//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: An Apple Against Apples // by Prince Luna //------------------------------// After waking up I found that I had been sleeping for TWO DAYS STRAIGHT. I suppose having one 30 minute nap a day doesn't apply outside. Nopony wanted to wake me up but the camp was still all here. Grace giggled as I slowly stumbled out of my tent.  "Good morning!" She called, offering me some beans.  "What's mornin'?" I asked, slowly chewing on the beans. Grace gasped loudly. She then began to tap her hooves on the ground.  My dear Eden Apple, what is morning to you? Morning is a fantastic time, it brings the day anew! It brings on the sun, It's light and we all know, A brand new day has begun, So roll on with the show! What was she doing? It scared me a little but...I really liked it otherwise! The sky of the morning tells us It's time to say hello! Hello to everypony You'll have a good day, I know! The morning is a brand new start It signals you to come take your part Its the opposite to night "The darkness really gives me a fright..." So, my little pony Eden Apple See the new day's sun and cackle 'Cause morning is a cheer! 'Cause the new day is here! 'Cause morning is a cheer! 'Cause the new day is heeeeere! Silver Bullet and Whiplash walked into the camp and started to laugh like crazy.  "Singing again, Grace?" Whiplash laughed.  "And I see Eden is up! Good morning!" Silver Bullet greeted me.  "Good Mornin'!" Wow that feels good to say! We ate some food for what the others called 'breakfast'. Whiplash commented that I ate 'like a horse'. I didn't get it but everypony laughed.  "Alrighty then." Silver Bullet stood up, "Now that Eden's awake let's pack up and get moving." Everypony nodded and began to pack away the tents. I really am getting the hang of magic now. I deconstructed a tent all on my own, but Silver Bullet had to fold it since I got lost inside it trying to do so. So soon we were on the road again. The walk was really uneventful as it was daytime and nopony was around. I had to endure Grace trying to figure out shortening things like 'it is' or 'do not', trying my best not to laugh. She heard me snigger a few times. I almost broke out when she said 'cause' pronounced 'cow-see'! "You hear that?" Whiplash asked.  "Y'all mean the runnin' water?" I asked.  "Lake Shy. We're almost in Applemill." Silver Bullet informed. Grace was humming the tune to the song she had sung earlier but everything came to a halt when we saw something blocking our path. That something was Motor Mouth.  "Finally." He said, spitting on the ground.  "What do you want, Motor Mouth?" Whiplash asked.  "Payback at the factory runt for scaring all the business in Appleloon. I ain't letting him do the same to Applemill." He said, leaning against his moving machine. "I didn't mean to hurt anypony in Appleloon." I grunted.  "Y'dint?" Motor Mouth spat on the ground, "if you do ANYTHIN' to Applemill I'll shove this hoof UP YOUR DAMN FLANK." He went off on his machine. Probably to drink more. "Yeah y'all better run!" I mumbled. We entered Applemill but what we saw bothered us majorly. Beat up ponies on the street. Motor Mouth came to our side.  "If threatenin' ya didn't keep you outta this hell hole what will?" he said, his face pressed against mine.  "Yer breath stinks. Geddit outta mah face." I smirked.  He backed off.  "The factory guards are lookin' for you ya little shit!" he shouted, "they don't want ya out here!" "Then I'll just hide. Or Silver Bullet can bust a cap in their face." I said.  "Do not fight, merry stallions!" Grace cried, "I would prefer if we just hid!" "Can't hide forever." Whiplash sighed.  "How long ago did this attack happen?" Silver Bullet asked.  "Round an hour or two ago, bitch." Motor Mouth yelled.  "Pony with the Tourette's! Please refrain from offending my friends or I will have to take action!" Grace shouted, standing on her hind hooves.  "OH you want some now, Missy Prissy?" Motor Mouth spat.  "SETTLE DOWN!" I yelled, "do y'all hear sommat?" In the distance I heard voices. Angry voices.  "Guard bastards," Motor Mouth spat again, "everypony follow me if you don't wanna get fucked!" It was our only choice. We followed Motor Mouth to a beautiful looking bed of water. "Lake Shy." Grace gasped.  "Oh. Nice hiding spot you bafoon!" Silver Bullet said to Motor Mouth, preparing her pistol as factory guards surrounded us in dozens.  There was a rumbling sound, then a figure rose from the lake.  "I, Spirit of Fluttershy, slain by the hoof of Apple Bloom, release to Apple Eden a fraction of his power!" it shouted.  My horn began to glow blindingly, then in a blast of yellow, I became unconscious.