//------------------------------// // 5. The Cute, The Bad and The Monstrous // Story: Ghosts of The Past // by JeSuisLaPorte //------------------------------// The cold wind howled in the darkness of Braeburn’s house. That night, Olive woke up early, startled awake by another horrible dream from what she can remember. Turning to her right, she noticed her big sister was still asleep. Apple Bloom was sleeping like an angel, a guardian angel for the pink filly in these trying times.   The window on the unicorn’s left creaked as the wind opened it. The cold air outside came pouring in, making the filly shiver. Bothered by this ugly sound and uncomfortable temperature, Olive magically shut the window, locking it to make sure it won’t impede her future slumber.  Even so, the sound of the wind could still be heard. It made its haunting howl known to the little pony like a wild animal begging to be let in. It was sometimes strong, other times weak as it gathered its strength to strike back harder.   Tired, Olive slumped down, burying her face in her pillow. She closed her eyes until the night would take her back to the sweet realm of dreams, away from the incessant howls of the angry and chilly wind.  But her stomach had other plans. It growled, pleading her to feed it. The hunger grew by the minutes and in no time at all, it hurt her and didn’t stop worsening. Olive sighed, reluctantly stepping out of her bed, making sure she doesn’t accidentally wake up her awesome sister with her gurgling stomach before making her way to the stairs.  The pink unicorn gazed at the closed door of Braeburn’s bedroom, listening for any sounds. All she could hear were muffled snoring. Good, the coast was clear. Now, to descend these stairs and move onto the kitchen. But as she stepped on the first step, it creaked loudly.  Creaky, creaky stairs. It was a matter of trial and error to find out which spot creaked, and which spot was silent. The cute little pony played this little game until she reached the kitchen, where she had left the food her mommy prepared nicely. She had snacks, delicious snacks that’ll fill her belly in no time! Olive tip toed to the dinner table, eyeballing her saddlebag, the one bearing the mark of Sweet Apple Acre. The moonlight shined through the window, revealing the delicious contents of the bag to the small unicorn.  They shined as bright as the sun, sparkling as their delicious looks got Olive to salivate. She imagined the wonderful taste of heaven in her mouth. The taste she would soon have.  She was about to levitate the food to her, but then she remembered that magic made noise, and light. There were no unicorns in Appleloosa. If she lit up her horn, it may cause some of the residents to wake up. Better safe than sorry. Olive silently moved a chair with her strong hooves and climbed on it. Her saddlebag was just within hoof’s reach!  The pink unicorn’s mouth salivated as she imagined the delicious oat snack prepared for her. Mommy’s treats were always the best. Food tasted better when it’s made with love! She reached a hoof out for her saddlebag, slowly pulling a snack out of it. It was a cinnamon bun! Those were the best treats ever, treats she only had when she was on good behavior or when she got good grades at school. Her mommy was nice enough to give her some for this trip, perhaps already knowing that she’d have a hard time at Appleloosa.  Her mommy was smart, always knew how she’d feel and what she’d need for everything. Truly, she was blessed to have Applejack as her mommy.  Olive licked his lips and opened her mouth wide.  “Darling! Still the little glutton, I see!”  Olive yelped, losing her balance. Her face slammed into the table, and she fell to the ground face first. The fall was painful, giving her a nosebleed. “Owie...” She croaked, clutching her nose as tears formed in her eyes.  The pain was terrible, but it was nothing before the ghastly voice that spoke out to her. She knew it all too well, that deep and monstrous voice that once belonged to the pony she used to look up to.   Anarchy.  Her beastly father sat on the other end of the kitchen, grinning. He was a few steps away from the moonlight, leaving only his emerald eyes visible in the darkness of the house. “I’m afraid satiating your hunger is a futile endeavor, darling. You of all ponies should know.”  Her father was dead. Has been for a long time. Olive stood up, gazing into the emerald eyes of the mad unicorn. No matter how much time has passed since his defeat, she’s still terrified of him. She’ll never forget that crooked smile, these empty eyes and that sentient cutie mark mocking her every move. These devilish fangs drenched in blood. He was the stuff of nightmares.  Olive backed away. “I-I’m not afraid of you.” She whined, unable to straighten her body into a more confident posture. She kept her head low, almost submissive. It frustrated her so much! She defeated him, took his life. She took back her life from him, why was she still feeling defenseless before him? It just wasn’t fair! She was stronger than this!  “Oh dear, does your mother know you lie? She’d be greatly ashamed. Then again, we’re all liars at our core. Even the Element of Honesty can have some bad days.” Anarchy taunted, standing up. Now that he was on all four, he was even more massive than before, towering over the minuscule filly by comparison.  Each step he took cracked the wooden floorboards. The horrible sound caused by his massive weight broke the eerie silence of the lifeless house. All the windows opened, letting the howling wind inside. The night, the dream, this was his domain even in death. Anarchy will never truly die, not as long as she can remember him.  He might just be memories, but he still felt so alive, so real. Olive wanted her mommy so badly, to have a reassuring presence that can let her know she’s safe.  Anarchy stepped into the moonlight, his ghastly face coming into full view. It scared the filly who backed away instinctively from the looming threat. He had manifested into Braeburn’s kitchen and worst of all; in the one form Olive feared most. The last appearance her father took on before his gruesome death at her own hooves.  “You killed me, darling. Tell me, how did it feel to kill another pony. This time while you were in control.” Anarchy asked tauntingly, looming above the terrified filly. No aggression to be found in his voice. It was eerie to listen to his melodious voice speak about his greatest failure with so little concern or anger. It made him feel otherworldly, like he was something greater than a pony.  His bloody tears fell onto her, blinding the poor pony as she desperately wiped them and her tears away to keep her gaze on him. Her father’s eyes looked like those of a predator, ready to jump on her the moment she lets her guard down.  “W-Why are you still here? Why can’t you leave me alone. I-I don’t want to see you.” Olive croaked, shivering uncontrollably.   The beast’s breath was cold, colder than the coldest regions of Equestria. Its body was dead, lacking any heat, like a zombie. It was as if he was made of ice. Then again, he was always the coldest pony in the entire planet. A fitting feeling for the legendary Anarchy. A friend to nopony. A pony with a cold, cold heart.  “As for me, I do want to see you!” Anarchy cackled, letting more blood drip onto the poor filly. “I’m in your blood, I’m so alive! I only wish you’d acknowledge our master’s gift more. Without it, you wouldn’t be here. You wouldn’t be the youngest hero Equestria has ever known. He he he... aren’t you a cute little thing!” His giant hooves rubbed the filly’s freckled cheeks mockingly.  The monstrous unicorn’s face darkened. “Hm. In any case, it would appear you’re having troubles with an old associate. Well, I've got 'em too! I wanted him dead. That lazy drunkard didn’t do his damn job! Hm, maybe you could do his? Your nice and pretty cousin Apple Fritter would surely appreciate to be saved even if she doesn’t see the immediate danger...”  Olive shook her shivering head in defiance. “N-No! I won’t kill anypony. I’m n-not a monster l-like you. I-I am a superhero!”  Her father chuckled, stepping back into the darkness, leaving only his head under the moonlight. “Like Mistress Mare-velous? Or more like Saddle Rager perhaps? How are you gonna solve this conflict? With a slight dose of flank kicking? Or with kind words?”  Olive sharpened her face, not wanting to be weak and vulnerable before him any longer. “I’ll expose the truth about Speaker! I’ll show to everypony that he’s evil! That’s how I’ll save Appleloosa.”  Anarchy seemed less than impressed, shaking his head in disapproval. “That’s barely a plan, dear. You’ve only established the general steps, you need to go into detail ‘cause right now I can barely call this a plan. You’re my daughter, aren’t you supposed to be a smart filly?”  The colossal beast trotted around the kitchen slowly. Each step he took made a loud creaky, a whine coming from the poor floorboards that couldn’t sustain his weight. “How are you going to expose him? By snooping in his stuff? Find a confession of sorts? Speaker is not a smart pony, he’ll leave something around that can incriminate him. You just need to think for a bit, the answer will come soon enough.”  Olive stood up after a long struggle against her shaky legs. Her mind struggled to fully process her father’s beastly words, too paralysed by the primal fear he gave off. “D-Does he have a diary? Maybe I-I can, um...”  Anarchy frowned. “Close, but too far for my liking. It would appear you’re still too young to figure this stuff out. Oh, what a shame. Don’t count on me to help you. You've got a friend in me, but that doesn't mean you should rely on me for everything. You're a superhero now, use your head.”    His mouth contorted into an abominable smile, one that stretched its face to an impossible degree. “After all, I’m only a vision you’ve created. I only know as much as you.”  Olive felt a warm sensation behind her. A faint blue light shined through the dark kitchen, much brighter than the moonlight. The filly watched in wonder as the light slowly formed into a beautiful, tall mare. The princess she’s always adored.  “Princess Luna! You came!” Olive squealed; fear now replaced by pure joy.  The gentle gaze of the princess eased all her worries. It was nice to see her after all this trouble. She was saved now by her idol, next only to mommy.  “Fear not, I have felt your fears. I will brighten your dreams and bring you serenity.” The lunar princess exclaimed softly. Her voice was not as commanding as the first time she met the filly.  Raising her eyes, Luna frowned. The familiar lustful gaze of the beast disgusted her to her very core. She expected to see Anarchy many times after his death, for Olive would never truly be able to forget him. The poor filly will never be free from him, but at least, she’ll be there to carry this burden. They’re in this together.  Anarchy smiled, his face looking more normal and serene. A disturbing look when matched with his ghastly appearance. “We meet again, my angel of the night. I’ve been waiting for so long to see you again. Know that even in death, I will never stop thinking about you. In this endless void, you give me life.”  The midnight blue alicorn sighed. “You do realise this isn’t the real you. You’re just a nightmare, nothing more. For that, I’ll cast you away so that you may never bother your daughter again.” Even so, this mere nightmare acted strangely. It seemed so... alive. Instead of being a simplified version of Anarchy based on the filly’s perception of him, it felt like she was looking at the real deal.  “I know, Luny. I am between a state of life and death, never knowing where I am. My broken horn is still somewhere out there, I’m afraid I can’t give away its exact location.” Anarchy crawled towards the beautiful alicorn, his face filled with wonder. “My master adores me, like you. It has given me eternal life as was promised. I am an eternal spirit in the dreamscape, I live in their dreams and feast on their fears. My actions have forever impacted this world. I am in the collective consciousness of your subjects. For hundreds of years, I will continue to exist in this world, all thanks to you. Once your days are about to end, come find me. I’ll be waiting.”  The midnight blue alicorn quickly dispelled him with a simple spell. Even if he was still the real Anarchy in some way, his powers were long gone. The house brightened up soon after now that it was freed from the dark unicorn’s presence. Only Princess Luna and Olive remained.  The little filly tugged on the mare’s leg, earning her attention. “W-What did he say? Is it bad?”  Princess Luna put on her most reassuring smile, nuzzling the poor unicorn. “Do not worry, Olive. It is nothing to worry about. Your father won’t hurt anypony ever again.”   Raising her head, she looked out the window, lost in her thoughts. “In any case, I sincerely hope your trip to Appleloosa is going well. I’m sorry for the disturbance my action has caused, and I really wish I could stay here and chat with you. Sadly, I am very busy this week, but I swear I’ll make some time for you when you’re back in Ponyville.”  Olive’s eyes widened as she saw the mare turning to a bright blue. “W-Wait, Princess Luna! Don’t go!”  The lunar princess patted her head before reaching for the stars. “Farewell, my little pony. We will meet again soon!”  Alone again, Olive trotted to the front door and opened it, wanting to fly into the sky like she used to with Luna. It would make her feel safer than down there. To her surprise, the desert look of Appleloosa was replaced with a snowy wasteland outside. The world was nothing but a blue tundra, with a distinct shape in the middle, staring at her.  “You are strong, child. You will face your opponent alone, prove to him you are my foal. Prove to him that my word is law. Whether it’d be in life or death, Speaker will go down at my hoof. And my hoof, I entrust you with.”      The next morning, Olive and Apple Bloom made it back to Apple Fritter as quickly as equinely possible, worried that something terrible might have happened that night. They left Braeburn quickly after breakfast, promising to come back to him later to work on the orchard. Arriving at Fritter’s house, they were pleasantly surprised; their cousin was safe and sound. Plus, Speaker wasn’t around to bother them.   The house as cheerful looking, with all sorts of happy photos of the Apple family filling the empty spaces on the walls and fridge. The walls were colorful, welcoming most certainly. Everything about Apple Fritter and her home was warm and inviting. If only there wasn’t a certain stallion there to sour the mood, to make everything feel eerie and stressful.  She greeted them cheerfully, happy to receive some visit from the two adorable fillies. She’s rarely received this much visit in under a week. It was fun to always have some company when she needed it. Even nicer to have some of the cutest ponies in all Equestria come to her.  Olive especially. Apple Fritter had never seen a cuter filly in her whole life! The pink pony had everything; beautiful eyes, a soft and adorable voice, chubby cheeks and an awfully nice personality.  “Howdy, girls! Guess ya can’t have enough of me? Well, shoot! Ah guess we could play a lil game, ya know; get to know each other some more through fun!” She exclaimed, jumping on the couch and inviting the two foals to join her.  “How was yer night?” Apple Bloom asked, taking a seat. From her position, she had a clear view of the stairs. She’d keep her eyes here often; Speaker wasn’t going to get the jump on them.  Apple Fritter giggled. “Aren’t ya considerate? It’s really nice to have somepony that cares that much ‘bout me, lemme tell ya! Well, it was a mighty fine night. Mister Speaker was kind enough to sleep on ta couch, so Ah’d still have mah bed. He kept tellin’ me he was fine sleepin’ that way. What a nice stallion.” She tapped on the couch, showing that it still had the stallion’s traces.  Olive cringed. “Oh... T-That's good, Miss Apple Fritter.”  “Oh! No need to call me miss. Just Apple Fritter or cousin is fine. Ah mean, we’re family, aren’t we?” The mare corrected with a bright smile. “Anyhow, we should play a game that Ah used to play with mah parents when Ah was just a teeny-weeny filly!” She stood up, full of energy and exclaimed, “Ta floor is lava!”  Olive blinked, not quite sharing her cousin’s energy. “The floor is lava?”  The cowgirl nodded. “Yup! Ta floor is lava!”  The pink unicorn looked at the ground incredulously. Slowly looming at the edge of the couch, Olive hesitantly lowered her right hoof. It descended at a snail’s pace until it got close to the carpet. In one swift motion, she poked the carpet and pulled her hoof back, expecting it to burn which it didn’t oddly. The pink unicorn stared at her hoof, confused as to why it didn’t catch on fire.  “Oh no no no! Ta floor isn’t actually lava!” Apple Fritter laughed, gushing over the filly’s cuteness. “Yer supposed to imagine it’s lava! That’s where ta fun comes from!”  Olive blushed, wiping the tip of her right hoof on the couch. “O-Oh, sorry.”  Apple Bloom took her defense, proudly wrapping a hoof around the pink filly’s shoulder. “Mah lil sister can be a bit odd at times, but she’s a smart filly. She always has some of ta best grades in our class and she learns quickly! Even earned a student of ta month award! She just, uh, thinks a little differently from other ponies.”  Apple Fritter caressed Olive’s mane, gushing over the cute filly. “Aw, Ah can see yer intelligence behind those cute eyes! Aren’t ya ta most adorable thing! Well, are ya two ready to play?”  Olive’s first game of the floor is lava was a great experience. This game forced her to get creative with how she navigated her cousin’s living room. She jumped from couch to table to eventually staying on a stool to which she slid across the floor with her magic, creating a small wooden vehicle. For a moment, she forgot about her anxieties, about being away from home, about Speaker. For twenty good minutes, she was happy just like a normal filly.  That was until the three ponies heard somepony go down the stairs. Somepony that was bigger and heavier than all three. Immediately, the reality of the situation dawned on Olive again, brutally taking her out of the game.  “Oh hey, I didn’t know your cousins were coming over today.” Speaker locked eyes with Olive briefly. Two reddish eyes filled with disdain and another emotion the poor filly couldn’t understand. All she knew was that he was dangerous and whatever cruel thoughts lied behind those red eyes were better kept to himself.  “Ah didn’t know too!” Apple Fritter exclaimed, balancing herself on a wooden chair. “Ah guess they just couldn’t get ‘nough of their cousin! First time Ah ever got to spend this much time with Apple Bloom and ta new member of ta Apple family!” She proudly presented Olive to him, tapping the small unicorn on the back. “So, how’re ya doin’ today?”  Speaker glanced at the pink filly briefly before setting his gaze back on the prize. “Better than yesterday, that’s for sure. My body aches a little less. Just walkin’ here feels less like a chore than before. You’re really good at first aid, you know that?”  Apple Fritter blushed, throwing a “Oh, you!” as she waved her hoof.  Flattery, a common tactic Jolly Melody used to get so many loyal followers. Olive’s seen it plenty of times before and now, his malice is spreading onto said followers. The more time he spends honing his technique, the more dangerous he’ll get. She can’t let anypony become like her father. Never again.  “She’s also really good at playing, and kind, and fun to be around.” Olive said, looking directly into the mare’s colorful eyes.  Apple Fritter gushed, nuzzling the cute filly for what was the tenth time today. It was okay, Olive loved her affection even if she didn’t admit it out loud. “Aw, yer too sweet, Olive!”  Speaker frowned, irritated to lose the mare’s attention. “Well, she sure seems so. Hm, what’s with her scar? I’ve never seen one this big on a foal before...”  Olive gasped, covering her scar with her tail. She noticed the slithery stallion smirk for a good second before returning to his poker face. She knew what game he was playing, but even so, that reminder hurt. It hurt even more to know that the creator of that dreadful scar was nearby. A low blow. That was to be expected with the bad Anarchists. They fight dirty.  The poor filly whined, looking to her cousin for help.  “Oh, well... A-Ah don’t think she’s comfortable with that. It’s private stuff between Apples, mah apologies.” Apple Fritter explained, standing near the pitiful pony. “A-And it’s also a sad story. Ah don’t wanna bring yer mood down, not when yer feelin’ better.” Just because it hurt to think about, she hugged the filly once more.  Speaker nodded calmly, repressing the urge to frown. “It’s alright. I was just curious and, uh, I’m sorry if I was invading her personal space.”  Apple Bloom winced. “Everypony always comments on that scar anyway. Just don’t do anythin’ that’ll make ‘er uncomfortable.” Her protective instinct resurfaced, placing herself before her little sister. No matter what, she’ll never let that foul stallion get too close to Olive. She could feel it had already happened, and it made her angry.  “Oh, don’t worry about that. I’m not trying to cause any trouble here.” Speaker left the living room shortly after, but not without giving the two fillies one last glance, one that felt more sinister.  Apple Fritter stepped out of the couch, seemingly getting an interesting idea. “Stay right ‘ere! Ah’ll get somethin’ for ya, girls!” The earth pony rushed upstairs, leaving the fillies alone. Vulnerable, with a criminal. Just then, a dark figure popped from their blind spot, observing them.  Speaker loomed in the kitchen, keeping his cold eyes on them. Without their cousin around, there was only silence occasionally broken by the sound of the stallion’s hooves clopping. They were alone with a dangerous criminal, one known for the more repulsive kind of crimes.   They didn’t dare to move. If he would move towards them, they’ll have no choice but to book it. It was becoming increasingly clear that he knew Apple Bloom was also onto him. The two fillies meant danger to him, but in this situation, he had the upper hoof. Apple Fritter was closer to him. If anything happened, he had a hostage to bail him out.  “And to think daddy dearest made a song talking about how he’ll murder us.” Speaker chuckled quietly, keeping his voice down. “You of all ponies should know how messed up he was. Four years I spent with him, and in that last one; boy was he unrecognisable. Strange mannerisms, constantly writing disturbing songs and eyeballing his own followers as if they were changelings. Granted, he did have some moments of lucidity, but it felt like the stallion I was following was slowly fading away.”  He placed a plate on the table, calmly preparing his breakfast. “I know you think I’m no better than him, and to that I say; bullshit. I haven’t murdered any of my associates and I certainly don’t plan to anytime soon. You believe you can somehow save your cousin and stop me like some sort of superhero but let me tell you this; you’re no hero. You’re but a monster, just like he was.”  Olive glared, feeling her fears slowly give way to righteous anger. “I’m not a monster. You see, I’ll stop you before you can do your plan. I’m a hero now.”  Speaker smiled. “Really now? Hm, it would appear you have only two days left to do so. How are you going to convict me? I’m just a nopony, you see. A poor, injured pony who luckily found salvation before he perished.”    Olive closed her eyes, calling once again to the one pony she knew could help. Alas, he was but fragmented memories now. She had to seek the one that could help her in the moment. Thankfully, Jolly Melody always dispersed his wisdom to her, maybe with the hope that she’ll grow to be just like him, to pursue his darkest devotions. He talked a lot about the bad Anarchists to her, giving away their weaknesses. Speaker may talk like he’s smart, but she knew she was smarter. Jolly’s knowledge was now hers and that would be the evil earth pony’s downfall.    Boy, they sure like to talk like they’re these masterminds. Unfortunately, they don’t seem to realise their bodies are controlling them instead of their brains! See, darling? No matter what happens, they’ll always try to do something a little naughty. They can’t resist the temptation unlike us, and that’s what makes us stronger. They’ll one day fall right into a trap for they are stupid. But us? We shall be smart, and smart ponies know to control their bodies at all times.    Yes! Her father was right, always was when it came to crime and monsters. Speaker won’t leave Appleloosa until he’s committed a bad deed. At this moment, Olive will expose him and save her cousin. With two good alibis, he would be done for and voila; Appleloosa is saved! He may smile and gloat all he wants, she knew he’d fall victim to his own desires.  Olive smiled, radiating pure confidence with her posture. Her head raised and her back straightened. For once, she felt like she had the upper hoof here.  Simply looking into these eyes made Speaker feel strange, scared even. She had the same look that Jolly Melody often gave him. A look that in hindsight, was full of malice and planning. That little filly was planning something, and she believed she could have the edge over him! She may be a kind and gentle soul, but that doesn’t mean she didn’t have the intelligence of her twisted father, the one pony Speaker knew he could never beat in a contest of intellect.  Once again, this little freckled unicorn frightened him, but no longer because of the monster. No, he saw in her eyes something scarier than the beast.  Anarchy was still there, his legacy continuing to haunt him beyond the grave. As long as his descendant lived, he was in danger. His only chance at survival was to take her out of the picture one way or another. He should have done so when he had the chance, but his foolish mind thought she could be controlled like every other foal he got his grubby hooves on.  The child of a monster is no mosquito he can sweep away. This filly is a hornest’s nest. When it will strike, it will hurt like Tartarus.  Olive wrapped a hoof around her big sister, holding her tightly. “I have a plan, big sis. I know how to save Appleloosa thanks to my father.”  Apple Bloom blinked. “Yer... father?”  Her little sister blinked. “Um, I-I meant the memories of my father. I remember how to deal with mean stallions like him.” Olive corrected softly, constantly checking on Speaker. “We’ll talk about this when we’re at the orchard, alone with Braeburn.”  Speaker winced, feeling threatened. He would not allow them to leave without a warning to keep them in check. “I’ll have you know-”  “Guesh what, girlsh?” Speaker shut himself up just in time. Apple Fritter returned from her quick trip upstairs with two interesting items in her mouth. She placed them on the table before the two fillies. “Ah found mah old cowgirl hats! Ya can take ‘em. They’re yers for if ya want to really get in ta Appleloosa spirit!”  Olive eyeballed the cowgirl curiously. Her cousin giggled and placed the hat on the unicorn’s head. “Let me get a mirror for ya!”  Apple Bloom wore hers but struggled to get it to stay on her head thanks to her bow blocking the way. Evidently, she can’t have both. “Aw, Ah think Ah’ll just stick with ta bow. It just screams more... me, ya know?”  The earth pony returned with a small mirror in her hoof. “Here, look at yerself, Olive!”  The cute little filly gazed in awe at her reflection. With that cowgirl hat on, she looked even more like an Apple! She never thought to wear one before but come to think of it; it would be cool to look more like her awesome mother. After all, both are fighting evil and saving the day. To be more like Applejack would mean to be more like a superhero.  “Woah, I look so cool...”  “Mostly cuter! Look at ta lil apple tryin’ on ‘er first cowgirl hat!” Apple Fritter gushed, going completely gaga over her newest cousin. Olive was not the youngest Apple she’s ever met, but she had a completely different energy from her other cousins, one that seemed much more endearing. Maybe it was that soft voice, the different accent and these gorgeous eyes that made her look so precious.  “Uh, yeehaw?” Olive muttered awkwardly, readjusting her hat.  “Oh! That’s so cute! Hold on, let me get mah camera. Ah gotta snap a picture of ya like that!” Apple Fritter stormed out of the living room and returned mere seconds later. “Okay, stay still.”  Confused and lost, Olive stared blankly at the camera. She tilted her head slightly, not knowing what pose or face to make in the moment but at least, her cousin seemed to love it for she snapped multiple pictures in the span of a few seconds.  “And there!” The pictures slid out of the camera, caught by the ecstatic hoof of the earth pony. “Aw! Look at them, ya look so cute as a cowgirl!”  Olive blinked, staring idly at her newly taken picture. Adorably enough, she made the exact same face as the one on the picture. Clueless and curious all the same. “I guess.”  “Aw, don’t be so modest.” Apple Fritter gawked, nuzzling the filly. “Anyhow, Ah’ll be leavin’ to get some food for tonight. Ya migh-”  The mare didn’t have time to finish her sentence for the door busted open, revealing a worried Braeburn. “Hey, Apple Fritter! Have ya, oh... They’re ‘ere.”  Apple Fritter blinked, gazing over the two fillies. “Well, yeah. They’re ‘ere, is there a problem?”  Braeburn chuckled nervously, easing after he saw the big smile on Olive’s face. “N-No, not at all. Ah was just lookin’ for ‘em ‘c-cause Ah’m gonna need some help with apple buckin’! Ah need their strong little legs for ta job!”      Away from town and thus, trouble, Olive and Apple Bloom had plenty of time to form their plan. Braeburn had taken them down in the orchard below Appleloosa, there were plenty of places to hide, the perfect area to prepare a counterstrike against Speaker. The many apple trees present also offered lots of shadows to hide from the unforgiving summer sun. It was a good thing that they both accepted Apple Fritter’s cowgirl hats for they kept their face in the shadows.  But before they could talk more about their plan of action, they had to help out the ponies of Appleloosa harvest the apples after the buffalo stampede. Bucks after bucks, they emptied every apple tree one by one for an entire hour. The work was tough but being only foals, they were given more breaks than the older ponies. A blessing considering they were more preoccupied with the looming danger in the western town. It was their duty to save Appleloosa from said danger.  Olive and Apple Bloom rested next to a comfortable tree after they had earned a well-earned break from apple bucking. Whilst Braeburn and the other older ponies left to fetch some water, the pink unicorn stood up and grabbed a nearby stick to draw in the dirt.  “Alright, is it time ya tell me ‘bout yer plan?” Apple Bloom asked, straightening her aching back.  Olive nodded. “Yes, it’s Cutie Mark Crusaders Superhero time!” Despite the fatigue from all the work, the simple thought of her cousin being in danger gave the filly more than enough strength to carry on. She drew simple motifs at breakneck speed, showcasing to her older sister her developing talent.  “Alright, Apple Bloom. Here’s my plan. It’s simple, but I’m sure it will work.”  Olive explained what she had learned from Anarchy years ago. The weakness they could exploit to incriminate the dangerous stallion. She relayed her father’s lessons about the bad Anarchists. Now the two had a good place to start their battle against the evil earth pony.  Suddenly, Apple Bloom had an imaginary light bulb appear above her head. Her eureka moment had come. As the big sister, she would accomplish her protective role to perfection, not just to her little sister, but to her cousins as well. “Ah’ve got it! Ah know what’ll force that evil Speaker pony to show his true colors!”  Olive’s face brightened up, looking at her big sister with admiration in her beautiful olive eyes. “You do?! Tell me! Tell me!”  The yellow filly smirked. “If what ya said ‘bout ‘im is true, then he should have a hard time controllin’ himself if Apple Fritter acts all ‘seductive’. We’ll just have to get ‘er to act like that and it’ll force ‘im to show his true colors!”  “Woah.” Olive applauded her big sister’s brilliance. As one of the founders of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, this level of intelligence was to be expected. Her big sister was as smart as her, maybe even smarter. “This is a good plan, but how do we get her to be... seductive?”  Apple Bloom blinked. “Uh, Ah... haven’t figured that part out yet.”  Not willing to go back to the drawing board, the two sisters pulled all their brain power into finding the best and least suspicious way to enact their plan. Their method had to seem normal, filly-like or else Speaker would catch on and keep his guard up.  Olive thought hard on this plan, but then her mind got sidetracked as usual. She went from thinking about how to get Apple Fritter to act seductive, to then wondering what seductive even looks like, if it was like the way the Anarchists acted. Then, she hypothesised about perhaps watching and learning about the art of seduction from her older cousin to please her marefriend. And that was when she figured it out.  “I’ll ask Apple Fritter about how I can be more seductive for Sweetie Belle! They’ll both buy it!” She exclaimed happily, clapping her hooves together. “Isn’t it brilliant?”  Apple Bloom chuckled. “That’s perfect! Once we’re done ‘ere, we’ll do just that and expose the true Speaker to our cousin. Yer amazin’ sis!”  Olive blushed, rubbing the back of her head awkwardly.  Once the excitement settled down, both Olive and Apple Bloom noticed something odd that occurred for a couple of minutes now. The ground was rumbling slightly at irregular intervals. Was it an earthquake? Not possible, it wasn’t strong enough to be an earthquake.   Olive noticed a small puddle of mud next to the apple tree they were resting at. With each rumbling, the mud trembled, creating small waves. She fixated the puddle for a few seconds, noticing with increasing worry that the rumbling was getting stronger. It was approaching their location!  “Uuuuuh, wh-what's goin’ on?” Apple Bloom stood up, her body spinning around in all directions until she locked onto the source of the rumbling. She froze, her eyes laying on the ever-growing body of a white titan in the distance. “Oh, no no no no no...”  He saw them! Sweet Celestia, the behemoth saw them and was coming their way!  Olive gasped, her limbs freezing on the spot, refusing to obey her mind’s desperate command to run and hide. Instead, she stood in the middle of the way, exposed to the beast by the sunlight.  Strong Hoof’s breaths were heavy, powerful. He expulsed large puffs of air from his lungs, sounding almost like a growl. His bloodshot eyes focussed entirely on the various red shapes above like a predator stalking its prey.  Now, that signature rumbling resurfaces horrible memories. A broken schoolhouse, the frightened screams of dozens of foals, the haunting howls of the wind, the crackling of thunder and the dark silhouette of the colossus admits the falling rain. With each step, these memories grew stronger, more real. It felt like they were going back in time to stand before the bloodthirsty giant.  Another dreadful silhouette came for them, hovering near the goliath’s head. The freckled mare that devoured her dreams months ago, Dreamcatcher. The one pony responsible for hiding her from Luna’s gracious presence. If she hadn’t been with her father, she and Aurora would have been saved.  Fear, anger, both led to a confusion state of being. Olive didn’t know emotion should empower her in the moment. Fight or flight. Should they get too close, she might have to let the monster out to protect her beloved sister, Apple Bloom.  They stopped. Strong Hoof and Dreamcatcher stopped a few meters away from them, gazing into the fillies’ eyes with a blank expression. Like lifeless machines, they stared at the obstacles and waited for something to happen.   But behind those lifeless eyes lied something, a desire. A desire to flee as far away as possible. Fear, regret, shame, the living symbol of their sins lied before them. Her giant scar a dark reminder of who they once were. Of the monsters they could have forever stayed as had it not been for her too.  “Why are you stopping? Is there a roadblock or something?” That voice, Olive and Apple Bloom recognised it as the voice of salvation itself, hiding behind the two killers. They gasped, seeing the heavenly frame of the batpony peeking from behind the giant. “Oh, hey! It’s you two! Didn’t know you were working too at the orchard. Uh, we got here a little late, our deepest apologies. Where did the others go?”  Olive opened her quivering mouth to answer, but no words came out except for a frightened croak.   Captain Mango raised an eyebrow, confused until he looked at the bloodshot eyes of Strong Hoof. They were too scared to talk, because of them. That was to be expected, these four weren’t going to get along any time soon, sadly. He raised his healty hoof and patted the scared fillies. “Oh, sorry for scaring you. We’ll be on our way to help with the apple bucking. Just, uh, don’t forget to tell the others that once they come back. Hey, we ready to get it on?”  The nice captain trotted away from them, guiding the two monsters away from the fillies. In that brief moment of relief, Olive realised she had lost her chance once more to ask Mango for help. Now that he had left them, there was no way she could approach him without being seen by the snow-white giant that hated her.  It was too late. They had no other choice but to enact Apple Bloom’s plan and hope for the best. The royal guard’s help was unavailable and probably will still be until it is too late.  “Well, Ah’ll be damned! They brought ta crystal white giant to our orchard! Ah’m not gonna trust ‘em one bit with respectin’ our orchard. Thugs like ‘em can’t understand what it means to us Appleloosans.”   The familiar and reassuring voice of Braeburn brought the two fillies back to reality, away from all these terrible memories. It was nice to be back in the present. Olive struggled to simply live in the present moment. Every little thing can send her spiraling back into these dark memories, snatching her away from her beautiful new life. It’s mentally exhausting, but she could always count on her family to pull her out of that dark zone.  “So, ya brought some water for us? Ah’m thirsty.” Apple Bloom informed, irked by her dry mouth. She was dehydrated after that encounter, sweated too much. As a parting gift, that dreadful meeting left both of the fillies with a headache. The best cure right now was water, lots of water.  “I’m thirsty too.” Olive clanged onto the stallion’s legs.  Braeburn heard from her cousin’s many letters about how clingy Olive could be. She loved to make physical contact with those she trusted. It warmed his heart to know that the little filly already viewed him this positively. “Sure thin’! Ah got some water bottles in mah saddlebag. Grab whatever ya need!” he leaned so that the sisters could rummage its content.  Olive and Apple Bloom drank to their heart’s content, savoring the tasty liquid that revigorated them. It took less than a minute for them to empty two entire bottles.   “Just don’t drink too much, alright? If ya do, yer gonna want to relieve yerself and lemme tell ya; we’re quite far from town.”  Olive’s eyes widened right after Braeburn finished his advice. “Uh oh.”  “Wha- don’t tell us ya gotta go already!” Her big sister gawked. “There are nothin’ but bushes and apple trees around ‘ere!”  The pink unicorn tip toed around, bouncing in place to best hold it in. Unfortunately, these efforts could only do little to delay the inevitable. She simply didn’t have enough time to make it back to Appleloosa to then find a toilet.  Braeburn looked around cautiously, trotting up to a nearby bush. “In that case, this looks good.” He gestured for Olive to come closer.  “Huh?”  “If ya really gotta go, ya should do it ‘ere. Nopony will see ya, Ah can assure you.” Braeburn looked uncomfortable, constantly checking around to make sure his statement was correct.  Poor little Olive’s face turned red, turning to her big sister feeling undignified. “B-But I can’t do it here! Th-There are other ponies around, cousin Braeburn!”  Braeburn shrugged. “Fraid there’s nothin’ else we can do. Ya either hold it in or ya do it ‘ere. Sorry, cousin.”  The poor filly was as red as a tomato, seeking her big sister for approval in this embarrassing decision. From the look on her face, it would seem she had no choice but to go for the bush. “Aw... okay. Make sure nopony sees me.”  Braeburn cringed. “W-Well, Ah’ll, uh... Ah’ll try.” The stallion nervously followed the filly close to the bush they deemed best suited to relieve her. “Ya go on ahead. Ah’ll just right ‘ere, ya know, to give ya some privacy. He he.”  Olive’s hind legs crossed, trying their hardest to hold it in. Her poor face was red, and that horrible feeling of embarrassment started to burn her. Onto problem now, hoping that the bush would cover her enough so that none may see her doing the deed. The pink filly awkwardly shuffled through the bush, finding a surprisingly nice and open space. This wasn’t just a bush; it was multiple ones forming a circle! The unicorn sighed. There was no possible way somepony could see her now.  And now, onto problem two; peeing in this position. There was no toilet bowl for her to sit on and calmly relieve herself. No, she had to awkwardly split her legs wide open and stick out her rear end so that no golden liquid falls on her hooves. She hated this, it felt more like she was playing a game of Twister, a humiliating one at that. “Hmph...”  She groaned, cursing her little body for wanting to go now when there were no available toilets. Olive then waited and waited. Great, just as she was ready to go, her lady parts felt a little too shy to proceed. She sensed the urge coming and going at irregular intervals, never truly committing to it. “Come on...”  And worst of all, she heard the clopping of hooves coming near that batch of bushes! Olive had to calm herself down. After all, who would ever look into a pile of bushes when there are apples everywhere in the trees?  She was right; the clopping moved away from her but were still a bit too close for comfort. Braeburn said something to the pony but seemed a little unsure. The filly didn’t hear what he said for she was too busy dealing with her stressful predicament. Anyhow, it helped to know that he was doing his watch duty.  Olive relaxed enough, finding some comfort in this position. The fear and stress were slowly going away, and it was enough for her to relax the muscles in her rear and open the fountain. Her face wasn’t burning as much anymore, but still remained hot and red. There was a certain thrill in doing something so daring out in the open. Olive felt it once before, but never in a way that seemed almost... fun.  It was fun until the bushes in front of her moved, the leaves dispersing as two big blue appendages moved them aside. Olive’s eyes widened in fear, her cheeks turning red once again. In addition, she also blanched once she saw the familiar face of an evil blue pegasus mere inches away from her vulnerable and petite frame.  Dreamcatcher stared her down, an unknown mixture of emotions brewing on her face. Thankfully, she quickly pulled back and took off, leaving a distraught filly to finish her delicate needs.  Olive’s legs trembled; her forehead drenched in sweat. Her sweet eyes were watery, her rear end contracted, hidden by her crystal white tail. Once she finally regained control of her body, she bolted it to her cousin, Braeburn, and hugged his leg. She kept her eyes on the flying mare slowly disappearing out of her sight and soon enough, out of her mind.      “I-I accidentally got close to her. Oh my gosh...”  Strong Hoof stopped to gaze upon the anxious visage of the lovely mare, concerned.  Dreamcatcher looked behind nervously, wiping the sweat off her forehead. “I found her... i-in a bush. I saw her...” She fell silent, biting her lower lip. “I’d rather have not seen it.”  Strong Hoof frowned, his tired bloodshot eyes raising to find the filly in question. No sign of her around this part of the orchard. He bucked a nearby apple tree, causing all of its apples to fall onto the basket they set down except for a few unruly ones. “Hm, then we should be careful. Let’s do our best to stay away from her, it’ll best for us. All of us.”  The blue mare sighed. “I can’t wait to get out of here. If they want to give us work, then let it be far away from her.”  An armored shape in the sky descended from the trees with a hopeful smile. “Maybe that won’t be a problem if you three made amends?”  Strong Hoof and Dreamcatcher looked at him, considering his words. Unfortunately, they both shook their heads.  “This fence is beyond mending, captain. We are only here to do our work.” Strong Hoof placed the fallen apples on the basket and moved onto the next tree.