Alteration: A My Little Pony/s-CRY-ed Crossover
Chapter 3: HOLY Based on the episode of the same name
7 years ago…
“All rescue units report immediately to the damaged area. Every available vehicle is hereby ordered to the area. Proceed with extreme caution. Repeat, extreme caution.” The damage was immense. All this chaos and death. Rarity struggled to her feet. She saw Zetsuei standing over her mother, trying to wake her. “Mother? Are you alright, Mother?” Rarity crawled forward, and saw the cause of the destruction: a pony-shaped Alter with a black right arm, and a white left arm. It raised its arms, and the air shimmered. Zetsuei ran after it, intent on protecting Rarity and her mother, but an explosion pushed Zetsuei back, the force and impact killing him. “Zetsuei? Zetsuei, please be ok.” Rarity looked around for her mother, but saw no one, “No…not Mother…” Tears welled up in her eyes, and the air shimmered once more, “Not my mother!” Amid her grief-stricken cries and shouting, Zetsuei dematerialized, and reformed as Rarity’s Alter. “HE KILLED MY MOTHER!” She shouted, the pain and sadness forever scarring her mind…
Present day…
Twilight looked at the pained expressions on the Native Alters’ faces. She turned to Commander Macintosh, “Are you sure this treatment is necessary?” He calmly responded, “The Native Alters you see here are criminals, and must be dealt with accordingly. We must maintain discipline.” “I was given authorization to perform investigation and research on the Alter Users here,” She said angrily. “Research as much as you want, but later.” A voice sounded over the control room speaker, “Cell 32 is at the specified time limit.” “Roger that. Preparing to remove Cell 32 from the track. Security Unit 7, report to discharge area.” Cell 32 glided towards the platform and opened, revealing a worn out and nearly unconscious Applejack. Her restraints unlocked and she staggered out of the pod, barely able to stand. Barely two steps forward and her legs gave out, and she fell forwards to the ground, unconscious. A few days ago, She had to be forced in and out of the cell, but now, they just needed to hold her up long enough the strap her in. Twilight looked away from what she saw on the monitor. “Wake up.” The guards picked up Applejack, and started hauling her away. Rarity came down to oversee the procedure personally. As Applejack regained what little consciousness she could muster, she saw the vague shape of that white pony who haunted her. She began struggling, her energy fuelled by rage. “It’s you again…” She slowly walked towards Rarity, throwing off her captors, but was stopped by a quick blow to the stomach. Rarity launched her back towards the guards with the same motion as turning on her heels. “One more session in the tank. Interrogation will commence when she’s done.” She walked off and the loudspeaker sounded, “Roger that. Cell 32 back for a retake.”
Scootaloo stood in the doorway of the clinic, wondering if Applejack was back yet. Applebloom was worried, too. “Is there a problem?” “No. I found a job she might be interested in, but I guess she’s not back yet…” Applebloom continued with her cleaning, “She’s like that when she’s working.” “I’ll come back later. Let her know I stopped by.” “No problem.” Scootaloo drove off, leaving both ponies even more worried about Applejack. What if HOLD got to her? Maybe…No. There’s no way they’d take her.
Twilight sat quietly at her table in the cafeteria, thoughts still racing around her head. The treatment of the Native Alters, Rarity’s behaviour, and the fact that all of this was allowed to happen. Does it really have to be like this? “You don’t like the taste?” Twilight looked up from her food, which was still untouched, and saw Rainbow Dash standing near her. She sat down and opened a book, “How are you today, Ms Twinight?” “It’s Twilight,” She said, slightly annoyed that Rainbow Dash kept getting her name wrong. Then she noticed a bruise on the side of Rainbow Dash’s face, “What happened? Did you have an accident?” Rainbow Dash put a hoof to her face, “Just a spirited chat…with Commander Macintosh.” Twilight began to worry; was she already causing trouble? “I’m so sorry. Was it because of me?” Rainbow Dash leaned back, closing her book as she did so, “I’m the one who invited you, so I’m the bad influence. Anyway, let’s make the most of our meal…” She began speaking rapidly about the process of digestion, prompting Twilight to respectfully take her leave, “I’m sorry, but I’m not feeling so well. Another time, perhaps?” She walked away, leaving Rainbow Dash slightly puzzled, “It’s no problem. I’ve heard there are days when ponies act with no sense or reasoning. It’s such a sweet mystery.”
The thermal imager brought up Applejack’s thermal signature. Twilight watched the feeds from the camera, heartbeat sensor, and audio receiver. Pinkie stood behind her, happily munching on a chocolate bar, “Watch carefully. Every Native Alter will be going through the same process,” Her thoughts momentarily drifted from the task at hand, “Can we get the music channel on these?” Twilight glanced at Pinkie, trying to figure out whether or not she was serious. The interrogator droned on, talking about Applejack’s ‘crimes’, how she qualified for the death sentence, etc. Three ponies, each one identical to the other held Applejack in place with a floating disembodied hoof. I lost… Thoughts and memories flashed through Applejack’s mind, the most prominent one being her recent defeat at the hooves of Rarity. Though Applejack didn’t know her name, and they didn’t know hers, Applejack remembered the face, and the pain of defeat. I was defeated so easily… The interrogator got no response from Applejack, so decided to assume her silence meant she accepted the offer of joining HOLY, “Let’s change the subject. We couldn’t find a registration that matched your DNA. HOLD acknowledges that you are a pure Native Alter. Any objection?” Applejack whispered to herself, not paying attention to the interrogator, “I can’t…let go…” The interrogator slammed his hoof on the table, “I’M ASKING IF YOU OBJECT OR NOT, NP3228!” Applejack looked up, hate burning in her eyes. Rarity walked in, spurring Applejack into action. She threw off her bindings, but stayed in place, ready to fight. Pinkie and Twilight gasped; not ten seconds ago, that pony had been almost lifeless. Rarity addressed the interrogator, and motioned for the other ponies to leave, “I think it best if I took over from here. Would you all be so good as to leave us?” Everyone but Applejack and Rarity left. Pinkie and Twilight watched the video and audio feeds closely. Applejack grinned. Her enemy was there in front of her, a chance to get some payback, “It’s good to see you…” Rarity calmly answered back, “Is it really? I didn’t think you enjoyed my attention these past few days.” “Oh no, I loved it. And I’d like to pay you back for everything. So why don’t we just finish what we started?” She tensed her gloved right hoof, the dirty shoulder armour glowing faintly. Rarity looked down in contempt, “A C-minus level Alter User doing battle with me?” Applejack yelled, “Careful what labels you use!” Her arm split as the air shimmered. A large chunk of the platform in front of her vanished and gold bands formed around her arm. The red blades storing her ‘Bullets’ also appeared. Rarity quickly used the desk to form Zetsuei, and interrupted Applejack’s Alter summon, then lashed out with a kick to Applejack’s chest. “All with her bare hooves, too.” Applejack grinned, til Zetsuei grabbed her gloved hoof with its ribbons. “NP3228, I don’t care what life you live, or what you’re going to do with it.” Twilight and Pinkie strained to hear them. Applejack struggled against Zetsuei’s grip, “Yeah, so what?” “Do you know anything about a Native Alter with thunder?” Rarity’s calm exterior was starting to give way to anger, “Have you ever encountered a Native Alter with a black right arm, and a white left one?” “What are you talking about?” Rarity’s patience was just about up, “Answer me!” Applejack thought for a moment. She didn’t know what was going on, but her next answer might get her closer to what she wanted, “Wait, do you mean…?” Rarity turned around, hopeful that she might get some answers, “You know them?” Applejack grinned slyly, “Nope.” Rarity punched Applejack across the face, her frustration getting the better of her. Applejack straightened up after the punch, receiving another to the opposite side of her face. “That all you got?” She said, a line of blood running from her mouth to her chin, though she still grinned defiantly as always. Rarity grabbed her by the collar of her coat, an expression of anger on her face. Why was this Native Alter so unbearably irritating? “You ready to try me on now?” Rarity yelled in anger, “NP3228, because of idiots like you, Alter Users are the outlaws of our society!” Applejack yelled back, “I’m not NP-anything!” Rarity’s cold demeanour had broken, her anger now released, “We have to blend in and not look dangerous. To avoid a witchhunt, HOLY is the only place where Alter Users can live!” Applejack grinned defiantly once again, “Thanks for the advice, now about our little dance?” Rarity’s eyes narrowed for a second, then her anger froze over again, and she let Applejack go. As she slumped to the ground, her energy gone as suddenly as it flared, Rarity lashed out with a quick strike that knocked Applejack backwards. Using her backwards momentum, Zetsuei swung her back around, catapulting her through the wall into the room with Pinkie and Twilight. Pinkie walked to the hole, almost shocked at Rarity’s outburst. Rarity herself walked to the hole and peered through, “Suspect is confirmed guilty. 2nd Degree offender. 3 cycles of restraint, then return her to her cell.” Pinkie cheerfully nodded, “Roger that. We’ll take care of her.” Applejack didn’t make a move. She simply lay there, her eyes tearing up, “She completely ignored my offer…”
“500 for this little thing? Geez, what a racket…” Scootaloo held a small card in her hoof. It was her ticket into the city, and possibly the one thing that could help her find Applejack. She had infiltrated the city to rescue Applejack, having reached the conclusion that she had been captured. Scootaloo walked down the street, taking in the sights of the city and trying to ignore the pangs of envy in the back of her mind. “I could definitely get used to this. It’s a whole different scene behind the wall.” She approached HOLY Tower, muttering to herself. “How am I supposed to rescue her? They’re HOLY. I’m just…nobody.” “Hey! What are you doing here?” Scootaloo froze, quickly trying to think of an excuse to tell the guard, “Umm…well, I lost my wallet, and it could’ve been stolen, so I thought I should file a report or something.” “Then you’re at the wrong building. Try that one” The guard pointed to the Police station. “Oh. That’s great. Thanks.” She walked off, still thinking of her plan to rescue Applejack. No one has ever escaped from HOLD before, but there’s always a first time. I’ve met many people in my life, and if anyone can do it, she can. Definitely…
Once again, Rarity watched the monitors in the command centre. Everything was going smoothly, then she saw Number 32. Just like the first time, she had a look of defiance on her face. Applejack kept grinning defiantly, knowing that her mere existence annoyed that stuck-up white show pony. With little warning, she whispered to herself, “I’ll get her yet…”
Applebloom was working, washing clothes for the village. Applejack had been away for roughly a week, maybe more, and Applebloom was more worried than ever. She was never away this long, even when she was on a job. “Your sister’s away again, isn’t she?” Applebloom looked up from the clothes she was washing, “I’m starting to get used to it.” The older mares with her often talked about things like this. “She won’t learn unless you really teach her a lesson. She oughta be more responsible. After all, she’s your sister.” Applebloom couldn’t help but smile, despite how much she worried about Applejack, “She’s not that strong. But she better have a good excuse this time.”
Twilight pulled up the newly created file on NP-3228, the orange pony with the cowboy hat, trenchcoat with odd shoulder armour, and gloved right hoof. She had been sentenced to hard labour for life. “Just from one examination?!” Meanwhile, the guards had just returned that same pony, Applejack, to her cell. As they pushed her forward, she staggered into her cell, unable to stand or even remain balanced. She collapsed on the ground, exhausted and nearly unconscious. Twilight ran out after Rarity, who had just passed by the door. “Wait a minute! I said ‘wait’!” Rarity was as cold as ever, maybe even more so after her outburst with NP-3228, “I am currently on duty. If this is a personal, we can talk later.” Twilight tried to appear calm and rational, but her outrage showed slightly, under the layers, “We’ll talk now. This is about yesterday, when you interrogated NP-3228. She is the only one getting hard labour for life, and that seems excessive to me.” Rarity’s reply was calm, “Alter Users have a perilous potential. These steps are necessary if they are not suited for society. Ordinary citizens have the right to be protected from such things.” “The way you’re treating her is cruel!” Rarity flared up slightly, “What about the victims of her crimes? Should we simply turn the other way and ignore it? Do you suggest we simply allow these helpless innocents to suffer from these criminals?” Twilight had been shot down harshly, “Well…no…” Rarity continued, her voice sharp and scathing, “Kindness and warm thoughts will not help here. What HOLY requires is the belief that our course of action is just. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I must return to my duties. Good day.” “Don’t you remember? 7 years ago…” Rarity stopped dead, “I’m not interested in the past.”
“2nd Degree Criminal NP-3228, who received judgement just a moment ago, is scheduled for transport tomorrow at 1300. I’d like Derpy and Sweetie Belle for escort.” Commander Macintosh looked over the file Rarity had handed him, “I’m alright with that. It’s funny. She was held for so long, and you couldn’t get a word out of her. She’s a tough one.” “Do you think she’s protecting some important secret?” Rarity speculated. Commander Macintosh shrugged, “Hard to say. Maybe, maybe not.” Pinkie spoke up, having been in the background for some time, “If you ask me, she’s just stubborn.” Commander Macintosh grinned, “Pinkie Sense, eh?” “It’s just a feeling I get.” “Then I guess we are talking about Pinkie Sense, aren’t we?”
Applejack was still on the floor in the same position they had left her in. The faucet in her cell still leaked and the room was lined with lasers. She heard a beeping, which deactivated the lasers, then saw an indistinct pony in her blurred vision. “Applebloom?” The pony was neither Applebloom, nor a threat. “No, I’m one of the workers here.” It was Twilight, though like with most of HOLY, Applejack didn’t know her name. “What do you want?” Applejack said weakly. “HOLY has decided your fate. Your whole life will depend on what we do now.” Twilight said. Applejack struggled to get up, “That’s not good. Guess I made them mad, huh? Better get home…” She staggered out the door, even with Twilight calling out to her. She leaned on the wall, her legs still a little shaky. I’m so ragged. Still… One destroyed HOLD locker room later…
The Staff floor was quite scenic, and was also segregated, with defined sections for HOLY members and HOLD members, and also had the offices and Control Room. The elevator opened and Applejack, now disguised as a HOLD officer, strode up to the HOLY area, hoping to find either Rarity or a way out. A dark blue pony saw Applejack, and walked up to her, “This section is for HOLY members only.” Applejack wasn’t listening; she had seen Rarity, the stuck up white ice queen she wanted so badly to knock down, and a bigger slightly older pony with her. “Are you listening? You can’t be here…” The dark blue pony couldn’t finish the sentence before getting an elbow to the face. As she yelled in pain, Applejack leapt up into the air. It started shimmering around her as the disguise dematerialized and revealed her signature trenchcoat and transforming right arm. Rarity moved to protect Commander Macintosh, quickly forming Zetsuei just as Applejack had finished forming her own Alter. Before anyone could react, Applejack was already within striking range. “SHOCKING FIRST BULLET!” A huge explosion rocked the entire tower, blowing a hole through the wall behind Rarity. Smoke and dust billowed out into the air, and Scootaloo saw it. “Here we go! She’s on the move!” She jumped into a car and drove off.
Back in the headquarters, things weren’t looking very good. Dust and smoke filled the room, making it difficult to see. Rarity stood there, clutching her side in pain. Applejack stood opposite her, arm outstretched, the armour on her shoulder glowing brightly. “Shoot…I missed…” Zetsuei released the Commander from its ribbons, having protected him from Applejack’s sudden sneak attack. “Thank you for that.” “Just doing my duty…” Rarity turned to Applejack, “Do you really think you can get away with that?” “I don’t really care.” Commander Macintosh raised a disapproving eyebrow, “That’s how Native Alters think, is it?” Applejack replied harshly, “It’s how I think. Now, come on, Little Show Pony,” She gestured to Rarity, “I got something for you.” Everyone had gathered around, ready to react in a split second. “You sure talk a lot. You think you’re brave pulling a stunt like this? Like you’re some kind of hero?” Derpy held a muffin in her hoof, though no one was really sure what she was planning to do with it. Pinkie stood next to her, “It’s not very respectful. You can consider yourself off my invite list. Hmph.” The dark blue pony stood directly behind Applejack, rubbing her left cheek, “That was a cheap hit, and I won’t let it slide. Commander?” Commander Macintosh nodded, “Go ahead, Luna. But do make sure she knows what happens when people cause trouble here.” A unified call of ‘understood’ rang through the room. Twilight stepped out of the elevator, investigating the commotion. Applejack back flipped over the HOLY troops and landed right behind Twilight, effectively taking her hostage. Rarity’s eyes widened, “Twilight!” Pinkie turned to Rarity in surprise. Applejack called out, “Hey, you! What’s your name?” The pony named Luna spoke up, “It’s…” “Not you! That puffed up show pony who thinks she’s so cool!” Rarity stepped forward, “Why do you want to know, NP-3228?” Applejack raised her voice slightly, “Tell me!” “Stop! Since you want to know so badly…it’s Rarity.” Applejack grinned, “Ok, I won’t forget it. Make sure you remember my name. My name is Applejack!” Rarity repeated calmly, making sure not to forget this name, “Applejack…” “Remember it!” Applejack leapt into the elevator and punched the floor, blowing out the bottom of the elevator “See ya ‘round!” She and Twilight vanished in the dust and smoke, descending the elevator shaft. Rarity called down the shaft, “Applejack! Are you insane?!” Twilight screamed all the way down, even as Applejack reassured her that they would be fine. The escape had been broadcast all over the base, and now, Applejack needed out. She punched open the doors and the bottom of the shaft, climbing out and leading Twilight out, “Can you drive?”
“Where are we headed?” Twilight asked, stunned by this shocking turn of events. Applejack calmly responded, “Other side of the wall. I’m going home, and it will be real good to get back, too.” “You’ll probably regret this later.” Applejack laughed, “Maybe, but no time for regrets now.” As they drove off, Sweetie Belle held out a hoof, the air shimmering and glowing around her, “It’s that one there.” “Awesome. I have a shot, and I’m taking it!” Derpy held a muffin in front of her, and it left nothing to the imagination what she planned to do with it; she was going to shoot the car with her Alter. Pinkie stood in front of her, “She’s got Twilight!” Derpy lowered the muffin, “That’s gonna make it harder, isn’t it?” Rarity raced back, going to mobilize some vehicles. In the car, Twilight got a good look at Applejack’s Alter, “It’s a harmonizing type Alter…” Applejack laughed, “I thought it would be harder.” Twilight shook her head, still keeping an eye on the road, “Or you got lucky and I just happened to be there.” Applejack shrugged, “That too.” A black HOLD car was following them, then the air shimmered around it as pieces reconfigured and transformed, revealing the driver, Rainbow Dash. “You know, you’re not piloting that thing very well, and you’re trying to drive faster than me. To tell the truth, that’s what really bothers me!” She laughed crazily as her pink ultracar easily caught up to Applejack and Twilight. Rainbow Dash got a look at Applejack’s face, and a spark of recognition flickered in her eyes. “AJ?” Applejack swung her fist, “It’s Applejack!” her fist collided with Rainbow Dash’s car, breaking her concentration on the road, and almost causing her to crash. Quick thinking saved her life. Applejack grinned; it was all going well. “Applejack!” She heard the call and looked up. Scootaloo was holding a flare and a megaphone, “Up here!” Applejack turned to Twilight, “Sorry about leaving you like this, but I’m sure that HOLY Alter User will take care of you. This is my stop. Bye.” She used her fist to propel herself up into the air. Rainbow Dash yelled out, “She’s crazier than I am!” Twilight tried to maintain control of the car, only just managing to stop it crashing. Rainbow Dash drove alongside Twilight, “Are you ok, Miss Twinight?” Twilight yelled back, “It’s Twilight!” They both noticed the end of the road ahead; it was still being constructed. Rainbow Dash activated her Alter again, the air once more shimmering and glowing as she fused her car with Twilight’s. They came to a sudden and complete stop, just before falling over the edge. Twilight sat in her seat, suffering from shock and motion sickness, while Rainbow Dash started running after Applejack. “You worthless whore of a foal! You wrecked my CAR!” She was about to dash after her, indicated by the glowing aura, but she stopped when sirens sounded. Rarity had caught up with an armoured division, and Zetsuei rode on top, primed to lash out at Rarity’s command. A voice sounded through the speaker inside the assault car, “They’re heading down the Route 6 freeway.” Rarity marked it on her tactical pad, “Close the Route 6 exit immediately. We cannot allow them to escape.”
Applejack had gotten her hooves on some food. At long last! Real food! She greedily seized it, having been in bad shape for some time, and the prison food didn’t do much for her. “That’s not good.” Scootaloo pointed out the closing gates, ignoring the PA. Applejack’s eyes widened, “Oh no…Step on it, Scootaloo! I’ll bust it wide open!” “Are you crazy? That’ll get us killed!” “No it won’t! When have I ever let you down?” Before Scootaloo could answer, Applejack had already torn the roof off and prepared her next attack. “ANIHILATING SECOND BULLET!” The car shot forward, and Applejack got just enough reach to hit the gate before the car smashed into it. “Last one! EXTERMINATING LAST BULLET!” She slammed her fist into the car, blowing it to pieces. “YOU’RE CRAZY!!” Scootaloo screamed as she and Applejack plummeted towards the ground. Applejack landed, perfectly balanced on her armoured fist, even with the extra weight of Scootaloo, and threw her weight and momentum forward, allowing them to land safely.
Rainbow Dash stared at the destroyed gate, noting the extreme power with Applejack. “Did you know her?” Rainbow Dash turned to see Twilight standing behind her. “That Native Alter. Did you know her?” “Someone like her. A long time ago…” “Is that so?” Their conversation was interrupted by Pinkie, popping up out of nowhere somehow, “Shoot, she got away. We’re gonna have lots of paperwork tonight.” Her expression was rather sad, “I was planning a party, too.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. Twilight, however took a moment to ask Pinkie a question, “Why has your personality changed?” Pinkie looked puzzled, then beamed widely, “Oh, that. Well, I said most Alter Users at HOLY were eccentric, didn’t I? This is what I’m really like.” Rarity walked up, “Pinkie, please control yourself. You are on duty, after all. Ms Sparkle, did you…” She doubled over in pain, coughing up blood, “Oh dear, that’s not good.” Pinkie barged through, “Are you ok, Rarity?” Rarity looked up, “Don’t worry. I’m alright, mostly.” Twilight chimed in, “You avoided most of the attack.” Pinkie turned to Twilight, “That’s good right?” Twilight nodded. Rarity stood up, “She wasn’t swinging randomly. She was aiming, choosing her target, then striking them down. It’s very different from before. I have to remember her name now.” Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes and spoke one word, “Applejack…”
“I’m ruined. Bankrupt. We’ll be killed or thrown back to HOLY.” Scootaloo complained, worried about the immense amount of money spent getting Applejack out of the city. “What about the money from helping Lyra?” Applejack said, but Scootaloo shook her head, “That’s just a drop in the bucket…” Applejack reached into her pocket and pulled out a handful of jewels and some pieces of jewellery, “What about these? A parting gift from HOLY.” As Scootaloo gaped at the jewels, Applejack pocketed them again, “Should get you back in good standing, maybe a little more.” Both ponies walked that long road home, laughing all the way.
I was dreaming. In the dream, I was laughing happily, but in my heart, anger burned like a blazing fire, yet there was also worry and sadness. But in this dream, that pony was so strong she could laugh, and put aside the anger and sadness. I want to have that kind of strength, to put aside the anger and the sorrow like she does. I truly wish that…
Applebloom woke up, suddenly aware that she was being watched. She looked up, and was greeted by a familiar orange pony. The only family she had known for a long time. “Apple-kun?” Applejack smiled, “Hi there.”
End of Chapter 3