sit in that bed bein' all useless for?"

"Well, one week is absolutely important, and I'd say she be in bed for the next two weeks."

"Dang it, y' tellin' me that she can't do nothin' at all? Ah want her back to work the minute she's outta bed walkin' around. Ah believe makin' any brat work while still sore from her punishment will drive the lesson home real good, dont'cha think?"

Doc sighed. "Well, just so she doesn't fall back across the line where she'll suffer permanent damage, it could interfere with her abilities to work."

"That's just hooey talk," Applejack replied, "We have to do is pray to Celestia, beg fer' forgiveness fer' our failures, and ask that Apple Belle be properly healed and put back to work. Ah also think any of this permanent damage nonsense is rightful punishment, and she'll work around it, jus' like the rest of us."

Applemend showed up with some wet cloths for Sweetie Belle. She thought the poor filly ran up a fever earlier today. She placed one of the wet cloths on Sweetie Belle's forehead.

"Applebloom," AJ barked, "When Doc, Heal and yer aunt Tarty are done, Ah want you readin' the whole chapter o' that book, ya hear?"

"Yes," Applebloom said fearfully. She was terrified of Applejack now. She got beat herself but not nearly this bad. She was afraid about Sweetie dying.

"Anyhoot," Applejack added, "Ah gots to get out there. New arrivals and such."

+ +

"You're freaking useless!" Rainbow Dash shouted in Scootaloo's face. "When the hell are you even going to start doing it right for once?!"

For the last several minutes, Rainbow Dash, the new head coach of the flying program for local young pegasi, had been shouting at and berating poor Scootaloo after she failed to fly off a ledge and landed in a thorny bush. Now the poor filly was covered in scratch marks after Rainbow Dash pulled her out. Now she was chewing her head off and breathing down her neck over it.

They had been flying all day (School day off), and ended their class back at the obstacle course on the east side of Dawn Hill.

"Look at you, you're pathetic! No wonder everypony here calls you a damn chicken. You have been in this flying class for over a year- no, make that two years. Two bucking years. And what do you have to show for it? Absolutely nothing! I expected way better from you, Scoots. Way better."

Rainbow Dash paced back and fourth and around in circles around Scootaloo as she ranted.

"Look at those wings, they're pathetic! How the hell can you expect to fly, when you never even bothered to do your exercises, so that your wings would grow? All you do is flap your little wings like a little parasprite, hell, you cant even keep yourself three measly hooves off the ground. Most of everypony else can over a few trots in the air already! Look at Cotton Cloudy over here."

Rainbow Dash reached out with her left wing, and pushed the filly, Cotton Cloudy forward. The scared filly's hooves scraped the dirt as Rainbow Dash pulled her out infront of the class.

"Wings out!"

Cotton Cloudy sat up straight, sucked in a breath, and extended her wings. It was much harder to do on the ground sitting in one spot, than in the air.

"Cotton Cloudy has been training for less than a year, now look at her. She can hover in the air. You! Gimme two trots, 30 seconds!"

Cotton Cloudy jumped, and started flapping her wings like crazy. She rose into the air and while flapping and struggling to keep herself two trots (15 feet) in the air, she looked anything but graceful. She was panting and grunting in frustration. But she was hovering with stability, although she looked like a flapping headless chicken.

"Down!" Rainbow ordered, "Hover, and land properly!"

Cotton Cloudy lowered herself and gently touched down again on all hooves. The exercise left her sweating, and gasping for air. She just needed more muscle in her now aching wings.

"Good work, Cloudy, now fall back."

Cotton Cloudy quickly skipped back to where the rest of the pegasi foals stood.

"Wait, How old are you?" Rainbow asked her.

"I'm eight years old, my birthday is on the 14th day of Summer."

"That's not far off. About two and a half moons from now." Then Rainbow Dash turned back to Scootaloo. "You hear that, Scoots? She is almost two years younger than you. TWO YEARS! And look at her wings- Cloudy! Open them up!"

Cotton Cloudy did so, and her face grimaced as doing did so make her aching wings hurt alot. Her wings weren't fully grown yet, but they were big enough with enough feathers to keep her aloft as long as she could flap them.

"All of you! Open your wings. Show this failure of a pegasus (she pointed at Scootaloo), what wings are supposed to look like. And Scoots, your whiny sob story about your wings being deformed or not developed is pure duckshit!"

Rainbow Dash was almost screaming now.

"B-but Rainb-"

"Shut the hell up!" Rainbow Dash reached back and swiftly bitch slapped Scootaloo with her right wing, so hard she knocked her back. Scootaloo fell back and hit the mud.

"I am talking, you keep your shit caked muzzle shut! On your hooves!"

Now poor Scootaloo was covered in dirt and mud.

"Look at you, You're dirtier than a stinking mud pony. Is that all you're gonna be in life, Scoots? Some stupid mud pony with little mud flaps for wings? Huh? Toil in the mud shoveling manure and pig slop? Answer me!"

"N-no sir, Rainbow Dash sir..." Scootaloo tried not to cry.

"Pigshit, Scoots." Rainbow Dash sighed, " I am so ashamed and disappointed in you. Your wings are all shriveled up, and 'deformed' because you never exercised them! And don't you dare try and tell me something different.

"You, infact all of you better be thankful you were born and raised here on the ground. All you little pups who are learning slow and taking your sweet time, be thankful you have all the time you'll take to learn to fly properly. Because if we were in Cloudsdale or any other cloud city, A lot of you, especially the chicken* here, would have been taken away and disposed of. Where I come from, there is absolutely no room for failure. A bunch of you wouldn't even make it to the first flight test under our standards.

"I do know that you'll be great flyers someday, and you'll work the weather around here no problem, but you, Scoots, how the bucking hay do you expect to get up there and work the clouds and the air if you can't fly?"

Scootaloo said nothing and just stared at the dirt. She couldn't take Rainbow Dash's verbal abuse much more. Nothing like the pegasus she looked up to, obsessed, and even worshiped in secret shunning, and berating her like this. Right now she felt completely worthless.

"I...I-tried..."

"There is no try!" Rainbow Dash shouted in her face. "You simply do! Same for every pegasus everywhere! So what if somepony bucks up, they get back up, open their wings, and do again, and again until they get it right! Look at your classmates! They do and they get shit done! And what do you do? Nothing! And those pathetic sprouts on your back you call wings are proof that you did nothing to make them grow and strengthen!

"Look at Cotton Cloudy over there! She can already fly for over fifty trots, she can hover in one spot, and she just figured out how to land properly. Can you do any of those things? NO. You're not even worthy of wings. You're a disgrace to all pegasi. Somepony ought to cut those 'wings' off so that you can live as a filthy mud pony!"

Another pause as Rainbow Dash, worked up with rage, panted and caught her breath.

"...........Sorry-"

"You know what, Scoots? I'm done with you. All you did in this class was waste my time and everypony else's. Cotton Cloudy has only been with us since fall, and look at her now. She's dedicated, she's committed, she's got more wingpower than half the fillies who just joined us last moon, and one day she will be a magnificent flying pegasus. You've got nothing on her. So here's the deal: I am suspending you from flight class for the summer. You can forget all about camping and going to the Breadbasket Young Flyers' Competition. Until you have proven you will give it your all, don't you dare show up here again, or I'll rip those wings right out of you!

"Please don't..." Scootaloo sobbed.

"Shut up. I'd be doing you a favor. If you can't fly, and all you have is useless mudflaps for wings,  what is to keep any pegasus from the Cloudlands from swooping down and killing your ass? We hate pegasi that can't fly, and we make sure they don't become a waste of air, water, and food; and cause their own infestation. It's the least I could do so that you could live, even as a mud pony."

The others seemed quite unsettled about Rainbow Dash's harsh words. Being born and raised on the ground in Ponyville, these foals had never been to the clouds. They never knew pegasi from the clouds would be so harsh. Rainbow Dash gleefully enjoyed telling them scary campfire stories about her homeland. One such tale she told them during a camping trip during spring break was about the notorious rainbow factory where useless pegasi were disposed of. That set straight  any foal who had little desire for training.

"In the mean time," Rainbow Dash continued, "you will be at Applejack's farm helping her out with all the work that's going on over there. And she will decide and inform me if she deems you to have worked hard enough and properly adjusted your attitude. And Applejack can keep you there as long as she wants until she decides to send you back. Now get the hell out of my sight. Move it!

Rainbow Dash raised her wings in a show of intimidation.

Fighting back tears, Scootaloo slowly started walking. Still covered in dried mud, she sauntered off with her head and tail down.

"That counts for all of you!" Rainbow shouted to the 28 foal-class.

"I see any less from any of you, you will join her at Applejack's farm, got it?"

"Yes, Captain Dash!" they all shouted as they saluted.

"Good. Next class: Saturday morning, be here 88° sharp! Training class is now over. Dismissed!"

The young pegasi foals saluted and began making their way back to town from the field they had landed in ans ended their class.

"Thunderlane!" Rainbow Dash shouted as the blackish pegasus stallion flew by. He landed next to her.

"Yes, Rainbow Dash?"

Rainbow pointed at Scootaloo in the distance.

"That filly is banned from flight training. Take her out of here, get her out of my sight."

"Where to?" Thunderlane asked.

"Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack's expecting her. Move out!"

Thunderlane jumped into the air, flew over to the road where Scootaloo was walking, swooped down on her, and snatched her up by the wings his teeth. Scootaloo squealed out like an animal caught in the razor sharp talons of a hawk, and Thunderlane flew off.

Good riddance. Rainbow Dash thought. She hated Scootaloo for being so weak. Scootaloo had formed an excessive bond with her, well so did Rainbow Dash in return. Her love for Scootaloo demanded that she be extremely harsh in pushing the filly to succeed, including shaming and punishing her for falling short of her high expectations.

+++

What Rainbow Dash obviously did not mention was the 200 bit kickback she received from Applejack for hoofing Scootaloo over to her.

The conversation she had with Applejack last night at the town tavern took that turn when Applejack responded to her constant complaining about Scoots.

"I swear AJ, that she'll never learn to fly. For all I know, Scoot's wings probably shrank since she started flight school. I was really hoping I could take her under my wing and show her how to be a super amazing flyer like me."

"Ah'm awful sorry to *hic* hear that, RD. Nothin’ more disappointin' than yer own foals, or pupils or whatever lettin' y' down real hard. Ah got the same problems with mah two, Applebloom, and Apple Belle."

"Who is Apple Belle?" Rainbow Dash asked. She had been out of town lots working on weather projects for the Pegasi up above. Totally oblivious to Sweetie Belle's predicament.

"Just some filly Ah took in. Her mother died in a horrible accident, Ah don't got much fer' details, but Ah took her filly in. She ain't workin hard like she' s'posed to, an' she's got this obsession with magic. Ah don't mind magic but we Apples are under Princess Celestia's highest expectations to work the land and our families purely, without the magic. Too many times we been cursed and plagued for usin' magic or hirin' unicorns."

"Earth pony wants to do magic, huh? That's a laugh," Rainbow chuckled as she took a swig of cider from her cup.

"You said it, RD," Applejack agreed.

"W-w-wait a second, what happened to Sweetie Belle? Didn't she go to Canterlot with Rarity?" Rainbow Dash already hit her limit on the booze, and her memory was hazy. She had a high tolerance of the rainbow spirits and lightning vodka they served up in Cloudsdale, but the apple cider, proudly brewed up at Sweet Apple Acres, got her good and tipsy. A few mugs and she was drunk. Applejack beat her in a cider drinking contest that left flying around, crashing into walls and puking everywhere last year. Something RD never wanted to hear about again.

"Naw. Poor thing died in the fire. Rarity, bein' the selfish bitch that she is, just left her in there."

"What a shitty tragedy *hic*"

"Yup. Now, about Scootaloo. Ah propose this. If y're sick of her bein’ a failure and all, how about y' hoof her to me. Ah need all the help Ah can get back home, and Ah'll make that brat work her hooves real hard to the bone. She'll be disciplined and useful fer once. How's about it?

"Sure, why not?" Rainbow agreed, taking another chug of her cider. "How long for?"

"Why the whole summer, of course, why would you want her back if she's no good to you?" Applejack inquired.

"Y-you make a good point, AJ. B-but, how about for like two weeks or something?*hic* Say if she changes her mind and wants to come back to flight class and give flying her all?"

Applejack's ears lowered with a small tinge of disappointment. "Well, in that case, y' can haver back. No sense in makin' her work like an earth pony if she gets that zeal to fly. But Ah need her fer the summer, how's about that? Till the foals and fillies go back to school in late Summer? An' here, Ah'll give you a little kicker to help with yer decision."

Applejack took out a pouch from her sidebags on the floor and placed it on the table.

"That there's 200 bits fer the summer. An' Ah'll send her back at the end when she smartens up. On the other hoof, she'll have plenty o' playtime with Applebloom."

Rainbow Dash really wanted Scootaloo back sooner, but she had debts to pay up in Cloudsdale. Gambling debts she racked up when defeated by rival aces.

"Fine, she's yours," Rainbow Dash said, "But if she smartens up sooner, could we split the days with her, like I get her two or three days and you keep her the rest of the week. I really want to train Scoots and make her an ace flyer."

"Ah completely understand, RD, and if she smartens up, we'll start with one day a week an' see if she keeps it up. Ah know when a filly is lyin' just to get off mah farm. So, do we got a deal, RD?"

"Deal."

The two mares hoof bumped. A few seats away some ponies began arguing.

"Lyra, you have to face it, humans just aren't real. They never were. They are just some mythical creature made up for somepony's entertainment, I mean, come on, a hairless half-trot monkey walking on its hind hooves?"

"But-"

"Go home, Lyra, you're drunk!" some colt hollered.

"Ugh' I'd like to stomp that dumbass unicorn," Rainbow Dash said in annoyance.

"Y' n' me both, sister," Applejack said as she finished her cider and got up. "Ah'd like to rip that horn off her head, that'll snuff them human fetish fantasies outta her. Ah don't even know what the hay a human is."

On that note, Applejack walked out of the tavern, leaving Rainbow Dash with her quarter-pint of cider left, 200 bits on table, and no intention of ever letting Scootaloo return to flight class, or her. Not that RD knew. She trusted Applejack, and was too drunk to really think it over. Next day (today), when she banished Scootaloo and had Thunderlane take her away, she really didn't give a hoot.

+++

Applejack was busy showing the group of Applehill and Blood Apple ponies around Sweet Apple Acres.

“That there’s the barn where we keep n’milk’ n’ shear the cows and sheep. An’ if y’all look over y’onder, y’can see all them apple trees. Problem is, a lot of them are diseased and startin’ to rot, so we gotta pull ‘em all out...”

After she finished the tour and helped the new arrival set up camp, Applejack joyfully made her way back to the house when she saw a black pegasus flying in.

“Who the hay...”

The hulking pegasus, almost all black, with white and pale blue hair, had an orange filly by the wings in his teeth. He flew over Applejack, and dropped the his cargo.

Scootaloo screamed as she fell four trots (32 feet) and hit the roof of the well house, tumbled and slid down the metal roof and landed hard on a stack of buckets and wash basins, spilling random objects and previously paled water everywhere. She groaned and squirmed in agony until she balled up in fetal position and whimpered.

“Thunderlane! You come down here an’ explain yerself at once!” Applejack shouted.

Thunderlane paused and hovered in the air. “Yeah? What?” he asked, completely uninterested in talking to earth ponies.

“What the hay you droppin a foal down from that high up? Them fillies ain’t like plushies made of cotton an’ stuffed with hay. They’s a bit fragile! Show some care, whyn’cha!”

“Meh.” And Thunderlane flew off.

Scootaloo struggled to her hooves. Her wings hurt like hell from being hung by them, and the tooth marks bled a little. Her back really hurt from landing on the roof, and her head ached. She was stunned and felt a little dizzy. She staggered away from the wellhouse.

“An’ you,” Applejack addressed her. The filly sat on her bottom. “What’s this Ah’m hearin’ about you not doin’ good in yer’ flyin’ school?”

“I.....I tried, I-”

“Don’t gimme that rubbish, young missy! Rainbow Dash was tellin’ me all last night long about how you ain’t been doin worth a damn in her classes.”

Scootaloo didn’t even respond. She still felt really hurt, not only from being dropped from the sky onto a roof, but of all the things Rainbow Dash said to her, and from RD wing-smacking her in the face and knocking her into mud.

“Well, guess what,” Applejack said sternly, “RD and I talked, and we decided that while yer suspended from yer flyin’ class, yer’ gonna be workin hard right here. Every afternoon you’d have flyin’ class, and every during the summer. Everyday, all day. An’ Ah’ll be talkin’ to yer’ parents about keepin you here till you got some discipline and smarten up that sour attitude o’ yers. You will also be respectful to everypony you meet an’ work with. Ah also expect you to address me as ‘Auntie Applejack,’ just like Apple Belle and the rest of them new foals movin’ in do. An don’t worry, y’finally get to spend some quality time with yer’ two best friends, workin’ n’ all. Applebloom was talkin jus’ the other day about how she misses you. Now, first thing’s first, are ya hurt from that fall?”

Scootaloo seemed to be able to move just fine, even though her wins and her back hurt, and so did the headache. Before she could reply-

“No? Good. Then y’ can get started. Ah want a big pit dug out over that way fer a pool, down by the river. Ah want ten hooves o’ dirt outta there by sundown. See that roped off area? That’s where its gonna be. So you go on to that shed up the hill, put on some hoof shoes, git a shovel, and start digging. Ah want all the dugout dirt carted over to the fields over by the river hills. Them Applehill folks will need it for their new dogen* houses. An’ don’t worry about them parents o’ yours fussin over ya, I sent them a letter tellin’ them what yer’ up to. Applebloom, and a bunch of other ponies will join you shortly Now hop to it!”

Applejack marched off and Scootaloo just stood there for a few minutes. Her head thumped with pain. She was in no mood to dig dirt, and thought about sneaking off and going home-

“Scootaloo! Y’need a written invitation or what? Get to work!” Applejack shouted. The filly sauntered up to the shed to get the hoof shoes, the shovel, and the cart. She quickly figured out she wouldn’t be getting out of here very easily. There were a lot of Apple ponies walking around, and many kept an eye on her. No doubt she’d get stomped if she tried to leave. Scootaloo didn’t forget about the last few times she was put to hard labor here.

+

Applejack, pleased that Rainbow Dash came around by sending Scootaloo to her, trotted around, and checking on everypony. Those who weren’t setting up camp and establishing sites to build their new homes were working on assigned projects, mostly pulling the diseased trees out and disposing the rotten apples.

Over the southern hills and fields, Applejack could make out the starkly different treeline of the Everfree Forest, which was the southern border of Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville, and the county.

She hummed joyfully to herself as she trotted southward, inspecting the work. Soon she came right up to the Everfree border, which was concealed by a very tall thick hedgebush, which concealed the giant metal mesh fence, live with magic and electricity. Flags flew from the granite posts. Flags mainly of Applejack’s cutie mark. She had them put up along the perimeter of Sweet Apple Acres over the last few months.

The wall erected to barricade off Everfree was built hundreds, if not thousands of years ago. By law, nopony was permitted to enter Everfree. It was an alien and extremely dangerous place. The ten trot (80 foot) fence, shrouded by bush, stretched all along the border, to keep anything from crossing it. Where the fence crossed rivers, such as the Bucephalus Brook that streamed out of Everfee, along the border, all the way up to the huge lake to the north, huge magical-electric filters made up the portion that ran underwater, essentially, filtering it, making the water safe for pony use.

The Sweet Apples ignored a 20 trot stretch of land bordering the hedge, and allowed it to grow over. Applejack had the fence along her property assessed for a whopping 7000 bits, and deemed all land up to the hedge was safe to occupy and use, so she planned to have more ponies clearing the forests to make room for houses and orchards. She wasn’t concerned with contamination of any sort from Everfree, as the limestone base of the fence was built underground, all the way to the bedrock. Until she had the fence assessed, and repaired, there were broken sections sneaky ponies used to sneak into Everfree and back. A year ago, somepony caught Pinkie Pie returning from her trip into the forbidden unknown, loaded with magic mushrooms.

Near where the border met the Bucephalus Brook, were some hills overlooking the water. The land was bought out by the Applehills, and they went to work constructing their new homes. A breakwater fence extended out from where the border between Sweet Apple Acres and Ponyville began, almost up to the fence itself. More of her flags were posted to alert any would-be adventurous pony who would dare cross the river onto her turf.

The perimeter of Sweet Apple Acres was also marked by thick bushy overgrowth along the Ponyville border, and where Ponyville’s border diverted north, the bushy overgrowth continued for a few thousand trots (18’000 feet or over 3 miles), then the rest of the line was marked by wooden fences and stone ledges. Just behind the perimeter, tall trees grew to better mark the border.

Satisfied, Applejack trotted back to the farm house. On the way back, she saw Scootaloo shoveling away. “Good work, Scoots. Y’ keep that up, Celestia bless ya.”

When she got back to where the house and barns were, it turned out somepony was looking for her.

“Applejack,” Applegem called, with fright...or revulsion. “There’s a unicorn here and she wants to talk to you.”

“Who is it?” AJ replied.

“It said its’ name was...Twilight Sparkle, something like that. Please, get of her, I don’t trust her one bit.”

“Calm yerself, Gemmie, Ah’ll deal with her. Now whyn’cha go fer a trot around the farm, and go meet some of yer new neighbors,”

Applegem nodded, and left.

+

When she asked for Applejack, Twilight Sparkle was escorted up the gravel road to the farm house by a bunch of the new Apple ponies. They hardly said a word to her other than to follow, then wait.

“Ey, Twi, what brings you out here?” Applejack greeted her like she always did.

“Good afternoon, AJ,” Twilight said with a smile, trying to hide her nerves, “How are things? I see you’ve got a lot going on,”

“Ah sure do. Ah got a lot of family members comin’ in from all over Equestria to help me replace the rotten apple trees and expand Sweet Apple Acres.”

“I see that,” Twilight said nervously. “What’s the sudden push for?”

“Ah don’t want this farm havin’ any sort of agricultural meltdown that could wipe me out fer good, and that’s what them damn tree bugs did by diseasin' and rottin' out over two hunnard trees. Can y’ believe it?”

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Twilight said cautiously.

“Ah don’t worry nuttin’ about it, Twi,” Applejack replied joyfully, “Them rotten apples is outta here, and so are the trees. We’ve been burnin’ it all in a separate field. Hell of a bonfire. And we’re doin it to celebrate the new arrivals, the expansion of the farm, and all of Princess Celestia’s wonderful blessings.”

“R-right,”

“Alright, Twi, what you need? Ah know you wanna ask me somethin.’ What is it?”

“Well...I was speaking to the town guard chief on an entirely separate matter when he asked me to come up and pay you a visit.”

“What for? We ain’t breakin’ no law. An Chief Tibbs’ ain’t got no right to go orderin’ ponies to go snoopin around this here farm. You go and tell him that we’re all fine and dandy.”

“Right,” Twilight replied, feeling like an idiot. Her instincts screamed danger and she wanted to leave, but she couldn’t just do so without asking about Sweetie Belle.

“Applejack.”

“Yes, hon’?”

“Sweetie Belle came to me for help a week or so ago. I didn’t believe her complaints, and she refused to leave until I took a memory crystal recording. What I found...that’s what I want-

Applejack silenced her with a wave of a hoof. “Y’ come with me right now. Ah don’t want anypony else hearin what y’plan on tellin me next!”

Applejack led Twilight back to the house, where almost none of the new ponies were milling around. Now she was pissed.

“So,” Applejack began with a harsh voice,  “That little brat thinks she can go cryin’ to other ponies about her problems in mah family?!” Applejack snarled.  “Just what the rotten hay is this all about Twilight?”

Twilight sighed, and frustrated with being scared of Applejack, of all ponies and monsters she had to face off against, she laid down her case:

“Why are you trying to keep Sweetie Belle-”

“It’s Apple Belle, get it right if yer gonna talk about her or anypony in mah family!” Applejack snapped back, startling Twilight. “Have some respect fer once!”

“Yeah, that to,” Twilight continued nervously. She totally didn’t expect to involuntarily make like Fluttershy right now. “You forbid her from using magic, you changed her name, you work her to the bone, you blocked all of Rarity’s letters and packages for her, and of all things, she was taken to Nimbuscait where she was nearly dehorned. I ran those memory crystal checks to make sure she was lying, and if she was, I wouldn’t be here, telling you about it, AJ. I- I just want to find out-”

“What? Find out what already? Yer’ in way over yer head snoopin around mah farm, tryin’ to talk down to me about mah business; family business that don’t concern you in the least. As far as Ah know, them fancy schmancy memory crystals yer’ talkin about is nothing more than another lump of yer unicorn witchcraft and hooey! So what the hell do you want to know that you don’t already?”

+

Sweetie Belle slipped in and out of consciousness. When she was awake, she felt nothing but pain. The blankets piled over her threaten to crush her body, which felt like it was about to implode on itself. Her head thumped and pulsed with brain-smashing pain. Her horn and the part of her head around it felt like it was on fire. Her eyes were still swollen shut, blinding her, her throat was lumped up and sore, making breathing a chore. It hurt to move, and when she coughed, her whole body siezed up and burned when she did.

Her ears tuned in and out Applebloom’s constant blabbering of words she couldn’t make out. When she did try to open her eyes just a bit, the light that came in blinded her. She felt like crying, but was too busted up to do so, so tears simple streamed out of the blood clotted ducts around her eyes and down her cheeks. She felt dizzy and the world around her spun.

Then when she passed out, she was haunted by an endless stream of dreams and nightmares. Dreams of the Carousel Boutique burning down, and her running toward the burning building screaming Rarity’s name, begging her to come out. Another dream, she was back in the kitchen of the Boutique with Rarity before the fire. Rarity was cooking up an elegant breakfast for the two of them, and she was desperately trying to tell her that a fire would break out and kill her.

”Please Rarity, can we go a few days sooner? This place is gonna burn down, and we’re gonna die!”

“Oh pish-posh, Sweetie Belle, what makes you think there’s going to be a fire. Look, I shut off the stove and the oven if that’s what you’re so worried about, and there’s nothing in the fireplace.”

“But...but...”

“Come now, Sweetie Belle, eat your breakfast. We’ll be off to Canterlot in no time dear,”

Another dream she was somehow at Rarity’s new shop in Canterlot. She was working at the sewing machines like crazy, making elegant clothing by the piles, and tossing out the products for the eager customers who were showering her with money. That magazine from the general store littered the floor.

”Rarity, I have to tell you something!”

“Can’t it wait, Sweetie Belle? Can’t you see how busy I am, darling?”

“I don’t want to live at Applejack’s anymore! She hates me, she tried to dehorn me and she wants to kill me, you gotta help! Please!”

Rarity continued working away and singing to herself as she somehow made an entire new dress and tossed it at some squealing high society mare.

”Look at my new fans, they adore me! I can’t stop working, darling, they’ll leave me and I’ll lose my new business. Just make do at Applejack’s. You belong to her now, not me. Come back when you’re a full grown mare.”

Then somehow a super pissed off Applejack bashed her way in through a back wall, and growled at Sweetie Belle, then she lunged at her...

That scene quickly faded out, and memories of her and Rarity arguing and fighting played out over and over again. And so did the memories in Sea Spray’s magic class, and the beat down she got from those unicorns in the alley afterschool.

She was lying on the soaked ground, and it tried to swallow her whole, her screaming and trying to get out, then the world went dark. Sweetie Belle drifted from scene to scene, then a world she could only call hell began to materialize around her, a hell etched into her mind from a book she was forced to read while in Nimbuscait. Father Grimes’ voice rang out with hell-trumping speeches and religious verses. Sweetie screamed out Celestia’s name non-stop, and she tried to run, fleeing through her mind’s incarnation of Numbuscait and the hell around it.

”Celestia! Celestia! I’m sorry! I don’t wanna burn in hell! Please save me!”

She rounded a corner and came face to face with Father Grimes, his already crimson robe slick wet with blood. She tried to run then was yanked and locked into the restraint device from the stage where she was almost dehorned. She watched Twinkle Leaf burn all over again, his screams looping and looping over and over again, making the hairs on her back stand on end. Then she was set free, and Granny Smith was there.

”This dehorning is hereby cancelled!

But the mob of angry townsponies all swarmed them, and she watched them rip Granny Smith apart. Out of nowhere, termites appeared and began eating her alive. Then something hit her, and the dream cut out, returning her to the black void of her subconscious.

She found herself standing at the door of the sheep barn where Applejack nearly killed her. Applejack’s screams, rants, and everything else Sweetie Belle quoted her saying began playing over and over in loops, getting louder and louder. She tried keeping the spellbook tucked safely away in her side bag, but some invisible hoof kept trying to take it out.

”Apple Belle! What in tarnation-” and she’d get beat

Sweetie Belle next found herself sitting in Twilight Sparkle’s treehouse, amidst a vast mess of books.

”Just sit there, and don’t touch a thing!”

Sweetie Belle caught herself in this dream and called out. ”Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, I’m really really really sorry for what I said to Rarity and the mean things I said about her. I don’t want to live with Applejack no more!”

”Ah told you fer’ the last time, Rarity is DEAD!”

Then she heard shouting. Shouting between two mares, and she quickly made the jump from floating in a soup of nightmares to being crushed under her own weight and the weight of the blankets. Applebloom was gone, and she heard the gentle late spring breeze. The shouting between two mares continued outside. At first she didn’t know who they were, then her ears tuned in and began to hear Applejack. Applejack was raging mad, and just letting the other pony have it.

The other mare began shouting back, and it took a few minutes for Sweetie Belle’s ears and mind to figure out the voice print. With a rush of excitement in her system, she confirmed to herself that it was Twilight Sparkle. More than about time she gave a damn and came over here. She desperately hoped Twilight Sparkle would come into the house, into this bedroom, take her and get her out of here.

She would have gotten up, trotted to the window, and waved and holler at Twilight for help, but she was too busted, sore and stiff to even move. Help was literally a rock’s throw away. All she could do was tune into their shouting match...

“Ah told you for the last time, this is Apple family business and therefore does not concern YOU!” Applejack shouted at the top of her lungs. “Apple Belle is mine, and what Ah do to her to set her straight is none of your concern! How dare you arrogant unicorns trot onto mah property and start talkin’ down at me like Ah’m some dumb mud pony! Ah am so sick of all yer shit, Twi! Apple Belle is none of yer concern, now get lost!”

“Yes, she is my concern,” Twilight Sparkle shouted back. She was too enraged to be scared, at least for now, “She’s the concern of all unicorns! What you did to her is despicable, Applejack, and you know it. Stop trying to cover yourself up with your irrational religious fodder. You just want to justify killing her, so you can feel powerful, is that it? Huh?”

“She ain’t gonna be no unicorn no more! How dare you count Apple Belle as one of yer kind!” Applejack shouted, “She’s gonna be a hard working earth pony, horn or no horn! Ah ain’t gonna let her burn in hell just to cater to yer demands.”

Twilight began to feel upset with all of Applejack’s deep cutting insults. She was not the Applejack she used to know. “Applejack, what in Equestria has happened to you? Why are we fighting like this? We’re supposed to be friends-”

“Friends? Friends? Don’tcha dare talk to me about yer hokey friendship. Ah ain’t no friend of yers. We’re only teamed up under Celestia’s command. Ah do my best fer the Mane Six and Princess Celestia, but don’t you dare count me as yer friend when we’re not on duty! Ah’m minding mah own business, so you buck off and mind her own, got it?”

As Applejack continued her verbal assault, she began stepping forward, causing Twilight to instinctively step back, like an intimidated cat. She suddenly backed onto a mud slick, and slipped and fell back, and landed in manure.

“Oh, sorry about that,” some big Appleyard lug grunted, as he pulled away the cart from which the manure spilled.

“Look at you,” Applejack shouted as she stood over her, “All covered in shit. You ain’t shit without yer’ magic and you know it, unicorn witch! If we weren’t the Mane Six, Ah’d tie you to a post, and have you burned right here for steppin’ in on mah farm uninvited, tryin’ to tell me how to deal with mah fillies.”

Twilight jumped up, began to use her magic to clean herself off-

Applejack reached out, and violently struck her across the face with a forceful hoof, nearly knocking the lavender unicorn student on her flank again. The steel of the hoof shoe she was wearing hurt and left Twilight’s cheek throbbing after Applejack bashed her with it.

“Don’t you dare even think about using yer’ magic here, you cursed witch! Ah ain’t havin Celestia hexin us, not even fer you! Try that shit again, Ah dare you! Next time you’ll get it right on the horn!”

Twilight broke down in tears. “Why, Applejack? Why are you doing this? Why all this hateful rage?” It hurt so much that supposed ‘best’ friend and Mane Six partner just physically assaulted her. She felt a bruise forming on her cheek.

“Ah’m done talkin’ to ya. Next time you show up here uninvited like, an Ah’ll burn yer’ flank! We’ll throw you over the fence right into Everfree! Apple Belle is mine, end of discussion. You and that gold digging bitch Rarity got nuttin’ to do with her, ya hear me? Our little ‘chat’ is now over, so quit yer snivelin, and get the hell off mah farm!”

“Y-you have no idea, the kind of heat you’ll bring down on yourself if you keep abusing Sweetie Belle,” Twilight snapped back. “I’ll be forced to report it, not to the town guard, but a higher authority, the Unicorn Justice Bureau. You really don’t want those unicorns on your flank, AJ. Think about Celestia. We’ve met her. You’ve met her before. You know what she’s like. She does not punish ponies for-”

“Shut up, shut up, just shut yer mouth, you heathen. Ah know what Celestia’s like, okay. She expects me to work alongside unicorns like you, then rains death and destruction on mah family as punishment fer doin’ so. Ah’d...Ah would rather die than see mah family, mah farm, mah Applebloom suffer a million plights just because Ah gotta work with you even in Mane Six matters. We gotta sell our apples to unicorns, we gotta buy things from the, Ah have no ahdea why, but Ah know deep down that Celestia has ordained that Apple ponies are forbidden to consort with unicorns, and over the generations we have paid for it dearly. Ah lost Granny Smith this past winter for rescuin’ a unicorn from its selfish stuck up mother, and tryin ‘ta bring deliver her to salvation and she’s been hexin us! Ah won’t give up on Apple Belle, ah WILL make sure she becomes the hard workin’ earth pony Celestia ordered her to be. As for you, Ah- Ah don’t care what happens to me. Let Celestia take me fer what Ah did. Ah’d rather take all the blame, an’ all the punishment to spare mah family so that they can get on the right path!”

Applejack was panting. She hardly took a breath through all that.  Twilight wiped some of the mud and manure off her face, chest, and hooves. “Really, Applejack? Would Celestia really put you in a position where you have to work with me and Rarity, then punish your entire family, even for selling unicorns apples?” She was shocked and upset at such an idea. “I just can’t believe that. You’ve lost it Applejack. You’ve lost your touch with reality. If Celestia’s looking to punish you, its for all the things you’re doing now. For hurting Sweetie Belle, hurting me, trying to control everypony around you with an iron hoof. She is way more forgiving and merciful than that, I can assure you-”

“Ah ain’t buyin’ yer lies, Twi, and so what if she does? Ah’ll take any punishment if it means mah family gets salvation. Ah’ll gladly go to hell mahself fer doin’ yer Mane Six dirty work if it means blessings for everypony on this here farm.

“We earth ponies are always bein' sorely tested by Celestia. Always. Ah know damn well she expects us to keep on the straight and narrow path, and not fall into magical sin and all the disrepair that comes along with it. Celestia falsely invites us to consort with her magic, then She burns a million earth ponies for doing so! It’s like a brutal training program, and it ain’t over yet! Y’have any idea how much that pisses me off, Twi? Huh? Do you?

“All them Apple ponies all over Equestria suffer punishment time and time again. Light knows what kind of terrible tragedies we Apples incurred after Ah had to help you break out Discord, help with an alicorn wedding, and what not. Can y’all believe that? It’s torture, and Ah don’t know why She does it. What Ah do know is that Celestia, or Nightmare Moon or King Sombra’s got you unicorns out to destroy the Apple ponies and our ways. You unicorns have always been out to get us, ever since the get-go.

“Them Pegasi had the right way to deal with yer kind. Them Pegasi up in the clouds don’t consort with us ponies on the ground, and look how well they’ve done for themselves. Even their land-born fellow pegasi have done very well for themselves what with all the blessing Celestia gives them an’ all.”

Twilight just looked at her long lost friend with tears in her eyes. She wondered if Applejack was cursed by Discord, whom was last seen leaving Ponyville as a friend, thanks to Fluttershy. She hurt, not over being hoof-smacked in the head, but for how Applejack’s trauma and mental illness has affected her. The real Applejack was a much healthier, and more honest pony, and so full of love and caring. This Applejack had become corrupted with hatred and power. She wanted to cast a spell, hack into Applejack, and fix all of her problems. But now she was surrounded by a mob of Apple ponies who gathered, lured here by their interest in the shouting.

The lot of them looked at Twilight with menacing, hostile glares. She gulped. Chief Tibbs was not joking around about them. She even contemplated the possibility of the imminent danger she was probably now in-

Applejack recovered from her desperate rant and was back to her typical hateful self. She glared at Twilight mean and hard. She approached, like an aggressive cat trying to drive out another from its turf. Her back was arched up, like she was about to lunge at her again. Then the other ponies, many of them big hulking stallions from the Applerock clan, began stepping forward. Twilight ran the next few seconds’ scenario in her brain: She had to start moving, for if they got too close, they might attack. She sure as hell couldn’t take on a mob of angry earth ponies.

“Ah think you better leave, Twi,” Applejack said in a calm, but deadly voice as she stared her down. “Before somepony gets hurt real bad.”

Big Mac finally showed up, and pushed his way past the mares and smaller stallions. He walked right up to Twilight, nearly startling her, as if he was about to jump up and thump her into the ground.

“She’s right Twi. Y’better leave now, yer just agitatin’ everypony by bein’ here. Ah’ll escort you to the gate. Stick by me.”

“What are you doin, Big Mac?” Applegem chided from where the others stood.

“Yeah buck off ya big red varmint.” Applejack snapped.

“Outta the way, AJ. This unicorn is leavin, as per yer orders,” Big Mac barked as he fearlessly stepped towards his sister, forcing her to step back. Their connection as brother and sister, Big Mac’s compassion, and Applejack’s fear of getting stomped by him caused her to back away. Some of the other earth ponies backed off, allowing for an escape route.

Applebloom watched the whole ordeal from hers’ and Sweetie Belle’s bedroom window. Scootaloo from the edge of the woods. Both fillies were terrified.

“Stay close, don’t fall back,” Big Mac said to Twilight, “And keep yer magic to yerself.”

Big Mac began trotting, his sheer size and determination scaring others away. Twilight picked up the trot behind. Without warning, the other Apple ponies began to give chase.

“Get her!” Applejack snapped, “Get her outta here!” But all they heard was ‘Get her.’

“Big Mac, they’re following us,”

Big Mac responded by speeding up to a half gallop, Twilight tucked in close behind on his right side, away from the horde.

One stallion got to close, some crazed magic hating nutjob from the Applestone clan. Big Mac stopped, and heaved his hind legs in the air, connecting his rock-solid hooves to the pony’s face, then leaped into a gallop again as the other went down in agony.

A few minutes later, the half-assed chase ended at the gate.

“Go!” Big Mac barked at Twilight as she galloped through the gate and off of Sweet Apple Acres down the dirt road. Big Mac trotted outside the gate, and the others stopped. They had no real inclination to harm Twilight and cause a serious problem, provided she was off their property. If they had caught her, and blindly followed a hasty, irrational order from Applejack, things could have gotten real hairy for the unicorn.

There was a loud snap and crackle that echoed, and Twilight Sparkle was gone. She had teleported to safety. Applejack, glad to be rid of of her, paid no attention to what she said about there being more pissed off unicorns coming her way. Perhaps it was just an empty threat. After all what the hay could one unicorn do?

A Pained Recovery

Sweetie Belle’s recovery from that near fatal hoof beating she received was a pained journey from near death to frightful servitude. For the first two and a half weeks, she was in bed, hardly able to move, or even speak. It took a week for all the swelling to go down, and all but the worst of her bruises to clear up. She was able to open her eyes after a few days- and the first thing she saw to her now instinctive horror was Applejack staring down at her. That frightened the living wits out of the poor filly and made her piss the bed. Apple Aid and his wife Apple Mend had to keep Applejack from bashing the filly upside the head when she saw the growing wet spot, and talk her down.

“Applejack, with all due respect, she’s probably terrified of you, I think that’s what made her leak herself just now.” Apple Mend said. Applejack opened her mouth to shout something at her, then she stopped, and thought it out. Deep down, Applejack felt a sense of triumph and satisfaction. If she could instill enough fear in Apple Belle to make her wet the bed just by staring her down, no doubt the filly would not dare come up with anything to do with magic. Ever.

“Very well, Heal, Ah can see that. Maybe she’ll be on her best behavior from now on, ain't that right, Apple Belle? Answer me!"

“...y...y-yes, Auntie Applejack...I’m sorry...”

“An’ don’t y’ dare wet the bed again!” And she marched out of the bedroom to deal with all the other ponies on the farm.

Apple Mend, a.k.a. Heal, took care of Sweetie around the clock, bringing her hot stew, changing bandages where needed, and checking her horn. Heal even had to go into town and buy some horn cream from a healers’ shop. Of course, the horn cap had to stay on to protect it. She read to Sweetie Belle and stayed with her until the filly fell asleep. Sometimes Heal slept on the spare bed. She had to get Applebloom, who still had her own bed to herself, to lay on her side so she’d stop snoring so loudly.

Heal even carried Sweetie Belle to the bathroom when she had to go, and of course she took Sweetie Belle to where the basins were and bathed her until she was able to move around and walk on her own.

Every now and then, Apple Aid, a.k.a. Doc came in to check on her. “You’re healing up very well, Apple Belle. Keep it up,” he would say while gently patting her on the cheek.

If there was anypony in the Apple family who Sweetie felt even remotely safer around, it was Heal. Heal had developed a mild motherly instinct to protect Sweetie Belle, and be with her, and unlike all the other Apples, she was kind, soft spoken, and a nurturing kind of mare. Often since the beating, Sweetie Belle woke up crying during the night from flashbacks or nightmares, and unlike anypony else who barged in at 25° during the night, and yelled at her to shut up, Heal got up, sat next to her and held her close and rubbed her back, making Sweetie cry it all out. Somewhere deep down in the pit of the filly’s subconscious, ‘Auntie Heal’ may as well been the loving caring mother she never actually had. Sure Rarity raised her, and was as normal of a parent as she tried to be, but even Rarity wasn’t as compassionate for a filly in distress as Heal was. Even so, Sweetie still missed her dearly.

As Sweetie Belle spent more days out of bed, Heal kept her close by and put her on easy household tasks. On Sundays, Sweetie Belle sat close to Heal and Doc during the religious service in the chapel.

Despite Applejack’s stringent rule against mentioning Rarity, Heal coaxed Sweetie into telling her about Rarity and all that had happened. Their conversation on the subject started and stopped over the period of a week. One day, when Heal was making medicinal concoctions for the coming winter, and Sweetie Belle was keeping the room tidy, the subject of magic came up. Sweetie explained to her how she felt about Applejack’s harsh laws and punishments.

“Apple Belle, dear,” Heal said as she paused her work of pouring her freshly mixed medicine into bottles and placed the pot on the stove.

“I honestly feel horrible about what you’ve been through. Between you and me, I think you were punished more harshly than you even deserved. I know full well why you want to do magic, you’re a unicorn, and the rest of us are earth ponies. We don’t understand magic as well as unicorns can, since they use it and we can only read about it and watch. Magic to us is something we don’t fully understand...and for some of us we don’t even know about at all.

“It has been said that what anypony cannot understand, will fear. And what anypony fears, he or she will come to despise it, and do whatever it takes to suppress it. Do you understand?”

“I...I guess so...” Sweetie said. Magic itself had become a very sensitive subject, even for her. There were times she almost wished she was born as an earth pony so she wouldn’t have to worry about it. She thought about Applejack, and everything she said and did since that day last Autumn. She tried to apply Auntie Heal’s statement to her history with Applejack-

“Your Auntie Applejack has come to fear magic so much, she did what she felt was necessary to stamp it out, even out of you. By nature, you shouldn’t be here with us. You should be living with your own family or any unicorn family, who’d teach you your magic.”

Sweetie nodded. So many times she hatched up escape plans in her mind. None of them seemed feasible now that the entire extended family was at Sweet Apple Acres. In her mind, attempted escape meant certain death. Even if she got out, where would she go? Almost everypony in Ponyville, oblivious to the Apples’ true nature, and respectful of them as community members, would hoof her back to them without hesitation. Then she’d get it for sure. Applebloom told her about the showdown with Twilight Sparkle two and a half weeks ago.

“I don’t get it. Why I am even here. C-Celestia just went...and killed Rarity, and made me live here. We were supposed to go to Canterlot together, Rarity was gonna get me into a magic school....and now I’m here...” the filly tried not to tear up. She felt bitter and resentful of Applejack and almost everypony except Big Mac, Applebloom, and now Heal.

“Sweetie,” Heal addressed her by her real name, “or Apple Belle as you're supposed to be called, there are so many things in this world we do not understand. For you, it’s us. Our Solar Mother, does things for a reason, and we know that we can only speculate what those reasons are until we finally figure it out.

“Our Solar Mother sees the past, present, and the future, and so she intervenes in the course of all things for the benefit of all ponies, even if we do not understand, or think her intent is the exact opposite of love and protection. Perhaps She feared you might be corrupted with the wrong kind of magic, so to prevent that, she sent you to us, I don’t know.

“However, there is no sense in griping and complaining about it, or getting upset, no matter how bad we think Her changes in our lives are, in the end its for each and every pony’s own good. You may not see that now, but maybe in five, ten, or twenty years you will. Our Solar Mother doesn’t expect you to be jumping for joy, She knows you’ll figure it all out in the future. Do you understand, my dear?”

“I...I guess...why do Apple ponies hate unicorns and magic?”

Heal sighed, and explained: “Even I don’t know the full scope of it all, but sometime long ago, our Solar Mother decreed to our ancestors, the first Apple ponies to ever walk the land of Equestria, that they, and we, were to live without the influence of magic. We were to live and work the land with none of it. Of course, our ancestors, and every generation of Apple ponies up to today allowed unicorns to become involved, and our Mother punished them severely for it. Our history books are filled with stories of the plagues and punishments She dispensed upon us for failing to keep to Her decree and the way of life she ordained for us to live by.

“I know not all earth ponies were ordered to stay away from unicorns, or even pegasi, but for the most mystifying of reasons, we are to keep separated from them at all costs. I have no prejudice of my own against unicorns, but I want to obey our Mother and keep to her rules as much as possible. And so does Applejack, and everypony else around here.

“I must admit, some of us are quite puzzled that She has deliberately placed a unicorn among us-- that being you, and that She expects us to raise you as one of our own. Between you and me, Applejack let her fears of you, your magic, and our Mother’s retribution get the best of her. No doubt there will be some kind of consequence from our Solar Mother for her brutality. We all believe in firm discipline to keep our foals from going wayward, but never do we carry it out when consumed with such rage.”

Sweetie Belle just stared at the bucket next to Heal’s seat. “So, if Celestia-”

“Please, never address her by her name! She is our Mother, and creator of everything, we must show Her some respect.”

“...if our Solar...Mother...wants you to not be around unicorns, then what does that make me?” She felt bitter about the whole thing.

“Well, as I said, our Mother expects us to raise you as one of our own, and you to live as we live. That’s all there is to it. Our Mother won’t just hoof out Her reasons, they’re Her business, and not ours. Our job is to do as She says."

“Oh...okay.” Sweetie Belle remembered the times when Celestia came to Ponyville, and of the times she saw Her during Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor’s wedding. And from what Rarity said, Celestia seemed a very kind and understanding alicorn, and until now, not some god-queen so high up and so brutal that ponies didn’t understand and just fearfully obeyed.  That one time two years ago, when Celestia seemed angry with Twilight, she didn’t set the whole town on fire, she simply told Twilight to meet her at the library, after dispelling the spell she cast on that doll that made everypony want and fight over it.

“Now then, dear,” Heal said, closing the subject, “All we can do is pray for Her guidance and hope one day to understand our fate. But enough of that, can you please hoof me some more of those little bottles?”

Sweetie Belle obeyed, and Heal continued filling them up with medicine. When not tending to Sweetie Belle, she spent her time making her massive stockpile of medicine for Winter. She knew full well it would be needed when ponies started getting sick with the seasonal flu and cold.

+ +

It had been three weeks since Applejack beat Sweetie Belle, and she was almost at a full recovery. As soon as she was able to walk and work, Applejack took her back from Heal. “Thanks, Heal, but this filly needs to git back to her normal work, and Ah think she’s taken you from yours enough already.”

Sweetie Belle feared Applejack. It was a subconscious pathological fear that turned into an instinct to obey Applejack without question and not even think about magic. Among the tasks Sweetie was put on now that she was recovered, was battery charging.

The lights, and lamps that lit the houses, barns, tool sheds, and storage huts throughout Sweet Apple Acres were powered with electric batteries. During the day, the depleted batteries were collected and brought to the workshop where foals manually recharged them by spinning a handle for hours on end. There were several of these charging machines- hoof- spun electrical supply devices, more than enough to keep over ten foals busy the entire day.

The reason for batteries was that the Sweet Apples opposed large-scale power grids. They believed that electricity was to be respected and not used, so rather than use energy from a dam, or power plant, they simply made their own electricity. Plans had been hatched to build windmills to make battery charging easier, but they were just plans at this point.

As far as power went, only a small fraction of Ponyville’s residents actually had electric power. Instead, most ponies used bright biolume lamps. Biolumes were a farmed bulbous plant that emitted bright light. They were a genetic engineering or magical marvel from the distant past that kept to this day. As far as the Sweet Apples were concerned, they were forbidden. They even turned down contracts to grow and sell them. A spurned opportunity the Flim Flam brothers eagerly took up.

+ +

The day Applejack took Sweetie Belle from Heal, she led her to the battery hut as everpony called it. Applejack proudly barged in, kicking open the door with a hoof, startling some of the ponies inside.

“Mornin’ yall!” Applejack bellowed.

“Hi Auntie Applejack.”

“Good morning.”

“Where’s Applesparker?” Applejack demanded.

“I’m right here,” Applesparker, a gray colt, darker gray mane with a yellow streak down the center, and a cutie mark of a green apple with a lightning bolt shooting out of it; replied.

“This here’s mah filly, Apple Belle. She’s good enough to work now, so Ah’m puttin’ her in here fer now. Apple Belle, say good morning to yer uncle!”

“...good morning, Uncle Applesparker.”

“Pleasure to meet ya.”

“How’s everypony else doin’ in here?” Applejack asked.

“Well,” Applesparker replied, “it’s good. Everypony outside is bringing in the batteries, and they all remembered to bring the carts inside, an’ not leave ‘em out in the sun. And the little ones are charging away.”

“Good to hear. Anyways, here she is, ‘nother charger fer ya. If she causes any problems, you come n’ get me, an’ Ah’ll straighten her out.”

“Very well, thank you.” Applesparker replied.

“You be good, ya hear?” Applejack barked right at Sweetie.

“Yes...Auntie Applejack...”

“Good.” And Applejack took her leave and walked out.

As she walked out, Sweetie took a look around. The building was the size of a small barn. Over by the larger doors were the carts full of batteries. The batteries were large, about the size of a cup.

On both sides of the room were rows of tables where foals and ponies sat spinning the chargers, and tossing the charged batteries into boxes. Over by Applesparker’s desk, was a creaky old phonograph, spinning a record. Odd music from the Apple Sparks, a band of Apple pony singers from the Year 940’s, belched from the machine.

The foals sat in groups and talked quietly among each other while working, telling stories about where they came from, old family tales, or stories they made up for entertainment.

“Alright then, Apple Belle,” Sparker said as he came up to her, “I think you can see what we do in here. Grab a charger from the shelves over there, find an empty seat and get started. You place the batteries into the slots, and spin the lever. It takes about 15° to charge four batteries. The little light bulb lights up to see how well you are spinning the lever. The brighter it is, the harder you’re working. I don’t want to see any dead batteries tonight. We need these to light up the farm, and to operate all the devices every Apple clan is bringing here. Understand?”

“Yes, Uncle Applespar-”

“Don’t call me uncle. Makes me feel old. Off to work.”

Sweetie Belle went over to the shelves, picked up the motor, which consisted of a rectangular wooden plate with the four metal slots, the lightbulb, and the spinning lever, and wires connecting them. She tried to grasp it with her hooves and nearly dropped it; it was heavier than she thought. She managed to put it onto her back, then searched for an empty seat.

The seats weren’t chairs, but pads for the ponies’ flanks, as ponies sat like cats or dogs.

“Scootaloo? What are you doing here?” Sweetie said the second she saw Applebloom, Scootaloo, and some other foals charging batteries. Even though Scoots had been at Sweet Apple Acres almost everyday afterschool for two and a half weeks, Sweetie Belle had no idea. She had only been around Apple Mend a.k.a. Heal until this morning. She sat across the table from her friends, took the batteries from the pile, placed them into the slots of her charger and started spinning. She quickly found turning the spinning lever took quite some effort, and the bulb on the charger only lit up a bit.

“Hey,” another foal said to her. “You have to spin harder than that. If Applesparker sees that he’ll get mad real fast.”

Sweetie replied by turning the wooden lever harder. The muscles in her arms and hooves ached from holding the charger.

“You,” the same foal hissed, Y’ see the rectangle in the table? Put yer charger in there an’ y’ wont hafta hold it.”

Sweetie Belle did as she was told, then had her two hooves on the lever. The bulb glowed brighter.

“I got kicked out of flying class,” Scootaloo muttered. “I been here since just after you got beat.”

“Like, actually living here?” she asked.

“No, but every day after school, and on most weekends. I even have to stay at home cuz if I go out and run into Applejack or anypony else, they’ll drag me here. Rainbow Dash makes me come here with Applebloom, and they don’t let me go home till after sunset. It was supposed to be for the days when the other pegasi go to flight class, but now its everyday after school. And on the weekends they want me here before the sun comes up, but my dad made them stop trying’ ‘ta get me at my house, so if I go out on Saturday, Stellarday, or Sunday, and I’m not with my parents, the Apple ponies will come after me. Big Mac’s the only one who doesn’t say anything if he sees me. This sucks. I have to hide when I go outside. I can’t even go to Sugarcube Corner anymore. I tried to sneak out of Ponyville last Sunday ‘cause my mom and dad don’t want me at home all day. I wanted to go to Little Carrot, but then Applejack shows up. I swear she’s like a ninja or something.”

“Oh,” Sweetie said.

“Dontch’yer parents make you go home?” Applebloom asked. Obviously her brain skipped out on Scoots’ explanation. Very few ponies knew, but she began having more brain farts than usual.

Scootaloo shook her head, “Only if I can sneak out of the school before Applejack, or Applegem or some other Apple shows up. After my first day here, my dad was mad at Applejack, and she talked all crisp and smooth like, saying somepony else made me do work and she didn't know. Yeah they do want me to go home, but only if I can get away from the school quick. Then Rainbow Dash showed up to pick up the others, and if she sees me...”

Scootaloo didn’t want to get into the details of the wrath Rainbow Dash took out on her if she saw her anywhere outside Sweet Apple Acres or her house when not at school.

“Yeah, but,” Applebloom interrupted her, “ain’t it like fillynapping ‘er something like that?”

Scootaloo shrugged. “It’s not like the town guard cares. I even asked one colt and he said it's none of their business. I even asked Miss Cheerilee and she said she can’t do nuthin’ about it. Yesterday my mom came to the school and Applejack yelled at her about how i’m nothing but a bottomfeeder and a brat. Then Rainbow Dash started yelling at her too. Applejack was also like ‘Why did you even adopt this filly? You ain’t even got it in you to discipline her and raise her right. You got your own twins to raise, and that messed up varmint Dinky. Ah should take her.’” Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were impressed with how well Scoots’ mimicked Applejack’s hick speech.

“If Derpy heard anypony talk about Dinky like that, she’d have a huge fit.”

“So is that why yer’ mum n’ dad are earth ponies?”

Sweetie Belle grunted with frustration. Applebloom was a good, caring friend and all, but her occasional intellectual density really got to her, even more this time, as it was well known that Snapper and Lassy Loo, two earth ponies, adopted Scootaloo when she was a baby. They also took in Dinky Doo as being a proper full time mother proved to be too much for Derpy Hooves. Scootaloo vaguely remembered the few days it took for Derpy to let the Loos have Dinky, and the few weeks of anxiously watching their house. After a month, Derpy came to trust Snapper and Lassy, and didn’t take to watching the house and coming by to check on Dinky so much, Lassy, pregnant with twins at the time, had to sit down and talk to Scootaloo, who was freaked out over Derpy’s behavior at the time.

As Scootaloo continued explaining, she remembered the Apples’ interference with her and her family. During the first week since Rainbow Dash expelled her and banished her to the farm, Scootaloo ran into an Apple family member who came to pick up Applebloom, and she spent the rest of each day at Sweet Apple Acres, even the days when there was no flying class to miss. Her parents were angry with the Apples, and Snapper was furious at Applejack for berating his wife, Lassy, at the school. Eventually over a heated meeting, Applejack managed to calm them down by acting as the sincere Applejack of the past, and apologizing for her actions. Thanks to a general societal policy of forgiveness, ponies forgave one another if one pony got out of line with another. And as a result, the Loos forgave Applejack for her transgression.

(“Ah’m awful sorry, Mr and Mrs. Loo, Ah went way over mah head the other day Ah got so much goin on back at the farm, and Ah was just worried about you two. Ah mean y’ got these two, and y’ have yer twins toddlin’ about. Look, Ah won’t mention it again after this, unless you do, but mah offer to take little Scoots in still stands, and Ah don’t mean work her to the bone like the other day but to ensure she still gits all her needs met in mah family.”

“Well then...I thank you for your concern about us, Applejack, but I think it’s best if Scootaloo stays with us. She’s been here since she was baby. I’d rather we not talk about this adoption thing again. She is free to visit your family and Applebloom at your farm, provided you keep your relatives from working her like a little slave. Are we clear?”

“Sure thing, Mr. Loo.” )

On the weekends, the Apples stopped showing up at Scootaloo’s house before Sunrise, but when she ran into them in Ponyville, they dragged her back to the farm. Applejack made her parents believe she’d quit making Scootaloo work 200° a day. On this first weekend, the Loo’s agreed to ‘let’ Scootaloo sleep over at Sweet Apple Acres this weekend, completely fooled by the Apples.

When she protested, Lassy Loo told her that Dinky was going to be with Derpy all weekend, and the twins were being babysat by a family friend, and that Snapper and Lassy were taking a little vacation for the weekend.

“B-but, Mom...can’t I go with Dinky and Derpy? I don’t want to stay at the apple farm!”

“Scoots,” her mother said, “Derpy has a hard time being a parent for her little Dinky Doo. And I think having you would be too much for her. Not to mention every other weekend is the only time those two get to spend time together. I’d rather not complicate things by making Derpy take care of you too.”

“But-”

“It’s out of the question, Scootaloo,” her mother said sternly.

“Wait, can’t I just stay here? I won’t eat all the food, and I won’t have anypony over, and I’ll just”

Lassy Loo silenced her adopted daughter with a shake of her head.

“I had a good chat with Applejack.” Snapper Loo said as he entered the house. “I got through to her, and she knows not to treat you like a slave. She assured me she’d allow you and the others plenty of playtime and no more than 60° of easy work. Besides, you’ll only be there for three days. As far as the work is concerned, a little can do you good for exercise and experience. So when you get older, what you may call hard work now, won’t be so bad.”

And Scootaloo had little reason to believe her dad, because that next day when Applegem picked her and Applebloom up from school, the three were put to work till sundown.

Scootaloo came to dread the days like Sweetie Belle did. Of course, seeing her exhausted to the point of collapsing would have pissed off her parents.

+ +

After the third week, Sweetie Belle was allowed to go back to school. Her bruises cleared up for the most part, leaving only a few which could easily be excused by a tale of a tumble. During her recovery, as soon as she was able to read and write again, Apple Dumpling put her through intensive home tutoring to get her caught up in all the school work Applebloom brought home.

The morning of her first day back to school, Applejack gave her a very harsh warning:

“Y’ listen to me Apple Belle, and y’ better listen real good, ‘cause Ah’m only gonna say this once. When Cheerilee or anypony asks you why you skipped over two and a half weeks of school, you will tell them you was beat by that varmint Big Stomp. He was the one who damn near put yer sorry ass into the ground fer’ good. That’s what you get for disobeyin’ mah rules and goin’ on with yer bloody infernal magic. An’ don’t you dare even think about lyin through yer’ teeth and tellin’ everypony it was me, because unlike Big Stomp, Ah am still here and Ah’ll even give you an even worse beatin’ if you dare tarnish me! Ya hear?”

“y...y...yes...Auntie Applejack...”

“An’ get this real good: your magic business is finished. Ah don’t want to see or hear about none o’ that crap come outta you ever again. Ah talked to Cheerilee about yer magic club and you are out of it. An’ if anypony tries to shove you back into that unholy hovel, you better tell me right quick! So, there you have it. Magic is over, and it was Big Stomp who beat yer sorry ass, you little brat. You got me?”

Sweetie Belle, trying not to tear up, nodded.

“Good, now get outta here, before you wind up late!”

+ +

And so that’s how things went for her first few days back at school. Completely terrified of being beaten to death (and sent to burn in hell), Sweetie blamed Big Stomp Appleyard, the figment of Applejack’s imagination for why she was not at school for weeks. She turned in the overdue homework, and Cheerilee praised her for her diligence.

Sweetie Belle just wanted to get on with her days, but Cheerilee, an intuitive teacher, didn’t believe the Big Stomp story. Having dealt with abused foals in the past, Cheerilee knew instantly Sweetie Belle had a lot to hide. Rather than force the poor filly to fess up, and blow spaghetti all over the place, she knew Sweetie’s safety could be compromised or that she’d wind up in serious danger if the situation was destabilized. She made a note to speak with Twilight Sparkle again, and planned to suggest sending her to Rarity in Canterlot as soon as possible.

For a week or so, Sweetie Belle did good at school, and still endured the bullying by the others due to the horn cap Applejack forced her to wear to school.

(“Ah been hearin’ about how you dang unicorns need yer horns to live. Ah don’t believe a word of it. But since you like yer little horn so much, you’ll wear the horn cap unless Ah tell you take it off. No horn cap, *no more horn”)*

Towards the end of the days, Sweetie, having been abnormally quiet since she came back, was even more withdrawn when it came time to go home. She didn’t say much either when with Applebloom and Scootaloo during recess and lunch hour. Then when an Apple pony showed up at the end of the day to collect them, Sweetie sauntered along with her head down and her tail between her legs. For the first week or so, she got away with skipping magic class, until Cheerilee became aware of it.

The pain and agony the damaged horn caused Sweetie never subsided. Instead it got worse. She struggled with migraines and headaches that would have sent any other whining filly to the nurse’s office, but her fear driven discipline kept her planted in her seat in class and ever attentive. Apple Dumpling was easily angered when she found out foals didn’t pay attention at school.

Then eventually one day the pain got so bad she was hardly able to walk straight or keep her head up. She was dizzy, woozy, and nauseous, She even puked a couple of times. The day it got real bad was also the day Cheerilee caught her sneaking out and took her right to Sea Spray’s classroom.

Broken Horn, Broken Love

Spring slowly gave way to summer, and Ponyville basked (or baked) in hot daytime temperatures. The local pegasi even sent a telegram requesting the Pegasi in the clouds to turn down the heat. At Ponyville School, there were only eight days of classes left, and the foals were getting antsy to be let out for Summer. Ponies in town were preparing for the Year’s End and Summer Sun Celebration festivities. The First day of Summer brought in the new year. Unlike an archaic calendar, which ushered in a new year in the dead of winter, the modern day calendar switched years when Spring became Summer on the summer solstice.

After walking into class with a horn cap on, Sweetie Belle pretty much doomed herself. Ever since Applejack beat her within an inch of her life, damn near ripped her horn off; and put her in bed for weeks, another doctor, in addition to Doc and Heal Apple Saint, visited said that her horn had been seriously damaged and was badly fractured. He suggested the horn cap to support it and keep it from falling off. The doc rejected the horn cap Applegem brought, and strongly urged Applejack buy one from the hospital for 200 bits. When the doc asked who beat Sweetie Belle, Applejack said it was her imaginary cousin, Big Stomp Appleyard, whose precious apple whiskey Sweetie Belle spilled. The doc bought it, then Applejack chased him off the farm when he suggested bringing out a unicorn colleague to assess Sweetie Belle.

“Ah don’t need them unicorns messin’ around with mah fillies!” Applejack shouted as her Appleyard cousins chased him to the gate. She was also livid over the price of the suggested horn cap.

“200 bits is nothin’ AJ, if you have some decency in you, just buy the damn cap and be happy she has to wear one now,” Big Mac lectured her.

“It’s more expensive than that medicine Gemmie bought fer her! Ah’d rather use my precious bits on that! Ah should’ve ripped that horn off- why did you interfere? Ah was about to solve her magic problems once and for all!”

And so Sweetie was forced to wear the leather horn cap with iron plates in it just to keep the horn from falling off as some medicine the doc gave her worked to heal the damaged bone structure. And he also gave Sweetie Belle some strong pain killers, which Applejack threatened to take away as punishment for this or that.

Then, on Mariday, she walked into school with the cap on and they all laughed at her.

“Aww, if it isn’t little Apple Belle!” Diamond Tiara taunted her. Sweetie would have knocked her right in the face with a nose-smashing headbutt if not deterred by violent punishment for fighting at school. Applebloom once shoved Silver Spoons into a thorny bush, and Applejack stomped the living pulp out of her for it.

Then she was forced to go to magic class. She tried to leave when normal classes ended, but Cheerilee stopped her at the door and escorted her to Sea Spray’s classroom.

“Look, Sweetie Belle,” Cheerilee said to her, “I talked to Sea Spray and told her everything. She can help you, more so than anypony else can.”

Basically, Sweetie Belle was dumped on Sea Spray like another problem foal. That’s how she felt anyway. Cheerilee opened the door and gently shoved Sweetie Belle into the classroom. When the unicorn foals saw her with the horn cap on (doctor’s orders),

Tootsie Flute opened up with “Hey look, it’s the failicorn! What’s the cap for? to keep the apples from falling on your horn?” and they all started laughing. “Poor Apple Belle, did you disappoint Applejack again? Or was her butt so muscular she broke your horn?”

There was a brief pause but when the sick minded foals got the joke they broke up into hysterical laughter. Then some of them gleefully explained it to the naive ones, who started giggling and laughing, more at the nasty joke than even Sweetie Belle. Dinky Doo nearly pissed in her seat from laughing so hard.

There were rampant derogatory jokes about the Apple family that circulated throughout the school. Even more of them came up when Apple Bloom told a few about Applejack beating Sweetie Belle for having a spell book.

Then Firelock hollered, “Hey everypony, check this out!” And she beamed her fresh magic at Sweetie Belle, lifted her into the air, turned her upside down and having just learned to hold objects at multiple points, Firelock pinned Sweetie Belle’s hooves together and made her look like a tied up calf, while her peers laughed. She squealed in terror.

That was when their teacher opened the door and entered the classroom. She completely lost it and dropped the stack of books she had.

“Firelock, what the hell are you doing?!” Sea Spray shouted.

Startled, Firelock simply dropped Sweetie Belle and she landed on her head, making a loud thump on the hardwood floor. The class was instantly silent.

”Miss Sea Spray, it wasn’t me, I swear-”

”GET THE BUCK OUT NOW!” Sea Spray shouted as she beamed her own magic on Firelock, lifted her out of her seat, across the room to the door and planted her on the floor in the hallway.

“You sit right there, little missy!”

She had to resist the urge to throw her out right through a window. After Firelock was out, Sea Spray slammed the door in her face. Nopony made a sound. The ticking of the clock above the blackboard was almost deafening.

Sweetie Belle somehow managed to scramble to her seat. Her head felt like it just got smashed in with a sledge hammer.

All the teachers at the school had the same parental rights as the foals’ own parents, and they had free range for discipline if needed. Everypony knew not to mess with their teachers.

It took a few minutes for Sea Spray to stop hyperventilating with fury and regain her composure.

“Shame on you, all of you! In this last school year, not half of you could even cast magic! And here you are, picking on a defenseless filly who has more struggles than any of you combined! All this time I taught you to be friendly, patient, and encouraging to those around you who are behind. Have any of you little brats even learned a thing about that?”

Silence.

She had a fun lesson planned today but after witnessing what just happened, she made the class read through a tough book and answer a bunch of questions.

Sweetie Belle desperately wanted to go home after the school work was done. She felt even more panicked from hearing Sea Spray screaming. Her ears hurt. She contemplated sneaking out, but Sea Spray, mad as hell, paced around the classroom, watching each and every foal like a hawk ready to strike. Her hooves clomped seemingly loudly on the floor as she paced around. Right now Sweetie Belle, almost on the verge of a panic attack, was more afraid of what Sea Spray would snap and do if she caught her out of her seat. And she was deathly afraid of Applejack who’d know now she was late getting home.

As Sea Spray stepped closer to her, Sweetie Belle’s heartbeat quickened, and she started shaking. The arteries and veins in her horn pulsed, giving her a rush of pain every second.

“Sweetie Belle,” Sea Spray said in a calm, low voice, “Are you alright?”

The filly nodded.

“Are you hurt?”

Sweetie Belle wanted to act tough, and say she was fine, but she gave in and barely whispered “...yeah...everything hurts...”

“Let me see your horn,” Sea Spray said gently but firmly as she reached out with her magic and began unfastening the straps of Sweetie Belle’s horn cap.

“P-please don’t...” Sweetie Belle cried, reaching up with her hooves in a futile attempt to block it. “Applejack said she’d kill me-”

“Shhh,” Sea Spray whispered, “Sweetie, you’re in my class, and right now I am in command, so you do as I tell you, understand? Now put your hooves down. I promise I won’t hurt you.”

Sweetie Belle hesitated for a second, then obeyed. She looked around and realized all the other foals were watching her. Sea Spray turned around and gave them a withering glare. They quickly turned back to their books, but looked up again when she turned back to Sweetie Belle.

Sea Spray proceeded, and with her magic, the straps came undone, and she slowly and gently levitated the horn cap, and lifted lifted it clear off her horn. She gasped in horror at what she saw, and so did the foals who kept looking.

Sweetie Belle’s once white horn was badly fractured at the front of its base, and the damaged area was covered in a thick mixture bloody ooze and white mucous like membrane produced by the horn to contain magic. Not only that, but the whole horn was dented and fractured, with caked blood and ooze at every point of damage. Even more horrifying to Sea Spray was she realized instantly when Sweetie Belle moved her head, the horn was not absolutely secured. Then she saw the dents,- cracked depressions that only a pony’s teeth could make.

And to top it all off, there was string of green spreading in the damaged areas, puss collected around them. The filly’s horn was infected.

“Oh my gizzards...” Sea Spray breathed, realizing the gravity of Sweetie Belle’s predicament. “Sweetie Belle, who did this to you?!”

Sweetie Belle felt tears streaming from her eyes, and she didn’t want to talk. It was Apple family business.

“Sweetie, please tell me this instant who did this to you!” Sea Spray ordered again, trying not to freak out. Never in her teaching career had Sea Spray come across a foal so badly hurt. She heard horror stories from teachers in Abille, or Roundbottom, but they didn’t compare to this. She had put two and two together and quickly speculated the damage, nothing less than fatal at this point, was the work of a violent, deranged earth pony. That’s what her instinct told her anyway.

Sea Spray was always calm, collected, and in control of herself; and was almost always full of smiles and cheer. But now she was caught completely off guard and had no idea what to do. She was terrified, and saddened. She tried not to let any tears of her own out. She had to show to her students that she was still the one in control of the scene.

“It...it...it was Big Stomp Appleyard...” The fictional pony Applejack fabricated to cover her own flank when explaining the beating to the doctors. Sweetie didn’t dare mention Applejack.

“The rest of you,” Sea Spray ordered her class, “Class dismissed. You may go home. Now.”

Without a word, they all packed their side bags and silently exited the classroom. Firelock didn’t wait around in the hallway and was long gone. Sun Glimmer and Dinky Doo both felt real bad for Sweetie (and scared of this Big Stomp Appleyward pony who could be lurking around Ponyville, waiting to prey upon more young unicorns).

“Come on, dear,” Sea Spray coaxed as she gently lifted Sweetie Belle onto her back. She took her straight to the infirmary. There, the unicorn nurse on duty opened up a big stash of emergency supplies, and placed a new cap on Sweetie’s horn.

“You’d best get her to the hospital, right away,” the nurse urged, and Sea Spray agreed, so with Sweetie Belle on her back, she quickly trotted off from the school to the hospital. Outside the school she ran past Big Mac and Cheerilee.

“She alright? Where y’ takin’ her?” Big Mac asked, clearly worried, seeing Sweetie Belle plopped on the unicorn’s back almost unable to move.

“Some pony damaged her horn, and it’s infected,” Sea Spray replied, glaring at Big Mac with apprehension. But she didn’t stop, and Big Mac and Cheerilee started trotting along with her to the hospital.

+ +

“Geez, what the hell happened to her?” Nurse Redheart gasped when they brought her in.

“Some earth pony tried to rip her horn off,” Sea Spray replied as two other ponies gently lifted Sweetie Belle onto a stretcher. All she did was groan. Sea Spray didn’t hesitate to stare at Big Mac like it was his fault. They argued about who did what as Nurse Redheart took Sweetie into an exam room. They removed the now-blood stained medical horn cap.

Trained for this, the hospital staff went to work to secure Sweetie’s horn. They applied an antibiotic cream to kill the infection (which hurt like hell) and did their best to remove most of the caked blood around her horn. One of the staff, a member of the Ponyille Town Guard stationed at the hospital, took many pictures, and trotted off to the guard house.

Next they applied a bio-degradable ‘cement’ like substance around the base of her horn to help secure it when it hardened. Then they fastened a new white horn cap around it. Nurse Redheart wrote up prescriptions for new medicine for Sweetie Belle, and also warned Big Mac that the town guard was going to look into it.

“With all due respect, Mr. Sweet Apple, we cannot let this case pass without referring the town guard to it. This...Big Stomp Appleyard pony really busted the filly up, it’s no less than a criminal offense. if you want my advice, I recommend you talk with the town guard immediately.”

“Eyyup,” Big Mac agreed, having contemplated telling them all the things Applejack did to her and Applebloom in the last year. He and Cheerilee already had an argument as she urged him to tell the town guard.

“We’ll keep Sweetie Belle here overnight,” Nurse Redheart said, “and monitor her. Unless the infection clears up, she may have to be sent to the hospital in Canterlot.”

“Eyyup.”

And so Big Mac walked to the town guardhouse, along with Cheerilee and Sea Spray.

+ +

The town guardhouse was located near the town square. It was a bland looking two storey building. On the lower floor, the town guard had their staff rooms, offices, and cells for detainees. The second floor comprised of offices for the higher ups, board meeting rooms, a safe house for ponies in distress, a FoalFind office, and two courtrooms where most of Ponyville’s legal matters were worked through.

Big Mac was usually calm and collected during his normal routines, but he felt quite nervous as he approached the building. Two pillories and two cages greeted the trio as they walked through the courtyard and approached the main door. He knew that Applejack talked of filling the town guard with Apples like back in the old days. He hoped to hell that she wouldn’t succeeded in that endeavor.

Within minutes, all three of them were waiting to talk to some officers assigned to the case. Much to the eventual dismay, two of them were Apple ponies who served in the town guard back home in Pomme Valley, deep in Roundbottom; and in Applewood Vale, up in Abille County near the Nimbuscait border.

These two stallions, among a gang of Apples who relocated to Sweet Apple Acres from their crowded hometowns at Applejack’s invitation, already knew about the matter at hoof. Big Mac was the first to feel the tension as Apple Turner Applewood (caramel coat, black mane, piercing blue eyes), and Jeresey Mac (very dark silvery gray coat, red mane, and green eyes) entered the room. The three were joined by a mare named Anna Apple Pomme (cream colored coat, with aqua blue-green hair, and golden eyes).

“Big Macintosh,” Jersey Mac grunted, “So it’s true, you do actually leave Sweet Apple Acres, who would’ve thunk, eh?”

“This whole here town’s our home, Jersey,” Big Mac grunted cordially. Cheerilee, sitting next to him sensed his unease, and from what he told her about the Apples, she couldn’t help but feel unsettled.

“So,” Anna Apple began, “I read your statements about Apple Belle Sweet Apple-”

“Her true name is Sweetie Belle,” Big Mac grunted, “Ah don’t see why-”

“It’ doesn’t matter, that’s what her name is, spell it right next time, Macintosh. You, Sea Spray, is it?” Anna Apple demanded.

“Yes?”

“I reviewed your statement that you wrote, and you should be well aware that false accusations are a serious offense. Applejack filed a general complaint summarizing false accusations against her over Apple Belle’s treatment at home. Just where did that idea come from?”

Sea Spray hesitated, totally caught off guard and unsettled. The only ponies who told her it was Applejack were Cheerilee, and Applebloom. Being surprisingly wise about this, she didn’t implicate poor Applebloom. “It...it was a widely circulated rumor around the school...there’s always been talk of Applejack...”

“Well, it ends now,” Apple Turner snapped, “We’ve been sent to Ponyville to put an end to this habit that ungrateful ponies have of dragging the Sweet Apples’ name through the mud. Jersey Mac, Anna, and I have several years’ combined experience working for our local town guards. And you...Cheerilee, also a school teacher, I ought to arrest you for spreading lies and falsely accusing the Sweet Apples as well. Not only is this a normal town guard matter, it is a family matter, and you can see the offense in your statement. Just who the hay pointed the hoof at Applejack, and why?”

“Ah did,” Big Mac grunted sternly.

“Big Mac, what the rotten hay for?!”

“‘Cause Ah do not appreciate members of mah family harmin’ and abusing anypony, and this time, it’s...(Big Mac caught the death glare from Anna)...Apple Belle as y’all like to call her. Sure it’s Apple family business, but it’s unacceptable what AJ’s been puttin that filly through. An’ she damn near killed her last time three weeks back. Ah refuse to tolerate any abuse ‘n’ murder, and Ah don’t care if it is Apple family business-”

“My Celestia, the big red lug actually talks,” Anna Apple spat. Cheerilee, being skilled at examining ponies’ facial expressions from years in the classroom, couldn’t quite tell if Anna Apple was surprised, or disgusted, or angered that Big Mac wasn’t just a quiet ‘Eyyup’ pony Applejack made him out to be.

Big Mac grunted at Anna, and the three Apple officers stared at Cheerilee and Sea Spray. Then Apple Turner spoke:

“We’ve been sent here to join the Ponyville town guard for obvious reasons you see. As per the Ponyville town and county charters of Year 914, Sweet Apple Acres itself is a separate jurisdiction, and therefore not the responsibility of this town guard, however, over the years, ponies like yourselves have been overstepping your bounds, and snooping where you don’t belong. Like all Apple family settlements and towns in this here county, as in most other counties,  Sweet Apple Acres is under its own jurisdiction, and therefore subject to locals’ law, order, and peace enforcement. Apple ponies’ rights have been infringed upon nonstop every minute they cross Axler Road and come into town. We are not residents of Ponyville, and therefore we refuse to let all Apple ponies be treated like foals here in town.

What Big Stomp Applewood did to Apple Belle did not happen within Ponyville’s boundaries, and is therefore not a matter of the Ponyville town guard. It is a matter to be resolved by the Sweet Apples, and we already did resolve it. Big Stomp was banned from Sweet Apple Acres by his own family, and escorted out of this local area last week. All matters relating to Apple Belle within Ponyville are still a Sweet Apple Acres matter, and therefore should not concern you.”

“Actually,” Anna Apple added, “given this report from Sea Spray here, Apple Belle was abused by the other...unicorns, in a classroom filled with unicorns, and taught by a unicorn teacher. Sea Spray, give me one good reason why we shouldn’t arrest you for gross criminal negligence causing bodily and magical harm, and third party abuse when you let those unicorns torment her?”

“What? That’s nonsense,” Sea Spray nervously argued back, now aware of these Apples’ anti-unicorn sentiment. They were now using Sweetie Belle as a means to arrest her. It was an abusive misuse of policies.

“I stopped them from hurting her, I took Sweetie Belle-”

“Apple Belle, get it right!”

“...to the hospital! If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’ve got a grudge against unicorns altogether.”

The three Apple officers just glared at her. “You better choose your words wisely, Miss Spray, unless you want to spend the night in the slammer.”

That shut Sea Spray up.

“Now then,” Anna Apple continued in her cold serious tone, “I want you to dispense with this perception we hate unicorns, that is complete lies, much like your packages of lies and accusations against Applejack. We have no ill will towards unicorns in Ponyville, we are here to keep the peace, and protect the Apple family integrity. Our ancestors didn’t toil in dirt, sweat, tears and blood for decades to help found and build this town just so you could drag us through the mud.

“And if you three have any intention on challenging Applejack’s legal custody of Apple Belle, I advise you to forget it. I’m looking at all three of you. Normally, we don’t tolerate a single word of hostile nonsense from anypony who’s got a wrongful beef with the Apples. I’d normally have you three arrested and canned for a week, then throw the book at you for your crimes.

“But,” Anna Apple said with a smile, “Since we just arrived here and have only been with the town guard for a week, I’m willing to forgive your insurrections on some terms: Cease and desist at once, and stop spreading false accusations, lies, and other rumors about us.

“Do not interfere with Apple Belle any which way, and on that note Sea Spray, she is no longer going to attend your magic class. Applejack is well aware of that and wants her withdrawn immediately. Big Mac’s hoof stamp is officially invalid. Cheerilee, you’re a fine teacher from what we’ve heard, don’t throw your career away with this petty nonsense. You’ve got generations of foals to teach, and they depend on you, so watch yourself.”

There was an intense pause of silence.

“This isn’t fair. We want to see a lawyer,” Cheerilee demanded.

Anna Apple leapt onto the table infront of Cheerilee and stared her down furiously, “If it pleases you my dear, I am a lawyer. You may come to my office anytime and look at my certificates and credentials. I know the laws around here, and you are clearly in violation. Stop with your foolishness already!”

Cheerilee, too spooked and exhausted to go on, merely nodded. Any further protest could get her and Sea Spray thrown in a jail cell.

“Okay, alright...”

“Good, now get out. You too, Miss Spray, and I expect we will have no further problems with each other?”

The two nodded.

“Good. Oh, and once Apple Belle is discharged from the hospital, she will be back in Apple family custody. Arrangements have been made to bring her home.

Big Mac went to join them on their way out-

“Where you goin, Macintosh?” Big Jeresey blocked him at the door, “We ain’t done talkin’ to you yet.”

Cheerilee and Big Mac exchanged worried glances as she walked out, and along with Sea Spray, was escorted by two officers to the door.

+

“Macintosh, Macintosh, Macintosh,” Apple Turner grunted as he paced around Big Mac. “I’m awfully disappointed in you. Applejack told us you were the best worker on her farm, and here we find you’re no less than a traitor.”

Big Jersey stood by the door. He was just as big as Big Mac, and it would be a one-sided losing battle is Big Mac tried to force his way out. He was also scared of what his family might have in store for him, especially when Applejack returned from Manehattan. She had left the previous week.

“I can’t say I favor you as a cousin no more, Mac, my boy,” Turner grunted angrily, “You really have been a disappointment minus the hard work you do on the farm. I also heard Applebloom and Apple Belle adore you, among all the other foals who have come to live at the farm. And then we got Applejack’s letter, telling us of what you did in Nimbuscait. You single-hoofedly broke the bond between the Sweet Apples and the Nimbuscait Frost Apples! What the hell for?”

“They was gonna dehorn and kill Sweetie Belle. Ah won’t-”

“Shut up, you dumb lug,” Turner barked, “That brat is a unicorn, the Frost Apples were going to set her straight once and for all so she could be a well contributing member of the family. So what if she died? Celestia take her soul, where’s the problem?”

“Y’ ever been to Nimbuscait, Turner?” Big Mac grunted, “all o’ them earth ponies enjoy the sadistic torment-”

“Oh please, Macintosh, you actually hold them to it? Them Nimbuscait ponies have been set in their ways by hundreds of years of war, terror, and what-not. They’re the ones keeping the unicorn scourge at bay. They’re the ones every unicorn in any county touching Nimbuscait won’t dare raise ire with an earth pony. If those two school mares were living any further up north, they’d have brought the entire Nimbuscait guard on themselves and everypony around them. They’re the ultimate peace keepers in this part of Equestria, and don’t you forget it, my boy.”

Big Mac’s mind flooded with memories of when the Nimbuscait militia attacked his and Applejack’s hometown of Apple Post, and when they burned their mother on the pyre, and the fight Granny Smith had to wage to save Applebloom, and get the three of them out of Apple Post before the Nimbuscait ponies took it over.

“If peace means death and destruction, then Ah agree,” Big Mac grunted back. Most of the time when he angered fellow Apples, it wasn’t for his arguing back, it was his surprising intellect. He passed for a dumb hauler, with the IQ half that of a newborn foal, but he knew his stuff, and could make a decent argument to reflect his opinions or beliefs.

“What’s that now?” Turner fumed, “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say yer’ getting too smart for your own good. Look at you, you’re the best muscle stallion out of all the Sweet Apples. Let me warn you real clear and real good, my boy,” Turner said with convincing severity, “All over Equestria, the Apples are known for breeding the biggest, strongest stallions who do the hard work of ten ponies with sheer ease. Any Apple family has also found that any stallion or mare the size of you steps one hoof out of line, and it makes better use nourishing the ground and everything that grows on it!”

Big Mac didn’t expect that kind of a threat. His sense of false security or invincibility, partly from his ability to fight off Applejack and make her come around during their disputes, was suddenly shattered. He felt sweat coming out under his mane and on his cheeks. He was scared of being disowned and exiled, and he loved being an Apple pony, but it never occurred to him that everypony might turn on him and actually try to kill him. Like any Apple pony, he was very afraid of death, and of failing Princess Celestia’s judgement during the point of passing and being sent to eternal fiery hell. Centuries of fear-mongering religious doctrine quickly played their part in his mind.

“Ah thought so, Macintosh. Not so rebellious now, are ya? Don’t feel too bad about Apple Belle dying and returning to the ground. Ah reckon it was meant to be, perhaps she might reincarnate as a happy healthy, robust Apple mare. The Frost Apples in Nimbuscait only meant to expedite the process, Mac. We, on the other hoof, would let nature and Celestia’s will play out. What you and that unicorn brat call pain and suffering, we call a divine right of passage! Them Nimbuscaits dehorn and burn unicorns to make damn sure they don’t go straight to hell. It’s a painful but the best sendoff anypony can get.

“You’ve been keepin’ back the inevitable, Big Mac. I’m surprised Celestia hasn’t struck you down yet for subverting Her will, and Applejack’s authority as owner of the farm. You’ve been catering to the Enemy by enrolling her in that magic club, and allowing her to consort with other unicorns. I’m real ‘shamed of you. What about you, Anna? Jersey?”

“Eyup, indeedy do.”

“Don’t forget his Cheerilee problem. He ought to know Applejack’s position on that,” Anna Apple commented.

“Ah, right, the unnatural romance. About that Macintosh, your thing with that mare is finished. Real shame you didn’t respect Applejack’s position about you and her. Another reason on her long list she called us in for. Applejack refuses to lose you to some school mare who is not even a part of the Apple family.”

Anna Apple handed Turner the letter they received from Applejack. Big Mac noted the Manehatten stamp on it.

“Ah don’t see why she gotta dictate who Ah fall in love with, she’s not even mah big sister. she’s my li’l sister-”

Turner grunted angrily, “It don’t matter if she’s yer little sister, you big doofus! Applejack inherited all of Sweet Apple Acres from Granny Smith when she died. Therefore as the absolute holder of the farm and everything and everypony on it, she is the authority you are to answer to and obey! You’re top notch, Macintosh, and she refuses to see you leave the farm and all the apples you’d harvest wasted, rotting in them trees!”

“Get some other big ‘dumb hauler’ to take mah spot if yer’ so afraid of losing me, because yer’ all losin me pretty fast!”

“Ah, ah, ah, Macintosh,” Big Jersey cut in, “If y’think about leavin’ the farm, you’ll find yer’self in the ground faster than you can get near the gate, or away from us! Seriously don’t waste yer life, it ain’t worth it. Just do as Applejack wishes, give up on Cheeril-what’s-her-face, and put your hooves, heart, and trust into Celestia...and Applejack. She’ll match you up with a loving mare in no time.”

“And,” Anna Apple scoffed, “we all know your love is a farce. I’m surprised you big lugs can even fall in love. I was afraid we’d have to bring in some Apple whipper so the two of you could go at it and she can pump out as much needed foals as possible.”

“Ah take offense to that!” Big Mac barked, “Damn y’all and yer stereotypin’ an’ all!”

“It’s the truth,” Anna scoffed, “Seriously, no dainty pony, or even Cheerilee could stand being around our big haulers. I’m surprised you didn’t break her in half from plowing her too hard!” she laughed out loud.

Big Jersey laughed at her long-running inside joke, even Turner chuckled, then turned back to Big Mac.

“Forget about them, Macintosh, as of now, you and Cheerilee are finished. We applied for a restraining order to keep you and her apart for good. And guess, what? She even signed it.”

“How?” Big Mac gasped.

“That’s none of yer’ concern. Ah don’t even know.”

The grandfather clock in the corner chimed. All four ponies looked at it. 160° . It was dark out.

“Well then, I think it’s getting late,” Turner grunted, “Let’s get home.” He stared hard at Big Mac.

“The others are waiting,” Anna Apple added.

Big Macintosh was escorted back home by a group of six Apple ponies, all new members of the Ponyville town guard, hired just days ago by the town guard’s new vice chief.

+ +

Blood Apples

Cheerilee sat in her bed looking over her books, planning her next day’s lesson, trying to keep herself distracted from the Apple ponies; and their intimidation at the guard house.

There was a sharp knock on her door.

“Who the hay could that be?” she grunted as she got up and answered it. It was a town guard mare with an azure blue coat and flax-gold mane, wearing the signature blue sash and badge.around her neck.

“Miss Cheerilee?”

“...yes?”

“I have a letter for you. It’s to be hoof stamped by you and returned to the guard house.”

She pulled an envelope from her side bag, and hoofed it to her.

Cheerilee opened and read it, she did a double take. The note read:

Cheerilee:

Effective immediately, you are hereby under orders by the Ponyville Town Guard to terminate all contact with Big Macintosh Sweet Apple. You are to avoid location and contact. Any relations you share with this stallion are hereby over.

Big Mac is under watch by the Town Guard for suspected criminal activity within and without the jurisdiction of Ponyville, and is under orders to remain at his place of residence indefinitely. Furthermore, you are under additional orders to keep away from Sweet Apple Acres. Should you have business with the Sweet Apples not in violation of these orders, you may contact any Sweet Apple in town. These orders are absolute, non negotiable, and effective until further notice. If found in violation of these terms, you will be arrested and punished for your criminal offenses.

-- Anna Apple Pomme-Apple, legal secretary, Ponyville Town Guard; Apple Turner Applewood, Ponyville Rural Constable, Ponyville Town Guard.

“I do require a hoof stamp from you, confirming you received this letter,” the town guard mare said, producing an ink pad. Cheerilee realised she had no choice but to stamp it. Normally, orders could be disputed, and most of the times the related matters resolved, but with all these power hungry Apple ponies in charge, she wondered if she could even appeal the order. Still, this officer, who she knew to be an Apple pony, was standing outside her door could arrest her and drag her back the guard house if she refused to stamp it.

She pressed a hoof into the officer’s ink pad, then pressed it on the paper.

“Thank you, Miss Cheerilee,” the mare said as she stuffed the paper back into the envelope and back into her side bag.

“Wait, don’t I get a copy?” Cheerilee asked.

“You may purchase one from us for 25 bits. It’s your job to remember anyway.”

“Wait, that’s illegal! And you know it, Sundowner.” Cheerilee called her out. She knew Sundowner for years and decided to use their friendship to take her off her power trip.

“Ugh,” Sundowner grunted in frustration, “Look, you want me to wait while you write out your own copy? I’ve got a lot to do now that...Anna and Turner are my bosses. I asked for an extra copy, and they refused to give it to me. Look, all you have to do is stay away from Big Mac, got it? It’s not that hard to do. I’m sorry. nothing ponysonal, I’m just doing my job.”

Cheerilee knew Sundowner for years. She was an Apple mare, born in a town called Apple Stone, and moved to Ponyville, where she grew up, and got a job with the town guard. In a relatively crime free town, town guard night shift was one of the easiest decent paying jobs around, and it worked out well for ponies with insomnia, like Sundowner.

Often Cheerilee passed her on the way home from late nights at the school, and the two greeted one another or briefly chatted. Unlike Applejack, Sundowner showed no noticeable objection to her and Big Mac. One time she even asked the two of them if they planned to marry, producing an awkward moment for the two, but no harm. Sundowner wasn’t the kind to power trip and dictate other ponies’ business unless she had to deal with troublesome ponies while on duty.

Cheerilee wanted to know more, about how and why a bunch of bigot Apples took up powerful positions in the town guard. She hoped their friendship would help.

“Sundowner, since when have your relatives been working for the town guard? With all due respect, I find their...duties...to be invasive...”

Sundowner was about to turn and walk away but she stopped, She and Cheerilee exchanged glances, and Cheerilee knew that the sky-blue mare with her wheat-gold mane wasn’t too happy about the situation either. She nervously glanced around, then hissed, “Can I come in? Nopony’s looking.”

“Uh, sure,” Cheerilee said, opening the door enough to let her in, then she quickly closed and locked it, and slid the curtains shut.

“Applejack’s losing her shit, and I don’t think we’ve seen the worst of it yet.” Sundowner blurted. “She’s trying to control all of us with an iron hoof. She’s been mailing out letters like crazy to every Apple family address she can find, calling in ponies from Nightmare Moon-knows-where.”

“Calling in ponies?” Cheerilee asked, perplexed, “For what-”

“She’s extremely paranoid, about everything,” Sundowner continued, trying to keep calm. “She thinks Sweet Apple Acres is about to become a massive agricultural wreck, with rotten apples everywhere, business is gonna dry up, and Celestia’s going to rain down a big sack full of plagues on all of us.”

“What the hay for?” Cheerilee prompted the shivering mare, “Please keep calm, you’re safe,”

“She thinks it’s because of what Big Mac and Granny Smith did at Nimbuscait back before winter, and she thinks that unicorn filly living at the farm is cursing everypony.”

“What did Big Mac and Granny Smith do at Nimbuscait?”

“They stopped a dehorning. Right in front of the priests. Father Grimes owns Nimbuscait, and he rules the entire county with an iron hoof. He has the Apples in his hoof basket. The priests were about to dehorn this...Apple Belle, or Sweetie Belle, whatever her name is, and Granny Smith attacked them. They somehow bailed out of there alive, but now the Apples living in Nimbuscait hate Applejack and the rest of us. Applejack thinks the unicorn made it all happen, and she’s expecting- a-a meteor to hit the farm or something like that.”

Cheerilee remembered the things Sweetie Belle told her. “And so Applejack’s calling in relatives for-”

“To beef up our numbers, and expand Sweet Apple Acres. She’s been buying up unoccupied fields everywhere just outside of town to the west. Over the last 20 years, ponies have been moving out of Sweet Apple Acres, and she is calling in a lot to replace them and keep the apples rolling out. She’s been trying to get me to move back, and I like my home here in town. On top of that, Applejack’s become a hater, and a racist. She was brainwashed by some Nimbuscait mare named Applegem Frost Apple, who comes down here once every few weeks, apparently she’s the only one of them who will talk to her. She fears and hates unicorns, and she thinks they’re causing her perceived downfall.

Cheerilee was surprised, “So now she’s got her family coming in-”

“It’s a consolidation of power, Cheerilee.” Appledowner interrupted, “Applejack bribed the town guard vice chief to hire all of her relatives. You see, in the town guard, you make less than at a shop or somewhere else. It’s a government thing, and our wages depend on the town’s taxes and treasury...most of it comes, or used to come from the Sweet Apples’ profits. These Apples, who none of me or the others know are on some kind of religious trip, and they’re all joining the town guard. They don’t care if they get paid less. And Anna and Turner are the new higher ups. The town guard chief has been gone for weeks, and the vice chief is making a killing off of Applejack’s bribes-”

“Hold on,” Cheerilee stopped her, “How do you know all this?”

Sundowner sighed, “Sometimes I work the desks at the guard house. The chief’s secretary got fired, and I took her place. This big stallion, Vigilance. He’s the vice chief. When Chief Tibbs is not in Ponyville, Vigilance calls the shots. I overheard him and Applejack talking about him becoming the chief. I’ve no idea how they’re going to get rid of Tibbs, but in short, Vigilance becomes chief, Applejack pays him the bits, and she becomes the real chief of the town guard.”

“Sundowner, let me stop you right there. Is all of this true?” Cheerilee said, looking her dead in the eye, trying to fish out a lie. Ponies exaggerate stories all the time. She mastered the art in fishing the truth and lies out of her students, she didn’t have many problems doing so with adult ponies. Sundowner, being almost ten years younger than her, was actually a student of her mother, Cherry Blossom.

Appledowner gulped and nodded, and almost started crying. “Yes, it’s true, I wish I was drunk on cider and talking out of my flank right now! If you don’t believe me, I can get a memory crystal from Twilight Sparkle, and show you.”

“That won’t be necessary. Back to what you were saying,” she prompted the town guard mare.

“...Applejack’s undecided who she wants to install as town guard chief, be it some Apple pony from, Roundbottom or I don’t know; or Vigilance. She said she’d like to have Apple Turner take over...anyways, some pony she wants in place to do as she says, and then Applejack will be in command of the town guard.”

“Why is she doing this?” Cheerilee asked.

“I don’t know, I don’t want to know. Anna Apple said having Apples in the town guard would let the Sweet Apples freely govern themselves, and to stop the town guard from snooping around the farm. But now if Applejack gets her way, she, the family, and the town guard become a real problem for the rest of Ponyville. Applejack will have everypony fired and replaced with Apples and other ponies they trust.”

“This still doesn’t make sense to me.” Cheerilee said in disbelief. She knew from her run-ins with Applejack over the last several moons since Granny Smith’s death that Applejack wasn’t all together in the head. It was one thing to have a few Apples in the town guard, as per the norm for nearly a hundred years, but to take over the town guard completely, it didn’t make sense without an ulterior motive, one Sundowner was too eager to supply:

“This won’t bode well with the unicorns, Cheerilee. Apples hate unicorns, plain and simple. Sure most of them will act nice so the unicorns buy their apples, and do business with them, but I overheard Applejack saying she’d have no problem burning them all. She even talked about having the Nimbuscait ponyfolk come down here. I been to Nimbuscait, they are all dangerous, psychotic freaks! Especially their priests.

“If Applejack starts messing with the unicorns and tries to force them out of Ponyville, and brings down all the earth ponies who want to kill them, then that big war between the earth ponies and unicorns will blow up all over town! Then the unicorns will get their back up and zapfry us all to kingdom come!”

Sundowner lost it and started crying. She was known for being a paranoid stressball, and when she was younger she had been in and out of the hospital following recurring meltdowns. She had been through stress relief and relaxation programs, and until recently, Sundowner had been doing well.

She collapsed in a heap on the floor and Cheerilee had to get her to stand up and sit on the couch. When she was younger, her mother had Appledowner at their home to mellow out following bad days at school. The poor mare’s mind raced a million trots a second, and stacked up on her a massive pile of doubts, worries, and fears, and before she could get a hold of herself, it all came down on her like a massive bomb.

But something in the back of Cheerilee’s mind told her Sundowner’s paranoid stories couldn’t be entirely ignored. Perhaps a memory crystal recording was necessary to root out the facts.

“Applejack’s batshit insane...” she weeped... “She had them take my family away...”

“Wait, what? How’s that possible? Isn’t Applejack your-”

Sundowner looked up at Cheerilee with tear-filled eyes and told her what else happened:

Sundowner had been in a steady relationship with some other ponies, unicorns and pegasi in a group relationship, not exactly orthodox, but they had been the closest family Sundowner had had since she came to Ponyville. Prior to that she had been under the hooves of the Apples in a olden town called Apple Stone, up in Abille County on the Hashbro River. She relocated with her sister to Ponyville, and experienced a few years under Applejack’s then unknown brutal authority. A few days prior, Applejack sent some cousins to trash the home she shared with her boyfriends and girlfriends. Applejack dragged her back to Sweet Apple Acres. Since then, she was urged to stay at the farm.

She cried all that out too, then said, “I hate being an Apple pony. I wish i was never born into this stupid family-cult!”

“I can see that,” Cheerilee said, as she held her like her mother used to do. She knew Sundowner wasn’t socially adept like most ponies, and she got punished for finding a way to build up a good life and family she enjoyed, instead of living normally. Since Applejack and her cousins took Sundowner from their home, she tried to pull as many shifts as possible and slept in the barracks at the town guard house.

She told Cheerilee how the Apples disguised themselves as regular goons and thieves. One of them bit the unicorn mare by the horn and dragged her off. The pegasus mare flew away and the earth pony mare and stallion were hauled off to jail on phony charges. They were released with harsh orders to leave Ponyville.

The problem in Ponyville was that very few ponies actually knew their rights under the local and county charters, and national law. Lawyer ponies knew their law, but they were few and far between. Like in most towns, most ponies are led to believe that the town council and the town guard are ultimately in control. Which is true, but not without some due process.

In the last few weeks since Applejack hoofbeat Sweetie Belle within an inch of her life, she brought in all her relatives from various places in Equestria, and she managed to get them into positions within the town guard. When stubborn ponies refused to go out with a few extra bits and a kiss on the cheek, the meaner Apple ponies sent them out with bruises.

Applejack, being the Element of Honesty, clearly mastered the art of everything opposite of her Element role. When somepony refused to give up his or position in the town council or town guard, she sent in her cousins disguised as thugs and hooligans to rough them up during the night.

To keep from being seen by the other ponies, they carried out their carefully planned and selected attacks at night. In all cases, some cart, or train heading away from Ponyville in any direction carried some extra sorry passengers.

Those who did oblige and take the bribe received extra apples, apple cider, bits, or a new job set up by the Apples, and if they were willing to relocate, the Apples even paid part or full for their train tickets.

As for the growing violence, the town guard published a message in their designated page in the Ponyville Express. The news of ‘mysterious hooligans abound’ and put the town on alert and soon, on edge. Ponies retreated indoors at night, and locked their doors and windows, however, only those in a direct disagreement with the Apples were paid a painful visit.

Where did Applejack get all the money? She contacted a successful Apple clan known for growing giant apples of a rare breed in a region known for its hardy plants that grew from rock, amidst the fertile soil, fertilized by centuries of war, death and bloodshed. This clan, the Blood Apples, had influence and power over the towns in their region, a good 500 day-trots (thousands of miles) away from Ponyville, and certainly not on any local map. And they were eager to set up in new areas, especially where fellow Apple clans were experiencing agricultural and economic difficulties. The Blood Apples mailed back a reply, stating they were sending Applejack 45 ponies. 28 stallions, ten mares, and seven foals, along with a train-car full of the three-foot wide blood apples that would be expensive out here, some blood apple trees, and several sacks of blood appleseed.

Applejack went to work plotting a brand new area for the blood apples to grow without disturbing the other crops. Employing her family hooligans, Applejack took over several adjacent fields, driving out most of the farmers, unless they agreed to pull out their crops and plant the blood apple seeds and give her family most of the money and let some of the Blood Apples occupy the fields and tend to the crops.

The town guard trumped up all sorts of charges to have unwanted ponies jailed or removed, but most of the time, a hoof beating was enough.

And Sundowner was taken along for the ride as she served as Applejack’s personal assistant during the last three weeks until Applejack suddenly left for Manehattan.

Last week, during a ‘test run’ on a closed off field near the fenced Everfree border, Applejack, wearing a protective sleeve on her hoof, planted some of the blood apple seeds. They grew at a seemingly accelerated rate. Within days, the plants emerged, and looked nothing like young apple saplings. But even as the plant was still a sprout, it grew apples instantly.

The ‘package’ as described by these Blood Apples in their letter, was to be delivered by train and cart (Applejack consulted the rail company and arranged to have the train stopped five miles out of town. Within a week, fresh blood apples were said to grow, dropp and hit the ground. bucking these trees was not safe, and for obvious reasons. In the letters she received, Sundowner read that the trees themselves were extremely toxic. The bark could burn the skin, and the sap was lethal. The blood apple trees sucked the life out of the surrounding soil, and killed everything within two trots of the roots. The trees had other effects: Blood apples at the top were NOT to be picked- they were the tree’s nutrient reserve, used to extend roots further and further into the ground.

The whole blood apple thing was still yet to happen.

For over an hour, Sundowner explained all this to Cheerilee. Then the chime on her necklace started beeping.

“Oh buck...I-I gotta get back the guard house.”

“Right,” Cheerilee said in disbelief. She wanted to take her to Twilight to get memory crystal records of all this. She was convinced Sundowner’s imagination was running wild, but when the nervous mare left her house, she wasn’t so sure.

+

The following Saturday, Cheerilee ventured out of town towards Sweet Apple Acres. She left early in the morning. First she stopped at the train station, and saw carts being wheeled out of the boxcars and into town, along with groups of Apple ponies nopony had met before. Their accents and differences of words were strange to the local ponyfolk. She observed silently and walked down the length of the platform. Only two of the box-cars were being unloaded but towards the rear end of the train, the flatbed cars had large unnatural trees strapped to them-

“Mornin’ Cheerilee!”

She spun around, completely startled to hear that voice. It was Applejack.

“Uhh, hi, top of the morning to you,” she replied nervously. The restraining order was still fresh in her mind, but after hearing Sundowner’s stories, she didn’t dare bring it up.

“W-what is all this, AJ?”

“Them’s the new blood apple trees we just got. Our relatives in Thorn Valley sent me a bunch o’ these trees. Ah hear them apples that grow from them are as big as a pony’s head.”

“I see...” Cheerilee said, gazing at the huge, black-bronze-ish trees. Three were stacked up, their roots folded inward and bound by chains.

“Um what are you unloading down there?” Cheerilee pointed a hoof to the ponies and the carts.

“That’s all the new apple seed and blood apples they sent us. A bunch of mah apple trees are sickening and some have even died already. These blood apple trees are supposed to be impervious to the diseases, and unicorn magic hexes and what not. Ah hate to lose mah crop, but these blood apples will make up fer’ all of it. They’re real juicy and full of nutrients of a hundred zap apples each. Jus’ you wait till Ah get all these planted and growin’. Ponyville will never have an apple shortage problem again. This’ll keep them dang Flim Flam Brothers and their phony apple startup outta mah town.”

“I see...” Cheerilee said, not showing any emotion. “You...you going to have enough ponies to take care of all these?”

“You betcha, hon. Lots o’ relatives is comin’ in from all sorts of parts of Equestria to help us out. Ah’m gonna make sure we Sweet Apples and all the Apple ponies livin’ and workin’ in this here county are big and well known, jus’ like back in the old days.”

The whistle was blown and the train began to move. A box car with its doors half open passed them. “Well, what are ya waiting for, hop on. Ah’ll show you the tree plant’n!” Applejack said as she jumped into the box car. Cheerilee hesitated at first, but then she leapt and joined Applejack inside the box car. Wheels squeaked and metal clicked and screeched as the train rolled through the station westward.

Two degrees later, the train reached an open area between the farmlands on both sides of the tracks. In the distance to the south, Cheerilee could see the barns and silos of Sweet Apple Acres in the early morning sunlight. It was only 45°, and the sun was already rising.

The train screeched to a stop, and the two mares jumped off and trotted along the rocky gravel lining the tracks.

There Cheerilee gasped when she saw the army of stallion laborers moving out along the train’s length. They laid logs and wood planks and cut the chains. Using ropes, the ponies gently rolled the large trees onto logs and rolled them along down the dirt road to the designated field. The field was barren, and devoid of plant life. Just weeks ago, it was ploughed and lined with plants. She remembered Sundowner’s account of other farm ponies being driven off their own land and their crops removed. Cheerilee counted over a hundred ponies at work. Then the magnitude of Sundowner’s story took hold.

This shit just got real. Sundowner was telling the truth.

The trees were huge. A single trot was the measure distance between the flank, and nose of a typical stallion the size of Big Mac (she and him made jokes about trots being measured after him). On the old human imperial scale that she obviously never knew about, a trot easily measured over eight feet. These trees were at least ten trots long, and on average a full trot wide by the trunk alone. They were dense and very heavy. The stallions, all with apple cutie marks on them, were covered with leather sheets to keep from being burned by the sap or the bark.

“Come along, Cheer!” Applejack called as she trotted ahead. On the train there were at least fifteen trees. Cheerilee figured this operation would take at least a whole day, but much to her surprise, they already had six out of the train and moving down the road. Ponies frantically dragged logs from the rear to the front to be rolled over again.

At the field, massive holes dug out before waited for the trees. It took at least twenty stallions and a lot of rope to hoist the tree into its upright position, into the hole. The tree raisings were long, slow, and tedious. Then she saw Big Mac among them.

“Ah wouldn’t talk to him no more,” Applejack said, with that knowing tone of voice that Cheerilee knew all too well. “Ah need him to help plant all these trees, and harvest them blood apples when they hatch.”

“Hatch?...What do you mean hatch?” Cheerilee asked, curious as to why Applejack said it like that.

“Just when these things are ripe, they drop from the ground. They keep fer’ two whole days, then the sap in the ground makes’ em decompose and the tree will use them to grow new apples. They’s pretty heavy from what Ah’m told.”

“How...how many more of these trees are you going to plant?”

“As many as it takes to fill up these here fields. These trees take a full year to grow before they can hatch decent blood apples. Ah need blood apples before then, to make up fer’ all the apples Ah lost this year. And on top o’ that, Ah already got demands and Ah ain’t even got the supply into th’ ground yet.”

“Demands? Like buyers?”

“You betcha. These things take forever to be transported from the Thorn Valleys, and they rot before they even reach the markets. Those that keep go for hunnards of bits each. Ah can make a killing sellin’ these blood apples. This place is surrounded by markets. And there’s places in Equestria with real bad food shortages. Ponies tryin’ to ship food bucked up and now there’s mountains o’food rottin’ on the trains. These things will keep fer at least two weeks if not exposed to the sap, soil, or bark. Sundowner!”

Applejack and Cheerilee approached a group of ponies.

Sundowner had a notepad and a pen and was standing and sitting so she could quickly take notes as the important ponies talked.

“Y-yes, AJ?” Sundowner stuttered nervously.

“Is them special orders in yet?”

“One yes, the other no.” the blue mare pointed to another train that pulled up alongside the one carrying the trees.

“Well then, we best get them to work, then.”

“Ah, so you’re the hard working Applejack Sweet Apple, we’ve all been hearing about.” another earth pony commented. His coat was crimson red, and his mane a darker shade of red. He was among some ponies dressed in business suits. From Nimbuscait.

“Why, howdy, and thank you. Well, Miss Cheerilee, Ah’m sorry but Ah got to cut off the tour here. Ah got work to tend to. Downer! Take Miss Cheerilee an’ get her outta here! See if y’ can flag down a cart that will take her back into town.”

“Yes, AJ. This way,” Sundowner said as she began walking.

Cheerilee went with her but the two mares walked slowly, and Cheerilee’s ears tuned into Applejack’s conversation with the others. She was brilliant at hearing things from a distance, much like a cat.

“....gettin all these here fields freed up fer’ more tree plantin’”

“...use of...prisoners....don’t worry...quite intoxicated and obedient...”

“...pay a fraction of your otherwise costs and we’ll have them plant the whole valley....”

The hairs on Cheerilee’s neck stood on end.

The two mares walked back north along the dirt road. The road was packed hard, but ponies still kicked up dust as they rolled the logs past them. Half a kilometer ahead was the new train, which the doors of the box cars all flung open and a horde of ponies began piling out.

“What’s going on? Where are they all coming from?” Cheerilee asked.

“That’s the first special order,” Sundowner explained, “prison labor.”

Cheerilee gasped. “Are you serious? How the- where- where did they all come from?”

“From Nimbuscait. Not the city by the river, but deep within Nimbuscait. They have a massive prison that holds thousands of earth ponies. It’s an unspoken hellhole. Applejack struck a deal with the ponies that run the place. They want to experiment on their prisoners by forcing them to work and plant the trees. Applejack pays them a very small fraction of the costs she’d even pay her own family to work.”

“But..I thought she had no connection to the Nimbuscait ponies-”

“No,” Sundowner explained, “But they are very well involved in all this. It’s the Blood Apples who are brokering the deals around here-”

“Get out of the way!” somepony shouted and the two mares had to dash out of the way to avoid being run over by the crazed stallion as he sped past them, pulling a cart full of blood apples. The wooden wheel of a cart hit a rock and the cart bounced. One of the strange alien fruits fell out, bounced on the ground and came to a stop.

“That,” Sundowner said as she pointed, “is a blood apple.”

The two approached it. The large apple, much bigger than any apple Cherilee had seen before, was mostly black with random red spots scattered about its skin. It reminded her of what black widow spiders look like. Her instinct immediately told her that the blood apple was likely very toxic.

“Check this out. Here’s what makes it a blood apple,” Sundowner said as she pulled a hoof shoe with a knife attached to it from her side bag. She slid the hoof shoe on and on 3 hooves she walked over to the blood apple, and made a cut. She made 3 incisions. Already, a thick liquid, no different than actual blood in resemblance, began dripping out. Sundowner pulled out the piece with her knife. The apple juice was thick red, like blood. The ‘meat’ of the fruit, the hypanthium, was pinkish in color. Apple hypanthium is supposed to be white, with a clear juice coming out of it.

Then Cheerilee saw something else as Sundowner cut closer to the center. There were roundish chunks that looked like animal flesh.

“What the hay are those?” she asked, pointing a hoof at the anomalies that couldn’t exist in a normal fruit.

“Heck if I know, Miss Cheerilee,” Sundowner explained, “But ponies have already been eating these, and they seem fine to me- wait...I should know this. I went to the Agricultural Academy in Canterlot during a class trip. The tourguide showed us this, among a whole bunch of exotic and rare fruits. He said...yes, he said the original blood apples did not come from natural origins. These things were created during the Second Era, thousands of years before our history, by the Pegasi, back when they were big into science and stuff. They made these by planting genes of beasts into apples and several kinds of other fruits. Then these things started growing on their own and they made the Thorn Valleys their native habitat. Believe it or not, that is actual animal meat, growing as part of the apple.”

“Sundowner, I am not in the mood for your creative stories right now...” Cheerilee said with frustration.

“What? I lied about all this on Mariday night?” the young mare shot back with annoyance. “Why the hell would I make this all up? It’s already real, and much easier to tell you about it than making something else up!”

“Okay, okay, fine,” Cheerilee said, regretting what she said. “So it’s safe to eat?” She didn’t like the idea of Applejack planting thousands of alien genetically modified fruits in Ponyville’s backyard not knowing if the blood apples were going to kill everypony or not.

“Lots of the Blood Apple ponies now here have been eating them no problem and they didn’t get sick. I sure as hell won’t eat it, though. Edible or not, it looks freaking gross.”

The two mares left the blood apple on the ground and kept walking, and began passing the line of prisoner ponies, all bound with chains by the hooves. They marched triple file down the road towards the field. Cheerilee got a good look at all of them and felt nothing less than horror. Most of their faces drooped, their eyes blank and lifeless, hell, not even the irises had color anymore. They shuffled to and fro as they made their way down. Armored guards walked past them, whipping the slower ones with clubs, shouting and swearing at them.

“The first special order,” Sundowner reminded Cheerilee, “inmate labor, drugged up. The business partners are the jailponies, and all the alchemists in Nimbuscait. These inmate ponies have spent most of their lives underground, locked up in dungeons. This has gotta be their first exposure to sunlight in years. The whole inmate labor thing is an experiment. The jail hopes they can be useful as free or very cheap labor, the alchemists who drugged them all up hope they will remain drugged and prove the quality of their concoctions.”

“By Celestia’s light...this is horrible....what have they done to deserve this?”

Sundowner shrugged, “Probably everything and nothing. In Nimbuscait, you can get life in prison for not paying a merchant fast enough. And look, here come the unicorns. They are their own experiment.” Appledowner explained.

“....” Cheerilee didn’t even respond.

Sundowner kept talking, “I was in the room when Applejack met with all the ponies in charge of this, and the Blood Apples. A long, tense six hour meeting. Apparently the blood apples contain chemicals that are highly explosive if exposed to magic.”

“Wait...so the unicorns will die...or explode if they eat blood apples?” Cheerilee asked in disbelief. She somehow already stopped believing Sundowner’s explanations.

“The first blood apples were intended as a weapon created by the Pegasi to reduce unicorn numbers during the Second Era. They had a more potent strain of blood apples, which they gave to unicorns during armistice times.

“Those unicorns who ate these would instantaneously combust and explode, but that volatile strain didn’t hold up in natural conditions. These blood apples are the natural result, the surviving descendents of the real bad ones the Pegasi made.

“Applejack thought to hold a series of experiments and even meetings with prominent unicorns who could determine the level of toxicity of the fruits and whether unicorns can or can’t eat them, but she put that plan on hold, I wonder why. Right now she wants to sell as many as she can to whoever will buy and eat. Perhaps these things are deadly toxic to unicorns, and Applejack wants to sell them to fake charities set up by the ponies in Nimbuscait to distribute them to unicorns short on food...”

Yup, Cheerilee stopped believing Sundowner long ago. She wanted to get the hell out of here, go back home and sleep this off like a bad nightmare. But at the same time, she wanted to take Sundowner to Twilight Sparkle, and get a memory crystal recorded. Then she wondered, how the hell could something this big go by Twilight Sparkle unnoticed.

“I don’t want to be here anymore.” Sundowner said, “I am really freaked out about all of this...”

“I agree,” Cheerilee said-

“And I know you don’t believe me,” Sundowner said, “I want to get a memory crystal so you will.”

“Well then, I think we can do that. If you can sneak away from these ponies, I’ll take you to see Twilight Sparkle.”

“Really?”

Cheerilee nodded.

“Thanks. I’ll do that and knock on your door?”

The schoolteacher nodded again.

“I don’t want to stay here anymore. I want to leave Ponyville and get as far away from this place as I can. Somewhere where there’s no Apple ponies.”

They continued walking as the sun rose and the blistering summer heat came back.

“What is the second special order?” Cheerilee asked as the two walked along a road back to town.

“You don’t want to know.”

“Maybe I do, tell me.”

“Okay, fine. Do you know where dead ponies go?”

“Sundowner! What kind of question is that?”

“A serious question.” Appledowner looked Cheerilee right in the eye with a dead serious gaze.

“Okay,” Cheerilee bit the bait, irritated. “Where do dead ponies go?”

“Well,” Sundowner began, “In normal places where normal ponies live, the dead are simply buried in a cemetery outside of town. But in other places, the dead are viewed as a resource, and not something to respect and pass on to the ground. I was there when Applejack met with a bunch of strange ponies the Blood Apple family put her in contact with. I took notes of the meeting. I even drafted some of these contracts for them.

“In the Thorn Valleys, and in Nimbuscait, among so many other places in Equestria, dead ponies are ground up into mush and made into fertilizer. In disaster areas, and where wars and fighting still goes on, there’s no shortage of dead ponies. These fertilizer makers travel the country from place to place scraping up the dead wherever they go, and transport them by train or cart back to their towns where the processing plants are. And that’s where they are made into fertilizer, along with manure, and remains of whatever else they can find. Circle of life, no moral opposition, the dead make crops grow, and lots of ponies make money. I think its horrible.”

“No shit,” Cheerilee gasped, forgetting to watch her own language, “That’s...that’s a violation of Princess Celestia’s law! All ponies who die are to be buried with dignity!”

“Tell that to them,” Sundowner pointed in the direction from where they came. “And Applejack speaks of Celestia’s wrath and what not. She’ll piss off Celestia real good and get this whole town blown to oblivion. That, and pretty much everything else is why I want out. out of Ponyville, out of the Apple family, and everything else they’re involved in.”

Cheerilee looked back the way they came. In the distance, the freight train she and Applejack were on was still stationary. But after this tour of the new expansion of Sweet Apple Acres, she felt a real fear creeping in. They were at the eastern edge of the fields, and Apple ponies patrolled the edge of the newly acquired farmland. The two mares kept hidden behind a grassy knoll. Neither of them felt like being seen by the Apple patrols.

The buzzer on Sundowner's townguard badge necklace began beeping, and the poor young mare looked back, then at Cheerilee and began to quiver with fear.  "I...I...gotta go..."

"You listen to me," Cheerilee said strongly, "Do not think for a quarter of a degree that you have much of an ability endure this...terror. Sooner or later, Applejack and her mob will see right through you and they will not be happy to see you full of fear instead of their twisted Apple pride. Come with me to Twilight's. Now."

Sundowner gulped. She was still under the impression of painful retribution from her family. Somehow she thought there was no escape. She was also just as afraid of Twilight Sparkle. "I...I...can't, they'll know..."

"Alright, alright fine then," Cheerilee said with frustration, then she pulled a new tactic with the stressball mare:

"You owe me and my family for everything we've done for you ever since you were a filly. Now I am calling in a return favor. Princess Celestia expects ponies to return the charity and favors given them. I demand you to come to the library and get a memory crystal test done, not just for me, not just for you, or Twilight, but for all of Ponyville. There more than what we see at stake here. Ponyville is our home, for corn sakes. How would you like the idea of a race war exploding right here? All because you failed to seek out the unicorn who could actually do something about this? Twilight Sparkle has a direct connection to Princess Celestia, and she can get Celestia to deal with these Apple ponies once and for all. And do not be afraid of her being a unicorn or her magic. I'm an earth pony, just like yourself, and I've known and worked with Twilight on and off for the last four years. She will not hurt you or hex you, so please disregard all that crap they told you about her, got it?"

Suddenly struck with guilt or demand from a completely different direction, Sundowner merely nodded. She wanted to escape. She also knew if she was caught by the Apple patrol or another townguard pony, she'd get it for sure. But she felt something had to be done first, and a question came up:

"Miss Cheerilee, I do want out, but...I want something in return, I know it's too much to ask, but...I want to go somewhere safe, and never come back here again, not to Sweet Apple Acres or even Ponyville. I don't want to get burned alive at the stake for what I'm about to do. Can Twilight Sparkle gaurantee for me a safe way out here to somewhere else I can live normally for once?"

"No, that isn't too much to ask," Cheerilee assured her, "And I don't see how or why she wouldn't help you out there. Look, worst case scenario, I give you some bits, you get on the train, and go wherever the hay you want-"

"I...I want to go to Canterlot."

Cheerilee couldn't help but scoff. It was not realistic for any rural pony to ask for a place to live in the grand capital city of Equestria. Ponies needed hard-to-get permits just to visit the city. The royal guards at Canterlot were always checking ponies and turning them away; not even letting them leave the train station there. Somehow Sundowner speculated Twilight could use her connections to get her in-

"Sundowner, I don't even know if that is possible. And surely Canterlot isn't the only place in Equestria not occupied by Apple ponies. Look, let's just take the first step, talk to Twilight, then when that's done, we'll move onto the next one. But are you sure you want to go back and join the Apples?"

"I...I gotta...need proof..." Sundowner said-

"Hey you!"

Both mares spun around and saw two other townguard Apples looking up at them from the perimeter path. "What the hell are you doing, Sundowner?" it was Apple Bread.

"I...I...was just...escorting this mare back to the main road. Applejack invited her over and asked me to show her the way back."

"Your badge is beeping, and Applejack expected you back a degree ago, now move it!" the larger stallion, Apple Shiner, shouted.

"We'll take her back to the main road," Apple Bread said, "Just get back to Applejack before she gets mad."

"Y-yes, sir," Sundowner stuttered as Cheerilee took one last glance at her before walking down to join the other two. Clearly their conversation was over, and as the three ponies walked away, Cheerilee cast one glance at her. Sundowner didn't really know what Cheerilee really meant, but to her, the look on the school teacher mare's face read, Come back alive.

Apple Treason

"It's allright, Sundowner, please lie back," Twilight Sparkle instructed the panicking Apple mare. Only a few minutes after arriving at the library, she went into a full blown panic attack. Twilight took her upstairs and placed her in her bed. Now she and Cheerilee were trying to calm her down.

"They're gonna kill me! They're gonna kill me!" Sundowner cried out loud. She curled up in fetal position and Cheerilee had her hooves around her, trying to calm her down.

"Shhh, 'Downer, please, you're safe,"

Twilight didn't bother waiting. She instantly cast a spell on Sundowner to calm her down. The spell slowed her heart rate and breathing, and forced the muscles in her body to relax. Poor Sundowner still had that terrified look on her face as if she saw a ghost or narrowly escaped death. Tears streamed from her eyes, and her upper body heaved as she cried. A few minutes passed, with Cheerilee and Twilight talking her down from her angst. Eventually the spell kicked in like a drug, and she managed to calm down. She was also terrified when she felt Twilight's magic flow through her body with a tingling sensation and had a fear she was about to burn alive, but that didn't happen.

"See? Everything's fine, you're perfectly safe and sound." Twilight said with a smile. Sundowner, eyes red and teary from crying, nodded. The magic from the spell drained the adrenaline from her body and she felt completely sapped and exhausted.

When she came in, Sundowner seemed calm until right after she arrived, and Twilight explained the memory crystal test, and her mind exploded with stress.

"Now then," Twilight said softly, "I want you to know that the memory crystal test won't hurt you one bit. You won't feel a thing, honest. You've seen me administer this test at the guard house so many times. Now then, are you ready?"

Sundowner nodded. She just wanted to get this high treason over with. If the Apples knew she was here, they'd hoof beat her to a pulp, then burn her alive, and send her to hell.

"Allright, please open up," Twilight instructed. Sundowner obeyed and Twilight gently levitated the agate rock into her mouth.

"Now, please hold it there, and relax. This should take about eight degrees, okay?"

Sundowner nodded. Her eyes were read and teared from crying. Now tranquilized by the spell, in less than a degree, she fell asleep. Twilight placed the blanket over her, and talked quietly with Cheerilee.

+

The previous day, after parting with Cheerilee, Sundowner returned to join Applejack.

"Sundowner! What the sam hell you gone so long for?" Applejack shouted.

"I...I was taking Miss Cheerilee back, just like you said, ma'am."

"Well y' ain't got no time for yer' dilly-dally Sunday walk, ya hear? We got lots to discuss and you gotta be here taken yer notes an' all. Now get writin! We can't afford to have problems or misunderstandin's 'cause of you not writin!"

"R-right," Sundowner stuttered nervously as she took out her notebook, hoof shoe, and pen. The others, a Blood Apple couple, Rainseed and his wife Scarlet Sleet; Applegem, a mere guest among these ponies, and two older Nimbuscait stallions dressed in their business suits.

"Now then, now that our young cousin has joined us again," Rainseed spoke, 'I'd like to see how those unicorns of yours are doing, having eaten some of our delicious apples over the last few days." He looked at the Nimbuscait colt.

"Very well, this way, if you will."

The group walked to the far southern edge of the field, close to the Everfree border. There, a newly occupied farm stead, and it's three old decrepit barns from decades past welcomed them. The entire premesis was being patrolled by countless big lug Apple stallions, whose sole purpose was to keep unwanted intruders away. They greeted their masters and let them in, and led them to the one barn being occupied.

The barn was old, and most of the paint had peeled off, and the exposed wood turned grey. Moss and mold spread along the roof. Inside, the barn had been hastily converted into a prison over the last few days; new stall doors built and installed to keep the unicorn prisoners in. The 'feeding' experiment was being conducted by the Blood Apples, who already paid the bits to 'rent' the unicorns out from their Nimbuscait jailmasters.

Sundowner tried to keep up as the group walked down the center aisle, looking at the unicorn prisoners. She was horrified to see such sorry creatures. Many were thin, unhealthy, and had 'gone gray.'

All ponies' skins produced a pigment made in part by spectra, a hardly known-compound of atoms altered from their original state by sunlight. The various colors were based on nutrition and genetics. One could tell if a pony was sick by becoming 'discolored,' as nutrients that would be used to make pigment were diverted to fuel the immune system. But these sad sacks were entirely gray, devoid of color in their coats, manes, and even their eyes.

The group stopped and observed as the Blood Apple stallions opened one stall, and dragged out two scrawny looking unicorns. The unicorns grunted and cried out and recieved a quick beating, until they complied, and were forcefed blood apple chunks. After being pinned to the dirt floor until they swallowed, the unicorns were violently shoved back into their stall, and the door slammed shut.

The mare standing accross from them, overseeing this with her aquamarine eyes, just watched with a cold, calculating look.

"Applejack, and everypony, I'd like to introduce you to our brilliant mare, Sangshine." Rainseed announced.

"Pleasure to meet ya." Applejack bumped hooves with Sangshine Blood Apple, a white mare with a crimson and black mane; notorious for having a heart of 'black ice.' She was the medic of her own family, and before this work began earlier in the week, she had been working closely with Apple Mend, trading concoction recipes and information. Sweetie Belle had met her, and broke out a cold sweat when she caught Sangshine's sadistic gaze.

"The pleasure is all mine, dear," Sangshine said with a smile, "Welcome to my new work place. I am more than grateful to be here helping to expand your farm, it seems these pathetic wretches you see aren't so thankful. Apparently, they have not eaten a decent meal where they came from, but I guess it serves them right."

Everypony nodded. Even Applejack felt slightly put off. Even though she had no problem beating a filly nearly do death, she felt shocked to see how much the unicorns in here had suffered, but she put that thought away and kept to business. And so did Sangshine.

"As you can see, Applejack, these unicorns have gotten quite ill from the blood apples. You'd think that it's because their processing a very rich fruit, but blood apples contain nutrients and proteins designed by their creators to suck the magic out of them. All that you've heard of blood apples making unicorns burst aflame and burn alive is but a tall tale from the past. Maybe the Pegasi designed this fruit to cause such a death, however that trait did not persevere in nature."

Sangshine peered through the wooden bars at a unicorn who sat heaving, as if trying to puke. Nothing came up.

"And a little interesting fact," Sangshine said as she turned back to her audience, "blood apples refuse to be ejected. Anypony who eats them will be forced to process the fruit until defecation. It will not be wasted. Another property that is a concern is the possibility of nutritional addiction. Have anypony, especially a unicorn eat blood apples for a few moons, then cut off the supply. The body will not take other nutrients because it will only accept the superior nutrients of a blood apple. This goes on for a week or so, causing the pony to become ill. Not so prevalent in earth ponies or pegasi, but unicorns are prone to being addicted to having their magic sucked out of them." Sangshine said the last sentence with a chuckle.

"Afterall this fruit was originally designed to destroy them."

"Well," Applejack replied, "Ah ain't lookin to kill nopony, Ah just want to sell these and make money. Are all of these unicorns in here gettin' sapped dry?"

"Let's take a look at our freshly caught ones, shall we?" Sangshine beckoned as she began to walk ahead, leading the group.

The 'freshly caught' unicorns, captured from wherever they came from and brought here, hardly fared better. They sat around the stall groaning and heaving, but unable to vomit. Sangshine glared at her subjects with an  imcompassionate blank look on her face. Applegem, having been invited to join Applejack and her business partners on this tour of the barn, quickly developed an admiration for Sangshine. The two had already met and got acquainted, and seemed to become good friends.

"It appears these blood apples are too strong for them," Sangshine explained, "If you want to make your bits off these apples, it's obviously better to have them merely sap the unicorn of its magic, but in a way they will not feel it. They should only be confused and wonder why they can't cast a spell or levitate an object. I have experience with this. After the blood apples are harvested, let them sit for no less than 13 days. That should allow for the nutrients that sap magic to break down enough so as the unicorns will not feel the effects. The nutrients and proteins that do sap magic mainly exist for growth purposes, and once the apple is harvested, they break down. A natural restriction imposed on these magnificent fruits."

"Ah agree with you there. Is there any other types of blood apples you have?" Applejack asked.

"Of course. This way please."

Sangshine led them to a table on which sat three white red-spotted apples. One had been cut open, and unlike the black blood apple, the hypanthium was white, and the 'juice' was white and thick as milk. The 'meat' components were still red.

"This is our newest strain, the albino blood apple. We've actually given these out to so many active unicorns in the cities and towns we visited, and hardly ever did they blame us when they found they couldn't cast a single volt of magic. This one unicorn, Trixie Lulamoon, a witch who goes on tour putting on ridiculous magic shows for the locals, was instantly hooked to this apple. Everyday for the week she spent in Full Moon Valley, she came by our stand in the market and ate at least a whole blood apple a day. She drank the apple milk, and chowed on the burgers made from the meat. Then when the poor moron went to perform, she was rendered unable to cast even a spark!" Sangshine Apple laughed. "Everypony laughed at her and called her a fraud! And the best part is, she didn't suspect a thing about our food."

Applejack remembered Trixie and how she humiliated her and her friends when she came to Ponyville. She chuckled at Trixie's embarrassment. "Perhaps that's why that witch went and got her hooves on that infernal amulet. Next time we see her aroun' here, y' can stuff her with all these blood apples y' want."

Sundowner didn't like Trixie either, but she wasn't amused one bit. She remained silent as the other ponies chuckled together.

"So, Applejack, until we pin down the right time to sell the black apples to the markets, these white ones will better suffice."

"Ah agree fully, Miss Sangshine. Thank you fer' all yer hard work. An' as promised, Ah got you yer new lot at Sweet Apple Acres fer that cottage you want built. Ah got ponies digging out the dirt for the foundation already."

+

After the tour of that barn, Sundowner had to accompany the group back to Applejack's house, where a tense meeting convened with the Sweet Apple's newest guests of honor, the Cashapples of Manehattan, whom Applejack went, visited, and invited them here.

Applejack, along with the Blood Apples, wanted to break into the markets of Manehattan, fill them with blood apples, and stamp out the 'fraud apple' competition, non-Apple ponies who sold apples. The Cashapples offered some money in exchange for a cut of the profits in their areas. Sundowner was present for every minute of it.

After the meeting, they had their own dinner party, and toasted to good times. As Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo collected the dishes for washing, the big time ponies laughed, drank pitchers or cider and swapped stories and jokes with one another. The three former cutie mark crusaders came to hate Sangshine just as much as Applegem, who were at that point always spending time together, bonded by their hatred of unicorns.

+ +

That night, Sundowner retreated to the chapel. She was never the psycho zealot type, however she did believe and respect Princess Celestia as the ultimate and merciful god queen. She sat on the bench facing the altar, which was a quartz statue of the sun, with a lightbulb in the center, lighting it. Her mind wandered but she tried to remain calm, for what she planned to do next would mean living in fear and being on the run from the pious Apple ponies for the rest of her life. Six rows behind her a fat old stallion and his wife read the book of sun, whispering out verses.

Sundowner pushed them out of her mind and in her thoughts she prayed, and begged Princess Celestia for aid or guidance. She was terrified of the prospect of betraying the god queen, since she'd be betraying the Apple ponies as well. The more she thought, the more upset she became, and put her hooves to her eyes to cover her tears. In Apple culture, ponies who cried were weak willed wimps.

She would have considered cowering, and not doing anything, and letting the Apples continue on their business, and ride on her perceived faint hopes of being granted into Celestia's pony heaven upon death. But from the bottom of her heart, and the core of her moral fiber, her conscience absolutely refused to let her sit on her flank and do nothing. Hundreds, even thousands of ponies- unicorns, earth ponies, and pegasi were going to be at risk with these blood apples in the stalls at the Ponyville market. She did not like what the Apples were doing, she didn't like Applejack's dangerous ambitions, and she had a daunting fear this was going to become way worse.

Later that night, she left the chapel and returned to the camp set up for new arrivals. Ever since she was taken from her home in town, and kept under watch by the Apples, she had been living in a tent with three other mares, none whom she liked.

With work going on all day and night, the door to Applejack's house was unlocked, strange for a paranoid mare living there. Sundowner waited until nopony was looking, and went inside. She got into Applejack's study where all the evidence was kept.

Shelves held the paperwork for everything that went on. Stacks of cash boxes full of bits piled high, and of course, Applejack's desk. Sundowner slid the door shut. The room was dark and the only light came in through the windows from a hanging lamp outside. Sundowner dared not risk attracting attention by closing the blinds. She crept low around the room, and began collecting paperwork and stuffing it into her side bags. Steeled determination was the only thing keeping her from a full blown screaming panic attack.

After spending nearly a degree in the study, Sundowner came accross an opened mail package. Two letters and two rocks. She took that too, then snuck out of the house. She prayed frantically for guidance as she walked along the fences, hedges, and trees of the perimeter of Sweet Apple Acres. A big hulking stallion from the Applehill clan yawned as he kept his eye on the only open spot she could find- some old dead hedges that had been removed, leaving an open pit of dirt, the only escape path she could find.

The stallion looked bored. The big haulers weren't ones to stay in one spot until exhausted after a long day of work. He paced up and down for a bit, then he appeared to be far away enough for her to spring out from behind some bushes, and leap through the opening-

"Hey, you," a mare cooed. Sundowner jumped and felt her heart skip a beat. She breathed when she realized that was directed at the big lug. The mare appeared, and she was just as large and muscular as he was.

"Howdy, Appleglaze," he said with a rush of excitement.

The two talked.

"Ah'm awful bored tonight, care to keep a lady like me company?"

The stallion chuckled with excitement.

"An' don't worry about it, it's not like anypony's going to be around to see or hear us..." the mare cooed. They talked quietly some more and retreated to a hiding spot near by. Sundowner waited for several minutes before she heard them breathing, and that Appleglaze freak moaning. This was her chance, and she took it.

Sundowner moved slowly, then jumped into a gallop out from behind the bush and through the gap in the hedge. In seconds, she was gone, and out of sight. She galloped accross the road and into the next field, not yet occupied by Apples. Large corn plants were ready for harvesting, and if anypony came looking for her, she'd be hard to find.

+

Sundowner made her way through the corn field, and into town. She snuck around the back alleys and made her way to Cheerilee's house when nopony carrying a street lamp on his back was walking by.

It was 25 degrees in the morning when she knocked on Cheerilee's door. No answer, and afraid of pissing off the school mare, Sundowner galloped off and made her way over to the library, and hid in a nearby bush. There, the frightened young mare waited for the rest of the night. She couldn't sleep and just waited as the sky slowly turned from black to blue to green, then gold as the Sun came up. She waited for several hours and watched from her hiding spot as ponies went about their Sunday morning business. Most went to the solar temple or church to attend the worship service. Others trotted peacefully through town. She frantically kept her eye out for Apple ponies. And she was paranoid they were watching her too.

The clock tower rang its tune, indicating it was now 140° in the morning. She contemplated knocking on Twilight Sparkle's door, then she heard hoofsteps. She dared to peer from her hiding spot and saw it was Cheerilee.

"Psst, Cheerilee!" she hissed, startling the schoolmare.

"huh? Who's there?"

"It's- it's me," Sundowner appeared.

"Oh for the love of Celestia, you scared me!" Cheerilee said.

"Shh, they're looking for me know, if they find me they'll kill me," Sundowner said desperately.

"Ugh," Cheerilee said, recalling everything. Still she was very glad to see that the Apple mare had made it. She knocked on the door, and Twilight Sparkle opened up.

"Yes?"

"Twilight? Good morning, I- we need to talk to you. Remember I mentioned getting her to come to your house?"

Twilight Sparkle, not a unicorn for early mornings shook her head. "I don't remember...who are you?" she asked Sundowner, who felt really awkward right now.

"Go on, tell her," Cheerilee prompted her. But Sundowner hardly said a word.

"She has information on Applejack," Cheerilee said plainly, and got the reaction she was looking for. "And she needs a memory crystal test."

Twilight was wide awake now. She pushed the door open further. "Come in," she said, as she ushered the two mares in.

+

Sundowner was fast asleep in Twilight's bed, and slept most of the day. She appeared to be so exhausted that Twilight and Cheerilee didn't bother waking her up when the crystal was removed from her mouth.

When Twilight placed the rock into the reader device, and the memories began playing out, both she and Cheerilee were struck with horror when they watched a seemingly endless movie of the things that went on at Sweet Apple Acres. Twilight was left speechless when she watched the barn tour and saw the unicorn test subjects, and that Sangshine freak.

After hours of looking at video footage, pictures, and text from Sundowner's thoughts, the two mares took a lunch break. The two didn't say anything at first as they ate their peanut butter banana sandwiches.

"I thought their Applegem was a freak," Twilight said between bites, "but this Sangshine Blood Apple is serious business. She ought to be banned quickly."

"But the Apples have taken over the town guard already," Cheerilee lamented. Twilight didn't argue. She knew it too.

Twilight looked at her letters and memory crystals she sent two and a half weeks earlier. All this time she wondered why Celestia never responded, and now she knew some Apple stole it. They found the scope of Applejack's growing control over Ponyville unnerving and difficult to comprehend. Chief Tibbs, the one who made her write to Celestia for help, was also out of town on some business trip to Hoofington, leaving the town guard to its vice chief, some stallion named Vigilance.

"I can't even use my telepathy spell and call Celestia directly. She blocked me," Twilight said sadly.

"What for?" Cheerilee asked in disbelief.

"I...I called Celestia too many times, and she got fed up with me."

"Oh...hey, did you read that article in the Canterlot Times a while back? The one about the Mane Six and how they are corrupted by their elements? Do you think that- the Element of Honesty screwed Applejack up this bad?"

Twilight remembered Chief Tibbs reading it out to her. "Yes, we're all...having a hard time. I've been so busy this last moon I hardly had a chance to ask Celestia about that. I want her to know what Applejack is doing but I can't call her, Spike is not here to send letters to here, and now Applejack is stealing all my mail. Buck, it's pissing me off," Twilight grunted in frustration. She was also extremely anxious of her own failure to solve this Apple crisis, which she now knew was beyond resolvable.

"Where is Spike? He's been gone since the beginning of Spring," Cheerilee commented.

"Ugh," Twilight sighed in frustration, "He was sent on an expedition to dragon-occupied territories. They're supposed to observe and open communication between ponies and dragons. It's one of those classified expeditions. Last letter I recieved in the mail from Spike said he should be back for the Summer Sun Celebration. I've been going crazy without my number one assistant..." Twilight looked around the library. The whole place was a mess. Spike usually was the one to cook and clean up after her when she became extremely busy. "...and as you can see, this place, like me, is a huge mess. More coffee?"

"What if you go to Canterlot and tell Celestia yourself?" the schoolmare suggested.

Twilight shook her head, "I wish. Even I need a permit to get back into Canterlot, and the guards don't give those out so freely. 'Hi, I'm Princess Celestia's student, and the Element of Magic, can I get a pass into Canterlot?' That sounds so stupid."

"But all that is true," Cheerilee added.

"I know, but unless I am actually summoned to Canterlot, I can't get in. They won't even let me off the train there. I've even asked other ponies going to Canterlot to pass some mail on for me but nopony will even bother. They're all scared and don't want to get involved."

Twilight got up to fetch more coffee for the two of them. She drank hers like it was water, while Cheerilee sipped slowly from her cup.

"Another thing," the schoolmare asked, "Sundowner is terrified of being hunted down and killed by the Apple ponies for coming here. She asked for you to copy her memories, she wants safe passage out of Ponyville. She even asked if you could get her into Canterlot."

"I already told you," Twilight said impatiently, "even I can't get into Canterlot, what makes Sundowner think she's got a chance? And I'm Celestia's student!" The lavender unicorn hated repeating the same thing twice.

"Well, can you help her get somewhere safe? Her life is probably on the line." Cheerilee persisted.

"I know, I know," Twilight said, trying to conceal her frustration. She was trying to figure out where to send the Apple mare. She tried looking around the archives at the town administration building, only to find out Applejack had the place ransacked of Apple pony-related materials. She even ordered a book from the library in Canterlot, but Applejack was blocking all her mail.

Twilight was on edge herself, ever since her last visit to Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack was monitoring heras well, and she didn't like it. Simply escorting Sundowner to the station and putting her on the next train going either direction was out of the question as the town guard's Apple members would pounce and arrest them. And Twilight didn't like the idea of being seen with the Apple family's traitor.

"I've got it!" Twilight said, "I know how to get Sundowner out of her. I have the magical invisibility spell in these books somewhere. I can make her invisible long enough to get to the train, and by the time it wears off, she'll be long gone, out of Applejack's sight."

"Wonderful."

Later that evening, when Sundowner woke up, she nearly panicked again when she couldn't find the crystal, and Twilight told her she already took it.

"Are you hungry at all?" Twilight asked.

"Um, not really, thanks."

"That's a yes," Cheerilee commented. She knew 'fraidy-mare didn't eat when she was on edge, "Sundowner, you need to eat."

"Oh...okay,"

"Relax, I've made us some butternut squash soup. Trust me, you'll like it," Twilight said as she retreated to the kitchen, and came back with three bowls in her magic grasp. After the three ate, Cherrilee hugged Sundowner before she left.

"You did very well today, 'Downer. I'm very proud of you."

+

"Alright, the bad news is," Twilight explained, "I can't get you into Canterlot, I'm sorry. Even I, Princess Celestia's student, and the Element of Magic, have to get a permit to get in if it's not official Mane Six business. It would be if I could actually reach Celestia through telepathy or mail, but both those things are not an option. Celestia blocked me from telepathy because I called her too much."

"Oh...okay...thanks for your help..." Sundowner said quietly.

"But, I have a plan B," Twilight continued, "I spent this afternoon practicing an invisibility cloaking spell. I cast that on you, and get you onto the next train out. All that paper work you stole from Applejack's office, I want mailed. You can go to the post office-"

"B-but the Apples are watching the post office-"

Twilight waved a hoof. "No, not here, I mean somewhere else. I want you on the train for at least a full day and night. I don't just want you out of our county, I want you far away. Anywhere beyond Roundbottom is fine. I compiled a list of Apple clans currently involved with all the activity going on here, and I can safely guess that wherever you go, the local Apple ponies won't be on the marehunt for you. Not that you can approach them, I forbid it. Just don't act like a criminal on the run, it will make you look suspicious. Take the package to the post office and have it mailed top class.

"There is a way you might be able to get into Canterlot: Take the package to the post office, and even apply for an express self delivery permit. Tell them the contents are classified, and for Princess Celestia only. If approved, that will grant you temporary access into Canterlot. While you are there, request to see Celestia. I even wrote up a bunch of consent letters that should get you through. And while you're there, feel free to ask for asylum. You may ask Celestia directly, or claim refugee status at the administration offices at city hall. The unicorns there probably will ask you for another memory recording, go along with it. You can even talk to the royal guard. They have authorization to look at everything, and they will escort you to Celestia themselves- hey, Sundowner, what's with the freezing up?"

Twilight tried shaking Sundowner, who just became petrified with fear. "t...T...talk with the Solar Mother...?"

Twilight caught onto her religious fear, and went in for the kill. She looked Sundowner right in the eye, and said, "I want you forget everything you were ever taught about Princess Celestia. It is nothing but lies. I grew up with Her. I'm her student. She is practically my second mom. She has been to Ponyville before, you know what she is like, well sort of. Celestia will not kill you, set you on fire, or send you to hell. I am very honest about that. You have way more to fear about Applejack than Celestia at this point."

"Oh...okay...um," Sundowner gulped, "When's the next train?"

"Easy now, I still have to give you the juice to make you invisible." Twilight retreated to the kitchen, and went to work cooking up the brew which with magic would activate the spell. Two degrees later, Sundowner and Twilight both drank from their cups the hot steaming brew. They both grimaced and gagged, as if it was vodka.

+

That night, despite the threat of rain, which could expose a magically invisible pony, the weather held up by the time the night train arrived. Twilight and Sundowner, both invisible, along with everything 'Downer was carrying, walked silently around the outskirts of town to the train station. The town guards, put on alert following a reported theft at Sweet Apple Acres, kept a vigilant watch. No doubt they were looking for Sundowner.

Apple Bread made his round through the train station when the freight train arrived. The few passenger cars at the end of the train were full of more Apple ponies coming in from the south. The town guards got distracted when they went over to greet them, allowing enough time for Twilight to sneak Sundowner into an empty box car.

Twilight waited in the box car as the train lurched and began moving forward. The two locomotives roared, and the horn belched, probably waking up half of Ponyville; and the train began moving. Several minutes after the train left the brightly lit station, Twilight said her goodbyes.

"Aren't you coming too?" Sundowner hissed. She really didn't want to be left alone. But she was about to be with an important task and Twilight's reassurance that Celestia would not flame broil her.

"I can't I have work here." Twilight replied. She was standing right next to Sundowner even though neither mare could see the other. "Do as I say and be good, you hear?"

"Yes."

And with that, Sundowner heard Twilight's hooves bang against the wooden floor of the box car and the unicorn disappeared into the night, leaving her all alone. Several degrees later, the train picked up speed. With no delivery or pickup at any of the other nearby towns, the train's locomotives roared as it thundered through the night. Hours later, the train sped over the bridge of the canyon separating the Breadbasket region and the rugged, lifeless Roundbottom mountains. The sun came up, and Sundowner, now no longer invisible, basked in the warm sunlight.

Around noon that day, the train pulled into a station at the mining city of Hammerhoof. Sundowner fell asleep on the way and and was woken up by a local town guard patrol.

"You there!" the colt barked, startling her. "Come on out!"

Scared again, Sundowner jumped down.

"What's your name, lass?"

"....Leafy Sticks"

"You don't look so leafy to me. Where are you from?"

"...Vanhoover..." she said dumbly.

"Where you going?"

"Ca- Derbyshire..."

"What are you doing sitting in the box car? It's illegal to be anywhere except the passenger car, young mare. Come on, we're leaving this station-"

"Wait!" Sundowner said in panic, "I have an important package to deliver. I need to get an express self delivery permit. It's top secret, highly classified. Time sensitive...I have to get it to Canterlot quickly."

She pulled Twilight's package out and showed it to the officer.

"Very well...Leafy. Come with me."

Terrified as she was, she still followed the town guard colt through Hammerhoof. The city was far bigger than Ponyville, and she felt intimidated by the hige buildings, and large numbers of ponies running through the streets. Large coal and steam powered vehicles of the likes she never saw before sped past her. The officer led her aboard a tram that sped on its own tracks past the town guard place, to the post office.

"Allright, look, missy, I don't know who you are or what your deal is," the officer said when they arrived at the post office, "I don't even believe your name is Leafy Sticks. If it weren't for this package of yours, I'd have arrested you for illegal train hopping, and lying about yourself. Get this package delivered, and pay for your train ticket. If you can't, then find an employment agency office, they'll give you enough work to earn bits for your ticket. In the next day I want you either gone or registered at the town hall. Got it? We ponyfolk at Hammerhoof don't put up with any crap, so get on with your business and stay out of trouble, now hear?"

Sundowner nodded, and the town guard colt left. She regained her composure and entered the post office.

+ +

A Frantic Escape

Sweetie Belle snuck out of school again. Funny thing is that today was the day when school let out for Summer. Nevertheless, it was a full day, and the filly escaped through the gaps in the blackberry bushes on the far side of the school yard. Something finally snapped in the back of her mind, and she realized that the couldn’t take it anymore. Deep down, her system, mind and body, decided enough was enough, and ignited a survival instinct in her she never knew she had. That instinct then connected to her memory of Applebloom’s suggestion about the Cutie Mark Crusaders leaving Ponyville.

But Sweetie Belle had no intention of looking for Applebloom or Scootaloo. Now was her only chance to escape, and since today was the last day at school, probably the last day she’d ever spend off Sweet Apple Acres. Such a window of golden opportunity would never present itself to her again. If circumstances permitted it, she would have brought her two best friends along with her but it wasn’t the case.

After three and a half weeks with the Blood Apples living at the farm, things became much worse, or at least more frightening. The Blood Apples all gave off vibes that screamed evil in her mind, especially that Sangshine freak. When she was introduced to Auntie Sangshine, Sangshine cast down a glare that damn near paralyzed the filly.

”What’s her job?” Applebloom asked a few days after she met Sangshine.

”Yer Aunt Sangshine is here to help us cultivate all them blood apples, and make sure they’s safe to eat. An’ guess’ what we’re havin fer’ supper tonight? Blood apple pie. They’s a bit different than our usual apples, but mighty good. They’ll even flush the magic outta Apple Belle once an’ fer all.”

The blood apples were nothing of the sort of food Sweetie Belle had ever seen before. The fruits looked menacing, and most ponies’ common sense would scream that the fruit was very likely toxic, and inedible. An interesting thing about Sweetie Belle was that she was terrified of blood. She would almost panic if she saw her own blood or that of another pony’s. Since The stuff that came out of the black and red blood apples resembled actual blood, it’s effect on Sweetie was hardly any less. After a hard day’s work, when she and Applebloom entered the house and saw two of their aunts cutting up blood apples and the ‘blood’ everywhere, Sweetie thought they had just decapitated some animal.

Sweetie squeaked in fright when she saw the ‘apple blood’ on the counters and the aprons of the mares preparing the blood apples. Even more so when she saw the meaty components she mistook for giblets or something else.

“What’s the matter, Apple Belle?” Sangshine cooed when she came from the den where she was reading. Just her looking at and talking to Sweetie Belle paralyzed the poor filly. Her subconscious marked ‘Auntie Sangshine’ as a villain and a threat to her safety.

Applebloom nor Scootaloo took much of a liking to the mare either. Scootaloo found her thick Thorn Valley accent to be creepy, but Applebloom, who developed some recent mental quirks of her own, was still able to strike up a conversation with her like many of the other ponies on the farm. Often time Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle ‘hid’ behind Applebloom thinking they were somewhat safe if she was there to take care of the interactions.

Sweetie Belle, already shuddering, took a glance at the kitchen. Applebloom caught on, and replied, “Sorry about Swe- er Ah mean Apple Belle, Auntie Sangshine, but she...she thinks they’re butcherin’ an animal in the kitchen, you know, for them Apple Jägers.”

The Apple Jägers were the first and so far only carnivore Apple clan to arrive from their native region. There had been some issues with them wanting meat, and to buy and butcher some of the cows, sheep and chickens to satiate their taste.

Sangshine laughed, “Oh my dears, there’s nothing of the sort! The Jägers will have their own little stead where they can raise and butcher their own livestock, and none of that will be done in this house. What your Aunt Crisp and Aunt Shimmers are preparing are the blood apples. There’s a lot of milk in them so it does appear to splatter everywhere.”

When supper time came and they had to eat the blood apple pie and ‘steak bites’, Sweetie initially refused. She had no way to explain, but the core of her subconscious told her it was an unnatural food, and dangerous. Scootaloo felt squeamish herself, until Applejack reached back with a foreleg and threatened to hoof smack her. Applebloom on the other hoof was too dense to have any reservations, and like most ponies hungry after an honest day’s hard labor, she freely ate anything on her plate. She found the taste odd, it was a mixture of sweetened apple with a strange taste she never tasted before. The pie was heavily seasoned for the foals as to introduce them to blood apples, since it was intended that blood apples would become the basis of their diets from the first harvest on.

Scootaloo chewed slowly, trying to fight back the revulsion. The hypanthium was no similar texture to normal apples. A carnivorous pony would have likened the taste and texture to that of beef or poultry. For vegetarian, grain-fed ponies, it was a completely foreign sensation in their mouths. But the two foals were no less disturbed. Their subconsciousness examined the food through their sight, touch, smell, and taste, and have them an indecipherable hint that what they were eating weren’t merely a mutated plant.

But Applejack knew, and so did the Blood Apples and the Apple Jägers. And so did Sundowner, who was also forced to eat her supper. Applejack knew she wasn’t eating as much as she was supposed to and since dragging her back to Sweet Apple Acres, she saw Sundowner lose considerable weight. When speaking with Applegem and Sangshine, she commented, “That Sundowner ain’t eatin’ her meals. She’s lettin’ all that good food go to waste. Ah reckon we pin her down and stuff her up with them new apples. THat’ll keep her eatin’ or at least good till she eats again.”

“I totally agree with you,” Sangshine said menacingly,“I think she’ll make a good test subject.” And so that’s what they did with Sundowner the second week after Twilight Sparkle was chased out of Sweet Apple Acres. Sundowner retreated to the fabric shop where the winter clothes and coats were made, and took up spinning when she didn’t work at the guard house in Ponyville. A bunch of Blood Apples tackled her to the floor, tied her down and force fed her until she could eat no more. And she didn’t get sick. They threatened to stuff more apples down her throat until she started ‘eating properly.’

What these ponies all knew was that the blood apples drew their nutrients from that special fertilizer Sundowner told Cheerilee about the other day. Just the thought made the mare sick to the pit of her stomach. She exported that secret when she fled Sweet Apple Acres and met Twilight Sparkle. Soon enough, while Applejack, furious about her office being cleaned out of its precious paperwork, having launched a marehunt, she was completely unaware the fertilizer story, along with everything else, was on the way to Canterlot.

But she didn’t tell the foals the truth as to why blood apples were so nutritious.

“Eat yer dang supper, Apple Belle! Or Ah’ll cram it down yer throat!”

Sweetie Belle took dainty bites of the pie, and still hesitated to touch the steak bites. She looked up accross the table and saw the Jäger foals eating the little steaks (made from the meat parts of the blood apples) like candy. Still she hesitated, and Applejack pounced on her. She held her down while Sangshine forcefed her her supper bite by bite. Everytime Sweetie Belle hesitated, another strict mare wacked her accross the flank with a strawstick. By the time she was done, her flank was bright red and her stomach felt like it was full of rocks.

That night, Sweetie Belle got sick. She broke a sweat, felt nauseous, hacked and heaved, but could not puke. Her throat and stomach burned like they were on fire, and she felt completely drained, almost unable to stumble on her own hooves. All the while Shangshine watched her with a cold calculating look in her eyes. She was unable to concentrate on her schoolwork, and she felt quite ‘drunk’ as the nutrients of the blood apple clashed with the magic in her body, absorbing it, causing the nutrients to break down into alcohols.

“What’sa matter wit’ her?” Applejack demanded.

“Don’t fret, dear,” Sangshine assured her, “this is normal for a unicorn. Once most of her magic has been drained out, she won’t have these effects. A few more meals and she will be just fine."

After she was tossed into bed (and spanked for not doing her evening work), Sweetie Belle layed slumped in her bed, her heart beating like a machine gun, her breathing shallow, her vision obscured with black spots. Tears streamed from the filly’s eyes and she prayed for Celestia to get her through the night. Somehow Sweetie noted Scootaloo also became just as ill, which the adult ponies didn’t understand because Scoots was a pegasus. What they didn’t know that pegasi also produce minute amounts of magic, which is used for fuel when they fly.

She felt bloated, like the contents of her stomach expanded, threatening to tear it apart. This whole time, her horn ached and burned.

So, the next day, when she was at school, Sweetie took her routine trip to the bathroom at the start of lunch hour. She looked in the mirror and examined her own face. She saw that her eyes began to lose some color, an early warning sign of magic loss. After all she had been through since last Autumn, Sweetie Belle’s magic system put up one hell of a fight. The horn cap failed to suppress it, the infected fractures in her horn failed to make an impact, and so did that ‘medicine’ she was forced to take earlier this Spring. But the blood apple began to take its effect to her horror and despair. She had overheard enough ponies talk to know that when unicorns ran out of magic, either from being drained or their failure to keep producing it, they went gray, and died.

She gulped as she looked at herself. She even saw some gray hairs appearing at the roots of her mane. She looked at herself from different angles to see if her coat started discoloring, which she didn’t think was possible as she was white. But then she saw it, right where she once thought her cutie mark would someday appear. The fur on her flank began to turn gray. The difference was faint, but she saw it.

She would have not known this, but while ponies got their colors from the spectra-pigment in their bodies, discoloration occurred in unicorns as the pigment was extracted and used elsewhere mainly due to severe magic disruptions. A thought slipped in through the back of her mind, and her blood turned to ice as the thought through this new prospect: This is it. I am going to die.

She stared in the mirror, tuning out the sound of water running from the sink tap. Some harsh comments from the new Apples came to mind. ”Don’t worry, that unicorn will die soon and come back as an Apple pony.”

”This will snuff the magic right outta her. So what if she dies. Celestia wills it. Either she’ll burn in hell or be re-incarnated as an honest hardworking earth pony.”

She shuddered at the comments Applejack and others made when they caught Sweetie Belle eavesdropping on them. ”Y’know what, Apple Belle?” snarled a drunken Applejack last night, ”Ah didn’t want it, but Ah’ve come to terms with you dyin’ n’ all. You blasted unicorns just can’t live without yer magic, can ya? Ah was hopin you would, but it look like Celestia jus’ might take yer sorry ass. It’s what you’ll get for all the guff n’ ruckus you’ve given me after all Ah did fer ya! You know where you insipid little witchlings go? Hell, that’s where you’ll wind up! You’ll be burnin’ for all of eternity! You want that? Huh, do ya? Answer me, y’ li’l varmint!”

“N...n-*cough*-no, Auntie Applejack, please don’t send me-”

“Then get yer’ sorry flank outta mah face and down to the chapel and start prayin’ you little brat! ‘Cause the way yer’ lookin’ after eatin’ them blood apples, Celestia’s lookin at ya through a shootin’ scope on a lightnin’ bolt! Y’ better pray dammit! Ah wan’t mah Apple Belle re-incarnated, born back here as a decent Apple filly an’ mare! After all Ah did fer you, you owe me that much, now get!”

Sweetie recorded that whole speech. She was too tired, weary, and afraid to even hate Applejack. She even believed that the piously deranged hick farmer mare was right.

After all why would Celestia have put her with the Apples without good reason? She failed to do everything as expected, and now Celestia was getting ready to take her life. She didn’t know how long she had left to live in terms of days or weeks. But she was afraid. Very afraid. Afraid of being sent to hell. All the Apple religion and superstition invaded her brain like a disease and was rooting itself in the core of her mind.

She began to forget what a loving, forgiving, and merciful ruler Celestia was. The filly even saw the Princess with her own eyes, and saw the forgiveness and mercy she bestowed on wayward ponies. Seemed like a long time ago, and it seemed like now Sweetie was in a group of ponies whom Celestia wasn’t so kind to.

Holy condemnation was a favorite topic of the messed up ponies on the farm. A popular rant spoke of saving ponies’ souls by burning them at the stake. Even Applegem made such a despicable comment after Applejack finished her drunken rant.

”Applejack, darling, there is no need to send this poor girl to her eternal doom! She can be cleansed in fire. But it’s the only passage through which she can redeem herself before the Solar Mother. I’ve spoken to so many ponies here and they’re quite upset about Apple Belle and want her burned to spare us any more plagues or misfortunes!”

“No can do, Gemmie. Maybe in Nimbuscait, but down here we believe nature is the ultimate weapon in Celestia’s arsenal in keeping ponies in check. Look at that varmint, she’s startin’ to turn grey. Took them blood apples to deliver her punishment. Ah hate to lose her an’ wonder if she’ll be born again to us, but Ah don’t think its right to interfere in Celestia’s work. She’ll take Apple Belle either way, and its up to us to pray for forgiveness for ours and her sins. Ah hate to admit it *hic* but it’s Celestia’s ultimate decision what to do with her.

“But that don’t mean Ah’m gonna let her sit on her flank and wallow and feel sorry for herself. She’ll keep doing her chores and school work and goin’ to church till the very quarter Celestia takes her from us!”

Sangshine showed up and stared Sweetie Belle right in the eyes when she was trying to eat just last night. ”Well then, I know the blood apples are carrying out Her divine work. You’ve been a naughty filly, haven’t you? A good filly would not start losing her color so quickly now would she? A good unicorn would remain colorful to the end, a sign it is well favored by our Solar Mother. You on the other hoof, Her contempt is starting to show. Not sure if it is worth the time asking for mercy on your soul.”

She closed her eyes and frantically prayed for forgiveness.

I tried, Princess Celestia, I really tried. I’m so sorry.

Tears began streaming from her eyes and she wept silently to herself in the bathroom. In all this time since the Carousel Boutique burned down, and Rarity vanished from her life, Sweetie Belle felt no more crushed than right now. She felt like the whole world was beginning to close in around her. She felt suicidal at some points especially during the Winter, but now she knew death would offer no escape-

Wham!

A leather ball struck the window, scaring the crap out of her, briefly jolting Sweetie out of her despair. The glass panes briefly rattled in their wooden frame as the shockwaves of the impact dissipated. She watched the ball bounce back and fall away from the window.

Damn colts, she thought. They always kicked balls or threw things at the bathroom windows to scare the fillies for entertainment. She ducked to avoid being seen, because if they saw her, they’d kick the ball at the window again. She never did well with sudden loud noises. Earlier this year, they kicked the ball at the window so hard, it scared the crap out of some teenage unicorn. She sparked so hard she blew up the bathroom sink.

Sweetie went to wash her hooves when the second impact came. The same ball, accompanied by some rocks, smashed their way right through the glass, instantly shattering the entire window. The ball had struck on the frame, shattering the frame above it, causing the glass to come down, carried inward by the momentum of the hit.

Sweetie Belle screamed and threw her hooves up to cover her face as she was showered with glass. Seconds later, a pair of saddle bags sailed in through the window, hitting her before she could react, knocking her down. The bags bounced off her face and slammed into the tin garbage can by the door.

“Holy shit!”

“Oh buck, buck buck!”

“Nice going, Rumble!”

Who the hay? Sweetie thought as she got up and shook the glass off of her. She peered out the smashed open window. The part that opened fell off and rested on the metal radiator under the sill. She peered around to see who threw those-

“Hey look, it’s Apple Belle!”

“She did it! I’m telling!”

“Tell Cheerilee she sparked and blew it up!”

“Oh buck, the teacher’s coming.”

“Cheese it!”

After acquiring their scapegoat, the three colts ran. Then it hit Sweetie Belle. Sure the rocks and sidebags weren’t hers, but no doubt any second the teachers were going to barge in and blame her. There was a notion even at the school where the earth pony foals blamed their property damage on the unicorns. Sometimes they got away with it, sometimes they didn’t-

Oh living buck- Applejack’s gonna kill me-

Buck risking explaining this to the teachers and protesting her innocence, Applejack would bash her with a baseball bat when she found out about this. Then a bunch of nerves snapped together and Sweetie Belle got the very thing she prayed for. A way out. Through the gaping hole where the window was. That, and all her thoughts and fears fired up an instinct she never thought she had, an instinct that took over rational thought. An instinct activated by her subconscious that now no longer trusted the terrified filly with her own safety.

Without thinking, Sweetie Belle picked up the saddlebags, climbed ontop of the radiator, scratching and cutting herself on the shards everywhere. She made it onto the window sill and jumped. She disappeared the split second before a mob of furious teachers bashed open the doors and stormed into the bathroom.

She took the saddlebags on account that a filly wearing a pair of saddlebags would be less suspicious in town during school hours than one without. She’d likely be presumed to be on some important task for her parents or teacher. Cheerilee did send somepony out during lunch hour to pick up needed things at the general store. Fillies opted for the task to get out of class for a few degrees, if the trip was made during class time.

Sweetie Belle made her way around the corner to the backside of the school building, and hid. The school bell rang, ending the lunch hour. Foals griped and whined as they made their way back to the doors close to Sweetie’s hiding spot.

“Where is Apple Belle?” Snips piped.

“D’ah I don’t know, I heard she broke the fillies’ bathroom window. She’s gonna get it big time now, hehe.” Snails replied.

Sweetie Belle looked through the little visual gaps in the hedge she hid behind, and spotted that bitch Diamond Tiara and Silverspoons. Right now those two were dangerous. In the time since the foals smashed the window and ran, news spread across the schoolyard. Those brats covered their flanks, spun their story and told everyfoal that Sweetie Belle did it.

She knew Diamond Tiara was too eager to trump up her clout and enforce that story, then later extort those foals for their lunches.

Sweetie Belle’s instinct sharpened her awareness, and made her sharp and alert. It was a kind of thing that occurred with an animal in danger. Soon the second bell rang, and the doors were shut. The schoolyard was empty. Sweetie quickly thought out how much time she had until Cheerilee realized she wasn’t in class and sent somepony to look for her.

This is it. Escape or die.

She was going to die anyway, but to hell with it.

Sweetie Belle sprang from behind the hedge and galloped full speed accross the schoolyard for the bushes, trees, and shrubs that bordered the premesis. She leaped and threw herself over the gap between two bushes, tumbled out of sight and onto the small dirt clearing behind. She was out of sight, and safe for now. That sprint took around 30 seconds. No doubt somepony saw her from in the school

The canopy of the trees and overgrowth shaded her from the blistering heat and light of the sun. Sweetie Belle knew this little area quite well. Almost everyfoal knew of the barely visible tracks and trails that lead to openings on the other side, which anypony small enough could sneak off school grounds, into town, and sneak back in again.

She got up, shook the dirt and leaves off, and made her way through the foliage. Here was where the badass wannabe older foals hung out. Here was also where Diamond Tiara’s henchfoals dragged others and shook them down for their lunches which they were forced to promise to pass up later.

When she got through to the other opening, Sweetie Belle paused, and began licking herself off like a cat. she spat out blood and dirt. This kind of cleaning was deemed disgusting as ponies had access to water and were supposed to be more civilized.  After a few minutes of clearing up as much of the blood on the few cuts she got in the bathroom, she made her next move.

Sweetie gazed out at the streets. She knew that Ponyville was especially dangerous for her right now. Not only were there ponies who would march her right back to Cheerilee’s classroom, but there were the x number of Apple ponies going about their business in town. She didn’t bother praying, she already took the situation into her own hooves. After minutes of anxious observance, there was an opening between the townsponies big enough for her to gallop accross the street into the alleys behind the houses and buildings. She sprinted.

The blocks of buildings in Ponyville were split up with alleyways of cobblestone, just like the streets. Each house contained four to six flats, each housing a family of ponies. The back yards consisted of wash tub areas, gardens where fruits, vegetables, and flowers were grown, and outhouses where ponies did their bathroom business. Sweetie knew that the toilets led to pits connected to underground tunnels where well-paid ‘muck ponies’ removed the waste, which was taken and converted into fertilizer for use out in the farms.

Well off ponyfolk had their own plumbing systems and flushing toilets, bath tubs, and sinks. So did Rarity’s shop, Sugarcube corner, and the Golden Oaks Library.

Sweetie treaded carefully through the alleys, and dashed across the streets as she made her way to the edge of town, but she got lost and zig-zagged for a few hours, running, then hiding in somepony’s backyard outhouse.

She considered visiting Twilight again, but under the ‘hex’ of her survival instinct, she did not trust Twilight Sparkle one bit. Twilight did nothing for her. No doubt she’d hoof her right back to Applejack. Maybe Sweetie would have knocked on Twilight’s door if she was thinking rationally, but not now.

The clock tower rang its chime. 60° in the afternoon. She also heard the school bell ringing, marking the end of school for the day and the beginning of summer break. Sweetie was filled with dismay and dread as she found herself near the school again. Then, she came accross the library and comtemplated again actually knocking on Twilight’s door. She hid in a bush, afraid of the Apple ponies finding her. No doubt Applejack sent out a hunting party.

Sweetie pondered. Maybe Twilight tried to help her, from what Applebloom and Scootaloo explained about Twilight being at the farm shouting at Applejack about her.  She’d be safe at the treehouse, once inside. Twilight would teleport her out of Ponyville and somewhere safe-

Sweetie shook her head at the thought-

The door was kicked open, and a frantic Twilight Sparkle came shooting out of the library, galloping at full speed, her eyes bloodshot and her mane and tail a complete mess. After countless hours (or days) of studying, work and caffeine, the unicorn looked like she had been on drugs.

“Crap, crap crap, crap, crap!!” Twilight shrieked to herself as she bolted past Sweetie’s hiding spot. In her frantic hurrying, Twilight missed the root she otherwise would have seen and tripped her front hooves on it. She stumbled several steps then recovered, but not before her left saddlebag popped open, releasing its cargo as she flopped about trying not to plant her face in the ground.

The package, wrapped in paper hit the hard-packed dirt as Twilight sped off, completely unaware she lost the most important thing she had to take wherever she was going. She got so harried that she failed to even notice her left saddlebag was now 30 bars lighter.

Sweetie waited until Twilight Sparkle disappeared from sight. So much for asking for her help. But her survival instincts told her the package on the ground, less than three trots away from her...could be useful.

Sweetie waited until nopony was around or looking, and she sprang out from behind the bushes, grabbed the package with her teeth, realizing it was heavier than she expected, quickly dragged it back to her hiding spot. Stoked about her new gain, she stuffed the heavy package into her stolen sidebag. She decided the foal who owned the pair wouldn’t get more than a stiff verbal reprimand from his or her parents.  A small price to pay for smashing the window and trying to pin the blame on her.

Sweetie Belle resumed her task of sneaking through Ponyville, and trying to find her way out. She knew the layout (and wondered why in her panic earlier she went around in circles and almost wound up back at the school), and made her way eastward through the alleyways and back streets. She pondered if her new sidebags would disguise her but she dismissed the thought. Very, very few ponies had a pink-purple mane, and she was easily recognizable by ponies thanks to her CMC days. If she tried to disguise herself with a hat or sunglasses, ponies would ask questions- why would anypony want to cover up their mane?

Getting out of Ponyville was not easy, she realized. The roads to the south or east lead to bridges to the outer parts of town accross the Bucephalus Brook, a 43-trot wide river. On the bridges, there was no cover, and she’d be found by somepony real quick. She doubted now that the Apples were in charge of the town guard, and that everpony now viewed her as Applejack’s filly, an excuse that she was delivering something to Fluttershy’s tree cottage seemed lame and pathetic.

The roads to the west led to the train station, and the fields, which she believed most were taken over by the Apple family. Not a safe way out.

She pondered hiding under a bridge until nightfall. Her stomach growled. She didn’t get a chance to eat her lunch. Then from the mouth of the alley where she hid, she saw the poop cart passing by. The poop cart was loaded at the edge of the river, where the entrance to the underground tunnels led. She watched intently as the cart was slowly pulled down to the stone hut under the bridge that led to Fluttershy’s.

She fled to a closer hiding spot and waited as buckets of manure were sealed and loaded onto the cart. After several degrees, the stallions began pulling the cart up to the street level, and proceeded to cross the bridge. Now was her chance. Sweetie Belle waited until no pony was looking, and she climbed aboard the cart as it passed her.

She was hidden away by the wooden fence around the cart.

She gagged at the smell of shit coming from the closed tin pails and wanted to jump back out, but stayed put as she was carried accross the bridge.  She wondered how the hay anypony could do this poop job for a whole day. There weren’t even that many pails and she figured they were going to the south side of the river to collect more poop.

After crossing the bridge, the stallions unfastened themselves and opened the hatch in the ground. Sweetie panicked and jumped and climbed around the full buckets and quickly stashed herself away when the door to the back was unlatched and came down. The stallions grabbed the stack of empty buckets and went into the stairway that the ground hatch opened to reveal, leaving the cart, and Sweetie Belle unattended.

She peered out through the slits in the wooden fenced canopy and saw fewer ponies trotting around out here. She climbed out and ran.

Sweetie galloped in the direction of Fluttershy’s house, but had no intent on knocking on the fragile pegasus’ door. She passed the treehouse and dashed into the woods through a little trail Fluttershy took to visit all her little animal friends in their burrows.

Sweetie Belle found a good little grassy spot by a small two trot wide stream. The whole area was shaded by the tall canopy of the forest. In the distance, she saw the tall metal-limestone fence and the darker, more sinister looking vegetation of Everfree beyond. The fence was barely visible, obscured by trees and plants. She stepped down to the river, and dunked her head in for a much needed drink. She had been running and hiding all afternoon, and spent too much time roasting in the sunlight.

The filly suddenly snapped her head out of the water, gagged and coughed, wondering if in the frantic gulping of water she accidentally swallowed a small fish. But she didn’t feel anything in her stomach, so she took back to her spot where she left the saddlebags and her new prize. She had gotten this far, and wondered if her escape so far was aided by Princess Celestia, or if the Princess would put an end to this little escapade and see her back in Apple custody soon enough. But she didn’t care about that, she was too self determined. And now that she was safely hidden, she turned her attention to the package.

Spellbook from Hells Past

Sweetie Belle opened the sidebag containing the package, and pulled it out. She examined the writing on the wrapping and the inked hoof stamp, and postage sticker.

86th Day of Spring, Year 1004

Twilight Sparkle

Golden Oaks Library,

Ponyville, BB-PNV

→

Princess Celestia

Sweetie took the envelope attached to the package, and tossed it, then  went to work trying to open the package. The little string came off easy, but when she tried to rip off the paper wrapping, that was a different story. Bright violet sparks shot back at her, and she grew increasingly frustrated with the package. It was probably a spellbook or something important. In her rage fit, Sweetie stomped on, kicked, bit, and struck the package, but the paper was as strong as wood. She buck-kicked the package into a tree, then tackled it.

For the better part of a degree, Sweetie Belle flipped out and let loose on the package, and beat the crap out of it. she gnawed at it, while trying to rip the wrapping off with her hind hooves, as if she was a cat trying to disembowel a mouse. Twilight Sparkle’s seal spell fought back and shot sparks at her, which stung.

Sweetie grunted in frustration, and stomped on it. She threw it in the river, bashed it with a rock, threw it back up onto dry ground, then something new happened, the package zapped her back, right on the horn. Sweetie Belle squealed in agony as she went down for the count. But that just made the normally timid filly angrier. she recovered and got up.

“So you want to play hard, do ya, well how about this!”

She flexed the muscles in her head, and tried to shoot some of her own magic at it, but nothing happened. Then she remembered she couldn't cast magic because of that bucking blood apple pie she had to eat last night. Sweetie Belle swore.

She sat on her flank four hooves away from the package. She tried shooting magic at it, but so much for imagining it like Sea Spray told her to. She tried again and again to cast magic. Then, out of nowhere, she fired a powerful bolt at the package, causing the air around it to crackle. She was stunned and felt woozy. Almost tipped over and fell down. But what really happened with nopony even knowing, was the spellbook had cast it's own magic at her.

Then she saw it, and gasped with a smile. A tear in the paper. With new-found excitement, Sweetie attacked the package and ripped off the paper like it was nothing. She didn't care how she broke Twilight Sparkle’s protection spell.

After ripping off the wrapping paper and tossing it aside, Sweetie was surprised to see the spellbook. It looked nothing like any other she saw in her entire life. It was bound with a brown leathery material, etched and painted on it was an illustration the young filly could hardly comprehend. She saw strange, scary looking symbols, with a picture of lightning bolts criss-crossing each other in a coat-of-arms like symbol. In the center was a series of strange star-like symbols.

The filly was not yet aware that the spellbook enchanted with wild and dangerous magic, was on to her. An inaudible low-frequency sound resonated from the book, putting the unwary filly into a mild trance, brewing up a sense of enticement in her, a desire to open it and see for herself all the wonders in the unicorn world, and a plethora of promises made many thousands of years ago.

Sweetie Belle became no longer aware of the world around her. It was just her, and the spellbook. It was thick, like one of those heavy 50 bar encyclopedias that Twilight threw around her library, which could squash Spike flat.

Sweetie Belle felt like she was under the growing hypnotic trance, and as she stared at the illustrations and glyphs on the front cover, magical data, invisible, began streaming into the corner of her subconscious where dreams came from.

The filly couldn't believe her luck. She scored an epic spellbook.

Sweetie Belle opened the book and started looking through the pages. She felt her hooves and mouth tingle as she touched the ancient paper. Each page held countless paragraphs of symbols and letters she had never seen before, accompanied by glyphs, graphs, charts, recipes, and such. Highly detailed illustrations followed. She flipped the pages to the back of the book, but she never got to the last page, they kept turning and turning as if there were infinite pages.

What the hay...

She flipped back to the first few pages but wasn't able to find it. She knew nothing of the language in which the spells or explanations were written. She could only guess at the few illustrations and pictures. One showed a unicorn beaming a powerful spell at a bunch of pegasi. And another drawing portrayed a large mushroom cloud rising above a fire.

Then something else caught her eye, a diagram accompanied by an explanation in its ancient language. It was a simple illustration, with writing strewn all over it. There was a line and a symbol of a sun above it, then a vertical line stretching down to a large shaded box. But Sweetie Belle didn't have time to think because at that moment, the spellbook, as if waiting in ambush, 'attacked.'

A huge bolt of hot blue shot out of the spellbook, striking Sweetie Belle right in the face. She squeaked and tried to jump back, but before she could do that, the beam of magic centered on the tip of her horn and seeped into her brain, paralyzing her. In a brief split second before Sweetie Belle lost contact with the outside world, she wondered if it was a defensive spell to take out unwanted intruders, such as herself.

The spellbook vibrated and shook, and on its own began flipping pages, spewing out more crackling bolts of magic which lashed out like ethereal appendages, zeroing in on the petrified filly, and spread across her body over her fur. Soon she was wrapped in a field of magic from nose to tail. She involuntarily stared at the book, unable to look away as it worked its magic on her. Finally after ages, the book found a suitable prey, and would consume it and infuse the poor filly with all its unholy infernal power, and make her feel the full wrath of its vanquished, yet still anguished authors, who once upon a time millennia before the Summer Sun Celebration, created this spellbook in hopes of exacting revenge on their enemies who threatened to annihilate them from the face of Equestria.

The very instant Sweetie Belle was shot in the face, she saw nothing but blinding white, and the world went dark, the spellbook the only object she could see. She tried to step back, turn away, desperately wanting to run. She forgot all about trying escape from Ponyville at this point. Now she was shit scared of being consumed alive by a spellbook.

She tried to scream but she was paralyzed where she stood, rooted firmly to the ground as the spellbook, now floating and turning its pages violently, shooting beams, bolts, and wisps of magic all over her. Every volt of magic hurt, even more so as it beamed right into her damaged magic system, right down the horn, through the nerves and the tubes all over her which stored and carried magic. Her magic system fumed with rage and she felt the burning sensation all through her body. She felt like her organs were about to fry and all the blood her body about to boil into a furious hot vapor. But her eyes were locked open and she was forced to stare at the pages, and her mind began reading the spells, scanning the symbols, and etching them into the core of her subconscious, and her soul.

The pages snapped to and fro, and she was involuntarily learning magic at an impossible rate. Magical data was being beamed into her little brain by the terabyte. If she could think, she would have been screaming for Celestia or whatever was controlling the spellbook to stop.

Then the poor filly began to hallucinate and trip out. She was already no longer able to see the grass, nor the trees or river around her, and certainly not the bright daylight. Her brain seized and hurt like hell as high voltage beams of energy and memory shot through it, re-writing it like a hard drive. She began to hear and see things.

Sweetie Belle began to hear the echoes of voices, then the voices themselves. The speech was muffled but the words became clear, as if she could understand them, and yet the arrangements of words were different. Then she began to see things, and soon that came clear to her. She saw unicorns. Lots of them, talking, shouting, crying, and screaming. In fear, or rage. Her mind soon flooded with memories that weren't even hers; carrying her from scene to scene. She unwarily was reliving the moments, violent, war-torn moments of unicorns who lived in the past. Through them she witnessed entire cities burning, violent bloody battles waged between unicorns and earth ponies. Violent raids on villages, 'witch' burnings, torture, and murder. Without knowing it, Sweetie Belle re-lived the violent deaths of thousands. She was stabbed with spears and swords, she was splashed with hot oil, she was burned at the steak. Every bit hurt like hell, and there was no way that the poor filly could describe the agonizing gruesome deaths her ancestors experienced.

The scenes became longer, and more vivid and detailed, full of violent, physical, and magic combat, accompanied by explosions, blood, and gore.

She was standing guard at a fort when she heard somepony shout, "Here they come! By the light of Celestia look at all of them!"

She looked up saw the incoming Pegasi. The entire sky turned black as their number stretched from horizon to horizon. but she somehow knew these were no ordinary Pegasi, when they arrived and attacked, she saw they were much bigger, and had the features of ravenous, carnivorous beasts, with sharp claws on their hooves, and long, razor sharp teeth. They barked and growled like the wolves and bears. The earth ponies and unicorns who fought back together stood no chance. They were decimated and shredded alive by a hurricane of claws and gnashing teeth.

She was whisked away to another scene, which didn't consist of violent suffering and death. Here she relived the moments of a young unicorn mage who stood before what Sweetie thought was a council. She stood, robed and hooded, along with a group of other initiates, paying attention to these higher-up unicorn mages. Infront of them, hovered a stack of menacing looking spellbooks, all orbiting one another.

"We have created the ultimate weapon, in which all unicorn kind must take up in the war against our annihilation," the faceless group said. "Take this spellbook, and use it to bestow all we have invested to each and every unicorn. Thousands of unicorn magi, scholars, and alchemists have sacrificed everything to bring this book together. You will be the new messiahs; you will deliver this new word of salvation to our kind, and they will rise up, empowered by the magical plane, and the anguished spirits of the damned, and your followers will unleash the the furious vengeance, and smite our enemies off the face of Equestria! Go forth and fulfill the prohecies!"

Another memory flowed through her, and this time, she watched white-robed unicorns working at a large apparatus she did not understand.

"We did it, mylord, we have successfully cracked the very particles from which all is made. We have found ways to fuse them all together. With this kind of energy, we can obliterate MILLIONS of those damn Pegasi and earth ponies once and for all! We shall begin creating these devices in earnest. Soon enough, one will fly to the very black hearts of the cloud cities and vaporize them!"

Then a white hot flash, and a deafening boom. Sweetie was now outside, hiding from the light, and flipped off her hooves by the violent blast wave. She got up and gazed in horror at the menacing mushroom cloud that loomed over the horizon. Hundreds around her cheered, and then another-

There was a violent blast, very local, but loud as hell, as if an entire box full of 200 decibel air bang canisters detonated at once. The spellbook 'exploded,' violently throwing the filly back. She slammed laterally into the trunk of a nearby tree, bounced off and landed into a nearby bush, with so much force the barreled through it, and smacked the ground, and the world went dark.

The site, within two trots of the spellbook, was instantly scorched gray. The spellbook, which anypony who would have seen this, was not destroyed as they'd have guessed. Instead it dropped and hit the ground, shut, waiting for its next subject.

Nearby, the letter that came with the package read:

Dear Princess Celestia, This package contains the spellbook I mentioned in a previous letter. It’s the one I found at the ruins, during my recent trip into Everfree. Not much was there, other than this spellbook, which seems to have persevered against natural decay. I cannot specify how old it is as the magic it has been enchanted with has prevented me from being able to radiocarbon date it.

After many weeks of examining this spellbook, and cross-referencing much of its content with other resources, I have found that this spellbook is extremely dangerous, and had to take high precautions to keep its magic isolated from mine during my studies. I have been able to write up computer scripts for its spells I was able to decode, and the models and numbers I entered into my computer spell programs have produced a disturbing picture as to the what some of the spells in this tome can do.

I have had to cast protection spells on myself and imbibe potions to prevent this book’s magic, which exhibits complex aggressive programming by its castors, from hacking into me in any way. If opened and read, any spell written within this book will, as I can describe, force its way into the magic system of any unicorn not trained for this kind of art, and imprint itself into the unicorn’s magic system and mind. These spells appear to draw immense power, which I fear could kill any ordinary unicorn before they can even successfully cast a spell. The spells I have deciphered manually without being affected can cause great destruction.

I have cross-checked this tome with the history of spellbooks that were created and used as weapons. And this spellbook is one of them. For security purposes I am sending this tome to you. I am unsure of who else should receive it at this point considering this spellbook is so dangerous. I could only study it so much without subjecting myself to the power stored within. I have no doubt it has killed many foolish unicorns who tried to use it. I have sealed the package with a spell to prevent anypony from opening this package.

Your most faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.

+ +

It didn't take long for a few ponies to come check out where that startling explosion came from. The first on the scene was Twilight Sparkle, who detected the burst of magic and came galloping as fast as she could. She parted the plants, bushes and vegetation and made her way to the magic hot spot. She saw the spellbook lying on the ground, everything around it scorched grey.

"Oh shit, shit, shit, shit, shit..." Twilight panicked as she quickly thought this out. Somepony managed to open the package which she herself sealed, and got into the spellbook...

She didn't want to think about what happened to the poor unicorn who got into the spellbook. Nothing remained of the poor moron. Twilight found herself hyperventilating, clearly afraid of the consequences she'd soon face for losing an extremely dangerous spellbook, and her mind boggled with the guilt she was already feeling now that because of her somepony was dead, probably blown right out of existence. But who?

The anxious lavender unicorn ran from the library with the spellbook safely tucked in her sidebag, got to the train station in time to add it to the town's outgoing mail, but when she got there, she found it was gone and was frantically re-tracing her hoof steps. She would have gone to the town guard, but she didn't trust the increasing number of Apple ponies there. Infact, Twilight had intended to leave Ponyville real soon and apply for a self delivery permit so she could get the package, and herself into Canterlot, well out of harm's reach. Then she'd track down Sundowner and have her brought to Canterlot as well.

But now that the spellbook was used and probably killed somepony, Twilight had to face the facts that shit just got blown all over the place, and it was only a matter of time before the townguard, and the Apples looked into it, and used the incident to trump up their clout and anti-unicorn sentiment.

As Twilight frantically paced around the spellbook and looked about she had no idea that the culprit was lying behind some bushes just a few trots away from her. Twilight cast some protective spells on herself, and placed the spellbook in her sidebag. She wasn't sure to stay or go. The student had been up for days on end with no sleep, and found it very difficult to think straight. She grew increasingly paranoid and scared. Her Element was hard at work trying to tear her apart from the inside. She planned on jumping aboard the afternoon train but now she'd have to wait until the night train.

+ +

Sweetie Belle dreamed. First it was nothing but black, then she recognized the recurring nightmare she had countless of times before: she was in some dark place, seeing nothing but black, and trying to escape from something that was after her. She woke up crying from the dream, even more frequently since Applejack adopted her.

It was basically a routine dream, then things began changing fast. She found herself stepping over bricks, rocks, splintered wood, glass fragments, and other bits and pieces of destroyed objects. Then among all the debris she began to recognize bone fragments, bits of flesh, rotted blood and decayed gore.

She was running through this dark wasteland, and the rest of this nightmarish world began to materialize around her.

“Allright! Move out!” the earth pony stallion in front of her shouted. She found herself among a troupe of six ponies, four earth ponies and two unicorns. They kept low to the ground, shuffling around on their stomachs, maneuvering with their hooves. Each donned leather garbs, and had loaded sidebags.

Above them, chaos. The whole area was under attack. By the Pegasi. They flew around by the thousands, feverishly scanning the remains of the city for any live earth ponies to feed on or unicorns to kill.

Many of the pegasi were those mutant monsters she was strangely familiar with. She was no longer Sweetie Belle, but a young unicorn fighting for her life in this place and time. Some pegasi were equipped with weapons that beamed lasers and lightning bolts.

The six ponies shuffled on the ground, then when deemed safe enough, they got up and galloped, careful to remain hidden by the ruins from the night sky and ravenous Pegasi.

The earth ponies accompanying them were equipped with weird magic beam guns; bestowed on them by their unicorn allies. The unicorns shot back spells and beams of raw magic from time to time, shooting down Pegasi who go too close.

Then she realized that even though they were on the ground trying not to get killed by the pegasi warriors and bloodthirsty pegafreaks, the group was on the offensive, and were following a cloud. No natural cloud, but an airborne hydroglass aircraft disguised as a  cloud. A war ship of some kind, piloted by the Pegasi, one hell of a killing machine. It shot out lightning bolts in all direction, fired supercooled ‘hail bombs’, whipped up devastating tornadoes.

She looked up at the ominous aircraft. From end to end this ‘cloud’ spanned 400 trots. No recognisable nose or tail. The largest of the earth ponies on the ground lugged with him a weapon meant to destroy the cloud ship, 200 trots above them.

A new sound grew from behind them, that of howls and barks, and they looked back, and ran for cover; they found it in the remains of a collapsed windmill. They exchanged tense anxious glances with other allies, and hunkered down as the new threat came into view- a flock of pega freaks, easily in the hundreds flew over them, then dived for the ground close by. The pegafreaks, mutant pegasi with claws on their hooves, razor sharp teeth and hulking muscle mass, began sniffing around. The group remained hidden under the remains of the windmill. They knew better than to engage the pega freaks.

After a few minutes the pegafreaks barked and snarled at one another and took to the air. The place was too saturated in magic residue and radiation for them to properly sniff out fresh prey.

The six-pony group moved out again proceeded to a decent vantage point, all the while shooting at pegasi, trying not to get hit by lightning bolts, or hail bombs. Each of the six had spells cast on them enabling them to detect surrounding electrical instabilities. Soon as their hairs stood up, they bolted, seconds before the spot was struck by a 500 kilo-amp 30 million volt lightning bolt. The blast wave was local but devastating, and the thundering boom that followed was deafening. Each pony on the ground wore a special head cap that protected its ears from the never ending serenade of ear shattering thunder. They were also spelled to protect them against the neural effects of infrasound.

A lightning bolt exploded less than ten trots behind them, blowing up the ruined house and throwing them to the ground with its shock wave. The instantly-fulgarized ruins collapsed into a heap of ash.

Puny 30 kilo amp bolts were fired by pegasus troops flying above. They mastered the art of targeted electrical transfers from air to ground, from negative to positive charge. To them it was like shooting laser beams.

The unicorns and their earth pony allies fired back with magic beams from their own hoof guns and horns, making for epic shootouts from which at least one pony on either side was blown to bits.

The three pegasi warriors above quickly turned their attention to a new threat from below and this group made good on that. They all opened fire, shooting down two of the three pegasi warriors, forcing the other one to flee before they could get him too.  Then they quickly scattered before another massive bolt of lightning struck their spot.

As the battle raged on all around them, they made their way out of the city and into the fulgarized burned remains of a forest, trying to get a vantage point close to what they were instructed back at base was a vulnerable side of the cloud machine above them.

After climbing a hill shrouded in dead shrubs, they came to a good spot, and readied their offense. The big stallion bit off the ropes that he used to lug a large cobalt tube. The tube, heavy as hell, was loaded with magical explosives. Very dangerous.

The team hoisted the tube on its base, and the unicorns opened their spellbooks, and began charging up the spell needed to launch this projectile at its target. They were also aware that dozens of teams, if not taken out by the Pegasi already, depended on them.

Magic was beamed on the primitive rocket, and this unicorn whom Sweetie Belle became, stood by with her team surrounding her, ready to blast the hell out of anything that got too close. She beamed her luminescent aqua magic on the rocket, and ran the spells through her mind. She looked up at the Pegasi cloud ship, and imagined the target site, right where two identical bulges of cloud stood out against the rest of the structure.

Then she fired a blast of magic at the rocket, and it blew its way into the air, screaming up to its target, and vanished within the cloud itself.

The team said nothing as they turned to flee-

The world exploded around them. Sweetie Belle was thrown and slammed into a tree. She was pulled to her hooves by two other ponies who screamed at her, but over the deafening roar of the never ending storm and war, she just nodded, struggled and limped. She was injured, but far from giving up. They looked and saw more rockets shoot up at the Pegasi cloud ship. They all disappeared, then all at once they blew.

The whole cloud lit up, and exploded in several blasts, forcing everypony on the ground to take cover. The crew of Pegasi inside stood no chance. They were instantly scorched alive or shredded by exploding shards of hydroglass. The whole thing began to disintegrate and it rained hydroglass, metal, hail bombs and other Pegasi-made ordinance, and corpses.

A sense of triumph overtook the mare and her team. They cheered over their victory. But only for seconds before they retreated out of sight.

Soon enough, massive swarms of raging Pegasi arrived on the scene and engaged those who dared to destroy their new killing machine, or even fight back. The team galloped, shooting back at those who chased them. They retreated into an old wooden building. Big mistake.

The Pegasi fired lightning bolts at it, causing the wood to ignite, and quickly burn. The team found themselves trapped inside as the fire quickly engulfed the building. The place was tinder dry after years of drought, and lit up as if it had been doused in oil. Suddenly, each of the three surviving ponies faced death via fire and struggled to escape. Just outside they heard the roar of the horde of pega freaks barking and growling inside. The air grew stifling hot, and the flames began to lick at their flanks...

Sweetie Belle woke with a violent jolt, and a gasp. Her stomach hurt like hell and she flopped and flailed till she got on all four hooves, and her stomach violently contracted, and she puked out the contents of last night's supper. It was that blood apple shit she was force fed. It had gone black inside her stomach, and her system, now loaded with magic energy, expelled that stuff out of her. She gasped and panted until she caught her breath, then she heard a nearby rustle.

She instantly fired up her horn, and looked around, ready to blast the hell out of those-

A squirrel jumped from a bush branch and climbed up a nearby tree.

No more fire, and the sounds of a more familiar world returned to her. The echo of the stream of the nearby brook trickled into her ears, and she saw the leaves and flowers of the bushes surrounding her. She was still scared and by some instinct she never had before, Sweetie Belle bolted from inside the bush and made her way back to the brook before realizing that there was no danger, she was back in Ponyville, safe and sound. Well from all that chaos, death, destruction and pain she just dreamed about. Seemed so real...

As she arrived back at the brook, Sweetie Belle's memory came back to her. The spellbook!

She made her way back to where she was before being fried by that spellbook she stole from Twilight Sparkle.

Nothing remained of the spellbook, nor even the saddlebags she stole from school. What was left was a trot-wide circular patch of grass scorched grey. She remained hidden, as she thought she heard ponies talking near by. She went back to the river. Still confused about all that just transpired from the second she opened the spell book. Her memories of Sweet Apple Acres and Applejack's tyranny came back.

Sweetie found that hiding spot by the water; the grassy overhang where plants and overgrowth stretched down into the brook, concealing a half-trot wide little den. That was the place she and Applebloom met Scootaloo that day when the three of them tried to train together.

She sat in the den, and gazed out over the water, and the surrounding forest. Everything was bathed in bright gold pre-dusk sunlight. How many degrees had it been? Surely Applejack would be bloody furious now. She sat there, trying to think things through. She tried to remember the ultra-vivid and painful dreams, but found she couldn't remember much. Still she felt phantom pains all over her body. Then she realized she conducted magic no problem back in that bush.

With a mere thought, Sweetie Belle's horn charged up with magic, bright pale-blue magic. She looked at a rock, and just as she thought about it, the rock lifted into the air, drawn up off the ground and held by her magical tractor beam. This magic had come with sudden ease. It hurt to cast but she had no problem levitating the rock, then she let it drop to the ground.

She tried the light spell Sea Spray taught her and suddenly her horn lit up so bright, and she felt the burning sensations as magic surged through her. It startled her more than it hurt and she shouted, "Stop!"

And the horn light spell died.

Sweetie's heart beat quickly and she felt herself shaking. She sensed the immense surge of magic power within her, and credited Twilight's spellbook for that. But she quickly discovered as she ran things through her mind, she suddenly knew more spells, and quickly turned to the rock in front of her. Trying out a new spell for the first time, she flexed the muscle under her horn and beamed her magic at the rock.

After a minute the rock began to glow, and melt. She reduced it to a small glop of searing hot magma. The dirt and grass around it scorched and smoke came up, but she was too preoccupied by another spell that came to mind, and exercising that, Sweetie discovered she could compress the little lump of magma and control how it cooled. What she got was a strange crystalline mass. She had just done one thing Rarity had always wanted to do: Turn ordinary rocks into jewels. Rarity was big on jewelry as well as fashion, but her own line of gems was small as the materials were expensive to order, and nopony in Ponyville would have afforded the obviously high priced trinkets.

Somehow she altered the arrangements of the chemical elements and compounds that made up the original rock. She wondered if Rarity would be proud, then her mind, still scrambling things around in her brain brought back Applejack's strongly worded no-magic lectures.

In a fit of sudden rage, Sweetie Belle lifted the translucent agglomerated agate and involuntarily propelled the thing at impossible speed, slamming it into a small foal-sized boulder on the other side of the brook. The rock she re-made only partially shattered, and the rest of it instantly melted. Now the boulder had a massive crack in it, with multicolored glass stuck on it.

She panted, more startled by what she just did. She wanted to destroy that rock. Blow it the buck up. Just like Applejack. The anger in her made her blood boil and she assumed a predatory cat's pose and charged up her horn, about to blast raw magic at-

Hooves kicked up the dirt behind her and she spun around. Applejack!

Just as she was about to release the crackling magic at the new threat, Sweetie saw that the foal tumbling down into the dugout was dark orange and sported a magenta mane. SCOOTALOO!

Her normal instinct kicked in and just before she blew Scootaloo away, Sweetie turned back and pointed her charged horn at the dirt, and lost her hold on it. There was a massive spark, and it kicked up a cloud of dust around her.

Scootaloo, after failing to climb down into their little hideout, and tumbling into it, got up and saw Sweetie Belle coughing and gagging in a cloud of dust. She heard the snap of magic, but had no idea she could have been killed.

"Sweetie Belle!" Scootaloo cried, still heaped up on her back from the fall into the pit.

Sweetie kept coughing 'til she got the dust out of her nose, mouth, and throat. She was gasping for air, and her heart went off like a machine gun, threatening to blow itself up. Now she broke a sweat.

"Buck...I could have killed you!" Sweetie Belle breathed, still shaken from everything.

"What?" Scoots said as she got up.

Sweetie had no way to explain everything to her friend. "What...what are you doing here?"

Scootaloo sweating and breathing like she just scooted a marathon sat down next to her. "I can't take it anymore."

"Take what?" Sweetie asked.

"Those Apples! I can't spend another degree or even minute at their farm! I just can't. They're all completely bucked up and batty insane!"

"Obviously," Sweetie said flatly. "That's why I didn't even go home. I snuck out of school at lunch time.

"Applejack is freaking pissed, Sweetie Belle," Scoots warned her, "Everypony at school is saying you broke the bathroom window. I seriously think she wants to rip you in half. She...she...she damn clobbered me upside the head!"

Scootaloo started tearing up and crying.

"What the hay for?"

"She wanted to know where you were and I didn't know so she beat me up. Applebloom too. She took one of those hickory sticks and whacked us both with it."

Sweetie Belle fumed with rage but she tried not to show it. She didn't want to scare Scootaloo away with her newly acquired powers. "How'd you escape from there?"

"I got on the poop cart when nopony was looking. You know that giant cart that two stallions have to pull? It's got all those buckets of poop from everypony's house? They drop all the poop off and we gotta shovel it into the dirt in the fields-"

"I know," Sweetie Belle replied, "I hid on it too to get across the big river. I'm leaving Ponyville. And I'm never coming back. What about Applebloom. Did she make it out too?"

Scoots shook her head. "Nope. Applejack lashed the living hay outta her; she could hardly trot. She almost made it to the cart, then one of those big Appleton ponies showed up and bashed her for getting too close. I wanted to wave to her but I didn't want to get whacked and bashed too. I...I..." She started tearing up too, and couldn't keep from crying.

Sweetie gazed down at her flank and the backs of her hooves, and saw all the red marks. Both did not like how Applebloom was still stuck at Sweet Apple Acres.

"Sweetie, I don't want to be here either. my family wants to give me to the Apples. Diamond Tiara was saying the other day how Dad and Mom were gonna get lots of bits, apples and cider if they sold me to Applejack. They were with Mr. Filthy Rich and...and stuff. And Dinky Doo was all like 'Ma and Pa 'r gonna make you live at Applejack's and she said I could get lots and lots of apple honey jelly'"

"What?" Sweetie demanded in disbelief, "Why the hay would Dinky Doo say that? You know she's a moron, right?"

Scoots was taken aback with that cold response. "...what?"

"Dinky Doo's an idiot. And she's dumb, just like Derpy. I seriously think Derpy dropped her on her head when she was born. Probably popped her out in mid air, and too dumb to even notice."

"Sweetie Belle! Why are you being so mean? Derpy's nice to us, and Dinky...she goes berzerk over apple jelly...I don't think she gets what goes on at Applejack's farm.

Sweetie Belle scoffed. She no longer cared. She despised everypony. Right now she only cared about Scoots and Applebloom.

Scootaloo looked at her friend, and saw the cold impassioned glare on her face as she looked out over the brook. All around them crickets and birds chirped, and frogs croaked. Five trots away, four elegant cranes walked along the shallow river, ducking their heads under the water in search of fish. They were Fluttershy's newest addition to this area around her treehouse, which was close by.

The two fillies missed Fluttershy. She was so kind and nurturing to them both. They both pondered seeking refuge at her home, but Sweetie Belle, heck, even Scootaloo figured Applejack would round up a posse of raging mad Apples to either storm Fluttershy's house or burn the whole place down. Paranoid thoughts, probably but now they didn't rule out such horrible prospects. They heard enough stories from the other Apple foals who witnessed the fiery executions of unfavored ponies in the messed up towns they came from.

"How long have you been here?" Scoots asked, wiping the tears from her face.

"I don't know....things have been really messed up. Do you promise not to tell anypony about this? Like, Pinkie promise?"

"Y-yeah. I promise," Scoots said cautiously, and Sweetie Belle told her her tale of the spellbook, from how Twilight Sparkle dropped it, how she stole, read, and got fried by it, all the messed up dreams she had, and her newfound magic.

"Whoa..." Scootaloo said as Sweetie lifted a rock with ease. She demonstrated by shooting at random targets with magic bolts and beams.  She lit her horn, and set fire to a few twigs.

"This is nothing," Sweetie Belle said-

"Please, can I come with you out of Ponyville?" Scoots interrupted. She was bad with that habit.

"Well, yeah," Sweetie replied, "Why not. Buck this town and everypony in it. I hope Celestia blows everypony up like the Summer Sun Celebration fireworks....But...I don't want to leave Applebloom here. I'm gonna go and bail her out."

"Y...you...you mean go back to the Apple farm?" Scoots gasped, and started shaking.

"Eyyup," Sweetie said with determination. She looked at Scoots and saw the fear in her eyes. "Don't even come, you can just stay here 'til I come back with Applebloom.

"No way!" Scootaloo protested as she jumped up and placed her front hooves on Sweetie Belle's shoulders, "Don't go, they'll kill you!" She was terrified of losing her family and now Sweetie Belle and Applebloom.

"Chillax, Scoots," Sweetie said, using her magic to gently push her hooves off of her. "I got this, I swear. I got a lot of magic. Those Apples will pay for what they did to us."

"How?" Scootaloo asked in disbelief. A question ran through her mind about Sweetie Belle: Is that really you?-

"Get down!"

Sweetie Belle tackled Scootaloo to the dirt. Panicked, Scootaloo tried to fight her off. "Get off me!"

"Shut up. Stay low and don't move or make a sound," Sweetie hissed urgently. She lowered herself next to Scootaloo, now in battle mode, following those instincts etched into her from the spellbook and its nightmare. She put a hoof over Scootaloo's mouth to keep her from talking, and frantically scanned the sky through the dangling grass and vines that concealed them from view.

Scootaloo didn't know what to think but did what she was told, soon enough, she saw why, and the skin under her soft orange coat went pale and her blood turned to ice. She felt panic rising up in her and Sweetie Belle, half slumped over her, held her tight. "Stay calm, don't panic."

They watched as Rainbow Dash soared over the woods and brook, gracefully flapping her wings as she flew around. She appeared to be looking for something on the ground. The bright blue rainbow-maned mare flew around, circling over them.

"I think she's looking for us," Sweetie Belle hissed, "Or you." She tensed herself up, and felt the magic readying itself. Then she realized she was prepared to shoot Rainbow Dash if she got too close. Thanks to the spellbook, she instinctually hated pegasi and regarded them with the highest caution. Her bond with Scootaloo prevented that instinct from causing her to attack Scoots as well.

The two fillies remained frozen and silent for several minutes as Rainbow Dash circled above, then swooped down, scanning the edges of the river, before flying up past Fluttershy's house and out of sight.

Both fillies started breathing again, having held their breath for a few minutes. Sweetie Belle briefly switched back to her normal self.

"Sorry. I didn't-"

"I know..." Scoots said, remembering all she explained about what the spellbook did to her. She had every reason to fear Rainbow Dash, who banished her from flight class and sent her to the Apple farm. She figured RD was out to find her, snatch her up, fly her back to Sweet Apple Acres, then rip the wings out of her back. She threatened to de-wing Scoots more than once.

"But still, how...how the hay are you going to rescue Applebloom?"

Sweetie gazed out at the cranes across the river. Majestic birds. Not for long. "Heh, check this out."

"Sweetie Belle, what are you doing? Those birds...they're Fluttershy's prized pets-"

Sweetie Belle silenced her friend with a cold gaze, crept up to the opening like a cat, charged up her horn, and let loose with a massive, blinding, deafening explosion of magic. A massive bolt shot out and split out and struck the birds. At the same time, a magic beam shot out of her, turning the path through the air into plasma, and struck the biggest bird in the breast, blowing it the buck up.

The deafening snap, crackle, and pop sent flocks of birds flying from the trees, screeching in panic, and all of the critters fleeing for cover.

Pale blue smoke rose from Sweetie's horn. She was startled, shocked, surprised, then excited with that much power shooting out of her. A sly smile spread accross her face. She had the confidence but never the experience of that new spell. She looked out at the mess accross the brook. The birds were all blown to crispy pieces, one had disappeared entirely, except for it's neck and head, and it's feet, scattered about. Blood seeped out of the others and stained the dirt before reaching the water.

A sly smile spread across Sweetie Belle's face. I'll have my revenge.

A Scoot to Vital Information

The loud hiss, snap, and crackle of magic and thunder echoed from the small stream, scaring hundreds of birds into the sky, animals fleeing out of pure fright, and small critters scampering out of sight. The noise startled many ponies in Ponyville, as nopony expected that kind of disturbance. Some speculated something went wrong with the high powered fence that separated Ponyville and the savage world of Everfree to the immediate south. The massive wall, built of limestone and metal, was live with magic and electricity.

Only those with the rare spell to detect the origin of the explosion were able to pinpoint ground zero. As with electricity, magic discharges emit radiation in the form of radio waves, while more harmful magic radiation which saturated nearby matter, was limited to the local area.

While most ponies experienced radio or telepathic disruptions, Twilight Sparkle knew immediately where this second blast (the first one being when that spell book blew away the foolish unicorn who tried to use it) occurred. Not too far from the first one which happened less than two degrees earlier. The instant she heard it, she galloped back to the stream as fast as she could.

+

Steam rose from the scorched remains of those cranes. Sweetie Belle gazed at them, with a sense of triumph. She fully intended to unleash even more magic at everypony who hurt her. She nearly let out a squeal as she imagined blasting Applejack into pieces.

Scootaloo, just six hooves away, looked on, completely startled, and scared shitless. She was shaking, and looking down, realize she just peed herself. She looked up at Sweetie Belle, who was still staring at the barbecued cranes. She stopped smiling, and just stared at the mess.

Scootaloo wondered if she had more to fear from Sweetie Belle than from Applejack.

Sweetie Belle turned to face her, nearly startling her, but she still acted like the filly she used to be when not shooting killer magic.

“Pretty cool, huh?”

“Y...y...yeah…” Scootaloo tried to keep the wet spot on the ground covered.

Sweetie Belle saw the fear in Scootaloo’s eyes. “Don’t worry, I’m not gonna hurt you. It’s Applejack and her messed up family I wanna-”

An ear-piercing, shrill scream echoed from above, and the two fillies ducked to avoid being seen. It was such a shrill, agony-fuelled screech that it sent shivers down both their spines.

Seconds later, Fluttershy appeared, and jumped , glided and landed on the shore of the stream next to the remains of her prized cranes. She was fluttering her wings around, breathing, gasping, crying, muttering. Her eyes were wide open, and blood shot. Tears trickled out as she fluttered around the mess. She looked around frantically, and the two fillies watching her while completely hidden couldn’t tell whether or not she was traumatized by the sight of the gore, and / or filled with rage.

But both fillies sure as hell did not want Fluttershy to see them. That would a wrath of hell on its own. The Cutie Mark Crusaders learned early on that the one thing that pissed Fluttershy off was animal cruelty. The normally timid and soft spoken pegasus would unleash a dying star's worth of fury if she caught somepony abusing a little critter.

They witnessed first hoof Fluttershy’s relentless wrath when she caught some other dumb foals hurting a poor defenceless bird. She wing-slapped those brats so hard she knocked them back, then after tending to the crippled bird, she fully raged at them; yelling, swearing, screaming as loud as she could and when one of them tried to get away, she wing smacked the brat back in line.

Thinking back, Scootaloo wondered what held Fluttershy back from bashing and hoof beating those foals the way Applejack beat Sweetie Belle?

They both looked on as Fluttershy had her psychotic fit.

“L-let’s get out of here…” Scootaloo gulped. After being subject to all Rainbow Dash, Applejack and the Apples put her through, she wanted nothing to do with another raging mad pony.

Sweetie Belle, on the other hoof, looked at Fluttershy menacingly, and began charging her horn. The passionate hatred she inherited from the spellbook made her want to apply just as much magic to Fluttershy and blast that yellow pegasus back into the sky where she came from.

“S-Sweetie Belle, what are you doing?”

“I’m gonna send that fluttering bitch right to-”

“No, don’t! Please stop it!” Scootaloo pleaded, shaking Sweetie Belle. “Don’t hurt Fluttershy, she’s nice to us! Let’s just get the buck out of here before she sees us!”

Sweetie looked at Scootaloo, saw the tears in her eyes and let the magic dissipate. She remembered how kind and loving Fluttershy had been to them their whole lives.

“You’re being possessed by all that magic,” Scootaloo said, now afraid of having pissed off the overpowered unicorn who could blast her to smithereens.

Sweetie Belle sighed, remembering that. She didn’t always hate pegasi or earth ponies, but those unicorns from her new nightmares did.

“Let’s get out of here,” she said, conceding to Scootaloo’s protests, and she turned and began carefully treading the path, barely visible from where Fluttershy was standing, and crying, and basically losing her mind. The cream yellow pegasus collapsed in a heap on the rocks and began sobbing-

“Fluttershy!”

Both fillies froze. They knew that voice. They watched cautiously as Twilight jumped over their hiding spot, and trotted up to check things out.

+

Twilight surveyed the gore. And she spotted a crack in a nearby rock and what was left of a sparkling mixed mineral mass on it.  “Oh my Celestia, what happened here?”

Fluttershy was so distraught she could hardly speak. Twilight was well aware of the shy pegasus’ past trauma in life that involved her being forced to watch as other pegasi foals bullying her forced her to watch them rip her animal companions apart.

“Please, calm down, and tell me what happened,” Twilight urged her softly, while stroking Fluttershy’s pink mane with a hoof.

Fluttershy looked up at her but kept crying. She pointed at the gore that used to be her beloved cranes, prize pets she won as eggs at a spring fair.

“Did you see it happen?” Twilight asked her. She struggled to be patient and calm around Fluttershy, and she had a huge urge to get information, and try to find the culprit before it got away. Fluttershy shook her head. No.

Twilight tried to conceal a grunt of frustration, and began scanning the surrounding area for magic signatures or tracks. Her eyes widened as her magic system executed the spell and pinpointed something loaded with magic moving slowly away from them through the bushes.

“I’ll send somepony for you,” Twilight said, then took off, scampered back up the western ledge, and followed the invisible trail of magic radiation.

+

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo both knew Twilight Sparkle was onto them, and they tried to move quickly. It stressed them knowing the lavender unicorn, Ponyville’s finest in magic, was sniffing everywhere for them.

Scootaloo stayed close to Sweetie Belle, not knowing her fellow Cutie Mark Crusader had discreetly deployed a spell to throw Twilight Sparkle off. There was no spark, nor hiss of magic.

They trudged north along the bushed up shore of the creek. Neither of them wanted to be caught by her. They’d end up in trouble so deep. Scootaloo felt a panic attack coming on and tried to keep her cool. Her mind ran wild with the things her parents would say, even the possibility of them punishing her by sending her to Applejack’s farm for good.

Both tried to move stealthily, and not make too much noise-

A twig snapped under Scoot’s back hoof, and she gasped, then held her breath, and froze. After a few seconds, she resumed carefully pawing her way around all the loose leaves, rocks, and twigs-

A tingling sensation of magic quickly enveloped the terrified filly, and she saw the air around her glow bright pink. Before she could take another step, she was yanked right out of there, up into the blinding Sunlight, and found herself face to face with a pissed off Twilight Sparkle.

+

“Scootaloo! What are you doing here?” Twilight demanded, just as shocked as the filly she just caught. She held Scootaloo in the air in front of her as she trotted away from the bushes and set her down on the grass.

“I...I...I-I…” Scootaloo just stuttered, scared to even speak as Twilight stared her down.

“Hurry up, out with it!” Twilight barked. She was too impatient. Then it hit her she just got duped. No way in Equestria could Scootaloo, a young pegasus, ever hold or discharge that kind of power. The culprit beamed its magic on Scootaloo, and used her as a decoy.

“Hurry up, start talking!” Twilight urged her.

“I didn’t do it! I didn’t blow up Fluttershy’s birds! I swear it wasn’t me!”

“Then who was it?!” Twilight snapped, impatient for an answer. “Come on, I need to find out who did this!”

But Scoots wasn’t inclined to answer. To her, Twilight Sparkle was a creepy character. She didn’t forget about that time Twilight forced the CMC’s to take that ugly rag doll, which Twilight cast a spell that caused them to fight over it. And she was afraid of exposing Sweetie Belle, and retribution she’d likely face. She didn’t trust Sweetie Belle not to blow her up along with those birds. And the Apples, whom she hated and distrusted.

“Scootaloo, seriously, I have no time for your games. I’m going to count to three- no I’m not even going to count to one. You tell me who it is and where she or he is at right this instant, or I’ll do a memory crystal check on you and take the answers out of you myself!”

To make good on her threat, Twilight magicked open a side bag and produced a memory crystal, and stared the filly down, dead serious on her intent.

Scootaloo screamed and ran as fast as she could, but didn’t get two trots before Twilight grabbed her with magic and brought her back.

“Let me go! Put me down!” Scootaloo squeaked. She did not want her memory recorded or any magic messing with her like it did Sweetie Belle. “Let me go you big purple freak!”

Twilight held Scootaloo in place as she prepared the memory crystal, then using her magic, she went to pry open Scootaloo’s mouth.

“I have had it with your naughty behavior, and I got no time for this crap. A bunch of ponies are gonna be hurt or killed since you won’t tell me who it is! Don’t lie to me, I know you were with the suspect!” Twilight said, frustrated with Scootaloo’s refusal to cooperate. “Now open up.”

Scootaloo batted the rock away with a hoof, hard enough it fell out of Twilight’s magic field and hit the ground.

Twilight grunted in frustration as she tried to hold the filly still, and jam that rock into her mouth.

“Twilight Sparkle, what the hay are you doing to that foal!”

“Huh?”

Twilight turned, completely distracted by who shouted, and saw two earth ponies, a mare and a stallion, both whom were astonished and outraged. Scootaloo furiously struck back.

She delivered a violent kick, connecting her hind hooves with the lavender unicorn’s horn, and applied more than her angry share of pain for what Twilight was about to forcefully do to her.

Again, the horn is a very vulnerable and sensitive  part of a unicorn’s body and magic system. Any violent impact will displace large amounts of magic and deliver hundreds of volts’ worth of shocks throughout the unicorn’s entire body, nearly paralyzing it, leaving the unicorn incapacitated, and down for the count. Applejack did that to Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo remembered how it messed her friend up. Twilight, on the other off, was not being friendly.

Twilight Sparkle screamed and completely buckled up, and hit the ground. The magic field she conjured to hold Scootaloo faded and the filly hit the ground running.

“Scootaloo!” both her parents, Snapper (her dad) and Lassy (her mother) gasped to see such violence come from their filly as she dropped, got up, and ran over to them.

“Mom! Dad!” Scootaloo cried. She forgot all about Sweetie Belle. “That unicorn tried to steal my memories!”

Instinctively she hid behind Snapper. Lassy put her hooves around her. “Shh, it’s okay, we’re here.” They’d both be livid with her for her violent behavior, but they saw the whole thing, and knew she was defending herself. Now to figure out why a full grown, intelligent unicorn mare would do such a thing to a filly.

Twilight writhed on the ground for a few minutes. She tried to get up, but violent static sparks going off inside her body prevented her from moving much. She tried to get up, then plopped on the ground again, and her hooves and tail kept twitching.

“What the hay is the meaning of this?” Snapper shouted. All he got was a grunt from the lavender unicorn.

The magic discharges ceased, and Twilight struggled to her hooves. Now she had one hell of a killer headache, and her horn felt like it was on fire. She tried to snap out of the daze, but now she felt like she was having one bad hangover. A tear came to her eye because it hurt so much.

“Well?” Snapper demanded, seeing her becoming coherent. “You care to explain to us WHY you tried to steal our filly’s memory? What kind of a sick twisted game are you up to?”

“You could have seriously hurt her!” Lassy added, still cradling a weeping Scootaloo in her forelegs. “All your magic...it could make her really sick!”

Twilight Sparkle felt incredibly guilty. Now that she was down, her senses came back to her with force. She knew that was absolutely no way to treat a foal, no matter how important the information in her little brain was.

“...S...s-sorry….there’s...somepony...who...stole...my spellbook and...…”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“Scootaloo?” Lassy asked, “What is she talking about?”

Scootaloo didn’t speak as the guilt and fear returned.

“All this for a spellbook?” Snapper barked at Twilight. “Are you bucking serious?”

The unicorn didn’t say much.

“Snapper, we should go, ponies are taking notice of us,” Lassy hissed to her husband.

“...Right. Lassy, you get Scootaloo home and make sure she’s not hurt. And put the kettle on. Looks like we’re going to have company tonight.”

“Snapper, who-”

Snapper Loo pointed a hoof in Twilight Sparkle’s direction. “We’re all going to get to the bottom and sort this out. And certainly not in public.”

Lassy, not one to argue, just nodded. “Very well, dear.”

+ +

The sun had set, and the lights were on at the Loos’ home. Lassy cooked up a supper of artichoke casserole stuffed with cheese, and to wash the food down, she prepared cinnamon tea.

Dinky Doo ate hungrily and quickly wolfed down her supper. After a busy afternoon in magic class, and running around with her mother, Derpy, the little filly worked up quite an appetite. Sometimes she ate more than Scootaloo, who just poked at her food.

“Scootaloo, eat your supper,” Lassy beckoned as she tended to the twin foals.

Twilight Sparkle was also in the house, eating in the den. Snapper brought her home, and almost had to carry her on his back. He had to take the back alleys to avoid drawing the ire of all the new Apple ponies and town guards walking around.

They put a cold wet cloth on her head and horn to help ease the pain. Scootaloo kicked her pretty hard. A bruise formed at the base of her horn.

After supper, Lassy was getting the twins ready for bed and Dinky on her homework. Scootaloo sat at the kitchen table as ordered.

“Well, how is she?” Lassy asked as she came into the kitchen to fill up baby bottles with almond milk.

“She’ll be fine, just aching,” Snapper replied. “She told me somepony stole her spellbook, and Scootaloo was down by the creek behind Fluttershy’s home when we all heard that magic thunder. Twilight thinks she knows who the culprit is.” Snapper finished his sentence with his gaze on Scootaloo, who just seemed to shrink in her seat.

“Now it’s your turn, Scoots. Who did it?”

“I...I don’t know,” Scootaloo muttered, staring at the table.

“Don’t you lie to us. Keep that up and I’ll ground you for the first week of summer, and you’ll be home doing chores and miss out on the Summer Sun Celebration, you understand?”

As if the threat of grounding was any threat. She was basically grounded unless she wanted the Apples dragging her back to Applejack’s farm, where they beat foals for not working. Staying in her room seemed like a vacation to her now.

“Scootaloo, answer your father,” Lassy chided her.

“Scoots,” her father continued, “Twilight lost a very powerful spellbook today, one that grants unicorns the power to kill. Whoever it was massacred a bunch of exotic birds of Fluttershy’s, and apparently the suspect can hurt and even kill other ponies. You want that kind of thing on your conscience, girl?”

“...no, Dad…”

“Then fess up, and tell us who it was! Nopony is going to blame you for the theft of the spellbook or the slaughter of those birds. But mark my words, young lady, if you do not speak up this minute, and tell us who it was, then you will be partly responsible for all the deaths that occur from this moment on, you hear me?!” Snapper was almost shouting, and Scootaloo began to tear up.

` “Snapper, did you have to be so harsh on her?”

“Yes, I must dear, this filly needs to understand the gravity of the situation here.”

Scootaloo said nothing. Nopony understood what she and especially Sweetie Belle had to put up with at Sweet Apple Acres. She wished Applejack wasn’t so mean, and that she’d be nice like she used to but deep down she wanted all those other Apple ponies eliminated. Those who forcefed her the blood apples, making her unable to use her wings at all. Pegasus wings to generate and require magic for a much needed energy boost.

A few tense moments past, then her father came up with the ultimate threat:

“Okay, then, how about this: If you won’t tell us this minute who stole and used that spellbook, then you can go on and explain everything to Applejack and tell her how you really hurt her friend, infact, as punishment for your refusal to cooperate you can stay at the farm until you decide to come clean with the tru-”

“It was Sweetie Belle!” Scootaloo blurted urgently, trying not to break up and cry. The fear of going back to Applejack’s farm punched the truth right out of her.

“She stole Twilight’s spellbook, and she fried up those fancy birds!”

Both her parents were stunned. Sure the three little foals- her, Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom, got into plenty of trouble, and made themselves a little infamous in Ponyville for their antics, but this was unbelievable. And Snapper only threatened to take her to Applejack because the farmer mare was good at getting the truth out of foals.

“Sw-Sweetie Belle took it? Are you sure?” Lassy asked, sitting down across from the crying filly, and stroked her mane.

Scootaloo felt horrible and scared about betraying Sweetie Belle. She nodded.

“Any idea what...Sweetie Belle plans to do with the spells she got from that book?” Snapper asked a little less aggressively.

Scootaloo was terrified of being sent to Sweet Apple Acres over this, and she feared for her life at this point.

“She...she wants to kill everypony...she wants to fry Applejack...and her family ‘cause they beat her up real bad.”

Both Snapper and Lassy looked at one another, then at her. They were unsure if this was some messed up tall tale. But the notion was still unsettling. It was unheard of Applejack or anypony being so violent, especially towards a foal.

Twilight Sparkle entered the kitchen. “I heard everything.”

“You think she’s telling the truth? These foals will come up with all kinds of crazy stories.”

Twilight nodded. “Without a doubt. Applejack has not been herself at all since winter. She’s gone crazy, and for all I know, mad with power. But I...I really need to get all the details…”

Twilight looked at Scootaloo, who had her head on the table, and was sobbing.

“...with a memory crystal, more than she can tell-”

“Buck you!” Scootaloo snapped harshly. “Don’t you steal my memories!”

“Scootaloo!” Lassy barked. “That is enough out of you! I would be inclined to say no but this is a very serious matter! There’s more to memory than what anypony can explain. Twilight needs to see and hear everything you witnessed. She needs to see for herself what happened.”

“She...she just wants to show Applejack and get me in trouble…” Scootaloo muttered in tears, and shot a hostile glance at the lavender unicorn.

Twilight sat next to Lassy (Scootaloo pulled back from her mother’s hooves).

“Scootaloo,” she said softly, “I want you to know right this minute that I am not on Applejack’s side of this at all. I’m not going to show her and tell her what you share with me, and I certainly won’t let her punish you either.”

“Wait, a minute, Twilight, what’s this about Applejack? She’s complained some odd bit about her.”

“That, she knows, and I want to see. I tried speaking to Applejack, and that didn’t go very well. She knows more than Ido. Please, Mr, and Mrs. Loo, I beg your permission to get a copy of her memories. And I swear, it will not hurt her one bit. All I want is information about Applejack’s family, and what saw with Sweetie Belle and my spellbook.”

Snapper and Lassy looked at each other. Snapper was the stallion of the house, but Lassy was very protective of her foals. Too bad Applejack fooled her into letting Scoots stay at the apple farm the weekend they had their vacation.

Scoots looked up at her parents and shook her head no-

“Very well, Twilight, but don’t force it. Talk us through it, and show us the results. If Applejack’s been abusing my daughter, I sure as hell want to know about it!”

Scootaloo felt crushed as she was terrified of the process. She thought it would be really painful and she’d lose all her memory. That’s why she kicked Twilight in the horn.

“Alright,” Twilight said as she grabbed her sidebags from the den, and produced a memory crystal. The rock looked like a golden agate.

Lassy sat next to Scootaloo, not merely to block off an escape attempt, but to comfort the filly. Same as when she took Scoots and Dinky to get their vaccine shots when they were younger.

“Now then, Scootaloo,” Twilight explained, grunting as it hurt to cast magic. She herself couldn’t believe a little filly could deliver such a powerful kick...then again she realized that Scootaloo had grown since the first time she met the little filly.

“...I assure you, this won’t hurt a bit. All you feel is a ticklish sensation while the crystal is recording. And that will stop when it’s finished. You will not lose your memories at all, trust me. I work for the town guard and I have to run these memory crystal tests on ponies all the time to find out the truth about everything. Not one of them said it hurt.”

Scootaloo nodded.

“And if it does hurt her, it ends. Immediately. We want to help you but not at my filly’s expense.” Lassy said with a serious tone. The test Twilight was explaining was just as alien to her as it was to Scootaloo.

Twilight nodded, slightly taken aback by Lassy’s distrust.

“Well then, let’s get on with it,” Snapper said impatiently.

“R-right.” Twilight said, lifting the rock with her magic. “I need Scootaloo to place this in her mouth. Don’t worry, it’s clean, and I can even cast a spell to give it a flavor. She needs to hold onto it for at least a degree so the magic within can properly copy her memory. She will not forget everything, and anything I don’t need will be erased. Do you understand?”

“Scoots? Did you pay attention? You know what you need to do?”

Scootaloo hesitated, then nodded. Twilight levitated the rock in front of her. It shined under the light of the hanging lamp over the table. “Now please say ‘ahh’

“I have a better idea, how about you let her place the rock in her mouth by her own. Let her participate, and not just force it on her.” Lassy suggested.

“O-okay,” Twilight said as she placed the rock in front of Scoots. Without another word, the filly placed the rock in her mouth. It was about the size of a small russet potato. It tasted like strawberries thanks to the extra spell Twilight placed on it. She then put her head down on the table, and closed her eyes. She was very exhausted and it felt ages since school let out just this afternoon. Soon enough that tingling sensation came up but it didn’t hurt her.

“Scoots, are you alright?” Lassy asked her. she just nodded and grunted. “Thank you for doing this for Twilight. You’re a good girl.”

A degree later, the tingling sensation Scootaloo felt all throughout her head and body ended, and as instructed, spat out the rock. Then she started crying again.

“Come on, let’s get you into bed. You’ve had a long difficult day,” Lassy said as she began to take Scoots upstairs to hers’ and Dinky’s bedroom.

“Hold on, Lass, I think she owes Twilight an apology.”

Scoots looked at Twilight and said quietly, “I’m sorry I kicked you in the horn.”

“Apology accepted, and I’m sorry I was so impatient with you,” Twilight said with a smile that Scoots didn’t return.

“Come on, up to bed,” her mother beckoned.

The second Scootaloo’s head rested against her pillow, the filly passed out.

+

Twilight Sparkle worked up a sweat as she beamed pictures and video from the crystal onto a blank wall for Snapper and Lassy to see. The recorded sounds came from the rock itself.

The three of them were shocked by what they watched. They saw the harsh confrontation with Applejack, and they saw Sweetie Belle after Applejack hoof beat her. And they saw all the things that were going on at Sweet Apple Acres, all through Scootaloo’s eyes.

“Oh my Celestia!” Lassy gasped as she watched the part where Applejack shouted at Scootaloo, demanding to know where Sweetie Belle was then bashed her upside the head with a hoof.

Snapper grunted as he boiled with rage. He was furious. Even after Applejack said she wouldn’t work Scootaloo into the ground, she did it anyway and made that filly work the rest of the day at the farm when the three got picked up by the Apples afterschool.

Scootaloo was a hoof-ful, and her parents enjoyed the brief respite they had these last few weeks when Scootaloo was at the farm on most days. But now they sincerely regretted it. Then they watched the part where Scootaloo snuck aboard the manure cart and escaped from the farm, met with Sweetie Belle by the creek, watched her blow those birds up, and then tried to escape before being caught by Twilight.

Her parents felt utterly betrayed by Applejack.

“What do we do now?” Lassy asked, trying not to cry herself.

“That does it. Scootaloo and Dinky are leaving Ponyville. I’ll have them stay with their aunt and uncle up in Wooton.”

“But, dear, Derpy will have a fit! She can’t exactly leave Ponyville, she’s got her mail delivery runs to do.”

“Yeah, well, that mare wouldn’t live with herself if she allowed Dinky to wind up at the Apple farm. Either Derpy finds her a safer place to live or we’ll take her to Wooton. Derpy will still have the same visitation rights, she should have no problem flying there and back. I’ll put a message out to her at the post office tomorrow. And I want you and our foals on the morning train tomorrow.

“But Snapper, I’m doing the pottery showcase for the Celebrat-”

“No buts! Foals, train, tomorrow morning. Get them to our relatives, and once they’re settled with my relatives, come back and do the show. In fact, I’d rather you stay out of Ponyville. I’ll come up and join you.”

Lassy sighed. Twilight didn’t argue either. They knew she’d be vulnerable to Applejack’s manipulative behavior if Snapper left her in town and took the foals himself up to Wooton.

“I need to go,” Twilight said, trying to fight back a yawn.

“Are you sure?” Lassy asked, “You look so worn out. Is your horn okay?”

Twilight grunted. Her head was still throbbing with pain. None of the herbal tea they have her eased it one bit.

“Twilight, I don’t think you should be out in your condition. Do please stay the night.”

The unicorn thought. She really wanted to go after Sweetie Belle and stop her before she could do any serious damage. But she could hardly walk straight. And she felt dizzy.

“Please rest. The sofa is all yours,” Snapper suggested. Twilight didn’t argue. She knew she was out of commission, and would quickly wind up in danger if she ran into some hostile Apples, especially at night, when they were on edge and would be more than suspicious of a unicorn sneaking around at night. Lassy threw a blanket over her and offered her another glass of water, which she gladly took.

She tossed and turned, and eventually fell asleep.

+ +

A Long and Messed Up Night

*May contain some violent and graphic content*

Sweetie Belle didn’t react or even flinch the instant Scootaloo was swallowed up by Twilight Sparkle’s magic and swiftly yanked out of the bush-covered trail the two fillies were hiding in. They were trying to get away from the screaming Fluttershy without being noticed, then Twilight showed up. Scootaloo, thinking several steps ahead for once since she got herself eaten, fried, and spat out by that spellbook.

Sweetie expected Twilight to find her. She felt Twilight’s imposing magic signature and fields. A young unicorn is not supposed to be naturally able to sense, feel, and read another’s magic field until at least 15 or 16 years of age, and Sweetie was 10 years old. Through sensing the energy, she was able to indirectly track Twilight Sparkle’s position and knew Twilight was trying to magically lock on to her, but Sweetie had two passive spells going: one was she ‘clouded’ her magic field to keep from being identified, and two: she was able to reduce her own magic field by keeping most of her magic in, and from emitting a scattered mix of high frequency radio waves. Unicorns emit radio waves without even doing anything. From their first spark, foals emit radio waves at a very faint high frequency, and as they get older, their own signals, with emit this radiation at multiple frequencies, get lower and lower. Still not enough to be detected by an electrical radio instrument. The amount of signals and frequencies combine to form a unicorn’s magic signature.

Twilight Sparkle emitted over 700 signals, giving her a unique signature. Sweetie Belle, before she found the spellbook, only emitted one or two, but now the unicorn filly’s magic system was emitting hundreds or more signals. The amount of signals and the frequencies indicated how much magic the unicorn was producing, processing, and storing.

When unicorns cast magic, the amount of radio signals increases ten-fold, hundred-fold, or a thousand-fold, pending the spell, the spell power, and the unicorn’s own magic.

Sweetie Belle blocked most of her signals, not enough to completely throw Twilight off (the filly must have broadcast thousands of signals when she fried Fluttershy’s prized birds).

And thirdly, Sweetie Belle cast a ‘ghosting’ spell on Scootaloo, making her signals appear like Scootaloo was the one with all the magic. Hence, Twilight took the bait and caught Scootaloo instead of her.

Before, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom were never ones to betray each other, but Sweetie Belle now operated on an entirely different state of mind. After Scootaloo was gone, Sweetie Belle briefly regretted betraying her despite agreeing to leave Ponyville together.

But Sweetie now had no intention of leaving town. Not with this much power at her disposal. She knew hundreds of destructive spells, and fully intended to use them. On the Apple family. All of them. Except Apple Bloom, whom she wanted to rescue, Big Mac, who stopped Applejack from ripping her horn right off, and Apple Mend, a.k.a. Auntie Heal, who nursed her back to health. They would be spared the wrath.

Sweetie kept on walking through the trail around the backside of Dawn Hill, under the bridges along the creek that joined up with the Bucephalus Brook.

The filly thought of Scootaloo’s new predicament. No way would Twilight Sparkle turn her over to Applejack. Sweetie reckoned she could find Scoots again. She could detect her through the puny radio emissions from the filly’s wings. She was now that powerful, enough to pick up the magic from pegasus foals.

So, as she walked, Sweetie made up her new game plan: Take out the Apples, burn down their entire property, starting with the crops of blood apples, rescue Apple Bloom, find Scootaloo, then take her friends and exit Ponyville. Forever. Using levitation, she could get all three of them on the train.

And they would ride the train as long as they wanted, and get to actually travel around Equestria.

Sweetie felt exhausted and perched herself in an abandoned fox hole. The waning Sunlight bathed everything in a glowing golden hue. Sweetie Belle fell asleep, safely hidden where nopony would find her. But, she was not safe from the wrath of her mind, forever to be haunted by the ancient past, and those unicorns who fought and died in their wars against the earth ponies and the Pegasi for their very survival.

She again relieved the countless lives and untimely, gruesome deaths of hundreds of unicorns, from innocent foals such as herself, to seasoned veterans who shot down and killed their enemies by the hundreds. The dreams seemed to last forever.

Sweetie Belle woke up with a scream, an unnatural pitch of a scream that even scared the pouring sweat off the fully herself and sent high voltage shivers down her spine. Sweetie Belle looked around frantically, having forgotten and barely remembering where she was. She thought she was a unicorn of the past, a foal, having been abandoned before her parents were snatched up by those mutant pegasus freaks with snarling barks and razor sharp teeth. It was dark out.

She ran through the trail, past the decaying wood foundations where houses used to stand, and came to the bridge and the clearing. Instinctively, she hid for several minutes before slowly climbing up the mossy steps into the clearing.

The familiar sight of Fluttershy’s treehouse, with its lights on, calmed her, and reminded her she was not in the world of death.

It was nighttime, and the sky was nearly black with the faintest of a blue glow. She looked up and spotted the galaxy spanning the sky from horizon to horizon. It was an incredible sight, more common in the winter time, when the air was clearer.

But the filly didn’t care about the stars- they would have reminded her of the nights when she and Rarity gazed up at them from the upper balcony of the Carousel boutique, or when she and her fellow CMC’s stayed out late and watched the stars from the top of Dawn Hill. They made up imaginary constellations and tried to match them with the lights coming from Ponyville.

Sweetie looked at Fluttershy’s house. Once that place was the safest of havens. She also remembered when that weird-eyed black forest foal, Dawn Light-something came to her house to see them. He was the one who taught Scootaloo to fly, in a way that she could actually fly, unlike the standard Pegasi methods Rainbow Dash imposed on the young flyers. Sweetie and Apple Bloom envied Scootaloo as most of the forest foal’s attention went to her, even if he was training her to fly.

But things happened, and Sweetie Belle felt a jolt of furious rage when she remembered hearing about what Applejack did to him, how she almost beat the living manure out of Scoots because she tried to stop the hick bitch. Then other things happened and the forest foal went back into Everfree and never showed up since. Sweetie vowed to avenge him even if he wouldn’t be around to see it. she briefly delighted over the memory of the forest foal describing how he stomped and wrecked Applejack’s Stetson hat.

Sweetie Belle would take the hick mare’s hat, piss and shit all over it, then light that thing up, just to get Applejack all riled up with fury. She was so attached to that thing it wasn’t even funny. Applejack said she got it from her father, ‘Great’ Gunsmith Jack, a stallion of guns, so Applejack told her and Applebloom. It was Gunsmith who passed down the religious indoctrination which Applejack forgot then Applegem revived. It was that he who told her ponies like the forest foal were Nightmare Moon’s demons. It was he who dragged little filly Applejack to his town’s hardass church where they told her magic was bad.

If Gunsmith Jack were alive today, Sweetie Belle would blast his ass to kingdom come. She’d go all the way up to Apple Post and raze that town to the ground, and leave nothing but ash and bones.  But from what Applejack said, he was murdered by unicorns. Served him right. Too bad Applejack’s mother, Ambrosia, was burned to death for being injured in the assault. And that bucking orange racist hick still sides with those earth ponies, who killed her mother. With fire.

But enough reminiscing of Auntie Applejack’s campfire and bedtime stories, the filly’s stomach rumbled. She hadn’t eaten all day, and last thing she ate was a bowl of buckwheat and apples at 40° in the morning during break from morning chores before school. Damn, that felt like such a long time ago.

But she was hungry, then she felt unsettled over what she wanted to eat; what her body and magic demanded she eat. Her ancestors’ memories made that clear: Meat. Raw red meat, still warm and juicy with blood. Loaded with all the nutrients that would be destroyed by cooking. Her new memories gave her a virtual taste. Sweetie Belle almost puked when she and Applebloom were forced to watch the Apple Jagers slaughter and butcher a sheep. The steaming blood filled buckets, and they used it to make other foods. Blood-wheat pudding? Blood rice pudding? Eyup those buckers ate it up. And desert? Blood pudding loaded with sugar and cured apple butter. They stomached it all. Ponies from New Pangea were just straight up freaks.

She and Applebloom were horrified at how the Apple Yagers did supper. Made the blood apples seem like potatoes compared to what the Jagers feasted on. The foals wanted to eat the leg that was ripped off, and they were about to attack it like a pack of wild dogs when their parents stopped them with whips and rage. They whined and complained as the goat leg was hacked up and thrown into a large stewing pot.

Auntie Bristle Apple Jager explained to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle that they did eat raw meat from time to time, but all that red meat made the foals too violent and naughty, so to keep them calm, they cooked it all up. Only when they learned to control themselves and keep to the hard work would they be allowed to feast on all the red meat they could have. Hell, the Yager stallions hoof beat the little ones when they tried to kill the chickens and turkeys strutting around the place.

Unlike the two visitors, a violent hoof beating was nothing for the foals. they hardly bruised and never cried or came close. At the end of the day when Applejack brought the two back home, both fillies got no sleep that night and turned pale under their fur when Applejack suggested a sleep over at the Jagers’. Not too many Apple family members wanted much to do with their carnivorous relatives. The sight of the Jagers’ sharp teeth scared most ponies away.

Sweetie Belle made a note to incinerate them all. There was a moral ethic in Ponyville against killing animals, and eating their meat. It went against the long list of Princess Celestia’s commandments.

But now, Sweetie Belle realized she craved meat. It no longer traumatized her that the Yagers made her eat a slice of beef. There was much chemical energy in raw meat, as the aggressive Yager foals showed when they violently sparred and beat the crap out of each other for fun. There was something in animal blood that drove ponies crazy, and Sweetie knew, on the grace of her fallen ancestors, that raw meat and everything it was rich in magic-making substances. And the badly needed protein needed to hold a unicorn together when casting so much destructive magic. Lose enough protein, and a unicorn literally blew itself up like a bomb.

So Sweetie Belle crossed the rail tracks, and headed north, into a pasture where of all creatures, a giant variation of flemish lop eared rabbits roamed. These rabbits were huge. Bigger than the poop cart, one of the largest vehicles in Ponyville. On the human standard, these giant rabbits ranged in size between that of a car, and that of a 40 foot city bus.

These rabbits were farmed for their milk and fur. They weren’t skinned but shaved or sheared like the sheep, and the fur was spun and woven to make clothes. Rarity was a customer of this rabbit ranch.

Like a hungry dog, Sweetie Belle licked her lips as she sized them up. Flashbacks reminded her that back in the day, giant rabbits roamed Equestria’s prairies, nomading it during the summer and hibernating in their warrens during winter. Each rabbit ate over a thousand bars of wheat, grass, and hay a day. They also feasted on leaves, berries, and even insects. Some species or all in dire times ate small rodents that infested the Wheatlands.

Ponies ranched and herded them, and sold them as transport or food. Since the flemish giants didn’t hop and merely walked, they made good for hauling wagons loaded with ponies over long distances. They were also a favorite prey for the Pegasi and their freaks during the violent times of the Second Era, many thousands of years ago. When on the hunt, unicorns and earth ponies magicked or impaled the rabbit until it stopped moving and started dying. They ripped off the skin and fur and feasted on the meat, and cooked it and took it with them when they had time.

She used her magic and melted the barbed wire blocking her entrance into the pasture, and like cat, she silently hoofstepped her way onto the pasture completely unnoticed.

Now, it would be very unfair to say Sweetie Belle had no mind of her own or simply thought I WANT MEAT. She was revolted at the very idea of eating meat, much less murdering an entire giant bunny, she was still disgusted by what she saw the Apple Yagers did at supper time, and the smell and the taste of meat was the most disgusting thing in the world as far as she was concerned. She even puked at the Yagers’ house, and their messed up dog licked it up right in front of her.

But she was driven, no, commanded her to eat the meat. She didn’t hear voices in her brain, just that pressing urge stomping and flattening the instincts and tuition of Sweetie Belle the little loveable filly. She teared up at the imminent prospect of being a bloodthirsty killer of giant fluffy bunnies. Oh Celestia, if Fluttershy were seeing this, that pegasus would turn into a monster herself and impale Sweetie Belle in the gut with a large wooden pike, and hoist her up for all the unicorns to see, just like the earth ponies did to those unicorns who passed on their memories and anguished to her via the spellbook.\

Sweetie shook her head and even hit herself in the face with a hoof. No bucking way Fluttershy would do THAT to her. She had to contend with the difficult line of thought that her mental projections of everypony she knew and grew up around were potentially corrupted by the spellbook, and distorted into heartless freaks, when in truth, they themselves never changed. She viewed Applejack as a warrior for the devil, King Sombra, or some other unholy enemy of Celestia. She had to fight the imposing view from some long dead orphaned unicorn bitch who’s mother abandoned her in a ditch after she injured her leg, and left her to die.

Rarity did not leave me, Sweetie Belle screamed in thought She was killed by accident, in a fire

Or WAS it an accident she asked herself under this new hateful intuition, the kind Applejack harbored against the likes of her, Twilight Sparkle, and the forest foal. A thought exploded in her mind, like a parasite, smashing through her thoughts and beliefs like flimsy towers of a city built from sand. Her head ached and she almost let out a squeal. This impeding thought implied that the Carousel Boutique did not burn down by accident, but that the fire was arson. The place lit up by Applejack.

“No...no way…” Sweetie cried as all the crap in her brain, more like an anguished soul that invaded it, forced her to believe such a notion. Why the hell would Applejack burn down her’s and Rarity’s home? Applejack avoided unicorns, and kept to the ‘Apple Family ways.’ Not murder unicorns and burn down their houses-

Another flash shot through her mind, and she was ‘warped’ from the rabbit pasture to some eerie medieval like village. She found herself, briefly incarnated as a projection of a young filly, sitting in the back row of a packed courtroom. Up front, the town’s judges, all robed in black, stared down a red earth pony, big apple cutie mark on his flank.

The judges read the charges, and accused the pony of covertly burning down unicorns’ homes. Several urns were displayed as exhibits, and said to contain the ashes of his victims. The stallion shouted back, saying he was on a crusade to redeem his honor, and tried to convince the judges that the unicorns in town were all evil.

”Begone with you! To the stake! Burn him!” Then a huge ruckus followed as earth pony folk shouted at the unicorns.

The flashback died and Sweetie Belle was right back where she stood. Her stomach panged and pulled on itself, and her magic system burned, her craving for meat would drive her to do the unthinkable, and before she could think one last word as her original self, that survival instinct that took her out of school earlier today kicked in, and as if this other soul took over and Sweetie was shoved into ‘the back’ seat of her own body.

The filly advanced slowly to the nearest unsuspecting giant rabbit. The animal chewed absentmindedly on a mouthful of wheat and grass. Sweetie perched herself right next to it, near its flank, and began charging for several minutes. The spell to convert magic into electricity and zap this giant rabbit with over 700’000 volts. She got up, pressed herself against the warm fur of the beast. It paused in its eating, looked around, then resumed, as if to mistake her for one of the foal-sized baby rabbits trying to nestle up against it for warmth.

Then the magic happened. The low pitched hum of electricity like on the power lines lining the rail tracks. The rabbit squealed, startling all the others as it siezed up, then choked. The rabbit remained still as more than the lethal amount of power surged through it. Two minutes later, and the others could smell the burning fur and flesh. Then the power was cut off, and the rabbit went limp.

It rolled over and fell on its side in a loud whump. The other rabbits scattered to the far fence.

Using her magic, Sweetie (against her own little willpower) tore open a gash in the side, big enough to reveal the bloodied meat and fat below  the thick skin and she began tearing out bites, hell not even chewing before swallowing. Her stomach, now empowered with untold magic, would burn that food up and she’d be hungry in time to take the next bite.

Sweetie Belle, covered in blood, feasted for several minutes, and the lights in the house next to the pasture came on. A pony peered out and saw the dead rabbit (Sweetie Belle was hidden away, burrowing into its side, powered by magic and not needing oxygen).

Two stallions barged out from the house, guns latched to their hoof claws. They intended to kill these damn poachers, be them wolves, dogs, or Applejack’s carnivorous distant cousins. Small town. word gets around fast.

“Show yourself!” one of them shouted, unknowingly startling Sweetie Belle.

“We’s gonna blow yer’ ass to hell you varmint! Show yourself and I make it quick and painless!”

Sweetie Belle’s mind completely snapped back and she was herself again. She almost screamed to find herself half burrowed in the corpse of the giant rabbit. She thought this shit was dream, but nope. She desperately tried to pull herself free, tripped and hit the ground, and nearly wrenching her leg on a rib. She heard shotguns being cocked, but galloped back to her opening in the fence.

The whole world lit up around her as they turned on the flood lamp by the barn. She was scared, the two stallions nearly shat themselves when they spotted the little filly, covered from head to tail in blood, scattering towards the fence.

“What the buck?”

“KILL IT! KILL IT QUICK, before it gets away!”

And they opened fire.

Sweetie’s magic system fired up a shield, bouncing the bullets off before they had a chance to pierce right through her.

She made it into the cover of the bushes and didn’t stop till she got to the river. She was terrified, and revolted beyond comprehension, and didn’t stop ‘til she launched herself into the Bucephalus Brook. She made a loud splash, and holding her breath, completely dipped underwater until her body lost momentum and brought her back up to the surface.

Sweetie gasped for air as she tried to swim, then heard the nearby rustling of bushes.

“It’s in the water, now’s our chance!”

Sweetie remembered a skill taught to her by the spellbook. Before the two stallions beamed their flashlights on her splashing about, Sweetie exhaled and disappeared beneath the now red water. Seconds later, the enraged rancher stallions beamed their flashlights on the water, but she was gone.

Rather than drown, the panicking Sweetie Belle powered herself with her magic, eliminating her need for oxygen for a while. She felt her hooves hit the rocks on the bottom of the brook. She was blind down here and didn’t dare open her eyes. But she also knew sonar

Sweetie Belle’s horn beamed out barely audible sounds, and the feedback came onto her vision despite having her eyes scrunched shut. She beamed sonar pulses out at over 50 per minute, giving her a grainy blue-ish sketched view of the riverbed. She looked up at the surface, and saw the streams of bubbles made by the bullets as they cut through the water several hooves above her. The ranchers were shooting point blank.

She also knew to get away while she was covered by the clouds of blood swirling around her. She slowly trotted downstream, letting the current push her with each step.

By the time the blood cleared, the ranchers saw nothing.

“Aw shit, it got away.”

“C’mon Cletus, we gatta go in an’ tell the town guard!”

Sweetie Belle surfaced several trots down stream. It was a slow trek underwater, and she had to resist the urge to breathe and fill her little lungs with icy water. As if she had been drowning, Sweetie Belle gasped for air as she broke the surface, and tried to swim. She treaded and the current carried her to the nearby shore.

Shivering, coughing, and crying, Sweetie Belle pulled herself out of the water and sat next to the tree overhanging the brook. She tried to look around when another spell kicked in, scaring the crap out of her:

Her vision switched to full color infrared night vision. The sky glowed bright like it was day, and she saw the moon, an ominous black circle. In natural light, it was invisible, obscured by the planet’s shadow as they orbited around behind it.

Everything was colored differently, and a recorded audio statement of a unicorn teacher explained to her that she was no practicing full color night infrared night vision. Same as normal full color vision but infrared made things more visible, and discolored. Ultraviolet light also exposed the oddities in object with extreme discolorations.

Sweetie Belle looked around, and saw Dawn Hill far off to the west. She was at the point where the Bucephalus bet the Everfree border and ran along the fence eastward. The lights from the buildings almost blinded her and she had to shield her eyes with a hoof. Then the spell died and she was briefly blind as normal vision returned.

She had escaped. With a stomach full of rabbit meat, and like the blood apples, she was unable to puke it out. She cried. The overwhelming shame. She had committed a capital crime and was so sure Celestia would burn her alive for this.

She prayed frantically forgiveness and shouted out loud, begging for Princess Luna, the weaver of dreams to come to her and help her. The filly was absolutely terrified of the past and her anguished ancestors who were seemingly forcing all this on her, as if commanding or even remote controlling Sweetie Belle from the past via the spellbook. Ok, so she felt really crushed when she saw herself losing color back at the school, she didn’t even want to look in the mirror and see how gray she had gone since then.

Sweetie Belle, exhausted, nauseous, and freezing cold, hunkered down next to the tree, and whimpered. She prayed and begged over and over again, calling out to Celestia, Luna, and the universe in all its space-time glory, for somepony, either past or present to help her, or at least explain some of this bucked up shit that was happening to her. But, the filly got no response.

It was going to be one long and damn cold night.

+ +

The house clock chimed. It was 40 degrees in the morning. The predawn light seeped in through the translucent cotton curtains over a really spent lavender unicorn. Twilight Sparkle hardly moved as the melodic bell tune echoed over her ears. She grunted as she tried to open her eyes. The lavender unicorn had hardly slept all night and now a searing headache made her feel like somepony just chopped her head in half with an axe. Her horn and her forehead around it hurt like hell. She didn’t move but she remembered where she was. She was lying on the sofa in the den of the Loos’ home. She heard sounds coming from the kitchen.

Twilight’s body ached. Her muscles felt tense and she felt very fatigued. She wanted to go home, cook up a concoction that would end the headache and perk her right back up. She was aware she had been under way too much stress for the last several moons, and the recent confrontation with Applejack, and then being kicked right in the horn by a filly, took their toll on her. She felt depressed, and on days like this she stayed in bed and hardly moved.

She didn’t want to but she began running all the thoughts and anxieties through her mind. The Apples were taking over. Applejack blocked her mail in and out, cutting off her link to Celestia, whom Twilight was terrified would be furious with her for failing to keep the peace in Ponyville. She felt like a failure and none of her past merits had any weight against this catastrophic failure. Tears formed at the edges of her eyes.

Normally when in her bed at the library, if she didn’t get up to take on the day’s activities, Spike would start badgering her to get out of bed. And she always replied, “Just five more minutes,” or “please, let me sleep for another degree.”

More than once Twilight blew herself out from stress of her work, lack of proper meals, caffeine or magic overloads, and her obsessions and compulsions to research and work. Some projects had her up for days at a time. And when the unicorn came crashing down, she was not much more than a miserable lump. Her mind and conscience tormented her to no end, and her own mental projections of Princess Celestia and everypony she knew demanded from her thousands of more times more than she was safely capable of.

And the shame. Oh the living bucking shame weighed down on her like ten thousand bars per square hoof. Applejack had lost it, so she was losing it too. Twilight actually believed she would be the one held solely responsible for everything that went wrong in this town over the last year. Chief Tibbs’ reading of that article in the Canterlot Times newspaper echoed through her aching brain. Speaking of Tibbs, that grump of a stallion left Ponyville a few days after she ran crying to him about what Applejack did to her. Sundowner had told her that the town guard chief left town to attend some event hosted by the city guard up in Abille. Town guards hosted events or ‘convention’ like gatherings to exchange knowledge, intel, skills training, and trade weapons and gear. But she wasn’t thinking all that much about Tibbs, only she wished she went with Tibbs to Abille, even if that entire county, just south of Nimbuscait, wasn’t all that unicorn-friendly.

In the last four years, from the day Princess Celestia sent Twilight to Ponyville, the unicorn felt entirely responsible for stopping and preventing all the problems from happening in Ponyville, even problems typical for a town of over 4000 ponies.

Drought? Twilight made and dispatched rainseed. Groundwater and irrigation problems? Twilight came up with ingenious ways to distribute proper amounts of clean water from the Bucephalus to thirsty ponies and crops. Parasprite infestation during her first year? the unicorn worked tirelessly to come up with the supplies to rebuild. The disease outbreak due to backed up sewage pits underground? Twilight remedied cures, spoke to the council and quarantined Ponyville, blocking access in and out while she treated and spelled the entire town pony by pony to snuff out the epidemic. When ponies fought, she was first on the scene, at first by shooting pacifier spells on quarreling or fighting ponies then to using diplomacy and words to resolve disputes.

Twilight Sparkle had grown and gained invaluable new social skills and friendships. She herself learned to actually care about other ponies (other than Celestia or the royal family, whom she faithfully served). Princess Celestia had sent the unicorn to Ponyville so she could learn to make friends and and socially cohese with other ponies.

The atmosphere in Canterlot was as cold as ice as far as the young lavender unicorn had been concerned. Ponyfolk were cordial, polite and refined, however they were icy to the heart. Awkward fillies like her never fit in, and so for much of her life, Twilight remained sheltered among the royal family, but she had access to books, scrolls, spells, schematics, and all the smorgasbord of limitless education she could ever want. Twilight felt no need nor desire for other ponies to occupy her life and heart. She was loyal only to Celestia, Cadence, and the other members of the royal family. And she avoided stranger ponies like the plague.

She had felt forsaken and scorned by them, so she forsook ponies too. And Celestia put an end to that by sending her to Ponyville, forcing her to make friends, and sending her to take out Nightmare Moon and establish the new and current Mane Six. Had Twilight known of the entire exercise laid out before her, she never would have gone. But in the end, everything worked out, and the lavender antisocial brainiac discovered that ordinary ponies could be kind, loving and caring.

But then there was the other effect, a radical, highly irrational notion that took hold in her mind. Because these ponies welcomed her into their town, came to befriend and work with her, she felt entirely responsible for them. Twilight Sparkle. 4000 ponies. Her guilty conscience stabbed her in the heart every time something went wrong, from spoiled stocks of food, ponies getting injured at work, to more serious events such as the death of a foal. Of course, ponies didn’t pin it all on Twilight, they didn’t see her as the hero who would make their lives perfect all day everyday.

And Twilight knew her own false guilt was a delusion, but it knew no bounds and she blamed herself for not having seen something coming. Even she blamed herself for Granny Smith’s death, despite knowing nothing about termites infesting the Sweet Apples’ old wagons. Hell, Even Applejack never blamed her (because AJ blamed Sweetie Belle for Granny Smith being crushed when the wheel gave out and the wagon collapsed and fell on her). At least not yet anyway.

Twilight never told anypony of her weaknesses or her mental illness. She kept working, always trying to do her daily jobs and programs for ponies, and obsessively trying to head off the next disaster before it even came.

And of course, she got bogged down in her work and obligations out of town, and failed to keep tabs on the affairs going on in Ponyville, hence she failed to notice Applejack’s shoring up of relatives and power until it was too late.

In the end, Twilight Sparkle became just as terrified of Princess Celestia as Sundowner or the religious nutcase Apples. In her mind, she was sure Celestia would banish her from the moon or blow her clean out of existence. Celestia’s motherly love for the young unicorn had faded in her mind and she unwittingly came to view Celestia as a vindictive ruler. These were just some of the chaotic effects the Element of Magic wreaked on the poor mare.

Bowls on the counter, utensils clattering, water boiling, kettle whistling, the mare humming.

Lassy Loo was preparing something. The door opened and Snapper Loo trotted in. He closed the door, walked silently past Twilight and into the kitchen.

“The train will be here 60 degrees sharp, Lassy,” Snapper said, as he kissed her.

“Okay. I’ll wake the fillies.”

She didn’t even have to. Dinky Doo yawned as she came downstairs. “Do we have school today?” she asked dumbly. Why else would they be up so early?

“Uhh, no, Dinky. We are going on the train.”

“Oooh! Where?” Dinky’s eyes lit up. She loved going on trips. Derpy flew her to all sorts of places, and showed her amazing spectacular sights when she took the filly along on her mail runs. But Dinky had never been on the train before. The train as foals talked about at school, came from afar and went a long way. Equestria was such a vast world, and ponies in each little region of the country could only speculate about other areas. This was a result of information control and tight restrictions on production and distribution of maps, and travel permits. As young foals always said, no matter where the train went, it always ended its journey at Canterlot.

So many times Dinky and other foals galloped to the trackside and watched the huge locomotives and cars of all shapes and sizes, all makes and models in vast ranges of obscurity, pass by. They waved at pony passengers onboard, and even made a game of throwing candies or little presents at passenger cars in hopes of getting something to somepony inside. Sometimes they even hoped foals like them on the train threw something back, not that Dinky ever recalled that happening.

Such practice was heavily discouraged due to incidents of injuries and deaths.

The train wasn’t totally inaccessible, in fact, while ponies required permits to go certain places like the Crystal Empire, or Canterlot, all that was really needed was for newcomers or visitors to register at new towns. It was even rumored that ponies actually lived onboard the train.

Dinky was jumping up and down with excitement. “Really? Train?”

“Yes, dear, train. Now please sit down, breakfast is almost ready,” Lassy beckoned. The mare poured the boiling water and load of buckwheat groats from the small pot, into a strainer. Then she divided up the groats into bowls, and poured almond milk to cool the hot cereal. She then sprinkled cinnamon and brown sugar, and placed a bowls on the table for Dinky and Scootaloo, who was still in bed.

“Scoots! Scootaloo! Breakfast!” Lassy called from the kitchen. Soon enough, Snapper came down, carrying the filly like a mother cat a kitten by the scruff of her neck. He wasn’t actually hurting her. In this pony civilisation, this cat’s behavior was adapted by ponies of the past. Scootaloo was still sleepy and groggy as Snapper gently placed her down on a pad (seat) at the table.

Scoots groaned as she looked around, all discombobulated. The filly slept like a rock after a hard day before.

“Wha...what time is it?”

“42 degrees,” Lassy replied. Scootaloo nodded, then her eyes snapped wide open. Only one reason she’d have to get up that early.

“Mom, I don’t wanna go to Applejack’s farm! Why are you making me go there??”

“Hush, Scoots! Twilight’s still sleeping!” Lassy hissed, “And no, you’re not going to Applejack’s.”

“We’re going on the train, yay!” Dinky Doo piped.

“Dinky, eat your breakfast.”

“Train? Where we going?” Scootaloo asked, relieved about not having to go to Appleja-

“You remember your uncle Haywire and your aunt Hayfitch? You’re going to be with them for a while.” Snapper replied.

Scootaloo just stared blankly. She didn’t remember her adopted parents’ distant relatives. She was told she had been to their home when she was a baby. Lassy had once shown her pictures of Aunt Hayfitch holding her, just weeks after she was adopted. And her parents made no stone about her being adopted. She was a pegasus and they were earth ponies. It was obvious. Scoots didn’t really care anyways. She knew about pegasi abandoning their foals, and she wasted no thought on who brought her into existence and then tossed her.

“Wait, Mom, what about Applebloom and Sweetie Belle?”

Snapper answered her question: “Applebloom is in Applejack’s legal custody and so taking her along with us would be fillynapping, and Sweetie Belle...nopony knows where she is and we don’t have time to look for her.”

“B-but Dad, can’t we-”

“No buts Scoots. I want all of you on the morning train!”

“Scoots, eat your breakfast. The train leaves in eighteen degrees,” Lassy beckoned her.

Scootaloo wasn’t hungry but she knew better than to let her breakfast go to waste. And after yesterday, her mother even put extra sugar on her buckwheat as a comfort. She slipped her hoof into the hoof shoe attached to the spoon and began eating. She watched her’s and Dinky’s mother pace around the kitchen, gathering food and placing it into their father’s sidebags, which were almost big enough to hold a foal each.

“After you two are finished eating,” Lassy instructed, “Go wash your faces and brush your teeth. Then take your sidebags and place some books, games, pencils and paper in in them.”

As she spoke, Twilight, groggy as hell, came into the kitchen. She, herself felt like a foal at that exact moment.

“Morning, Twilight- oh my Celestia, you don’t look too good dear.”

“Wha?” Twilight was still out of it. Her mane was a mess, her forehead and horn bruised, eyes bloodshot and lined with bags. She looked almost even worse than last night.

“Please, please sit down. Scootaloo, move to the other side of the table and sit next to Dinky.”

Scootaloo obeyed and Lassy guided Twilight to the table. A minute later, he had a cup of tea prepared for the unicorn.

“Th-thank for all your hospitality…” Twilight hoarsely whispered. Her throat felt like sandpaper and she could hardly speak.

“Please, think nothing of it. Snapper, Twilight’s...can you please take a look at her. She’s looking worse.”

Snapper had been packing some extra things for his wife to take. He took a bag of bits from their chest in their bedroom, and placed it into Lassy’s sidebag. “750 bits. That should cover the travel expenses.”

Then he greeted Twilight and looked at her. Snapper Loo was also protective of his friends, family, and workmates. He looked with concern at the unicorn who revealed the truth to them, and said, “I think you’re done here in Ponyville. I want you on the train with Lass and the fillies.”

“Wh...what do you mean?” Twilight said. She felt nauseous and dizzy.

“You’re no good. You look like you’re about to hit the floor. You’re not safe here, Twilight. Those damn Apples will tear you apart. They try anything, how the hay can you protect yourself in this condition? You need to go to the hospital, but not here. I’ll pay for your ticket. you can stay on and go with Lassy and the kids to my relatives’, or you can get off wherever you want, but for your sake, you need to leave town.”

“Mr Loo...There’s work...I have to…the Apples...I have to fix this-”

“No you don’t,” Snapper said calmly but firmly. “You try anything, you’ll probably wind up dead before the day is out. You know what Applejack did to you. If she sees you like this, Celestia-knows-what that deranged hick will do to you! As a return favor for all we’ve done for you, I ask you to hop on the morning train, and seek help! What good will you be to Celestia or anypony if you aren’t around?”

Twilight was too messed up and disoriented to even argue. It took her to the end of her health to get some mercy from her own savage guilt. And she herself was somewhat scared of the fate ponies faced if they died in disgrace. She tried to run the situation through her mind, and knew deep down that leaving Ponyville was the only viable option.

She remembered Chief Tibbs’ harsh orders to seek help. She began to feel tears welling up but she didn’t want to break down and cry infront of Scootaloo and Dinky. The faint distant whistle of the train echoed in through the open kitchen window.

“Alright...I’ll...I’ll go.”

Snapper went for the door. “I’m going to fetch her some medicine. Make some extra tea for her,” he told his wife.

Lassy did so, and after giving Twilight a mug of tea, she went upstairs to get her twins fed, diapers changed, and prepped for the journey.

Scootaloo felt horrible just by looking at Twilight. Back when she kicked her in the horn, she only did so in defense; she was just fighting to get away. She never intended to inflict so much damage and pain on the unicorn.

“I’m sorry, Twilight.”

“It’s...it’s okay. I’m not angry.” Twilight replied.

+ +

It was 54° when the freight train slowly pulled into the station. Box cars were opened and hastily unloaded and reloaded by the train and station crews. The Sun was just beginning to clear the early morning haze and light up the town, fortunately, it was blocked from beaming on the station by Dawn Hill, just across town. Another train entered in the opposite direction on the other track, and when it stopped, it too was tended by the crews. The two trains were hastily broken up and cars switched around.

At the ticket booth, Snapper Loo paid for his family and for Twilight. To avoid rousing more than the necessary suspicion, Snapper had Lassy and Twilight don cowles. The excuse for curious town guard ponies and the stallion working the ticket booth was that the train went through high altitude, and colder regions despite it being summer and all.

Twilight even wore a bonnet to hide her messy mane. The excuse for clothing accessories was that they’d be going to a town where ponies wore clothes. But that didn’t stop the town guard ponies from taking note of Twilight Sparkle at the station. Twilight had become anxious and paranoid, thinking Applejack would for some reason try to stop her from leaving town. She also didn’t want to be noticed by Rainbow Dash nor Fluttershy who were on weather duty today. She wanted her exit to be as discreet as possible.

“Two mares, and two fillies,” Snapper Loo said as he laid down several large 50-bit coins.

“And yourself?” the stallion asked.

“Not today.”

“Snapper,” Lassy hissed, “I really think you should come with us.”

“We talked about this. I’ll rejoin you as soon as I can. I have work to tend to.”

To help grease the deal, Snapper laid down a 100-bit coin for the stallion behind the counter. It was common knowledge that a generous tip meant no questions asked. Employees of the Equestria Railroad (EQR) were known to prevent ponies from boarding the train in hotspot areas. Thing was, Snapper’s wasn’t the first tip. But money is money, so the EQR ponies gladly took the bonus, hoofed him the tickets and waved them through. He didn’t care if Snapper boarded the train or not.

“Next!”

Twilight didn’t breathe any sigh of relief as the platform, full of ponies, was crawling with the townguard. She instinctively knew something was up. She caught a few cold stares from the town guards trotting around, keeping their eyes on the passengers and crews, to prevent theft or stowaways. Twilight also noticed several other ponies, loaded with saddlebags waiting to board. The freight train pulled ahead and the passenger cars were pulled up to the platform.

“All aboard! Tickets out!” the train crew shouted.

Twilight waited anxiously, her ticket sticking out of her mouth. Her heart raced. Would the town guard try and stop her right at the last hoofstep? Would they arrest her and place her at Applejack’s disposal? Or was she just being too damn paranoid? Or was she now under the protection of the train crew thanks to the huge tip Snapper Loo paid out of his savings on hers’ and his family’s behalf?

She knew quite a bit about the EQR, and how paying a high enough of a ‘tip’ on top of the ticket fees could afford a troubled pony some protection from the locals. As long as the pony in question had a valid ticket in possession, the train crew, operating under an aggressive ‘customer protection’ policy would ward off the locals. The policy was considered by the top brass of the EQR to be an efficient method of investment protection, the investments being their customers and cargo. Equestria was filled with hot spots and conflict zones, so the train crew, or train guard as they really were, had full jurisdiction over their trains and passengers.

Other ponies began stepping off the passenger cars, mostly to walk around and stretch. Very few, except for Apple ponies, had reason to disembark at Ponyville, other than to go up to Turkey Hay Hills, or Abille.

“Listen to me,” Snapper said quietly to his wife, “I urge you not to come back here. I will be with you again in a few days. I just need to clear up some matters at work…” He looked at Dinky, who was completely oblivious to the fact she was about to be separated from Derpy. “...and put out a letter to her mo-”

“Snapper, we can write Derpy from a safer place. I...I got a bad feeling about this, I can’t help it. Please won’t you reconsider? I’m very worried for your safety. What if...they...do something to you. They know the librarian’s with us. She’s a fugitive now. We’re smuggling her out the county, Snapper, you might get arrested, and worse…”

“Look at all these other ponies, Lass. They’re fleeing town. Who will be left to stand their ground against the Apples? They will take this town over, hooves down, and we all will pay the cost in terms of our homes. Ponyville’s been our home ever since we met and got married. You remember our wedding? Under the Great Owl’s Tree? No doubt Applejack’s got some deranged hick prejudice against owls. She’ll probably have our tree torched and all the owls burrowing in it burned. I refuse to let this town be taken over by those Apples.”

Lassy grunted in frustration. “Snapper, they might kill you! What will the fillies and I do without you? Can’t you please stop being so stubborn and listen to me for once? If it is so bad, then forget the house. We put a lot into it, and it will be for nothing. My mother said that home is not just some place, no matter how long we live in it or fancy it up, our real home is each other. I’d be lost, feeling homeless wherever I live without you. And our twins…”

Snapper grunted. He was a staunch and sturdy provider for his family. He didn’t disagree with  his wife, but he despised the prospect of losing the house he built and cared for his family in.

“...even without the house or everything we have, I’d still love you to death. I won’t just think you’re some loser mule like those materialistic mares do of their poor stallions,” Lassy nearly cried.

But the stallion didn’t budge. He loved his family just as much, but he strongly believed there were much bigger things he had to ‘fight’ and work for, since he thought without a bigger picture, he’d be nothing for his wife and foals. He was that old fashioned, and had trouble detaching himself from those core values.

“Scoots, Dinky, get on board. Now,” Lassy ordered.

“Scoots,” Snapper said, “You be good to your mother and your siblings, you hear? I will see you again.”

“Y-yes, Dad.”

“Now get on the train. Your mother will join you shortly.”

After the foals got on the train. Snapper and Lassy embraced each other. There was no sense arguing any further seeing as Lassy couldn’t convince her stallion to join her on the train.

“I love you. Please come back to me.”

“I will, Lass,” Snapper said with conviction. Snapper patted the two twins, each in a side bag on Lassy.

Twilight would have said something but she felt like shit and didn’t bother wasting her effort on meddling in their business.

“Come on,” Lassy beckoned to her as she trotted towards the train.

Lassy showed the train crew her tickets and they moved aside to let her on. They looked at Twilight. Even now she felt completely wrenched between fleeing to safety and being a complete coward and shirking her responsibilities. But even she knew this: Cowards who fled lived to scheme and fight another day.

“Train leaves in three minutes, mare,” the stallion at the door called to her.

Twilight gulped, and shivered as a cool morning breeze swept through the station. Yesterday when she was checking the data on the new weather doppler she built, she found it was supposed to be a cool windy day today.

Right before she stepped onboard and give up her ticket, she took one last look back- and something caught her eye, and made her heart skip a beat. No way, it can’t be.

She spotted another mare exit the train three cars down and canter around. She was white, but donned a fashionable dress and large fancy hat. Twilight instantly recognized the mare, although her face was partially hidden by the hat; in how she walked, turned her head, and looked around. Then she made eye contact with the mare.

Twilight’s blood turned to ice, and her breathing almost stopped. She realized with a chilling stun that she had just made eye contact with Rarity.

A Really Bad Day

“P-please give me a minute,” Twilight said to the train crew stallion.

“You have two. Hurry up. We wait for nopony.”

Twilight bounced off the steps and trotted to the mare. “Rarity?”

Rarity looked up and her face broke into a smile, but she hissed, “Shh, not so loud! and my name is Loushie Lotus.” And she said so in a different voice, with her best effort to suppress her natural unique accent.

Twilight was taken aback briefly but then realized Rarity was trying to operate under cover. Her dress and big fancy hat were meant to be some disguise, but Twilight found it hard to believe, probably because she was well familiar with Rarity’s brand of clothing. Who the hay would Rarity fool anyway? All those Apples? Twilight hoped. She couldn’t expect any good reaction from-

“Oh, I’ve missed you!” Rarity said, putting a foreleg around her tightly.

“Shh, not so loud!” Twilight hissed, “Please, look, we gotta get back on the train, it’s about to leave.”

“What? But I- I just got here, you can’t just expect me to get back on the train now-”

“We’re in danger, those ponies just might kill us-”

A breeze blew past, whisking the ticket out of Twilight’s mouth as she talked.

“~Gah! My ticket!” Twilight chased after it, but the wind blew it high up, and over the train. She tried to tractor it back but her horn hurt too much, and her headache spiked in pain. The doors on the train cars all slammed shut, and the horn belched. In seconds the motors in the locomotive roared, and the train lurched forward, out of the station.

Twilight could only watch in dismay as the train- possibly her only escape, pull away and disappear as it went around the bend behind Dawn Hill.

“I’m...I’m terribly sorry…” Rarity said, just seeing the drastic change she made to the lavender unicorn’s morning plans. She felt at a huge loss.

Twilight sighed and let her head hang a bit low for a few seconds. “No, its’...okay...I didn’t expect you to come back yet…” She was completely puzzled and dumbstruck by Rarity’s sudden unannounced arrival. Usually Rarity mailed fancy letters announcing her travels.

“Why now?” Twilight asked.

“I heard about everything,” Rarity said, trying to remain calm, “About Sweetie Belle...and everything Applejack’s done to her.” She tried not to sound angry but her voice constrained into a snarl when she uttered the Sweet Apple farmer’s name.

“Who told you?” Twilight asked.

“Nopony I know. This young mare came to my shop the other day, and told me all that had been going on here in Ponyville. She gave me the memory crystals, and said they were from you.”

“Who?”

“She said her name was...I think...no...wait, yes, it was Sundowner.”

Twilight would have been delighted knowing Sundowner made it to Canterlot, but she felt a huge surge of frustration. If Sundowner, carrying really important information, made it to Canterlot, why the hell did Rarity come to ponyville, and not Princess Celestia?

She failed to constrain a whined groan, and her stomach tightened. Well, that’s just great. FINALLY I can send out for Celestia’s help, but no, I get ANOTHER problem instead!

“Is something the matter dear?” Rarity asked in a hushed voice.

“It’s nothing...I just...There’s just too much going on here...I was really counting on...on Sundowner to contact Princess Celestia. I wrote her up all the clearances she would need and I was so sure the Royal Guards would take Sundowner right to Her…”

Twilight was so sure Celestia would show up and clean up the town with those Apples and set Applejack straight once and for all.

“Well, I wouldn’t know much about that dear. She told me Celestia is on vacation. Nopony knows for how long.”

Celestia on vacation.

Twilight tried not to grunt and gripe infront of her friend. But of all ponies, she knew that when Celestia was ‘on vacation,’ she was not to be disturbed. In her absence, Princess Luna dealt with all the major affairs.

“What about Princess Luna?”

Rarity shrugged, “I’m sorry, Twilight, I just don’t know. I came here to take my Sweetie Belle away from Applejack and...and give that mare a piece of my mind. If you want to leave town, that’s fine, I want to fetch Sweetie Belle, and we’ll be off. Now, where is she?”

Twilight didn’t want to confess, but Sweetie Belle was missing as of 175° the previous morning when she ran away from school. Twilight Sparkle was notified when a filly disappeared, and she did her best to track it down. Unicorn foals were easy to track down, she locked onto their magic signatures, and it wasn’t long until she found the wayward foals. But yesterday, she was not informed of Sweetie Belle’s disappearance. She didn’t even know about her until she found Scootaloo.

“Well, the thing is...She’s...she’s miss-”

“Hey Twilight!”

Both mares instantly looked up and saw Rainbow Dash flying down towards them. She landed right in front of Twilight, and tried to catch her breath.

“What is it, Rainbow Dash?”

“Where the hay have you been, Twilight?” Rainbow Dash demanded, “I’ve been looking all over for you!”

“Really?”

“Yeah, where have you been?”

“I...I had some work to do with a family last night…” Twilight said, realizing there was no convincing Rainbow Dash given the condition she was in.

“Yeah well, guess what? Your treehouse is on fire!”

Twilight Sparkle’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped.

“WHAT?!

+

The raging inferno roared and pretty much swallowed the entire treehouse that was the Golden Oaks Library Sparks shot out from the base of the tree and the structure around it as the combusting wood released all the magic it had been imbued with. It had been burning for several degrees now, and the local air guard of pegasi were flying around the inferno, keeping most of the wind out of it and the smoke from spreading over Ponyville.

“My home...my works….my books…MY LIFE!! What the shit, what the shit, WHAT THE SHIT!?” Twilight screamed as she completely lost it and her mind just unraveled and fell apart. It was at times like this she went completely psychotic. She collapsed to the ground, and began stuttering, rambling and shouting, then she pissed herself when she realized that the entire spellbook collection being burned was infact the property of the Magic Academy at Canterlot.

Oh the things Celestia will do to her when she hears about THIS.

The town guard ponies had formed a blockade around the burning treehouse to keep ponies from getting too close, while the pegasi did their best to contain the flames, which easily towered ten trots over the tree.

“Stand back, Sparkle, the pegasi got this,” Town guard stallion Promontory barked at her.

“No, I can stop this!” Twilight shrieked, then she bolted around hem and galloped toward the raging inferno despite the intense heat the townguards and townsponies felt.

“Hey! Get back here, you!”

Twilight galloped and charged up her horn, frantically racking her brain for those anti fire spells she read up on eight years ago back at Canterlot. Before she could cast anything, Rainbow Dash tackled her to the ground. Twilight shrieked and panicked, and tried to fight RD off, but it was no use. Right after RD pulled her back, a huge burning branch broke off and hit the ground right where Twilight would have been.

Rainbow Dash and three other pegasi dragged her back to safety behind the townguard ponies. Rainbow Dash jumped on her and pinned her to the ground to keep her from running towards the flames again.

“Idiot, you want to burn to death? What the hell is wrong with you?” Rainbow Dash shouted at her.

“I have to stop the fire! All those spell books~ Celestia...She’ll bucking kill me!!” Tears streamed from her eyes as she screamed over the loud roar of the flames.

Rainbow Dash wingslapped her across the face. “Get ahoof of yourself!” Rainbow Dash shouted back. “My crew is on it! Look, here they come with the raincloud and waterspout now! Don’t make me keep you here, you try and go back in there, and I’ll pound you!”

Rainbow Dash leaped into the air and flew off to join the others.

Two big burly townguard stallions stood infront of Twilight, and threw her to the ground when she tried to make a break for it again. She could only watch helplessly as the the pegasi, well trained by Dash, smashed open the burning door and windows, then jammed the entire waterspout in through the largest of the windows. Steam violently spewed from the openings. Twilight looked up and saw that the waterspout stretched all the way down from the rain cloud the pegasi hastily assembled. More brought in another and hooked the twister up to it when the other cloud ran out of water. Using a third cloud, the Pegasi triggered a torrential downpour over the burning treehouse.

Twilight, on her back on the ground, could only look on as the Pegasi worked their water magic, and she realized if she went in, she would have been steamed to death instead.

Within three degrees, most of the flames had been extinguished. Smoke and steam still hissed out and rose above what was left of the treehouse. All the leaves were burned to ash, leaving a grisly dead tree, charred black and white. The building constructed around it, once concealed by leaves and bushes, was no longer recognizable. The second floor was completely gone, give for a huge gaping hole where a part of the tree collapsed on itself. The upper part of it snapped off, fell and hit the ground, leaving the main part of the library wide open.

The fire out, the pegasi continued raining on the smoldering ruins, and walked and flew in and around the place, looking for burning, which they quickly put out.

Twilight Sparkle, in a complete daze, and probably a bad case of shock, entered the library. Pegasi walked around her, no longer concerned of her safety as the fires were eliminated. Wet soot formed a black muck that everypony had to step through. Nothing was recognizable. There wasn’t a single piece of property that wasn’t scorched. Twilight stepped down the stairs to the basement-

The stairwell beneath her hooves gave out, and she fell into a pile of burnt wreckage below.

Rarity, still in her ridiculous disguise, looked around the place, also in disbelief.

“Excuse me, miss mare, but we’ll need you to wait for your friend outside.” one of the pegasi told her.

“For your information,” Rarity snapped back, “I’m Rarity, the.....Element of Generosity, thank you.”

That made the pegasus think twice about trying to escort her off the destroyed property. Even though she said ‘former’ her voice could not be imitated, and the pegasus knew right off the bat it was her.

“Oh...my apologies ma’am. Uh, do be careful.” And he flew off.

Twilight climbed out of the basement. Nothing of her lab remained. The lavender unicorn had practically moved her life’s work from the library in Canterlot to here.

“I’m...I’m awfully sorry, Twilight…” Rarity said, trying to comfort her.

“It’s...it’s okay…” Twilight said, still in shock. When the shock wore off, she’d be nothing more than an immobile sad crying sack of dead weight.

“Come on dear,” Rarity coaxed her, “Let’s...let’s go...I still want to find Sweetie Belle, and we’ll be on our way back to Canterlot.”

Twilight gasped, the word shattering the stunned calm in her. Canterlot. Failure. Princess Celestia. Angry. Furious. Colossal rage. Holy condemnation. Moon. Fire. DEATH.

“No!” She shrieked as she suddenly sprang into a gallop and bolted out through what was left of the door frame.

“T-Twilight! Wait!” Rarity shouted after her. But the lavender unicorn was running off in a complete panic. Rarity chased after her.

But the two mares didn’t get very far. Because a horde of mighty pissed off Apple town guard stallions and mares came charging out of nowhere, shouting and screaming, and swarmed them both.

Both unicorns tried to evade and gallop in different directions, but the furious mob of earth ponies violently crash-tackled Twilight and Rarity to the ground, and piled up ontop of both unicorns.

Twilight was taken down instantly, but these Apple ponies yanked violently at Rarity's clothing, tearing everything off. She shrieked as she was shoved about, then somepony reared up on her hind legs and swung a hoof at her, bashing her right upside the head, knocking her large overfancified flower hat off. The hat fell gracefully to the ground where it was instantly trampled.

Once all her fancy clothes were torn off, and her true self exposed, Rarity was buck-kicked in the ribs, then slammed into the ground, bashing her nose on a rock, causing a nosebleed.

The mob slammed their faces into the dirt. Before Twilight knew what was happening, they had her hogtied, gagged, and capped.* The same horn cap Sweetie Belle was forced to wear was now on her bruised horn.

Rarity put up more of a struggle. "Unhoof me, you savages!"

She heard a stallion roar as he came at her with a large blunt farm tool, ready to swing right down on her horn-

"Hold it!" The voice of Anna Apple Pomme shouted.

They all stopped, just short of stomping and hoofbeating these unicorn mares, and looked up. So did Twilight and Rarity.

“Twilight Sparkle,” Apple Turner shouted, “You’re under arrest for reckless magic disturbances, gross negligence, criminal trafficking, animal cruelty and ponyslaughter. Take her away!”

Twilight tried to scream for help but the gag was tightened and they strapped a muzzle over her mouth and tied it tight, rendering her unable to speak. They roughly dragged her on her flank through the dirt back the guardhouse.

+ +

When they brought her in, the town guard stallions dragged Twilight Sparkle, already tied up, gagged, muzzled, and capped, down into the basement where the ‘dungeons’ were located. They threw her into a dark damp cell lined with a plumbum*-steel alloy to block magic radiation and transmissions. After throwing her in, they slammed the steel door shut, and trotted off. The only light came from battery lamp at the end of the hall, through the three narrow slits in the door.

Rarity was also tied up, capped, muzzled, and thrown into a different cell. Both mares had little to no idea that their lives were now hanging in the balance, to be determined by a ‘righteously’ pissed off Applejack, who ordered their arrests and witnessed the whole spectacle.

+ +

Politics at the local level were an interesting affair, a construct governed by Princess Celestia’s degree, and established in such a way to prevent corruption.

First, all political and governing positions were voluntary, and not paid positions, as in ponies holding seats in village, town, or county councils were not paid to sit on their flanks and debate ideological governance, policy and law. Each and everypony to occupy a seat had a job of his or her own. Hence, in Ponyville, most town council meetings were held in the evenings.

Second, council members had no time terms during which they served. Every council meeting was first come, first served. No seat had a pony’s name on it. The only name signs were that of specific roles carried out by ponies, such as ‘mayor’ or ‘treasurer.’ The only fixed position in most small towns was mayor. In larger towns like Ponyville, additional positions such as treasurer and so on had their own seats. In general, there was mayor, treasurer (sometimes the mayor had this job too), and guard chief.

Third, elections were only limited to the top fixed positions, and only called when the mayor resigned or the council voted to host one when the mayor was undesired. As per the law of government at this level, automatic termination of mayor resulted from unauthorized use of the town coffer (the money), or a criminal offense. Votes to hold an election and oust the mayor were only called for when the majority of the council were unsatisfied. This was done by one pony calling for a vote, with the others responding by raising or not raising their hooves. By default if most council members had their hooves up, an election was called, and the final count held in two weeks.

Fourth, in most small towns, there were hardly any ideological factions or parties at work, as they were forbidden. In addition, lobbyist ponies, who pressured or bribed council members voting or calling for new law or for repeal of old law, hardly appeared at the local level.

Fifth, ponies from elsewhere had to wait a year in order to actively participate in the council sessions, and until then, they were silent observers standing at the sides or back of the room. Observers (which in theory could include lobbyist ponies) were forbidden from interfering in any way, and could be arrested and jailed up to 10 days.

This legal framework enabled a town council to properly function responsibly in the interest of the town, and enable every resident to participate. In short everypony 20 years and older who lived here for a year or more were basically all council members. And of course, participation in the town council was mandatory from two years (cut down from five years) for everypony, with a minimum 100 degrees’ time a month.

There was of course town and county administrative work, but again it was unpaid, voluntary and only compulsory for a short time. Of course, this framework wasn’t perfect, but was set in place to prevent corruption.

In the last year since Apples began showing up, many of them have keenly watched council meetings and kept tabs for Applejack. In recent council meetings, ponies have questioned the growing Apple presence, unicorns have lamented the growing anti-unicorn sentiment among the new residents, and the resident Apples, who participated more and more in the meetings, have shouted down their opponents citing that the Apple family helped establish and build Ponyville, and every Apple had a ‘Sun-given right’ to be there.

Other ponies became concerned of the Apples’ growing influence in the town council. Especially when permission was passed for mass ‘agricultural development’, a vigilante night watch, the mass acquisition of farm property (this issue was raised at county meetings), and the Apples’ interference in other ponies’ day-to-day life.

At the most recent council meeting, ponies raised their ire over the changes being made to the town guard, and the rising incidents of unicorn harassment, and ‘religious aggression,’ as the Apples’ Sun Book thumping was labelled.

And then, just the other week, the Apples attempted to oust Mayor Mare by calling for an election. They narrowly lost the vote thanks to the other townsponies in council. They also tried to do the same thing to oust the town guard chief Acorn Tibbs who was out of town, and appoint that position to one of their own.

The real drastic changes to the demographic in Ponyville began when the Apples carried out their nightly campaign of terror- disguising themselves as thugs and brutes and going after ponies they didn’t like. In response, other ponies began leaving town, starting with the unicorns, who had no interest in resisting the Apples, widely known for their hatred of unicorns and magic.

And of course the other flavors of corruption were present, bribing, bedding (a few Apple mares tried to get close with other townsponies), and harassment.

By the morning Twilight Sparkle tried to leave Ponyville, the town seemed a lot less welcoming, even those ponies who lived there for their entire lives.

Six degrees after the two unicorn mares were arrested, an urgent meeting was called and held in a room on the upper floor of the town guard house.

+

The room was crowded, and all seats at the table were taken. Mayor Mare, and those who oversaw the administration offices sat on one side of the table, facing Applejack, Anna Apple Pomme, and Apple Turner. Pomme and Turner had been carrying out an impromptu role of vice chief, and were taking their orders directly from Applejack.

A bunch of other Apples and town guard ponies attended the meeting, including a pegasus, Airheart, and a unicorn named Applestar, both were ‘racial advocates’ of their own. The ‘earth pony’ advocate was old Mr. Greenbuck, who had been on the force for over 30 years.

An interesting note Sundowner passed on to Twilight and whoever she reported to at Canterlot, was that Applestar (legal name Apple Stars), was by blood, an Apple family member despite being a unicorn. Her mother, also an Apple mare, mated with a unicorn stallion, and when the Apples found out, filly Applestar witnessed the brutal beatings her parents received, and she was locked in a basement and missed out on what really happened to her parents.

Rather than be burnt at the stake for her insolent existence against Celestia’s demand on the Apples, Applestar was later placed on a cart that took her out of that town. She was discovered and adopted when she arrived in Ponyville.

She had a good fillyhood from that point on, but when she and Applejack met, they were anything but friends. Applejack scorned her from their first run-in at school as fillies. Granny Smith forced Applejack to be welcoming when she invited Applestar to Sweet Apple events.

When she got out of school Applestar worked several jobs over the years, and she even worked at Sweet Apple Acres during applebuck and zap apple seasons.

Then when Granny Smith died, and Applejack called in all her relatives, Applestar was fired, and went two weeks without money or food (her bank account was put 'under investigation') and she had to live on hoofouts. Ponies refused to take her in, then she was arrested over false charges and dragged into the guardhouse. There she met Anna Pomme (who orchestrated her job loss.), who gave her the ultimatum to give up magic or face the brunt of the Apple wrath. She complied and was given a low level job at the guard house, and was under constant supervision.

Being named Applestar seemed to the others like a mere naming coincidence as the official word on the Apple family is that they are all of them earth ponies, and they sure as hell will never admit otherwise.

Truth be told if ever told was that there were quite a few unicorns and even  some pegasi living in Apple clans throughout Equestria. These families overlooked the moral infractions they incurred regarding magic and ‘Apple purity’ for the sake of their daily work being made easier. Unicorn Apples easily lifted tens of thousands of bars’ weight in apples from the trees, saving the others the hoof breaking work of bucking them out.

But of course, these clans hoofed a fine line with their neighboring relatives, whenever they came to visit, their unicorn and pegasus Apples were kept out of sight. Sadly, in Applestar’s case, she was found out and cast away.

Other town guard ponies stood along the walls and by the door. Some were relieved Mayor Mare was here, thinking she would put Applejack in her place. Fat chance.

“Awright,” Applejack said as she put on her hoof claw (pen attached), dipped the pen in her jar of ink, and opened her notebook, “This meeting will start now. Ah thank you kindly, Mayor Mare, fer comin’ in ‘ta see us, what’s up?”

“Likewise,” Mayor Mare said uneasily. She was quite frazzled from the last round of high stress council meetings and dodging oust votes. She even forgot to dye her mane and tail this week, and the pink at the hair roots began to show. She had more than a small hint it was Applejack who told everpony to vote her out.

“I want to address this growing crisis between us, AJ. I’m hoping a little chat will do us all some good.”

“What kind o’ chat, Miss Mayor? If yer’ thinkin’ this here town guard is steppin’ outta line, that ain’t so. We’re followin’ all them rules on how we operate.”

“We, Applejack? Last time I checked, you were hardly involved in the town guard at all.” Mayor Mare countered.

“Things change, ma’am, now Ah’m here. But Ah ain’t taken the Chief’s chair if that’s what yer thinkin.’ Chief Tibbs is up in Abille right now, so we’re just coverin’ fer him. His vice quit cos’ he got sumptin’ against us Apples. Ah got Ana an’ Turner coverin’ till Acorn Tibbs gets back. Why, take a gander over at the Chief’s seat. Ain’t nopony sittin’ in it.”

It was true, the Chief’s pad was unoccupied by none other than the wood-carved sign saying ‘CHIEF’.

“So, tell me,” Mayor Mare asked, “Even if nopony’s on the chief’s pad, then why are so many of your family members all in the town guard? As per the county charter, nopony may serve in the town guard until they’ve lived in town for at least five years, ten years out in the county, unless there’s exceptional permission from the chief and myself.”

Applejack stood up. “You accusin’ me o’ breakin’ the law? All o’ these Apples have been in the county for five years, and many o’ them been livin’ in Ponyville. Just ain’t no pony been taken a notice at them yet.”

Mayor Mare grunted. After a tense meeting with the ponies who ran the administration offices and other meetings with ponies in other towns, she learned there was no record on any of Applejack’s distant relatives. The Sweet Apples were the only Apples in Ponyville County. She felt she had to be careful, given everything she knew was going on. “But that still doesn’t explain to me why there are so many Apples-”

“Fer yer information,” Applejack barked, “That should be no dang problem, even if the entire town guard is all Apple ponies! Ah’ll tell you why they all joined, and need Ah remind you that it is mah family who built Ponyville from the ground up. We established this town, and there wouldn’t be no Ponyville without us! Maybe just some half-ass crap hole full o’ squatters! Ah am so sick of all them ponies livin’ here amongst taken us and dragging our name through the mud! Ah will not tolerate the disrespect goin’ on around here! Because we built this town, mah family deserves no less than to be revered! Even by all them unicorns who live here. They wouldn’t have nothin’ fer homes an’ jobs without us! And need Ah remind you it was mah family who helped write up the town charter! Mah great great grampa Apple Smoker penned the damn paper! All yer disrespect fer us is unacceptable!”

A pony sitting next to Mayor Mare quickly whispered something in her ear. Then she spoke:

“Applejack, no town is perfect, and I’m sorry you feel that you’ve been...disrespected, but pray tell, what do you define as disrespect? In my entire career as mayor of Ponyville and on council and in admin, I have heard nothing but good things about you and your family. I even held an award ceremony when you steered away that stampede, and I organized that sendoff when you went to the Canterlot Rodeo. Did anypony admonish you for not winning first place or not bringing back the bits to fix town hall? By the light, no. That was a competition, and we knew you’d do your best but victory and prizes are never guaranteed! We still gave you a warm welcome when you came back, and we still found means to raise the money and we fixed Town Hall! Where is this disrespect coming from? Because, the only-”

“Okay okay, so it ain’t comin’ from you,” Applejack snapped, a little jilted from the flashback. “And Ah thanked you time an’ time again fer all o’ that. But everypony in town is tarnishin’ us! Especially them unicorns!”

“Maybe they’re not tarnishing your family, Applejack,” Mayor Mare challenged, putting her entourage on edge. “I’ve spoken to many ponies this past year since Winter, and they were merely raising concerns or telling me of incidents involving certain Apples-”

“Jus’ what the hell does that mean?” Applejack shouted, slamming her front hooves on the table. “‘Raisin’ concerns’? That’s just outright lies! We’re only doin’ what we have to ta’ protect ourselves!”

“Such as the repeated attempts to vote me out as mayor? What is that all about? Seriously? You should know I only worked for the interests of this town.”

“I doubt that,” Apple Turner grunted. “If you were truly working for the benefit of all ponies, then you and your administration would have not made efforts to block our products from entering the markets, namely our-”

“Those blood apples of yours have never been tested. There was no due process on the matter. You acquired so much farmland quickly, you destroyed entire crops of other food plants, you then imported large amounts of the blood apple plants, and the soil have never been tested. Nopony knows what will be the total environmental impact of this ‘import’ of yours!” Mayor Mare shot back. “And nopony knows if these blood apples are even safe to eat!”

“They are safe to eat, and we had a crop of 900 blood apples ready to go to market and you signed the order to block them! There’s a lot of bits at stake here!”

“Don’t forget the health of your customers, particularly your loyal unicorn customers,” Mayor Mare argued, “I wanted a full inspection of those blood apples before allowing them on the markets. No doubt your family encountered similar obstacles when you tried to sell them to other towns around here. I consulted Twilight Sparkle on the matter-”

“That witch has been lying to you on the entire thing!” Applejack shouted, startling the mayor.

“Applejack! Calm yourself!” Turner barked. He and AJ exchanged looks and the orange hick sat down and placed her Stetson hat on the table. “Proceed if you must, Mayor. Might as well know about all this crap being thrown at us.”

Mayor Mare nervously tapped the stack of papers on the table. “As I was saying...I consulted Twilight Sparkle on the matter. She has experience conducting agricultural inspections around the county and she’s done much to prevent infestations, and huge problems that undesirable farm plants (Applejack grumbled) would have wreaked on the local environments. Her reports on the blood apples were unsettling to say the least, given the extreme toxicity of the plants and trees themselves, and the way these plants operate. Miss Sparkle also explained, referencing publications on the subject, that blood apples are known to suck dry the magic within the pony that consumed it, a huge hazard to pegasi and unicorns. You, yourself, received the memo, Applejack: I still wanted your blood apples thoroughly tested properly, to see for real what these things do to those who eat them. That’s why I hoof-stamped that paper to ban them from the markets.”

Mayor Mare took a quick glance at Applestar, who looked visibly unsettled. She also thought about Sundowner’s account and memory records Twilight Sparkle showed her.

“...and from what I heard of the tests already conducted on these things, I am no further inclined to let you sell them here.”

“What?!” Applejack shouted, “Who the hay told you about these tests?”

“Twilight did-”

“No,” Applejack barked, “Who told Twilight Sparkle?” She looked more alarmed than angry and didn’t even want to contemplate the details of Sangshine Blood Apple’s experiments getting out.

“A mare named Sundowner.”

“That bitch! When Ah see her, that Sundowner will be in fer a world of pain! T-them tests were not meant fer eatin’ qualities,” Applejack muttered bitterly.

Sundowner’s disappearance had been a huge strain on her. That dumb mare disappeared one night. She robbed Applejack’s study and vanished without a trace. Applejack ordered a marehunt, and still nopony found Sundowner.

“Anyhow,” Turner grunted, “Since you so callously disregarded our word on the blood apples- we have Blood Apple family members who have grown blood apples their entire lives, for Light’s sakes! Mayor Mare, you and your administration disregarded us and our product so quickly, without consulting us on the issues-”

“We did so many times, Mr. Apple Turner-”

“Quiet! I’m talking! You blocked our efforts to sell them to hungry ponies. A huge economic blow to us Apples who are only trying to feed everypony. That is why we no longer see you as fit for your duties as mayor. You have demonstrated a bias against us, and we will not let that stand!”

“Ah reckon it was them unicorns who payed her to block them blood apples,” Applejack muttered.

“With all due respect,” Mayor Mare shot back, “for all anypony knows, I probably saved you a huge bag of problems that could have occurred had ponies been getting sick or suffering magic problems from your blood apples. It could have been a much bigger loss to your bits and reputation! Thousands of more ponies would have issues with you than there do now!”

“There won’t be any issues,” Applejack spat bitterly.

“I concur,” Ana Apple-Pomme added, “The only problems being raised are all part of your grand scheme to relegate us out of the scene and into some dark corner.”

"And, what about this...," Mayor Mare checked her papers, " law work that was submitted during the council meeting last Mariday...where you tried to ban sugar from Ponyville, and close down Sugarcube Corner, along with all the other bakeries and sweets shops in town. Had I allowed a vote and Light forbid, this law passed, it would have put the Cakes and so many other ponies out of business! How could somepony even do such a thing?"

"Fer your information, Mayor Mare, "Applejack rebutted, "Sugar is a toxic poison and it is a blasphemy to pull it out of fruits, canes, an' what not! Ponies ain't meant to make, sell, or eat sugar or any o' them sugary foods. It drives them foals crazy, and you can't get them to sit still or do what they're told. And ponies' r addicted to the stuff. Take a look at Pinkie Pie, that dumb pink quack is loiterin' ‘round Sugarcube Corner bangin' on ponies' doors, beggin' fer a fix."

It was almost true, Pinkie Pie grew up on sugar since the day the Cakes adopted her. And when they threw her out, her sugar addiction drew her into crazy withdrawals. Sugar was not illegal, but ponies were urged to regulate their own consumption, so as to avoid being banned by doctors over health problems from purchasing sugar or visiting sweets shops.

Mayor Mare sighed. So much for problem solving. These Apples were worse than she thought. All of Twilight Sparkle’s reports swirled around in her brain. Explaining more would only agitate the Apples. Twilight Sparkle had become one of Mayor Mare’s favorite colleagues. She was the smartest and most competent scholar and (mad)scientist to serve Ponyville. Applejack assaulting and threatening to murder her. Applejack trying to have a unicorn filly dehorned, and of course the horrors from Sweetie Belle’s and Sundowner’s memories also floated around in her mind.

Then there was that whole thing about Sugarcube Corner and the other shops around town that sold sweets- the Apples in the council tried to push their paperwork for a law to ban all sugar, thus killing these family-run businesses. Everypony knew the Cakes very well. The Apples’ rationalization was that sugar was ‘impure’ and not meant for ponies, thus it was toxic. Sugarcube’s biggest customer, Pinkie Pie, would probably lose the will to live if that place shut down. The pink pony openly declared her hatred for the Cakes after they kicked her out, but her addiction to sugar brought her back and forced her to reconcile with the Cakes. A lot of ponies would lose their jobs and livelihoods had Mayor Mare not struck down the Apples’ new bill. They tried to hold a vote, and Mayor Mare declared the bill to be too rough and unfit.

Earlier today, after witnessing the violent arrest of Twilight and her fancy-dressed friend, Mayor Mare retreated to the admin building, called a meeting with her advisors, friends whom she trusted, and explained it all to them, then suggested the meeting going on now. They sent a courier pony to deliver the message, and Applejack got it. She replied with an invite for Mayor Mare and her entourage to meet here at the guardhouse.

Now, Mayor Mare felt she was on foreign soil, at a meeting room, deep in enemy territory. She was strongly advised against explaining the stuff from Twilight Sparkle and Sundowner, out of interest in both mares’ safety. Especially Twilight, whom she knew was chained up in a dungeon in the basement.

Applejack wasn’t enjoying the meeting either. She was on edge. Really on edge. That unicorn witch, Twilight Sparkle, had spread her lies and influence to the mayor, whom was trying to shut the Apple family down on Twilight’s behalf. And the fact that Sundowner and Apple Belle were missing didn’t help her at all. She didn’t want to know where Sundowner was at now, and Apple Belle, she was thinking twice about her initial response to Applegem’s recommendation that Apple Belle be burned at the stake. To expedite the whole reincarnation thing.

Mayor Mare cleared her throat. “Ahem, now I’ve to ask my greatest concern.”

“What would that be?” Apple Turner demanded.

“Why the violent arrest of Twilight Sparkle? And that other mare earlier this morning? I witnessed it, and so did many other ponies witnessed it, including unicorns. I’d like to know what charges have you against them, but more importantly why the excessive use of force?”

“Them’s no ordinary unicorns, Mayor,” Applejack answered. “You saw Twilight Sparkle then. She’s a freak. A mad-scientist, mad-sorceress freak. She was the one who lit our library up in flames, forcing them pegasi to risk their feathers n’ flanks to put it out. She must’ve had somethin’ going on inside when she left yesterday. All them things Twilight’s done have been a real quark on the earth ponies in town (Applejack only meant her own family). And you can’t deny that freak’s gone and went all crazy-like. We ain’t no idea what she’ll do next, so fer’ the safety of all o’ us, we had to bag her up. If we tried to be all nice-like, Celestia knows what that witch would’a done to us. Couldn’t risk it. As fer her friend, well she can’t be trusted either.”

“An’ don’t forget what that article in the newspaper said about her. More proof she can’t be trusted.”

“That article was directed at all the Mane Six members,” Mayor Mare countered, looking Applejack right in the eye.

“That’s just rubbish!” Applejack snapped back. That Emerald Sparkwire’s just another unicorn in on makin’ me and mah entire family look bad! She, or he, is dead on about Twilight, but is just lyin’ about me. Probably paid off by some rich unicorn freak up there in Canterlot.”

“Back on track,” Apple Turner said, then he turned to Anna Pomme.

“Mayor Mare, you no doubt violated the law so many times in the last year, and I have kept tabs on everything,” she said in a cold tone, “I really don’t see what the point of this meeting is. All we’re doing now is pointing hooves at one another. But I’ll be frank with you: we Apples will not tolerate any crap from the likes of you, and we have ways of dealing with ponies who make attempts at anything against us.”

“Is that a threat?” Mayor Mare demanded.

“No, Miss Mayor, it is not a threat. Consider it a promise. We have grounds to arrest you and have you tried for your violations of duty and law. My advice to you is this: Hoof us your immediate resignation as mayor, or our council members will be forced to have another vote against you. And, given your situation, you’d do well to relocate somewhere else.”

“You...you really are trying to take over this town…” Mayor Mare breathed. She was flabbergasted at such an arrogant proposal, but she knew that the Apples were quickly ebbing into a dominant position. Only Princess Celestia could stop them now, and the only means to summon any intervention from Canterlot was located in this building.

“You’re damn right we are,” Anna countered, “The Apple family built this town, and kept it alive during times of agricultural and economic disasters. We held off famines, poverty, and civil unrest. You’re welcome. And since we no longer seem to be welcome in our town, we’ll just make it ours by absolution, thank you very much. Ponies living here have two options: They can make do, and get used to us, or they can leave, we won’t stop them. The third option, consider it to be rather unpleasant.

“I think we have talked enough here,” Apple Turner grunted. “This meeting is adjourned. Gentlestals, please escort the *ahem* mayor and her friends out. Anna Pomme, type up a letter to the mayor, you can even get Applestar to type it up for you. The rest of you, get out and get back to work.”

+ +

Due to the design and construction of the air pipes in the guardhouse, much of the meeting was heard by a group of townguard ponies who huddled at the end of the interrogation room, with their ears up to the vent near the ceiling. Nopony made a sound.

These ponies, not from the Apple family, and loyal servants to their boss Chief Tibbs, were quite unsettled when they witnessed the brutal and unpleasant arrival of their favorite, Twilight Sparkle and her friend, Rarity. The door was kicked open, both mares dragged in, all tied up and pulled by rope, then thrown down the stairs into the basement, and into the lead-steel cells.

“Hey, what’s going on?” they were asking as the Apples threw the two unicorns into their cells, then slapped the paperwork on the table in the basement meeting room.

“Y’all can forget about bein’ friends with this Twilight Sparkle as you call her,” Big Jeresy bellowed. “That unicorn is a deranged witch and she is to be considered armed and dangerous. She burnt down the library today, and as y’all remember, she caused those magic disturbances resulting in the death of a unicorn, and them pets o’ Fluttershy’s. Your friendship with that freak is over. Don’t be talkin’ to her, don’t be friendlike to her. She is an enemy of all ponykind. Only the Apples will be dealin’ with her from now on. Got it?”

The dumbstruck ponies nodded, and Big Jeresy walked back upstairs. Then they listened to the meeting several degrees later. After it concluded, they were convinced the Apples were their major enemy. They had a hushed meeting of their own, barely speaking above whispers.

The hanging battery lamp lit the meeting room with a yellow-tainted light. The basement was a lot darker now that the Apples threw out the biolumes that lit the place.

“Well,” Shamrock said uneasily, taking a seat at the table. The rest, Peachy Cream, Pigpen, Rose, Shortstack, Welly, the three pegasi- Crafty Crate, Luftwing, and Deep Blue, and the two unicorns Quick Fix and Orion sat around the table, and exchanged hushed comments. The oldest, 76-year old bearded earth pony, Beef Oates, took a seat and didn’t say much.

“The Apples really are gonna take this town over,” Peachy said.

“Ya think?” Crafty Crate snarked.

“We’re in real trouble,” Quick Fix grunted.

“You don’t believe all that crap about Twilight being a witch do you?” Shamrock asked.

“She ain’t no witch,” Beef Oates creaked, “And the lot of you should know that. Twilight’s been your best friends since the day she joined us.”

The ponies looked at eachother then down at the table. Beef Oates was right. They all enjoyed working or hanging out with her. Even those who took some time to warm up to Twilight ended up liking her in the end. They knew she did anything to help them out duty-wise, or personally. Peachy Cream’s boyfriend cheated on her and ditched her, and Twilight was there to help. Crafty Crate had some ego issues which Twilight managed to get him around without making him depressed. Even PigPen, a really odd and formerly unhygienic stallion, was taught some good personal life skills by the unicorn, and didn’t come to work smelling like shit like he used to. Even now some mare in town took a liking to him.

Until recently, Twilight talked to them alot about the Apples, and even brought in a copy of the Apple Family Compendium, a huge heavy book. and in return, they were also there for her when she had her rough days. They made sure she had coffee when she needed it, breaks when she needed them, and comforting when she thought the world was going to cave in and crush her. And none of them liked the fact that Twilight Sparkle, their best colleague, and Year 1003 ‘detective of the year, was now tied up and locked in a cell nearby. The Apples countered her influence by telling them she was indeed evil, and tried to force their religious crap onto them.

“This blows,” Welly sighed. "Let’s get her outta there and see if she’s alright.”

“But the Apples will kill us,” Deep Blue said anxiously.

“Come on, don’t make like Sundowner. They’re not gonna kill us,” another commented.

“She break her out, and she can teleport us all to a safe spot, then we make a break for it.”

“Nope. Her horn’s busted. Bruised up and everything.”

“Shit…”

They all went silent when they heard somepony stepping down the ramp from the floor above. They didn’t know whether to sigh a relief or hold their breaths when Promontory showed up.

“Those Apples are goin’ too far,” he grunted. “I think its time we light up the Flare.”

Their eyes widened. Was their matter that serious? Would the armies of the national guard take them seriously, or throw them all in the slammer for causing a ‘false’ alarm?

The Flare was just that, a giant flare. A magically infused cannon stored in a locked chamber within the guardhouse. Three keys were required. Two to open the chamber and get to the Flare, one to open the three slots of the false second chimney through which the Flare was fired from its chamber below.

When fired, the Flare sent a beam of blinding light up into the sky for over a hundred day-trots. An accompanying computer connected to the Flare enabled the ponies to color code the beam, and indicate to Canterlot what kind of emergency they faced.

Once fired, it was a matter if they were taken seriously, ignored or jailed for 20 years for fraudulent use of a Flare. Flare cannons were often fired from threatened cities and towns during times of war, famine, disease epidemics, or other dangerous situations when the immediate safety and the lives of ponies were under threat.

Then there was the probability of the Flare, packed with so much power, burning down or outright blowing up the entire guardhouse, killing them all in the blast and fire.

“Think about it, our sovereignty and freedom as a town is being threatened. I take it you all heard the meeting.” Promontory said. They all nodded, unsure if Celestia’s divine wrath was no better than Apple domination. They all knew of the times Celestia crushed problems and conflicts by vaporizing entire cities and towns. Twilight Sparkle told them all of the brutal history of the Second Era, when all of ponykind was at war, and Celestia burned to vapor millions of ponies. And of course, the Apples’ notion of hell didn’t help either.

“Screw that,” Shortstack, the midget stallion, barked, “Let’s just get the buck out of here while we still can.”

“What say we light that thing up, and then run like hell. I sure as hay don’t want to be around when Princess Celestia shows up all pissed off an’ stuff."

“She wouldn’t kill Twilight,” Beef Oates commented, stroking his beard with a hoof, “Or Rarity...they’re both in the Mane Six, and Element holders.”

“I thought Rarity was killed in the fire last year,” Quick Fix commented, “that was even in the newspaper.”

“Well she’s alive. We all saw them haul her in.”

“Seems those Apples have settled down up there. Let’s go check on the two.”

+ +

Twilight Sparkle was in a world of hurt. And depressed like she couldn’t believe, and yet she was quite familiar with the affliction. And being hogtied, gagged, capped and lying in a heap on the cold stone floor of this dark cell did not help one bit. And all the things she was dealing with; the crushing guilt and searing shame, and the paralyzing fear of Celestia blasting her to oblivion just for the fire and all those destroyed spellbooks- it all came together like a beast's claw, carving its way through her body, grasping her heart, and squeezing it to the point each heartbeat felt like a kick from within. These things made her violent arrest by the Apple town guard so much worse and traumatic.

Barely illuminated by the dim light coming through the slits in the door, she hardly moved, give for heaving when she cried. She almost wanted to die, since she thought that this chain of catastrophic failures was all her fault, she had forfeited her right to live. All she wanted was to ask Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna was a quick and merciful death; to be lifted clean out of existence since she herself had been more of a bane to ponies.

Clank!

The metallic click of the lock coming loose startled her. They were back. Probably going to burn her or stick her in one of the pillories out in front of the guard house.

Another loud rusty metallic screech, the door slid open, and hushed whispers filled the cell.

“Where is she?”

“Over there.”

“Oh buck, is she dead?”

“Shhh! Keep it down!”

“Hey, Fix, a little light, will you?”

“Psst! There she is.”

A dim red light revealed five ponies standing over her, but she couldn’t tell who they were. She realize one was making the light. A unicorn.

“Holy crap they really tied her up-”

“Shut up! Let’s get her untied!”

The ponies closed in on her, and the red light hovered three hooves above her face. She felt hooves touch and feel her horn cap for the straps-

“Owwww~” Twilight groaned. They accidentally pressed too hard.

“Yup, she’s alive.”

“Don’t touch the horn!” The unicorn with the light hissed at his comrades. “Orion! Get your star shining flank in here!”

More approaching hoofsteps. “Help me get the cap off!”

A faint blue light came from another unicorn, and Twilight felt the straps of the horn cap loosen, and the cool breeze as the horn cap was lifted clear of her horn.

The other ponies pulled and tugged at the muzzle and gag in her mouth, and the thorny rope around her hooves.

“Buck, it’s too tight!”

But the ponies kept working to loosen the knots on the back of her neck and the muzzle was pulled off of her and gag-

“Open wide, Twi,”

“You moron, her mouth’s jammed open. How much rope did they stuff in there?”

“Just a wee bit, Twi, don’t wanna rip your teeth out.”

Twilight tried to open her mouth, which was already jammed open by the knot of rope those Apples shoved in her mouth. She was hardly breathing through her nostrils as it was. But the ponies managed to loosen the ball of rope and held her mouth open to get the whole gag out. Her jaw and tongue muscles ached immensly as relief set in, but she felt like she was going to puke, even though her stomach was empty. Soon as they got the gag out, the town guard ponies were working on loosening the rope around her hooves.

“Twilight!” the unicorn with the red light hissed at her. “Twilight, can you hear me?”

Twilight only responded with a groan.

“Can you breathe allright?”

She nodded.

“Anything broken? Can you move?”

Twilight struggled to move her hooves. She felt a painful bruise on her left flank from when she fell through the burnt out stairs at the library.

“Good, then get up. We have to get you outta here! cmon!”

“Please...just let me die…” Twilight croaked. She looked up at them with tears in her eyes.

“Hey, hey, hey, none of that. This ain’t the time for you to get all down an’ shit!” another pony hissed. “We’re risking our flanks already, so come on!”

They pulled her to her hooves, and she coughed, and sobbed. Today was definitely not her day. Her comrades tried to comfort her.

“Relax, Twi. You’re safe. We got you, it’s ok.”

Rarity gasped for air after they untied the rope around her mouth and pulled out the gag. "Who...Who are you?"

"Relax, Rarity, you're safe, we'll get you out," Welly assured her.

"D'uh yeah, we ain't with those Apples," Pigpen added.

"Ew, what is that awful smell?" Rarity gagged as she covered her nose with a hoof, "It smells like a diamond dog covered in rotten curry urinating all over itself, and then rolling in its own manure!"

Pigpen's ears sank, and he lowered his head and backed away. He tried so hard to keep himself clean, but that insult cut deep.

"Don't listen to her-"

Hoofsteps on the ramp above.

“Snuff out that light!”

The cell went dark.

+

Promontory closed the door behind him and carefully trotted down the ramp into the basement of the guard house. He came to the corridor, his shadow giving two ponies heart attacks.

“Oh thank Celestia, it’s you!” Rose heaved a huge sigh of relief.

“Dammit, don’t scare us like that!” Deep Blue hissed.

Promontory grunted. “A little soon, don’t you ponies think?” He knew they’d try and break out Twilight Sparkle. And he told them to wait. But they didn’t listen.

Rose and Deep Blue said nothing. Promontory pushed past them towards the cell. The others managed to get Twilight Sparkle out. Quick Fix had his light beamed on her.

“How is she?”

“She’s busted up real bad. They stomped her horn, look at it.”

“If they stomped her horn,” Promontory snarled, “they’d have ripped that thing clean off.”

Crafty Crate cleared his throat. “But we still ain’t gettin outta here past all them Apple ponies.”

“Please,” Peachy Cream pleaded, “Please tell us you can teleport us out of here?”

Twilight grunted. She was in no position to cast a huge high voltage teleport spell. Had that brat, Scootaloo, not kicked her in the horn yesterday, she would have impulsively beamed herself and Rarity away from the raging mob of Apples. And after them striking her in the horn several times, she was hardly able to cast a single spark. She felt so powerless and helpless now. It would hurt a thousand times more than the searing headache she already had now to attempt to teleport at least one of herself and these 13 ponies out of the guard house somewhere else. And in her condition the best would be some random spot within 2000 trots of here. Who knows where they would end up? She cringed to think she’d accidentally drop anypony (or herself) right over Sweet Apple Acres.

“Sorry, but she’s out of commission,” Orion said. “Buck it, let’s light the flare and break out through the sewer.”

“Yeah, but...we have to smash up the bricks to remove the metal grate over the shit hole, and for buck’s sakes it smells.”

“Yeah,” Peachy Cream complained.

"Wait, what about Rarity? Can she teleport us all out?"

“You idiots!” We are sitting under a horde of psychopath Apples. Which would you rather prefer? A hike through the tunnels or we fight our way out? Those Apples can easily outnumber us 10 to 1. Those of you not tending to Twilight or Rarity, nor keeping watch, get to work! The rest of you, hide in the cell!”

“Hey Rarity,” Clover Grassblade asked, “Can you teleport? Twilight’s horn is busted up.

“I’m afraid not. I don’t even know the spell. And...ouch...those Apples, they hit my horn when they put that garish cap on it.”

+ +

"The nerve o' that Mayor Mare comin' in here tryin' to tell us what to do..." Applejack muttered bitterly as she and Anna Apple-Pomme trotted into Anna's office.

Anna sighed as she sat in the swivel chair behind her desk.

"No matter, AJ. The next council meeting, we'll have enough ponies to vote her out for good."

"Shoot, Ah say we just have her a good old fashioned midnight sendoff."

"That won't work, Applejack."

"Why not?" Applejack demanded.

"Think about it. She is popular. Why else would our last two votes to kick her out fail? She's been mayor for over ten years. And from what I know, we Apples are very unpopular. There have to be two candidates for mayor or an election can't happen. Who among us do you think could defeat Mayor Mare? She's more competent than any other mayor pony I've seen, even though she's not operating in favor of us."

"But-"

Anna silenced her with a wave of a hoof, and continued talking:

"Ponies are suspicious and some even think we orchestrated these night sendoffs. It will not go well for us if you order our cousins to bag Mayor Mare and throw her on the midnight train. It's illegal, and she is well known.

"Our reputation is bad enough as it is with all we've done here, and that violent takedown of those two unicorns early this morning was way too excessive than it had to be, and it did not help our reputation one bit. Twilight Sparkle is hugely popular, and many townsponies watched her and what's-her-face be stomped to the ground, tied up and dragged off like wild beasts. It goes to show what we think about unicorns."

"But Anna, Ah thought you hated unicorns-"

"I do. I hate unicorns and their magic with a passion. It would be delightful if we could simply tie them all up on a huge pyre, douse them with coal and oil, then set them aflame. But we can't exactly do that. Word would get out, and such a witchburning would arouse the ire of the wrong ponies. No doubt the national guard would show up, then we'd be in trouble. But alas, we can’t simply run every unicorn out of town, so the only alternative is to co-exist with them, well the ones who aren’t troublemakers. They keep away from our homes and families all will be fine. And I know you, among many ponies, would like to see Twilight Sparkle burn, am I right?"

"Absolutely, fer what that witch's been doin' tryin' to hex us all-"

"Twilight Sparkle will not burn, at least not yet."

"But, she really is a threat-"

"Not when she's all tied up and in a lead cell, down in the basement. And by law, she has to be tried, and convicted, then punished. And by law, in order to execute a felon pony, in this case, Twilight Sparkle, we need a permit from Canterlot, which will not come without a proper stack of evidence and court papers. Understand?"

"Aww gee, why do ponies have to muddle up such simple matters? Ah say just burn her an' be done with it."

"Of course, there's the next problem," Anna Pomme replied.

"An' what's that?"

"Princess Celestia. You should know this, Applejack. Twilight is Celestia's prodigy. She raised her and trained her in magic. I dare say Celestia thinks Twilight is her own daughter. Now, what do you think will happen when Celestia, the most powerful alicorn and the very ruler of all of Equestria, finds out that her precious Twilight has been burned to death by a mob of hysterical earth ponies?"

Applejack found herself avoiding Anna's cold stare. She already felt embarrassed that unlike all the other Apples she bossed around, Anna-Pomme was able to cut through her charade and get right through to her, just like Granny Smith did.

She knew the answer to the question, but didn't want to admit it.

"Ah know what yer sayin, an Ah guess yer right, but Ah'm afraid Celestis jus' might vent her wrath on all o' us fer dealin' with these unicorns to start with."

Anna leaned back in her seat. She would have openly scoffed if she wasn't trying to be helpful. These rural Apples were so backwards it wasn't even funny. Coming from Manehattan, Anna-Pomme didn't believe in such superstitions.

"Damned if we do, damned if we don't. I'm sure anypony has felt so. I can see that you're fearful, Applejack. I've seen a lot of things in Manehattan. I know what fear makes ponies do when there's enough of it. I think fear is the biggest thing to curse every Apple pony in Equestria. Fear attaches itself to something, and in our case, its unicorns and magic, hence some fear-stricken Apple wrote that we were to avoid unicorns like the plague. When in truth, the order from Celestia to our ancestors was merely not to employ magic in farming because magic fields were highly unstable at the time, and thousands of unicorns were dropping like flies."

Applejack’s eyes widened. Had somepony else said that to her she would have flipped, but Anna Pomme’s cold stare kept her cool. “Wh-Where did y’ hear that?”

“Right in our own history books,” Anna answered, “It’s quite a search. The very parchment and the books on it are all stashed away by our rich relatives up in Canterlot. No wonder the rest of us Apples have no clue. You told me about Celestia blowing up your farm after Twilight Sparkle lifted thousands of apples out of your trees. That never happened, did it? And before now, she was your friend. You really think Twilight would have done these same things you did to her in the name of all this purity?”

“....well no-but you- yer...yer bossin me around. Anna- yer’-”

Anna Pomme silenced her with another hoof wave. “I’m not trying to take over this town or replace you as the mare incharge of everypony here. You have free reign over every Apple to move onto Sweet Apple Acres and in Ponyville. They all do as you say, and as a leader of the family, I’d say you’re doing quite well. However, beyond Sweet Apple Acres, things need to happen in a reasonable way not just for us, but for the ponies we want to stay in Ponyville with us. We gotta be a little...nicer. These ponies, earth ponies, pegasi, even unicorns who mind their own business need to feel the same about Ponyville with us here as they did before we all came. As your legal pony, I want us to proceed realistically and rationally with this takeover of Ponyville that’s seemingly underway. Another thing, aside from the whole Twilight Sparkle spectacle, I think we need to put on a more cheerful and accepting facade for the other ponies. Show them that we are not a mob of bossy brutes, ready to string up the next unicorn at random-”

The phone on Anna’s desk rang. She hit the speaker button. “Anna Pomme, here.”

”Yeah, um, we’re bringing in that Jager foal, Ripper.”

“What has that moron done now?”

”He attacked a pegasus filly. Sank his teeth right into her flank, and did a number on her wings. They’re taking her to the hospital.”

Anna seethed, with her teeth clenched, “I thought I told those blasted Jagers to keep their brats on a leash and not feed them raw meat! Who is this pegasus? What’s her name?”

”Uhh, she’s called...Cotton Cloudy. And her parents are at the hospital and they are really upset. The filly said Ripper was trying to court her or some crap like that and she rejected him. No doubt scared witless by him. So he got pissed and attacked her.”

“Very well,” Anna said, “Bring that monster in, and we’ll chain him up.” She hit the button again, ending the phone call.

“I don’t know if you know about the problems with the Apple Jager family,” Anna breathed, “given you’re at work making sure all Apples are settled and working where needed, but these Jagers have been a problem.”

“Ah heard a few things, but what exactly?”

“They let their brats loose, and they go slaughtering other ponies’ farm animals and pets. They have chased other foals, threatening to eat them. I told their parents not to feed those monsters any raw meat. They eat raw meat, it drives them berserk, and gives them an appetite for blood.”

“Heh...that’s an awful shame, Anna. They’s told me they’d not let this happen.”

“Just wait until everypony hears about this. A huge problem for us, but I see an opportunity here: We show Ponyville that even Apples who step out of line will receive just as brutal treatment as Twilight Sparkle. They should know we won’t tolerate any crime committed by our own. I think we’ll lock that maniac in one of the pillories out front, and everypony can pelt him with all the rotten food and shit they want. As for this Cotton Cloudy, I think we have enough bits to compensate them and shut them up.”

“Give ‘em mah money? That’s ridiculous!”

“No, it’s not,” Anna Pomme countered. This is a grave incident here. We need to stop the unrest right here and now. To these local ponies, you represent the Apple family. Show that you care about them. Why don’t you pay a visit to Cotton Cloudy and her family, offer your sympathies, condolences, and any support the Cloudy family might need. And I’ll take care of the Jagers.”

“V-very well,” Applejack said, feeling quite comfortable. The orange mare adjusted her Stetson hat, then got up and left Anna Pomme’s office.

+ +

Down in the basement, the townguard ponies who freed Twilight and Rarity were slowly removing the bricks around the sewer grate in the bathroom by picking them out with shovels and large pry-bars. It reeked in here.

“Sheesh, don’t the poop cleaners ever clean up down here?”

The ponies working on the grate had to keep from puking their guts out. It was one thing to be stuck taking a difficult crap in here, it was another to escape through this shit hole. However, Rarity offered to cast a spell to block their sense of smell while they navigated the sewer tunnels.

As Promontory ordered, the others remained hidden in Twilight’s and Rarity’s cells. Good thing too, as the pissed off Apple guards came stomping down the ramp into the basement, violently dragging and stomping that Jager colt, Ripper. He was all tied up and gagged, and dragged down into an open cell.

Twilight’s and Rarity’s allies all remained hidden and held their breaths. The ponies in the bathroom panicked, put back the bricks and scattered. Nopony made a sound as the Apple stallions threw the raging insane Ripper Apple Jager into his cell.

“Chain him to the wall!” Apple Bellow shouted.

“Buck you! Buck you all!” Ripper screamed, and Bellow and his four comrades all unleashed a brutal hoofbeating that hardly stunned the foal. When he stopped resisting, they chained him up by all four hooves to the wall. Now Ripper, a maroon-brown colored colt with a golden mane was upside down on his back with his hooves clamped tightly. He snarled and snapped at his captors like a wild dog. Apple Bellow responded with a swift buck kick to his head and he stopped moving.

“You!” Bellow shouted to Promontory. “Where’s the rest of your boys?”

“I sent them out on patrol, you know, keep them out of trouble.”

“Good.” Bellow barked. “Nopony touches that cell, you hear?”

“We ain’t plannin’ to,” Crafty Crate replied, trying not to look nervous. The Apples slammed shut, and bolted the lead-steel door tight. Then, satisfied the cell was secure, they went upstairs, confident these two stallions, Promontory and Crafty Crate would keep watch.

After the Apples left, the others resumed opening the grate. It took nearly all of them to lift the steel grate up, and pry a piece of wood under one side to keep it open.

“Alright. Now the flare.”

“We can’t” A green colt named Clover Grassblade replied, “We need two keys and that mare, Anna Pomme, has them both.”

Before anypony could respond, Promontory pounced, smashing his way through the door into a closet. A mare’s squeak ensued, and they all gasped when he dragged out the Apple unicorn by her neck and dropped her on the cold stone floor infront of them.

She cowered, and whimpered, “Please don’t kill me! I have the keys you need!”

“What do we do with her?” Deep Blue asked.

“She might rat on us!” Quick Fix said.

“No she won’t because we’ll dehorn her.”

“No! Please don’t! I’ll go with you! I don’t want to be here anymore!” Applestar cried. “Here’s the keys to the Flare.”

Applestar pulled the keyring from within her mane and placed it on the floor. The gold plated keys gleamed in the lamp light.

“You’d be abandoning your own family, Applestar. You sure?” Promontory demanded.

“It doesn’t matter. I-I should have bailed when Sundowner did.”

“Where is she?” Pigpen asked.

Applestar shrugged, “I don’t know. But...I’ll never be allowed to cast magic, and they all want to rip my horn off too. I saw what they did to that Sweetie filly. Please...take me with you!”

“Fine, it’s settled, she’s comin’ with us,” Promontory declared.

“An’ don’t get no funny ideas,” Crafty threatened her, “You so much as beam a volt back to some other Apple, and we’ll bury your ass!”

Applestar gulped nervously as Crafty stared her down.

“Now then, to the Flare room.”

The Flare was located down a dark stairwell that ran next to the shaft the Flare occupied, and they came to the bronze door. The huge door was etched with symbols, glyphs, and pictures of Celestia, Luna and a Flare beaming from somewhere on a map of Equestria to Canterlot.

Quick Fix and Orion had to come down to levitate each of the keys and place it in a keyhole. Turned out Applestar had eaten too much blood apple and couldn’t cast magic at all.

“Allright, Orion, on the count of three. One, two, three!”

The keys turned, and a loud metallic thump echoed from behind the door. The door lit up around its edges, startling the ponies, forcing them back up a few stairs. Then, the door slid downward into its slot, making way for the chamber.

Everypony gasped.

“Ya gotta be shittin’ me,” Crafty Crate grunted, staring wide eyed.

“It’s…” Quick Fix spoke. “...it’s empty.”

“The Flare’s gone!

The Last Morning

After a long night of huddling in the cold on the edge of a field, near the Bucephalus Brook, Sweetie Belle felt the faint warmth of the morning Sun as it dawned over the land. Ponyville was still dark, thanks to Dawn Hill and the mountains of the Everfree.  The filly, small enough to crawl through the bushes like a fox, found another one of those fox holes, crawled into it, curled up, and finally fell asleep. She wandered around all night from spot to spot along the brook, begging for Princess Luna to come to her, but no response from the Princess of the night.

But as the exhausted filly slept, she got the response she was looking for. But it was neither Luna or Celestia.

The familiar torrent of nightmares- visions, memories, ponies’ screams, death and destruction assaulted her mind while she slept, muttering, crying, and twitching about, begging to the air around her for the torment to stop.

She found herself running out in an open plain, following a bunch of other frightened foals. They shouted to one another. Somepony bucked up, and those flesheating mutant pegasi were swooping in on them. She felt sharp teeth bite down on her little flank and screamed bloody murder. She was yanked from the ground by her flank and lifted higher and higher into the air.

There was a violent impact, and Sweetie fell fast. Before she hit the ground head first, a magical field caught her, and she blacked out.

The next scene was almost too hazy for the little filly to comprehend: Unicorn mares were standing over her, a massive bright light in the center, glaring down on her like the Sun itself. She couldn’t make out what the frantic mares were saying to each other. She felt needle pricks on her pasterns*,  and saw them lather some thick blue cream over her wounds, which now seemed to cover her body. Sweetie tried to move only to discover in a nasty jolt of pain that her hind hooves were both broken. Before she blacked out again, these unicorns standing over stuck a tube into her mouth, and she tasted the sweet scent of those honey tulips she used to sniff and eat…

“Sweetie Belle!” hissed the stern voice of a mare.

Sweetie opened her eyes, and found herself in a very unfamiliar place. She was in a dark room, with plain wooden walls, lit by candles mounted to them. The mare standing over was nopony she knew, then with a jarring surprise, Sweetie Belle realized this mare standing over her, nuzzling her face looked just like her.

Tears welled up in Sweetie’s eyes and she started sobbing.

“Shhh,” the mare cooed, calming her. “It’s okay, you’re safe. Nopony’s going to hurt you.”

“Owww.” Sweetie groaned as she tried to move.

“Try not to move,” the mare urged her, “you’ll rip your stitches. Please rest,” she said, kissing Sweetie Belle on the forehead.  “Breathe deeply. You’re with me, we’re safe. No Pegasi to be afraid of.”

Somehow knowing what she was talking about, Sweetie Belle nodded.  The mare got up and went to the kitchen. It was a small house , built almost like a human Cossack cottage. The kitchen was around the corner, but Sweetie Belle heard a kettle on the stove whistling. Boiling water poured into a cup, and this mare humming. A few minutes later, she returned with the drink.

She propped Sweetie to a sitting position in her bed and hoofed her  the glass. A lid was on it with a straw, as if Sweetie was a baby foal.

“It’s your Auntie Sora’s  lady slipper tea. It will help you relax. Drink,” the mare ordered.

Sweetie Belle obeyed and her eyes went wide as she tasted the hot concoction. It seemed very bitter and nothing like she tasted before, then the bit of honey kicked in and she began to swallow the gulps. She finished off the tea as expected and the mare eased her back into her bed.

“Shhh, now you can sleep,” the mare said, stroking Sweetie’s forehead. Sweetie Belle closed her eyes, felt the tears stop and her throat unswell. Completely pacified by the lady slipper tea, Sweetie Belle fell fast asleep.

When she woke up next, Sweetie Belle just layed in her bed, and stared up at the plainwood ceiling. Daylight filled the room, and through the window she could see, a large green hedge blocked much else of a view.  She heard activity in the kitchen, and assumed adult Sweetie Belle was making more tea or something.

Sweetie struggled to get up and look at the bed- which was just a huge pad covered with old blankets, and saw the huge pony imprint where big Sweetie Belle must’ve slept next to her.

When she finally felt coherent, she wondered, Where the hay am I?

The door to the outside opened and the door chime dinged.

“Hello, may I- Oh Sora, thank the Light its you,” big Sweetie Belle gasped in relief.

“Good morning, Aura Belle, how are you?”

“I’m…I’m alright. There’ve been no problems here.”

“Aye, good to hear. Say, you’ve never been to our city before. What do you think of the sun lamp above?”

“It’s magnicient. The illusionary spells are wonderful. I never would’ve known we’re underground.”

“We have to be, dear. Nopony dares build anything on the ground lest they want a visit from the Pegasi. And how is your filly? What’s her name?”

“It’s Sweetie Belle. She’s my sister.”

“Ah, right,” the hoarsely-voiced Sora mare grunted. “She got through the night all fine?”

“Yes, she woke up with a fright around 22°, and I gave her some of that lady slipper tea, I hope you don’t mind. It really helped her.

“You think she’ll recover?” Aura Belle asked anxiously.

“She had better recover,” Sora warned, “Or else they’ll put her down.”

Sweetie gasped, and also heard a gasp from Aura.

“No, please.  I already lost my entire family. I don’t want to lose little Sweetie too!”

“It’s up to nature now. If she can’t recover by the time the doctor comes to see her, she’ll be taken away. We can’t allow for death and disease from those wretched Pegasi to kill us all!”

There were more hushed anxious words, and the conversation of the two mares shifted to earth ponies.

“I heard some earth ponies down by the market talking about fighting alongside the Pegasi. They think we’ll just enslave them…”

“Those fools! What makes them think they’ll fare any better with the Pegasi than us? Once we’d all be eradicated, the Pegasi would then just feed them to their mutant monsters! Between you and me, Aura Belle, even if we did force each and every single one of them simple minded mud ponies to do our bidding, they’d still be much better off with us than those Pegasi. They’re deluded beyond their minds if they think they have a chance with the Pegasi or even on their own for Light’s sakes. We have all seen the destruction those Pegasi have sent onto us, and any earth pony who tried to join them was slaughtered! Think about it Aura Belle, you know what I’m telling you! Your village was raided and sacked by earth ponies hoping to win the favor of the Pegasi. And guess what, after they destroyed your villages, the Pegasi slaughtered those mud ponies to no end!”

Sweetie Belle couldn’t keep up with the conversation and drifted back to sleep.

+

“Sweetie Belle,” hissed the voice of Aura Belle.

Sweetie Belle grunted as she squirmed and rolled about in her leafed foxhole. She felt a hoof nudging her shoulder.

“It’s time to get up,” Aura Belle said gently but with an edge of sternness.

“Wha-?” Sweetie Belle turned around and looked at Aura Belle- an apparition whom the morning Sun pierced right through and glared right into the filly’s eyes.

Sweetie Belle turned her head from the sun then scrambled to her hooves. This shit is getting real, she thought. She climbed out of the foxhole and felt the early morning breeze on her body and shivered slightly. Now not facing the sun, Sweetie turned to face the ghost. She knew full well she was back in the real world, some spot outside of Ponyville.  She laid her eyes on Aura Belle, and she gasped.

Aura Belle looked strikingly different than in the dream. Now she was taller, and covered in the scars from past lacerations and burns. Her mane was torn, and she looked emancipated, as if she hadn’t eaten in weeks. Her emerald eyes looked more sullen, and overall she looked like nothing of the loving mare she met in the dream she just had.

“Who...who…or…what…are you?” Sweetie Belle asked, not sure if she should be afraid. But she wasn’t surprised.

“I am what I am. I am the spirit of your ancestor Aura Belle. The spellbook brought me to you in this world which you live. I had a young filly sister. Her name was also Sweetie Belle. You must’ve relived the torment that filly endured during her brief life. She was sadly put down. She was infected after  being attacked and bitten by those mutant Pegasus freaks. You…you saw the last night she lived. The following morning, she turned much worse, and had to be destroyed….”

Tears welled up in the apparition mare’s eyes, and dripped downward, but faded before hitting the soil.

“How…how can I forgive them for destroying my only family?” Aura Belle cried.

Sweetie said nothing. She felt frightened more than anything.

“I’ll never forgive those pegasi, nor will I forgive the earth ponies who sided with them, attacked our village, and sent us fleeing into the plains….” Aura snarled with stricken fury.

Sweetie Belle opened her mouth- but Aura snapped at her. The filly took a few steps back.

“Do not let those earth ponies wreak their savage destruction, Sweetie Belle!” she almost shouted at her.

Sweetie just stared at her, almost dumbstruck.  “….who?”

“Those Apples over there!” Aura Belle pointed a ghostly hoof in the direction of Ponyville and Sweet Apple Acres.

“I know what they did to you, Sweetie. I know all of your memories, and so do they!”

“…who is they? And how do I-“

“The spellbook connects you to us. Your ancestors. The dead. We fought and died at the hooves of those pegasi and earth ponies. But before we went out forever, hundreds-no, thousands of spellbooks like the one you found were created. They were to connect us to unicorns of future times, and inform them of their history and empower them with the powers to fight those who would destroy us. The spellbooks are controlled by very powerful unicorn mages and sorcerers who are masters in the arts of time and space. They tracked your spellbook for many of thousands of years.”

“Wait,” Sweetie Belle asked in disbelief, “Where are these super all powerfulest mages?”

“They’re…they’re in the past. Dead to you, but alive because of this link through the spellbook. They are lords of the dead and living, of all unicorns who ever lived, and will live. They struggle to keep the unicorn race from being annihilated, either in life or spirit. The earth ponies and Pegasi tried to kill us all, and Princess Celestia steals the dead, leaving what, nothing?!”

Sweetie said nothing. She found it hard to believe this twisted tale she was hearing. Aura Belle continued talking:

“We found Twilight Sparkle, lurking in the Everfree, and we broadcast a signal, alerting her to the presence of the spellbook. For so many dark millennia, nopony has ever even found these spellbooks. Celestia tried to use nature to cover them up and bury them forever. We thought Twilight would join us, be fulfilled by the powers bestowed onto her and connect to her long lost fellow unicorns.

“But that coward worked tirelessly to keep us from reaching her, and she tried to lock the spellbook away, and send it off to Celestia. Through the book, its masters watched everything. If Twilight Sparkle lived in our time, she’d be scorched to ash for her cowardice and treason!”

Sweetie Belle’s ears almost heart from Aura Belle’s ghastly shouting.

“…can anypony hear you?”

“No, Sweetie, just you. I’ve cast a spell on you so that nothing we say is heard by other ponies around here.”

“Oh,” Sweetie murmured. Right now, she didn’t feel any bit like the badass who magically blew up Fluttershy’s prized birds last night, who wanted to take out Sweet Apple Acres-

“But you,” Aura Belle interrupted, “You know what those Apple ponies do to unicorns. You took the spellbook, and helped us break out of Twilight Sparkle’s spell, and opened yourself to us! We want you to destroy the Apple farm, and every single mud pony that walks that cursed land.”

“…excuse me, but who?”

“The masters of the spellbook, my dear,” Aura Belle continued talking desperately, “And be not afraid,  I might not be with you, which…I’d want if the spellbook masters- those sorcerers and mages would let me. I want to see this world. See for myself if not every earth pony and Pegasus is out to slaughter us all.”

Sweetie Belle shook her head. “N’uh ‘uh. It’s just the Apples.”

More of Sweetie Belle’s memories flashed through Aura Belle’s mind as she read the terrified filly’s mind. “N-Nimbuscait. I want you to avenge us, and take out Nimbuscait!”

Before Aura Belle could rant any further, she suddenly froze still, then resumed speaking in a calmer manner.

“The spellbook masters…they called to me. I don’t want to go back. They should let us spirits reside this land as if we were living ponies. But…” the apparition sighed, “There’s work to be done, Sweetie. Go forth to the farm, and they- er I mean the spellbook’s masters, will guide you. They will fill you with all the power you will need to take our revenge, and wipe those Apples from the face of Equestria!  And you will go to the unicorns in this town, and have no fear, our power will strike out at them, and make them fight on our behalf! Now go!”

Before the terrified filly could respond, she felt the changes within and that ultimate seething fury return to her.

“You will always be connected to us, Sweetie Belle” a ghostly stallion’s voice growled. ”And you will never be alone. Let us guide you, and use you as our weapon, as our peacemaker!

And then all went silent. The taunting voices that would drive the little filly insane vanished, and so too did the ghost of Aura Belle. All was silent except for the croaking of frogs in the brook, crickets and bugs in the bushes, and the morning songbirds.

The morning wind blew past her, and she looked in the direction of town. No longer the old Sweetie Belle, but the soon-to-be slaughterer of Apples and takers of vengeance in the name of unicorns everywhere and everywhen.

The filly began trotting towards town, but planned to take a wide route around Ponyville, past the train tracks, to the farm. In her mind, she’d start the show by blowing up all the blood apple orchards. She was fully knowledgeable about the demented fruit now.

Little did the filly know as she discreetly made her way through the farm fields and trails, she was actually under the control of those spellbook masters Aura Belle told her about. She mistook their commands as her own thoughts and desires.

Either way, the time it took for Sweetie Belle to make it to the outer fringe of the blood apple orchards, and where those Apple Jagers lived (they’ll be the first to die),  it would very likely be the end of the Sweet Apple era.

Meanwhile at Sweet Apple Acres, ponies carried out their business, and in the morning before she went to the guard house, Applejack bossed and ordered them around. Most ponies, including Applegem Frost Apple, and Sangshine Blood Apple had no idea their clocks were counting down to their damnation.

Applebloom, Big Macintosh, and Doc and Heal had no idea the clocks were ticking towards their salvation.

Fiery Morning

*Contains gore and death*

The day began like any other at Sweet Apple Acres. Before the Sun was even up, ponies were hard at work bucking apples, planting and harvesting other crops, shearing sheep, and milking cows, sheep and lambs. Others were building their new houses, and quite the lot of ponies were hard at work building what was to become a new schoolhouse. At a tense meeting, the Apples decided unanimously that all their foals would be schooled right here at Sweet Apple Acres.

For Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle, it would most likely mean those three would never set hoof in Ponyville again. While Sweetie and Scoots endured their hardships here, it took Applebloom the longest to weather under the stress of it all. Too many ponies. Angry, sternfaced, ultra-pious ponies, who shunned so much as laughter.

Eventually, everypony began turning on little Applebloom as well, and she found their cruel treatment, from outright beatings to cold looks, damn near impossible to bear. All these moons, Abloom was in a state of denial that somewhat protected the filly from the hostile psychological climate at the farm. However, that mental state unravelled over the last few weeks and she had no choice but to realize how horrible these Apples really were.

First there was the whole dehorning Sweetie Belle thing, then everypony began talking incessantly about cutting off Scootaloo’s wings (the most orthodox Apples feared some cataclysmic reprisal from the Pegasi for having a pegasus filly among them).

Then they began turning on Applebloom. She was chided and scolded non-stop for talking too much, and many found her little accent too annoying. Applebloom used to be a spontaneous loudmouth, but was was always full of joy, and on the surface, hardly seemed affected by the changes happening around her.

But slowly and surely, all the pain seeped in and she began to fear everypony. She talked less and less, and looked down to avoid the cold disapproving stares of her aunts and uncles.

Applejack never shut up about how Abloom talked too much. She even heard ponies talk about cutting her tongue out. Just this morning, some of the Apple Hill ponies pointed a hoof in her direction while talking to Applejack.

Apple Bloom walked slowly towards the orchards, but she was in no mood to work. She felt her throat swelling and tears welling up in her eyes. She was afraid she’d lose it and start crying. And if foals got caught crying at Sweet Apple Acres, they got lashed until their flanks were red with marks. She went into the cow and sheep barn, hid in a stall, tried to bury herself in the straw and whimpered and wept. Ever since Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo disappeared, she felt so alone. She didn’t get to talk to Big Mac much either. Actually, it just occurred to her that Big Mac hadn’t been around lately. Applejack said he was always ‘workin’ with them other big lugs ‘round here.’

Applebloom deceived herself all these months. She always believed or at least told herself things would get better and that the family was just going through a rough patch. She wanted to believe Applejack would change back and become the loving older sister she used to be. She prayed for that in the chapel, but things got worse and worse as Applejack exerted her authority and imposed a regime of total control over ponies here. She cried silently to herself. She desperately wanted to escape, to run away. Find Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, and leave Ponyville. Maybe they could go live at Rarity’s new home in Canterlot-

“Ey, Applebloom.”

Applebloom gasped in fright and sprang to her feet. She spun around and saw Big Mac standing over her.

“Ease up, A’bloom. Ah ain’t gonna hurt ya.”

The filly tried to speak but she broke up into tears again. Big Mac just stood patiently and gently nuzzled her on the forehead. The big red stallion knew how much stress the poor filly had been under. Life wasn't so peachy for him either. Other ponies kept a sharp eye on him, including the growing gang of big muscular stallions on the farm. Apple Turner’s threat of having him killed never left his mind. He valued his own life. And his heart ached as he hadn't seen or heard from Cheerilee in weeks. He tried to forget her, and assumed the mare would find another stallion to date.

“What’sa matter, A’bloom?” he asked.

“Ah...Ah can’t take it no more, Big Mac! All these ponies are horrible and mean. They’s always….always mad at me. Some ponies wanna cut mah tongue out!…”

Big Mac remained silent. He felt so bad for his little sister, but he was at a loss for words to comfort her.

“Ah...Ah can’t take it no more, Big Mac. Ah don’t want to live here no more.”

“Ah hear you there, A’bloom. All these ponies’ piety...it ain’t normal. Ah don’t like being here anymore than you do. But, until Ah find a way to get us outta here, we’re gonna have to make the best of it.”

Applebloom kept sobbing but she nodded.

“Where you off to now?” Big Mac asked her.

“...Applejack...told me...Ah...gotta go to the Jager farm today… she said she don’t want me in the house no more…”

“Aw shucks…” Big Mac lamented. He didn't’t like the Jagers either. He likened them to a somewhat alien species of ponies. No normal pony was a blood thirsty meat eating savage. He was vaguely aware of Applebloom’s circumstance: Applejack wanted her out of the house so some elderly mare from the Hill family could occupy her room, but the other ponies didn’t want her bunking with other fillies or even sleeping with them on the haystacks in the barns. It was Big Mac who eavesdropped on Applejack while delivering a cartload of firewood to the Sweet Apple house. He saw her talking to the Jager mare, Ferra, about sending Applebloom to live at their stead insead.

As for Applebloom, Applejack told her she was too noisy and annoying, and undisciplined and all this crap, and a few weeks with the Jagers would straighten her out.

“Hey Mac! Where are ya, boy?” one of the Appleton stallions hollered from outside.

“Keep yer’ chin up, A’bloom. Ah’ll come check on ya when Ah can.”

Applebloom nodded and he wrapped a foreleg around her in an embrace. Then the big red stallion, the only pony little A’bloom trusted, walked outside, joined a group of other big lugs and they trotted off.

Applebloom heard other ponies entering the barn, and she scrambled and galloped outside to a new hiding spot behind some crates and sacks. She peered out and looked to the west, where the Jager stead was, and saw a column of smoke rising from that location, obscured by hills, trees, and hedges-

“There you are, I’ve been looking!” barked the voice of Ferra Apple Jager, “Come on out, we must get home!”

Applebloom sauntered out from behind the crates. “Ah’m sorry, Ma’am-”

“Ah-ah-ah, you will address me as your Auntie Ferra, understand, filly?” the Jager mare barked.

“Y-yes...Auntie Ferra…”

“Good girl. Now come along, we got work to do- Must I drag you with my teeth, because I certainly can!”

Applebloom scrambled and started trotting next to her.

“Good girl.”

The two of them trotted along the dirt trail that led them past the cemetery into the forest, and down the slope to the Jager stead. Sweet Apple Acres sat on its own little plateau, overlooking Ponyville and the countryside. At the western foot of this hill, along the Everfree border was the Jager farm, an old abandoned site that the Jagers easily took over for a small price, and had hastily rebuilt the house, the barn, and the fences to secure their livestock of stolen cows, sheep, goats, and deer.

“Umm, Aunt Ferra?” Applebloom asked as the two trotted slowly down the tree-root-ridden trail.

“Hush, filly!”

Applebloom said no more. She was absolutely terrified of these Jagers. They were a hyperviolent bunch, and the few times she and Sweetie Belle spent on their stead, the two fillies witnessed the Jagers brutally beating their own foals for fighting or attacking the sheep. Then Ferra and her stallion Irongash boasted with smiles of how they were insanely violent and it took the entire colony of ponies to keep them in line.

Ferra Apple Jager was a cream (beige) colored mare, with a very dark scarlet mane, and piercing yellow eyes, the likes no local pony had. She was larger and more muscular than Applejack- and Applebloom shuddered when she remembered she was almost the same size as Big Mac. The filly remembered when Big Mac met Irongash and Ferra. Apparently it was a New Pangaea custom for ponies to take a gentle bite on the face or the neck of their comrades and draw some blood. Basically tasting each other’s blood was a greeting and a ‘gesture of care,’ as Ferra once put it. She explained later that by taste alone, ponies could evaluate others’ health and well being by measuring via taste of the contents in their blood.

Anyways, the Jagers held back on this bite on the neck greeting with pretty much all of the other Apples, but Ferra did just the opposite to Big Mac, making him panic.

”Ow! Git off o’ me. What the hell is that for?”

”Oh please, Macintosh, it’s just our customary greeting...and might I say that you...taste very good….means you’re doing well. A little more uppity than need be but oh well.”

Stories and rumors ran rampant among the Apple foals. They spun that Big Mac story into a fearmongering tale that Ferra and Irongash sucked the blood of ponies, especially foals during the night. One foal, Applestem, said Big Mac had been targeted, and he said the big red lug would end up drained of his blood and roasted and eaten alive by the Jagers.

Applebloom shuddered at the memory. And it sure as hell didn't help when one of the older colts told her and Sweetie Belle that foals who went down to the Jager farm never came back.

Then there was the Jager’s Disease rumor- If they let Big Mac live, and didn't devour him on the spot, he’d grow sharp teeth, lose his mind and become like them. A vampire pony.

The little ones’ brains were filled with campfire stories about how the Jagers were tasked with taking the naughty ones away and making snacks out of them, either eating them outright or selling them to unwary customers.

Applebloom heard a gurgle, and realized it was coming from Ferra’s stomach. The Jager mare hungered, and her heart rate quickened.

“Wait ‘til we get home. Your uncle must be finished that new game stew. It is very delicious.”

“.............”

“Oh come on, don’t be like that. If you’re worried about your cousins, they won’t hurt you, I’ll see to that. And don’t worry about the work. I think you’ll do fine as a little sheep shepherd. You may watch the animals and keep those vermin of mine from slaughtering them without permission.”

Applebloom gulped and made a frantic prayer to Celestia to get her out of this jam. She feared if she tried to confront any of the Jager foals, they’d turn on her and slaughter her instead. she saw how they eat, and how quickly meat disappeared.

“Ah here we are. Home at last,” Ferra said, pushing aside some leafy branches that lead to the opening, where the trail led to the farm. Both ponies saw it, and their jaws dropped.

+

After hours of sneaking across the county and around the outskirts of Ponyville unnoticed, Sweetie Belle, guided by telepathic thoughts from the ghost of Aura Belle and the rest of the legion of furious spirits of long dead ponies.

Sweetie, eager to raise some hell, picked her first destination: the Apple Jager stead. The Jagers would be the first to perish.

The filly crept through the thick forest of trees and bushes that isolated the old stead from the rest of the farmland, and came to the newly built perimeter fence. She emerged slowly and observed her surroundings.

Immediately, Sweetie Belle spotted two Jager foals fighting. It was another vicious bloody sparring match, said to be routine for Jager foals in their formative years. Then the two suddenly turned and attacked a fleeing deer, jumping on its back, and taking it down, as if they were wolves.

The deer screeched in agony as the colts took it down, sank their teeth into its neck and hindquarters and began ripping out flesh. Blood quickly began splattering everywhere as they ripped the corpse apart. The deer writhed and grunted in agony as the two gnawed on it.

While they failed to notice Sweetie Belle, she jumped onto the fence like a cat, then down again, into the Jager pasture. Sweetie stalked around the sheep goats, and cows lounging about. The animals took no notice of the filly, or simply didn't care, as they figured she was no threat.  A mother deer watched apprehensively about six trots away, as her fawns hid under her. Sweetie didn’t give them a second glance. The filly had her sights set on those Jager foals-

“Ey! What in bloody blue blazes are ya two doing?” A mare shouted from the direction of the house. Both foals looked up, their faces red with the deer’s blood. The young mare charged at them, forcing them to scatter away from the corpse. She furiously chased after one of them and crash tackled him to the ground and began beating on him with her hooves, and shouting at him. Sweetie Belle was too far away to hear what was being said.

But she targeted her magic on the corpse, and to her own conscious wonder, the filly, under the control of ancient rage, cast a spell on the dead deer.

She then watched as the magic took its effect, and the deer corpse began moving. Sweetie imagined what she wanted to turn it into. And by mere thought, which transmitted to the corpse via her magic field, Sweetie began to sculpt it. Muscles tore, bones shattered, tendons snapped, and skin tore and began fusing together again, changing the overall appearance. The head was eventually crushed and imploded. The sounds of snapping bones caught the attention of the three young Jagers.

They watched in confusion then horror as the monstrosity began to take shape. The deer’s legs turned into thin, sharp appendages, much like that of a spider or a crab. The body became roundish, and looked like a lump of shredded flesh. What was once the ribcage of the deer was now cut into sharp teeth that grilled the ‘mouth’ of this flesh-fused monster. Sparks crackled and blood squirted outward. The thing writhed and shook, then stabbed the ground with its sharp bony claws and instantly flipped itself over, so its underbelly, where the mouth was, faced the ground. More seconds passed, and the deer’s two eyeballs emerged on the front.

Without so much as a thought of shock, fear, or revulsion, Sweetie Belle didn't even blink as she observed her new creation. She heard a rumor of Twilight sparkle trying to start up a bio-engineering lab in Everfree, but nothing that unicorn bitch could compare to this. And this...deer crab was about to devour its first meal.

Bones stuck out of its four legged body, broken and shaped like fangs, with two large ones at each of the six edges of its mouth. Blood and fluid leaked out onto the grass below it.

“What the hell is that thing?” the Jager mare shrieked as the deer crap got up, and turned to face her and the foal she was beating. Her brother, or cousin, being young, dumb, and full of rage, shouted, “Kill it!”

He and his brother charged at the deer crab. Apparently it was nothing compared to the beasts these ponies battled tooth and hoof in their native New Pangaea.

The deer crab, under the remote thought control of the little filly (who was hidden from view behind a hay stack), was ready, and in the blink of an eye, it sprang from the ground at lightning speed, closing the ten trot distance between it and the young foal in milliseconds.

The deer crab slammed into the Jager foal at full speed, clamped its razor sharp ‘legs’ around him, and began devouring him. He put up a fight, but was no match. He screamed, but it was no use. When they hit the ground again, the deer crab already chewed through his ribs, and the foal disappeared into its mouth.

The other two, the mare and the colt, just stared in shock, then the deer crap sprang into the air again. It launched itself a full five trots in the air and violently spewed out the splattered unrecognizable gore that was once a living pony. It rained blood and chunks for a few seconds.

The deer crab landed, and Sweetie Belle sent it after the mare. It crawled exceptionally fast, and the she galloped like hell, screaming. The other dumb foal launched himself onto the deer crab’s back and began gnawing at it anyway he could. The deer crap swiftly flipped itself over, taking the foal with it, and smashing him into the hard-packed dirt. The crab then flipped itself over so its mouth was right over him, and consumed him whole. There was no time for resistance with the speed with which it attacked.

The mare screamed and ran for the house, but she didn't get very far. Sweetie had the deer crab heap itself onto its hind legs, and spat out the shredded remains of the Jager foal with such explosive force, each bone fragment became a lethal projectile. The mare was shot and punctured when the bloody blast hit her. She hit the ground, and writhed in agony as she lay dying. Thousands of bone fragments pierced her body, shredding her vital organs. She coughed, gasped, and gagged. Tears streamed from her eyes. The steaming blood that covered her from head to hooves was her brother’s (or cousin’s).

As her view began to slowly fade to blackness, she saw a little white filly approach her, with seemingly curious eyes, and a blank expression on her face. Her pink and purple mane, matted with dirt, like her white coat, still seemed to gleam in the Sunlight.

The deer crab which essentially killed her, stood idle next to the filly. This Jager mare hardly remembered her, give the few times she was here on visits, then when the name hit the tip of her tongue, she lost consciousness for the last time.

The Jager bitch stopped moving and her head hit the blood-soaked ground. Sweetie felt no inklings of guilt, shame or regret. The power her ancestors had over her was too great.

“Hey, ponies! Lunch is ready!” shouted a stallion from inside. Irongash Apple Jager. Big hulking black-silver stallion with a crimson mane, and piercing maroon eyes. Before, Sweetie Belle was absolutely terrified of him, but now, she lusted for blood. And she figured it would take more than this deer crab she made to take him down. She figured Irongash would rip the deer crab to pieces.

Irongash emerged from the house to see the death and gore before him. He roared with instant rage, and let out one hell of a blood curling shriek only a wild beast of Everfree could make. In response, similar shrieks echoed from the Everfree Forest behind the tree obscured limestone wall that blocked it off.

Now furious and primed for battle, Irongash wanted to rip the killer pony to shreds and throw him in the stewing pot.

“Show yourself, you coward! Come out now, and I make it quick and painless!”

Sweetie Belle remained hidden. Just because she was all powerful didn’t mean she was going to show off. Not yet. These Jager ponies weren’t worthy of such grandeur. Only the Apples would witness fully her wrath. Sweetie Belle looked at the deer crab, held together and animating only through her magic. With a thought, she commanded it to attack Irongash.

The deer crap violently sprang into the air like a jumping spider, and closed the distance between itself and Irongash, and slammed into the stallion at breakneck speed, sinking its teeth right into his neck. Irongash fought back with pure rage, and slammed the deercrab into the wall of the house, throwing it off of him. He then attacked with merciless savagery, stomping and gnashing it to pieces. He finished it off in seconds. Long enough for Sweetie Belle to make her next move.

Irongash turned to face her, and saw the look of callous disregard on her face and knew this little unicorn was responsible for this chaos. He let out an ear piercing roar and charged at her, determined to snap her in half in one swift bite.

Sweetie charged up her magic, and began glowing with crackling, sizzling, pale blue magic, and she blinded him with a retina-destroying blast of light- a Sunlight reflection spell.

The filly then dodged as Irongash careened past her and hit the ground, roaring in agony. The retinas in his eyeballs were destroyed, essentially blinding him permanently.

Next, Sweetie Belle cast her magic over him, and lifted him into the air, and she began whipping him with lashes of air, so powerful, and sharply focused winds, the filly began tearing the skin off his flesh. Irongash roared in agony as Sweetie magically skinned him alive. With ease, the filly magically applied intense heat by blasting the air around him, roasting him alive. His blood boiled, and began bursting out of his writhing carcass, then with comet-speed, Sweetie threw the grisly corpse through the window of the Jager house.

Irongash’s steaming corpse slammed into the brick walls of the chimney, and into the massive pot of meat stew he had been cooking all morning.

Sweetie Belle entered the house, looking for more Jagers to fry. She changed her plan, and decided just to kill them quick. No doubt her ancestors and Aurabelle went glee with sadistic delight to see these grisly executions, but to make it slow and painful was to risk being witnessed and exposed.

She found two newborn foals sleeping in one of the bedrooms. Without a thought, Sweetie Belle incinerated them both. Then she began setting fires around the house. She willfully ignited the wood structure with thoughts, and within minutes the whole house was ablaze. When Sweetie Belle was done with that, she set the other buildings and barns on fire, along with each and every animal the Jagers kept on their farm.

By the time Ferra and Applebloom showed up at the end of the forest trail, everything was burning, and Sweetie Belle vanished.

Ferra Apple Jager screamed when she saw the entire stead was ablaze Not a single object within the perimeter fence wasn't burning.

Applebloom looked on in horror. Less than five trots from the edge of the forest, a massive wall of flame. She was terrified of fire, as it was the ultimate symbol of Princess Celestia’s fiery hell. She began shaking uncontrollably and cowered behind Ferra. There was no getting in. The two saw the faint outline of the Jager house, and the flames licking it. The roar of the fire was deafening.

Apple Jager ponies were oblivious of hell, but Applebloom, having been preached her whole life was freaking out and started crying. For all she knew these were the flames of hell itself that burned their way up through the earth like magma and exploded, turning the Jager farm into a raging inferno; and that any second, these flames would lash out, and consume them too.

Suddenly, the fire began advancing. Applebloom screamed and ran like hell back up the trail to Sweet Apple Acres. Ferra turned to follow her, but-

-Sweetie Belle, well hidden, fired a very fine three-trot wooden spear at Ferra, getting her right in the flank hole. The spear pierced through her organs, but not her vitals, and exited out her mouth, instantly skewering her. Using her magic, Sweetie Belle lifted this bloody, gruesome mare-kabob into the air and firmly planted her victim into the ground in the middle of the trail. Hardly able to breathe, Ferra Apple Jager squirmed and writhed in agony. She groaned but her throat was too constricted between the wooden shaft that skewered her and the bones and muscles in her neck. Tears streamed out of her eyes. She had no lethal injuries, but it would take days for her body to withstand this kind of trauma, and she would eventually die. It was a slow and agonizing death.

This kind of torture existed long before primitive horses evolved into the ponykind of Equestria, and before Celestia re-made the planet. Millions of years ago, when humans walked the planet, one human named Vlad Dracula, ruler of Transylvania, skewered his victims on pikes like this to scare off enemy invaders. Not that Sweetie Belle knew any of this. As far as she knew this was the torture earth ponies inflicted on their unicorn victims during Aura Belle’s lifetime.

Applebloom saw everything, and peed herself. She ran screaming up the trail, tripping and stumbling over roots and debris. Sweetie watched her friend flee. That’s right, get the hell out of here. Gallop far away, and never come back.

She would have made herself visible to Applebloom, but after doing this, even to a demented Jager mare who greeted ponies by biting their necks, Applebloom would never speak to her or be the same around her again, hell if she’ll even be the same when Sweetie Belle was done exterminating her family. Sweetie Belle watched as Applebloom scampered up the trail, screaming all the way until she was out of sight. Sweetie Belle then hovered in the air above Ferra and stared her in the eye. Ferra’s leaking blood turned to ice as she watched Sweetie Belle hover over her, illuminated by her own pale blue magic, staring her down impassively. The Jager mare couldn't speak as the pole came out of her mouth. Tears streamed from her eyes. She knew instantly this little unicorn was the one who destroyed her farm, and killed her family. No words were exchanged. Sweetie lowered herself to the ground, turned away and trotted slowly up the hill towards Sweet Apple Acres.

+ +

Crafty Crate violently slammed Applestar up against the brick wall. “Where’s the Flare, you lyin’ bitch?!” he snarled.

“I don’t know!” Applestar cried out. She was just as shocked and clueless as the rest of them were.

“Don’t you dare buckin’ lie to me!” Crafty snarled, pressing his hooves up against the mare’s neck. “You better pick your next words wisely,” Crafty warned her, “We’re riskin’ our throats here. I won’t hesitate to smash your head in. I ain’t getting killed by your psychotic Apple family today!”

When the door came down and the townguard squad discovered the Flare chamber empty, they instantly blamed Applestar, who brought them the keys and made possible the opening of the chamber.  Quick Fix, and Orion, and Crafty Crate dragged her back upstairs to the basement.

“Crafty, that’s enough, let her down,” Promontory ordered. Everypony- Promontory, Shamrock, Peachy Cream, Pig Pen, Rose, Shortstack, Welly, Clover, Luftwing, Deep Blue, Quick Fix, Orion, and Twilight Sparkle and Rarity stood around in the huge room.

Crafty let go of her and she flopped to the floor sobbing.

“Please, believe me, I don’t know what happened to the Flare!”

“Like hell you don’t!” Crafty snarled back.

“Shhh!” Orion hissed, “Keep it down, will you? Those damn Apples will hear us for sure.”

“But seriously,” Shortstack quipped, “where’s the Flare?”

“You had the keys,” Rose added, “So you gotta know about it! Those keys are heavily guarded!”

“Like Anna and Turner would let her near the keys to the Flare,” Deep Blue muttered, “...if the Flare was still here…”

“All of you, shut the hell up,” Promontory growled. There was a brief, yet tense silence, filled with distrust for the poor Apple unicorn.

“What say you, Twilight?” Crafty Crate beckoned the librarian.

Twilight grunted. Her head throbbed and hurt like hell. “I’ll deal with her.”

Applestar’s eyes widened. “Wait, what-”

Twilight Sparkle flexed herself, and shot a bright violet beam out of her horn, striking Applestar in the horn, digging deep into her brain. She cried out in agony as Twilight’s beam connected the two unicorns for a good two minutes. Then the beam died.

“Owwww…” Applestar whimpered as she curled up on the floor in fetal position. Twilight panted and felt sweat on her face.

“Twilight, what in the name of Celestia was that for?” Rarity asked, astonished.

“She knows nothing about the Flare,” Twilight explained in raspy grunts. “She thought it was locked up down there too. I read her memory.”

The others nodded and understood. That’s why unicorns use memory crystals as opposed to zapping other ponies’ brains directly and frying them. A lot less painful, and required a lot less magic. But the Apples took away the box of memory rocks Twilight had stashed away at the guardhouse.

“Rarity...please do something about her pain…” Twilight asked.

“Of course, dear,” Rarity replied, beaming a gentle spell on the poor Apple unicorn. Applestar sobbed as she slowly got up.

“There, there, that’s enough,” Rarity said softly.

Applestar shed a tear and shot Twilight a hostile glance.

“Sorry I had to do that,” Twilight explained, “But there was no other way to know. But now you’re clear of any suspicion.” Twilight glanced at Promontory who nodded in agreement.

“Alright, let’s just get out of here while we still can, everyone-”

A hoof tapped the metal bars of a nearby cell, scaring half the gang.

“Who’s there?” Pro demanded.

“It is me, I am your friend, and with you I wish to flee.”

Twilight Sparkle gasped. Everypony recognized that accent. The zebra witch of Everfree. Zecora. If it weren't for Twilight, Pro and his crew would have loved to have seen Zecora lynched over a pyre and burned alive. But thanks to Twilight, Zecora was a friend and ally as much as the next pony. Zecora, though regarded with caution, and even suspicion, supplied Ponyville with medicines and recipes that treated many common and even serious illnesses in town. And the Apples captured her too.

“Let’s break her out,” Pro ordered.

+

“It seems that zebra witch knows we’re onto her. She is said to come to town on this day,” Apple Turner muttered.

“That problem is already solved,” Anna Pomme assured him, “I had Jagers capture her and bring her in. Very few ponies objected to her arrest, despite what I heard of her...popularity. Oh well. She’s a demon of the forest, and I dare say, another...un-Lightly being of Nightmare Moon’s. It seems pony law doesn’t cover the likes of her. I believe she will be easily found guilty of her crimes against equinanity. I already sent a letter to our relatives in Canterlot, and they’re checking the lawbooks. I don’t think there’ll be much objection to burning her at the stake.”

“Heh,” Turner grunted, “I was told you were quite the efficient mare. I’m impressed, Ana.”

“Thank you. Somepony needs to clean up this town, and Applejack certainly cannot do that, so its up to me to enforce the Apple way.”

“Heh. Wait, what about the Flare? I don’t like the idea of that thing sitting in the basement waiting to be set off by those moron ponies-”

“I had the Flare relocated and locked away at Sweet Apple Acres,” Anna Pomme explained to Apple Turner. “Couldn’t trust those idiots downstairs.”

“You mean Pro and his gang?” Apple Turner asked, puzzled. He didn't think of Promontory as an idiot.

“Well, maybe not Pro, but definitely his motley crew of morons,” Anna lamented. “Promontory has an excellent record and does well as a captain within the town guard, however, those ponies he commands...I wouldn't expect them not to cause a problem. They haven’t exactly been thrilled about us moving in and the change of management. And I’m sure launching the Flare from under our flanks has crossed their minds. An unnecessary criminal use of such a device.”

“Where abouts Sweet Apple Acres is it?” Turner asked.

“It’s locked up in an old cellar. Applejack’s family haven’t used the place in years. It will remain there until a new solid shaft and storage cellar is built for it. In the mean time, it is out of reach of any idiot ponies.”

“Good thinking,” Turner said, “by the way, did you talk to Applejack about quitting her Element?”

“I was about to,” Anna said, gazing out the window, “Then we got the call about that Jager colt. She’s off to see the Cloudy family. I’ll talk to her when she returns. I’m sure Applejack will be reasonable and resign her position as the Element of Honesty. Afterall, we don’t want it driving her anymore insane than she already is. Poor thing.”

A Pink Tragedy

Applebloom ran. She galloped and leaped over the roots that grew across the old trail. The roar of the flames engulfing the Apple Jager stead grew fainter and fainter as she ran up the slope towards Sweet Apple Acres. After several minutes of running, she reached the old gate that bordered the fields and pastures of the Apple farm. The panicked filly threw herself against the closed gate, bashing it wide open. She knew ponies locked the gate often, as the Jagers weren't that welcome on the Acres.

Applebloom stopped and desperately gasped for air. Her lungs burned for oxygen, and she felt the muscles in her legs and hooves cramping. She was sweating, and tears streamed from her eyes. Applebloom looked back. From out here in the Sunlight, the entrance to the trail, from which she came appeared darker. Still she felt an evil presence in these woods. Something snapped and broke loose. Some fat squirrel tried to walk on a small branch and broke it, scaring the daylights out of poor Applebloom. She bolted from the gate and towards the nearest of the farm buildings. She hid inside a tool storage room, and slammed the door shut behind her.

Applebloom gasped for air until she caught her breath, then started crying. If what she just saw wasn't enough to convince her that Princess Celestia, the ‘Solar Mother,’ as religious ponies called her, had marked her for hell, then she had no idea what would be.

Seeing what happened to Ferra Apple Jager brought back those horrific memories and she wondered if the Everfree Forest had breached the huge limestone fence and advanced into this forest patch separating Sweet Apple Acres from the Jager stead. She saw no glowing aura of magic. Just an invisible entity piercing Ferra with that huge wooden pike, then planting her into the ground.

She shook and shivered with fear, and kept praying frantically to Celestia. After a degree or so (roughly 10 minutes in pony time), she slowly emerged from her hideout and left the barn.

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary here and now. She saw a few ponies coming and going along their chores and rounds. Applebloom wondered about telling Applejack about this, then she grew afraid of AJ hoof-beating her for telling such unholy tall tales.

So, the filly decided to go find Big Mac. She looked to the west, and gulped when she saw the large column of smoke rising above the forest. For all she knew, the raging fires would engulf the forest and sweep over the rest of the Apple land. But she didn’t want to be seen by any of the other Apples, so she took to a trail through one of the old zap apple orchards. These trees were larger and more elongated than normal apple trees, and in the winter when they bore no leaves, they looked like skeletal monstrosities.

And since it wasn’t zap apple season yet, ponies had no real business here. She figured the lot of the family were hastily planting new trees where all the sick ones got chopped down.

Applebloom came across an old and decayed shack. The roof was covered completely in moss, and the exposed wooden frame had turned gray. She then saw the two hulking stallions standing guard. She scattered, and hid behind a bush.

Both stallions were from the Appleton family. One was called Brassapple, for his shiny brass-colored coat and mane, the other was a grey colored stallion with a green mane, called Great Pommer. Applebloom had no intent on making contact with these two. And she figured by the looks on their faces, they were ready to pound anypony who dared attempt to pass them. So she snuck around the back of the old shack, wondering why the hell they’d be guarding this old place to begin with-

Her hoof snapped a twig, and she heard a grunt, followed by furious hoofsteps coming around. She dashed up the old stairs and inside before one of them came around. Applebloom held her breath as Brassapple looked and sniffed around. He then turned and trotted back to the old road.

Applebloom heaved a sigh of relief. Then realizing she was safe inside the dusty old shack, the filly dared to take a look inside, and gasped at what she saw. There it was, the Flare, not that she knew what it was. It was a cylindric object, made of a silverish metal, with fancy engravings on it. It was too dark in here to see what the inscriptions meant, or the rusted panel and storage unit that contained the chemical mixes needed to arm and set off the device. She also had no idea this thing was the ultimate Celestia-summoning machine. So to her it had no real value. Not that she was sure Celestia would come to her aid or burn her to ash.

So the filly crept out of the shack and into the woods, and made her way back to the trail, safely away from the old shack.

After ten degrees (or an hour in ponytime), Applebloom made it to the busier part of Sweet Apple Acres. She had to be sneakier and quiet to avoid being seen. Then from behind some old crates, she spotted Applejack, standing out front of the Sweet Apple house, shouting at a Jager couple.

“Look, you varmint, Ah don’t care what you gotta say about yer discipline. One of yer little shits went an’ attacked a filly in town, and damn near ripped her little wings off. Ah was just over at the hospital talkin’ to the Cloudy family, and they’s mighty pissed off! Now Ah gotta smooth over this crisis, an’ its gonna cost me some real good bits! An Ah expect you to fully repay me fer what its gonna cost, what with the Cloudy family’s hospital bills, an’ all!”

“I am sorry for this...disaster,” Clawtooth Apple Jager grunted, “Where is he? I’ll give him a thrashing he won’t soon forget.”

“Your little abomination is locked up down at the town guard house. We’re gonna punish him real good, and make an example of anypony who dares pull this type o’ violence, you hear me?”

Clawtooth grunted, unsatisfied.

“If you want my advice, Whyn’cha go back to your stead, and cull all them little breathing abominations you and yer missus hatched up. They’s too savage like for these parts. Y’oughtta snap their little necks, butcher ‘em up and toss ‘em in yer infernal meat stews like you do with everything else around here!”

“What? How dare you speak of my foals that way!” Clawtooth shouted back.

“Shut yer snout! Be damn lucky we don’t just toss you Jager freaks on a fire and burn y’all! Ah don’t know who invited yer and yer family to Ponyville, but it sure as hell wasn’t me! You wanna make amends, put them little savages of yer’s all down, and bury them deep, then you and yer mares can pop out and raise some decent civilized foals fer once!”

“Miss Applejack, we surely didn’t mean for this to happen,” Thornseed, Clawtooth’s wife urged. Applejack merely stared at her impassively, then said, “You heard me, now get. You take care of them foals o’ yers, or we’ll do it fer’ you. Now get on back to yer farm already!”

A few more words were exchanged, and the two Jagers walked away, passing by Applebloom’s hiding spot. The filly almost felt bad for them, because she knew what awaited them back home.

Applebloom remained hidden, and a horrifying and tragic scene opened up in front of her. Two stallions, each wearing a townguard sash and badge, brought forth an emaciated pink mare into view, dragging her by the neck on a leash. She tried to resist, but was yanked forward, and dragged through the dirt until she could spring up and walk again. Her body looked pale, and the filly could count her ribs. She could hardly even stand as it were, almost with as much difficulty as a newborn goat. She was all matted with dirt, and covered with bruises and scratches, most of them caked with blood. Her mane was flat and hung sullenly from her head. Then through the dirt on the flank, Applebloom spotted the ultimate horror: the skin bearing the cutie mark had been scraped off. All that was left was a big ugly dirt-matted scab. Then the filly saw a curved yellow-ish line extending from the gash. Applebloom’s ice turned to blood and she gasped in horror a second time to realize it was Pinkie Pie.

But that wasn’t all. The fact that they skinned off her cutie mark would bring on an extremely terrible curse, right out of the depths of Everfree. Applebloom tried to hold back tears. If she cried now and was discovered, there’d be hell to pay. She was so sad over the loss of Pinkie Pie, and horrified for her and herself of what she knew the curse would do to her.

Nopony else knew about this curse, only Applebloom did. She had actually seen such horror.

About two years ago, Applebloom followed Twilight Sparkle into Everfree. Somehow the filly lost her, and ended up at some place called Sunny Town, inhabited by...’zombie’ ponies, whom said they were cursed in such a way for scraping off their own cutie marks. These zombies attempted to capture her, but she narrowly escaped unharmed. She made it out of Everfree, but Applebloom never did tell Applejack about that one. Even back then, AppleJack would have walloped her good for going near Everfree.

“Well, well, what have we got here?” Applejack sternly barked when the two stallions brought the sullen mare before her. Pinkie Pie took one look at Applejack, and panicked. she tried to resist, but the stallion holding her leash in his mouth violently pulled her forward, throwing her to the dirt, right infront of Applejack.

“This is the one you call Pinkie Pie, ma’am,” the huge grey stallion named Pomme Pound or Pompound for short replied, “We were ordered by Chief Pomme to bring her here. She said you were friends with her, and you’d...straighten her out.”

“Is that so?” Applejack grunted as she stared Pinkie down. Pinkie looked at the ground and didn’t return her glare. “Thank you, stals fer’ bringin’ her to me. Ah guess, as a friend, Ah owe it to this overgrown brat to straighten her out, teach her some discipline, and some lessons what it means to do some good, hard, work!”

Applejack saw the scabbed gash on each side of Pinkie’s flanks. “Who scraped off her flank marks?”

“Uhh, it was done by Jeresey Mac, on Chief Anna Pomme’s orders.”

Applejack adjusted her Stetson hat and scratched an itchy part on the back of her head. “Ne’er thought o’ that one. Good thing she did, it means this runt can start all over. Now that that curse mark is gone, she can work hard an’ earn a new flank mark that represents hard work, good reverence and some equine decency.”

Pinkie Pie cringed and shuddered with each snarled word from the orange hick. Tears began streaming from her eyes, and her her body shuddered. From her hiding spot, Applebloom could see how miserable she was, and felt some tears of her own come out. She hadn’t seen Pinkie in months, and wondered what the hell happened to her.

“Look’t me you varmint!” Applejack barked right in Pinkie’s face, “You cut out that snivelin’ right now, Ah ain’t gonna tolerate that shit fer a second, y’hear me? You’re a full grown pony, not some newborn foal, dammit! Ah’m gonna give you a minute to stop them waterworks, y’hear? Cuz if y’don’t Ah got ponies all over this farm who’ll hoofbeat yer sorry ass so bad you’ll wish you ain’t cried a minute in yer wasted life.”

As Applejack spoke, Big Mac and the crew of stallions he was put to work with showed up. He looked shocked to see Pinkie in such a state.

“So, here’s what yer’ gonna do, Pinkie: Yer’ gonna be workin’ hard doin’ the chores, diggin’ dirt, buckin’ apples, and whatever everypony tells you be doin, got it? Yer’ gonna earn yer livin’ out here. Y’ain’t worked a day in yer life, an’ it sure as hell shows. An’ there ain’t gonna be none of that foolin’ around partyin’ an’ laughin’ shit you use to do. An’ another thing, Pinkie: Ah’m gonna iron them problems out of you, like it or not. An’ Y’ ain’t gonna be touchin’ or seein’ another grain o’ that sugar shit y’been suckin’ on all them years. Ah bet Princess Celestia is mighty angry with you and she ought’ta burn yer flank in hell fer yer insolence an’ hooliganin’ around our here town-”

Pinkie started crying more, and Applejack snapped. She reached back and struck Pinkie in the face with a hoof so forceful it threw Pinkie to the ground.

“Ah said stop yer snivelin’!” Applejack shouted. Pinkie didn’t get up right away.

“Applejack, dear, who on earth this?” Applegem asked as she, Sangshine, and two other mares showed up.

“This here’s Pinkie Pie,” Applejack replied, placing a hoof on Pinkie’s head, seemingly threatening to crush her. “She’s that sugar addict from town, y’know the one that never shuts up, and gets all them foals into a frenzy and hooked on that sugar shit. Town guard arrested her and brought her up here fer me to straighten her out and put her in her place.”

“Hmph,” Applegem scoffed in disapproval. She looked down on Pinkie with utter disgust. “She looks like a horrid demon, diseased or something, Applejack, I don’t like this one bit. She must be burned, at once!”

“Naw, Gemmie, she ain’t no demon. Dumb bitch ain’t ate since she was thrown out of Sugarcube Corner. Hell, Ah doubt she even knows what real food tastes like. She’s just starvin’ is all,” then Applejack turned to face Pinkie, her forehoof still on the mare’s head. Pinkie grunted and cried in pain as Applejack pressed some weight on her. Pompound, and the other stallions stood by, because if Pinkie dared to fight back and hit Applejack, they’d pound her into a broken pulp. “This skinsack here is gonna be eatin’ alot of real food, even if it means Ah gotta ponysonally* cram it down her throat!”

“Well,” Sangshine said, also looking unsettled, “I’m sure the poor thing will regain her health quickly from our blood apples, but why must you be so hard on her? She looks as if she were beaten like a cat.”

“Townguard did it. To put her in line and shut her up, and make her learn she ain’t gonna be a party animal or be snortin or suckin that sugar shit no more. They softened her up real good. Should make mah job easier, not that she’ll be eatin’ her meals through a straw fer months if she so much as steps one hoof or says one word out of line.”

“I still think you should burn her. Seems like a lost cause to me,” Applegem lamented.

“That, Gemmie, will be a last resort. But Ah will make damn sure she don’t have to be burned, as Celestia as mah witness, we Apples will remake this bitch as a decent, honest, civil-like, decent-mannered, hard workin’ pony!” Applejack snarled, barking more in Pinkie’s ears than addressing Applegem.

“Very well,” Applegem resigned her argument. “Sangy dear, shall we go see how those new clothes are coming along?”

Sangshine nodded, “Of course. Applejack, feel free to send her to me, and I’ll get her sewing or-”

“Nope,” Applejack cut her off, “This bitch is gonna be digging dirt till the fall at least!”

“Very well. Cheerio.” And the two mares left. Pinkie still kept sobbing. She curled up in fetal position around Applejack’s hooves.

“So how’s about it, Pinkie? Because if you don’t work, you will burn, y’hear me?”

“No~!” Pinkie cried out in despair.

Applejack scoffed. “Pathetic. Real damn pathetic. Pompound! Take this varmint up to the old cellar up by Knot Hill, and lock her up in there.”

“No...please…”

“Uh, for how long, Ms. Applejack?”

Applejack looked down impassively at Pinkie. “Ah’ll give her a month to think about it. She’s afraid of the dark, well some good solitary confinement will change her attitude about reformin’ herself. Take her away!”

With a violent yank on the leash, Pinkie Pie was dragged away crying and weeping, and trying to struggle. Applejack reached out and bashed her in the face one more time, and she went limp.

Applebloom was filled with horror and revulsion at what she just witnessed. And stunned that Big Mac didn’t intervene and save her like he did for Twilight Sparkle. She didn’t understand, and felt frustrated and angry with her big brother. Big Mac was never afraid and he quarreled and fought with Applejack so many times before, and he won.

Applebloom left her hiding spot, and when no pony was looking, she dashed into a nearby barn, hid behind some boxes and cried.

It was insane. She always thought of Pinkie Pie as invincible, impervious, a force to be reckoned with what with her contagious laughter. Sure she was an oddball, but Pinkie Pie was always happy, cheerful, and definitely harmless. Foals were around her all the time, playing with her and laughing at her crazy antics. The Cutie Mark Crusaders loved her and always visited her at Sugarcube Corner. Out of all ponies, Pinkie was the one who fed the three fillies with all sorts of ideas on how they could get their cutie marks, and most of the time they tried out her wild ideas, much to the dismay and embarrassment of other ponies.

And on the days somepony was really sad, Pinkie, having just learned to have some empathy and to comfort a pony in distress by Twilight Sparkle, was there for them, especially sad fillies. She comforted them, then talked them out of their moods, and sent them home with cheer. Then there were days when Pinkie was feeling down, and the foals and ponies who she cheered up were there for her as well. But since last summer, ponies shunned Pinkie Pie more and more, and began telling their little ones to avoid her like the plague. Then Scootaloo told Applebloom and Sweetie Belle that Pinkie Pie was fired by the Cakes and kicked out of Sugarcube Corner. She briefly worked at a few other sweets shops, cafe’s and tea shops in Ponyville, and she ultimately disappeared. Last Applebloom saw of her was at Sugarcube corner, being cheerful as ever, and it broke her heart and wrenched her gut to see Pinkie just now. Then it hit her: the Apples broke Pinkie Pie.

Much to Applebloom’s horror, where she saw a bloom of life, she only saw despair and decay. It horrified her to see that Applejack had snuffed out one of the greatest lights in Ponyville. A beacon of laughter, and a ray of hope was what the fillies saw in Pinkie Pie. Many ponies felt a creeping darkness sweep over Ponyville as the Apples moved in, and when Pinkie Pie disappeared...

Applejack never liked her to begin with and always talked about how Pinkie Pie was no good, undisciplined, and all these other things. Shortly after Granny Smith’s death, Applejack instructed Applebloom and Sweetie Belle to keep away from Pinkie, and threatened to hoofbeat them if she caught them hanging out with her.

And a chilling realization hit her: the Apples just extinguished one of the last bright lights in Ponyville. The filly desperately wanted to escape Sweet Apple Acres now. She wanted to get the hell away like Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle did. Problem was that her aunts and uncles kept a tight watch on her by Applejack’s orders. Applejack was hell-bent on making sure she couldn’t run away like the other two did.

And between the fiery destruction of the Jager stead, and this, the filly felt that creeping despair, that the world was closing in on her and the fear of death slowly began to kick in. The family would keep her imprisoned on the farm, then the fire would come. She made a frantic silent prayer to Celestia, begging for forgiveness for everypony.

Applebloom wanted to escape, she wanted to take Pinkie Pie with her, but she was absolutely terrified of the curse. Partly, she wanted to find Pinkie, and escape from Sweet Apple Acres, get her to the hospital so they can patch up her flanks and maybe, just maybe Pinkie would get her cutie mark back….or Pinkie would die, and….become one of them.

Applebloom sobbed to herself. She had never seen such cruelty from her big sister in her entire life. Not even the hoof beatings compared to this. It was essentially a capital crime to scrape off a cutie mark or flank mark as adult ponies called it. Somehow doing so damaged a pony’s soul, spirit, and so forth.

Cutie marks are altered patches of fur, where extremely sensitive nerves are located. Any significant damage caused huge disruptions to the pony. Cheerilee said once that cutie marks were representations of their spirits or souls, and imprint of a pony on its own body. Applebloom heard plenty of stories of ponies being disowned or beaten to death among other Apple clans for getting an ‘undesirable’ cutie mark, however, stripping the skin right off was absolutely unheard of. And it lead to serious infections and diseases as the patch of skin with the cutie mark is very slow to heal.

It was worth a shot. After seeing Big Mac stand by and do nothing, she felt at a loss and didn’t really trust the big red lug brother of hers. Still, she was absolutely terrified, but enough to dare resist the Apple “way” and defy all the rules and orders. She checked one of the doors that lead to the outside, and looked in the direction of Knot Hill, and when nopony was looking, she bolted for the next hiding place.

Amidst this fear, Applebloom finally broke her delusion that things would get better. Things weren’t going to get better. This was a whole new way of life. And seeing what Applejack did to Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo (she threatened to pluck Scoots’ feathers all out), and now Pinkie Pie, she felt disconnected from her big sister, and viewed Applejack as a total enemy. After seeing this, the filly hated Applejack. For everything she’s done.

In one fell terrifying thought, Applebloom contemplated forsaking the Apple family, and redeeming herself before Princess Celestia. Applebloom also felt equally guilty at the thought of releasing the monstrosity upon the Sweet Apples. Why did those who work so much to be close to Princess Celestia have to be so cruel. The filly cried. She outright furious and upset. She wanted to go up to Knot Hill, and break out Pinkie Pie, and leave her to roam til she died and turned into...one of those things from Sunny Town that would go out and devour the other Apples.

Applebloom’s tiny simple little brain ached as she thought this out. Pinkie Pie turns into the undead, attacks the others, and starts an unholy pandemic on the Apple farm. Then ponies from Ponyville and around come and set the whole place on fire and burn them all...or Celestia blows everything to kingdom come.

Then part of her really wanted to rescue Pinkie Pie, get her to a hospital, and patch her up before the curse kicks in.

C’mon Abloom, pull yerself together. Scoots and Sweetie Belle made it out. Ah just gotta go. Oh please Princess Celestia, please let me an’ Pinkie Pie escape, and please make her all happy-like again.

She cautiously followed the ponies as they dragged Pinkie Pie, seemingly paralyzed in her hind legs, by the neck up the dirt trail.

+

Sweetie Belle magicked open the gate from the forest trail to Sweet Apple Acres, and trotted forward, that cold, cunning, impassive look on her face. After leaving the Jager stead in flames, she decided that all of Sweet Apple Acres would cease to exist by the end of the day.

She had a blank look on her face, and looked around, as if she were just some curious filly exploring the countryside. She looked up and saw clouds rolling in from the southwest. Behind her, the huge column of smoke rose higher and higher into the sky. no doubt the Apples would take notice now. She quickly fled to one of the nearby farm buildings, knowing Apples would be going down that trail...to see Auntie Ferra Jager...on that pike.

She passed a small house, just recently built for a new Apple family who just arrived. The mare was putting up clothes on a line to dry out, and her two foals were washing them. It looked peaceful, until they looked up and saw her. The reaction was intense. Seeing a unicorn staring at them instilled fear. These were magic-hating racist apples.

The mare shouted something at her foals and they scattered inside. Sweetie, face still blank, charged up her magic-

and sent out a colossal blast wave that blew the entire house to smithereens, instantly shredding all ponies inside. The mare was violently thrown back and slammed into a nearby tree with such force, her entire skeleton shattered into dust. She was dead before she hit the ground.

The debris was blown back several hundred trots, and the trees swayed under the huge pressure of the wind. The blast was deafening. Sweetie Belle quickly took her leave, and disappeared.

+

The loud boom of the ‘explosion’ scared the shit out of Applebloom, and she felt warm urine trickle down her back leg. She was safe behind some bushes and under some trees, but the explosion still scared the wits out of her. In the distance she saw ponies stop what they were doing and looked westward in the direction of the explosion. However, there was no smoke, but a lot of the ponies did notice the plume of smoke rising from the western forest.

Nopony noticed Applebloom as they reacted to the distant smoke. Some stallions ran off to join others and check it out; mares and fillies resumed their work. Still scared and terrified of being discovered, Applebloom hid for a good ten minutes, then she continued sneaking around, and made her way up to Knot Hill.

Knot Hill was one of several small hills that dotted Sweet Apple Acres. Knot Hill was home to some old workshops where the Apples made and fixed their tools and equipment. There were also several cellars and old storage shacks. Applebloom bolted back and forth between hiding spots along the path, zig-zagging her way up to the workshop. She narrowly escaped being seen when a stallion rounded a corner, hauling a cart loaded with sacks. Applebloom held her breath as he passed, then slowly exhaled. She knew Applejack forbade her from being on her own. New rule was she was to be with a mare or stallion at all times. If she got caught, she was to be dragged back to Applejack, who would then hoof-beat her into a coma.

The filly made it to the workshop and storage shacks. All buildings were made of stone bricks, which now sported mold-filled cracks. These buildings were old, built around the time Granny Smith was a filly. She hadn’t been to this part of Sweet Apple Acres in years. Most of the time Applebloom was in the orchards or the fields.

The filly hid, and listened. Silence. No ponies talking. Place was deserted. Hell, there wasn’t even a breeze, nor did she hear any birds singing. There were always birds living in the trees here, and as Granny Smith said years ago, when birds and animals took off, terrible things were to happen. Abloom shuddered. Something terrible was already happening. She figured the ponies working up here all ran off towards the fire. The filly cautiously stalked her way around the shops and shacks.

“...Pinkie Pie…” the filly whispered repeatedly as she walked around. Pinkie obviously wouldn’t hear her, but she was too scared to shout. Applebloom checked around the storage shacks. There were four of them, each the size of a small cabin. The doors were secured with padlocks and chains. Applebloom knocked on the doors but no response. She approached the last storage shack, and right before she knocked, the filly heard the very faint sounds of a mare sobbing. she pressed her ear up to the door, and sure enough, she realized Pinkie was in here.

“Hey...Pinkie Pie..” Applebloom said, banging on the door with a hoof. “It’s me, Applebloom. Are...are y’ awright?”

No response.

“Ah’m...Ah’m awful real sorry fer what mah...sister did to you…” Applebloom nearly choked on her own tongue when she mouthed the word ‘sister.’ Applejack was anything but her big sister. She looked at the padlock.

“Uhh...Ah’m gonna go find a key so Ah can unlock this thing. Ah’ll be right back-”

Clank!

With a loud clank, the padlock unlocked itself, startling the filly. Applebloom jumped, and slowly backed away from the door.

Nothing else happened. The lock just hung on the latch, unlocked.  Applebloom didn’t know how to react to this, other than to still be afraid. How the hell could the lock unlock itself? There weren’t any unicorns around for miles.

+

Sweetie Belle watched Applebloom from behind the bushes. She didn’t expect the filly to jump out of her skin when she undid the padlock. It took Applebloom several minutes to figure out which of these moldy old shacks Pinkie Pie was locked up in, but Sweetie Already knew. She had been hiding and watched the Apples drag Pinkie up the other path here.

If it weren’t for the bond these fillies had with Pinkie Pie, Sweetie Belle would have annihilated Pinkie along with the rest of these rabid earth ponies. Sweetie also had a series of spells that allowed her to ‘see’ through the shack, and detect Pinkie Pie’s soul, or life force, or whatever. And she knew the pinky pony was broken and hurting. Sweetie also knew she was dying.

A flashback opened up, taking her back to Aura Belle’s time. A memory of Aura Belle and some other unicorns rescuing earth pony survivors following a Pegasi attack on their village. They were just as terrified and full of despair. And to these harmless ponies, unlike those who sided with the Pegasi in an attempt to cover their own flanks and fight the unicorns, these ponies who were rescued and sided with the unicorns were given spells of ‘love’ to break them out of their despair. The flashback ended. Sweetie Belle recalled all the times Pinkie Pie was there for her and her friends, and all the times she made them giggle and laugh. She decided to rescue the pink pony, or at least spare her the wrath she was about to vent on these Apples.

Sweetie cast an invisible beam of magic on the padlock infront of Applebloom, and raised it clear of the rusty door latch, causing Applebloom to back away. Sweetie pondered how to approach her friend. She didn’t want A’bloom to demonize her or fear her. as far as Sweetie was concerned, Applebloom and Scoots were her only family. She’d gather them up, take Pinkie Pie, and leave Ponyville forever.

Sweetie Belle sined. Time for Applebloom to meet the all-powerful new and improved ‘Apple Belle.’

+

The padlock floated several inches clear of the rusty door latch, then dropped and hit the dirt infront of her. Applebloom looked around and saw nopony, no nothing. She didn’t know who or what unlocked the door, and had second thoughts about going in and finding Pinkie Pie. She began to think the Sunny Town curse was kicking in and turned to flee when she spun around and saw Sweetie Bell, just standing there. Out in the open. After she disappeared, after Applejack put out an apparent death warrant on her.

A’bloom was startled, and the two fillies briefly stared at each other for a split second, knowing the neither of them should be there. Then all the tension in them both broke, and they rushed at each other, and hugged each other tight.

Sweetie Belle was so relieved to see Applebloom in one piece, and almost forgot entirely about everything and the moment seemed like one of those lost moments when they met up to do their CMC adventures. Applebloom was just as stoked to see Sweetie Belle, seeing her the the first time in a long time. She only vanished the previous day but it felt like eons.

“Aw Sweetie Belle, Ah missed you so dang much!” Applebloom cried. She couldn’t hold back and it all just came out and the filly, normally stoic and hardy, burst into tears.

“I missed you too A’bloom!” Sweetie Belle said, more so relieved the filly was unhurt and how she could get her out of here.

“Ah...Ah can’t take it no more….” Applebloom sobbed…”Mah whole family’s gone evil, they...they ain’t even like mah family no more, they’s just some evil cult now!” Applebloom slipped to the ground and sobbed, while Sweetie stroke her mane. “An’...An’...Celestia’s gonna burn us all an’ send us to hell!”

“Shhh…” Sweetie said softly, trying to soothe her. “We’re not going to burn, nopony is going to hurt me or you ever again. We’re gonna leave here, find Scootaloo, and get as far away from this town as we can.”

“...w-wait...where is Scoots?” Applebloom asked. Last she saw of Scootaloo was the previous afternoon when she climbed aboard the poop card during the unloading of the manure. Applebloom tried to climb aboard, but she was caught and whipped until her entire flank was red and marked.

“She left Ponyville on the train this morning. She is safe.” Sweetie Belle said, still talking in that eerie calm voice that disturbed Applebloom.

“W-wait, how the hell you so calm? Ain’tcha scared?”

Sweetie Belle shook her head and said with confidence: “Relax, none of these Apple freaks are going to hurt us. I swiped a magic spellbook from Twilight Sparkle, and it has lots and lots of power. More power than Twilight herself. Ain’t pony will dare buck with me.”

“....whoa…” Applebloom breathed.

“Watch,” Sweetie Belle said, and she lit up her horn. Then she gently lifted Applebloom and herself off the ground then let them both down again.

“Pretty cool, huh?”

Applebloom nodded. “Wait, but what about them-”

“A unicorn! Get her!” A raging Apple stallion shouted, and he and his comrade, both pulling a huge wagon, both charged at them. Like bulls, they saw red, and charged.

Sweetie Belle formed a protective and invisible shield around herself and Applebloom. She wasn’t ready to scare the living manure out of her just yet with her deadlier spells.

The stallions roared as they charged full speed at the two fillies-

-and WHAM! slammed face first with all their weight into an invisible wall solid as a wall of granite. The cart they carried, loaded with heavy manure buckets, them slammed into them at full speed. One stal’s spine snapped on impact, another got his neck and head crushed as well. The buckets tipped over, flipping shit everywhere.

Applebloom gasped in horror at the sheer sight. She was already on edge from what happened to that Ferra Apple Jager mare earlier today, and seeing this nearly gave her a heart attack.

The two stallions both laid twisted and slumped up against Sweetie Belle’s forcefield gasping and groaning. The one whose neck was broken heaved his last breaths as death set in. The other, his spine was broken behind his front hooves, leaving only his rear body paralyzed and unusable.

Sweetie let her invisible shield dissipate. Her facial expression remained blank and did not change as she looked at the carnage. The stallion still alive was breathing heavily, and the filly noticed three of his ribs had been broken. He was also struggling to spout religious nonsense. “...and a great hell will befall the unicorn scourge…”

His head jerked and he was rendered unable to speak, yet still mouthed the words.

Applebloom was shaking. “...what...why…”

“These ponies wanted to kill us, or just me. It’s kill or be killed, Applebloom. I didn’t even try to kill, them. I just wanted to see the looks on their faces when they hit an invisible wall. No smart pony just charges at a unicorn who’s standing here, minding her own business. These morons were busted up by the cart. Idiots.”

Applebloom nodded. “...what...what did you do to him?” She began to feel revulsion from the smell of shit everywhere.

“I disabled his voice. He can pretend to talk all he wants, but he isn’t making any sound.”

“Swe...Sweetie Belle, Princess Celestia...she’s gonna burn us…”

“No, she won’t,” Sweetie said with solid and deadly determination. “I won’t let it happen. If Celestia really likes these bucked up Apples of yours, then me and you are in the wrong part of Equestria.”

Applebloom nodded, struggling to hold back tears. She was absolutely terrified, and it didn’t help seeing the thick column of smoke rising over the trees from the woods to the west.

“By the Light! What happened?” A mare screamed as she came on the scene, accompanied by three fillies. “Rocko! No! A unicorn!”

“Gimme a sec,” Sweetie muttered to Applebloom as she turned to face the new enemy. The mare in question was Sally Ann Applehill. She and her fillies lived in one of their new dogens at the bottom of the hill by the river.

“Applebloom, get away from that unicorn this instant!” Sally Ann shouted, “Oh Dear Lady Celestia, please help us, rid us of this unicorn murderer! Please hel-”

With a single spark of magic from Sweetie Belle, Sally Ann was unable to speak. She mouthed words, but no sound came out. She started freaking out, then she hit the dirt and went completely limp, give for her breathing.

“Momma!” one of the fillies cried out. Then the three fillies dropped too.

“You...you killed them…” Applebloom gasped.

“No, they’re all asleep,” Sweetie Belle said flatly.

“Can we please get outta here?” Applebloom whined.

“No, I want to check on Pinkie.”

“Shit, no!” Applebloom protested with alarm that surprised Sweetie. “She’s cursed! She’s got a curse of Everfree! She’s gonna turn into...turn into…” Applebloom started hyperventilating, and Sweetie cast a spell on her to calm her down and keep her from fainting. The soft warm magic tingle calmed her down, and she started sobbing.

“Take some breaths,” Sweetie said calmly, “and tell me about this Everfree curse of hers.”

Applebloom tried to stop sobbing. She sure as hell never wanted to talk about Sunny Town. She never told anypony, not even Sweetie or Scoots., for fear of getting in trouble for going into the forest. Sweetie Belle, totally socially blind before, now had instincts that indicated Applebloom had something to share.

“Ah...sorry...Ah don’t want to talk about it….”

“Yes, you do,” Sweetie said with a deadly calm voice, “I got the magic remember. I got more magic than some stupid Everfree curse. Pinkie’s got it, so tell me what it is, for her sake.”

“Oh...ok….Ah’ll talk…” Applebloom was terrified of Sweetie. She was loaded with Applejack’s stories about evil unicorns slaughtering earth ponies by the dozens, and of some tales of how all the Apples who built Ponyville vanished thanks to the unicorns.

Both Applebloom and Sweetie Belle saw Pinkie Pie. Sweetie Belle watched them drag her onto the farm, and routinely stop and hoof beat her. Applebloom witnessed Applejack’s cold-blooded treatment of her. They both saw that the pink mare’s cutie marks had been skinned off. “What do you know about her missing cutie marks, Abloom?” Sweetie demanded.

Calmed by spells, Applebloom tearfully spilled the oats about her ordeal. Two years ago, she accompanied Twilight Sparkle during the lavender unicorn’s trip to Zecora’s hut deep in Everfree. Applebloom took off and ventured along a trail and discovered Sunny Town. It was not much more than desolate ruins gripped by a curse that gave newcomers an illusion of a happy community, but eventually revealed itself and its true inhabitants if newcomers stayed too long. Before all hell broke loose, Applebloom learned from the locals that they were cursed due to skinning off cutie marks, believing they were the cause of all their problems. Then the illusion fell down and they all became rotting zombies and chased after her. Applebloom barely escaped with her life, and never told anypony about Sunny Town.

She also said that because somepony skinned off Pinkie Pie’s cutie marks, they brought the curse here, and when it kicked in...Applebloom broke down and cried again.

“There, there...you should’ve told us...and Twilight.” Sweetie Belle assured her.

“Applejack woulda hoof beat me fer good…”

“Applebloom, I can detect magic fields, and the stuff that comes out of Everfree is not present here. Even if that curse does open up, I’ll squash it! But I want to take Pinkie Pie with us. I’ll heal her up and make her the way she was.”

“Y’...Y’ can do that?”

Sweetie nodded. Then she opened the door to the shack.

+

It was dark in here. No light anywhere. The two fillies cautiously entered. Applebloom hesitated and stayed at the door. She had two choices, stay with Sweetie Belle and risk being afflicted by Pinkie Pie’s curse, or stay at the door and risk being attacked by some Apple pony. She panicked and stayed behind Sweetie Belle.

Sweetie lit up her horn to illuminate the place. It was a tool shack, empty of tools. And there was Pinkie Pie, a scrawny, wretched, flat-haired heap lying sprawled out on the cobblestone floor, chained by her neck to a wooden post. She sobbed, and didn’t move.

Applebloom didn’t go closer to her than two whole trots. Sweetie Belle walked right up to her and examined her. Using her magic, she detected Pinkie’s weak heartbeat, various fractured bones, scars, scrapes, welts, and bruises. The mare’s tail was cut almost to her flank, and most of her flattened mane was cut short. Sweetie detected the serious chemical imbalance, and realized this mare was depressed to the point she could hardly move. She looked at the gashes on her flank where the skin bearing her cutie marks was scraped clean off. Scabs partially formed, but blood still trickled out.

Then Sweetie Belle scanned her for any of that Everfree curse energy Applebloom talked about. There was none. She figured because Pinkie was skinned outside of Everfree and not at this Sunny Town hellhole, the curse couldn’t reach her.

Pinkie finally noticed Sweetie Belle standing over her and she began to cry out.

“Please...no more, no more!”

“I’m not going to harm you,” Sweetie Belle assured her. “It’s me Sweetie Belle...and Applebloom’s over there. I got magic now. I’ll make a shield around this place and nopony will hurt you.”

Sweetie looked closely at the gashes on her flanks. Extremely prone to infection. Deadly infection. “I need to cast a heal spell on your flank. It’s going to sting, but it will stop it from bleeding and keep the real bad germs out.”

Before Pinkie could respond she siezed up and cried out in agony, probably because of the trama of what was done to her.

Sweetie accelerated the healing and sealed up both gashes. Pinkie was left sobbing. “Go away! Just let me die!”

“No.” Sweetie Belle said, “You won’t die. And you won’t live like this either. I’ll burn up all these damn Apples, and I’ll make that bitch Applejack pay for what she did to us.”

“W-wait, what?” Applebloom gasped, “Sw-Sweetie Belle, no! Applejack’s really powerful, an...an...she can call down the favor or wrath of Celestia! An...an her whole family’s an army! An...An...she’s mah sister!”

Sweetie Belle didn’t even bother to reason with the hick filly. She beamed a gentle spell. Applebloom turned to run away but Sweetie got her right in the head, and she quickly fell asleep and hit the ground.

Sweetie levitated Applebloom and placed her next to Pinkie Pie.

“Shhh, go to sleep, Pinkie.”  And the same spell was cast on Pinkie Pie, who passed out as well.

Both slept soundly and peacefully, but it was deep sleep. For their own benefit, Sweetie didn’t risk leaving them to be woken up. She formed an invisible wall around them, and another around the entire shack. As the two slept. the filly sealed the door shut, leaving the two in their slumber and tomb.

+ +

After Sweetie Belle was finished sealing those two in, she looked around. It was mid afternoon. The air was stagnant and there was not even a breeze. She remained emotionless and blank-faced as she gazed around.

Sweet Apple Acres was a beautiful land, even if it was occupied by the worst ponies she ever encountered. But from what she saw, it was an evil place. And evil things must be destroyed. These earth ponies were as despicable as the Pegasi above. Sweetie Belle had a brief flashback: Earth ponies attacking, and pillaging unicorn villages, dragging their unicorn captives out to open fields, chopping their horns off, and leaving them as an offering to the bloodthirsty Pegasi of that era.

It seemed earth ponies and pegasi were in league with each other. Basically, as the filly was taught in school, the earth ponies tilled the land, grew food to feed the Pegasi, and in turn the Pegasi brought good weather. And when earth ponies angered the PEgasi, such as fraternize with unicorns, the Pegasi scorched the land and starved the earth ponies. Yet the Pegasi forced them to farm the land and produce their food.

Sweetie Belle wondered if the Sweet Apples were doing what they did to appease the Pegasi. She shook her head. No matter. And she began walking in a slow, calm, and calculated pace. Sweetie Belle, empowered by the magic of ancient unicorns began shooting off sporadic invisible bolts of magic. Each bolt struck an object, and instantly, or within time, the object would melt or ignite.

Anypony unfortunate to cross paths with Sweetie Belle met a very swift and brutal end.

Game Plan

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An Evening Magical Slaughterfest

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A Rock in the Chaos

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Worst Punishment Ever

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Sweetie Belle LIVES

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How a Bad Story put Ponyville on the hot plate.

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Thank you

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Tough new life

It had been two years since Sweetie Belle’s life changed forever. Before being sent to Sweet Apple Acres, the filly had been living with Rarity at their home, the Carousel Boutique, which doubled as Rarity’s workshop and business. Then, on that fateful day, while Sweetie Belle was at school, the Boutique burned down, and Rarity was taken to the hospital, badly burned and in a coma. Soon afterwards, she was sent to a better hospital in Canterlot.

A few weeks later, when Sweetie Belle asked about Rarity for the umpteenth time, Applejack sternly replied, “Rarity’s dead, sugarcube. She died two weeks back.”

That left Sweetie Belle heartbroken.

The day of the fire, Applejack picked her up at school and took her and Applebloom back to the apple farm, and in the year since, Sweetie Belle learned often the hard way just how different life was with the Apple family than what outsiders perceived them to be. On the outside, everypony saw the Apples as a kind, honest, and hardworking bunch. Guests to their events and weekly markets in town portrayed them as a very joyful bunch. Foals galloped around playing games with one another while the grown up ponies chatted cheerfully to one another.

However, as the Cutie Mark Crusaders discovered, the Apple ponies were very territorial, strict, and abnormally religious and obsessed with apples and apple products. One time, Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and Scootaloo were caught trespassing in one of the apple orchards by a guy named Bushel Packer. He put them to work for the rest of the day for trespassing. As far as the CMC’s or any other foals wandering around Apple turf uninvited were concerned, the Apple family considered them no different than their own foals, and put them to discipline or labor, pending on where they were or what they were doing. Then at the end of the day, the foals were sent back to their parents.

Complaints from parents rose of foals being punished harshly by the Apples, but the Ponyville town council dismissed almost all of them, citing the county family charter, and the Apples’ territorial rights to their land and all who trespassed on it. None of the town council or even the town guard’s judge deemed the discipline hoofed down to trespassers exceeded moral guidelines despite the outrage.

Foals took to making a game of it: race a selected course through Sweet Apple Acres, or pinch some apples without getting caught. Some foals got bold and brazen about it, but the CMC’s heeded Applebloom’s advice, and steered clear of the most reckless games other naughty foals took part in. It was often debated among young and naive foals as to which place was more dangerous: Everfree or Sweet Apple Acres. Over the years, even before the CMC’s were born, stories retold became urban legends as to how the Apple family captured trespassers. The CMC’s themselves heard some horrific stories themselves, all which Applebloom had dismissed easily.

But living with the Apple family was far different than being a mere visitor, customer or even a trespasser. They weren’t as cheerful as Sweetie Belle thought they were. Most of the times, they were apple obsessed workaholics, overly religious, and old fashioned. They disciplined their foals by beating them harshly. Strict orthodox religious codes were observed and enforced at Sweet Apple Acres. Of all things strictly forbidden was the use of magic, hence, unicorns aren't the Apples’ most favored visitors.

Sweetie Belle’s transition was somewhere between quick and gradual. From the day Applejack brought her home, she was put on tough chores, and whenever she gave any sign of displeasure or dread, Applejack always found more ways to work her to the bone. Applejack was very authoritarian, and came down hard on her and Applebloom whenever they got careless and talked back.  One good note was that Sweetie Belle’s school grades went up, since Applejack, Big Mac, and the other ponies threatened to give her a painful ‘hoof beatin’ if she came home with a bad report card.

The labor regimen was gruelling and even after a few months, Sweetie Belle dreaded the hard work, even more so. The day began well before sunrise with the cleaning of manure, feeding the animals, and doing an endless checklist of things that better get done before the two fillies went to school. If they didn’t finish the tasks in time, they got walloped, before and after school.

As Big Mac once explained to her and Applebloom, all the strict adherence to everything was the only key to a good harvest of apples and everything else they produced on the farm. If they slacked off even the slightest, it was feared the whole operation would be derailed and the whole family would be in big trouble, as in their good fortunes in terms of weather would dry up, the apples would wilt and rot prematurely, animals would sicken and die, and their products wouldn’t sell very well. This ill-logic became an ages old obsession, long before their ancestors even settled in Ponyville.

But there were always days when Sweetie Belle and Applebloom failed to behave perfectly, or work hard enough, and they got spanked, smacked, and even fully beat for their failures or misbehavior. Even worse was the punishment they received when they disobeyed any of the grown up ponies.  Sweetie Belle witnessed an equally harsh beating Applebloom received a month after she came to live with them.

After a stressful day of bucking the trees to the point they were too sore to walk, Applebloom said out loud in frustration, “Ah’m sick of these apples, and this whole dang farm!”

Applejack happened to be right around the corner of the barn when she heard that statement. Fully enraged, she pounced on Applebloom and started thrashing her with her hooves. Applebloom was beat to a pulp and in bed for a week. That time Applejack took time out of each day to shout at her and ‘remind her of the values of the family,’

Other times, Applejack was slightly more reserved about giving a beating, and when either of the two acted up, she’d drag them one by one to a private spot and whipped them  them to her heart’s content.

The regime of discipline set Sweetie Belle straight and caused her to live each day in fear; from the minute Applejack woke her and Applebloom up at 35° (4:40) in the morning for early morning chores, to the minute she rested her head on her pillow between 70°(9:20) and 75° (10:00) late at night, completely exhausted almost to the point of tears. Some nights Sweetie Belle was so tuckered out she fell asleep within minutes of Applejack closing their bedroom door, other nights, she was so tired she could hardly fall asleep, and spend the night tossing, turning, thinking and worrying.

Another hard knock of Apple family life was their religion. Extremely conservative and orthodox than one pony could imagine. All Apple family members worshipped Celestia fearfully, and often kept to olden traditions, which essentially commanded that life be work and worship. The religion itself didn’t ban rest and relaxation, but the Apples were very superstitious, fearing if they rested on their laurels and slacked off, Celestia would bring an infinite number of curses and plagues on them and their land.

Every Sunday, the Apples often attended church, either at the one in Ponyville, or they just held their own service on their farm. Each family unit within the huge Apple clan had an elderly member sanctioned by the deranged priests from Nimbuscait to preach to them. But in the case with Applejack’s family, nopony could preach, so they went to another apple farm to attend the Sunday service there.

The church thing was sombre, dull, and boring. While the liberal church in Ponyville erupted in song, the ultra orthodox atmosphere of services the Apple family attended were boring and repressive.

The whole religion was centered around a fear of Celestia, the god queen of Equestria and pretty much their entire known world. Orthodox celestialism was dead in major cities and towns where ponies took on more liberal and favorable views, beliefs, and loyalty. But out in the smaller towns, old habits from centuries past still held on.

The Apple family was huge, and originated well before the Summer Sun Celebration. The entire family tree consisted of thousands of family members, branching out over several places and times in ponyfolk lore. They essentially became their own nation in a virtual sense. some ponies believed them to be a cult, much like the human mini civilisation, the ‘Amish.’ whom lived and worked off the land, and shunned the rest of society. Apple scholars wrote numerous papers explaining to the rest of Equestria their history and ways.

The Apples were like the Amish. They were very orthodox, they only used basic tools and machines to till the land, they shunned magic and electricity (few family units used electricity), and kept themselves distanced from the rest of society. Either Apple clans established small settlements outside of a town, or they established their own town, such as Appleloosa. That and their labor intensive and painfully disciplined, and irrationally superstitious way of life persevered through over a thousand years’ worth of generations. The olden times’ values never wore off.

A sad aspect of the Apple moral fiber related greatly to unicorns. Historical records revealed Apple family members leading their earth pony brethren in persecuting unicorns, carrying out witch hunts, executions, and de-hornings. History, often hidden away, was scarred with the suffering of unicorns at the hooves of fearful and delusionally righteous earth ponies. Persecutions got so bad that unicorns were either driven out of many areas or driven to extinction (via wars, executions, and dehornings.)

After the Summer Sun Celebration, unicorn numbers slowly rose again in earth pony dominated cities and towns. For centuries, many of them remained a persecuted minority. In “rough” towns inhabited by old fashioned, rough-and-tumble ponies and deranged priesthoods, dehorning became the most common method of a ‘non-lethal’ genocide. The human civilisation’s equivalent was circumcision. Proponents of dehorning unicorns argued that removing the horn eliminated any threat of magic, and allowed the use of the unicorn as labor, as opposed to outright killing.

Opponents of dehorning, many of them unicorns, fiercely argued against it, citing very high death rates, and the painful, horrible death suffered by unicorns once their horns were removed.

A unicorn’s horn is essentially a vital organ, much like the heart or lungs. It is the control piece of the unicorn’s magic system, and regulates conversion of chemical energy (food, oxygen), sunlight, and kinetic (exercise) into magic; safe storage of magic saturated substances (or mana); distribution of magic throughout the body; and ultimately, the unicorn’s use of its’ own magic. another interesting feature is the nerve connection between the horn and the brain, enabling the unicorns to cast complex spells, as well as simple tasks such as levitating and moving objects.

When the horn is snapped off, the entire magic system is destabilized by electrical signals throughout the nervous system (as in the case of a headless chicken running and flapping its’ wings), which cause explosive activity of the magic in the body. Within minutes or hours, the unicorn becomes sick as it is poisoned by the toxic mana and radiation, triggering a series of complex ailments, which kill the unicorn within days of the dehorning.

The removed horn itself becomes a bomb and eventually detonates, releasing energy as harmful radiation.

To combat unicorn deaths, dehorners often carried out the procedure when the unicorn was a filly, long before the development of the magic system. However, even then, dehorned unicorns suffered a lifetime of migraines, and other related illnesses.

The once-prevalent practice of dehorning was fuelled mostly by superstition, still strong in remote pocket regions throughout Equestria.

In the late 9th century, the settlement that became present-day Ponyville had a brief history of dehornings, mostly carried out by earth ponies on foals whom ventured onto their property. It was common for unicorn foals to be caught by mobs of angry earth ponies, violently dehorned, and sent staggering home to their parents. The uproar caused by unicorn residents and other earth ponies and pegasi opposed to such mutilation and the social attitudes that fostered the practice resulted in the establishment of a law that banned dehorning and imposed the death penalty on those arrested for carrying out the practice. During that time, a doctor set up a clinic and offered a ‘safer’ way for the practice to be done to unicorn foals, often paid for by ultra-conservative earth ponies who snatched the foals off the streets and brought them to the clinics. After the procedure, the filly was sent home.

To show that they meant business, the town council ordered the arrest and execution of the doctor and his staff. They were burned at the stake.

When Ponyville was formally established decades later in Year 903, and the county formally established in 914, it was written in both town and county charters that dehorning be strictly outlawed. The laws were endorsed by Canterlot. The ultra conservative earth ponies, disgruntled with the outcome, packed up and relocated to the more conservative Nimbuscait region, where dehornings, along with other brutal archaic practices are still in use.

However, despite the law, enforcement is another matter. The Apple family was so well respected (mainly in part for their assistance in founding Ponyville), town guards never ventured out to Sweet Apple Acres in 140 years since it was built. The Apples were left to enforce their own laws as they saw fit. And incidents in which unicorns were dehorned did happen.

of all terrible things Sweetie Belle experienced living with the Apple family, the worst was when Applejack tried to have her dehorned. It came up during late autumn when Applejack was speaking to a visiting relative named Applegem, the meaner family equivalent of Rarity.. From the moment Sweetie Belle met her, she did not like Applegem one bit. she was of the creepy ‘regal’ type from Nimbuscait. She scorned Sweetie Belle the minute they met and said, “Applejack dear, what in Equestria is this unicorn doing on your farm?”

An hour later, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom were in the house when Sweetie’s name came up in the conversation.

“...we adopted her. Her mother was killed in a fire early this year. She knows full well that magic is strictly forbidden on this here farm,” Applejack explained.

“That simply won’t do, my dear. A unicorn’s a unicorn. If you intend to keep her, I highly recommend she be dehorned at once.”

“B-but there’s no place in this here whole county or even the next counties over where somepony’ll do that fer’ us,” AJ replied.

“Well then.” Applegem sipped her tea. “I think a trip to your relatives in Nimbuscait is in order. Afterall, we miss the lot of you and only I was able to travel down here to visit you.”

“That’s a great idea. Up there, we could take her in and have her dehorned,” Applejack replied.

Sweetie Belle listened from the kitchen where she and Applebloom were washing dishes, and she was filled with fear. She was always afraid of Applegem.

A few days after Applegem left, Applejack brought the idea of going to Nimbuscait.

“I haven’t seen our folks out there in so many moons,” Granny Smith lamented, reminiscing of old but good times.

“Eeyup,” Big Mac grunted.

“Then how ‘bout we leave first thing Lunday morning?” Applejack suggested, looking at Grannysmith.

“That’s dandy with me-”

“I don’t want my horn chopped off!” Sweetie Belle suddenly shouted.

“What? You shut yer’ dang muzzle, you little brat!” Applejack snapped, pounding the table with a hoof. “It’ll be good fer’ you, Apple Belle. You won’t be casting any o’ that infernal magic, and you won’t be cursing us and Sweet Apple acres. It’ll make you an honest hard workin’ pony like the rest of us! An’ don’t you dare gimme any guff about it, or Ah’ll-”

“Applejack, simmer yer saddle,” Granny Smith barked. “And you, Apple Belle, eat yer supper.”

“But Granny Smith, she’s gonna curse us all soon,” Applejack protested.

“Applejack, that is a load of hooey and you know it. Since when have we been ‘cursed’ by them unicorns?”

“Well...maybe not curse, but if they contaminate us with their magic, Princess Celestia jus’ might burn up Sweet Apple Acres and kill us all.”

Granny Smith cast a contorted angry look at the fillies. “You two, beat it!”

Both Applebloom and Sweetie Belle quickly and quietly retreated from the dining room. When they were gone, Granny Smith gave Applejack a serious look. “Is that what this whole Nimbuscait trip is about? Dehorning Sweetie Belle? Ah can’t believe you let Applegem get to you so easily. You ought to be smarter than that. Ah should’ve stayed at home when she was visiting.”

“Granny Smith, it ain’t hooey, it’s tradition. Unicorns and their magic have always been a threat to the Apples-”

“Applejack, that’s enough outta you. That’s only because they were gettin’ back at those who hurt ‘em! This whole war on the unicorns was started by the earth ponies long ago, an’ I won’t have any of it seep into Sweet Apple Acres, ya hear?”

“But the apples? What if-” Applejack tried to protest.

“Applejack Sweet Apple,” Granny Smith snapped, “Gimme one time a unicorn was on this here farm who actually caused a problem! What about that time Big Mac injured himself and you had to ask yer’ unicorn friends for help? Was any o’ them apples Twilight levitated outta them trees poisoned or make any ponies sick?”

“Well, uh, no, Granny Smith-”

“And what about all them times you had to run off and do things with your unicorn friends? Did they ever hurt you?” Granny smith challenged.

“Well, no...but King Sombra-”

“He was taken down by unicorns!” Granny Smith snapped. She didn’t have to refer to Twilight Sparkle or Princess Cadence, or even that battle at the Crystal Empire.

“Think about it AJ,” Smith continued, “If them unicorns and us earth ponies really were unfit to live together, y’think Princess Celestia would’ve put us all together?”

“Well, no,” Applejack conceded, her ears lowering.

“Exactly. Ah’ve seen plenty of dehornings in mah lifetime ever since I was a filly, AJ, and it sure as hell ain’t pretty. Them unicorns that got dehorned were sick and suffering beyond yer comprehension, and they were even more useless than earth ponies after gettin’ dehorned because they were so ill.

“We came to this here land because we wanted nothing to do with them deranged superstitious lunatics or their twisted religion, always thinkin’ Celestia would breathe down death and destruction fer Nightmare Moon knows what. We settled in Ponyville to get away from them freaks. Them ponies who founded Sweet Apple Acres vowed they and the rest of us to live and work in this county would not take up the twisted sick ways of them religious nutters. And ever since Ponyville was founded, the unicorns who came to live in our town hardly ever gave us a problem. They were no more trouble than the pegasi, or you an’ me.”

Applejack just listened, torn between the fear of hell re-instilled in her by Applegem, and the value and truthfulness of what Granny Smith was telling her.

“But...but...what about Trixie?” AJ protested.

“What about her? She was no more envious and jealous of any other pony. Had you gotten the alicorn amulet, you would have been behaving jus’ like her. And Twilight, your unicorn friend, used her magic to deal with that ursa minor and she put them two punk foals who brought it here in their place.

Granny Smith continued to lecture and dress down Applejack, then she said,

“We’ll go pay our relatives a visit, AJ, but mark mah words, I will be keeping a sharp eye on you and Sweetie Belle.”

Near-Fatal Inaction, Derailed Action, and a Shocking Elements Revelation

The bells of the Ponyville clock tower rang, sending a melodic echo through the wind across town. Twelve ‘dings’ indicated the time was 120° in the late afternoon, and the Sun was just over 10° away from setting. The pre-sunset haze around town bathed it in a golden-glow like effect. It had been a hot day, and most ponies were closing up shop for the night. The few restaurants and town remained open, and the tavern was just being opened now. Stringent laws on alcohol consumption dictated the tavern only be open from the evening until ten degrees before midnight.

The chiming of the clock bells echoed through the open window and roused Twilight Sparkle from her sleep. She barely moved and proceeded to roll over when she sat bolt upright, completely shocked at herself for sleeping during the day. Of all things!

The nap left her groggy and clouded, then the fresh and painful memories of just a few hours ago. The sting came back, and reminded her of the bruise on her left cheek, and the emotional pain she incurred when Applejack bashed her in the face earlier today, before forcing her to flee Sweet Apple Acres. In her panic, she teleported back here.

Teleporting wasn’t easy nor simple. Any unicorn capable of teleporting was wise to be wary of involuntarily teleporting, which was brought on by imminent threats, panic attacks, or extreme stress. Any of these and related kickers tripped the nerves in her brain that caused a teleport to a perceived safer location.

A fraction of a second later, following a bright pinkish flash and a painful magical shock, Twilight was back home, and still going at gallop speed, slammed right into a table, on which sat a delicate chemistry apparatus for one of her projects (some healing concoction). Everything hit the floor and spilled everywhere.

Twilight broke down into tears, and galloped up to her room, jumped into bed, and buried herself under the blankets and wept. Applejack’s assault was the last thing she needed after many months of intense stress, what with Mane Six business, special training, and work out of town.

Now she sat on the edge of her bed, gazing out the window at the leaf-cloaked branches. They, and everything else outside was bathed in the golden sunlight. She looked in a mirror across the room and saw the welt under her left eye. It was an ugly blackish lump.

She got up, went down to her lab in the basement (and had to step over the mess of books, papers, instruments, and all else) and recorded her own memories onto some fresh crystals. Then she tossed them into her side bag, and left for the guard house.

+

"Geez, Twilight, I expected there was something wrong with Applejack, but I sure as hay didn't see this one coming," Townguard chief Acorn Tibbs grunted, staring at the white wall, on which was broadcast the crystal memory video of the lavender unicorn's confrontation with Applejack.

When she arrived at the guard house, she sought out the chief, and showed him the rocks.*

"Tell me about it," Twilight muttered bitterly, putting a hoof to her bruised cheek. Seeing the recording of Applejack hitting her and threatening her hurt no less than when it happened.

On screen the Apple ponies surrounded her, and Big Mac escorted her out.

"She's completely lost it, Chief. I think something has to be done, and soon."

"Go ahead, what do you have in mind?"

"We should call in some vigilante unicorns, like the Quartz. They have higher authority than the town guard, or council or anything at the county or region. They'll deal with Applejack and her family."

Chief Tibbs spat out his coffee (narrowly missing Twilight) and stared at her with wide eyes. He never expected such a rash, irrational, and reckless suggestion from a pony as smart as her. He knew vigilante unicorns like this 'Quartz' group were to be feared by all ponies, especially unicorns and their enemies. The Quarts, hailing from the magic hotspot deep within the remote mountains of Roundbottom, were one of hundreds of organisations, from a small club of five unicorns to entire legions numbering in the thousands. The function of these organisations was to maintain an absolute peace between unicorns and the rest of ponykind; if any sort of hostility broke out, it was their job to crush it and take out all belligerents. They were also tasked with enforcing law, order, and peace within the unicorn population. Equestrian law dictated that as a powerful police force, anyone of these organisations could override the authority of any town guard. Hence Twilight suggested calling them in.

However, things were not that simple, or societies like Nimbuscait wouldn't even exist. Higher law prevented unicorn vigilantes or any unicorn militia from taking on all hostile groups, and potentially causing another full blown race war. They were held back at the expense of a few unicorns who suffered and died at the hooves of earth ponies, and the wings of the Pegasi*.

However, Twilight Sparkle, who knew all about these vigilantes from having worked for them on and off for years, figured Ponyville was free range for the vigilante group operating in their Roundbottom town of Quartzgleam, or any other vigilante unicorn group to come in and deal with the Apple family.

The only concern was how calling them in would effect the local earth ponies and pegasi, who have nothing to do with the Apples.

Then the chance of a backlash in Ponyville or somewhere else loomed over the matter, especially since Twilight wanted them to come down here and deal with the Apple family ponies.

These concerns always weighed heavy in the decisions made by unicorn higher ups and the bureaucracy, and factored in how involved the unicorn vigilantes (in this case, the 'Quartz' as the Quartzgleam vigilantes called themselves) would be involved or even send help at all. Almost all legally licensed groups had somepony posted in Canterlot to consult the law or higher authorities. And it was the higher ups who they asked for permission to engage hostiles, and who either granted, or denied permission. That higher authority was called the 'Unicorn Justice Initiative' or 'Unicorn Justice Bureau' and was a part of Celestia's government's Ministry of Magic (or MOM for short).

But beyond the MoM, or Canterlot, unicorns in all weren't the biggest power in Equestria. And in the overall population of ponykind, unicorns are not the majority. Thousands of years ago, maybe before earth ponies and pegasi nearly drove them to extinction. Unicorns have made a comeback since, but only in select regions of the country.

Chief Tibbs thought this through when he realized Twilight's suggestion wasn't some half-assed joke.

"You actually thought about it. Let me get this right, Twilight. You want me to call in these Quartz unicorns and have 'em zap- smack those Apples around, put them in their place, take 'em outta here, and what not, am I right?"

"That's pretty much it, sir. I tried to reason with Applejack, but she won't-"

"Do you realize the hostility and the gravity of such a thing? I'm an earth pony here. I've met these Quartz freaks. In the 25 years I served in any town guard from here up to Arod County, I've gone on expeditions and investigations, even covert espionage operations deep into their turf, so far beyond the Breadbasket-Roundbottom border that it took us weeks to get there, and weeks to get back! Hell, I even went into Quartzgleam itself. That city's entire population, I think, it was 9500 ponies back in 977, all of them unicorns. And you think the Apples are racist? These unicorns hate anypony that can't cast magic. Sure they maybe lied to you so you'd think they'd be all for peace and shit, but I had to plan every single hoof step I made, every word I said, every jolt, twitch, and movement of my body to avoid getting fried by the Quartzgleam city guard.

"We actually went to meet the Quartz to discuss security in the part of Roundbottom, a 10 day-trot wide stretch along the river from Everfree to the Nimbuscait Lakes. Lot of fugitives camping out there. The deal, I think was our job was to get crook ponies from our territory out of their turf. That's the only reason the Quartz agreed to work with us and not blast us to kingdom come. And believe me, Twi, those unicorns are always spoiling for a fight. Word gets to them even about Sweetie Belle alone and they will flip their shit and shit right out of their horns!

"Those unicorns will occupy this whole town like an invader, and scrutinize the hell out of everypony within a whole day-trot, and do what they think it takes to stamp out or fry out any anti-unicorn sentiment. They just won't go after these Apples, well most of them will, but their own thought guards will come down and force everypony to submit to a memory crystal test, and take away those who don't think highly of unicorns. You can't stamp out anti-unicorn sentiment-"

"Chief, I'm not trying to get everypony to worship us-"

"No, but they will. And when its all over and finished with, everypony in town will hate your guts, along with the local unicorns, who really don't need to put up with the hate. This is not just about the Apple problem, Twilight. Any matter involving vigilante unicorns of any order, is highly political, and the social inflammation their 'visit' will cause will take moons or years to cool down. We do not want that kind of a high voltage buckfest here. I hate to break it to you Twi, but the answer is no."

"B-but Chief, I could give them, or some other group of unicorns a full detailed report about who is-"

"But nothing, Twilight! If this Apple problem really gets out of hoof, we'll launch a giant flare and the Royal Guard armies will be swarming in. No exceptions. And I'd say the same to any earth pony or pegasus radicals."

Twilight sat, staring down at the Chief's desk in frustration. She forgot about the Quartz's ruthless policy of scrutinizing ponies and suppressing opposition. So now Applejack and her family had free range over anypony even close to their farm. And if all those Apples joined the town guard, they'd have the same free range over Ponyville. And Applejack would have no problem stamping out opposition, especially from the local unicorns. She could picture it now, Applejack, the fearsome dictator of Ponyvi-

"Twilight." Chief Tibbs barked, snapping her out of her paranoid train of thought.

"This just occured to me now, I can't believe I didn't think of it before, but you're Princess Celestia's student, right?"

"Uhh, yes I am, Chief."

"And Celestia was the one who sent you to live and work among us, right?"

"yeah, she did. She wanted me to make friend-"

"And you are the Element of Magic, are you not?"

Twilight nodded, wondering why Chief Tibbs looked pissed off.

"Okay, so you have been here, what four years now. Celestia assigned you to your post in our town, she appointed you the Element of Magic, and you have been her student your whole life, hell, she's been your mother."

Twilight gulped. Why was he bringing her life story up now?  And she didn't deny his statement about Celestia being her mum. It's true. Princess Celestia is the supreme god-queen, creator of Equestria, and the primary ascendant of all of ponykind.

She just nodded.

"So," the chief continued, "How about you write up a letter to Celestia and ask for her assistance."

Twilight Sparkle's blood turned to ice and her heart skipped a beat. The idea of running to Her with her problems...it was unthinkable!

"You mean...ask...Celestia...for...help?" She felt herself shiver slightly. She couldn't possibly imagine how pissed off Celestia would be with her, or what she would do to punish her student.

"Damn right," Chief Tibbs said strongly, looking her dead in the eyes.

Twilight felt a panic attack kicking in.

"B-but Chief, she'll be furious wit me! She'll-"

"But nothing, Twilight! Look at the situation! These Apples have us in check, already! There's more than a hundred of them, and more are expected to show up. Hell, look at you, it is a serious matter if Applejack had to bash you upside the head and chase you out of Sweet Apple Acres. We as a town guard can't do anything legally; at this rate, a countywide guard assembly of all the towns' guards would be costly, time consuming, and inefficient; and calling in your horde of unicorn vigilantes might just as well turn this town into a battlefield, and who loses? We all will, more so than the Apples or the unicorn justice league or whatever the hell you call it!

"Princess Celestia is sworn to protect ponykind against its internal enemies, and forces that can and will wedge us apart. She can teleport and fly down here in mere minutes, and instantly diffuse the situation, send those Apples back to where they came from, and put Applejack in her place and set her straight! It would only take five minutes, a degree at the most, once she gets here! Call Celestia in, problem solved, case closed."

"She'll then punish me," Twilight said, with a slight fearful look in her eyes.

"Are you bucking shitting me? You're shitting me, right, Twilight?" the chief ranted, "How, or why the hell would Celestia punish you for requesting her divine intervention into a problem, no, not a problem, a crisis that might just spin out of control, and sure as hay will take more than one single unicorn to fix? You almost got killed out there today!

“I'd have banned you from going anywhere near Sweet Apple Acres if I knew those ponies were that dangerous! You gotta be out of your mind to even think Celestia expects you to 1- talk Applejack out of all her paranoia and hatred, 2- get all her relatives to like unicorns and embrace tri-race peace, and 3- get them to pack up and go home! Applejack's way beyond her wrongful fear of Celestia. I can't believe you're scared of her, too!

"You, of all ponies, have a thousand times less reason to fear Her than me or anypony else. And what the hell you think she'll do to you for asking her help?"

Twilight gulped. Her imagination ran wild with ideas of what to expect when she failed the smallest thing in her life.

"She'll banish me from my studies, she'll strip me of my magic, she'll probably send me to the moon for life!"

After his rant, the chief just stared at her in disbelief. "You know, you could show a little willingness or courage for self sacrifice. Nopony who made changes to our world did so without the fear of some kind of retribution. But in this case, I seriously doubt you need to worry about Celestia throwing you at the moon over this. You want my take, she'll be more pissed off at you for not acting and asking for help. You have more of a rapport with the Princess than anypony within a hundred day trots of you."

Twilight sighed. He was right but she was still terrified of angering Celestia.

Then Chief Tibbs leaned in close and stared her down hard.

"Idle chatting aside, Twilight, I want you to write that letter and mail it, along with those memory rocks. This is not a recommendation, it is not a polite suggestion, it's an order!"

As Chief Tibbs barked at Twilight, nopony was aware that one of the officers, Apple Bread, a new officer with only two years’ experience, and who just happened to walk by, stopped for a minute and listened in on their conversation. And nopony else knew that he had strict orders to follow, not issued by any higher-up in the town guard. He gulped as he knew it was time to act, because if he let down his other superior, the consequences he’d be likely to face were sure as hell nothing good.

+ +

After a grueling evening of shoveling dirt, the Apples let Scootaloo stop after sunset, and she was brought back to the house and tossed into a tub full of soapy water with Applebloom. Some of the mares from the Applehill family volunteered to ‘give a washin’’ to all the foals as most of them came back filthy from their chores.

Scootaloo was too exhausted to protest when they scrubbed her down with a hard scrub brush, and was told to shut up when they ran the bush over her sore wings.

“Hold still,” barked the mare who had her pinned by the shoulders, and mane, and vigorously rubbed her face with the cloth. She coughed, sputtered and sneezed a few times. Her nose and throat became caked with dust from all that dirt.The lot of the foals, nearly all of them from far and wide were taken to the pump house where the wash basins were set up. They were all quiet, and obedient to the adult ponies. The whole pump house and water tower were lit by a bright electrical lamp, powered by batteries that had been charged with a manual charger with a spin handle.

Applejack was still running back and forth talking to ponies, and coordinating the setup of camps, sites for future houses, and work projects.

Scootaloo gasped as another bucket of icy water was thrown on her to get the soap out of her mane. No matter how hot it was out, the water from the river was ice cold.

“Awright, you three, git out,” the mare barked at her, Applebloom and one other. As told, they went over to the grill, where the waste water was dumped. There smaller bins provided water, next to them, large blocks with built in brushes, where the ponies cleaned their hooves.

After their hooves were cleaned and approved by the mares, Applebloom led Scootaloo past the fence that marked a ‘clean hoof zone’ that surrounded the house. Some of the trees had already been chopped down and plots of land marked off for future house building.

Supper consisted of bean stew and pea soup combined. Before the foals were allowed to eat, they were forced to say grace, a pre-meal prayer lead by Lightseed Apple Saint, a super religious mare who would not shut up once she got started with the preaching. After a five minute preach from her, Applebloom, Scootaloo, and the other foals were allowed to start eating. Since there were so many ponies here now (and still more were on their way), Applejack had a bunch of picnic tables brought here and lined up. Hanging battery lamps lit up the picnic area.

“Eat up, y’all. Yer’ gonna need it fer tomorrow,” Applejack said as she walked past them. “Hey, Heal, has Apple Belle got her soup yet?”

“I’m sorry, Applejack, but it’s too rich for her, she can hardly chew as it is, I have given her some more hay broth and milk.”

“Awright, well, these foals can finish up her soup then.”

Scootaloo paused between bites when she heard that. She knew Sweetie Belle had been out of commission and wasn’t at school the last two days. Of course, when asked about Sweetie Belle, Applejack gave them the Big Stomp Appleyard story, and made the fictitious stallion out to be a monster. Of course, Applebloom told Scootaloo the truth.

The other foals talked quietly amongst themselves. The hard work had been the regimen of their lives, and their livelihood. Thanks to their upbringing, they actually liked the work, unlike Scootaloo who was so exhausted she had to resist the urge to put her head down and fall asleep. She dragged the spoon through the soup. It looked like green muck with hay strands everywhere. She likened it to goose manure. Even though she was hungry when she got back to the house, she now lost her appetite. She slowly pushed the bowl aside and proceeded to put her head down on her arms and-

“Scoots!” Applebloom hissed urgently, “Don’t do that, they see you, they’ll lash you real good with the whipping stick. Y’gatta eat yer soup- all o’ it. Wastin’ food’s not allowed here.”

Scootaloo groaned as she lifted her head and pulled the bowl closer, and forced down another spoonful. Accross the table, the other foals wolfed down their meals, and anxiously waited for more.

“Y’all need more?” a stallion grunted as he walked by with the soup bucket.

“Yes, please, Uncle Apple Jeb.”

Apple Jeb generously poured the soup into their bowls.

“I want to go home,” Scootaloo muttered under her breath. She took care to say it quietly enough so only Applebloom would hear her. If Applejack heard her complain, she’d probably spank her hard. After witnessing the confrontation with Twilight Sparkle earlier today, Scootaloo sure as hell had no inclination to test Applejack’s patients.

She slowly ate her soup, got up and Applebloom showed her the wash basin for the dishes. Each pony washed his or her bowl, spoon, and hoof claw* then placed them on the drying rack.

“You two,” Apple Dumpling addressed them, “If you’re finished up here, go inside and read to Apple Belle. The book is on the table beside her bed.”

+

Scootaloo gasped with fright the second she laid eyes on Sweetie Belle and looked on in shock and fear. She knew Sweetie Belle was beat bad, but still had no idea of how Applejack beat her beyond recognition.

“Is she dead?” Scootaloo’s impulsive response.

“Naw, she’s just busted up real bad. Uncle Doc and Auntie Heal said she’ll take a whole moon to get better and look normal again.”

Scootaloo was still terrified, almost too afraid to look at Sweetie Belle. Her face was lumped up, and swollen black, purple and blue all over. The bruises showed up even through her white fur. Her eyes were still swollen shut, and she struggled to breathe. She couldn’t even speak, and only pained moans came out of her. She hardly moved.

“She deserved it.”

Scootaloo let out a frightened gasp as jumped, and spun around when she heard Applejack’s voice. Applejack stepped into the bedroom and looked down at Sweetie Belle with an uncompassionate stern look. Scootaloo was trembling as Applejack looked down at Sweetie Belle, then at them. There was a two way look of understanding.

“Y’ liss’en to me real good, Scootaloo. This brat got what she deserved. An’ she deserved it cuz she dared to practice magic on mah farm. She went behind mah flank and went to that hocus pocus magic club at yer school. Ah got rules against any an’ all magic here at Sweet Apple Acres. If Ah catch any filly doin magic or keepin’ magic paraphernalia, they’s gonna get hoof beat real good and wind up just like Apple Belle. Ah’ll do whatever it takes to drive that lesson home. Y’hear me?”

Scootaloo nodded. “...yes...Auntie Applejack...”

“Good. As y’ can see, we keep hard discipline on this here farm. Ah won’t tolerate any o’ you slacking off or breaking them rules. Applebloom here knows damn well what Ah’m talkin’ about. If Ah or anypony sees you slackin’ off on yer work, it’ll be a spankin at least, understand?”

Scootaloo nodded again.

“Good,” Applejack said, “Then Ah won’t see you workin any less hard than today, got it?”

“Yes, Auntie Applejack.”

“Good girl. Now you two read her her story.”

“Applejack,” Apple Tarty spoke from the door.

“Yeah, what is it, sugarcube?”

“Shouldn’t Scootaloo be home now? Her parents must be worried about her. It’s already past 152º.”

Applejack took a look at Scootaloo, then turned back to Tarty. “Awright, Ah’ll have somepony take her home. Scoots! Come on downstairs. Applebloom, get readin’!”

Outside the door of the house, Scootaloo waited for somepony to take her home. She wanted to go home herself but Applejack forbade it and ordered some ponies to watch her and make sure she stayed put.

Applejack came up to her after conversing with some other ponies. “Awright, Scootapple, what time does yer flyin’ class usually start?”

“Um, early in the morning, around 90º or 100º in the morning.

“Heh," Applejack quipped, "That's awfully lazy fer somepony like Rainbow Dash. Well guess what, sugarcube, as you can see here, we Apples start alot earlier than that, before sunrise. These summer days of good light and good weather are not to be wasted by sleepin’ in. Day time is work time. Ah want you back here, bright an early, no later than 40º tomorrow morning, am Ah clear?”

Scootaloo gulped, “But Auntie Applejack, my parents-”

“But nuttin’ what yer’ parents got to say about it, Scoots! Ah expect you to be here bright an’ early, ready to work. Rainbow Dash expects you to be here bright n’ early, ready to work, got it?”

“But-”

“Hush yer mouth!” Applejack barked, “One more word, and you’ll be sleepin’ in the barn fer' the night with them other foals! Ah’ll send somepony to come an’ fetch you, so you got no excuse! Now get goin, Auntie Applegem and Auntie Tarty are waitin’ for ya!”

+ +

Of course, Scootaloo had the honor of being escorted by the stern cold mare from Nimbuscait, Applegem, and Apple Tarty. Scootaloo hated Applegem. She always cast that cold glare of disapproval and racial prejudice.

Luckily for her, Applegem talked to Tarty most of the time until they got to her house. The night sky darkened, pushing the last aqua haze from the sunset beyond the horizon. Ponyville was dark and silent, the streets only lit up by the bioluminescent plant lamps.

Applegem knocked on the door of the house. The lights were on, and the door opened. Her adopted father, Snapper Loo, greeted her and the two Apple mares. “There you are, Scootaloo! where have you been? Have you any idea how late it is? You’re to be home at sunset, young filly.”

“Sorry, Dad, I-”

“Please, Mr. Loo,” Applegem cut in, “don’t be so harsh on her. She was working with us at Sweet Apple Acres. She had just finished her work for today.”

“Eh?” Snapper grunted, “You were supposed to be at flight class. How did she end up at the Acres?”

Scootaloo felt scared of getting trouble from her dad. “I-”

“Applejack said Rainbow Dash sent her to us,” Applegem cut in, “She was so frustrated and angry with this filly’s lack of effort and practice, she felt she needed some hard work to set her right.”

“So you didn’t try and sneak around on the Acres?” Snapper grunted, looking at Scootaloo.

“No, Dad, Rainbow Dash really did-”

“Well, I wasn’t told anything about this!” Snapper Loo grunted angrily, towards Applegem and Tarty. “Scootaloo, get inside, now. Wash yourself up, and get into bed.” He stood aside and Scootaloo, feeling like a naughty foal in trouble, sauntered inside with her head down. She was too exhausted physically and mentally to protest her innocence.

“And you two,” Snapper turned to the mares, “What gives Applejack and the rest of you the right to force my filly to work? How long did she work for and what did she do?”

“Well, Applejack set her to work digging out the pit for a pool by the river. I think it was about 40º this afternoon when she arrived-”

“So you’re telling me you had her work for over a hundred degrees straight? No breaks, just straight work?”

“Well,” Apple Tarty spoke, “Applejack is the authority at the Acres, she calls the shots on who works what for how long, and I saw Scootaloo shoveling non stop. I brought her water and some snacks every now and then-”

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that’s folly exploitation! Has she even eaten supper?”

“Why yes of course, we’re not about to send a hard working filly home on an empty stomach, that’s absurd,” Applegem quipped.

“Good.”

“Snapper,” his wife, Lassy Loo, called from inside, “Who’s at the door?”

“Just two of Applejack’s relatives. Is Scoots in bed?”

“Yes, she climbed right in and seemed to fall fast asleep the minute I kissed her goodnight. Almost didn’t even make into bed.”

Snapper turned to the Apples. “You in the dress and bonnet. Who are you anyway?” he demanded.

“Why, my name is Applegem. I’ve just moved to Sweet Apple Acres recently.”

“Where are you from?”

“I’m from Nimbuscait, up north. Applejack invited me to live with her and help run the affairs on her farm. Speaking of which, Applejack expects Scootaloo to be back at 40º, right before dawn, and she said she’ll send somepony to fetch her.”

“Right. Well You and Applejack can forget it. I’m Scootaloo’s dad here, I own her. She’ll go where and when I say she does, and I say she is not going to Sweet Apple Acres at the crack of dawn,” Snapper said with disdain. Even he didn’t like her stern demeanor.

“You can tell Applejack to forget about expecting her, and that I will be having a word with her and Rainbow Dash about this. Making arrangements behind my back to send my filly to do hard labor for having a bad day in her flight class is not something I will tolerate! Miss...Applegem, I’ll have you know that here in Ponyville, we as parents have the last say in what goes on with our foals. Got that? I’m very angry with Applejack and the lot of you.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Applegem said, acting more offended than sympathetic, “Applejack will be quite disappointed. I thought you ponyfolk were more supportive of one another.”

“Not when it comes to the kind of work Applejack demands from our kids. I’m now finished talking to you. Good night.” And with that, Snapper Loo angrily slammed the door on the two of them.

“Blasted nerve of those Apples...” he muttered furiously to himself.

+ +

Twilight Sparkle sat slouched over the table in the lounge at the guard house. It took a lot out of her just to write and mail the letter. She had to take the package to the mail box at the train station, so it would end up on the night train passing through. She had also written a second letter to Rarity, with an urgent request she come back to Ponyville at once, and file a ‘custody complaint’ with the town council’s ‘County Family Relations’ department, the authority responsible for overseeing issues in which ponies overstepped their bounds with foals that didn’t belong to them.

The unicorn, still exhausted and weary just groaned. She was feeling depressed, and just stared at the mist rising from the cup of hot coffee in front of her. A few other town guard officers sat around the room, reading newspapers or playing cards. Usually, it was a slow night, where nothing happened.

She was ashamed she couldn’t solve the Apple problem, and more so for asking Celestia for help. She was afraid of retribution she’d get for being a coward, and not working through the problem like she always did.

Chief Tibbs came to join her at the table. “So, Twilight, you mailed that letter?”

“Yes, Chief, it’s in the post box at the station. Should be on tonight’s train to Canterlot.”

“Good,” Chief Tibbs said, “Out of curiosity, aren’t you supposed to have some kind of special spell where you could just transmit everything telepathically to the Princess?”

Twilight cringed at her own ignorance. After months of intense work and stress, so many things began to slip her mind. That and her fear had caused potentially costly delays in reaching the Princess. Then again, she had pestered Celestia so much, Celestia told her to send anything in writing. Right now, she couldn’t remember if Celestia even took the telepathy spell out of her brain.

“Well, she’ll know soon enough, but if you remember that spell, please get on it,” Tibbs told her. He grabbed the Canterlot Times newspaper sitting on the table and opened it. The clock ticked, and they didn’t speak for a few minutes.

“Hey, Twilight, did you read today’s paper at all?”

“No, Chief.”

“Well, get a load of this. The present Mane Six group, a.k.a. you and your friends, got a really bad review from some hot shot pony at the Royal Equestrian Magic Academy. Says here that ‘ponies who hold the Elements of Harmony are a thousand times more prone to corruption. Because of this, each Mane Six team has a short shelf life, no longer than six years. The longest anypony’s held an Element before being corrupted by it is ten years, six moons, and 3 days. Most of the time when the Mane Six ponies reach their limit, they are relieved of their element, and if not, they succumb to corruption, which without intervention, which eventually destroys their minds and hearts, leaving mentally scarred or even broken ponies.

“‘Corruption is inevitable,’” Chief Tibbs read, ‘“no matter how resilient the holding pony is, its Element will eventually destroy and consume it. Most Mane Six members give to corrupted behavior that is mainly opposite to the Element, and are quickly stripped of their Elements pending if their actions cause enough trouble. Otherwise, by the time a holder is corrupted, it may be too late to prevent irreversible damage.’”

“What kind of damage?” Twilight asked, intrigued.

“Let’s see here...I read this earlier today, should be in here somewhere...ah here it is, ‘The kind of corruption to plague an Element holder triggers behavior and actions opposite to the Element’s qualities....The Element of Honesty has been known to corrupt even the most pure and honest of mares and stallions, turning most casualties into scheming liars and tricksters. The Element of Honesty has also been known to seed its’ holders with a lust for power in any form, hence supplying the motive for them to become skilled deceivers of truth and reality. Eventually, the poor pony will deceive itself and lose touch with reality. At this point, any intervention that could disrupt the holder’s power or delusions has been met with a hostile response.’ Twilight, how relevant do you think this is concerning Applejack?”

“I...I didn’t know that the Elements of Harmony could do this...Celestia never said anything about this. Who wrote that article?”

“Hmm...an ‘Emerald Sparkwire,’ some magic scholar at the Magic Academy. Sparkwire’s even been on several advisory committees, and has even consulted with Princess Celestia herself. She also is known to predict early on when the Mane Six  are about to expire, and from what I’m reading here, she’s not sugarcoating her review of any of you mares. Read this, she has actually been by Sweet Apple Acres herself, or has had ponies spy on them for her. Turns out her ponies were in town a few times keeping tabs on you six. In here, she’s giving Applejack a real bad review. I think we both know her story so I’ll skip it.”

“Really?” Twilight asked in disbelief, “and nopony even knew?”

“Emerald Sparkwire’s crew never asked us about it. Turns out she has spied on all the Mane Six ponies during the last twenty years. Get this, according to her, you don’t look so good yourself,” Chief Tibbs said before he started reading,

“‘Twilight Sparkle, the holder of the Element of Magic, and the defacto leader of the present Mane Six, is an upstanding student of magic, and a personal pupil of Princess Celestia herself, but given my recent observations, Miss Sparkle is soon to fall victim to her Element’s corruption, which I fear has already began to exploit her weakness, mainly an obsession of her work, and her obsessive compulsion to please everypony around her. The Element of Magic is known to afflict its holders with great fear, anxiety, and paranoia, and to kill their motivation, to even carry out basic tasks. This is triggered by moments of failure and the related guilt and shame, and can result in a depression so severe that its previous holders have been institutionalized, only a fraction of those ponies have been relieved of this Element soon enough to allow for full rehabilitation. Miss Sparkle has also shown signs of forgetfulness, easy frustration, and seems to be losing her ability to keep her mind intact during intensive work. She may be about to collapse into a paranoid schizophrenic heap, doomed to be haunted by voices in her head. My observers have also visited the mare in her home, and have quickly found she fails to keep to routine health and hygiene habits. Her assistant, the baby dragon Spike, seems to have taken on a role as the caretaker of a handicapped foal.'"

Chief Tibbs put down the paper and looked at her. “Well, what do you think?”

An angered growl escaped Twilight's throat. Who the hay could she have met that was spying for this Emerald Sparkwire bitch??

"Seriously, what the buck? Who the hell does she think she is anyway? It's Celestia who knows the Elements better than anypony else!"

Tibbs cleared his throat.

“Well, if you’ll look at the last year, or the last two seasons, you have been going crazy and getting in way over your head with your work. You barricaded yourself in the library and have remained in there for weeks at a time, only coming out when your friends had to drag you out. Ponies talked about you and they say you looked unkempt and reeked like you hadn't taken a bath in weeks. And every now and then word goes around saying you lose weight until somepony stuffs food down your throat, making you eat for the first time in Celestia-knows-how-long.

"And you nearly pissed yourself when I told you to ask Celestia for help...Twilight, I ain’t looking to insult you, but you seriously need to take all this into account. There's alot you do for this town, but how are you going to keep doing your jobs if you don't take care of yourself first? I'm hoping it's just a real bad habit serving everypony else over yourself and not your Element at work. But if all this is true about the Elements of Harmony corrupting and screwing up their holders, you should not take this lightly. Emerald Sparkwire has even gone far as to say she wants all of your stripped of your elements and fired."

“What’s wrong with the other four?” Twilight demanded, feeling a little defensive.

The Chief read on. “...’The Element of Laughter has its present holder, Pinkemania Diane Pie, a.k.a. Pinkie Pie, hostage. Undercover, I have met Pinkie Pie numerous times. She is known among her fellow Ponyville locals as the pony who brings laughter to all, however, the star that shines the brightest, is to collapse the hardest. Pinkie Pie, through the demeanor and ‘happiness’ which she presents in public, is but a symptom of a deep depression the poor mare is silently suffering. A band aid over a massive gash. Ever since she was assigned the Element of Laughter, an element only used twice before in our history, she has been seeded with more pain than before. It should be noted that this Element is relatively new, and only first appeared in Year 818 when it was assigned to its first holder, a young mare named Squeep Gables. Gables suffered from uncontrollable laughter until she died of suffocation three weeks later, having laughed so hard she was unable to breathe.

The Element was used again in Year 964, placed on the soul of a stallion named Leaf Rustle. In short, Rustle was driven mad and laughed hysterically until locked away in the asylum. These two uses of the Laughter Element were for testing purposes only, and not actually assigned to a true Mane Six member.

Pinkie Pie is the first pony to be officially assigned the Element of Laughter, and compared to her two unfortunate predecessors, or test subjects, this bouncing 'bundle of joy' seems to have endured the effects of the Element very well.

However, Pinkie Pie is NOT the ideal candidate, due to her background, family history, and mental illnesses, mainly depression. Issues that a sonic rainboom failed to cure in the mare when the spectacle of color made her so 'happy.'

Pinkie's desire to be loved and accepted by those around her causes her to feel an emptier void within, and thus act more erratically. She has no sense of self respect, nor security, and only validates her own existence on the kindness and approval of other ponies, two things she never received from her family.

Two years ago, I witnessed her during a vulnerable moment. After a confrontation with a rude stallion in Canterlot, Miss Pie suffered an instant inward collapse that caused her to ball up on the ground, and even her poofed and unkempt hair to flatten. The reaction she suffered seemed to incapacitate her.  She was taken to hospital and examined until she recovered and was released. However, I predict this element will suck all the fun and laughter out of this mare, leaving nothing but a shriveled spirit, and a creature who might be better off dead. I dare say that the poor mare may become suicidal. It is recommended for Pinkie Pie’s own sake, that she be relieved of the Element of Laughter at once, and ushered into treatment.”

Twilight didn't deny this in her mind. Even Pinkie Pie had been losing it slowly during hard times. She acted more erratically, and even aggressively when ponyfolk began shunning and rejecting her. Last fall, Pinkie was caught by the town guard with magic mushrooms in her side bags. She had intended to lace the food at Sugarcube corner with them and get the whole town high on 'shrooms', as some sort of party payback for how they began scorning her for her party antics and treating her. Instead of being formally charged, she was slapped with a curfew, restricted from leaving Ponyville, hoofed one year of community service, and ordered to go into counselling, which she never did. Pinkie Pie’s actions followed her being fired and replaced by another mare at Sugarcube corner. Shortly after, she did get a new job at the joke shop down the street. But there had been recent times when she lashed out at the Cake family for replacing her, and she even turned down their offers for her to move back in with them. Twilight skimmed over the article and found all that was summarized. She knew Pinkie had been losing it slowly.

“What does it say about Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy?” Twilight was too lazy to read and her brain ached.

Chief Tibbs read it out to her: “...[i[]’The Element of Loyalty is also wreaking havoc on its holder, the star struck, Wonderbolt wannabe, Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash, on duty as the Ponyville County weather captain, is known for her loyalty to friends and family, hence she was assigned the Element. However, like all proud Peagasi from the Cloudlands, Miss Dash is prone to lust for power, and it plays out in her loyalty. She expects those around her to be great achievers, going so far as to abuse anypony she perceives to fail her expectations. This corruption of her loyalty gives away to conflict of interest, and eventually, power and command over others is what the Element of Loyalty will make her to be all about, be it herself, or the Pegasi of Cloudsdale. Even if she isn't corrupted to the core, the poor pegasus will suffer severe 'imbalances' and conflicts of interest between ponies she is loyal to. Previous Loyalty Element holders have been forced via this corruption to betray one in order to remain loyal to the other, often times in irrational ways.

“...’Fluttershy, the kinder, soft spoken, and shyest of the Mane Six is known for her kindness and ability to soothe the savage beast. Fluttershy has exceptional communication talent with other animal species, and negotiation skills, and has even been employed by the town guard to deal with dangerous beasts that lurked too close to Ponyville. Fluttershy’s kindness and soft demeanor have given her the ability to communicate with many species of animals, some whom she keeps in her home.

'However, her kindness, corrupted by the Element she holds, has placed her in a precarious position, in which she receives more abuse from those who perceive kindness to be a weakness and opportunity to be taken advantage of. This treatment, and its impact on poor Fluttershy, can cause a buildup of frustration and resentment, which will give way to anger and bitterness. When provided a channel for this negativity by Iron Will, the assertive skills trainer, Fluttershy was reported to be ‘horribly mean’ and a ‘monster’ to those around her. One can expect she will no longer need Iron Will’s motivation to become just that.

'Another shocking effect the Element of Kindness plays on this soft spoken pegasus is the gross amplification of upset she experiences when triggered. Fluttershy's trigger is cruelty against animals. In the spring of Year 1003, Fluttershy caught two foals tormenting and abusing an injured rabbit. Witness statements collected by the town guard state that the pegasus simply snapped. She went into a screaming fit and let those two brats have it. She raged at them for more than a degree and even violently struck both foals with her wings before other ponies intervened. Fluttershy was arrested and held for a day, then released without charge. Back to her normal self, the pegasus issued a public apology, in which she even broke down and cried. Seems she was also deeply affected by the guilt and shame, two common effects of the Elements. It also didn't help that the mare was distanced and alienated by most ponies except her friends who had to prevent the mare from barricading herself in her home for weeks like she did following her ordeal with Iron Will's assertiveness training. Fluttershy is the most extreme example out of all six ponies to exhibit a level of aggression and even unkindness, two other effects of the Elements to play out in their holders over the last 1000 years.'

“‘...and last but not least, Rarity. As it surprisingly turns out, Rarity has already been stripped of her element, the Element of Generosity. She is not faulted for her behavior, or any action alone, however, Miss Rarity was almost killed when her home and business burned down last Autumn, leaving her physically and emotionally traumatized. Prior to the incident, Miss Rarity did show some signs of corruption when exhibiting greed, hoarding, depression, and aggression when challenged or provoked. Her selfishness also revealed itself in how she treated her filly, Sweetie Belle, as reported by other ponies, mainly Applejack Sweet Apple.  Despite this corruption; still mild at best, no evidence suggests that Rarity’s hoarding caused the fire that destroyed her home and business. It can be safely assumed Rarity had been the least affected by her Element, but had she not been separated from it during her recovery, its destructive effects could have turned her into a walking disaster, and for such reasons, she was discharged from the Mane Six.

'Again, the common and visual effects of the Elements of 'Harmony' (intentionally quoted, as their 'intended effects' are in question) include but are not limited to the following: Anxiety, depression, Stock Home syndrome (SHS), paranoia, obsessive compulsive disorders, delusions from mild to severe forms, forgetfulness, chronic amnesia, dementia, psychosis, panic attacks, severe magic fluctuations (unicorns only), aggression and anger management problems, and the list goes on and on. I would require at least five more pages at an exhorbant price to list all the effects the Elements play on their holders.

...In addition, the Element holders suffer common afflictions as weakness in their immune systems, leaving them vulnerable to otherwise harmless pathogens, stress and related fatigue, and an eventual unraveling of their minds. The effects on physical health can be potentially catastrophic as well, bringing on nightmarish health conditions that the ponies assigned Elements were never initially prone to, including cancers of all kinds. The Elements, meant to represent each pony, are known to twist them into exact opposites, and eventually destroy them from the inside out. These are the reasons that limit Element holders’ shelf life..

however, with this current Mane Six (Make that a Mane Five as a new pony and Element will be needed to fill the vacant sixth position), I am quite disappointed. Millions of bits of our taxes go to maintaining the Elements, finding and choosing M6 members, and paying their salaries. Not to mention the M6 hold important roles and tasks in terms of national security and the safety and benefit of ponykind. Ususally, the M6 can last six years BEFORE their problems start up, then the Princess at least has some notice and time to find new ponies for the job. There are resilient and strong ponies who have lasted for up to 20 years (the M6 of Year 147 managed to keep it together for over 35 years). Then every now and then we just get a bad batch of already half broken failures, already too faulty for the job. I dare say the M6 of Year 1000 are nothing more than really sad broken batch.

Before I sign off, and leave it to ponies to rage over my newest of precious controversial reports, I must ask an important question to Princess Celestia, our great leader infront of the public for all to know: Why are these Elements, over 200 in total, so dangerous and hazardous to those assigned to hold them and wield their powers? I ask the Princess so as HER HIGHNESS is the one who CREATES these things. If they are meant to empower our Mane Six, and enable them to protect Equestria and ponykind againt all threats, then WHY do these elements destroy their holders? I now leave it to Her Highness to answer not just me, but everypony.”’

Twilight was stunned. She didn’t even know Rarity was stripped of her Element. She had no idea there were only five of them this whole time. What if Celestia called them to action-

“So there you have it, Twilight,” Chief Tibbs grunted, “The ultimate sum up of why all six of you are losing your shit, Pinkie Pie hiding for days at a time. Rainbow Dash going berserk on young pegasi in flight school. Applejack, the hyper religious power mongering lying buck-toothed freak. Fluttershy going absolutely insane when she sees her little critters hurt; Rarity's already fired, and you, well, you're one hell of a stressball, just as scared of Celestia as Applejack and her family. Who would have thought eh?”

“Yeah...” Twilight said sadly, reflecting on the last four years she worked with her friends.

“Think maybe you should retire early when this Apple mess is over and done with?”

Twilight thought, “I want to ask Celestia about it. She made the elements. Surely she didn't make them to screw us all over.”

Chief Tibbs nodded, “Well, she is a god, or goddess, and she can do whatever the hell she wants. You how they say ‘Oh Celestia loves you’ and all that? Well I personally think she does love us, but in a way we as mortal ponies cannot understand. Hence, why religious zealot ponies and racist pegasi exist in the first place and all these conflicts that go on just outside our back yard.

“Between you and me, Twilight, this way of life Celestia tells us to live by...it’s a failing system. Past and present, we got mass murder, race wars, enslavement, prejudice, and hate. She makes the Elements, hoofs them out to ponies like you, and after saving the world a few times, you and your teammates implode on yourselves. She allows this to happen, and you know just as well as I do about this crapfest right outside Ponyville. Applejack just might bring the race war between earth ponies and unicorns right into Ponyville. Had I called in those vigilante unicorns you wanted to contact, that just might as well set the whole thing off, and send this entire town to hell in a hoof-basket. Last year, I was coming back from my vacation, and this nutty pony got on the train and started telling me about windigoes freezing up the whole world all because of ponies fighting. Who would have thunk it, eh, Twi?”

+ + +

All was quiet at the Ponyville train station. Two town guard ponies, wearing their blue sashes and badges, walked around the station, and decided all was in peaceful order. They walked past the mailbox, then out of the station into town.

They heard a stallion moan in the darkness, and sprung into a gallop. They turned on their headlamps and eventually spotted him- the courier pony who was supposed to be on his round collecting mail and depositing it in the mailbox at the station.

“Zippy!” Promontory shouted as he galloped over to the fallen pony.

Mr. Zippy, a longtime courier for the post office layed sprawled out on the ground, grunting in pain, He also appeared to be drunk.

“Are you alright?” his partner, Apple Bread, asked.

“Augh, they got got me...they got me real good...” Zippy grunted as he tried to get up. He wavered, then fell back on his flank. Both town guard officers saw he had been beat up, and was covered in bruises. His uniform was tattered and ripped in some places.

“Who got you?” Promontory demanded. “Tell me, dammit!”

“Th-those night hooligans...they came up out of nowhere and ambushed me from behind. They...took my side bags...”

Then it seemed he was getting  drunker and drunker, almost too quickly.

He struggled to get up one more time, then hit the ground again out cold. Promontory blew his silent whistle, a magic powered device that sent a signal to the guard house. He blew several times; a Morse signal.

Apple Bread already knew who did it, but he didn’t dare mention it. He had a lot to lose. They saw lights up ahead and heard the running hoof steps of the incoming fellow town guard ponies. Twilight Sparkle was one of them. Apple Bread felt sweat tickling his neck hairs. He didn’t anticipate the unicorn to be with them.

“He is flooded with alcohol,” Twilight said after using her magic to screen him. Comet tail brought a breathalyzer, a strange device used to detect alcohol from a pony’s breath, and it beeped like crazy. So Twilight then cast a spell that allowed her to see his alcohol content. She worked with the townguard before, screening troublesome drunk ponies dragged in from the tavern.

“It’s going to kill him, no doubt he’s already poisoned him.” Comet Tail, another officer, commented.

“Not on my watch,” Twilight replied as she beamed another spell on Mr. Zippy. The ray of magic she cast on him quickly broke down the alcohol flowing through his system. After several minutes (she had to do it slow and gently to avoid causing internal burns), Zippy grunted as he came to.

“I’m done,” Twilight said, “He’s 100% sober now. He’ll still have a hangover though,”

“Let’s get him back to the guard house. Promontory, you carry him. Apple Bread, go and check all the mailboxes in town, starting with the station, in case these thug ponies stole a key from him. Baritone, Bottle Cap, you two go in town and get as many ponies off the streets as you can, and stay together. If you run into these freaks, blow your whistles and the whole town guard will be there. Move out!” Comet Tail ordered.

“Yes, sir!” they saluted, before splitting up.

Apple Bread, a usually mild-mannered pale green earth pony, and grass-green mane, carefully made his way back to the station. He was on edge. He showed up at the mailbox, and it looked like nothing happened to it. Two tiny glass light bulbs above the keyhole indicated whether it had been opened or not. Blue indicated it hadn't been opened, red indicated it did. Mail ponies carried with them remote devices enabling them to reset the lights after they opened and closed the mailboxes. It was a security measure, so that if there was an unauthorized opening of the mailbox, and a theft of mail, the post office would know about it real quick. Of course if the door had been broken open, the light would be red. But who had the time and effort to break into a mailbox? And no mail around here was worth stealing.

Apple Bread looked around. Security was a joke, he thought. And he went to work. He took the remote device, a small wooden unit with two buttons, and lifted it so it was level to the transmitter on top of the mailbox, and pressed the button several times, disabling it, so it would not send a signal to the post office. Not that anypony was there tonight. Mail ponies on night shift just moved mail from box to box.

Next, he took the key and unlocked the door, and pulled out the sack. He frantically searched through it, looking for the package. He found it, the one with Twilight Sparkle’s name on the return address. He pulled it out and placed it onto his sidebag. He closed the sack, and quickly stuffed it back in the mail box, shut the door, locked it, then reset the lights, and turned the transmitter back on. He then galloped off, not through the exit back into town, but down the platform, through a gate, and into the night.

+

“There...there was five of them, all covered up. I couldn’t see their faces, manes or cutie marks, nothing,” Zippy groaned. He was in the lounge at the guard house, speaking to Comet Tail, Twilight Sparkle, and Chief Tibbs. “They came at me and let me have it. I don’t remember what happened.”

“Well, they didn’t steal your mail, you still got your box key, Twilight, run a rock check (memory crystal check) on this guy.

“Yes, sir,” Twilight said as she went to fetch a memory crystal. To the Chief and his commanding officer, Comet Tail, it didn’t make sense for these attackers, who came out of nowhere, to rough up a mail pony.

“Did you drink at all? You reeked of booze when we found you.” Comet Tail inquired.

“No, sir. I didn’t drink at all. I only go to the tavern after I’m finished my rounds.”

Twilight came back with a crystal, and had Zippy place the rock in his mouth. A few minutes later, she took it out and put it into the projector device. Lights off, and the images played out on screen. The bars on the screen indicated he was surprised and scared, and after he received a brutal hoof beating by these thugs, there was one unusual spike of pain.

“Did you feel any sort of pin prick, Mr. Zippy?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah...it was almost like getting a shot...”

“You think they injected him with alcohol? Promontory said he was coherent when they found him, and he suddenly got drunk and passed out. No way he could acumulate that much booze that fast.”

“Yeah...I just don’t get it, Chief. They didn’t even rob him.”

“You think they were after somepony else and he just happened to be the wrong pony at the wrong place and time?”

Twilight shrugged. “Well, he is a mail pony. We should check the post office, see if they switched keys and robbed a mailbox.”

And so they went to the post office, and Mr. Zippy unlocked the door. They checked the computers that received the signals from the mailboxes around town. After a few minutes, he said, “Well, none of the mailboxes have been breached from what it says here.”

A light on Comet Tail’s badge lit up. Green. From Apple Bread. Nothing wrong with any of the mailboxes.

“Well, we’ll have to wait and see.”

+ +

The grandfather clock in the living room of Applejack’s house chimed midnight. There was a knock on the door, and she got up to answer it.

“Shh! keep it down. Ah got ponies sleepin' all over the place. What do y’ want?”

Apple Bread pulled the package out of his side bag and hoofed it to her, without a word.

Applejack looked it over. “Thanks, now git, before anypony sees you.” And she shut the door.

Applejack retreated to her study and opened the package. It contained the two rocks, and the two letters Twilight wrote.

“That unicorn snitch,” she hissed furiously, “Ah’ll teach her a lesson she won’t soon ferget.”