Star Overhead

by KorenCZ11

My Hoof (Part 2)

When Ah returned, it was almost as if he could sense my approach. There he was sittin’ in his rockin’ chair on the porch, which he only ever does if he’s expectin’ somthin’, watchin’ me with his head tilted as Ah ‘drove’ the massive motorcycle.

“How are ya drivin’ that thin’?” he asked. Ah got off the seat and shook my head. Ah couldn’t even reach the rear brake and the shifter, so it was a valid question.

“Ah have no idea.” Ah put a hoof on the saddle bag again, and just as it did the first time, the chain unwrapped itself and flew back inside the bike. When Ah looked inside the bag, Ah realized that it too had no bottom, so there must be somethin’ magic goin’ on all about that mare.

Celestia and… Luna. My sister, twenty-two thousand years ago… Ah wonder… is she the Sun Queen? And fer that matter, does that mean the Luna Ah know is really the Equestrian Queen? They’re supposed ta be alicorns and have wings and all, but neither of those mares look like… well, if anythin’, ‘looks’ aren’t probably tellin’ the truth when it comes ta them. If she really is the queen, why would she want everypony in town knowin’ who she is? Naw, that just makes too much sense. The pieces are all there… Pappy came over and inspected the bike himself.

“Ah haven’t seen this kinda Harley in almost 20 years. Where’d ya get it?” Ah scratched at my cheek.

“Ah was loaned it. There’s some… weird stuff happenin’ right now, and she said it was fer my protection, so… that’s about all there is ta that.” He looked me up and down next.

“Ya got a hole in yer stockin’s. And yer damn jacket! Come on Applejack, ya know how much the school charges ta have this crap replaced.” Ah rolled my eyes.

“Course Ah know that! Ah was attacked, it’s not my damn fault! Geez.” He reared back.

“Attacked!? By what!? Are ya… well, you’re here, so Ah guess you’re fine. What happened?” Ah shook my head.

“Y’all would not believe the shit Ah’ve been through in the last couple weeks, boy howdy.” Pappy stared me down fer a bit, then blew air out his nose.

“Alright, Ah’ll leave it be. Go park the ATV and come on in. We… we need ta talk.” Ah nodded.

“Yes, yes we do…”

“So… listen, Ah… Ah don’t hate ya. Ah never have, and Ah never will. Ah’ll always love my grandkids, just like Ah could never truly give up on my girl, but…” Ah leaned back on the couch and crossed my hind legs.

“Ah know Pappy.” A silence filled the room like a rollin’ fog, and after a while, Ah started ta get antsy. Ah got up and went ta find that old picture, took it off the wall and held it in my hooves. Ma and Pa, just a little after Ah was born with Mac on Pa’s back and me in her hooves. She had a pale orange coat, green-blue eyes, freckles, and an orange mane that was wild and curly. Ah get my coat and my freckles from her, and when Ah caught my reflection in the frame’s glass, my face was like a mirror ta hers, even if Ah have Pa’s eyes.

“How did they meet?” Ah finally asked. He sighed a long and deep sigh and leaned back in his recliner.

“When yer mother was fifteen, just after school had been let out fer the summer, some of her friends decided ta go bar hoppin’. Ponyville ain’t a big place, the orchard we owned there did well, but we were always in constant, heated competition with the Apples. Spruce, yer other grandfather, and Ah had this… Ah suppose, ‘rivalry’ is the best word fer it. But that same April, Spruce died in a car crash. He was T-boned at an intersection ta the highway when some idiot kid wasn’t payin’ attention and drove straight inta him. Both drivers died, and luckily, Spruce was alone, otherwise Anne or Rosie woulda went with him.

Bright was plannin’ ta go back inta the service after his term was up, but thin’s changed after his Pa died. So… one thin’ lead ta another, and yer drunk, depressed father and my drunk underage daughter, hooked up, and she found out she was pregnant a few weeks later.”

Pappy swallowed and then leaned his chair back up and looked me in the eyes.

“Ah wanted ta kill him. Ah thought yer mother was just caught up in her friend’s scheme, and yer father took advantage of her. A soldier, a renegade, he’d always been the bad boy type since Ah knew him growin’ up, and this was exactly the kinda thin’ he woulda done before he was shipped off. And Ah tried too. If Blossom hadn’t ripped the gun outta my hooves, Ah woulda done it.

But… as all thin’s are never black and white, Ah calmed down and learned her side of the story, and Ah ended up just as mad at her. Yer dumbass mother came on ta him! She’d always had a sweet spot for that boy, but he was six years older than her, so he was more interested in Barlett. He never gave Buttercup the time of day, and she saw a chance and she took it, albeit intoxicated. He hadn’t seen her in four years, and she’d matured since then. Probably didn’t even recognize her when he took her home.”

Pappy shook his head and scratched at his cheek.

“So… when Bright found out about yer brother, he… he came ta me and said he would marry Buttercup. It was his fault, so he was gonna take care of it. This stallion… was not the colt that went off ta war. That much was clear, but Ah… was also a younger man back then, and… Ah had a temper.” He smiled and shook his head. “Only thin’ Blossom could never beat outta me.

Ah was… so furious at it all, that Ah packed up and decided it was time ta expand up north, and Ah kicked Buttercup out. ‘If somepony else is gonna be the stallion in her life, then she don’t need ta come with us.’ That was my first mistake. Business was good up north, we did better even, but… Ah killed Blossom, doin’ that. Ah said we weren’t ta see Buttercup until she came and apologized ta us, and Blossom wouldn’t have it. She took a plane ta go see her a little before y’all were born, and… well, that plane never made it ta Ponyville. Got caught in a bad storm just between Palomino and Bonasus and one of the engines was struck by lightnin’. No survivors.

Ah don’t know if Bosc is ever gonna forgive me fer that. It was… irony, at its best. Ah hated yer father, and then my son hated me. The goddess can be so cruel at times, Ah always…” Pappy shook his head. “Nevermind. So, Bosc ran away from home, and Ah’ve seen him maybe six times in the twenty years since then. Only reason ya know yer cousins at all is because his wife is a kinder mare than the Pear stallions are. Stubborn old fools with thicker skulls than red oaks. Barlett never blamed me fer that, but deep down, Ah know it’s what she believes. It’s the truth after all, if Ah hadn’t been so…” Pappy looked up and wiped at his eyes. “Goddess damn it!”

“Pappy, ya don’t have ta-” He held out his hooves and shook his head at me.

“No! Y’all have the right ta know, and Ah cannot go through this again! Yer brother chewed me out yesterday, and he was right, damn it! Ah hate the way Ah treat ya, and Ah hate the way ya act! You’re just like yer mother, you’re just as stubborn as Ah am, you’re just like yer father, and one day, you’re gonna make a mistake that Ah can’t prevent and nothin’ Ah do is gonna stop ya from doin’ it! Of all the ponies it pains me ta look at, you’re the worst because you’re just so damn much like yer parents that every time Ah look at ya, Ah see them! Ah…” he took a deep breath and started over.

“Yer mother, she… she was the most like her mother. Blossom and Buttercup were just… the kinda mares that make the world go round. Mares that make stallions honest. Mares that could fix anythin’ and Ah… Ah lost ‘em both one after another.

Losin’ Blossom was devastatin’, but when Ah got that letter from yer Granny, Ah… Ah couldn’t be bitter anymore, Ah had ta see it fer myself. When Ah met y’all, Ah… Ah saw a lot of Buttercup and Blossom in each of ya, and in a way, it made me feel better. Bosc wouldn’t let me near his kids fer the longest time, and Barlett’s kids are younger than ya’ll, so Ah hadn’t seen them much either. As much as Ah hated him, yer Pa didn’t hate me.

As a matter of fact, he and Buttercup thought the world of me.” Pappy covered his eyes and started ta laugh. “Hehe… they thought… They thought Ah moved and sold the pear orchard outta the goodness of my heart, like it was a weddin’ gift fer them! They were never willin’ ta believe that Ah was just some petty old man so spurned that Ah was willin’ ta start over just ta get away, even though that was the truth! Life is just so funny, ain’t it? The goddess has ta have a sense of humor ta torture me like that, don’t she?” He shook his head and recovered himself.

“With Bosc gone, Blossom dead, and Barlett gettin’ married, Ah figured it was time fer these old bones ta move along and give her some space ta start her family. Ah apparently did that fer my last daughter, so why not do it again fer my first? Blossom was born in South Dartmoor and land here is cheap, so Ah bought a bunch and figured Ah’d live quietly between all my grandkids. Old habits die hard, so Ah started plantin’ again and slowly but surely, Ah grew another orchard. It’s in the blood, Ah’ll tell ya what.

Bright wanted me in his kid’s lives, so Ah agreed ta come by twice a year ta visit. Once at Hearth’s Warmin’, and once on the Summer Sun Celebration. In a way, it sated my need ta correct everythin’ Bright taught y’all, and it… gave me another family ta worry about. Thin’s went on, my visits became more frequent over the years, and finally, Ah start ta see what a stallion that colt Ah used ta know became. How could Ah have missed, that this boy wasn’t just the stallion that put a baby in my daughter, but… my best friend’s son? That was Spruce’s boy. All those years after he died, Ah’d forgotten that he wasn’t just some random kid, but he was my friend’s kid. Ah watched that boy grow up, and Ah… lost sight of that.

Course, then his dumbass goes and dies savin’ some new family from a fire. That’s just how it would go, ain’t it? As twisted as everythin’ was in my life, that would be how he goes out. Before me, just as Ah was startin’ ta get comfortable with him, just as Ah was acceptin’ him callin’ me Pa, just as… Ah was ready ta call him son. Top it all off, in his last moments, he tells somepony at that hospital ta make sure that his kids go ta me and not his sister. Can ya believe that? Rosie woulda taken ya too, that little filly was such a kind kid with such a big heart, Ah… Ah just couldn’t believe it.

Now that Ah’m around ya all the time, it’s… difficult ta see you and not yer parents. Bright did his best, and Ah believe that y’all are gonna turn out fine, just with his efforts alone. You’re not yer parents, and yer all smarter than anypony that came before ya, that’s fer damn sure. Yer Pa had some of the worst grades Ah’d ever seen, Spruce used ta complain about it all the time. Buttercup wasn’t any better either, she always needed help from somepony with some new assignment because she was just not an academic.

Ah think that’s part of what set me off yesterday. Yer lie was what she always needed ta get middlin’ grades, and yer scores are always just shy of perfect. Feedin’ me that crock of shit like Ah hadn’t seen this crap before.”

Pappy shook his head. “Ah love ya, Applejack. Ah’ve only ever wanted the best fer ya, but… well, Ah have a temper, y’all have a temper, everypony in these families has a temper and sometimes it gets the best of us. Ah’ve been a bitter old bastard fer almost sixteen years now, and old habits die hard. Ah’m… sorry. Fer everythin’.” Ah wiped at my eyes and nodded from the couch.

“Ah’m sorry too Pappy! Ah shouldn’t have yelled at ya, Ah didn’t mean none of that. Ah love ya so much!” Ah got up and jumped on him in his chair and cried on his chest. Ah’m sorry Pa, Ah just can’t keep it in anymore. Ah miss ya so damn much.

“Goddess, y’all are a sappy bunch, ain’cha?” The water works automatically shut off and Ah turned my head ta see Mac and Bloom walk out from the behind the corner ta the bedrooms. Ah glared at him, but he’d been cryin’ too. Poor Applebloom was still cryin’.

“Oh, shut yer trap! Y’all ain’t no better. Yer stupid face is wet too.” Ah wiped at my face and Mac sniffed and shook his head.

“Naw, Ah wasn’t. Ah’ve… never heard most of that story, so… this was news ta everypony.”

Well, not ta me. Celestia seemed ta know the whole story and that… bothers me. How did she know all that? Weird magic, usin’ sound ta fight monsters, doin’ everythin’ fer Twi… did she… plan this? Ah’d never seen that acoustic guitar before today, but it’s got the same power this one has… and the crystal one she pulled out of Rarity’s monster. Everypony was hit with this bass, and… there’s more guitars now…

“I wish you would’ve had yours.”

If Ah had mine? And that wasn’t all she said, she made mention of it before too…

“What even are these things? This wasn’t part of my plan, you’re too stable for me to-”

Ah’m too stable fer what though?

“Applejack? Ya there?” Pappy put a hoof on my cheek and brought me back ta reality.

“Oh. Sorry, Ah was… thinkin’ about somethin’ else.” Mac had brought Bloom ta the couch and both had taken a seat.

Geez, how long was Ah out?

“Well, Ah said that it’d be nice if we could do somethin’ as a family again, and we haven’t used the paintball guns since we lived back in Ponyville,” she said. Ah thought about that fer a minute and remembered the last time we had a war.

That was… at the last Summer Sun Celebration. Even Pappy was in that one, wasn’t he? Ah nodded.

“Ya know, that sounds like fun.” Pappy put his hoof on my shoulder and nodded too.

“Ah think you’re right. It’s about time this old bag of bones showed y’all what a real firefight looks like. Ah didn’t fight like yer Pa did, but Ah did my time in the Navy well back before Ah met Blossom.”

Well, Ah didn’t know that. Mac lowered his brows.

“You were in the Navy?”

“Ah was. That was… Oh goddess, Ah’m gettin’ old. 1969 ta 73 Ah think. Been forty years since then.” Ah crossed my forelegs.

“Huh. So… ya got out about the time Pa was born?” Pappy thought about it and nodded.

“Ah did. Ah worked in the galley as a chef fer most of that time. Ah was trained, but never had ta fight. Ah met Blossom in 74 and took over the orchard fer Pa in 75. Barlett was born in 76, then Buttercup in 80, and Bosc in 82. Whew, that boy is over 30 years old. Time flies.” Ah giggled and Pappy lowered his brows.

“Somethin’ funny Applejack?” Ah nodded.

“Fer as much as ya didn’t like him, y’all sure are alike.” Pappy blinked and then leaned back and stared up at the ceilin’.

“Maybe you’re right…”

“Why does this keep happening to me?” Twi asked. Ah shrugged with my rifle in my hoof.

“Ah don’t know what ta tell ya. They started talkin’ and hit it off,” Ah said.

It was Wednesday after school, and Pappy decided ta take us to and from school, where he met… Celestia. She and Luna had come ta pick up Twi, and just as Mac and Ah did before, he got outta the truck ta look at their car. As it turns out, Luna is older than him, and she bought the thin’ when it was new. And that… is all kinds of weird fer me.

It’s a 1959 model, which means it was made in 58. So… if Luna was old enough ta drive the car back when it was new, that means she or her parents or somethin’ had… however much somethin’ like this costed 52 years ago. Even if it was like a present from her Pa when she turned old enough ta drive, that would make her 64 years old at the minimum. But… if ya asked anypony, Ah doubt they’d say she looks older than 25, which makes Mac hittin’ on her the other day… even weirder.

The three of them were talkin’ about days gone by when Twi and Ah got outta school, and that’s when Pappy invited her ta come join us. She of course didn’t want ta, but Celestia accepted the invitation fer her… and also wanted ta join. So… now there’s seven of us. Pappy, Mac, Bloom, and Luna versus Twi, Me, and Celestia.

Back when we first got inta this habit, Pa got gear fer all of us, so we were in military camo with bullet proof vests, boots and tactical bags. Poor Twi on the other hoof got some of Mac’s old work clothes and some extra safety goggles. The sisters though, they were… somethin’ else. Celestia was wearin’ a black trench coat with black pants, a black shirt, black boots, black sunglasses, and had two paintball… pistols, one pastel green, and one gold with a wood finish. Luna was wearin’ somethin’ similar, but she had a midriff cut black tank top, a black leather jacket with spikes on the shoulders, high cut black shorts, long black leather boots with spikes at the hooves, and black half socks for her forehooves. Her pistols were black with pink stars, and one that was clear, like it was made of crystal.

“Where did they get those clothes? Did they always have those guns just lyin’ around too?” Ah whispered ta Twi. She threw her hooves up.

“Oh come on, don’t ask me. The other day, she was dressed like the protagonist of that card game show. Leather pants and all. I don’t know where she gets this shit.” Then she paused and brought a hoof ta her chin. “But those pistols they have… I’m pretty sure those are the guitars. She turned her bass and the crystal one into duel disks that same day, so I think she can just have them take whatever shape she wants. The disks worked too, so… they’ve just got to be weird magical artifacts or something.” They were both standin’ on their hind legs, and Celestia was blowin’ bubblegum bubbles.

“Now then. We haven’t done this in a while, and we’ve got some new players, so Ah’ll go over the rules. If ya get painted on the chest or head, you’re out. If ya get shot in the legs, ya can’t use those legs until the next round starts. Friendly fire is not allowed. Do not aim fer the face. That means you Applejack, Ah know how ya are.” Ah scowled at him.

“Oh come on, it was one time!” Pappy rolled his eyes.

“One time where ya almost put yer brother’s eye out. Don’t do it again.” Ah crossed my hooves and huffed.

“Fine.”

“As Ah was sayin’, when you’re out head back ta the barn. Whoever gets all the other team out wins. Any questions?” Applebloom raised a hoof. “Yes?”

“Is it fair that we have four and they have three?” Celestia shook her head.

“Of course not little one. There simply aren’t enough ponies in the world to take me down.” Her sister balked.

“Ah! I can’t believe you would say that! Don’t you have any faith in me? I’ll take you out before you even get a shot off.” The two black-clad unicorns crossed horns, and it was almost like they were lettin’ off magical auras from their bodies.

“Alrighty then. If there’s nothin’ else, everypony can take their places. When Ah ring the bell, that means the game is live.” Celestia and Luna turned their backs on each other, then motioned fer their teams ta follow. Well, didn’t take long ta establish a commander. Luna took her team ta the barn on the opposite end of the orchard, and Celestia gathered us at the back porch.

“Alright, here’s the deal. I haven’t had a chance to practice my aim with one of these things in a long time, and that mare knows how to protect herself. I would know, I taught her. I will handle Luna, keep her distracted. Changing the rules puts us on a more even playing field, and without magic, we are equally physically capable. That’s where you come in. You’ll have to take out the other three. If by some miracle Luna beats me, you have lost.”

Twi threw a hoof up.

“We have to beat three of them!? I’ve never even shot one of these things! How are we supposed to do that!?” Celestia raised her snout and a dark smile crept over her face.

“Oh, you see, I have a plan for that.” Out of her pocket, she passed me… a grenade.

“Ah’m sorry?” She nodded.

“Oh yes. Hold the clip, pull the pin, count to three and throw this at your target. After five seconds, the top will pop off, and this will spray paint a five-meter radius.”

Oh goddess, it’s just a paint grenade. Ah relaxed a little and let out a breath. Where in the hell does she get this shit?

“Uh… is that fair?” Twi asked. The white mare shrugged.

“Fair enough to make up for a player. Now then, with my provocation, Luna will likely ignore you and come straight for me. As for Pear, if he’s an old sailor, he’s at least got some of our tactics beaten into him, and you can use that. He’ll use himself as bait to draw you out and have the other two flank you. With this in mind, engage one of the flankers and use the grenade if you can’t get a shot off. You will have to defend your position, but all that really means is that you need to cover an area and keep them distracted until she can take care of her enemy. Once you rout them, come to me to finish the job. After I give you the signal, take the shot.”

DING DING DING!

Without another word, Celestia took off, pistols in each hoof, runnin’ on two legs. Ah helped Twi shakily ta standin’, and after a few seconds, she finally started ta get the balance.

“I don’t know how you ponies do this. It feels so unnatural. There’s so much weight on my hips, it’s almost painful.” Ah shrugged.

“Ya get used ta it. One of the thin’s Pa taught us is that in a desperate situation, bein’ able ta stand and run like this can save yer life. Not all of us can just hold thin’s without our hooves, so this is how we get by.”

Tak tak tak! Tak tak tak! Tak tak! Tak! My ears swiveled toward the fire, and the pear trees on this side started ta become more colorful.

“Celestia’s engaged. Let’s move.”

Wobblin’ along as she learned how ta walk again, Twi and Ah went toward the other side of the orchard, and just as Ah was surveyin’ the area, a ball whizzed by my face and splattered on the tree behind me.

“Take cover! Keep watch fer them yellow ponies! The red one is mine!”

Twi shot back at their position, and Ah ran toward the opposite side. Just outta the corner of my eye, Ah saw a flash of red and orange.

The bastard’s followin’ me.

Ah moved up and fired a few rounds at his position. The minute my magazine was empty, he came outta hidin’ and shot back.

Two, four, six, eight, out! Ah reloaded and planned my next step. Let’s draw him out. He’ll overpower me if we get inta close combat, so if Ah goad him inta doin’ what Ah want…

“Ah’ll laugh when Ah plant one between yer eyes Mac!”

Ah ran out from behind my tree just as my older brother did, and we both shot at each other, narrowly missin’ each bullet until we landed behind a different tree. Ah dropped the empty magazine from my gun and loaded another, Ah’m sure Mac was doin’ the same. More sounds of fire came from each direction now, Twi was holdin’ off Pappy and Applebloom on the other side of the orchard, and only the goddess knows what Celestia and Luna are doin’.

“Ya ain’t shit, Jack! Y’all couldn’t hit the side of the barn with aim like that! Quit hidin’, ya damn coward!”

Oh yeah? Well ya know what they say about ‘almost’…

“We’ll see who’s aim ain’t what! Take this ya, red piece of shit!” Ah pulled the pin and lobbed the little explosive over by Mac’s position.

“Where in the world did ya- HOLY SHI-” Pssssssh! When it was over, Mac was mostly a nice shade of hot pink and Ah was rather pleased with the result.

“Hey, Ah like that color on ya!” Ah called out. Mac took off his painted goggles and frowned at me.

“Uh-huh. Ah didn’t even know they made somethin’ like this. Where’d ya get it?” Ah shrugged.

“Celestia had it. So uh… who knows if it’s actually somethin’ ponies play with.” Mac picked it up and put the cap back on.

“Well, Ah guess Ah’ll have ta get one. That’s effective. Good luck sis.” He turned and waved, then headed back fer the barn.

“Applejack, help!”

Ah ran over toward her position, and saw that she as pinned down on either flank. Ah returned fire, but Ah was too late. Applebloom shot Twi in the back just before Ah shot Applebloom in the back. The filly collapsed, and Twi slumped over a tree. Ah ran over and held the little unicorn in my hooves.

“Damn it all! If Ah had just been a little quicker…” she put a hoof on my shoulder as she was breathin’ softly, the paint slowly rollin’ on the grass.

“No, it’s okay… She still needs you… F-finish this… For me.” And then, she slumped over. Ah let the body go and stood up.

“Ah’ll avenge ya Twi, Ah swear it!” Ah turned ta go after Pappy, but accidentally kicked her in the process.

“Ow! Watch it!”

“Oh. Sorry.” Ah was about ta leave cover when another ball flew just in front of my face.

“Damn yer father’s instincts! That’s twice.” Ah heard him say from nearby. He was maybe one, two rows north and three rows west.

“What the hell is that? Ah thought ya said not ta aim fer the face!?” The old stallion laughed.

“Ah told you not ta aim fer the face! Didn’t say nothin’ about anypony else!”

“Ya cheatin’ old piece a shit! Come ‘ere!”

Pappy and Ah both ran out from behind our trees and shot right after each other. Ah weaved and dodged him, and he blocked my bullets by closin’ in runnin’ from tree ta tree. We were one tree apart and the next shot meant the game. Ah was breathin’ hard, but so was he.

“What’s the matter Pappy? Ya tired? Ya ain’t as young as ya used ta be!” The old man cackled.

“Ah ain’t dead yet! Y’all need ta get better at hidin’ instead of just tryin’ ta dodge! Ya won’t be young forever!”

A branch cracked by his position, and Ah took the moment. He was just comin’ out from behind the tree when Ah shot. The ball connected, and just like that, his vest was painted a nice shade of green. The old stallion let his shoulders sag and dropped the gun, lettin’ it hang off his chest.

“Well… Ah guess yer hearin’ is better than mine is too,” he said as he noticed the branch he broke. He sank back ta all fours and nodded.

“Good job, Applejack. Go on, finish the fight. If Ah had ta guess, those mares have somethin’ else goin’ on. This is just a way fer them ta fight it out, and it’ll take somepony on the outside ta stop ‘em.” Ah saluted him and said,

“Yessir!” then started toward the sounds of splatterin’ paintballs. Ah had ta move from tree ta tree on the east side of the orchard because paint went flyin’ by almost at random and never seemed ta stop fer a second. They’d found the spot that the trees all just grew around and were only playin’ paint ball in name. What was actually happenin’ was more like a hooffight.

“Well!? Come on bitch, make a move!” Celestia taunted. They were back ta back, holdin’ off each other’s hooves, both lockin’ each other’s triggers. Luna managed ta slide her lower hoof away, and then shoot at Celestia’s hind legs. The larger mare swept at the other’s hooves and avoided the shot. They both kicked off each other and flipped away, then turned and shot at each other in the same instant. Paintball met paintball and splashed equidistant between the mares in rapid succession. Once the mags were empty, the hoof fightin’ started, both desperately tryin’ ta reload and prevent the other from doin’ the same. Celestia slapped Luna’s black gun away and reloaded her green one at the same time. Luna kneed Celestia’s green gun out of the way and managed to reload her clear one before Celestia could shoot.

“Why are you after the elements!?” Celestia called. Luna tried ta get a body shot off, but moved her hoof ta block a kick from the other mare. Usin’ the other gun as a distraction, Celestia fired and missed while reloadin’ her wooden pistol.

“Because I needed your help, and you wouldn’t come home! Why did you come back!?” Luna pulled the same trick, and then spun around ta hit a curved shot, only ta be met by Celestia’s hoof and stopped short.

“You still haven’t told me why you need them! Don’t answer a question with a question, it’s rude! You were raised better!” Celestia used her elbow ta knock the gun away and pointed the wood one in Luna’s face. She ducked the shot and knocked Celestia’s hoof up

“Celly, tell me the truth! What are the shadows!?”

Celly?

Celestia threw a knee at Luna’s side, only fer her ta block with the other hoof. Usin’ her free green gun, she took aim at the blue mare, who then used Celestia’s knee against her and turned her body away.

“You already know! Why do you need the elements!?”

Luna twisted and managed ta get her black gun right under Celestia’s ribcage, only fer the white mare ta pistol whip her in the head and plant a back hoof in her chest. Celestia fired at her, but the shot was blocked by one of Luna’s own. The black and green guns dropped empty magazines, and then the mares clashed again.

“I have to save this world! I cannot let home happen again!”

Loaded gun blocked loaded gun, and the other two fought to reload magazines while preventin’ the other. Luna punched Celestia in the gut, and takin’ advantage of her weakened hoof, tried ta plant one between her eyes. Celestia blocked by pressin the barrel of her wood gun against the clear one, and they both fired. Paint splattered over both mare’s guns and hooves, and both dropped the painted pistols and backed off.

“Then I have nothing to say to you. Let me be and you can have them when I’m done!”

In accordance with the game, both mares put their painted hooves behind their backs and then went back at it again. They reached another stalemate and were strugglin’ with trigger guards pressed against each other.

“You will have let home happen again by the time you finish! Give up this hollow pursuit and help me raise her!”

“NEVER!” Celestia knocked Luna’s hoof away and planted a solid back hoof in her chest again, then dropped the green gun and restrained her. She held Luna in a headlock and then looked directly at me.

“Do it, Applejack.” Before Ah even realized it, Ah accepted the command and fired. The blue mare was painted green, and just like that, Celestia dropped her. Luna fell ta the ground and then rolled on her back.

“It’s over Luna. My pieces are already in play. I’m two steps ahead and playing a different game.” Luna coughed.

“You would give up your last piece of him just for the chance at restoring him!? He is dead, Celestia! He cannot be revived! You know this!” The white mare levitated the green gun ta her hoof and stepped on the blue one’s chest and leaned over her.

“I’ve done it before, I can do it again. I just need… more power, this time… This conversation is over.” Celestia put the barrel just under Luna’s horn and fired. Luna shrieked, and Celestia collected all the guns with her magic and placed them in holsters under her shoulders and at her waist.

“Aaah! You bitch, you got it in my eyes!” The blue mare rolled in the grass and Celestia shrugged.

“Sorry, don’t care! Love ya sis, see ya at home!” Everypony else rushed over ta see what was goin’ on at the sound of the scream, but nopony really knew what ta make of the scene.

“Applejack, what happened?” Ah shook my head.

“Ah… have no idea.”

“So… did ya like drivin’ that bike? Ah know ya said that it didn’t really feel like ya were actually the one drivin’ and all,” Pappy asked.

Ah pulled my mouth ta the side and brought my elbow up ta the table. It was Friday mornin’, and thin’s… had settled. The bugs haven’t shown up since Tuesday, Pappy has been in the best mood Ah’ve seen him in a long time, and everypony around the orchard seems… well, happier.

“Uh… well, it was fun, that’s fer sure. He drove himself, but… did what Ah wanted him ta anyways. Like, Ah had the chance ta make him really take off on the way home, and that thin’ is fast. He revved real low, but that’s where it felt like all the torque went. He did a wheelie fer me. Why do ya ask?” Pappy scratched at his neck.

“Well, Ah’ve been thinkin’. Since Ah’m usually busy here, and Ah have y’all and Mac runnin’ my deliveries and takin’ Applebloom from place ta place, Ah figure Ah might get ya somethin’ ya can drive on yer own, that’s… just fer you. Ah can’t have ya takin’ the ATV everywhere all the time ‘cause Ah need it too often, but if Ah got ya a little bike and a trailer, ya could get a license once ya turn fourteen next year and go wherever else ya wanted. Ah’d expect ya ta keep workin’ like ya do of course, but… maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if ya went out with yer friends every now and again.” Ah gasped and brought my hooves ta my mouth.

“Y-ya mean it!?” He licked his lips and nodded.

“Ah do. Ah’ve been savin’ up fer a while now, and after Ah talked ta Celestia yesterday, she let me know that the government will give out permits ta younger ponies with specific needs. With both of yer parents gone, we can make a reasonable case ta have ya take the test, and possibly get a license early if ya show enough promise. Ah’ve got tomorrow cleared up, so we can go ta Stampede City and look at bikes. If ya want ta, anyways.” Ah nodded my head as fast as Ah could.

“Of course!” Then my phone rang, tellin’ me Ah needed ta move if Ah didn’t want ta be late. “Well, Ah gotta get goin’. Ah can still take the ATV out today, right?” Pappy nodded.

“Sure. Just… let me know what yer doin’. Ah don’t mind ya spendin’ time with yer friends, just… tell me before ya do it.”

“Yessir.” Ah saluted Pappy, then grabbed my saddlebags and the bass and headed out.

This Friday was gonna be a good one, Ah could just feel it. As it almost never does, today, the school day blew by. Fall break was at the end of next week, and most of today was wrappin’ up the last unit and goin’ over thin’s fer tests next week. Rarity’s family seems ta be settlin’ in, and she even heard her parents screwin’ around again last night which was… almost a little disgustin’, but good ta know that they’re at least gettin’ along well enough ta do that.

Shy actually managed ta hold a conversation with Rainbow, which may as well have been a miracle, and then she and Ah got inta it over paintball. Ah learned that her dad is an Air Force engineer that works on the base, and she has similar aspirations ta go inta the military one day ta fly. In a weird way, it was almost like my little circle of friends has started ta grow in these last few weeks, and Ah can’t help but wonder if maybe that has ta do with whatever Celestia is plannin’. We were all hit. The guitar Ah carried around on my back was the one everypony had their heads bashed in by.

Pinkie was the same story, but she was another thin’ Ah noticed had changed about her. She was… almost gray. Her coat had just about lost all its color and her mane was completely straight. She reminded me a lot of the Pies, and after Ah asked, Ah learned she was one. Ah’ve never seen her in church though, and they go more often than we do. She’s been even more distant lately, and Ah hardly see her hangin’ off Twi anymore either. Somethin’ about that… just makes me nervous. Rarity had an emotional break down before that thin’ showed up, Twi said Shy and Pinkie had one before the second and first shadows appeared, and she mentioned that the second one was the same one that got Fluttershy.

So… Ah wonder where the three of us fit in ta this? Rarity has always been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster since Ah met her, but… somethin’ pushed her buttons. She was… pushed ta an extreme, seein’ her and Twi’s dad about ta bang, but… what if that was exactly what Celestia was after in the first place? They calls us all ‘notes,’ and these guitars are ‘part of the chord.’ The clear one came out with Rarity. The acoustic outta Fluttershy’s monster, and she… well, let’s be honest, is a bit of a basket case.

Twi had that star on her face when she fused with that plastic pony, and that same star is part of the pattern on the axe guitar Luna has. What if… what if that one is the one that Twi aligns with, and this one Ah have really goes ta Rainbow?

“I wish you had yours.”

So, Ah don’t have one… which means, there’s still two left if it is just the six of us that Celestia hit. Does that mean… Ah’m next? Or… is it her? Ah glanced over at the… admittedly sad lookin’ filly as she and Rainbow played their game over lunch. She’s always quiet, and she hardly ever talks ta anypony but Twi, save fer the occasional question she asks Rainbow about while they play.

Well… maybe Ah should start askin’ questions. Ah’ll see her after school fer my guitar lesson, so… Ah guess that would be the time.

“Every Avenue Drives Great Beyond Expectation,” Celestia said

“Every Avenue Drives Great Beyond Expectation,” Twi repeated

“Alright, and yours?” Celestia asked.

“Every Avenue Drives Great,” Ah said. She nodded.

“Perfect. Now then, every fret is a half-step up from your string’s note. It’s a little backwards to think about thanks to the way you hold this instrument, but the longer and thicker the string the deeper the tone. To make specific notes, you put pressure on the strings near the frets and this is what creates different tones. Now, what is a chord?”

“A chord is the combination of three or more notes to make a harmony.”

“Correct. Music is harmony, or the lack thereof. Everything is a harmony if it uses more than one note to make a melody. It’s an interesting concept to think about. Here’s a simple melody: 6C, A, 5G, F, 6A, 5E, F, E, 4C#, D, 5E, F, 4D, 5F, G, 6A#, A, 5G, F, G.” Then Celestia played the notes she listed off like some kinda computer, and it sounded like a sweet little lullaby.

“Now, what do the numbers mean?”

“Uh, that’d be the string ya played, right?” She nodded.

“Correct. The difference between 6C and 4C#, on the guitar anyways, is almost one octave, or eleven steps. Were we looking at this on a staff, those two notes would be on the second line above the treble staff, and the third space from the bottom of the treble staff. Any time I introduced a different number, that meant I changed strings. We can also represent these notes as numbers, but to keep this lesson from sounding like we’re reading off a calculator, we’ll stick to their proper names. Next, what key is this little lullaby in?”

“Uh… let’s see… A, A#, C, C#, D, E, F, G... that… it almost sounded like it was in C, but A# and C# don’t fit?” Twi asked. Ah’m glad she knew, because Ah had no idea. Ma and Pa just taught me what strings made what sound, Ah never knew any of the technical side of it.

“Almost. Remember that, though I said what the notes were in terms of sharpness, as represented by the hash (#), two of these notes can also be read as flats, as represented by lowercase (b), A# or Bb and C# or Db. A, Bb, C, Db, D, E, F, G. Which scale does that sound like?” Twi scratched her cheek.

“F? But with Db involved?” Celestia shook her head.

“Correct, but there’s more to it. This song mixes in elements from its relative minor key, F minor. In the Circle of Fifths, we can start from any point on the circle in which any of the twelve pitches; A, A#, B, C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, and G#, are exactly five steps apart in a scale going one direction or four steps apart in the other. For example, if we take the F scale, which only uses Bb as an accidental,” Celestia started a scale, but stopped on the fifth note. “We can stop at C, which just so happens to be the next note in line, clockwise. However, if we wanted to go the other direction…”

She played the scale again, but this time, stopped at the fourth note. “We end up at Bb. The Bb scale has F as its fifth note, and Eb as its fourth note. Eb has Ab as its fourth and Bb as its fifth. Db with Gb and Ab, et cetera, et cetera.

So that’s the majors. If you play a major scale, then it sounds bright and happy, even if you’re using notes that don’t usually lend themselves to that kind of tone. The key of Gb has six flats, but still goes; whole step, whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, whole step.”

She played the scale up, then down, and then played the bottom note, the third and fifth notes, the top note, and then that in reverse.

“So, that was a scale and an arpeggio, which we will discuss at another time. Now, a minor scale is a scale that is played in a key, but starts and ends at the sixth note. This is where you get your dark and moody songs from. From the key of F, if we play the scale and begin at note six, it becomes D minor.”

Celestia played the F scale, then started from the D and played the F scale up ta the next D. It almost sounded… sad, or fearful.

“Now, that is what’s called the ‘natural’ minor scale. Here we have half steps at the third and sixth notes. There are two other versions of a scale known as a harmonic and melodic minor scale. If we wanted to make a harmonic minor, we would simply take the minor scale, and raise the seventh note by one half step. In this case, our seventh note, C, would become C#.”

Celestia played another scale, but this one almost sounded like when somepony asks a question, as if the notes were unsure about bein’ together.

“Finally, the melodic minor, we raise both the sixth and the seventh, Bb and C become B and C#.”

Celestia played her scale again, and this time, only the beginnin’ sounded dark, where as the top half was bright.

“With harmony, we take a different flavor that merges elements from multiple scales to make something new. Combine the major with accidental chords from the minor and we have something that can only exist within music. We can go from something minor like Db, F, and Bb and resolve it with something major simply by moving a bit down, C, F, and A.”

Celestia played one chord that was dark and uneasy, then another that had the same sound in the middle, but had become relaxed at both ends with a heavy feel ta it.

“And those notes right there? The basis for the lullaby. C# or Db, F and A# or Bb, then C, F and A. From something sour to something sweet. Harmony, in sound. Now then, today, I just want you to go over the F major, F minor, F harmonic and melodic minor scales, and then try and see if you can’t figure out the lullaby. I have something I need to discuss with Luna, so I’ll be out on the Harley with her. Bye girls.” And, before Ah even had the chance ta ask anythin’, Celestia walked outta Twi’s room.

“Celly? What are you doing!? Put me down!”

“Nope. I need you and you need to not be here. Let’s go!”

“Wait, why? Celly! Is this about the alcohol poisoning!? I said I was sorry! You shot me in the face, isn’t that enough?”

“Oh no, that was only the beginning, my dear Lulu♥”

“Ah♥, Celestia please!”

VROOM! Screech!

Well. So much fer my questions.

Gah, damn it. Ah can never remember the rest.” Twi tilted her head.

“Huh? What was that? That wasn’t in F or F minor.” Ah shook my head.

“Ah honestly don’t know what it’s in, it’s just somethin’ Ah remember Ma singin’. Ya know, Ah’ve been thinkin’…” Twi frowned.

“About what?”

“Well, Celestia mostly. On Tuesday, Rarity and Ah figured out how old my parents were when my brother was born, and by the law’s definition, my Pa committed statutory rape when he and Ma had sex. So, Ah had a freakout and left school ta go think and try ta figure this out. My Pa wasn’t the kinda stallion what would do that in good conscious, so how did that happen?

It was around that time that those little bastards showed up again and attacked me. One cut my ankle and brought me down, and Ah was gonna get swarmed by ‘em and then whatever happens next was gonna happen next. But then, she comes flyin’ in on her bike, blastin’ this very song sung by a real band. In the moment, Ah didn’t even realize Ah knew the song, but as the days went by, Ah figured out where Ah remembered it from.

Another thin’ that was strange about it, is that after she sorted out the bugs, which, she destroyed by combinin’ her guitars and playin’ a chord, don’t ask me how because Ah don’t know, she explained ta me what she thought about my parents. Not only did she get the story right almost word fer word, none of us knew about any of that until Pappy told us what happened the next day.” Twi lowered her brows.

“What? How could she know any of that? Did she talk to your grandfather?” Ah shook my head.

“Pappy hadn’t met her previous ta Wednesday. This leads me ta believe she’d known about all of that before hoof. Ah thought more on it yesterday, and that’s when Ah realized Tuesday wasn’t the first time Ah’d heard this song recently either. She was playin’ it when she hit me almost four weeks ago!” Twi reared her head back.

“What? Seriously?” Ah nodded.

“Yeah, think about it. We all heard music when she came at us the first time. But as far as Ah can tell, we all heard different songs. Not only that, but Fluttershy said her song sounded like it was speakin’ ta her. If my song was one from my past, and she thought the words of hers were specific ta her, wouldn’t ya think that Celestia knew who she was after? Another thin’ Ah noticed; all the ponies we know that got hit by this bass don’t have cutiemarks.” Twi brought her hoof ta her chin and contemplated that.

“Huh… goddess, I wish I could remember what she was playing when she hit us. I need to talk to Pinkie again, she was with me when Celestia first showed up…” Twi looked at her own blank flank fer a bit, then turned back ta me. “So… what do you think that means?”

“Ah think, she needs us fer somethin’, and she’s already halfway there. She calls us notes, she’s ‘buildin’ the chord’ as Luna put it, and she’s tryin’ ta ‘get somepony back,’ but Luna is concerned that this won’t come at a cost. When Rarity merged with the Shadow, she pulled yer guitar out when she rescued her. And ya said y’all pulled out that acoustic she keeps on her when ya got Fluttershy out, right?” Twi nodded.

“So, if those two got hit and then were merged with shadows ta make more of these guitars, then what does that say about the rest of us? Don’t ya think it was weird when Rarity said that Celestia drove her ta the airport and talked ta her about her parents before we went and followed her Ma? And she brought Fluttershy here the night y’all dealt with her. She’s the thin’ that brings everypony together. A chord is a set of notes played all at once, so what if- ouch!” Ah whipped around and punched the little bastard with all my might.

“AGAIN!? WHY!?” Ah pulled back my black oil-covered hoof ta show ta Twi, but she… had taken notice of somethin’ much, much worse.

“So, uh… are these the uh… ‘things’ you were talking about?” Twi asked nervously.

“Yeah, that would uh… that would be them.” The one Ah killed must’ve been a scout or somethin’. By the window, and coverin’ parts of the wall and the ceilin’, were many, many more. So many, that Ah wasn’t sure if we would even make it ta the door if we ran.

“I see.” They all stopped their movin’ about, and then every single one of them little red eyes turned ta stare at us.

“We should… probably run,” Twi nodded.

“Yes, yes we should.” They launched, and before Ah even knew what Ah was doin’, Ah pressed my hoof on the frets and played the first chord that came ta mind. The little demons froze in noise, but none of ‘em faded out.

“Run!”

Twi and Ah bolted with the guitars on our backs and ran down her stair case as fast as we could. Just as we were at the front door, the black wave followed. Ah checked out side ta see if Somby was there, but of course, she took the bike.

Oh, goddess damn it, what now!? Wait! Luna’s car is still here! The blue Cadillac was sittin’ there in the driveway in its pristine finish, and just by the door were the keys.

“Twi, play a chord and get in the car!” Ah snatched the keys and ran fer it, and Twi did her best ta play somethin’ loud. The bugs stopped and glitched out fer a few seconds, and that gave her enough time ta slide over the trunk inta the back seat, and Ah turned the keys. The engine roared ta life, and Ah shifted inta first. My hoof came off the clutch and slammed the gas, and the tires screeched. Holy shit! This is way more powerful than Pappy’s truck! Ah fishtailed onta the road and shifted inta second. Twi clambered inta the passenger seat, then watched behind us.

“Applejack,” Twi said, oddly calm.

“Yeah?” Ah started ta slow as we came ta the turn onta I90.

“How um… fast are those things?”

Oh no. Ah turned my head ta look behind us, and the monsters were already closin’ in.

“Hold on!” Ah pressed the gas and the clutch, shifted down, and then popped it. The wheels spun and the car started ta turn. The right wheels almost came off the ground, but then we straightened out and Ah’d made it. The engine started ta scream and Ah shifted up a couple times. We’d gained some distance on the wave, but it was still comin’. The engine seemed ta be comfortable doin’ 60 in fourth based on what the truck sounds like, and Ah relaxed a bit. The wave had started ta lessen in the mirror and we were safe fer the moment.

“Good goddess. I thought you said they were harmless!” Ah shook my head.

“Ah thought they were at the time! Ah don’t know what changed! Ah don’t even know why they’re after me! Nothin’ came outta yer head recently, did it?” She shook her head.

“No, I haven’t felt like that since Rarity’s monster, but… that one kinda traded from me to her before it came out, so I’m not sure… I don’t think so? They’re usually pretty painful.” Ah shook my head.

“Well… shit. Can ya still see ‘em?” Twi turned her head and then screamed. Ah turned my head and saw that they were just behind the car. Part of the wave had built up on top of each other, and a few of ‘em jumped on ta the car.

“Holy shit! Kill ‘em! Use the guitar, smash ‘em, get ‘em off!”

Ah pressed my hoof ta the floor, and Twi got up and started ta attack the little bastards. She swung wildly at ‘em, killin’ a few when she actually managed ta hit, but she wasn’t makin’ a whole bunch of progress, and she kept whippin’ me in the face with her tail. They were crawlin’ up beside me, and suddenly every sense of panic was goin’ off.

“Shit, shit, shit! Twilight, if y’all don’t quit distractin’ me, Ah swear!” Ah swatted one of them little demonic bastards off my shoulder and scraped the goo off my uniform. Who knows how many were behind us? We had ta move, and doin’ 60 on the highway in the car Ah stole wasn’t enough.

“Shut up, shut up! Drive faster damn it, they’re gaining on us!”

TWANG

Twi slammed the guitar against another group of the little monsters, smashin’ them and lettin’ the bodies roll off the trunk. This Cadillac is half a century old, and Ah don’t know that it can make enough power ta get away from these thin’s… Wait a minute! That turn is just up ahead! If Ah can do it just like she did…

Ah shifted inta fifth gear and pushed my hoof ta the floor as the engine roared. Twi fell inta the back seat at the sudden lurch the car made, and finally, she let out a breath.

“Oh, thank the goddess.” Then she turned around ta see what Ah was doin’. The panic on her face was enough.

“Applejack, that’s a cliff! Applejack, that’s a CLIFF!” Ah nodded and prepared fer the drift.

“You’re damn right it is! Hold on tight!”

Ah down shifted inta third, and then twisted the wheel. The car started ta go sideways, and the bugs flew off at the sudden wind. Everythin’ was goin’ smoothly… until it wasn’t. First the back end slid off. Then we hit the side rail. The car bucked and slammed inta the side rail, takin’ it down and goin’ off the edge. Below us, was about a ten-meter slope that was drastic, then flattened out a lot like an exponential graph. As we flew through the air, Ah believed death was approachin’.

However, as thin’s are never just what they seem, the top popped out of the back and lined up with the windshield, and a seat belt came outta nowhere and grabbed Twi outta the air and slammed her inta the back seat. The car landed on its roof, and the airbags popped out and slammed me back inta the driver’s seat. We continued ta roll and land on a different side of the Cadillac like a die, until finally, we came ta a stop, right side up. The airbag started ta deflate, and Ah was free ta breathe.

“Holy shit. Are y’all alright?” Twi was holdin’ her head in her hooves, but she didn’t look like she was really damaged anywhere.

“I… think so? What happened?” The car’s top suddenly retracted and the seat belts clicked off. Ah blinked at it fer a second, and then said,

“Ah think Celestia ain’t the only one with a magic vehicle.” Ah looked around, and we’d just about rolled all the way ta the old steel mill.

“Well, that’s great, does it still work?” Ah tried ta turn the key, but the engine went ‘ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka kuh.’ Ah frowned.

“That would be a negatory, Ghost Rider.” Twi sighed. She looked back up at the cliff we’d fallen from, which in retrospect, was not really all that far off the ground from where we first landed, and her eyes went wide. Ah looked at it myself, and there was the black wave, encroachin’ down the cliff.

“We should go.” Ah picked up the bass outta the passenger seat and threw it on my back.

“Yeah, good call.” We bolted fer the steel mill, and luckily, one of the front doors was hangin’ open. After Twi got in, Ah pushed the door shut, and then put one of the iron bars lyin’ around between the handles and the frame. It would take a lot ta get through this now, but whether or not those bugs could do it was the question.

The old mill was a rusty place. At some point, there was a shift in Equestria’s economy, and we no longer produced a lot of our own steel. Some states were hit worse by it than others, but South Dartmoor lost a few of these factories too. Though, we ended up gettin’ a few back on the eastern side of the state, and some ponies were expectin’ this old place ta get bought up soon and restarted. The news media has the queen quoted on wantin’ space colonization ta be Equestria’s next step toward the future, but Pappy always says she’s just blowin’ smoke and that the news isn’t ta be trusted. From what Ah’ve seen, he’s usually right.

“Well? What now?” Twi asked. Ah shrugged.

“Wait till our inevitable demise? Ah don’t know.” Ah sat down on a stair leadin’ up ta the catwalk and the other parts of the facility above, and started ta pick the notes of that old song. Twi stared at me and frowned.

“That’s it? We just give up?” Ah rolled my eyes.

“Ya really think Ah would go down without a fight? Ah just don’t wanna start the fight until Ah have ta, that’s all. Who knows, maybe one of them will figure out that we stole her car when they get back ta yer house and realize we’re gone. Yer dad wasn’t home, was he?” Twi shook her head.

“No, he took Bramos out of town to go shopping. He needed a whole bunch of stuff and said the extra hooves would be helpful. He’s no slouch on the magic side, but he is just one pony. Shining wouldn’t have gotten where he was without dad helping with his magic.” Ah leaned back and strummed another chord. Twi went and sat on a barrel by the staircase, then Ah was reminded of somethin’.

“Hey… so, yer brother… did he and Pinkie have a… close relationship?” Ah asked. She’d played a scale on her guitar and shrugged.

“I’m… not sure exactly. Pinkie was always happy to be around him, and she clung to him whenever she could I suppose. Why do you ask?”

“Well-”

BANG

Ah flinched. The door we’d blocked off was slammed hard by somethin’ and now there was a new dent in it.

“That ain’t gonna last long.” Twi sighed.

“Well, this is just perfect. All I wanted today was a guitar lesson. Why is learning to play an instrument so hard?” Ah shrugged.

“Ah don’t know. Ah do think learnin’ how earlier in life makes it easier though. Ma used ta play fer us all the time, and she and Pa would do duets every now and again. Pa knew how ta play too, so we just kinda picked it up over time.” Ah started ta pick the notes, but then Ah remembered some more of the song after Ah played a chord.

“That was pretty, but I think you missed a no-”

BANG

“Damn it! Ah’m tired of this! Let’s go ta the roof and make our stand there. Maybe these thin’s are dumb enough ta funnel inta the buildin’ instead of goin’ around the outside and we can bottle neck ‘em and make paste with ‘em!” Not botherin’ ta wait fer anythin’ else, Ah picked up and headed up the staircase. Just as we made it ta the catwalk, the door busted open, and the black wave flooded in. The hair on my neck all stickin’ straight up, Twi and Ah bolted fer the next staircase up and slammed the door ta the roof behind us.

“Get yer guitar ready, we’re fucked if we can’t hold ‘em off.” Twi sighed and then stood like Ah taught her the other day.

“Well. I didn’t want to die before figuring out who my mother was, but I guess you don’t always get what you want, huh? It was nice knowing you Applejack.”

Ah rolled my eyes and gave her a good smack across the back of the head.

“Hey, don’t talk like that! We’re not dead yet, and we might just survive today! There’s gotta be… Ya know, she told me that if Ah ever needed help, Ah could call fer the bike and play the chord, and he would come. We’re boned anyways, so Ah’m gonna give it a shot.” Ah had an image of that black Harley in my head, and Ah flipped the bass around. 1, 3, 2, 2, Ah pressed my hoof ta the frets and then raised my other hoof high in the air. Ah came down and hit the strings as hard as Ah could.

TWANG

In a way, it was almost like the chord Ah remembered her playin’. This was sweet, and warm. Crisp, with a slight give ta it. It reminded me… of home. On the other side of the door, the little monsters screeched that glitchy sound, like static on a TV. Ah looked hopefully in the distance, but Ah couldn’t see anythin’ from where it would come from.

“Well, at least you tried.” Twi said as she patted my shoulder. Ah sighed.

BANG

This door was even less secure, and the first attack on it opened a small hole, and some of the little monsters started ta file out. Ah ran up ta the line and slammed the bass inta ‘em.

TWANG

Several of the bugs exploded in ta black ooze and then faded from existence, and then others retreated back inside.

BANG

Another slam at the door, this time the top hinge lost a bolt. Ah backed away, but Twi had turned ta look at the road. When Ah did the same, Ah saw a cloud of dust runnin’ along it.

“What the hell is that?” Ah asked, squintin’ at it. It was comin’ in, and it was comin’ in fast, but the shape seemed… off.

“Well, it’s not the big unicorns. It’s too small. As a matter of fact, it’s too small to be the bike either.” It kept comin’ closer at an alarmin’ rate, until finally, Ah could tell that whatever it was was bookin’ it. And it was white. And shaped like a pony. Then, it dawned on us.

“Bramos!”

BOOM!

The door fell out and all hell broke loose. The millions of the little demons filtered out around the roof and surrounded us in seconds. Ah charged and slammed at the collective and managed ta kill a few of them, but then the little monsters attacked the bass and started crawlin’ up the neck. Ah dropped it and retreated ta Twi, who’d taken the better plan of golf swingin’ at the thin’s. She killed a few more, but then Ah saw a few seconds inta the future. One of the bugs had gotten around me and went after her ankle. It slashed in with its pinchers and Twi lost her balance. Her body twisted and she was about ta fall inta the mass.

No! Ah reached out fer her, but then Ah felt a wind behind me. Ah turned my head just in time ta see the white pony open a void where a mouth should be, and inside it, Ah fell.

All around me were colors like a kaleidoscope, and Ah was fallin’, fallin’, and fallin’ ever still. The whole world was a mess of whirlin’ images that all floated past me as Ah fell, and so many of them were pictures, no, videos, of Celestia.

“Oh? And what makes one such as yourself think you’re worthy of the queen’s affection? Have you done some grand deed of valor? Or are you simply just another admirer looking for a sweet taste of the sun?”

That’s her voice fer sure… but… where is this? It almost looks like… somewhere in Canterlot.

“Of course not. T’would be a lie to say that her highness’s body wouldn’t make a lowly stallion like I twist his neck, but that is not why I’ve come to you at such an hour. My queen, you always seem so dour. Might I… make you smile?”

Whose voice is that? It sounded like it was comin’ from me but-

The video left, and suddenly, Ah was back in the world. Twi was still mid fall, the bugs were climbin’ on top of each other ta reach her, and her ankle was bleedin’. Without too much thought, Ah took a step and grabbed the mare out of her fall and jumped. The single hop took me high in the air, and when Ah wanted ta stop, Ah just sorta… did. The little monsters were far down below, circlin’ and growin’ inta a structure, but Ah was just… in the air somehow. Ah looked at my back, and sure enough, there were me-colored wings flappin’ along like they’d been there my whole life.

What in the hell? Twi’s ears twitched, and she looked up at my face from my forelegs.

“Huh. I guess… I’m not the only one.”

A loud dissonant sound shook the air, and we both turned ta see the black demons had formed a tower out of themselves and were desperately tryin’ ta get ta us.

Get on my back and give me that. Ah’m gonna try and smash ‘em! Ah helped her climb around the new wings Ah guess Ah had now, and took the clear guitar from her. Ah tried ta raise the thin’ above my head, but hit myself in the face where Ah didn’t remember there bein’ face ta hit. Ah paused fer a moment ta feel the spot, and when my hoof met somethin’ that felt like more of me, Ah followed it until Ah realized what it was.

Do Ah have a horn?

“Yes, that would be what that is. Can you do something about that first?” Twi pointed at the growin’ mass that had just about reached our position, and Ah backed up. Just fer fun, Ah thought Ah’d try ta see if Ah could do magic.

Fire a laser!

“Technically, the laser is the device and not-”

A strange build up formed at the tip of my head, and then suddenly, a bright green light shot from my face at the squirmin’ black tower. Some of the monsters evaporated and even more fell off, but there were many that were quick ta replace ‘em.

“Goddess, what in the world!? You can just do that? Why didn’t I know about that!?”

Well, it doesn’t seem ta work real well anyways. Ah’m goin’ in! Hold on tight!

Ah took hold of the clear guitar, and this time mindin’ my new horn, Ah dove fer the mass. Ah cleaved downward and fell through the air followin’ the tower until Ah hit the steel mill roof.

TWANG!

Ah backed off a ta watch my work, but only so many of the bugs evaporated, and now there were two towers. More bugs swarmed in and refilled the old gap, then the towers of squirmin’ black merged ta get even closer. Ah backed off quick and then reset the guitar and tried ta play the chord from earlier.

TWANG!

The monsters glitched and screeched, but just a few disappeared. Ah played it again ta even less effect.

Oh damn it, how did she do this last time? She had two guitars, and then… she put ‘em together and played them both at once… Wait, that’s it! Harmony! Twi, hold this!

“Uh… okay? What are you going to do? That form doesn’t last forever, and nothing is working!”

Ah took a deep breath… or… tried ta at least. It felt like Ah did, but Ah also didn’t have a mouth at the moment, so who knows.

“There’s a melody in you, and if you ever find yourself in desperate need, just reach inside and take hold of it.”

In an instant of calm, Ah took my hoof and pressed it just under my new horn. In a strange, gooey feelin’, it sank in. Ah pressed deeper and deeper, every sensation on my skin tinglin’ like my whole body was electrified. Ah felt it. It was there, just like she said it was. Ah wrapped my hoof around the neck and then a shock ran through my core.

Aah♥ Ah gasped and bit my lip… or at least tried ta, and pressed my knees together. Ah pulled on the instrument harder and the feelin’ was even more unbearable.

It’s… it’s… it’s comin’ out!

Ah took hold of the tender spot with both hooves and pulled with all my might. Waves of pleasure crashed over me and Ah nearly fell outta the sky cluchin’ the instrument, my whole body feelin’ weak and my head lost in the clouds. Twi’s screamin’ finally brought me back ta my senses and Ah recovered in the air and took off until Ah was well above the giant black tower. Ah took hold of the new guitar, my guitar, and then pressed my hoof on the frets.

Twi, play an F major chord on three! One, two,

TWANG

Like a wave of blankets fresh out the drier, or the pleasant scratchin’ of an itch, or the wash of warm water over skin, the torrent of sound resonated with one another and the monsters stopped in their tracks. The screamin’ of the little demons was drowned out by the sound, and like an imploded buildin’, the tower collapsed in on itself, the little monsters fallin’ apart inta smoke.

“Oh, thank the goddess.” Twi let herself relax on my shoulders, and Ah relaxed too. So much so that Ah felt a sudden pressure between my thighs, and Ah needed ta go, now. Ah flew as fast as Ah could and dropped Twi off by the car, then shot back behind the buildin’. When Ah blinked, Ah was starin’ at the white pony’s tail that was raised ever so slightly, and then Ah was hit by the smell.

Oh goddess, what in the fuck is that!?

Ah brought my foreleg ta block my snout, but that only made it worse. Ah gagged and the gooey feelin’ on my uniform was enough ta make my skin crawl, but in truth, my whole body was slathered in slime.

Oh, right. This happened ta her, didn’t it? Ah shook what Ah could off and then the plastic pony and Ah met Twi at the car.

“Well. That happened. Are y’all alright?” Ah asked. Twi held her snout shut and nodded.

“I’m fine. Are you okay?” Ah looked down at my forelegs disgusted and then shook my head.

“Not really, but Ah’ll be okay after a shower and… maybe after burnin’ this uniform too.”

She was about ta say somethin’, then her ears flicked up and she turned toward the road down here. Ah did the same, and then heard the sound. It was the low gravely rumble of an engine. Shortly thereafter, the Harley rode in, and horror struck the blue unicorn’s face. She jumped off the bike and galloped ta the blue vehicle, and it almost looked like she’d started cryin’.

“Gah! My car! Why!? What did you do!? Oh goddess, why must you punish me so?” The white unicorn leaned back on her bike and crossed her hooves.

“Because you poisoned me. That’s why.” Celestia stuck her tongue out, then looked at me and raised a brow. “Oh hey, you got your cutiemark. Congratz, kid.”

Ah blinked. What? Ah turned around and looked at my flank, only ta see somethin’ new there. Ah didn’t have red in my coat before… Ah peeled the sticky skirt away, and sure enough, there was a picture there now. Three apples, all bright red with brown stems and green leaves. Woah…

“What!? How did I not notice that!? Oh. Wait a minute. You had that same mark on your face when you were merged with Bramos… And your guitar… it has it too…” Twi trailed off in deep thought, but sure enough, she was right. Now that there wasn’t an immediate threat tryin’ ta kill us, Ah took a look at the fender the plastic pony was wearin’. It was a dark orange six string with a maple wood lookin’ finish and a couple of them swirly thin’s on either side of the body like ya find on a violin. Printed all along the frets however, was the same mark on my flank.

“Wow… Ah did all that?” Celestia got off the bike and came over and patted my sticky back.

“I told you you could, didn’t I? Honesty is always the hardest one to extract because it’s harder to put those ponies in a situation to overcome in their element. After the first few tries, I finally found that the best way to get the job done was to get them to do it themselves. Your kind have always had that stubborn streak, but that’s what makes the element so strong. Unwavering and unflinching, when it comes down to the wire, you can take the pressure. Good job. Let’s get you two home.