Segment 2: Chapter 5
In the month since Twilight had spent the night with Pinkie and Fluttershy, the pair had re-opened Sugar Cube Corner as a party catering service. Their business was still slow but the pair found themselves catching a train a couple of times a week to perform parties for ponies in other towns. The trips away from Ponyville always were exciting and full of potential, but the trips back to Ponyville were bittersweet.
Pinkie still made drugs, unbeknownst to everypony except Shy and Harvest. She hated making the little cakes. Ponies were hurting because of her drugs. She wanted to stop, but until they had made enough bits to relocate, she just couldn’t.
Pinkie Pie pulled her small carriage of party supplies behind her as she walked along the street to Sugar Cube Corner. The party in Hoofington had gone well, a simple birthday party for a pair of twin colts. She had baked a special cake for them, shaped like a skateboard. The twins had just turned ten and were into those sports referred to as "extreme". Pinkie had decorated accordingly and the foals had thoroughly enjoyed themselves. She had been given a tip for the extra expenditure of a skateboard ramp that jumped a box designated to explode ribbons and confetti when the pair boarded across the gap. The parents had been thrilled and quite a few other parents at the party had asked for business cards.
Despite the success, Pinkie was glad to be almost home. Fluttershy had stayed behind and, even though Pinkie had only been gone one night, was anxious to make sure her friend was all right. As she closed the distance, she identified the form of an earth pony sitting outside of Sugar Cube Corner—JackSlap.
JackSlap’s presence meant Twilight was visiting. That was a good thing, except that JackSlap was pretty much her bodyguard now. He made Pinkie Pie uncomfortable. She knew he was an enforcer for Applejack and was probably looking for the source of the new drugs. Pinkie had taken to keeping her drug-making equipment in the basement and locked inside a utility closet. If any of Applejack's goons ever spotted them, she would be in trouble. The only relief was that JackSlap never came into Sugar Cube Corner, not even when they partied, although Pinkie Pie always made sure to bring a plate of food to the impolite, nasty pony. She wanted to try to seem as nice as possible to him, reducing his possible suspicions, if he had any.
Pinkie smiled for the thug’s benefit; the grin was large and happened to be fake, but with an expert grinner like Pinkie Pie, he wouldn't be able to tell it was false. "Hi Jackie! It's so good to see you! I just got back from Hoofington! Have you ever been to Hoofington? Well let me tell you, it is one nice place. All the ponies have these funny accents and they eat these neat little desserts called … " Pinkie rambled to JackSlap, who only watched unenthusiastically.
JackSlap rubbed a hoof through his purple mane and sighed. He hated when the pink one started talking. She didn't know how to shut up and he had been explicitly warned against doing business, giving in to any violent outbursts, or using foul language around Twilight. The boss pampered the brat and JackSlap was her keeper. He loathed the lavender mare for his new duties. "Yeah, fancy stuff, fiddly dee."
Pinkie bounced up and down, legitimately happy that Twilight was visiting, but also to play dumb to the green pony. Pinkie trotted happily to the door and unhooked her carriage. She was digging for her keys when JackSlap spoke again.
"Oh wait. There is something else." He smirked to himself. The boss had wanted the pink one brought to her. She had some "business" to discuss with her. JackSlap loved when business was discussed; it meant pain. He wasn't sure what the annoying pink pony had done, but if the boss was handling it personally, it was something serious.
Pinkie stopped and looked over at the green pony, who was smirking as if there was something he just couldn't wait to tell her. He had probably been looking at her backside again. She knew he did that, she’d caught him more than once. "Oh I hope it's something fun! I love surprises! Is it something good Jackie?"
JackSlap smirked. "Boss wants to see you. Your little unicorn friend’s been talkin’. Applejack knows what you have been up to and needs to discuss it with you."
Pinkie's blood stopped in her veins. She couldn't breathe for a moment and her heart felt like a lump of ice. Applejack wanted to see her. She knew what Pinkie had been up to? That didn't sound good at all. JackSlap had toyed with her, lulling her into security instead of just assaulting her and dragging her to Applejack. Pinkie's hoofgun was inside because she had not taken it with her to Hoofington. She needed to get it; it would give her a chance when things got bad. She had to protect Shy. Her voice quaked slightly as she spoke, just enough to hint that she was fretful. "Oh, let me go inside and get cleaned up, JackSlap."
"No, boss said as soon as possible. Right, Mac?" JackSlap spoke and heavy hoofsteps came sounding from around the corner of the newly converted party shop.
Big Mac stepped into sight—large, red, and looking angry.
"Eeyup."
Pinkie knew she was in deep trouble.
***
Twilight had hoped to see Pinkie Pie before being escorted back to Sweet Apple Acres by the green earth stallion, but it didn’t appear to be likely. She wished Fluttershy a good evening and fell in line behind JackSlap with her assistant Spike.
Twi looked over to Spike and smiled; she had been having a wonderful day. She had taught Sweetie that morning just before sunrise and remarked on the filly’s astounding successes in duplicate imagery, auditory hallucinations, and a few minor tricks in the divination school of magic.
This was followed by a wonderful breakfast of wheat waffles and apples with her friend Applejack, who had been so worried that night when Twi and Spike had been trapped by nightfall in Sugar Cube Corner. She had apparently even come looking for them, but had not thought to check the former bakery. Twi had felt ashamed for not letting AJ know where they were, but she hadn’t expected to be caught in Ponyville at night.
After breakfast, the lavender unicorn went to visit her friend Rarity in Ponyville, a mare with whom she regularly spent time, and have lunch before heading over to Sugar Cube Corner Party Planners, to check on the state of business of her fun-loving friends, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy.
The mare looked to the dragon and said, sighing wistfully, "Hasn’t today been wonderful, Spike? I’ve had so much fun."
Spike’s adorable purple brow furrowed in response. He had long since had the idea that something was fishy at Sweet Apple Acres and had been undergoing minor investigations into the theory. Spike found himself listening into conversations of the working ponies and observing patterns on the farm. Why were there almost always big ponies with mean looks standing around certain structures such as the barn?
Also, they had stumbled across a greenhouse set back away from the farm in a piece of semi-dead forest. The windows were all darkened and impossible to see through. Apple Bloom had told them it was being used in testing the chemicals with which Twilight had previously assisted to help facilitate soil replenishment. Nopony was allowed inside, not even Apple Bloom, because of the potential threat to health. That was also, she said, why there was always a pony guarding it. That was a possibility, but it just seemed strange, given that Twi had worked on those chemicals without any protective gear, knowing them to be safe. Why were they now a potential threat?
Spike toyed momentarily with sharing his concerns with Twilight, but quickly decided against it. Her constant dismissals of questions he raised had worn on him. “That’s good …” the dragon half-heartedly responded.
Twilight let out an annoyed sigh and looked at her friend. She was tired of listening to Spike’s insecurities about Applejack and the rest of Sweet Apple Acres. They were good ponies and some of the best friends Twilight had made in Ponyville and she couldn’t understand why Spike thought otherwise. He constantly made off comments about things seeming “weird” or “unusual” about the farm. She didn’t want JackSlap to hear, for fear of word reaching Applejack and offending her. She moved close to Spike to whisper to her aggravating assistant. “Spike, I’ve had enough of your sour attitude. There is nothing ‘weird’ about Sweet Apple Acres.” The pony paused momentarily before continuing her thought, “Don’t you remember how worried AJ was for us when we didn’t show up that night we stayed with Pinkie? The first time, I mean—not the last couple of times. She was at her wit’s end when we showed up the next day. She had been so worried about us and had sent nearly half the farm into Ponyville to make sure we were safe.”
Spike sighed and looked at his friend; he wished so much she would just open her eyes a little. Twilight, to be the smartest pony he knew, was also quite naïve and, as much as he hated to say it, dense. He had attempted to explain his thoughts to her more than a few times, but she just wouldn’t hear it. Nevertheless, he decided to try again. “Twilight, please. Let’s just go back home and forget this friendship magic thing. This town isn’t like Canterlot; it’s not safe and I don’t think you can change it.”
Twilight’s expression changed from annoyed to slightly angry. Even Spike had to admit there had been an improvement in Ponyville since she had arrived. She had made several friends and they had all commented on how much happier they were now that Twilight had entered their lives. Rarity had bonded with Pinkie and Fluttershy after nearly five years of avoidance and their friendships were blossoming and bearing fruit. Applejack had admitted her own enjoyment of having met the unicorn. Rainbow Dash was looking so much healthier and was training the young pegasus, Scootaloo, to be a performer for the Wonder Bolts, and while Twilight had not directly aided in this, felt that she had somehow inspired the actions through her training with Sweetie or the effort she put into the town. She believed these illustrations of hope and friendship had her as their center point. Like a stone will cause ripples in a pond of water, she had set in motion the power of friendship and others were feeling effects of it.
Twilight shook her head at the dragon and spoke in a tone that nearly chastised him. “All that we have seen and you want to just go home now? I’ve put a lot of effort and time into this study and we are finally seeing some headway. We’re staying, Spike. We can’t stop now.”
Spike sighed again and tried to look apologetic to the mare; he was only worried about her well-being. “I just don’t want anything to happen to you, Twilight. I just worry about this place. It’s not like Canterlot.”
“I know, and that’s why we have to stay. We’re doing well, Spike. In a short time we might have everypony happy and friendly again. It’s possible, Spike.” Twilight felt bad for being so short with her friend. He was doing what he thought was best, but his fear was getting to him. “I know you’re afraid, Spike, but things are getting better. Before long this will be a happy town again.”
Spike nodded, but looked to the path. “Okay, Twilight,” he whispered, ending their secretive conversation. He listened and answered when asked a question, but they were non-committal because he was off in his own mind, thinking.
The only way to prove to Twilight that something was wrong and to persuade her to return to Canterlot before something bad happened was to find proof and confront her with it. The diminutive dragon set his jaw and nodded to himself; he would do just that.
***
Pinkie Pie followed Big Macintosh with her mind going a mile a minute. Frantically, she tried to think of a way out of this situation. Big Mac was the strongest earth pony Pinkie had ever known and attempting to fight him would end very badly for the pink pony. Mac was the most feared of Applejack's ponies. He was ruthless, violent, and reportedly enjoyed his duties. Pinkie wouldn't stand a chance with him in a fair fight. Damn; if she could have only gotten inside she could have, at least, stashed a blade on her person.
Fighting was out. She could turn and run. If she could get away from Mac, powerful but slow, she could get Fluttershy and make a break for Golden Harvest’s hideout or even another town. With any hope, the Apples would not follow her into the territory of Harvest's strengthening gang or out of town. However, that required getting by JackSlap, gathering a few supplies, and probably dragging the frightened Fluttershy behind her. Big Mac would have plenty of time to catch her before she would be ready. She might be able to just shoot him and flee once she acquired her gun, but he would have time to get help as well. There was no guarantee she wasn't being followed by other members she had not seen.
Pinkie sighed to herself, the stress really churning her stomach until it felt sick. Maybe AJ didn't know everything. Maybe she was just going to talk to her. After all, they had been friends before. That warranted some sympathy, right?
"Keep up."
Pinkie had slowed her speed accidentally while she thought and the gruff voice of the red stallion shocked her back to the world. She had jumped when he spoke, expecting some degree of violence. When no further action seemed probable, she assumed he was under orders to bring her to Applejack unharmed. Maybe she wanted to make a business deal with Pinkie. It wasn't out of the question, but Pinkie doubted it severely. She recognized her wishful thinking and decided that AJ wanted her unharmed so she could do it all herself.
Pinkie's hopes bottomed out but she would play her part until the very end. She would be smiling, happy, silly Pinkie Pie and deny any knowledge of drug making until she couldn't hold out any longer. Applejack may not kill her if she only suspected Pinkie's involvement.
The pink mare hoped things would not go badly, but she knew she was probably walking to her own terrible demise. She would fight back if she could. She would try and leave a mark before they killed her. At the very worst, she would admit her guilt and disavow any participation of Fluttershy. She could protect her friend.
They arrived at Sweet Apple Acres altogether too quickly, and Pinkie took a moment to look up at the farmhouse. Her legs wobbled for a moment and she swallowed hard, forcing the knot in her throat to loosen momentarily. How odd it was to see the structure she used to view as a place of fun and friendship as the place of her departure from the world. She only jolted forward as a response to Big Mac's sudden annoyed glance back at her.
Pinkie passed through the field before the farmhouse and then through the fine oaken doorway into the home and business of her drug rival. She wished so badly that she already had the resources to abandon the manufacturing of drugs. The party pony truly did not want to make any more drugs. AJ could make and sell all she wanted for all Pinkie cared; she just wanted to be finished with it. Pinkie wondered if promising to stop creating drugs would soothe the angered drug lord.
Big Macintosh led the pink pony through the living room, but stopped as three young fillies came barreling down the stairs. The small yellow one with a ribbon in her hair paused to wave at Pinkie, who waved back, smiling happily despite her terror. Mac nodded at Pinkie and led her up the stairs.
Immediately upon making the second floor, Big Mac knocked his hoof against the first door. From inside, Pinkie heard Applejack.
"Send'er in here, Big Mac. Ah've been itchin' fer this moment."
Pinkie felt as if her heart pumped cave water—icy, black, and stale. She looked to Macintosh, who only opened the door for her. She stepped slowly into the room, certain this would be the room in which her eyes would close for the last time. As Pinkie entered, she saw a large stained desk and an orange earth pony in a Stetson hat sitting behind it—Applejack.
Applejack smiled at Pinkie. She had waited all morning for this and meant to draw it out. "Pinkie Pie, mah friend. We’ve gotta lot ta discuss. Please, sit down. Ya must be tired from all the business you've been doin’."
Pinkie moved toward the chair on her side of the desk and focused on staying cheerful and friendly. "I've been REALLY busy, Applejack! I went to Hoofington and threw this ultra-superlicious party and I couldn’t believe how much fun I had while I was there! What have you been doing? You look like you could use a party!” She pushed the cold edge of her frightened emotions down into her stomach and let her bubbly attitude take over, playing dumb and happy.
AJ had grudgingly accepted Twilight's story of meeting ponies named Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy. The details she gave were good descriptions of her former friends and her description of what they had been doing had particularly caught Applejack’s ear. She would have to see them again. Applejack had argued with herself about Twilight's activities. Had she spied for Canterlot and was the whole Pinkie Pie story a ruse? She chose not to think ill of Twilight, her friend and source of peace, but the worry that had crawled under AJ's skin after first meeting the unicorn began to squirm again. AJ began to wonder if there was a way to bring Twilight closer to the Apple Family. Maybe she would be able to turn the unicorn. She had to think on it. But, that was thought for another time. Now, she had business to attend to.
Applejack watched the pink mare, the smile tiring out her facial muscles from trying to appear happy and jubilant. “Oh, mah stars, Pinkie. It must have been fun. Ah’ve been havin’ quite a good time ‘round here mahself. Y’all wouldn’t believe the things Ah’ve been doin’.”
Pinkie felt the shiver run down her spine as she watched the Apple mare. She didn’t know what to think about her. Applejack’s smile was wide and toothy, almost freakishly large and fake. Pinkie knew fake smiles when she saw them. Deep inside she wanted to make Applejack truly smile with happiness, but she pushed those thoughts away as she remembered why she was here—to be executed. “Oh, I’ve heard all kinds of things about you, AJ. Ponies all over Ponyville are afraid of you. They all say you’re mean and cold and like to hurt others. That you sell drugs and profit from other’s pain! Isn’t that crazy? I think you are just doing what you need to do to survive!”
Applejack’s smile fell and she gave the pink mare a dark look. No more acting. “Yeah? So y’all know what Ah do, Pinkie?”
“Well, duh, everypony knows what the Apple Family does, silly. It’s not like it’s a big secret or anything.” Pinkie was cheerfully honest.
“And yer not scared bein’ in here? Ya know what happens ta most ponies if Ah have ta send fer’em.” Applejack wasn’t smiling at all anymore; she was all business, evaluating Pinkie’s demeanor and response.
“Don’t be silly. You’re my friend Applejack and I don’t care what you’ve done, you’re still my bestest friend!” Pinkie was proud of herself; she really made that sound honest. Her grin beamed at the stern earth pony with the sour face. Pinkie felt her heart skip a beat as Applejack stood from behind her desk and planted her hooves heavily on it. She was about to call in Big Mac to hold her down. The torture would start and Pinkie would be screaming in agony.
“Y’all don’t know how good that makes me feel, Pinkie.” Applejack looked up with a slight smile and a tiresome expression. All the dark, brooding evil had escaped her features and she just looked exhausted and stressed. She fell back into her chair and was happy her old friend, Pinkie, wasn’t afraid of her. Maybe it was because of Twilight and her constant yapping about the magic of friendship, but AJ had been missing her old friends. She was relieved when Pinkie didn’t criticize or fear her. Good old Pinkie Pie. AJ could always count on her bounciness. She smirked as her friend looked dumbfounded with her eyes caught in an expression of confusion and her bottom lip sticking out as if she were in mid-sentence when she was caught unaware. “Ah got a proposition fer ya, Pinkie. You and Fluttershy.”
Pinkie had to take a moment to correct herself. She was caught unaware by Applejack’s mood shift. Pinkie’s mind was quick though and she reacted with a smile so bright it could have lit up the abyss of space. Unless this was some kind of trick, she was going to go home after all. “What’s that, AJ?”
“Well, Apple Bloom’s birthday is coming up next week and Twilight tells me ya’ve started a party business. Ah wanted ta see ya and make sure that was true; last Ah heard yer partyin’ days were done.” Applejack already knew the answer to her question. Pinkie was jolly and jumping, a far cry from what she had heard of the pink mare until recently.
“Absotively posilutely! Sugar Cube Corner Party Planners, that’s what we call ourselves! Isn’t it the most exciting thing ever? I never thought of planning parties as a job! It’s great! I get to bake and play games and make everypony from foals to grown stallions smile and enjoy themselves!” Pinkie hopped up and down in her seat, unable to control her excitement.
“Good. Ah want ta hire y’all ta cater Apple Bloom’s birthday. Spare no expense, Pinkie. Ah want this party ta be the best mah sister has ever had. We can set it up here on the farm. What do ya think, Pinkie? Will ya do it?” Applejack hoped she would say yes. She wanted two things out of this: Apple Bloom to have a party to remember and to attempt to rebuild the friendships she used to have. Twilight’s persistence was getting to her. She may not be able to repair all the ill deeds she had done, but she could patch up the relationships she used to have with her friends. She sighed and thought about the blue pegasus for a moment. Maybe even with that one … She was head of the family now, didn’t that come with its own benefits? Maybe she could admit her feelings, go all in and let the chips fall where they may. For a moment, she lost her concentration.
Pinkie didn’t notice and leaped from her chair, grinning like a mad pony and making a celebratory whooping noise. “Of course! I’d love to cater your sister’s party! It will be the biggest, best, most partiest party ever to party!” She had completely lost her fear in the country mare and saw only the potential for the biggest party ever! She would even cut her friend some breaks on the fee.
Applejack couldn’t help but be infected by Pinkie’s enthusiasm and she stood and came around to celebrate with the party pony. “That’s the spirit, Pinkie! Ah can’t wait ta see it. Make sure Fluttershy comes, too. Ah’d like ta see her as well.”
Pinkie nodded and chuckled, settling down some and ceasing to hop about the room, coming to face Applejack. “It’ll be great! I’ll make sure it’s everything you want it to be. Tell me about her; it’s been a while since I have seen her. What does she like?” Pinkie was getting serious—well, as serious as she could be in party mode—and getting down to business.
Applejack was good at business and nodded to her friend, but suddenly looked ashamed and sighed. “Pinkie, Ah’m sorry Ah haven’t been ta see ya in so long. Ah … now, this ain’t no excuse, but Ah was so worried about the farm and the family that Ah forgot what havin’ friends was like.” She looked sad and dropped her head slightly. Things had gotten out of hoof before and were starting to get that way again, and all the stress was weighing heavy on her heart. Twilight and all her talk about friendship was making her remember too much. She knew that it was bad for her business to feel this way; the business needed a strong leader, not a moping sap longing her friends, but she just couldn’t help it. She felt as though she needed some support. She was hurting underneath all the hard layers she wore.
The pink mare hugged Applejack tightly and chuckled into her ear. “We all have had hard time, Applejack. It doesn’t mean we can’t fix what we let fall apart, does it?”
“No, maybe we can make some kinda’ amends. Thanks, Pinks.” Applejack’s lips spread into a smile and she hugged the pink mare in return for a few moments before sitting. “Let’s talk about Apple Bloom. She’s a real big fan of …”
***
The decorations were set and the sun was going down. Apple Bloom loved the apple trees and thus they were the perfect setting for the party in her honor. The only remaining orchard was lit up with lanterns and candles, their brilliance magnified by the hundreds of shiny streamers hanging from the trees. A long oak table had been placed to support the 30 or so different types of food and drink. Another table held an ample supply of neatly wrapped presents addressed to Apple Bloom. At all corners of the family orchard, there were light and decorations, a smorgasbord of colors and lights that anypony would find amazing. Pinkie had really done her best with this one and had packed her party cannon full of fireworks for a grand finale after darkness had fallen and the party wound to its apex. There would be music, food, drink, festivities, and friendship enough for everypony and more. Apple Bloom would never forget this amazing display of love for her, of that Pinkie was sure.
There were nearly one hundred guests in attendance. Twilight and Spike were among the guests, of course. Most of the other attendees were family members, but among them were several ponies who rarely made appearances at Sweet Apple Acres. Pinkie Pie had told Fluttershy of what transpired in Applejack’s office and, with a great deal of effort, talked her into attending the party. Rarity had also agreed to attend.
Rainbow Dash sat underneath the large apple tree that symbolized family for the Apples. A hard day of training had nearly worn her out, but she wouldn’t miss Applejack’s sister’s birthday for anything. Maybe she would even manage to eke out a few moments alone with Applejack. She’d noticed the cowmare’s glances in recent days and hoped the mood of the festivities might inspire Applejack to open up to the pegasus again.
It was nearly time. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle had been instructed to keep Apple Bloom away from the main section of the farm so Pinkie could construct the party. The fillies had been excited and every moment of keeping Apple Bloom busy on the far side of Sweet Apple Acres seemed like years. They were, after all, fillies themselves and still loved parties and presents, even if they weren’t receiving them. They had played with their yellow friend and counted the hours until finally it was time. They began their short trek to the orchard.
Applejack walked up to Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, the latter of whom was shivering and as nervous as ever hiding behind Pinkie for protection, and smiled. “Y’all have done fixed this place up prettier n’ a glob of butter on a stack of wheat cakes. Thank ya both so much.” Applejack smirked at her shy friend, “Fluttershy, come out and act like somepony. Ah haven’t talked ta ya in a coon’s age.”
Shy reluctantly stepped out from behind Pinkie, who was busy talking a mile a minute about how this was the best party she had ever put together. The shy pony waited in horror for Pinkie’s mouth to slow to a sprint so she could say her few words and be out of Applejack’s attention. She finally got her chance and spoke in hushed tones, big eyes threatening to spill tears at any second. “Hi … Applejack. It’s, um, so … um, nice to see you again.”
Applejack chuckled to herself and started to respond to the pegasus, but Rainbow Dash joined the group and spoke just ahead of the country mare.
“Fluttershy? I thought I recognized that whimpering.” Dash joked with the shy mare. They had known each other longer than any of the others and Dash jumped at the chance to talk to her oldest friend again.
Fluttershy made a soft squeak and cast her big simpering eyes to the blue pegasus. She was choked on her words, but Pinkie bumped her, prompting her to speak. “Oh my … Rainbow, I haven’t seen you in so long. You look …” She realized the word “good” probably wouldn’t do and went quiet in embarrassment.
Dash didn’t take offense and shook the words off. Rainbow's feathers had almost grown in again and she hadn't fallen prey to a seizure in weeks. She knew what she looked like, but also knew she was getting stronger every day. “Yeah, not so great now, but I plan on being back in shape before too long. I’m already looking and feeling better, right AJ?” She was confused about what had happened with Applejack and the few attempts she had made to talk to the earth pony came up with the country mare cutting her off and attending “business” elsewhere, usually with Twilight if she was around. Rainbow was getting tired of it. Applejack had grabbed her and kissed her. It was … the greatest moment of her life. Then she had to go and ruin it by putting her down and making excuses to keep away. Rainbow wanted answers.
Applejack, in a good mood, but also in the middle of her family and partners, held back her response and responded with a noncommittal grunt to the blue pegasus.
“Wow, Pinkie, I didn’t know you could work such magic without a horn. This is beautiful. You really outdid yourself.” Twilight joined the group with Rarity close behind; they had been talking together when they saw the group gathering and decided to join. The two unicorns had been visiting and partying with Pinkie and Fluttershy on a regular basis and were glad to have their company at the party.
“Yes, absolutely perfect, darling. If only you could do something about these dreadful mosquitoes. Ugh, they’re trying to land on my beautiful face!” Rarity whined at the slightest discomfort, but was thoroughly impressed with the design of the decorations. She had to admit that Pinkie had a certain flare for design despite her lack of proper training or sophistication.
Rainbow grimaced at the sight of Twilight, still unable to forgive her for taking Applejack’s attention. Even now, she could see the happiness that glimmered in AJ’s eyes as she looked upon the lavender unicorn. Rainbow sighed at the rejection of the country mare. She wanted to just say it, to just spout the words in her heart, but it would be rude to overshadow Apple Bloom’s birthday with such a confession. She would bide her time and make the best of the situation. “So Fluttershy, can you still do twelve straight shots of hard cider?”
Fluttershy blushed a new shade of red and made a “meep” sound as the others all turned to regard her in a questioning manner. She felt their eyes burrowing into her and she barely managed to speak. “Dash … I thought … we weren’t going to talk about that again …”
“You drink, Shy?” Pinkie looked with real wonder and surprise.
“Does she?” Rainbow chortled and clapped the yellow pegasus on the back. “Way better than she flies. She’s not nearly as shy after round five, are you Flutters? Remember when you threatened to show me what a real Sonic Rainboom looked like?”
They all laughed and began conversing with one another. It felt good and they spent a few moments as they had in times long past. They were only interrupted when JackSlap came trotting up to Applejack. “I seen’em, boss. Sootie and Shootapu are leading her right here.”
Applejack, annoyed with the green pony’s failure to remember the other filly’s names, turned to the gathering. “All right, y’all. Get in yer places and when they come in, wait for mah signal.”
The ponies in attendance all took their places behind the table and trees and waited for the three fillies to arrive. After nearly a minute, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle escorted the blindfolded Apple Bloom into the orchard.
“What are y’all doin’? What’s this surprise ya gotta show me? Are the apples growin’ in early or somethin’?” the small earth pony asked of her friends who simply giggled and walked on either side of her to keep her from stumbling and maintaining the correct direction. Their eyes were lit up by the sight and they could barely contain themselves.
The fillies came right up to the center of the party and stopped their red-maned friend. Sweetie stopped her and spoke excitedly, “Okay, get ready, Apple Bloom. You’re going to be so surprised when you see this. Do it, Scoot.”
Scootaloo yanked the blindfold from Apple Bloom’s eyes and the filly gasped in shock and exhilaration as she took in the sight. Just as the incredible smile broke across her face, the hidden ponies all jumped out and yelled “SURPRISE!”
Apple Bloom’s heart lifted and she was stunned by the gathering. All of this for her, really? There was so much to see and all the ponies she knew were there. She looked around and tears filled her little eyes as the joy she felt overcame her small frame. It was so beautiful, the whole setting, all of her friends; it was like some kind of dream.
“Happy birthday, little sister. We all love ya so much and we wanted ta show ya how special y’all are ta us.” Applejack stepped from the crowd and right up to her younger sibling, who hugged her tightly and laughed.
“Thank ya so much, sis. Ah love ya so much.” Apple Bloom squeezed her sister tightly and nuzzled her way into the orange pony’s neck.
“All right, all right, that’s enough a’ that. Yer not supposed to be cryin’ at yer birthday party.” Applejack smiled to her sister, who grinned back and nodded, looking around at all the ponies she cared about.
At that moment, everything was perfect in the filly’s mind. Nothing would ever be able to top it, of that she was certain. Apple Bloom looked around and grinned, “Thanks, everypony. Ah appreciate all this.”
Pinkie Pie stepped from the group and looked around happily, “Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s PARTY!” The party cannon fired its first volley of fireworks into the sky to start the party off right just as Fluttershy hit the CD player, blasting a loud dance song through the speaker system across the orchard.
The party had truly begun.
***
Across the orchard, the ponies played, danced, and had a wonderful time. Each of the ponies found solace and companionship and for the first time felt as if the cracks riddling their friendships could be cemented and repaired. They each felt alive and happy with the others’ company; fear and worry fell to the wayside as the party moved deeper into the night. The fireworks Pinkie ignited symbolized the ecstasy in their hearts on this perfect night. In the whole gathering, a general cheer could be felt reverberating among the guests and the holes in their lives seem to scab over and began to heal for each guest in attendance … except two.
The first was Scootaloo. The orange pegasus filly had begun the night’s excitement with as much gusto and joy as any other pony, but as the night moved toward a close and Apple Bloom finished opening her gifts, a rare pain began to set into her heart. She missed her parents.
It was especially hard being an orphan because she had never found out why her parents decided to abandon her. One day everything was fine and she was happy with her mother and father. She was the apple of their eye and they loved her ferociously. Over the course of a couple weeks, however, it all changed. Their mirth subsided to indifference and then finally to disdain. The filly could barely remember what happened, but was certain things had gone from wonderful to frightening quickly. She wished she could remember it clearly, but she had been much smaller then and much of her younger life had been forgotten.
The filly wandered away from the party and out into a nearby field, finding a place to sit amongst a bed of meagerly growing weeds. That’s what she felt like, a weed. She recalled her father’s smile and embrace and felt her heart snap into pieces. She sighed and felt tears forming in her eyes. She wished she could see her father and mother again so badly. She would apologize for whatever she had done wrong and feel whole again.
The filly didn’t know the extent of her scarring but sometimes, when she saw the love and care that Applejack gave Apple Bloom, she just felt empty inside. She wanted to be loved, too. She wanted to have a family to care for her and give her the acceptance she craved. Seeing Apple Bloom with so many ponies showering her with love and adoration had hurt Scoots. She knew she would never be loved like that, at least not from her real family. They had flown away, forever. She had searched, unknowingly, for a figure to take their place. That was how she had come to admire Rainbow Dash and, when things had gotten bad for the blue pegasus, why she had stayed by her side so loyally. Dash was everything she had wanted to be, strong, fast, talented, and amazing. Scoot was glad that Rainbow was getting better, especially since the pegasi only had each other for trust and support. But, still, Rainbow Dash couldn’t replace Scoot’s parents, not really …
Scootaloo sighed and looked up at the moon. The soft ball of light wafted high in the heavens and Scoot wanted to soar up after it, to feel the wind below her wings and be free from the wretched earth below. She let out another sigh and lowered her head. Things would get better; they had to. She couldn’t feel much worse than she did now, being jealous over her best friend’s family and feeling alone in the world. Things couldn’t get much worse.
“What are you doing out here, Scoot?” Sweetie Belle’s voice cut the silence like a knife. The unicorn filly had seen Scootaloo wandering away from the party and followed her. Sweetie's plan on patching the holes in her relationship with Scootaloo was having no real results. She hadn't given up hope, but Scoot just didn't reciprocate the effort. If Scootaloo was upset, this could be her big chance to make her see she really was her friend. The white filly moved closer to the pegasus.
“What do you want, Sweetie?” Scoot turned her head to face the filly. She still didn’t trust her or want to be her friend. She wouldn’t fall for that trickster’s ploy.
The tears in Scootaloo’s eyes dripped down her muzzle and left two dark orange lines on her coat in their wake. Sweetie saw the shimmer of moonlight in the lines under Scoot’s eyes. “Have you been crying, Scoot?”
Scootaloo made an aggravated grunt and turned from the unicorn. “Yeah, so what? Are you going to make fun of me about it or something?”
“No … What’s wrong?” The filly, trying to emulate her hero Twilight, really wanted to help the pegasus.
“Nothing, just leave me alone. I don’t want you here.” Scootaloo felt even worse now, because Sweetie Belle had caught her at such a weak moment. She knew Sweetie wouldn’t let such an opportunity pass her by; she would use this against her or tell everypony about it.
Sweetie came walking slowly up beside Scootaloo. “I want to help, Scoot. Tell me what’s wrong.”
Scootaloo suddenly felt more than annoyed. It wasn’t right she had been abandoned, it wasn’t right Applejack was mean to Rainbow, and it wasn’t right she had to put up with this arrogant little bag of lies, Sweetie Belle. She turned angrily towards the unicorn and yelled, “LEAVE ME ALONE! I DON’T WANT YOUR HELP!” She had screamed directly into the filly’s face and was breathing hard, her emotions taking their toll on her patience.
Sweetie narrowed her eyes angrily and glared at the pegasus. “I’m trying to help you feel better! Why are you yelling at me?”
“You are NOT trying to make me feel better. You came out here to make fun of me … You’re not my friend! It’s all about getting Applejack to think you are so great! I don’t want to play this game anymore. Just leave me alone or …” Scootaloo snarled, looking away from the unicorn.
Sweetie’s dander was up and she knew it would be wise to just leave the pegasus to herself and let her work through her own issues, but memories of last time kept invading her mind. Being pinned to the ground and feeling helpless had made her feel weak. She wasn’t weak, not when all her talents were added together. She knew she should just walk away, but she had to do something, say something. “I wanted to help you, Scootaloo! You are just a dumb bitch.” She stood and began walking away as Scoot turned away and grunted. She had taken a few steps when she said the words she would quickly come to regret, “No wonder your parents left you behind.”
In the reeling fog of depression, anger, and jealousy that occupied Scootaloo’s mind, those words were like gasoline to a fire. Sweetie had said the perfect phrase to send the pain inside Scootaloo into a roaring inferno of hate. Scoot turned and charged the unicorn filly. She caught her with a shoulder block that sent her sprawling to the grassy earth. Scootaloo growled angrily, “I HATE you, Sweetie!”
Sweetie’s ire was up now as well as she picked herself up from the ground. She grunted and looked at her skinned knee. “Ouch, you stupid idiot! What the fuck, Scootaloo? I was leaving!”
Scoots didn’t care anymore, the white snot had been asking for a fight for a long time and she was about to get it. “My parents … they wouldn’t have left me without a good reason! I was good! They loved me!”
Sweetie recognized the look in Scoot’s eyes as tormented, but she didn’t care. Her knee hurt and she was tired of being pushed around by the pegasus. “Oh yeah? Loved you so much they left you to die in that shit hole you called a home!” Sweetie had a bad temper and controlling it was hard for her. Her temper generally took control of her mouth and said things that her mind told her not to say. She was intelligent and knew better than to say such mean things to a pony in such a state as Scoot was, but her anger just wouldn’t listen.
Scootaloo charged the filly again and leapt at her, but the unicorn was fast and dodged the attack. Scoot turned quickly, but caught a hoof to the ribs as Sweetie countered the failed pounce. Scoot clenched her muscles and absorbed the blow; it hurt, but not much. She struck back, narrowly missing Sweetie’s face with her hoof.
Sweetie jumped back, called upon her magical powers, her horn glowing pink for a moment, and then, out of nowhere, a copy of herself appeared beside her. Scoot was distracted by the display and Sweetie capitalized on the moment, both her and her clone sweeping towards the pegasus.
Scoot couldn’t believe her eyes; the unicorn had learned some new tricks. The two Sweeties rushed her and she swung at the one coming from her right, but her hoof went through the illusory image and she took a nasty shot to the side of the face from the real Sweetie. She was stunned and surprised enough to catch another blow from the opposite side as Sweetie Belle brought her other forehoof around to catch Scoot’s cheek.
Scootaloo fell back and shook her head, her face stung, but there was no real damage. Sweetie was small and weak; the worm could hit her all day with those pathetic hooves and not really hurt her. “I’m going to make you pay for that, Sweetie.”
“Yeah? Come do it, retard.” Sweetie Belle charged another spell, her duplicate image having vanished after being struck by Scootaloo. This time she yanked a heavy stone from the ground and floated it in front of her. Her hooves hadn’t deterred the pegasus; she would have to use something bigger and harder. She silently wondered which was harder, the rock or Scoot’s head. She planned to find out and swung the stone out in front of her, whizzing just by the dodging pegasus’ body. She grumbled and tried again, this time clipping Scoot’s front leg.
The pegasus gave a short whimper as the rock collided with her right leg. It had Charlie horsed the muscle in her foreleg; the blow had been glancing, but it was enough to assure the filly that, if Sweetie caught her solidly, it would do some real damage. She backed up slowly, watching as Sweetie tried for another shot. She hopped over the low blow and realized that when Sweetie missed it took her a second to regain control of the stone. If she could dodge another attack, she would have an opening. She wanted nothing more than to pound that pretty little white face with her hooves and she knew Sweetie had a bad temper. Maybe she could use that to her advantage. “Have you been whoring with Twilight again, Sweetie? Is that why you’re so good with your magic now? Using it to jerk off stallions?”
Sweetie snarled, her vision going red from Scoot’s comment. She hated that pegasus. She hated how she always bullied her and how she talked poorly of Twilight. Twilight was the best mare in the world and nopony was going to say bad things about her! She spun the rock in the air and brought it up over her head, meaning to use it to crush Scootaloo’s back with it. We’ll see how good she can fly with a broken back!
Bingo, Scoot watched the stone go up and, just as it started to descend, she dashed forward, flapping her wings for some extra speed. The stone landed with a loud thump behind the orange filly; she felt the wind from the blow across her rump and the vibration from the impact, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was that Sweetie had missed and was standing defenseless as Scoot closed the distance quickly.
Scootaloo connected with her leap this time, driving her front hooves into the shoulders of the unicorn, forcing her up, over, and onto her back. Scoot wasted no time in climbing on top of Sweetie Belle, taking a somewhat vicious shot to the face as she did. She snarled down at her former friend and stomped her hooves down onto Sweetie’s front legs, pinning them by her sides. “Remember last time? Dash won’t stop me this time, Sweetie!”
Sweetie watched the hoof go up, saw the intent in Scoot’s eyes and attempted a spell to catch the pegasus’ rising hoof. She remembered all too well the panic of being pinned and it was just as she recalled. Her horn flared to life, but it was too late. Just as the magic started to envelop Scootaloo’s hoof, it came down hard, finding its mark on Sweetie’s muzzle. She cried out as her muzzle split open under her nostril, her warm blood flooding down across her cheeks as another heavy blow landed against her lips. She heard the sickening clack as hoof and teeth collided. Somehow, her teeth stayed rooted in her mouth, but the blow caused her lip to split and spill a new gout of blood back into her mouth. The taste was like iron and she wanted to run to Twilight. She wished she had kept her mouth shut.
Scoot alternated hooves and rained several hard punches into the shrieking filly’s unprotected face. It felt good. It felt so good. She had wanted to do this for so long, to hurt the snotty know-it-all. To make her eat all her threats and smart-aleck words. All the anger she had was fueling her strikes, funneling the cruel emotions into pain for that meddling white bitch. She was finally making her pay and it felt so good. She heard the crying and whimpering from Sweetie Belle and it was music to her ears. She struck her repeatedly, making sure the little snot would keep her fucking mouth shut forever.
***
The other guest to be feeling something other than happiness was Spike the dragon. He was worried and all of his instincts told him there was something terribly wrong with this farm. Rarity had hinted at it when they first met and Spike had paid special attention to her concerns. He had hoped to be able to console the lovely mare and alleviate her worries, so he had taken to observing more of the farm’s inner workings. Much to his chagrin, the oddities of the farm only reinforced Rarity’s concerns. There was the way certain areas always had one of the big tough ponies nearby, the visits by ponies who seemed pretty unlikely to be buying apples, and the weird white powder he had witnessed one of the Apple cousins wearing just under his nostrils. Something didn’t add up and he meant to find out what. If Twilight was in danger, it was up to him to find out. With hope, he would get to the bottom of the farm’s secrets and convince Twilight to leave. Perhaps he could even talk Rarity into accompanying the pair back to Canterlot, too …
The dragon watched the ponies party and have a good time. He watched the groups closely and soon had counted almost all of the ponies present. Spike took hold of the moment and quickly snuck away from the party. He ran deeper into the orchard and circled out, staying near the tree line. Where would he go? If something was wrong with this place, what was the best place to search for proof?
He thought for a moment and remembered how Big Mac once had stopped them from getting too close to one small building set off to the side of the farm. He decided to check that building first, since it was nearby. He’d try for the greenhouse and barn later, if he could. He stayed in the shadows of the trees and circled the farm until he could see the small building in the shadow of the hill the farm sat upon. Looking around for movement, he decided it was safe and ran quickly to the shed-like structure made out of concrete. Mac had said it was a storage shed for pest controlling chemicals. Spike doubted that and tried the door.
A chain and lock secured the door and it rattled noisily in the calm night air. Spike’s heart jumped into his throat and he fell flat to the ground to reduce his visibility in case somepony heard the metallic clinking of the chain. He looked around nervously, but soon stood back up and inspected the chain.
It was sturdy and would withstand most normal methods of breaking, but Spike was a dragon and only smirked confidently at the metal links. He let loose a gout of dragon fire that melted the pathetic attempt to keep him out of the shed. He was sure that nopony was out there besides him after the noise had not attracted any nosey ponies and so he didn’t worry about the sudden light from his fire.
Spike pulled on the door and took a quick glance around the outside before ducking into the concrete shed. He pulled the door closed behind him and tried to look around, but the windowless building was pitch black. Spike carefully felt around the wall by the door, but couldn’t find a light switch. He sighed and let loose a short puff of fire to get his bearings. He made out a chair in the center of the room and, more importantly, a pull-string lightbulb hanging from the ceiling.
The dragon ignited his fire again and used the momentary light to guide himself to the chair; climbing up and standing on it, he blindly swiped for the pull-string of the bulb until his claws caught it. He took a deep breath, realizing something in this room smelled a little strange, and pulled the cord.
The light bulb spilled dim yellow light across the concrete floor and walls, revealing a multitude of what could only be bloodstains. The gravity of what Spike was witnessing took several moments to digest. There was a wide oval around the chair the color of rust and many smaller ones of all shapes across the walls and floor. He could hardly understand what it was as the sight assaulted his innocent mind. His breath caught in his chest and panic brought shivers through his body. He shouldn’t be seeing this. It couldn’t be real, but it was. This was a room of pain. He could almost hear the ghosts of the ponies who had met their end in this room. The dragon wanted to just run out of the door and forget what he had seen, but it was too late for that now. He had found something the Apples were hiding and he had to warn Twilight … and Rarity. What if Rarity’s sister found this? He shivered and quickly pulled the cord again, turning the light off.
In the darkness of the room, he could only hear his own breathing and climbed down from the chair. He thought for a moment about what he had seen. Maybe he was wrong about it. Maybe those were just chemical stains on the floor and walls. It was possible, right? Something was wrong with this place, but not something that bad, right? Nopony could torture and kill others like that, right? He took a few steps towards the door and stepped on something sharp. He let out a squeak and yanked the offending object from his foot, carrying it with him as he opened the door and made his exit.
In the light of the moon, just outside of the door he lifted his fist up to his eyes and opened his fingers. Sitting inside his palm was a pony’s tooth. He felt sick and terrified as he gazed upon what was once inside of a pony’s head. It was blood inside that shed. The Apples were criminals, bad ones. He had to warn the others and get out of here. His body shook in terror and he tossed the tooth into the darkness and ran as quickly as he could back in the direction of the orchard, wanting to be back within the safety of the crowd. He didn’t know how he would tell Twilight what he had seen, but he would have to, and soon. He doubted he could get Twi or Rarity alone tonight, with the party going on, but tomorrow would be different. First thing in the morning, away from the crowds of ponies where he could talk to her straightly and to the point, he would tell Twilight everything he had seen. Once he had convinced her, he could get Rarity’s sister and Rarity herself … rescue them both.
He forced himself to be patient. Tomorrow, they would all return to Canterlot, where they could inform Princess Celestia of this dreadful farm.
***
JackSlap had grown bored of the party; it just wasn’t his kind of fun. He might venture back in a little while when some of the mares had had a little too much to drink from the “adults-only” punch that somepony, namely him, had spiked and try to pick one of them up for a little alone time. He had his eye on that one, Apple Cobbler; was that her name? Didn’t matter really; she had a nice rump. He chuckled to himself and walked around the farm. He wasn’t really expecting to find anything, but something had caught his attention. A sudden burst of light had flared up on the other side of the disciplinary shed. He didn’t like the idea of somepony messing around there. Concealing himself among the trees, he moved around the shed to where he could better see the door.
For a moment he thought that maybe his eyes had played tricks on him because he didn’t see anypony at all, but just as he was about to chock it up to the alcohol, the door opened and a little purple dragon came out, holding something in his hand. JackSlap stayed low and watched as the dragon visibly trembled and threw whatever was in his hand out into the grass and ran off back towards the party. The way he ran suggested he had learned something frightening to him. JackSlap grimaced and moved up to the shed, opening the door and looking inside.
He had forgotten to clean up after he had beaten that last pony to death. The dragon had seen all the blood and found something inside that scared him. JackSlap moved into the grass and began rummaging where he thought the item landed. After a few minutes, he plucked the tooth from the grass. This was bad. He didn’t know how AJ would want to handle this. She was partial to the unicorn and the dragon was the unicorn’s friend … but he would have to be dealt with. He had seen too much. He needed to talk to Applejack and soon, before the dragon could talk to that uptight purple mare about what he had witnessed.