//------------------------------// // Chapter 9. // Story: A Cold Ending. // by Knight of Crows //------------------------------// Jason was more excited for the trials than he was before as he took his place in the courtroom. He noticed a few new faces and knew exactly who they were. The Pie, Rainbow, and Apple families both came, to support the associated defendants, he had no doubts. The increased confidence on Applejack's face only made this more enjoyable for him as he knew just how to start off with her trial. "Your greatest strength will be your greatest weakness." "Members of the court. It is known how honest and hard working the Apple family is, but that's really just the surface. In truth, they're as stubborn as they are foolish and untrustworthy." He started. "Bold claims," Luna stopped Applejack from speaking out "and after the last few days, I trust you can back these up?" "Of course, and I know just where to start; with Flim and Flam." He said, shocking the Elements. "They're con ponies, and you want to use them of all varmints?!" Applejack asked with a mix of confidence and offense. "'Con ponies' you say? Even I must question where you're going with this." Luna looked at Jason skeptically. "There's no denying the brothers offered a trash deal at first where they gain the majority in a 70/30 split. Afterall, all they did initially was provide an opportunity to use a machine that could make cider in a very short time. But this first example comes from when the apple family bet their farm against the brothers in a competition where they see who could produce the most." Jason prepared to play the memories he was referring to. "You bet your farm? Why in the world would you do that?" Cadence asked, baffled at how far the family was willing to go. "Well, It's no secret that Apples are proud of our product and work ethic. So, when those two swindlers started goading us, then, of course, we would not back down!" Applejack responded. "Admitting to stubbornness already? Works for me." Jason said as he played the memories. "Yes. The brothers would be the rightful owners of the farm if the bet was on a legally binding contract." Luna confirmed, shocking the Elements. "What?!" Rainbow shouted in disbelief. "But most of what they made was with rotten apples!" "Princess, how can you say that?" Applejack asked. "It's simple really." Jason started. "The bet was specifically between them and the Apple family for one. The second is the bet specifically asked for quantity, not quality. Even cider mixed with poison would've counted in their favor." Luna looked at him with mild concern. "Yes, though a rather extreme way to explain it. You should consider yourselves fortunate that no contract was made or you'd be without a home." "Then again, knowing how stubborn and dishonest she is, I have no doubts she'd do everything in her power to get back her farm, probably even use the guards to arrest the 'trespassers' if she realized the farm still belonged to her family." Jason commented. "I'm true to my wo-" "*cough* bullshit *cough*!" Jason faked a cough. "I ain't no liar. I was raised better than that, like we're raisin' Applebloom." She looked at her sister with a small amount of pride. "Much like the honor of the Royal Guard, I'm not questioning your honesty... I'm denying its existence. After all, I can still name several times you personally put others at risk with your so called 'honesty'. Like Pinkie's birthday." He started with something small. "That was a surprise for her. We didn't think she'd fly off the handle and assume we didn't want to be friends anymore." "We're talking about a child with the body of an adult and has many times in the past, proven she is mentally and emotionally unstable. I can guarantee you that if she got a diagnosis from any doctor in that field, they'd try to medicate her because she's that bad." "She don't need none of that! What she needs is-" "To act like an adult for once in her pathetic life and take responsibility when she does something wrong. Though at this point, it's too late for her. It's too late for all of you really." He interrupted, each word making the mare wince and eventually cause a tear to drop. "She ain't done nothin' wrong! She never means to cause trouble, and certainly never hurts nopony!" She defended her. "Doesn't matter what the intent is if the result is different. Now admittedly, the worst she's ever done would probably just be harassment because she can't take the hint, maybe property damage like all your friends, but when it comes to me? She outright avoided me and spread rumors about me like she did to Zecora." Jason replayed the memories for all to see. "Knowing her, there's a fair chance she thought everyone was playing some game, but regardless, it only hurt me worse than Zecora, figuratively and QUITE literally." I-...I'm sorry..." Pinkie choked back a sob. "I truly don't re-remember." "What?! Don't apologize to that freak! All he's done is make us look bad and turn everypony against us! Besides, he definitely deserved it at this point." Rainbow tried to comfort her in the only way she knew how, but Pinkie was having none of it. "What else did I do?" Pinkie asked, prompting Jason to tap the Horn. "You know how you can find out. And while you're dealing with that, we can focus on the third to last trial before I finally end this living nightmare for all." Pinkie started doing as he said while he turned away from her. "Back to the liar-" "I ain't a liar." Applejack growled. "Your partnership with Flim and Flam, among other things, would suggest otherwise." "Given what we've seen of those two already, I would like to see this example." Queen Novo said. "As would I." Shifting Sands agrees. "Continue, Mister Wright." Luna said. Jason nods as he goes to the Gjallarhorn. The memory shows Flim and Flam standing amid an assembled crowd. They were marketing their latest Miracle Curative Tonic for all the ailments the public had. The Apples were also there, naturally skeptical of the brother's product. However, when Granny Smith's interest was piqued when the brothers mentioned that tonic could make you younger, she jumped at the chance and bought it. The next day, Granny Smith was swimming and dancing like a filly again. The sudden change did not sit well with Applejack as she and Applebloom went to confront the Flim-Flam brothers about their tonic. Upon reaching their tent, the Apple sister saw the pony Silver Shills exit the tent again despite drinking the mixture a day prior. After cornering him and discovering he was never sick and a part of the act of selling the tonic, Applejack confronts the brothers. "Well, if it isn't our favorite Apple," Flim said. "What brings you back to our humble abode?" Flam asks. "You two con artists sold my Granny a bottle of tonic, and now she's off acting like a filly again!" Applejack stated. "What's so wrong about that?" Flim asks. "If she keeps gallivanting about like a yearling, she's bound to drop from exhaustion or worse. What's more, I know that your friend here is dressing up as a different pony every night so he can pretend to be cured!" "Well, well, well, that's quite the accusations," Flam said. "But, let's say that it's true," Flim said as the brothers went to their table. "Hypothetically," "Therotheically," "As I understand, your granny was once a famous aqua pony," "The star of the show once upon a time," "But, as she sent so much as a hoof in the water ever since?" "Not until today. That's right," Applejack said, uncertain of the brothers' point. "Well then, even if our tonic were nothing more than apple juice and beat leaves," Flim continues. "Hypothetically," Flam said while tossing the apple and beating leaves to his brother. "Theoretically," Flim said while crushing the produce into an empty tonic bottle. "The fact is that Granny is happier now than before she tried it," Flam concludes with a new bottle of miracle tonic. "I guess..." Applejack slowly said. "So, the question is..." Film starts. "Do you honestly want to be the pony that takes that happiness away?" Flam finished while handing her the tonic. "I..." Applejack hesitates as Applebloom comes inside."There you are, Applekjack. Did you find out what's in that tonic?" Applejack looks at the smiling face of the brothers before sighing. "Honestly, Applebloom, it doesn't matter what's in it as long as it works," "Well, if it doesn't matter to you, then it doesn't matter to me either, sis," Applebloom said with a smile. "That's the spirit," Flim said while waving. "Come back anytime," Flam said, also waving. The memory concludes while the brothers look at the horn in awe while Applejack frowns. "How many bells are you hearing right now?" Jason asks. "..." Applejack didn't respond. "So, can you explain to the court why you- the self-proclaimed honest apple - were willing to lie about the truth of Flim and Flam's Miracle Curative Tonic? You, who knew the brothers to be con ponies, liars, and cheats. You, who constantly preaches honesty. Was it really because you found the truth too hard to swallow?" Jason continues as Applejack grits her teeth. "No! I just-- Y'all saw how Granny was feeling down about herself. Then, she drank that tonic and felt more confident and more spray than she had in years. I-I didn't want to make her sad again." "No, you were fine with letting Granny Smith risk her health for false confidence. You even said that she could drop from exhaustion or potentially even die. Yet, you said nothing. I guess you don't love your Granny all that much." Jason was pacing around Applejack like a shark before she hollered. "You take that back! I love my Granny!" "Then, why did you endorse a product you knew was a false advertisement!" A new memory plays with the Apples returning to the tent. A long line of ponies was waiting to buy more Flim-flam tonic before Granny Smith dropped a massive bag of bits. "We'll take the whole case!" Granny Smith said. "You mean this tonic works?" A pony in a wheelchair asks. "It seems to work for Granny," Applejack said. "You heard it here, folks!" Flim suddenly said. "Our Miracle Curative Tonic is Granny Smith tested, and Applejack approved!" Flam said. "If Applejack says it works, that's good enough for me!" The same pony said as the crowd broke out in a frenzy, buying the tonic. "Do you see the damage your words were doing? All those ponies had serious injuries and ailments that they would do anything to get better. So, when the pinnacle of truth says it is okay, then who would doubt her? Another example of negligence and carelessness from a national hero!" Jason spat. More murmurs went off as harsh glares fell upon Applejack. None of her friends knew what to do. In truth, most of them were just as shocked that Applejack would lie to such a degree. "How could you do that, Applejack?" Cadance said in a disappointed tone. "Indeed. That was a most unwise act!" Luna said with more venom than she meant. "I-I-I..." Applejack sighs forlornly as she dips her head in shame. "Y'all are right. I should not have lied about that tonic. I should not have given that endorsement. I'm not perfect. Why, I used to lie up a storm something fierce when I was a filly. But I always made up for it in the end." "How many times are you going to risk the health and even the lives of others before you finally live up to your own element? In this case, you waited until after several others basically gave away their money, you waited until after Death was about to claim your grandmother before coming clean. Did you at least pay those ponies back?" The court looked at her accusingly as she noticeably shied away. "No." "So, once again, a proven lie, since you still have yet to make up for it. It seems that, like Twilight with her friendship lessons, that you never learn." "Where's your proof? I've learned plenty from my friends." "Did you learn anything when you poisoned half of Ponyville?" He asked. "What? I have never done that!!!" Applejack shouts at the mere implication. She turns to her friends for support only to find Twilight looking nervous. "Twilight? What's wrong?" "She never told you about this, has she?" Jason said while using the Horn to show what he was referring to. "This is a medical report from Ponyville Hospital. It involves a large number of its citizens suffering from food poisoning after consuming the baked goods Pinkie Pie served." The courtroom gasps as the judges read the reports. "Are you saying Pinkie poisoned the town?" Cadance asks in shock. "No. I am saying Applejack and her stubbornness did." Jason changed what the Horn is showing. This time is showing the episode of Apple Bucking Season. It starts with Applejack declaring she can buck all the apples from the trees in the orchard to an injured Big Mac. At first, it seemed like she had everything under control - refusing aid from Twilight when the unicorn asked. However, she was running herself ragged. Many ponies saw how tired she looked when accepting an award. This prompted Twilight to ask again if she was alright, only for Applejack to rebuff her again. Then, while helping Rainbow Dash perform a trick, she nearly sent the prismatic mare into orbit. Twilight came to revisit Applejack, only for Applejack to stubbornly refuse her. Finally, the scene of Jason's claim shows up with Applejack and Pinkie Pie baking goods in the kitchen. However, every ingredient Pinkie read out from the book, Applejack misheard due to her fatigue. The courtroom gagged in disgust at all the ingredients Applejack added. The result was Twilight standing in the hospital, complete from the influx of ponies green in their faces and sick to their stomach. "No. Not bake goods. Bake Bads!" Pinkie gags as the memory ends. "I didn't know that..." Applejack said in disbelief. "I wonder why because not only was what you did a health violation, but many of those ponies were bedridden for weeks. You should've been fined heavily for that. Maybe, even prosecuted back then. But, the mayor swept it under the rug. It would've been bad form for an Element of Harmony involved in a potentially life-threatening scandal like food poisoning." As Applejack grew more uncertain. "Twilight? Why didn't you tell me?" "I already used my stipend for that month to cover the medical bills for the sick ponies. So, I figured there was no reason to worry you." Twilight said meekly. "What's the point of bringing up something already fixed? Twilight looked out for a friend. We helped her on the farm. And Applejack learned her lesson! It shouldn't matter!" Rainbow states firm. "The ends don't always justify the means. By your logic, if the rest of your kind learns from what they did, what they provoked from Chrysalis for example, that all the ponies involved should be forgiven for mass murder. How about Sombra and what an ENTIRE EMPIRE provoked from who was perhaps the best chance the Umbrum had at joining society?" He questioned. "The statute of limitations hasn't passed anyway, it wouldn't do for such a thing to be swept under the rug simply because she 'learned her lesson'." "He's right. I messed up and got off easy. I can't in good conscience accept Twilight paying for my mess." Applejack said. "Good conscience? There's nothing good about you!" The edge in Jason's tone made everyone stiffen up. "Throughout your testimony, you maintained your good character. Yet, you are the opposite of everything you said you were. Honest? Dependable? Good conscience? If any of that were true, what do you call my visit to your farm?" Applejack gulped as her encounter with Jason was about to begin. The scene was like any other day for the apple farmer. She was there in the field bucking apples from here the trees. Wynonna was at her side, playfully barking as the apples fell into the bucket. Applejack was about to move to the next tree when Winonna started to whine and bark. Following her pet's direction, she sees a figure standing behind her fence. Applejack narrows her eyes as she moves up to her new guest. "Can I help you?" Applejack asks. The farm mare had to cover her nose from the stretch. Jason's appearance took another dip from the last memory. Several dirty smudges and stains adorn his worn-down cloak. His clothes were showing signs of tears and holes. "H-Hello, I'm sorry to bother you, but I have nowhere else to turn," Jason said in a soft and fragile voice. "And what do you want?" "If-If it is not too much trouble, would you let me work at your farm? I can work any hour and out of sight," "Hmm, you don't look like much of an apple bucker," Jason leans a little forward as he pleads his case. "That's not a problem. I-I can climb the trees if you want and carry the buckets. Whatever chores you have or don't like, I can do," Jason drops entirely on his hands and knees, bowing his head as he begs. "Please, don't send me out there again!" Applejack arches a brow as she sighs. "Alright, let's see what you got. By the looks of you, I'd say you need more than a place to work. How's a nice shower, cot, and meal sound?" Applejack motions to follow her as she walks back to the trees. "That's great," Jason said with joy. "So, what do you need me to do?" Applejack positions herself right in front of Jason. "I thought I show you how to buck something up close properly. It goes like this!" Before Jason could blink, Applejack twirls around and bucks her hindlegs into his torso. There was a sickening cracking sound as Jason flew halfway back to the fence before hitting the ground. Jason gasps, trying and failing to catch his breath. White noise dominated his ears while black spots danced in his vision. He tried to sit up, but the pain flooded his body as he coughed up blood. He barely had the strength to look up at Applejack, who wore a hateful glare. "Ya think I was born yesterday? I know who you are. You're the varmint that broke into Rarity's place and had been stalking around town! I hoped you'd be smart enough to stay off my property, but all you monsters are the same. I'm just glad I was out here instead of Applebloom or Granny. Now go back to whatever mudhole that spat you out and leaves good honest pony folk alone!" Jason still could not move. He could barely hear Applejack's words between the ringing in his ears and Winonna's barking. He could barely even breathe. "A-A-Ark!!" "Alright, you want to play hardball?" Applejack spins on her heels and blows into her hooves. "Winonna, sick him, girl!" The apple family dog was on Jason in seconds. He barely had time to put his left hand up as Winonna bites into it. The new surge of pain was enough to spike an adrenaline rush in Jason as he shook the vicious puppy off and ran off into the outskirts of the farm and the forest beyond. The memory ends with haggard breaths of Jason clutching his bleeding hand and side as he collapses on the ground unconscious. Once again, the voices of the courtroom are silent. All the members wore looks of abject horror. For added effect, Jason shows the deep bite marks on his hand to the court as he goes over to the new arrivals. Smirking, chuckling like a madman, wheezing as he did so, he disrobes to show off his scarred body again. "So, tell me something? Does my tattoo match any of the trees you saw your sister buck?" Jason asks Big Mac. He saw how stern their gazes were at him. Now, their expression was one of shock and disgust. Big Mac opens and closes his mouth before he looks away. Jason then shows his hand to Granny Smith. "How about it, Granny? Can you see Winonna's dental work? She has a strong jaw." "..." Granny said nothing. She hangs her head in shame. Jason glanced at the fillies. All of them looked horrified. "Truly, I think I could be a modern art masterpiece at this point." He does the same for the Pie family, sparing them a glance but saying nothing. Igneous and Cloudy looked deeply disturbed. Maud Pie was the most expressive he's ever seen her. Her eyes were wide like an average pony while she covered her muzzle. Limestone's face was a mixture of anger and disgust. But it was directed at Applejack, not Jason. She covers her ears, no doubt an instinct to hide from the sound of bones breaking. Poor Marble Pie was the worst. She crouched against her father, covering her eyes and letting out soft whimpers. Jason didn't bother looking at Rainbow's parents. They would come last with their daughter. Moving back to Applejack, Jason saw she was still frozen in shock. He brings his fingers to his lips and blows a whistle, much like Applejack did in the memory. The sudden sound works as the mare turns her gaze to him. "Have you finished processing yet? To save time, yes, that was you. No, that was not fake. Yes, you are a lying contemptible abuser like all the others. Do you need anything else? But, I got to give you credit. You lured me in, giving me hope, only to shattered it like my ribcage." "N-No, I--" The Gjallarhorn pulses at that moment, seemingly done with the excuses itself, as magic bursts from Applejack. A realization flashes over her before she slowly falls to her knees. "I did that. I honestly-- Urk!" Applejack covers her mouth as she swallows the bile in her mouth. "Yeah, I'd be sick to my stomach too. Just think, that could've been little Susie instead." He proposed, causing her eyes to shrink to pinpricks and vomit immediately afterward. "It's funny. Out of all of you who betrayed their elements, the liar is the biggest hypocrite. Not even Chrysalis is capable, or at least has proven willing, to go that far just to cause pain." "...Why...?" A small broken voice calls out. A voice Applejack knew exceptionally well. "Why did you do that, Applejack?" Applejack looked into the teary-eyed face of her little sister and felt more bile beginning to rise. "Applebloom, I--" "Why?! How could you be so mean? How could you be so cruel? You always told me to treat others kindly and be straight and honest with the truth. But you hurt him. He was begging you for help, and you sicked Winonna on him! Is that why I found blood around her mouth that day? I thought she got hurt!" Tears begin to form in Applejack's eyes as she reaches out to her sister. "Applebloom. I'm sorry. I--" "Sorry doesn't fix this! You! You ain't my sister!" Applebloom cries out as she runs out of the courtroom. Granny Smith sighs deeply as she turns to her eldest. "Big Mac, can you please go after her and take her back home?" Big Mac looks between Applejack and Granny Smith before shaking his head. "...Eeyup..." He said in a soft tone. "Big Mac?" Applejack calls out to her older brother. Big Mac stops momentarily before quickly leaving the courtroom without turning back. Granny Smith was now standing before Applejack with a hard, stern glare. Applejack suddenly felt like a filly again as she could not look her Granny in the eyes. "Applejack. Look at me!" Granny's tone made Applejack wince, but she complies. She trembles under Granny's gaze before the apple matriarch holds out her hoof. "Give it here," Applejack's eyes went wide. "G-Granny, please. You know I--" Granny raises her hoof to silence her. "Don't embarrass them and us further," Nothing could stop the tears from flowing now as she slowly took her stetson hat off and handed it to Granny Smith. "...I'm sorry..." "I ain't the one owed an apology," Granny turns away from her granddaughter as she faces Jason. Everyone gasps again as Granny bows to Jason in reverence. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to do an old mare a favor?" "If you're about to ask me to show mercy, I have none left to give. Not to anyone." Jason refused. "I figured not..." Granny silently moves and sits at the defendant's side. Applejack does the same as she sits back down at the edge of the bench. Her blonde mane cast shadows over her eyes in place of her missing stetson hat. Jason turned his attention back to the Pie family. "Take her and do whatever you want." He gestured to Pinkie, who was sobbing quietly by the Horn. "What?" The family and the Elements questioned. "I figured the best way to hurt her was to simply let her do it herself. She can confess all she wants, she can confirm what I said about her mental health and whatnot, but I have no interest in her. She can do my job for me!" He said excitedly, hoping someone would attack him, but none took the bait. "Come, Pinkie. We should-" Igneous Rock started. "No..." Pinkie interrupted. "This isn't up for debate. You're basically getting a pardon, take it." Limestone urged. "I can't! Not after everything I've done! I-" "Can't do anything. Pinkie, listen to me:" Marble grabbed her face. "You've done enough. Don't make this worse for yourself." Jason walked away from them and moved towards Rainbow Dash, who if looks could kill, he would've died long ago. "One, two, I'm coming for you~. Three, four, I'm at your door~. Five, six, we're at the River of Styx." He looked down at her like a predator would its prey if the former were twisted like he is. "Now then, my little Dashie..." He inhaled deeply. "It's your turn." "NO!!!" A sudden scream draws everyone's attention as an orange blur tackles Jason to the ground.