Summer Storm
Sweet Apple Acres, 5th of Summer’s Dawn, 1082
I let out a small wheeze as I slammed into the dirt track hooves first, sweat flicking off of my coat from the impact. My wings twitched a little with the strain of flying so fast, but I was able to easily flick some of the sweat off of them and fold them tight against my side. I looked up and saw Rainbow Dash casually float down next to me, barely even winded by the ‘race’.
“Nice try, Squirt.” The prismatic pegasus chuckled and flicked her mane out of her eyes with a foreleg. “Maybe one day you’ll be as fast as me.”
I rolled my eyes, forced to squint due to the sunlight still being just a bit too bright, despite the trees offering a little shade. “Ya have like twenty years of experience over me, that’s cheating!”
“Twenty?” Dash frowned, her raspy voice raising an octave in offense. “I’m not that old! I’m only twenty-one!”
I raised my eyebrow, trying to keep the amusement off of my face. “Still sounds old ‘o me.” I stuck my tongue out a bit at the mare, letting out a small giggle at the sight of her fuming a bit.
“Alright, alright,” Dash grumbled, her forelegs crossed. “C’mon, AJ’s waiting for you by the barn.”
“Okay, lead the way, Dash.” I motioned with a foreleg of my own before stepping into the shade of the trees so I could see her without the sun beaming into my eyes. “Yer the one that knows where we’re going after all.”
Dash harrumphed and started flying towards the red barn in the distance, thankfully not going too fast that I would lose her. I trotted along behind her, sticking to the shade of the massive apple trees so I could still sorta see her.
Why I’m having issues with the sunlight? I know bats are nocturnal but I ain’t a bat...I think.
I huffed a bit at the thought, trying to focus on my surroundings rather than that potential problem. Sweet Apple Acres really did live up to its name, the apple trees that gave it its name stretching in all directions. I felt a little small next to the large trees but then again this new body made me feel small next to almost anything. A vast majority of the trees held either almost ripe or fully ripe apples, hanging from the branches with an almost appetizing look.
After a few minutes, we arrived at the simple red farmhouse and barn that obviously was the actual residence of the Apple family. Standing in front of the farmhouse was a large red stallion with a yoke around his neck and an older mare, the latter sitting in a rocking chair on the porch. Dash flew over and started waving me over from the shade.
“Summer Storm, meet Big Mac and Granny Smith!” Dash announced, pointing a forehoof at each pony as she said their name. “And you two, meet Summer Storm! She’s Luna’s foal, the one that AJ told you about.”
The older mare - Granny Smith - gave me a kind smile as she looked down at me. “Nice ‘o meet ya, dearie.”
I hesitantly stepped out of the shade, forced to once again squint my eyes at the harsh sunlight beaming down. “Mah pleasure, Ms. Granny Smith.” I offered an awkward smile, a little intimidated by the sheer size of Big Mac. The man was built like an aircraft carrier or something, he was huge!
Granny Smith and Big Mac blinked in surprise for a moment before turning toward Dash, who shrugged in midair. “Yeah, she got an accent. Not sure why but it’s cute.” She winked at me, making me almost pout in response. “Anyway, gotta jet. Don’t get into too much trouble!” With that the prismatic pegasus zoomed off into the sky, a rainbow contrail streaking behind her.
I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly for a moment, a small blush forming on my cheeks. “Yea, Ah’ve had this accent for a while, not sure why a lot of peo- er, ponies find it so shocking.”
“Only Apples have an accent like that, dear,” Granny explained, rubbing her chin with one hoof before chuckling. “No matter, makes ya fit in a bit more while ya stay here. Why’re ya squinting like tha’ tho’?”
I shrugged, scuffing the ground with a hoof. “Dunno, the sun hurts mah eyes a bit.” My ears flicked back as embarrassment rushed through me.
Big Mac grunted, stepping back inside the farmhouse without saying a word. I blinked, tilting my head at the display as I took a seat on the dirt road in front. After a minute of awkward silence, Big Mac stepped back outside with something I couldn’t make out on his back. Without saying a word he stepped over to me, causing me to let out a small ‘eep’ and close my eyes. He grunted and I felt something smush a bit onto my head.
“Open yer eyes.” Big Mac’s deep voice resonated above me, making me snap my eyes open despite my fear of the much bigger pony. As I opened my eyes I noticed that the sunlight didn’t burn my eyes thanks to something giving them a bit of shade...
I looked up, seeing the edge of a dark brown stetson hat, it sinking a bit lower than usual thanks to being a bit big on me. “W-what?”
“Now ya can see.” Big Mac said as if it was as obvious as the sky is blue. “Follow me, we’ve work ‘o do.” He began to walk towards the orchard, not looking back to see if I was following him.
“A-ah...okay.” I followed after the stallion, forced into a quick trot to keep up with my much smaller legs. “What are we gonna do?”
Big Mac gestured to a group of trees full of fresh apples, a cart full of baskets nearby. “Grab a few baskets an’ place ‘em around the tree. Ah’ll buck ‘em, help me put ‘em in the cart.”
I nodded, trotting over to the wooden cart, filled with empty baskets. I shook my flank a bit to gain enough momentum to jump up into the cart itself, causing Big Mac to chuckle a bit at the sight. I picked up and passed one basket at a time to the stallion over the edge of the cart, who placed the baskets at the bottom of a hooffull of trees.
“Watch closely.” Big mac instructed as he stepped into what I assumed was ‘bucking position’. With a quick kick, he struck the tree with a back hoof, sending all the apples down into the bucket. I could almost swear I saw a flash at the moment his hoof struck the tree, but it was gone as fast as it arrived.
“Woah.” I breathed out, amazed by the display. “How did ya learn how ‘o do that?”
“Experience.” Big Mac explained, starting to gather the baskets one by one and setting them back on the cart.
I nodded and grinned. “Looks like Ah’ve somethin’ to learn today.” I giggled as I helped Big Mac set up the baskets at the next tree.
Big News
Canterlot, 5th of Summer’s Dawn, 1082
I shoved my way as close as I could to the front of the crowd, grateful for my earth pony build. The additional strength gave me an edge compared to the unicorn journalists that surrounded me. As I pushed my way forward I couldn’t help but feel a bit of trepidation at the sight of the Princesses on the dais, staring into the crowd with an almost cold look.
What kind of news would prompt an emergency press release?
I forced my thoughts to the side, preparing my notebook as the hour came. Celestia, the Princess of the Sun, stepped over to the lectern constructed specially for a mare of her size. Unlike most lecterns, there was no microphone, for Princess Celestia’s own magic allowed her voice to carry far better than any technology could.
“Good morning, my little ponies.” Princess Celestia began, her gaze slowly drifting over the crowd. “I wish I could say I announced this press release for a joyous occasion, but instead I must give news that tears apart my heart, and the hearts of my kin. Two weeks ago, Princess Flurry Heart, daughter of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Prince-Consort Shining Armor was assaulted by an assassin calling herself Nightshade.”
A gasp rippled through the crowd, journalists writing into their notebooks as fast as they could. A few others took pictures, almost on autopilot at the horrible news uttered by their beloved princess.
“Princess Twilight Sparkle was able to intervene and injure the assassin enough to allow us to capture her.” Princess Celestia continued, her face almost heartbreakingly managing to continue to be the same stoic mask it always was. “However, Princess Flurry Heart did not make it. She perished of her injuries several days ago, despite the best efforts of Ponyville’s medical team and my sister.” She nodded towards the Lunar Princess, who was standing a few hoofsteps away from her. “In accordance with tradition, we will hold a week of mourning for the fallen foal, and she will be buried in a private ceremony with close kin present.” Princess Celestia closed her eyes, taking a breath before opening them. “I will now answer questions.”
It took a moment for the news to properly sink in, as the death of an alicorn was unheard of. Mixed with the death of a foal...I almost didn’t realize my hoof was raised until Princess Celestia herself chose me to ask a question.
“W-who sent the assassin? Is this a declaration of war?” I stammered out, overwhelmed with emotion at being able to ask a question of Princess Celestia Herself.
“I do not believe so.” Princess Celestia sighed and turned to her sister. “Luna knows more about her reasoning than me.”
Princess Luna stepped forward, seamlessly pulling her Royal Canterlot Voice from within. “The assassin seems to have been following her own machinations, not related to any of our enemies. Regardless of the who, we shall find the why and punish accordingly.”
The crowd turned into a mess of questions, many ponies raising their hoofs for their own questions. I simply frowned at the response. If not a declaration of war, why would anypony kill a princess, especially a foal?
Princess Celestia
Canterlot Castle, 5th of Summer's Dawn, 1082
I slowly relaxed into my couch, allowing myself a brief rest after the long press release. I loved my little ponies, but journalists were a special pain in the flank. My relaxation was unfortunately cut short as a brief knock at my door rang out, echoing throughout the room.
"Yes?" I grumbled out, shedding my serene persona for a moment.
A singular Solar Guard stepped in, his golden armor almost gleaming in the light. A single folder floated in his magic, which he passed to me without a word. I grunted and took it with my own, waving him in with a wing. A quick glance showed what was within: that thrice-damned changeling Nightshade's own medical documents. Apparently some of the bloodwork and more esoteric examinings finally came back...
My eyes widened at what they found, a small hiss coming forth from my lips. I grabbed a quill in my magic and noted a certain area with a flick of ink, passing it back to my guard. "What I circled is to be censored on my orders. Nopony will know what lays within."