Last Ditch
Chapter 3: Acres of Cyan Grass
Max Kodan
The beautiful crimson sunset gleamed across the gorgeous yellow mountains which melded seamlessly into the light blue grass which ran right up to the tree Applejack reclined in. A vacation that, while not necessarily needed, was very much appreciated. She sighed contentedly and kicked her leg over the side of the thick branch, reaching up and prodding an orange apple. She reached up just a little with her neck, grabbing it in her mouth and crunching down, eating the whole thing in one bite. Another happy sigh, and she relaxed back against the branch.
"Aah, you do know how to live." The voice behind her didn't cause Applejack to stir. She recognized her all too recently defeated enemy's voice, but she didn't let it bother her. He was just a pest: A mosquito in her beautiful world. "Oh, don't ignore me, I just want to talk."
Applejack yawned and pulled her hat down further over her eyes. "Ye can't get to me, so don't go wastin' yer time. Might as well just get on out of here and leave me be." She crossed her front legs and closed her eyes, drowning herself in the sound of the wind whistling through the trees. This somehow didn't annoy Discord as much as it should have. He reclined himself in the air alongside the branch that the pony had chosen to rest on.
"You know, this atmosphere makes me want to just...talk. You know?" He turned his head to look over at Applejack, but she was no longer there. He glanced around a while before he caught sight of her, walking towards a barn that was painted a striking violet. He swooped around the branch and followed, popping up in front of her. "Aren't you at least curious about what I have to say?" He posed the question calmly, smiling serenely.
The pony stopped, pushing her hat back up and looking at him. "I don't know what y'all gotta say to me, but I know it can't be nothin' good. I got no reason to listen to you, but seeing as you caught me at a good time, I might just be in the mood to hear you out." She stopped and sat, swishing her tail around her legs. This place was so peaceful that she knew no matter what he said, she wouldn't be swayed into doing anything evil.
Discord smiled and bowed slightly. "I'm glad you decided to listen to reason. Figuratively speaking, of course." He chuckled at his own joke. "See, you've got truly beautiful trees. You're a real expert, you know." AJ nodded gracefully, and he nodded his head in agreement. "But, there is some bad news, I'm afraid. You see, I'm privy to a bit of knowledge. Next year, the ground will not thaw as it should, and I hate to say..." As he spoke, the crimson sunset faded, the yellow mountains turned a sickly gray. The grass curled and turned a yellowish-green color. The fruit fell from the trees, and shortly after the leaves wilted and blew away. The wind grew cold. Even the color of the barn faded to a dull brown.
As this happened, Applejack watched. At first, she seemed rather ok with it. As time went on, she grew more and more uncomfortable. As the barn in front of her decayed right in front of her, a single apple rolled in front of her and, on the spot, turned from orange to brown to black and deflated until it looked like a prune. The previously calm pony was now visibly shaken, but she tried to hide it when she spoke. "A...Ah don't believe you. You're jus' messin' with my head. Get out!" She shook her head and stood up, closing her eyes tightly.
"But you don't understand, my dear little Applejack!" He slithered closer. He was in his element now. He casually draped an arm around her, holding firm as she tried to pull away. "I can help you! I know how! I will provide the means to save your lush farm, and with it all of Ponyville." As he spoke he reached his spare hand behind himself, and brought it around again, holding something in his hand. "This, my dear, is an Evertree seed. It can grow in any conditions, and will grow literally overnight. Not only that, but the fruit it bears yields seeds which will work in just the same way." He opened his palm to reveal a large golden seed. It let out a gentle glow and a light hum. As Discord watched, he saw the farmer's eyes fall on it and freeze.
"That...that isn't real."
"No, no it isn't. This is simply a dream, my dear. But I, on the other hand...I am very real. And this seed exists outside of this dream." He spoke softly, his eyes narrowed and his lips curled into a victorious smile. "And I'm the only one who can get it to you. All I need from you is one little favor." The seed twisted in his hand, warping and exploding in a spark of light, which reformed into the shape of Discord's statuesque form. "I just need you to take your powerful legs down to my statue and..." The statue crumbled and then exploded once again into the bright light. This time, Discord clutched the lion paw around the light and it was snuffed out. He gave a sidelong glance at the spot where he'd been holding his captive audience.
She was totally entranced. However, just as a wave of celebration washed over him, she shook herself free. "G-get out!" He grimaced. But, the seed had been planted, as the saying went. He smiled once more, releasing her from his grip and bowing deeply.
"As you wish, young one. You just think about my offer, won't you?" His smile turned into a grin, and he disappeared in a flash of light identical to that of which the dream seed had, and it made the pony wince.
In her bedroom in the farmhouse, Applebloom sat up as she heard somepony galloping past her door. She stood and hobbled outside and down the hall, looking out into the foyer to see her older sister standing in the front doorway, looking frantically outside. "Wassamatter, Sis?" She rubbed her eyes and tottered a little, replacing her hoof on the ground to steady herself.
"Y-yeah, I jus' thought I saw...I jus' thought..." The older pony shook the sleep out of her eyes. The sun hadn't risen yet, but she could still see the outline of the fully leaved trees against the dark sky. "Guess it was a bad dream..." She felt herself shudder, and hoped her little sister didn't see it. She took in a deep breath and turned, walking up to Applebloom. "Now you get yourself to bed! You'll need all yer energy for the big applesauce stomp tomorrow!" She whispered cheerfully. She looked behind her at the window, the vision of the bare trees haunting her thoughts.