//------------------------------// // Burden and the Beast // Story: The Little Curiosities // by Comma Typer //------------------------------// It’s the end of the work day. Applejack pours the last bushel of apples into the cart. She hitches herself to the cart’s harness and begins the short trek back home. Wheels meet the grass, producing a rural rhythm under the heavy wagon. The weight of the cart and its cargo rest on her newfound Earth pony power—not that it was much of a surprise to the girl with the geode-powered strength, but still. To know that she is pulling the cart and not a horse—of course, she is a horse now, hooves and tail and all. “Big Mac?” she asks her brother who is also pulling a cart of apples beside her. He chews on his straw of wheat; that hasn’t changed with him turning into a hunk of a stallion. “Eeyup?" Silence passes as the sun approaches setting time. The two ponies themselves pass by apple trees, the sun’s rays peeking through the leaves and filtering into heavenly rays. “Don’t you find this ironic?” Big Mac looks down at her. “What do you mean?” “You know what I mean: we’re now beasts of burden, pull big weights around like it’s no big deal. Not that I’m complainin’, but I can’t say I expected the full horse experience way back when.” Big Mac looks serenely forward to the sky, chewing more on his straw. “I don’t mind it much. We’re still doin’ the same thing in the end. ‘Sides, don’t our other selves buck apples and carry ‘em home too?” She lets out a thoughtful sigh. “Yeah, they do... guess it’s not that different. I’ve known that, but it still don’t feel like it though when things get switched around so big.” A while later, they close in on the edge of the apple orchards, home in sight. Granny Smith and Apple Bloom are at home. From the looks of them trotting in the kitchen, apple pie must be for dinner. Big Mac takes the straw out of his mouth. “Speakin’ of switcheroos, I’m glad our horsies are enjoying themselves.” Applejack could not help but smile. “Yeah. Them becoming more human, huh? Huh… we become more like them, they become more like us. Just hope they’re not gettin’ into any trouble.” “They’ll be fine. I was the one who got them here in the first place, remember? If anything, they’ll find their way through on their own. They’ve always been smarter than they look anyway.” “Yeah. I just hope they’re havin’ a great time minglin’ with the ponies there. The portals bein’ public’s got them jittery since they opened.” “Eeyup.” Big Mac looks up to the sky. “A world where horses are the ones who rule the land. I’m sure they will learn much from the ways of Equestria.” In Equestria’s Canterlot, three uplifted horses found a bar. Now, they swing drinks around in their hooves and magic. “I didn’t know beer would taste this good, Oaks!” “Uh, Cookie, would you please calm down? That’s your eighth beer mug!” “Like you’re not drunk yourself—hiccup!” Cinnamon wobbles a glass of wine in her magic. “Though, I shall say, this complicated grape juice is delicious!” The two bartenders standing behind the counter watch the three newcomers with wild eyes. Cinnamon’s magic grip slips, spilling wine into Cookie’s mug while the mostly middle-class clientele look on. “You think we should bring the manager?” His friend nods very, very slowly. “We’re going to be so dead.”