Outside, Ponyville was up and about, with ponies doing their usual business. At the market, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were glancing nervously at the giant slingshot-like contraption, Scootaloo set up between two trees.
“I don’t know Scoot,” Apple Bloom said, “I don’t think we should be trying that in the middle of Ponyville.”
Preparing her scooter, Scootaloo waved her hoof dismissively. “Nah, it will be fine. We’ve done crazier stuff in the past.”
Sweetie Belle shook her head. “Not like this – we always tried the more dangerous stuff outside town—”
“It will be fine, trust me!”
“It won’t be if you lose control!” Apple Bloom forcefully stomped her hoof. “Somepony might get hurt Scoot, I really don’t understand why you insist on trying this in the middle of Ponyville.”
Scootaloo glanced at both of them, her eyes filled with defiance. “Because I need a straight road for that trick to work! Look, if you don’t want to help then just say so.”
“Scoot, we’re just worried,” Apple Bloom said, “Ever since Pinkie organized that party at the end of the school year, you’ve been having a lot of crazy ideas… Even more than usual, I mean. Remember last week?”
Scootaloo rolled her eyes. “What’s wrong with a little hang gliding?”
“Nothing… Unless you want to glide through Ghastly Gorge, during Quarray eels mating season!”
“Yeah, what was that all about anyway? It’s not like we need to try crazy stuff to find our cutie marks anymore, unless…” Sweetie Belle put her hoof to her chin in a thinking pose and smiled. “You got a job in the circus we don’t know about?”
Scootaloo’s eyes widened. “W-what?!”
Apple Bloom smirked. “Ah, that would make sense! The Scooter-Mare! Or Crazy-Glider or—”
“Or nothing!” Scootaloo shouted stomping her hoof with force, interjecting her.
Both CMCs glance at the pegasus, only to see her breathing fast through clenched teeth. While her eyes were fiercely cold and intimidating, her face was burning with rage. Seeing her like that was sending some tingling sensation down their spines.
“S-scoot, we were just joking—”
“Well, don’t!” Scootaloo snorted loudly, her angry eyes not leaving her friends for a second. “I don’t want to be a stinking circus pony, get it?!” The only answer she got was a nervous head nodding.
Seeing agitation on her friends’ faces, she closed her eyes, taking a few deep slow breaths. ”If you really must know… I’m working on a stunt to impress Rainbow Dash on her birthday.”
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle shared a confused glance.
“Yeah, I know what you’re both gonna say, but… Ever since she became a Wonderbolt, I’ve been seeing her less and less… I’m just looking for something I could impress her with – something she will remember…”
After a moment Apple Bloom broke the silence. “I’m still not sure about this but…” she put on a gentle smile. “If this is important for you then I will help—”
“You mean – WE will help,” Sweetie Belle interjected, “the CMCs never leaves friends hanging!”
Scootaloo bit her lip, her defiance was suddenly gone. “Even the crazy ones?”
Apple Bloom let out a chuckle and pulled both of her friends in a tight embrace. “Especially the crazy ones!”
The hug lasted only for a few seconds, but it was enough to completely defuse the situation. Without further ado, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom started pulling the sling, as Scootaloo put on her helmet.
“Scootaloo… I… don’t think this will go any… further! Hurry!” Sweetie Belle said, barely able to hold the sling with her magic.
“Just a few more seconds!” Scootaloo said, putting on her goggles and positioning herself for lunch. “OK gals, ready… steady… careful—”
Before she could finish, a loud swoosh like sound filled the air. The swing discharged violently, blasting Scootaloo across Ponyville market with a speed of a race car and dragging Apple Bloom along with it.
Sweetie Belle winced. “Apple Bloom! Are you OK?! I’m sorry! I couldn’t hold it any longer!”
Apple Bloom stood up, shaking some sand out of her mouth. “I’m fine… Ugh, I knew this was a bad idea. Hey, where is Scoot?” They both glanced at trails left by the scooter which was leading towards the nearby peak…
***
John walked through the castle, eying and touching his surroundings and trying to make some sense of his situation. His body felt heavier than usual, every step costing him considerable effort.
“This can’t be real… just can’t be…” As he opened the castle’s door, a light breeze hit his face, and sunlight blinded him momentarily. When his eyes re-adjusted, his jaw hit the floor. “Wow…” was the only thing he could muster as he went outside. He strolled through Ponyville, closing and rubbing his eyes, desperately trying to fight his senses and somehow wake up from the dream, but as he got closer to the market, he realized it was a losing battle. Dear God this is real… This really is… real.
He stopped in the middle of the Ponyville market with his breathing labored and sweat pouring down his forehead, when the flashback hit him like a sledgehammer.
”The virus killed everyone.”
His breathing was becoming more labored, and his heart started to race.
”There is nothing to get back to…”
With his mind slowly sinking in the tidal wave of memories and heart pounding, he started gasping for air, but his chest felt like if a ton of bricks was pressing down on it, suppressing his efforts to breathe. He would have probably passed out if it weren’t for a gentle voice coming from behind.
“Good morning, Mr. Gastovski, have you thought about my offer?” John turned, to see a purple pony with green eyes. “Oh, I’m sorry… I thought you were someone else… Are you OK mister?”
“I’m fine, just… need to catch my breath,” he said slowly regaining his composure.
The mare in front of him put on a gentle smile. “New in town?”
He chuckled darkly. “New on the planet… And a little overwhelmed at the moment.”
“It’s OK, I understand. My name is Cheerilee mister…?”
“John Wildman ma’am, pleasure to—”
Suddenly Cheerilee felt a forceful push and landed on her side – before she could say anything a loud thud filled the air – blasting John a few meters back.
“What in Equestria?” Her eyes widened. “Scootaloo! Are you all right? What happened?!”
“Ouch… I’m fine… I think,” Scootaloo said, glancing around. “Phew, my scooter seems fine too—”
Cheerilee stomped her hoof with force, sending some rocks flying. “Scootaloo! What were you thinking! You hit—”
Scootaloo rolled her eyes. “Relax! Cap is indestructible.”
“Ugh, I’m not Gastovski, kid,” John said, trying to pick himself up, but stumbling back almost immediately – his head spinning.
Cheerilee stepped in, acting as the support. “Easy there, lean back against me. Yes, that’s better – are you all right? That blow sounded awful.”
“Let’s just say my ribs seen better days,” he chuckled.
“Mrs. Cheerilee? What happened?” Apple Bloom trotted to the scene, alongside Sweetie Belle.
“Scootaloo, almost run me over – if it wasn’t for Mr. Wildman here, Celestia knows what would happen,” she turned to John with a gentle smile, “thank you.”
John smiled as well. “My pleasure,” he bit his lip, as stabbing pain shot through his chest, “OK, perhaps pleasure was not the best word, ouch…”
“I’m sorry for this,” she said, turning to the young pegasus, “would you mind explaining why did you race like crazy through the center of Ponyville? Don’t you know somepony… or other creature could get hurt?”
Scootaloo shrugged, like if nothing happened. “I needed to practice my latest trick… Besides, it’s Sweetie Belle’s fault, she released me too soon!”
Sweetie Belle bit her lip. “I’m sorry, I just couldn’t hold it any longer…”
“Yeah, well, perhaps you should practice your magic some more!”
“Hey, drop it!” Apple Bloom interjected. “She said she is sorry… Besides, you were the one who insisted on practicing in the middle of Ponyville!”
John shook his head, turning to Scootaloo. “Kid, are you insane? If I weren’t wearing that armor, you would have broken all my ribs… or worse.”
Scootaloo rolled her eyes, visibly annoyed about all the fuss. “Oh, come on! Nothing bad happened! I thought humans were tougher than this…”
“Boy, you really need to—”
“BOY?!” Scootaloo growl, her eyes widening. “Did you just call me a… BOY?!”
John blinked and did a double take. “… you are a girl?”
Giggles coming from the rest of the Crusader filled the air, even Cheerilee smirked, only to hide her smile behind her hoof a second later.
Scootaloo pierced John with her gaze, her eyes burning with rage. “Look um… No offense intended kid, I—”
“Oh, don’t worry mister. Everypony knows she is a… tomboy,” Apple Bloom interjected with a giggle.
Scootaloo vision shifted to the grinning filly. “You take that back!”
Apple Bloom snickered, “Did I anger you? Oh… boy!”
Immediately, Scootaloo dashing after her, but the farm filly was read and quickly jumped out of the way. “You gotta try harder… boy!” She teased, running circles around John, Scootaloo on her tail.
Those girls never change, do they? Cheerilee rolled her eyes. “Girls! Stop this, right now. Girls!”
Seeing two fillies chasing each other and third rolling on the floor, laughing, managed to put some smile back on John’s face until a sudden cry of pain filled the air. John turned to see Scootaloo on top of Apple Bloom, her hoof pounding at the farm filly with blurring motion.
“Hey, enough!” John grabbed the pegasus by the back and lifted her in the air. “Calm down kid!”
Scootaloo’s did the opposite – she flailed her hooves and panting heavily as her rage intensified with every second.
“Let me go you ugly monkey!”
“Scootaloo! What kind of language is this?!” Cheerilee said with a firm tone.
But the pegasus ignored her, still thrashing in the air, trying to get free from John’s tight grip throwing some less than polite insults at him – but no matter what, she wasn’t going anywhere. Everyone’s attention turned to the filly on the ground who was holding her snout.
“You OK, Apple Bloom?” Sweetie Belle asked, concern on her face.
Apple Bloom replied, pressing one of her hoof on her temple. “… dizzy.”
“I say! Scootaloo hit you pretty—” Sweetie paused, her eyes widened. “You are bleeding!”
For a moment, silence filled the air – even Scootaloo finally stopped struggling, instead gazing at her friend only to notice red liquid dripping from her nose, onto her hooves and coat.
“Hmm, doesn’t seem that bad, but we should get you to the doctor anyway,” Cheerilee said, glancing at the wound.
John turned to the filly still in his grasp. “You calmed down already?” A few quick nods were the only answer. “I’m going to put you down, OK? Just… don’t do anything silly.”
A second later, Scootaloo was on the ground – the defiance that was on her face just a moment ago was gone, replaced by fear and concern. She just stood there, biting her lip and observing the scene with wide eyes – too scared, or perhaps too ashamed to approach her friends.
“May I take a look?” John said to Cheerilee, pointing at Apple Bloom. Seeing the unsure expression on her face, he smiled gently. “I promise not to bite,” Cheerilee smiled herself and nodded.
With a quick motion, he took some contraption, out of his belt, turned it on, and placed it on Apple Bloom’s snout. “Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you kid. Does that hurt?”
“A little—” A sudden bloody caught, left Apple Bloom’s throat, hitting his outfit. “I’m… sorry—”
John smiled. “Don’t worry about it little one, let’s just get this thing online,” he glanced at the screen, connected to the contraption, and moved it around Apple Bloom’s snout for a few seconds. “Well, I’m not an expert on um… pony anatomy, but if I read this correctly, there are no broken bones and the bleeding is superficial.”
“Still hurts though…”
“Hmm,” John reached into one of the pouches on his armor and pulled something out of the first aid kit.
“Wow! That’s cold!” Apple Bloom said as he placed it on her snout.
“Standard issue cooling pack, hold it there, and it should alleviate some of the pain.”
“Yeah, it’s getting better. Thanks, mister.”
“Apple Bloom, I—” Scootaloo finally said, but Sweetie Belle cut her off immediately.
“What the hay Scoot?! Attacking her for something like that? Seriously?!”
“Sweetie Belle is correct,” Cheerilee interjected, “what’s gotten into you?”
Her ears dropped in shame. “I don’t know.”
“I guess it’s my fault…” John turned to Scootaloo. “Sorry kid, no offense intended, I just can’t tell you guys apart, yet…”
Apple Bloom shook her head, cooling pack still on her snout, “No mister, I shouldn’t have teased her… Still, a buck to the face for something like that, Scoot?”
“I’m sorry…”
Apple Bloom smiled. “Well, at least I think I’m all good now.”
“Hmm, hold on a second,” John crouched to filly’s level with a medical tissue in his hand, “let’s clean this up,” With a gentle motion, he began wiping the blood off Apple Bloom’s snout and coat.
Cheerilee chuckled, “Mr. Wildman, you are a walking pharmacy!”
“Nah, just a standard combat gear—” … better changed the subject before kids ask—
“Combat huh? You must know Cap, right?” Scootaloo brightened.
Too late…
“Got some good stories?!”
John stopped, shutting his eyes closed. “Dear God, please tell me that dork didn’t tell you any stories, about… what we went through on our world?”
Scootaloo let a sigh of disappointment. “Nah… He said we would have nightmares. But he dealt with those shadow ponies and diamond dogs in style! They never saw it coming.”
John arched his eyebrow. “What do you mean? He fought someone… here?”
“Sure he did! First, he saved Sweetie Belle and Rarity from those diamond dogs, and then when those shadow ponies took over he sliced and diced and—”
“That’s enough Scootaloo!” Cheerilee interjected, putting her hoof on pegasus face. “I’m sure John… gets the picture.”
“I’m just saying he was almost as awesome as Rainbow Dash!”
John facepalm, his head shaking. “Nothing awesome about killing, kid – no matter how much that dork likes it.”
Scootaloo cocked her head, as an expression of surprise filled her face. “But… aren’t you a soldier too? Didn’t you kill to protect others?”
More than you realize, girl… A loud sigh left his mouth, as his face saddened. “I did what I had to do, yes… and that’s why I know what I’m talking about. War is hell, James is just—” A walking cheesy one-liner? “—special. Don’t emulate him,” he turned back to Apple Bloom, and resumed the cleanup with a – now, blood-soaked – tissue still in his hand.
Cheerilee smiled, observing his gentle motions. A human who is against killing and war? Interesting… After her dealings with Gastovski, she did not expect that kind of attitude from another human, especially a soldier. Perhaps I should ask him to make the presentation instead—
A sudden scream took them all by surprise. John barely had time to turn his head, before he was launched in the air. His body hit the ground a good three meters away with a thud, knocking him out cold.
“ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?! WHAT DID THAT MONSTER DO TO YOU?!”
“Applejack he didn’t—” Apple Bloom tried to say something but was cut off almost immediately.
“Blood?!” Applejack eyes widened. “Oh, no! Are you injured?! Did it hurt you?! What did it do?! Talk to me!”
“Applejack! Calm down!” Cheerilee interjected, stepping between Applejack and her sister.
“Out of the way Cheerilee!”
Cheerilee stomped the ground with force, assuming a defensive posture. “Not before you calm down – you are scaring everyone!”
A crowd of ponies attracted by the commotion, gathered nearby, to see Applejack and Cheerilee locked in place with their eyes narrowed and backs arched – each one trying to pierce the other with an intimidating gaze. Their little power-play was interrupted by a groan coming from the human, lying nearby.
“Ugh… Oh God, that hurts…” John said, feeling the stabbing heat radiating inside his chest. “What happened?”
“That’s a good question,” Cheerilee said, her eyes not leaving Applejack, “Would you mind explaining why did you attack him?”
“Because that monster—” You promised not to say anything, remember? Applejack let out an audible sigh. “—that thing is evil, that’s all I can say.”
John sat in silence, with an indifferent look on his face as whispers filled the air. A second later, he could feel the gaze of dozens of ponies around, scowling him and grumbling.
Cheerilee gently cocked her head, her vision traveling between John and Applejack. “Applejack, that’s a little vague, we need more than that!”
“I… can’t. You’ll just have to trust me on this. Look what he did to Apple Bloom!”
“Girls just had a little fight – John got nothing to do with it.”
Scootaloo stepped forward, her head hanging low. “I hit Apple Bloom, I’m sorry.”
Scootaloo hit her? Applejack shook her head. “It changes nothing, he did something much worse earlier. I… just can’t talk about it.”
“Applejack that’s not good enough—”
“Drop it, please…” John said, finally getting off the ground, a trickle of blood dripping from his mouth. “She is your kid?”
“My sister!”
John let out a dark chuckle. “Just my luck…” He glanced around, to see that the crowd of ponies was getting bigger every second, most of them with a not-so-friendly expression on their faces.
“You don’t belong here!” Someone said. “We don’t need another troublemaker in Ponyville!” Other added. Soon, half of the crowd was shouting in his direction.
Cheerilee shook her head. “I can’t believe what I’m seeing!”
“Oh come on hon!” Carrot Top said. “He is probably nothing but trouble!”
“Just like Zecora was?” Her remark silenced the crowd momentarily, forcing a visible blush of embarrassment on the faces of some ponies. “I thought, we learned a lesson that day, but apparently I was mistaken—”
“No, they’re right,” John interjected with resignation in his voice. “I think, it will be best if I just leave.”
“Yeah, you do that,” Applejack said, her voice sounding vicious and bitter. “And don’t you dare coming close to Apple Bloom again!”
John let out a sigh and turned towards the Everfree forest. “Don’t worry, I’ll be out of your hair soon, but… for what it’s worth – I’m sorry for what happened earlier,” he said, slowly limping away.
“Mister, wait!” Cheerilee ran in front of him. “You don’t have to leave, whatever happened… I’m sure the two of you can work something out.”
He stopped and for a moment, glanced at her. The gentle smile on her face was contrasting with the frowns coming from other ponies nearby. “I’m afraid it’s not that simple, miss. Your friend has every right to be angry… or scared.”
“I know it’s not my business, but, perhaps if you tell me what happened, we could figure it out together?”
John bit his lip, considering his options. Cheerilee looked like a nice person, someone with an open mind, someone who could maybe understand… But then, there was a crowd of ponies behind her including the three young fillies he met earlier who were now whispering between themselves with confused faces. He glanced at Apple Bloom – she was so young and innocent… And he almost robbed her of all that just a few hours ago. Just thinking about it was making him sick.
John let out a deep sigh, turning back to Cheerilee. “I’m sorry, I know you’re trying to help, but some things are better left unspoken. It will be best for everyone if I just disappear.”
She wrinkled her brows, her smile turning into an expression of worry. “What do you mean?”
“Nothing… I just need to find someplace to… think things over.”
“I… understand. See you later then?”
“Yes, later… Goodbye miss, nice talking to you.”
Cheerilee watched as he continued marching towards the Everfree forest – her mind full of concern. Please, don’t do anything stupid John…
***
Some distance away, the Crusaders, just stared at the scene with confusion.
“I don’t want to see any of you near that thing, understood?” Applejack said.
“What did he do, sis?”
“That’s not your concern!”
“Actually, it is! Because from our perspective, you just attacked him for nothing!”
I can’t Apple Bloom… I just can’t – you would have nightmares… And I promised… Applejack sighed heavily. “Girls… you need to trust me on this, OK? I can’t tell you what he tried to do… but he is dangerous, and I don’t want you getting hurt.”
“But—”
“Darn it, Apple Bloom! No buts, understood?!” Applejack shouted, gritting her teeth. “I’m your older sister, and you will listen!”
Apple Bloom winced and took a step back, she knew better than to provoke Applejack when she was angry. Until recently, her older sister losing her temper was almost unheard of, but lately, it started happening more and more often.
“OK, I will stay away,” as long as you are around, anyway.
Just like that, Applejack smiled again. “Thank you, Apple Bloom, that goes for the two of you as well,” she turned to where the remaining fillies were just moments ago, but only Sweetie Belle was present. “Hey, where is Scootaloo?”
“She left already, when Cheerilee was talking to the human,” Sweetie Belle said.
Applejack rolled her eyes. That girl is always trouble… “When you see each other, tell her to stay away from that thing, OK?” Sweetie nodded. “Good, now—”
“Can we talk for a moment?” Cheerilee interrupted.
“Sure. You girls move along now.”
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle nodded, and after saying a quick goodbye, to Cheerilee – went away. With the mob of ponies that gathered earlier gone too, Applejack and Cheerilee were alone.
“You know what I’m going to ask—”
Applejack sighed. “Cheerilee, I can’t… I promised I won’t tell anyone.”
Cheerilee shook her head. “It doesn’t make any sense… He seems like a nice person – what could he possibly have done?”
Applejack gulped as the flashback hit her – the escape, the pain, the blood… Metallic net cutting her skin… As her mind slowly went into overdrive, she saw him looming above with a knife in his hand. Its jagged blade ready to thrust inside of her, to tear through her flesh… to open her like some hog.
“Applejack, are you all right?”
Cheerilee’s question snapped her back to reality, interrupting the nightmare. Only now, she noticed her whole body was shaking. “I’m fine, I just… need to go, excuse me.”
With that, she trotted away – her shaking figure quickly disappearing in the distance, leaving baffled Cheerilee behind. Why was she so scared…? She shook her head in confusion. What happened between these two…