//------------------------------// // Chapter 15 // Story: A Nightmare Come True // by ShadowSprint //------------------------------// Applejack bucked her hooves against the firm trunk of yet another apple tree. With her precision in the exact angle and power behind her bucking, the apples fell into carefully placed buckets, not a one rolling onto the ground. With years of apple-bucking experience, the mare hardly had to think about what she was doing. Her body felt almost automated in the work. Scooping up the buckets, Applejack tossed them onto the cart she’d brought with and hurried on to the next tree in line. As she worked, she couldn’t help but gaze out over the evening sun and how the dying rays of light shimmered through thickets of trees. The apples glowed from the warmth and filled the air with a soft aroma of fresh fruit and blooming flowers. The sight alone was breathtaking to say the least, if not a little unsettling. “Can’t Daybreaker make up her dang mind? This day and night tom-foolery is driving me nuts.” She eventually complained, pulling off her hat to wipe the sweat away from her brow. The sunset was beautiful, but only when it set at the proper times. “It’s psychological war-fare,” came the voice of a nearby solider. He’d been one of the six Twilight had sent out to assist the Apples. Not one pony was to be on their own while out here. “Daybreaker’s doing this to mess with us, to confuse us.” “Well I don’t doubt that,” Applejack retorted. She slammed her back hooves against yet another tree, and a steady stream of apples once again filled her buckets. “The least she could do would be ta put it on some kind of schedule or something.” The soldier just gave her a half-smile. “I don’t think we’ll be that lucky.” Applejack groaned. It looked like another couple hours of working in the dark. Then of course when the work day actually ended, she’d be burying her face under the blankets to blot out the sun.Pulling out the last of the buckets, the earth pony quickly filled them up, tossed them on her cart, and pulled the full load back to the barn. With the soldier following her, she couldn’t help but think of Twilight and her friends back in town. “Frosted Wind . . .” Applejack called the soldier by name, “Whatcha think is happening in Ponyville? Is it really in so bad a shape?” The soldier thought long and hard about her question, having only heard updates through the grape vine as it were (namely Applejack). “If anything, they’re reassigning the troops to more even numbers after the losses. It makes everything a bit tighter, but as long as Captain Shining Armor can hold up the defenses, then we’ve got a shot. But we have to get on the offensive somehow.” Then giving the pony a sincere smile, he added, “Guess that’s what you and your friends are for.” Applejack glanced away from embarrassment, and shame. After the argument with Rainbow Dash, she worried about the state of their friendship. She doubted such an attack could even happen. “Well . . . I guess we’ll all see about that.” As they moved past acres of trees, Applejack couldn’t help but take note of the rows upon rows of trees that had already been bucked clean. Just how long were they supposed to keep this up? At the rate the apples were being shipped to Ponyville, they could probably keep this going for another couple months if absolutely necessary. But what about after that?Now stop it Applejack. Ya can’t be thinking like that. Gotta keep those ponies fed for Twilight, so she can figure out some sorta plan. The mare thought to herself. She’d really been lucky with the soldiers that Twilight had sent, and fortunately for her, they weren’t no bums. All six worked just as hard as Big Mac or herself to keep the farm running, and to keep them safe. “Got another load I see,” Granny Smith called from the barn when she saw their approach. “Yep. Figure at this rate, we should clear another acre or so before the day is out . . . or in” Applejack said, glancing back at the setting sun. She really had no clue as to what the time was anymore, and it drove her nuttier than a hungry squirrel in the winter. Granny grunted in equal frustration. “Well not much we can do about it I suppose. Seems like there’s always something out there trying to cause trouble.” Then feeling a small twitch in her bones, Granny said, “but I gets the feeling you got another three hours fore we call it a day.” Apple Bloom suddenly poked her head out of the barn as well. “Applejack!” She exclaimed. “I’m so glad you’re back! We’ve been making up some cider for everyone to have after picking apples!” “I hope you’re sorting some of them too,” Applejack said, “We’ll have ta start prepping another shipment for next week.” “I know. But we gotta have some to ourselves too. And the four soldiers ya got with us have been a big help!” Applejack glanced to Granny Smith, a little worried that their fruit might be getting squandered. But Granny Smith simply nodded with a smile, “We gotta have a little enjoyment too with this. When things get dark, it’s good to keep a smile tucked away in the pocket.” Shaking her head, Applejack couldn’t help but chuckle. “Very well. I suppose I could do with some cider. Sounds mighty fine right about now.” With help from Frosted Wind, it took Applejack far less time to unload her cart than usual; just another perk of having the help. They’d decided right away that the majority of the soldiers should stay with Granny Smith and Apple Bloom, as those two needed the most protection. Applejack could handle her own, and Big Mac wasn’t a pushover. So, they each had a guard to themselves. Speaking of the big red machine, Applejack asked, “So how’s Big Mac doing? Haven’t heard hide nor hair from him all day!” Before either of them could respond, a rustle from the nearby brush caught Applejack’s attention along with every soldier and Apple family member there.Amber Sky, the soldier assigned to help Big Mac, burst out from the trees. “Help! Help!” He cried, his eyes almost bulging from his head. “What is it? What’s wrong?” Frosted Wind was down immediately next to his comrade with Applejack hurrying behind. “C-Changelings . . .” was his only word. Applejack burst off into a gallop back into the fields. She heard the soldiers calling after her, but she only commanded, “Stay with Granny and Apple Bloom!” Applejack’s heart pounded in her chest as she hurried into the field of trees. Please be okay. Please be okay. Her mind raced. As the mare moved through the trees, she whipped her head from side to side, trying to remember exactly where her brother had said he’d be working. But when Applejack took a sudden turn down a different row of trees, she began to see the familiar imprints of Big Mac’s hooves, and the tire tracks from his cart. Big Mac being a bit stronger than his sister, the cart he generally pulled left more of an indentation in the dirt than her own. Stopping to get her bearings, Applejack stared at the path of tracks, and then up at the trees. Her brother had definitely worked here. The trees were bare and the bark on the trunks had oblong chips that matched Big Mac’s hooves. Staring further on down the line, she could just make out some trees with apples, indicating her brother hadn’t yet finished this row. “Big Mac!” Applejack called out as she rushed down the row, praying for him to answer. “Big Mac! Where are ya?!” Suddenly stopping, Applejack found her brother laying near a tree, gasping for air. “Big Mac!” She cried out and rushed on over to him. “You alright?” “Yepp.” Her brother struggled to stand up, having twisted a leg. He groaned at putting weight on it, managing to steady himself on his other three hooves. “The changelings, where are they?” Applejack asked, suddenly growing a bit angry that Amber Sky had left her brother here. He could’ve easily helped Big Mac to the barn! Big Mac stopped, and looked up to the trees. “Upp . . .in the trees.” “T-The trees?” Applejack asked, and stared up into the branches of the trees they passed as they started back towards the others. At first, the fedora wearing pony saw nothing but leaves and apples. She squinted hard, while still trying to help her brother back towards the barn. They were a long way off yet, and she didn’t want to leave him alone. As they walked though, Applejack started to see something hidden inside the branches. With it growing dark, she first thought she’d been seeing fireflies hovering around the leaves. But then, as she stared harder, she noticed the flickering of the eyes. The two stopped in the middle of their field, and Applejack gulped. Her mind raced with ideas and possible courses of action. Every tree she looked at now stared back at her with a pair of glaring blue eyes. And with the sun almost down, light in the field had quickly died down, casting most of their path in shadow. “Oh, I do not like the looks of this.” She whispered to her brother, who responded with a worried, “nope.” “Come on let’s hurry,” Applejack said. Just as the words escaped her mouth, she heard a large pompf onto the ground behind her. She stopped, cocking her head round to see what had fallen. There, about ten feet behind them were about eight changelings, standing all in a row. Another pompf and Applejack whirled around to find eight more standing in front of her.The mare narrowed her eyes, listening to the movements of each of the creatures. Feeling them closing in, she whispered, “Stay close. I’ll get us out of this.” When on of the changelings finally, pounced, Applejack jumped over to the love sucker and kicked her rear hooves back, making contact with the changeling’s face, sent him flying off into the distance. All of the changelings stood still for just a moment, and then they charged all at once. From both sides they attacked, and Applejack lurched from monster to monster, kicking them back as hard as she could. Even Big Mac had forced himself to retaliate, stomping down hard on the creatures, and kicking them away when able. “We-We can’t keep this up!” Applejack shouted, head butting another changeling that attacked her from the side. She bucked probably her seventh into a tree, his horn stabbing into the trunk and knocking him out. When Big Mac didn’t respond to her statement, she turned and shouted her brother’s name as five changelings had ganged up on him, and were starting to suck the love out of him. “Hey! That’s my brother!” Applejack screamed, and charged her way over, kicking and headbutting the creatures off him. “You leave him alone!” She screamed and by the time she’d freed Big Mac of the love suckers, he coughed and gagged, struggling to stand on his own. Applejack couldn’t hold the things off forever. She could hear more of them dropping out of the trees, and quickly slung his front hoof over her back. “Come on! Gotta get you out of here!” Big Mac though, pulled away, and said, “No . . . the barn Applejack . . .” Confused, the mare turned to face the path that led to the barn and saw an orange glow climbing out over the tree tops. At first, she thought it was Daybreaker playing with the sun again, but then, she saw the smoke. “No . . .” “Go Applejack . . . Go!” Big Mac cried. “I . . .I . . .” and suddenly more changelings dropped from the trees. If Applejack was going to save Granny and Apple Bloom, it had to be now. Anymore time lollygagging around here and she wouldn’t make it. But she couldn’t leave Big Mac, and couldn’t carry him all the way either. “Go!” “D-Damn!” The earth pony cursed, and blinking out her tears, turned away from her brother. “I-I’ll come back for you Big Mac! I . . . I swear!” and taking off at full gallop, Applejack charged back towards the barn, dodging the changelings as they fell from the sky. Applejack eventually closed her eyes as she ran, otherwise she knew she’d be looking back, and turning back.Her chest tightened, knowing this was wrong, knowing she shouldn’t be abandoning her brother like this. There just wasn’t any time though. And the barn! Granny and Apple Bloom could still be inside! Changelings bounced off of Applejack as she charged back into the farm. The burning odor of scorched wood and burnt hay filled her nostrils. She opened her eyes and the black puffs of smoke blurred her vision. The fire blazed from every crack in the barn, engulfing it in a hellish inferno. “Apple Bloom! Granny!” Applejack screamed. “Where ya’ll at?!” and she galloped from one end of the barn to the other, hoping beyond hope that she’d just find them with the soldiers watching the place burn. But they were nowhere to be found. “Granny! Apple Bloom!” Her voice barely carried with the roar of the fire, and Applejack started sweating like marshmallow over a campfire. Her options were running out. One look at the fields and she could see the changelings quickly approaching. They could still be inside. The thought brushed past her head and Applejack made her decision with the blink of an eye. Tossing her hat to the ground, the earth pony bucked down the doors to the barn, sending flames roaring out of the doorway, the pony leaping back just to avoid being smothered. Then taking a deep breath, Applejack galloped into the burning building, the intensity of the fire instantly charring her fur. She coughed and gagged for breath as the smoke thickened all around her, strangling the pony. “Granny!” She coughed, squinting to see past the fire and the billowing smoke. “Apple B-Bloom!” Her voice grew raspy as she searched the barn. A couple of beams collapsed behind her, flames shooting up twelve feet high, blocking that exit. “G-Granny! Apple . . .” but her lungs filled with smoke and Applejack broke out into a fit of coughs. Sweat poured down over her body, soaking into her fur as the heat from the flames started to scorch her hooves. Applejack felt her body growing weak. She had to get out of here, or she was toast. Literally.She staggered through the barn, the smoke blinding her, choking her. All Applejack could do to navigate was stare down at the ground. The fire had grown too thick. She could smell her own fur burning, but could do nothing for it. As her lungs filled with smoke, Applejack stumbled up against a wall. She collapsed against it, pushing weakly at it, hoping for an exit. But it didn’t budge. This is it. I’m not making it outta here. She felt herself tearing up. Her consciousness was fading. All she could think about was her family. She’d failed them. Failed to protect them! Who knew where they would be? Applejack laid her head down and began to cry, her body lurching as the thick black clouds once again filled her lungs. And then, the wall behind her opened up. But it wasn’t a wall at all. It was a door. She’d been pushing on it the wrong way. One of the soldiers, Frosted Wind, stuck his head in, and grabbing the earth pony, dragged her on out. Being dizzy, Applejack’s head swirled as her body was back in the cool air. She heard the soldier screaming at her, directing her, but she couldn’t make out what he was saying. It took the pony several seconds to get back on her feet before she finally asked. “Apple Bloom . . . Granny . . . where are they?” A loud crash from the farmhouse answered Applejack’s question and both the pony and the soldier rushed around the burning barn and towards the house. The shrill sound of Apple Bloom’s scream erupted from the Apple’s home and the earth pony broke out into a gallop, shouting her sister’s name. “Apple Bloom!” “Applejack, watch out!” Frosted Wind shouted, and shoved the pony to the ground just as a swarm of changelings dived down at them. “No!” Applejack cried out and bucked away at the love suckers. She watched Frosted Wind’s attempted counter-attack, and make his way over to her, but was soon swallowed up by the changelings and then was gone. Catapulting herself into the air, Applejack leaped onto the heads of as many of the changelings as she could. She hoped to at least fracture a couple skulls while jaunting over to the house. When one changeling grabbed her by the hind leg, AJ quickly bucked him in the face with her free hoof until he released. By the time Applejack got out ahead of the love suckers, she stopped in front of her house just in time to see two of the windows burst open. The glass rained down onto the pony like snow. Out of the windows flew changeling after changeling. To Applejack’s horror, not only were four soldiers carried out, but so were Apple Bloom, and Granny Smith. “No! You bring them back here! You . . . you damn critters . . . Apple Bloom! Granny!” Applejack cried, tears starting to form in her eyes. She wanted to chase after them, chase them till her family was within reach. She wouldn’t lose them. She couldn’t. The hissing of the changelings brought Applejack back down to reality and she knew she couldn’t fight them. There was just too many. Twenty or thirty at least, she had to run for it. Galloping around the growing swarm, Applejack came across her hat, blowing in the wind. Snatching it back up, she tossed it on her head, and galloped back towards Ponyville for help. Twilight sat in her castle, discussing with Brawny Hoof her plans for dealing with the soldiers in-route from the Crystal Empire. She had no time table for when they would be arriving, but the princess needed to be ready, needed to have a plan. “Is Captain Shining Armor coming?” Twilight asked her guard. “No, he’s prepping for the arrival of the Friendship Express. Our guards spotted it earlier today. Should be here in a couple hours.” “Already? That was fast!” The boost in soldiers certainly wasn’t going to makeup for the loss of pegasi on Cloudsdale, but it should put the citizens at ease.Not only that, but reports from the front line have suggested soldiers haven’t been rotating shifts due to lack of help. Guards were pulling twenty-four hour shifts before even thinking about a break. At this rate, if Queen Chrysalis or Daybreaker showed up, Shining Armor’s army would be defeated by exhaustion. “Princess, we may want to think about planning for an offensive.” Brawny suggested. The changeling knew he had to prevent Twilight from getting a solid footing with any of her plans if the invasion of Ponyville was to go without a hitch. “But how? We don’t have the forces needed for an offensive.” Before Brawny could elaborate, the doors to the throne room burst open and Applejack galloped in hard. Sweat poured from her forehead. Her eyes wide with terror, the panic-stricken pony began jumbling words together the second she saw the princess. “Twilight . . . please, you have to help me! Granny . . . Apple Bloom . . .Big Mac . . . we have ta hurry . . .” Twilight, seeing the immediate distress with her friend, wrapped a hoof around her and said, “Applejack, calm down. What happened? What happened to your family?” Applejack took in a couple breaths, silencing herself as fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. No matter how she tried, she couldn’t calm her pounding heart. Her body shook as though she was on one of Pinkie’s sugar rushes. But the pony tried, she tried to explain speak slowly. “P-Please Twilight . . . changelings attacked my farm. And they got Granny, and Apple Bloom, and . . . and I think they got Big Mac too.” “What?!” “They’ve . . . They’ve taken my family, they’re burning my farm down . . . Twilight, I-I don’t know what to do.” Applejack desperately looked up into her friend’s eyes. “A-Applejack,” Twilight said, hugging her friend close. The princess didn’t how to respond. She held her friend close. Twilight had never seen the farmer so out of it before. “I-I don’t know what to say. I’m . . . I’m really sorry Applejack.” “You’re sorry?” The pony stepped back, confused. “We don’t have time ta be sorry. We gotta get them back. Gotta save my farm. All of our crops . . . they’ll be destroyed.” Twilight bit her lip. She avoided her friend’s gaze, and searched for the words that would calm her friend. “Well what are ya’ll waiting for? We gotta do something!” Applejack yelled, quickly growing impatient. “I’m sorry Applejack,” Twilight began, after getting a nod from Brawny. The princess spoke slowly, choosing her words as they left her mouth. Her whole body shook in fear. “We need our soldiers here. We can’t spare any as it is.” “No.” Applejack said in disbelief. “No, I didn’t hear that. I know I didn’t hear you say that.” The earth pony glanced from Twilight, to her guard, and back. Something was wrong here. This wasn’t the Twilight she knew. This couldn’t be her friend. Her friend would’ve jumped in to help, head first if need-be. “That farm has been in the family for generations . . . My family Twilight! And my family needs me . . . they need us!” Twilight saw the shock in her friend’s eyes, the disbelief. She fought back tears, fought back the growing desire to rush out of the castle with AJ, and save the day. Her role as princess, her role as leader of Ponyville, both prevented her from doing just that. “A-Applejack . . .” Twilight stuttered, “I-I’m so sorry. But we’re needed here. If . . . if your farm has been hit by the changelings, then . . . then you should stay here, until we can come up with a plan to attack Chrysalis and get them back.” “A plan? Twilight, I can’t do this by myself. I can’t. I need help,” Applejack begged. She searched the eyes of her friend, then looked to the guard whose stone expression provided no comfort. When she realized her friend’s position was not wavering, Applejack quickly wiped away her tears. She suddenly felt as though she were making a fool of herself. “T-Then, at least let me take Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie. Maybe we . . .” “I can’t let you do that either.” Twilight said, no longer able to look her friend in the eyes. “Rainbow Dash is helping Shining Armor with recon. Rarity is assisting the nurses in Town Hall, and Pinkie Pie . . . we may need her party cannon. I can’t let you leave Applejack.” Applejack was about to argue, but Brawny stepped in and said, “Please Applejack. Try and understand the princess’ position here. She can’t just worry about your family. She has to take into account every pony in Ponyville. And besides, you said so yourself. We shouldn’t squabble over these things. What’s happened, has happened.” Applejack’s heart sank at hearing the words she’d said to Rainbow Dash only a day or so ago. “I-I know . . . but . . .” and Applejack glanced between the two. She closed her eyes and blinked out her tears. This was the decision. This was it. “I-I’m sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking.” Applejack said, turning around. She knew why Twilight refused to help, but it didn’t make things any easier to swallow. “Applejack!” Twilight called out. But the pony ignored her. “I-I can see myself out.” Applejack whispered, and then she slipped out of the castle, her body trembling with the realization that she may never see her family again, or her farm. Tears fell from the princess’ eyes, watching her friend leave the castle. It felt as though all life had been sucked out of the room.First Rainbow Dash, and now Applejack . . . “Brawny, am I really doing the right thing?” Twilight asked. She turned her head to the guard, making eye contact with him. “Is this really what I should be doing?” Brawny stared into the alicorn’s eyes. He could see the doubt, and fear flooding into her body. The changeling couldn’t have been happier. Thinking carefully over what had just occurred, Brawny chose his words carefully. “I think you are making decisions that while very difficult, are saving the lives of many ponies.Your friends only misunderstand because they are distracted with emotion.” “I-I guess that makes sense. But, why does it feel so wrong?” Smiling at the princess, Brawny stepped over to her, and stood by her side. “Princess Twilight, I may be out of line when I say this, but . . . friends may be one of the most important things that a pony can have. Unfortunately, as a princess, you need to be willing to set those friendships aside, and act upon the needs of every-pony, and not just the needs of your friends.” Twilight stared up at her guard. “But . . . Applejack’s family . . . and the food . . .” The changeling saw Twilight’s reaction, and understandably so, she reeled at his words. He knew she’d spent years cultivating friendships with the other bearers of the elements. Hearing such words were probably quite damming to her. Taking another approach, Brawny said, “Then, what if when your friend came in and requested soldiers, you sent a small battalion to her farm. With my estimations, by time the soldiers arrive, her family is most likely in Canterlot. Her farm is probably leveled, and crawling with changelings. Even if your soldiers managed to scrounge up some food, or even a survivor, the changelings would be on them like a bur in the tail.”Lowering his voice, Brawny finished, “And now what have you lost? Applejack’s family, her farm, and another group of soldiers. Long-term, that’s less protection for all the ponies here.” Twilight’s shoulders dropped and her head lowered towards the floor. You’re right. It would’ve been so foolish to send out help.” The changeling couldn’t help but smile inside at seeing the broken-down Twilight. “Perhaps after the backup arrives, we can start planning something. But for now, we better inform the captain of what happened.” He suggested. At that, Twilight nodded. Shining Armor stood at the train station for Ponyville, watching with baited breath alongside his soldiers for the train. The list of passcodes tucked away, the captain sweated with anticipation as the all-too familiar whistle of the Friendship Express echoed off in the distance. “At the ready soldiers,” Captain Shining Armor commanded. Though his barrier protected against changelings, he couldn’t guarantee it protected against Daybreaker. Please Cadence, I hope you knew what you were doing. The captain prayed. He knew his wife to be one of the most generous in Equestria, one whom any-pony could count on. That was the extent of her love, and one of the reasons he loved her. Still, the danger she potentially placed every-pony in by doing this, couldn’t be ignored. Stepping back away from the tracks, Shining Armor watched as the Friendship Express pulled into the station. Puffs of smoke funneled out from the locomotive’s smoke stack. Solders surrounded the train, with spears and swords at the ready. At first, no-pony moved. “General Artic Blossom,” Shining Armor finally called out. The doors on the front car opened up and a gruff looking grey colt stood in the doorway. He ruffled his mustache, his iron blue eyes staring back. “Captain Shining Armor. Permission to disembark.” Shining Armor used his magic to pull out the list his wife had sent up. “Password.” “Cloudy Cookie.” Nodding, Shining Armor handed the list to one of his most trusted colts as the Crystal Empire general stepped off the train and over to the captain. “How are things here?” He asked, straight to the point. “Well, we’re surviving so far. You probably heard about the disaster up in Cloudsdale.” To this comment, the general nodded. “We’ve had to stretch out our troops just to cover all of Ponyville, though I’m afraid I’ll have to shrink the barrier soon.” The captain flinched as his migraine flared up again. “I won’t be able to keep it up otherwise.” “You do what you have to do.” The general said, glancing back over to his soldiers as they exited the train single-file. “We’re here to help. Wherever you want my colts, just send them out. We are all at your disposal.” “Thanks. This means a lot.” The captain watched too as the soldiers disembarked. With this number of soldiers, probably numbering close to seventy, Ponyville’s forces would almost be back up from the loss of pegasi. “How is the Crystal Empire doing? How’s Cadence?” “She’s fine. Worried about you mostly. But the Crystal Empire has been pretty quiet. Haven’t seen too much. But I don’t’ think it will stay that way forever. I think Daybreaker is putting in for a big push for this place to fall.” Shining Armor was about to respond when suddenly a burst of wind flung about his mane. Looking up, he found Rainbow Dash hovering with a bit of panic in her eyes. “What is it Rainbow Dash?” Shining Armor questioned. “We have a big problem!” “What is it?” “Over on the other end of Ponyville,” the Wonderbolt spoke, almost out of breath from the speed in which she flew. “Changelings! They’re getting in!” “What?! But how?” “I don’t know. But the weird thing is, not all of them are breaking through. Some are still pounding on the barrier like they’ve been doing for ages.” Turning to the general, Shining Armor didn’t even get a word out and the general said, “We’re on our way!” and he galloped off to his colts, shouting at them to follow his lead. Shining Armor looked to the pegasus and said, “Get out there and help the soldiers Dash. We need all hooves on deck for this! I’ll get back to the princess and see what’s going on.” “Roger!” and with that Rainbow Dash burst off at sonic rainboom speeds towards the incoming forces. The captain turned to his soldiers. “I need as many available soldiers on the other end of Ponyville now! We’ve got changelings getting in.”Instantly, half of the colts stationed gathered up into a group, prepared for battle. “The rest of you stay alert,” Shining Armor commanded. “And brace yourselves. Something’s coming. Something bad.”