//------------------------------// // Stay Gold, Ponyboy // Story: The Mystery of the Old Ponyville Time Capsule // by GrangeDisplay //------------------------------// Starlight followed the familiar voices as she ran down the hall. She, Spike, and the students had been watching the time capsule’s film reel when she realized that Trixie was missing. A part of her was still hurt by Trixie’s words, but that didn’t mean that she wanted to be apart from her best friend. She knew that Trixie was hurting as well and feared that Trixie might have gotten into something unhealthy to cope with her complicated emotions. Sometimes, Starlight wished that she wasn’t so good at reading others.  She found a majority of her friends huddled together. Rarity was hoofing out pink bandanas as Applejack addressed the small group. Twilight was uncharacteristically remiss as she sulked in the back. Starlight came to the alicorn’s side as she watched Trixie tie a bandana around her neck. “Twilight, what’s going on?” Starlight whispered, unsure if she should interrupt the meeting. She grew nervous as the word ‘fight’ was thrown around. “Oh, I don’t know Starlight, why don’t you ask Applejack. Or maybe you could tell me since everypony is in the know and I’m not.” Twilight murmured. Starlight pulled Twilight’s hoof to get her to lock eyes. “Twilight, I know this is a lot to take in, but our friends need us right now. This is insane! I don’t want them to get hurt.”  “I don’t want that either Starlight! But how am I supposed to help if nopony trusts me enough to tell me anything!” Twilight shouted.  Her outburst attracted the others’ attention as they paused their discussion. Applejack tied her bandana around her hoof and made her way over. “I’m sorry Twilight. I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you anything. I’m sorry that I wrecked your castle. And I’m sorry that I’ve disappointed you.” Applejack’s lip quivered as she struggled to find the right words to say, “There’s nopony in Equestria that I wanted to talk about this with more than you, but I couldn’t bear the idea of giving you this burden. I hate who I was when I started this. I didn’t want you to know anything about her.” “Applejack, you’re my friend. I’ll always be there for you. We’ve been through so much together. This is upsetting, but we can get through it together.” She looked at each of the fighters and tried to appeal to their practicality, “With that in mind, I still have to ask. Is there any way that I could talk you all out of this? There has to be a civil solution. I’m sure we can solve this and learn something new about ourselves in the process.” The image of Bugs’ smug face appeared in Applejack’s mind. She fought off the urge to spit as she turned down Twilight’s suggestion. “Twilight, I fear that this ain’t about to be a friendship lesson. I ain’t friends with Bugs and I don’t know if I ever could be. That ship sailed the moment Pinkie went flying. I’ve learned from personal experience that some ponies just don’t quit when they’re this mad at the world.”  Rarity used her magic to collect her mane in a ponytail and tied it with the bandana. She looked at Twilight empathetically. “I know that this stands against your core message Twilight, but this is not a bad spat or an argument. This is a gang war. This started before we ever had the pleasure of meeting you, darling. I know this pains you, but we are grown mares. You must let us make this choice and live with the consequences.”  A sense of dread overtook the Princess of Friendship while she studied her friends’ determined expressions. She was trying to build a better world, and she believed in her message so fervently that she strived to teach others. She hoped that her friends felt the same way. How could they not, when so many of their victories directly resulted from their bond. But Twilight couldn’t deny that the outcomes of their victories weren’t always ideal. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she thought of Pinkie suffering in agony. Twilight wiped her face with a hoof, trying to keep her sorrow contained. “You’re right, this does stand against my core message. I’m hurt that you all felt like you couldn’t trust or confide in me. I dislike the idea that you feel like this is your only solution. And hate the idea of any more of you getting injured.”  Rainbow Dash lowered her bandana from her muzzle and bumped Twilight on the shoulder. “Hang in there Twi. There’s no need to cry when we’re not gonna lose. Where’s the Twilight that spanked Tirek’s flank back to Tartarus?”  “I guess you have a bit of a point, even if that was a little different,” Twilight admitted. She accepted that she couldn’t change their minds, but that didn’t stop her from helping, “Okay, I have a plan.” Applejack rubbed her forehead, thinking about how much time they had left to make Twilight understand. “Uh, Twi. We appreciate the gesture and all, but the decision is final. We’re tussling whether you like it or not.” “Oh, I know. My plan isn’t to get you out of this, it’s to help you win.” The others looked at each other skeptically before huddling around Twilight. “Okay everypony, I think you should all focus on a single target. I’ve created an attack strategy with the optimal sparring partner. We’re going to need to establish your maximum damage potential for each of your opponents.”  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “And…Tada! Darling, you look fabulous!” Rarity cheered. She clapped her hooves as she studied her crafty work. She had successfully talked Twilight into donning their gang paraphernalia. The alicorn’s hair had been slicked back and fastened with the pink bandana.  Twilight blushed and rubbed the back of her neck. “I’m still not sure if it’s a good idea for me to wear this, Rarity. I’m not supposed to condone this behavior.”  The dressmaker turned fighter waved a dismissive hoof. “You don’t have to agree to support us, darling. The bandanas are simply meant to remind us of who we are fighting for. Had I known more about Applejack’s ‘Plan B’ I would have secured us matching jackets.”  The mares shared a laugh despite the severity of the situation. It was their final moment of levity before Applejack opened the front doors and called everypony to attention. Trixie moved to join the collective, but Starlight grabbed her hoof and pulled her aside. “Trixie, I know that Twilight is oddly okay with this, but I’m not. I know that you’re upset, and I’m sorry that I didn’t try harder to understand, but you can’t do this. I don’t know why some things work out better for some than others, but I’m willing to find out with you. I’m worried that you're going to get seriously hurt.”  Trixie stared into Starlight’s pleading eyes. She looked around the room before wrapping Starlight in a gentle hug. “The Great and Powerful Trixie appreciates your concern…but I must do this. Trixie needs to understand something, and she needs to see it up close…I know that you are scared for me but worry not. Don’t forget that I live on the road. I’ve survived my share of battle.” she whispered. Starlight squeezed her best friend tighter until Trixie slowly pushed her away. The magician took her hoof and tied a bandana around it. “Now you are one of us. The pink one’s death will not be in vain.” Trixie declared with a vengeful hoof. Starlight cringed at the insinuation that Pinkie succumbed to her wounds but appreciated the gesture. She did her best to boost Trixie’s fighting spirit before Applejack called them over.  Bugs Marean and his gang had already assumed a spirit of triumph as they assembled outside the Friendship Castle. He was quick to set the parameters of their fight. “Okay Applejack, here’s what I’m thinking. A basic five vs five, multiple ponies against an individual is allowed, and the fighting stops once a member surrenders or dies. Since I’m a stand-up guy, I’m suggesting that we follow basic earth pony fight protocol. Pegasi keep their flight to three feet max and unicorns restrict their magic to level one conduct: brief levitation and zero teleportation.”  Twilight let out a sigh. Bugs made his proposition sound appealing since two/fifths of team Al Capony were earth ponies, but Twilight knew that he was trying to sabotage her team. Trixie and Rarity didn’t look like the fighting types, so Bugs sought to rob them of any strength that they had. He probably also associated Rainbow with her legendary flight skills. Twilight tried not to smile at Bugs’ predictable behavior. They had already strategized with this parameter in mind. He didn’t know these ponies like she did. After taking a moment to deliberate with Maud, Applejack accepted Bugs’ proposition. The pegasus stallion removed his trench coat and threw it to one of his many observing henchponies. He was ready to throw down then and there, but Applejack stopped him with a hoof. “One last parameter Bugs, then we can get to your beatin’. I know we all know what we’re doin’ here, but I want to ensure that everypony follows the golden rule: No Weapons. And by weapons, I’m talkin’ knives, bottles, pipes, magical staffs, crossbows, and whatnot.” Bugs scoffed and flexed his muscles. “Uh, yeah. We’re not amateurs kid. This is a purely hoof-on-hoof brawl.”  He stepped back to join his line when Pack Heat leaned over and mumbled. Bugs frowned and slapped the orange pegasus upside the head. He rubbed the bridge of his muzzle and addressed Twilight, “Listen Princess Twilight, some of the bobos on my team are worried that they’ll end up having to fight an alicorn today. Tell these fools why you’re the Princess of Friendship.” Twilight didn’t expect to be spoken to by Bugs, but she brushed off her astonishment and confirmed his suspicions. “Though I strongly disagree with this solution, I have accepted my friends’ decision. I will serve as a bystander in this dispute. Please fight as if I were not here.”  Pack Heat received another shove from the mob boss. “See? She ain’t the Princess of Friendship for nothing. She’s not going to run the risk of her friends getting locked up by being a narc. She’ll just have to stand by and watch us pulverize her friends. I’m sure she’ll carry on their legacy as if they were saints anyway.” Pack Heat returned to his position in the line-up while Team Capony got ready. Applejack removed her hat and placed it atop of Twilight’s head. “Hold onto this for me sugarcube.”  Twilight gave her friend a nod and an encouraging smile as Applejack joined her teammates. Her heart pounded as the enemies scowled at each other, they twitched and fidgeted in anticipation. She didn’t know why she expected some sort of bell or whistle to sound, since this wasn’t a game or a competition. Bugs was the first to break the stand-off, and his fighters followed his lead. He launched himself at Applejack just as Applejack said he would.  Team Capony dispersed, seeking to separate Team Marean. Rainbow Dash’s unexpected galloping speed took Pack Heat by surprise. The mare was significantly shorter than him, so she attacked his long legs with a swift flick of her hoof. The orange pegasus stumbled, nearly toppling over. Rainbow took the opportunity to head-butt his side, eliciting a grunt from him. He hissed as he staggered back. Rainbow charged at him again, but she was countered with a powerful punch to the chest, sending her backward. She panted and smiled as she prepared to go again. The twin pegasi menaces, Badabing and Badaboom, apprehended Trixie. Each took one of her hooves and hurled her to the ground. She landed on her back and rolled over to narrowly avoid a punch to the face. Badabing’s wings vibrated as she dragged the magician by her mane. She twisted Trixie's head so she could see Badaboom preparing a powerful punch. He drew back his hoof with a malicious smile, but Rarity ensured that he wouldn’t succeed. The white unicorn delivered a precise front kick to Badaboom’s chin, sending him flying. It was just as Twilight predicted. The twins would stick together, and so would Trixie and Rarity. Rarity pulled Trixie to her hooves and scowled at Badabing. Chop Squad let out a mighty roar in the unflinching face of Maud Pie. The earth pony stallion was practically a wall of pure muscle. His veins pulsed, and the earth trembled as he stepped forward. The ground exploded as he slammed his front hooves down onto Maud Pie. When he jerked his head to keep the dirt out of his eyes, he looked at his hooves and was surprised to not see the splattered remains of Maud. The rock farmer confirmed her survival with a punch to the gut. When she pulled her hoof away, she acknowledged that he was tough. He felt like solid stone, which meant that holding back was no longer necessary. She wanted to go again but Chop literally beat her to the punch. His massive hoof impacted Maud’s jaw, but she didn’t go flying. Chop stared at her as she stood in place. She cracked her neck as a bruise was forming on her cheek. In his shock, he didn’t try to stop Maud from striking his face. He yelped and stumbled backward. He felt his cheek and grinned at the gray mare. “Finally, a worthy opponent!” he cried as he rejoiced in his pain.  Applejack’s back legs thrusted into the empty air as Bugs evaded another one of her apple bucks. Though he was older, he was well-versed in the art of fighting. He expertly dodged a majority of Applejack’s attacks and effectively braced against any impact that did land. Applejack dove to the ground while a forehoof zipped over her head. Bugs tried to stomp down on her, but she rolled over, popped up, and swung at him. He blocked her first attack but failed to counter the second.  The mob boss grunted as he moved back after the hit to the face. Applejack gradually inched closer to him, seeing that he was dizzied by her blow. She wanted to go in for a tackle, but once she was in range Bugs stretched his wing and swatted her in the face. Applejack could see nothing but feathers when she received a rapid burst of hits to her sides. Her face hit the ground when Bugs completed his assault with a sucker punch.  Out of the corner of her eye, she could see that Rainbow Dash wasn’t in any better shape. Pack Heat swung her around and released her into the air. The blue pegasus screamed as she landed on the crook of her neck. Pack ran up and attempted another stomp, but Rainbow gripped his front hooves with her own. They pushed on each other before Rainbow remembered to use her back hooves. She bucked him off and warily stood up. She spit and watched Pack rev up his hooves for a charge. Rainbow continued to watch him as he retreated backward, waiting for her opportunity. Pack snorted as he sprinted forward, he bowed his head and braced for an impact that never came. Rainbow had leapt up in the air and clumsily landed on his back.  Blue hooves wrapped around his eyes, and he found himself running blindly as Rainbow steered him in an unknown direction. Rainbow looked out and saw Badaboom torpedo forward, ramming Rarity in the ribs. The fashionista fell to her haunches. Trixie tried to help her, but Badabing was persistent. The tiny purple and pink pegasus zipped around the magician while she struggled to locate her assaulter. The kicks to the head, to the flank, and to the shoulder were weak but frequent.  Trixie swatted Badabing away, but her punishment wasn’t over. Badabing dug her teeth into Trixie’s forehoof and refused to let go. Starlight winced as Trixie shouted every curse word imaginable. She grabbed Badabing by the scruff of the neck and tugged with all her might. That’s when she saw Rainbow Dash driving Pack through and had a brilliant idea.  Trixie gave one last yank and shrieked at the pegasus, “See you in Tartarus you winged demon!”  Badabing was flung into the air and collided with Pack’s hooves. The pegasus stallion tripped over Badabing, catapulting Rainbow Dash off of his back, incapacitating all three of them. Trixie grimaced while she looked at where the teeth had punctured her hoof. Badaboom saw his sister’s unintentional flight and zeroed in on Rainbow struggling to recover. He flashed a wicked smile as he prepared to target the one opponent that was genuinely down for the count.  Adrenaline pumped through Rarity as she read his mind. Her instincts activated and years of attending hoofball matches with her father kicked in. She ran headfirst into Badaboom, executing a beautiful tackle. They wrestled on the ground until Rainbow caught her second wind and grabbed Badaboom with her teeth. She easily tossed him atop of Pack Heat and chuckled at Rarity as the unicorn wiped dirt out of her muzzle. “We will never speak of this again.” Rarity grumbled. Rainbow smirked as she pulled her to her hooves. Trixie joined them before the three launched another attack at Marean’s teammates. Seeing her friends give their all, set a fire in Applejack’s belly. She dodged one of Bugs punches and sprinted behind him. She bit down on his tail and yanked. His back hooves lost their grip as he slid back, and face planted. Applejack hated to do it, but she jumped up and planted all four of her hooves into Bugs’ back. He screamed and threw her off, trying to land some sort of blow, but the damage was done. His movements were uncoordinated and poorly planned. The farmer dodged with ease and responded with a nasty right hook. Bugs, dazed, stumbled back and Applejack finished him off with a well-timed buck. There was no blocking or bracing from the mob boss, he soared through the air and crumpled to the ground. Applejack panted and leered over him. “C’mon Bugs! Your ponies are down and out, but they won’t call a quits. They’ll just keep going until you pull the plug! This is why I wanted this to be between me and you only.” Bugs rolled onto his side and sneered at her. “Well, if you want this to end so badly, I guess you’ll just have to get them to forfeit the other way.” Applejack looked around at her team valiantly fighting despite their fatigue. Even Rainbow Dash, who was initially itching to fight, was losing her steam as she repeatedly shoved Pack Heat to the ground. Twilight seemed to come to the same conclusion as she covered her mouth with a hoof. Applejack had been confident that Bugs cared about his ponies, but she was wrong. His hate for her surpassed his love for his own team.  It appeared that Bugs had other intentions when including others in this fight. They were hostages; too loyal to surrender even if it ended their suffering. He knew that Applejack wasn’t willing to actually end anypony’s life. The honorable farmer would rather sacrifice her freedom than commit the irrevocable. He laughed as she came to terms with her situation. He collapsed on his back when she punched him in the face again, but he continued to cackle.  Applejack grunted and pinned him down with a hoof. “Bugs, I see what you’re doing. I gotta say that you’re real clever. I thought that you cared about your ponies because you always made a big deal about how they were hurtin’ too. Now I see that it was all a lie. You ain’t care about nothin’ but yourself and I hope everypony that follows you sees that.” Bugs Marean stopped smiling once he heard her words. He turned his head to the side and spat. “You’re wrong Applejack. I do care about them! You’re the one that’s hurting them not me!” The mob boss groaned as Applejack pressed down harder. “Oh, cut the foolishness Bugs! I wouldn’t have to hurt them if you didn’t bring them into this, and you still have the power to stop this! You’re selfish and a coward. You can fight how you want, but it ain’t right to pretend that you’re doin’ the right thing.”  Bugs' expression filled with concern as he looked around. His ponies really were out for the count. He sighed. “You know what…you’re right Applejack. We might be beat,” he admitted. Applejack cautiously removed her hoof, allowing him to sit up. He caressed his wing with a hoof. “We might lose this thing, but so will you.” “Wha-” Applejack’s question was cut off when something sharp slashed her cheek. She didn’t have time to check for blood before Bugs jabbed his blade at her again. She gasped when it nicked her shoulder. The pegasus stallion must have tucked a weapon under his other wing, waiting for the right opportunity to strike. Bugs socked her in the gut, and she tried to duck from a slash to the head. The knife clipped her ear as Bugs masterfully grabbed her hoof and yanked her forward. Time slowed down as Bugs positioned his weapon to puncture Applejack’s barrel. She squeezed her eyes and prepared to feel the piercing blow. Her condemnation of Bugs’ leadership had inadvertently led to her death. He found a way to lose the match but win his prize. The farmer could hear the faint sound of Rainbow Dash beginning to scream her name, and she felt the prick of Bugs’ blade. It took her a second to realize that it was taking a long time for her to be fully stabbed. She opened one eye to peep Bugs' knife-wielding hoof in the firm grip of Maud Pie. A gray hoof was wrapped around Bugs’ neck, but he continued to jab his knife with everything he had left. Maud’s cyan eyes were filled with rage as she firmly and succinctly spoke. “This. Ends. Now.”  A sickening crack and a scream were heard once Maud finished her words. Everypony gasped as they witnessed the unnatural way that Bugs’ hoof was bent. The knife fell to the ground, and Bugs cupped his forehooves together to try and shield from the rising pain of his newly broken hoof. But Maud Pie wasn’t done. She snatched his other hoof and tried again.  “Give. Up.” Bugs barely had any time to reject Maud’s request before he received his second broken hoof of the day. His fighters stood by stunned and uncertain of what to do. Their leader wailed, screamed, and cursed, but he was firmly in the grasp of the gray mare. She showed that she was willing to go to extreme measures, a level of brutality that was unexpected from anypony in Applejack’s social circle. Pack Heat covered his eyes as she pushed Bugs over and lifted his back hoof.  “Two more, then I’m taking your wings,” she informed him apathetically.  Bugs flailed around helplessly until he gave in. Applejack came out of her daze when she heard his cries. “Stop! Stop! Applejack, make it stop! Call off your muscle! We’re done! You win, you win!”  Applejack wasn’t sure why she was so scared to make eye contact with Maud, but she took her sweet time getting there. She nervously nodded at her older cousin, hoping that Maud would comply with the ceasefire. The rock farmer glared at Bugs before releasing his unbroken back hoof. Applejack knew that she should be celebrating, but the sound of Bugs’ shrieks in her ears was making it difficult. This had been a really long week.  Rainbow nudged Rarity in the shoulder and pointed at the mob boss. “Aw, sick! If you look close enough, you can even see his bone! Look, look Rarity. That’s one of the grossest things that I have ever seen. Look Rarity. Hey, Trixie! You look too. Look at his gross hooves!” Rarity turned her head away and gagged. She was definitely going to need some of Pinkie’s special cider stash after this. Wobbly hooves carried her to the equally disturbed Twilight Sparkle.  Applejack rubbed her forehead while Maud came to her side. “Hey…there Maud. N-nice work.” The words were hesitant, but they felt surprisingly genuine to Applejack. “You know…I probably would have done the same if someone did Applebloom like that. Thanks for savin’ my life cuz… eh...whatever happened to your opponent?”  Maud used her hoof to massage her shoulder. “Oh, him? After I saw Bugs pull the knife, I decided that I should stop playing with him and help you. I headbutted him and came over. Pies don’t lose fights.” Chop Squad’s back hoof twitched as he lay incapacitated on the ground. His tongue was sticking out and he had a bloody nose. The Bada twins took turns poking his barrel in a halfhearted attempt to resuscitate him. While witnessing the carnage, Applejack let out a low whistle. She patted Maud on the back. “Yep, you Pies are a different breed. Some of us got to learn that the hard way.”  The apple farmer took the opportunity to talk to Bugs once his screams simmered into a consistent anguished groan. She got as close as his goons would allow and tried to maintain a neutral expression.  “Good tussle Bugs. You and your ponies put up a good fight, but it looks like my terms won out. I know I said that you can’t return here, but I’d be fine if you wanted to stop by Ponyville General on your way out.”  The mob boss slammed his head against the ground. “Ah buck off tree-kicker, you win! I don’t need your pity. Ponyville is your territory now and forever.”  “Now, that ain’t what I wanted, Bugs. I just don’t want you comin’ around here no more AND you need to keep me out of your thoughts. Don’t even look at an apple if that makes it easier on you, but our feud is settled!”  She didn’t wait for him to respond before she finally joined her friends in victory. She was sore all over, but she felt a weight lifting off her shoulders. Her hat found its way back to her as Twilight levitated it over. She smiled as she hugged her friend, even if Twilight squeezed her aching body a little too tightly. It was apparent that she needed medical attention, all of them did, but she took those few moments to relish the feeling of a hard-won battle.