//------------------------------// // AAAAAPLEOOSA!! // Story: Existence // by Spectar37 //------------------------------// Chapter 26 “AAAAAPPLEOOSA!” I shouted as I departed the train, the morning sun hitting me in the face as I observed the barren land in front of me. The town was fairly small, consisting of a salt bar, Sheriff’s office and assorted shops and houses. I wore enough firepower to level the town on my own. Tony, Cloe and Applejack walked up beside me as I stood and observed Appleoosa. “Please, never say that again,” Tony said, irritated at my butchery of the town’s name. “Ok then.” Appleoosa looked like it wasn’t inhabited at all. The lack of pony was disturbing. “Where’s the pony?” I asked the people beside me. “No idea,” Applejack answered. “Maybe yer looks are scarin away all the ponyfolk.” “Impossible, you ponies aren’t that scared of tall bipeds with deadly weapons.” “Yeah they are,” Aegis spoke up as he jumped off the train. “Sure,” I disregarded his response and proceeded to explore the town, seeing traces of movement inside various buildings. I started to fear that the town is dead and signalled to spread out, raised my weapon and cautiously approached the Sheriff’s office. Tony and Cloe took position behind nearby buildings as I reached the halfway point between the station and the office. “Anyone alive,” I shout out, hoping for an answer. The silence met my call. I lowered my head, knowing what has happened and continued forward. “Take’em down!” What? The sudden onslaught of projectiles took me by surprise, the first hitting me in the face. I scrambled for cover, being hit multiple times before I reached an alleyway. With a moment to breathe, I finally took notice of the gooey substance covering me. Are they using pie? This is just stupid. I raised my weapon anyway, training the sights on the alleyway opening. A pony rounded the corner of the building, wielding a pie for a weapon. I smirked and took careful aim before firing off one shot. The pie in his hooves exploded, showering the pony in hot apple pie chunks. He screamed as his form of ‘defence’ was blasted to pieces and ran. I grinned maniacally as I followed the pony out. “Come on, don’t pussy out on me now!” I shout after the unknown pony. This stopped him in his tracks. “If you wanna defend this place, you gotta do all that you can to take out the invader.” The pony turned to face me, allowing me to take in his appearance. His yellow coloured coat was covered in clothing normally found in western style movies, except more pony-like. His Stetson hat cast a shadow over his face, giving him some points towards intimidation. He reminded me of one of the characters from the show, but I can’t put a name to it. “Braeburn!” Applejack both shouted and answered my thoughts. “Stay back, cousin,” he shouted in reply. “Let him try, Applejack,” I tell her. This surprised Braeburn a fair bit. “No, you’ll end up killin him.” “I promise I won’t kill him,” I tell her as I turn to face her. Cloe and Tony were sitting down, probably wanting to watch the show. “Much.” “Wait, you know this thing?” Braeburn asked his cousin. “He is not a thing,” She answered him. “Him an his friends saved Ponyville from them things.” She pointed her hoof behind me. I spun around and raised my rifle, ready to shoot down any foe there possibly could be. At first I didn’t notice it, but far in the distance there stood a creature. The air it gave off made me sure it was a demon. It soon disappeared, but I was sure it will be back with an army in tow. “What was that?” Braeburn asked as I lowered my aim. “Demons,” I answered before clapping my hands together. “Now that’s out of the way, let’s go make friends.” The ponies that never left the train just now decided to get off. “Where have you been?” I shouted out at the guards I asked to help. “Sorry sir, we were still asleep,” Aegis answered. “Don’t tell him that,” Cog said. “Don’t worry, it’s understandable,” I tell them. “oh…” I smiled at them before walking into the centre of the street. “People of Appleoosa, we come in peace!” Tony face palmed. “Why did you say that?” “It was cheesy.” “So,” I hear a tough sounding voice as the sheriff pony, or what I assumed is the sheriff pony, walked out of the building to my right. “You say you come in peace?” “Yep, we’re here to…” (somewhat more convenient time skip) “… and that’s why we’re here,” Tony finished explaining our appearance in the town. The rest of the town was slow to show themselves but eventually the entire town had left hiding and either stood around us or returned to whatever they were doing before. “So, yer here on the princesses orders?” Braeburn asked Tony. “Sort of…” I tuned out of their conversation and walked off. We’ve got work to do and an area to scout out. “Where are you off to?” I heard Cloe ask me. “Scout out the area, find easiest defence method and set it up.” “Now?” “Hell yeah.” I continued on my way, leaving Cloe behind and found the ponies I wanted to talk to. “Hey guys.” The group of guards jumped at my introduction. “Sorry sir.” “Don’t apologise,” I tell him before putting on a serious face. “Now Aegis, I need you to fly around the area, tell me where the demons are at and where they’re hiding.” “Yes sir,” Aegis acknowledged and took to the skies. “You two dudes, I need you to set up some cover and stuff to protect from fire based attacks.” “Got it,” They both replied and ran in separate directions to carry out the order. “Now Cog, you have a special job,” I grinned at him. “What is it?” “We need a town sized shield to lessen collateral damage, you think you have what it takes?” “That won’t be necessary.” That sounded familiar. I turned around and noticed something that I thought I would never see this early in the day. The majestic mane still flowing in an invisible wind, Princess Luna approached us. Spinning Cog bowed down to her but I decided to do what I normally do. “Luna, you’re early,” I greeted with a smile, of which she returned one in kind. “Why yes, yes I am.” I opened my arms, gesturing for a hug which Luna accepted. It was short, but awesome nonetheless. When she let go, I turned to Cog to give him something to do only to see a horrified look in his face. “Uh, sir?” he questioned, confused as to what just happened, or is that offence. “What,” I spoke sarcastically. “You’ve never seen someone talk to the princess before?”