//------------------------------// // The Ancient Legacy // Story: Inequinoids: The Evil That Lies Beneath // by Tatsurou //------------------------------// Applejack calmly followed Granny Smith into an unused portion of Sweet Apple Acres, a part of the orchard that nothing had ever been planted in but had been full of trees for as long as she could remember. Despite none of the trees having any leaves, Granny Smith had forbidden them from ever being cleared even when they desperately needed more land for more income. It had been something that had long confused both herself and Big Mac, but Granny had been so insistent that they'd obeyed. Now she followed Granny among the leafless trees for reasons that she could not understand. All Granny had said was that it 'was time' and to follow her. She glanced around at the trees, taking them in. If she allowed the lights and shadows to trick her senses, she might think there were faces in the trunks, glowering at her with hostile suspicion...but she'd learned that lesson back when she first met Twilight. While she wouldn't giggle aloud just now, she took Pinkie's advice anyway and put the imagined specters from her mind, instead focusing on other details...and trying to figure out why Granny was bringing her out here. Eventually, Granny approached a single tree that stood somewhat taller than the others, and was visibly ancient with age. While the other trees had been redwoods, this one was practically silver despite all other traits suggesting it was the same species as the trees around it. Granny took a seat on the grass before the tree in the small clearing around it, folding her legs under her as she set aside her walking stick. "Come sit, Applejack," she wheezed calmly as she relaxed, looking more energized than Applejack had ever seen her despite the sound of her voice. "Stay a while." Curious, Applejack folded her hind legs under her as she sat facing her Granny. "So...wut's this all about, Granny?" she asked curiously. "All ya said was 'it's time' and brought me out here. Time fer what?" "Time fer ya to understand what we're here ta do," Granny explained calmly as she looked her granddaughter in the eye. "There's a lot more ta this farm than the apples, ya know." Applejack looked around in confusion. "Is...is this someat like the Zap Apples?" she asked curiously. Despite the vibrant colors of the surrounding trees, the lack of leaves did remind her of the Zap Apple trees. "Eh...sorta, but not really," Granny replied. "Someat ah learned about around the same time, though." She chuckled softly. "They seemed as surprised by me as I was a' them." "Them?" Applejack asked in surprise, jerking back to face Granny. "In their own time," Granny assured her before huddling down to wait. Though not really satisfied by the non-answers, Applejack settled down to wait. As she did, she found herself noticing more and more about the area that disturbed her. While she'd discounted the 'faces in the trees' earlier, her sense of nature told her that the trees...weren't happy to see her, as best as she could make out. It was the same sort of hostility she used to feel entering the Everfree, but more focused and intense. The Everfree had the hostility of a hunter looking for prey. This was the hostility of an unpleasant neighbor who wished you'd get off their lawn, but coming from every single tree. At the same time, not a single critter sound echoed among the trees. Used to always hearing sounds on the farm, Applejack found that even more disturbing. She strained her ears, hoping to hear anything. Even the screech of vampire fruit bats would be welcome, but no sound reached her ears. She dealt with the sensations - and lack thereof - for as long as she could, but eventually turned back to Granny Smith. "G-Granny? Do...do we have ta stay here? I...ah don't feel welcome." "Poppycock!" Granny Smith snapped, standing up. Stalking over, she rapped on the silver tree. "What's the big idea?" she demanded of the tree. "This is my granddaughter! I told you about her! She's saved the land more times than you have, so stop giving her the cold branch and wake up!" The tree quivered and shifted...and a face appeared on the trunk, the branches lowering down into arms. "Sssshe does not belong among us..." the figure hiss-growled as it spoke. "One she is tied to...has broken the seal! One of the beasts has been brought to the surface!" "Don't talk nonsense!" Granny snapped. "None o' Applejack's friends woulda done nothin' like that! They're Equestria's protectors!" "The amber prison has been brought to the surface," the tree figure insisted, "and it was done by equine hoof and magic." "But what makes ya think-" "It was Twilight, wasn't it?" Applejack asked calmly. "Her and her Land Heart project, diggin' down ta learn the planet's past and secrets. She gone and dug up some ancient evil, ain't she?" The hostility of the area eased. "Land...Heart?" the silver figure pressed. "Eeyup," Applejack confirmed. "Her, Tempest, Starlight, and Maud got these suits that let 'em explore deeper than ponies can go. Even got Spike along, since dragons ain't bothered by the stuff deep down." The trees around them rustled, and another one revealed itself in a shape like the silver speaker. "It repeats, Redland..." it observed obliquely. "I notice, Redsock," Redland responded firmly, mildly glaring at the speaker. "I was there, you were not." He turned back to Applejack. "You can contact this...Land Heart? Give warning of what they've revealed?" "Easily," Applejack answered. "The Museum where they're puttin' the stuff they dig up is right here in Ponyville. Just gotta head inta town. What am I ta tell 'em, anyway?" "They have unearthed D'Compose, one of the Inhumanoids," Redland spoke calmly. "An undead monstrosity that converts any it touches into undead beasts, vulnerable only to Whiteburn." "...any chance ya can elaborate on that?" Applejack pressed. "Usual counters fer undead is fire and sunlight." "Whiteburn is an ancient term for sunlight," Redsock clarified. "D'Compose is exceptionally vulnerable, and any he converts can be restored with direct exposure." "Well shoot!" Applejack declared happily as she stood up. "Then it's a good thing Princess Celestia's gonna be there for the opening! if he breaks free, she can just raise the sun early! Be right back, Granny!" With that, she turned and raced into town. Redland stared after her. "Raise...the sun?" he asked oddly. "Told ya lots was different since ye last woke up when ah met ya the first time!" Granny snapped out. "But nooo, 'the face o' life may change, but not nature'!" She glared pugnaciously up at the silver tree being. Redland managed to look sheepish.