//------------------------------// // Seeds of Distrust // Story: The Box in the Everfree // by Jh5kPony //------------------------------// A sudden splash of water was felt at Rainbow Dash's face, causing the now conscious pony to bolt up into a sitting position as she quickly observed her surroundings. It was dark, but not the kind of dark she'd be afraid of. Rather, it was...night time. It was still fairly early. The sun was still up, but barely. Dusk. She was on a dirt ground, right outside of Sweet Apple Acres. The source of water: a now empty rain barrel. Derpy Hooves was hovering around clumsily, looking at Rainbow Dash while smiling nervously, realizing what a silly mistake she made. "Oops, my bad!" said Derpy. Nopony can really blame her. She has a hard time seeing, considering her oddly-positioned eyes. Well except maybe... "Derpy! Not again!" Applejack said. Rainbow Dash looked up to see Applejack. "You alright? Sugarcube?" said Applejack. "Wh...where am I?!" Rainbow Dash said. "This here human dragged ya here." said Applejack, pointing to a somewhat beat-up Nick. "Nick?!" said Rainbow Dash, in shock. "Oh, hey Rainb-OW!" said Nick, writing in pain. "Applejack! What the hell was that for?!" "Still tryin' ta lay yer filthy hands on RD here?" Applejack barked. "I was-OW trying to-OW...help..." Nick said, still suffering from the effects of being bucked in the back, chest, and just about everywhere. "Now c'mere. Help her up." Applejack said. It was ironic that she'd have Nick help her out, but Nick helped anyways. Applejack and Nick helped Rainbow Dash back to her legs, which were still aching due to the previous beatings. Applejack and Nick supported Rainbow Dash and helped her enter Applejack's house. Inside, the Apple Family were minding their own business. Apple Bloom, Applejack's younger sister, was laying on the floor, homework scattered everywhere, listening to the radio instead of doing her homework. Granny Smith, Applejack's grandmother, was sitting on a nearby rocking chair, snoozing. Big Macintosh, Applejack's older brother, was simply drinking a large tankard of apple beer, presumably to reward himself after a hard day's work. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Nick went upstairs to a spare room. There Rainbow Dash would rest up as her wounds healed. Nick stood by her, as Applejack went to get her first aid kit. After all, accidents do happen at Sweet Apple Acres. Nick, on the other hand, simply sat there, next to Rainbow Dash. "Oh right. Pinkie Pie gave me this to you." Nick said. It was a present box. "Oh right, it was my birthday today." Rainbow Dash said. She opened the box. It was a slice of cake. From her birthday party. The one that she missed. Rainbow Dash felt terrible now. It was made with Berry-berries, which was Pinkie Pie's secret ingredient to much of her own recipes. It tasted funny, but it was also really good. Applejack walked in as Rainbow Dash ate her cake. Applejack carried a small, white box, with the words "First Aid" written in bold, green letters. "Now what in tar-nation?" Applejack said. "Applejack, chill. He's just giving me cake." said Rainbow Dash, attempting to calm down the antsy pony. "Now wait just a darn minute! Ah am NOT gonna let THAT do anythin' to mah friends!" Applejack snapped. "Applejack! Relax! He didn't mean any harm! He DID help me up after all!" Rainbow Dash snapped back. "Y'all didn't know that it was the SAME HUMANS causin that beat up pinkie pie?!" Applejack yelled furiously. "Y'ALL DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS HUMANS THAT NEARLY KILLED TWILIGHT. Y'ALL DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS HUMANS THAT RAPED FLUTTERSHY?! Y'ALL DIDN'T KNOW THEY ALMOST KILLED ME WITH THEM GUNS?! Y'ALL DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS THEM WHO...almost killed you too? Y'all didn't know...they forced me to hurt an' almost kill Fluttershy?" Applejack, still remembering how it was her that caused Fluttershy to cough blood in a failed abortion, began to sob. Even if it were successful, she almost killed her friend in the process. She didn't want Fluttershy to endure the pain of being ostracised for having sexual relations with a human. She cared for Fluttershy too much. At the same time, she felt horrible for having taken a life. But this was not the way she wanted to help her friend. She began to sob with the horrid memories coming back to her. "Applejack..." Rainbow Dash said, trying to calm her down. "I don't get it." "Them two corpses. Of the human and the foal..." Applejack said. "Is Fluttershy's and that tall human's baby." Everyone was frozen in shock. Nick was especially shocked. All this time, Ryan Jack had kept him in the dark about this. Ryan Jack, biggest ponyphobe in the world, had sex with a pony. He kept this secret this whole time. It was a shocking truth. He learned why Ryan Jack was so secretive. Finally, Rainbow Dash spoke. "Applejack. You're wrong." Rainbow Dash said. "Nohuman beat me up. It was a pony." Applejack cleared a tear from her eyes. "A...pony? Ah don't understand. Ah saw a black maned white pegasus carry you all the way here, to Sweet Apple Acres. He left as soon as THIS human got here." "That was the pony. It was Troll Face." Rainbow Dash explained. "Wait! That was the pegasus that poured rain on me!" Nick asked. "I even saw Discord! He was the one controlling Troll Face the whole time! I swear!" Rainbow Dash said. Silence. "Alright, fine. I believe y'all." Applejack said. "But don't expect Pinkie Pie to forgive y'all as easily." "Wait what?" Rainbow Dash said, in confusion. "Ever since y'all missed yer own birthday party, ponies began to grow weary of waiting for y'all to visit Sugarcube corner. Ah never saw the poor thing so sad in mah life." Applejack said. "Sad? Pinkie Pie? Really?" Nick asked, unaware of the situation. "Ah tried to get her t'sit and reas'n, but she simply began gatherin' all sorts a stuff and made a surprise birthday party fer a bucket of turnips." Applejack continued. "Ah never got weirded out more in mah life. Ah'm afraid she's not too happy to see y'all anymoh." And right outside, was Troll Face, stalking the three from outside the window, flashing an evil grin. The seeds of distrust have sprouted, and now chaos is to ensue soon.