Applejack: Undefeated

by CamWeck

Chapter 1

The apple tree shook violently as Applejack landed a firm kick at just the right spot, with just the right amount of force. Apples cascaded down, falling into place in the various baskets she’d carefully set beneath the branches.

Applejack stepped over to the baskets with a frown on her face and reached in with a hoof, scooping one up to inspect it.

The apple was browning, and a bit shriveled, just like every other apple she’d tried to harvest over the last three days.

With a sigh of resignation she grabbed the baskets and began hauling them to her cart. It wasn't a total loss. Apples like this could still be pressed and turned into a low quality apple brandy. It wasn't as profitable as a proper apple harvest would have been, but it would pay the bills, and the farm would survive another year.

As she tossed the basket into the cart she stopped to look over the rest of the farm.She had parked the cart at the top of a hill, and the view was normally spectacular, green leaves and bright apples everywhere.

The barkworm infection had changed all that. Every tree looked faded and grey, the leaves browning early, and the apples undernourished and sour. The weather wasn't helping either, it was a another grey day in what seemed like an endless procession of grey days. She’d asked Rainbow Dash about it and had gotten some long explanation about solar light levels and heat redistribution or some such nonsense. All she really knew was, the weather was reflecting her own dark melancholy.

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“I’m sorry Applebloom, but we just ain’t got the bits.” Appleblooms face turned down and sad, and Applejacks own heart broke to see her little sister so disappointed. They stood in Sugar cube corner where Applebloom had begged her sister to meet her to discuss the little crusaders upcoming birthday party.

“But everyone else got to have their parties here! It’s so much more fun right in the bakery!” she whined gently, her big eyes watering up as she stared longingly around her.

Applejack gave a deep sigh and glanced over at Pinkie, who shook her head sadly. Friend or not, there was only so much she could do about lowering the price for renting the bakery.

“I know you were looking forward to this, but the farms just in too much trouble right now. We’ll need every penny we can scrimp and save to pay off our bills till the tree’s recover! But cheer up! We’ll still have a party, it’ll just have to be a bit smaller, and we’ll put it on back at the farmhouse. All your friends will still be there, and that’s what’s really important, right?”

“I guess.” Applebloom replied looking down at the floor and shuffling her hooves dejectedly.

“Hey, Applejack!” whispered Pinkie. Well, she tried to whisper, really she was talking slightly louder than normal, but her voice had that raspy quality that implied she was TRYING to whisper. Rolling her eyes she Applejack left her sister to go see what the Party Pony wanted.

“Can’t we do something special to raise a little extra money for her?” Pinkie had a serious look on her face. Applejack could tell she wanted to throw Appleblossom a serious birthday party, since, to Pinkie, parties were serious business. Still, she might have a point, the farm had lots of open space, and events were held there pretty regularly to supplement their income. Nothing was scheduled for anytime soon, but maybe she could work something out.

“Hmm... Can’t think of nothin’ offhoof. you got any ideas Pinkie?”

Pinkie leaned back, her head raised and eyes squinted, hoof tapping her chin in an exaggeration of studious thought. Suddenly her eyes widened and she grinned broadly at Applejack.

“Can your brother still do that stomping trick?”

Total Pages was an annoyed pony. He was mostly annoyed because his latest client had just quit, leaving him with a total client pool of One. And not a very good One, to be frank.

It wasn't entirely unexpected. Most of his clients lasted for just a few months, a year at the most, and the really good ones moved on to better handlers with bigger bit bags and better connections. Still, it had been a lean year for him, and this was not a good time for him to be losing out. He needed a winner and he knew it. He also needed his little brother to stop hopping up and down on his desk, scattering his paperwork all over the place.

“Snips,” Pages said calmly, “What do you want? What is so important that you have to come into my private office, which I have told you not to come into, and jump on my desk, which I have told you is not a place to play, and bother me while i’m working, which I've told you not to do?”

It was a practiced calm, one that came from long years of dealing with his little brothers notorious shenanigans, but it was different this time. Normally it would be containing an urge to scream, but Pages was just too dejected to get really angry today. Snips was too excited to notice, though.

“They’re having a contest! And first prize will be free rodeo lessons from Ponyvilles most winningest rodeo pony APPLEJACK!”

Pages winced at his brothers shrill scream of joy. Applejack, he wondered, who is that? Pages knew that his little brother had a tendency toward hero worship. That annoying blue unicorn showmare, that even more annoying rainbow colored pegasus, that chubby blue baker Earth pony with the yellow husband and the twins.

Pages reflected on this for a moment and wondered if his brother just had a thing for blue furred mares before returning his attention to the flyer Snips was now shoving in his face.

“Alright, alright, what’s this?”

Huh, well, Pages thought, ‘Most winningest rodeo pony’ If it says so right there it must be true.

“And why aren’t you bothering Mom or Dad over this?” PAges looked to see his brother shuffle his feet a bit.

“Well, we don’t get to hang out much anymore. And I thought it would be fun to go with you!”

“And?” Snips sighed and looked down.

“Mom and Dad don’t really like me hanging out with Snails so much, and he wants to go too.”

Total Pages took a deep breath and covered his eyes with one hoof. He kind of understood where his parents were coming from, Snails was an especially difficult little pony to spend too much time with. Still, he was a good and loyal friend to his little brother and Pages didn't mind him so much.

“Alright, alright. Get your saddlebags and let’s get going.” Snips leapt for joy and dashed out of Total Pages office. Pages straightened a few things out before locking the door to this office and making his way out of the basement and up to the living room

“Mom!” he called out “ I’m taking Snips out to this rodeo thing down at the apple farm!”

“Alright dear! Be sure to be back in time for supper!”

Total took another deep sigh and wondered if he’d ever find talent good enough to afford him an office away from his home. He stepped outside and smiled down at see his little brother and his mentally challenged friend already waiting.

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The farm was busy with ponies. A few hundred had shown up for the rather short notice festivities, and they moved around laughing and playing. In the barn where Vinyl Scratch had, as a favor to Pinkie, set up for the day, the ponies danced and hugged and a few romances were born to the lively beat.

Outside, Granny Smith oversaw a series of foot races and hurdles, directing the participants themselves to help reset the track and move obstacles for the next race.

On the other side of the barn Applebloom had set up targets at varying distances for ponies to throw the withered apples at or, if they really wanted to challenge themselves, to kick the apples at.

The real action was in a nearby grove, where ponies were picking up baskets as Big Macintosh stood quietly in the center, doing some stretches and warm up exercises. Snips, Snails and Total Pages were standing in the crowd, each with a basket all their own.

“So what’s the point of this again?” Pages asked the two younger ponies.

“It’s easy, when the apple start to fall, catch as many as you can!” said his brother, his voice cracking with excitement.

“But how are the apples all going to fall at once?”

Before he could get a response, Big Macintosh nodded to Applejack who turned to face the crown and put the tip of her tail in her mouth, blowing through it like a blade of grass and making a loud sharp whistle.

All of the ponies turned from their conversations or games to watch. Even the dance floor turned off the music so everyone could come and see.

“Howdy Y’all!” cried Applejack with a big grin on her face and a quick leap into the air. Once she was sure everyone was paying attention.

Total Pages looked at the mare admiringly and could see why his brother had managed to get over his infatuation with the color blue.

“It’s time for the main event! Everyone hunker on down and hold on tight! Once the stompin’ starts, you’ll want a firm grip and then ya’ll have to move fast to catch all them apples! Remember! First prize is worth fightin’ for!”

A general cheer went up and Applejack couldn't help but notice a number of ponies off to one side seemed to be a bit more interested in a chance of spending the time with Applejack than with the rodeo lessons themselves. She ignored them studiously and hopped over to grab onto a tree.

“Ready Big Mac?” She called out, gripping tightly.

“Aaayup!” he called back.

“Alrighty then, in three... two... one...”

Big Mac reared back on his hind legs and brought his two hooves down to the earth with all his might. The power that he struck with was immense, and sounded like an explosion. The ground itself rippled and more than a few ponies found themselves falling over tossed a few feet into the air by the wave of earth. The force traveled down out of the grove and almost to the barn doors themselves before setting down, and even the barrels in the cellar rattled in their frames, ropes swung back and forth and the chickens huddled together as they felt the earth move.

Every earth pony for miles stopped whatever they were doing and looked toward the farm. Earth pony magic was notoriously subtle, but they could all feel it, deep inside themselves, that tug for power, tied directly the very life and land of Equestria itself. Many of them didn't even know what it was they had felt. It almost never pulled this hard, and a pony who had the control to bring it out this strongly was rare indeed.

Back at the farm all the ponies who could were scrambling to catch apples as they fell from the trees, whose violent shaking had sent the shriveled fruits in all directions.

All but one. Total pages sat, stunned and frozen by what he’d just seen. He didn't care about the falling apples, or the bruise he’d taken when the explosion had knocked him down.

He didn’t care that Snips and Snails had, in their exuberance, run right into each other and completely dropped all their apples.

All he could do was stare at that giant red Stallion while visions of bits flashed before his eyes.

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A few hours later, and the festivities were starting to wind down.

The Races had finished and the prizes, all of which were various sized jars or cases or small barrels of apple juice and apple cider that the family had been storing away, were passed out to their happy winners.

The games were done, but the dance in the barn would go on for a while, knowing Vinyl, it would likely last well past midnight.

Applejack had presented her certificate, good for one day of Rodeo lessons to a proud pegasus filly, whose father, an over sized stallion with tiny wings and a barbell for a cutie mark had managed to win for her.

Applebloom and Big Macintosh were doing most of the cleanup, with the help of a few other ponies who had volunteered to stay behind. Applejack had begged off the work, saying that she felt ill, and since this was such an unusual occurrence, her family and friends had actually insisted she leave it to them.

She lay on the tall hill again, where she had been just the day before and watched the cleanup with empty unseeing eyes. The wind gave a gentle breeze that rustled her hat and cooled down her warm fur.

Down below, she watched Twilight and Rarity using their magic to lift the targets and return them to the storage under the barn. Meanwhile Rainbow Dash had moved a small cloud down and was washing the mud off the racetrack. Fluttershy had calmed the chickens and Pinkie was stacking some baskets.

“Whatcha doin’?!”

Applejack blinked in surprise and turned to see Pinkie standing right next to her. With a quick twist back, Applejack looked down to see the farm was just as she’d been watching a moment ago, only Pinkie was gone. She glanced back and sure enough, the pink pony was looking down at Applejack with genuine curiosity in her eyes, and maybe just a bit of concern? It was hard to read Pinkie, who seemed to wear her emotions so openly, but also always seemed to have something else just below the surface.

“Nothin’ much. Just, feelin’ a might low is all.” Pinkie nodded her head and sat next to her friend, being surprisingly quiet. After a moment Applejack could feel Pinkie rubbing her hoof up and down her back.

“Do you wanna talk about it? I mean, that was kind of a super party we just had, well not really a party i suppose, more of an event, but still lots of ponies and games and fun and prizes and dancing so all the stuff that makes a party a party were there, including all your friends so I guess it really was a party and it seemed to be a HAPPY party, and if that kind of party doesn't make you happy than you must be really down. Why not tell me why?”

Applejacks mind had been long accustomed to the Party Pony and her strange ways, so it cut out most of the fat from her little speech and boiled it down to the essentials.

She shifted a bit, not really physically uncomfortable, but talking about her problems to others had never been her strong point.

“Do you ever feel, like a failure?” Pinkie blinked her eyes and cocked her head, seemingly puzzled by the question.

Applejack shifted again and looked down at her hooves.

“I mean, we made enough money to pay for Appleblooms party, and for that I’m right grateful, but I was hoping to do a bit better. It’s still gonna to be lean times ahead for the Apple family.” she stopped for a moment and took her hat off, staring into the empty bowl of it.

“It seems like it’s always lean times though. We struggle and work, and I try my darned hardest, I can’t help but feel that I’m a failure. It’s always on the brink of collapse. One bad harvest. One long winter. Things never seem to go quite right and we always managed to get on just by the skin of our teeth.”

She looked back up at Pinkie, who had stopped rubbing her back and looked down at Applejack with open concern on her face.

“Don’t get me wrong now, I love my life here. I love this farm and I love the hard work. But, i’m startin’ to feel that, really deep down, I ain't very good at it. I just can’t seem to run this place. I can’t seem to do much of anything right.”

She stopped when she felt a leg tighten around her neck and found Pinkie giving her a big deep hug.

“I think we all have it tough sometimes, “ Pinkie whispered, and this time, really whispered into Applejacks ear, “But you have friends to help you through it. And you never do lose the farm do you? Things will get better, some opportunity will arise, you’ll see.”

Applejack smiled and leaned her head into the hug, nuzzling gently against Pinkie Pies chest. The peaceful moment only lasted a few seconds before being interrupted by a polite and slightly embarrassed cough.

The two friends looked up to see a unicorn.

He was a bit short and pudgy, with an unusually long horn partially hidden by a prematurely thinning mane of light green. His light brown coat was a bit dirty, probably from the days activities, but was a good backdrop for his cutie mark, a piece of paper with some numbers added up on it. He had a pleasant smile spoiled mostly by his buck teeth.

Next to him were two young ponies they found more recognizable, Snips and Snails, who both looked a little embarrassed to be there. The short unicorn grinned a bit sheepishly before finally speaking up.

“I uh.. think I may have that opportunity you were just talking about.”

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“I still don’t think I like how this feels,” Pinkie reiterated, for about the four bazillionth time. Applejack wasn't all too sure of that count, she’d never been much for fancy mathematics.

“Just relax, Total was Snips big brother, how bad could he be?”

“If he wasn’t bad then why are we wandering around the warehouses of Ponyville after midnight? My mama always told me all good ponies are asleep at this hour! Applejack, do you know what that means?”

“Uh...”

“It means WE ARE BAD PONIES!” shouted pinkie, grabbing Applejacks head and yelling into her ear. Applejack shook her head, momentarily stunned, before pushing pinkie off of her.

“It don’t mean nothin’ of the sort! There’s lots of ponies what work night jobs. Security ponies, warehouse ponies, heck! Even Rainbow Dash sometimes has to do weather pony duty at two in the mornin’!”

Pinkie gave Applejack a look that informed the farm pony that she was still dubious. Applejack sighed and adjusted her hat.

“Look, if you’re that worried about all this, than just head on back home. I’m a big pony, and I can take care of myself.” Pinkies eyes went wide and she shook her head.

“Nononono... I can’t leave you alone! What kind of friend would I be if I let you wander around here all by yourself?”

“Than calm down and come on!” She snapped. Pinkie watched her go for a moment before following after her. Applejack could be short tempered at times, but she must have been really stressed to be acting like this.

Pinkie just couldn't shake her bad feeling. It wasn't Pinkie Sense, per se, more a general unease. A feeling that violence was nearby and getting closer. It didn't help that this was the spooky part of Ponyville. Abandoned at night, large empty buildings that held financial offices and warehouses during the day. Even in the sun, this place was only populated by ponies with specific business jobs. It was never crowded here, and never fun.

The address Total Pages had given them was for one such warehouse, a particularly distant, and large one, that would have been used to store cargo for the big airships, back before the new train station a decade ago had made them obsolete in ponyville.

They were still used for when large shipments were going to the edges of Equestria, beyond the reach of rail, but Most airships were strictly passenger business these days.

The two friends approached the door to the large warehouse and found Pages nervously standing outside. He was engaged in a conversation with a muscular and short, blue earth pony whose cutie mark appeared to be a keyhole, and was standing directly in front of the door.
The keyhole pony looked over at them and said something quickly to Pages, who looked back and grinned widely. He trotted over smiling broadly.

“You guys made it! I’m so glad!” He looked around quickly and frowned a bit.

“Couldn’t talk your brother into joining us?”

“Big Mac was a might tired after the days work is all. I decided i’d check it out first, and if it’ll make as much money as you say then I reckon’ I can talk him into coming down.” The light brown pony nodded his head.

“That sounds fair enough. I’m sure that, if you keep an open mind, you’ll see why he could be the answer to all your problems!”

With that, Total Pages turned around and walked to the door, the squat guard moved aside and pulled it open, allowing the others access to the warehouse. Applejack entered quickly enough while Pinkie Pie, ears flat against her skull, and head lowered, entered far more cautiously.

“So, uh, what all is involved here anyway? And why didn't ya want to tell me directly before? This is a warehouse right, so I imagine it’s mostly moving heavy things around?”

“Well, it’s not a warehouse anymore. And I wanted to make sure you saw everything in person with an open mind. Some people tend to rush to snap judgments over this type of work.”

Applejack stopped and frowned at Total Pages.

“We ain’t gettin’ involved in nothin’ illegal! The Apples may have problems, but we’ll not stoop to bein’ dishonest to solve them!”

She glowered down at the shorter unicorn who sat back and waved his hooves in the air.

“It’s not illegal! I assure you! There are permits and oversight and regulations and everything! And everything here is followed to a perfect T! Heck, that’s how I first got involved with this stuff. I was first brought in to crunch some numbers, make sure it was all on the up and up! But it’s still not looked upon well by polite society is all. Some people get judgmental about how other ponies choose to work and live, as I’m sure you've experienced. You know how those upper crust ponies can be.”

Applejack only had to think back to her stay in Manehatten, and how the ponies had pretended not to even know what a rooster was, just so they could make fun of her.

“Yeah, I reckon’ I might know a bit ‘bout that sorta attitude. Alright, lead on then. But start talking.”

“We’re here anyway! right behind these doors.” He opened a large set of double doors and a wave of noise and heat came billowing out.

Inside, the warehouse had been converted to a giant arena. Hundreds of ponies sat upon tiered seating to watch a large central space. inside two ponies faced off circling each other warily while the crowd roared its approval.

“Wha... What is this?” Applejack asked, her eyes wide. Next to her Pinkies jaw dropped as she stared at scene.

“The Ultimate Pony League,” Pages said proudly, “all physical pony fighting styles are permitted. No magic. Two ponies enter and go at it, until one is knocked unconscious, surrenders, or is deemed to be the loser by the judges. We have a crack medical team on hoof to handle any serious injuries, but ponies rarely get really hurt. The worst that happens is the occasional broken bone.”

The two friends stared for a moment before Applejack turned to angrily look at Pages.

“Ya’ll want to bring Big Mac into this?! Are you nuttier than a fruitcake on Hearthswarmin’ eve?”

“Now hold on! You said you’d give it a fair shake, right?” Pages looked at her with pleading eyes and Applejack slowly took a deep breath.

“Fine.” she said with a forced resignation. Pinkie Pie finally snapped out of her own personal horror to jump in front of the other ponies.

“No! This place is horrible and violent and mean! All these ponies trying to hurt one another! It’s a bad place Applejack, and we should go right now!”

“Pinkie, I told him I’d come and see things with an open mind. One little match won’t hurt us none.”

“But..”

“Pinkie! I said it before, if you ain’t comfortable with all this, than go Home!” Pinkie stopped and frowned sadly. Applejack felt a bit guilty for snapping but walked pat her friend and followed Total Pages anyway.

A few seconds later, Pinkie followed silently behind her orange friend.

“This is a box seat, usually it’s kept empty so we can show things off to investors or new talent.” explained Total Pages as he lead them down a small hallway. They were well above the stadium seating now, and the heat from all the ponies below was being fought savagely by the fans that blew a constant stream of cold air off of a set of magic unmelting blocks of ice.

They opened the door to a small room and looked inside.

It was a spartan room, with a bit more floor space than was strictly necessary, and had the feel of a room rarely used. A few seats were set near a large window, a minor bit of magic gave it a magnifying effect, making the ring seem closer than it really was.

Still what really caught Applejacks attention was the presence of a small Filly that she knew quite well.

“Scootaloo?! What are you doing here?”

The tiny pegasus looked up from her homework and blinked with surprise of her own.

“Applejack? Pinkie Pie? I can ask you guys the same thing!”

“You know Scootaloo?” Pages looked genuinely surprised. The orange farm mare looked back and forth between the two of them.

:”Ya’all let little fillies in to see this stuff?”

“Well normally no, but Scootaloo has special dispensation, you see her mother...”

“Works in accounting!” Scootaloo interrupted loudly, jumping to her feet. Pages gave her a quizzical look, which was quickly joined by both Pinkie and Applejack.

“She helps keep the books. So, when she’s working or preparing or helping or whatever, i usually come here and do my homework.” Applejack craned her head to look past Scootaloo, and sure enough the little filly had a set of school books set on the ground with notes and papers scattered about.

“Well, I guess that’s alright then.” Applejack nodded slowly before trotting into the room. Pinkie had a sad look on her face and stared at Scootaloo for a moment before joining her friend.

“This is the main event ring, as you can probably guess,” Pages explained waving his hoof at the window.

“There are two other converted warehouses, each of which has been divided into four, much smaller rings. This building is usually only really active every couple of weeks, and spends most of the rest of the time empty. It’s cheaper to run the smaller fights, and only worth turning on the big ring when we know a lot of ponies will show up.”

Applejack sat facing the window a frown on her face as she looked down at the fight below. The two stallions she saw earlier were gone, and a new fight was just about to start. Pages sat down next to Applejack and looked down with her.

“We’re in luck, Titan is about to fight.” Scootaloo suddenly dropped her pencil and leapt into the seat on the other side of Applejack.

“Really?! Cool! Titans the toughest Pony in Ponyville! No one can out muscle that giant!” Her wings buzzed with excitement as she looked down into the ring. The giant Unicorn pony stomped into the ring, covered head to hoof in an intimidating back leotard.

Even his face was behind a black mask with deep red eye covers. The mountain of a unicorn was probably bigger than Big Mac and he stood briefly on his hind legs to raise his hooves to the crowd who roared in excitement.

“Titan? That’s a heck of a name. Wonder what his cutie mark is.”

“His real name is Hammer Jack, and usually he works in construction. But he was so strong the fight promoters decided to just call him the Titan”
The other three ponies turned to stare at Scootaloo, Applejack and Pinkie in confusion and Total Pages with a look of horror on his face.

“Scootaloo! You of all ponies know better than to just spout that stuff out! Some of our fighters really appreciate their privacy!”

Scootaloo looked appropriately abashed. She looked out the window and perked up immediately though.

“Look! The fights starting! He’s going after Flip Top the Pinwheel!” down in the arena, a second pony had entered. He was an earth pony with long limbs and was very tall, with a bright red coat and black mane. Applejack couldn't make out his cutie mark from here, especially not with how fast he was going.

Pinwheel, lived up to his name, he spun circles around the much slower Titan, moving in and out for a quick jab here or there, always getting out of the way just before Titans massive hoof would send him flying. Titan wasn't holding still either, for all his size he moved with surprising speed, avoiding the worst of pinwheels bucks and kicks. But the fight did seem to be going in the smaller pony's favor.

Suddenly pinwheel did a series of cartwheels to rapidly retreat behind the larger unicorn. As Titan spun around Pinwheel leapt forward, bracing his two from legs on the ground and ducking his head down between them, his lower torso curled up and just as Titan turned he straightened his whole body with Lightning speed.

The blow struck Titan square in the jaw and the massive Unicorn reared backwards up on his hind legs till he was almost ready to topple backwards.

Even from the distance they were at Applejack could see the look of triumph on pinwheels face. She pressed her hooves to the glass and leaned forward till her forehead struck the window, her jaw wide open. She’d seen some boxing matches before, and was known to engage in some wrestling herself, but she’d never seen anything like this. The two ponies caught in a struggle of will, muscle and power, not with any real malice or hate, but just to see who was stronger. It was intoxicating, and Applejack felt her fur bristle and itch as the match went on.
Pinwheel had leapt to his feet and backed away from the reeling Titan, moving his hooves in a complex dance that kept him motion and confused his opponents. His look of triumph turned to confusion as Titan Calmly, slowly lowered back down to the floor. He shook his massive head and narrowed his eyes at the smaller pony. Pinwheel seemed stunned for a moment, but set his jaw and shot forward to start his attacks again. Scootaloo shook her head and smiled.
“Oh it’s over now. Titan is done playing with this turkey.” Applejack barely registered the little fillies words as she stared in awe. Suddenly Pinwheel couldn't land a hit. Every punch, every kick, every elbow only landed against the flat of Titans Hoof. The Giant unicorn seemed completely calm and absolutely focused as his hooves moved to be an impenetrable wall.
Pinwheel grew more desperate with each blow his hooves becoming a blur, but also coming with more windup before the strike, and more cool down after. He struck with mounting frustration and less control. Finally, he made too big a mistake. Instead of stopping the latest blow with his hoof, Titan struck forward landing a solid strike to Pinwheels chin. The thin pony staggered backward and shook his head, he tried to recover, but it was too late. One, two, three solid strikes to his head and midriff.
Pinwheel flew through the air and landed a heap next to the ropes. A pegasus in black and white stripes that Applejack hadn’t really noticed before, but now realised had been there the entire time, swooped down to check on the battered pony. After a moment of inspection the pegasus raised his arms and blew a whistle. The crowd went wild. Pinkie stared in horror as Applejack cheered with them.

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The locker rooms were located under the warehouse, and were mostly empty at this time. Pinwheel hadn't been seriously hurt, just knocked unconscious, and had even gotten up to congratulate Titan on his win, after that the place had begun to clear quickly. Now Applejack and Pinkie Pie stood among the lockers as Page finished showing them the stadium.

“So what do you think? With Big Mac as a fighter, I can guarantee, GUARANTEE, at least One hundred bits a match, And that’s if he LOSES. Not that I expect that to happen. I bet even Titan will be in for a surprise when he meets up with your brother.”

Pinkie stared at Applejack, her ears back, her eyes worried and a deep scared frown on her face. Applejack had actually enjoyed the fights. It was beyond Pinkies understanding. She hated violence, hated fighting. She could do it when she had to, and was better at it than she liked to admit.

But this? The whole scenario was obscene to her. Ponies reveling in the pain and suffering of other ponies. She couldn't comprehend it.

But Applejack had seemed mesmerized. Would she really try and talk her brother into this?

“How much did Titan make?” Applejack was staring at a mirror, her eyes wide, as she looked at herself like she’d never seen her own reflection before. Total Pages looked upwards and did some mental math.

“Well, Titans’ the biggest name in Ponyville right now. He pulls in a cool two thousand a match. And he hasn't lost in years. You can’t expect that from a beginner, no matter what their potential is.”

Applejack slowly nodded her head, and spent a few more minutes staring at the mirror.

“I’ll meet you here tomorrow night. You’ll have your fighter.” Total grinned ear to ear and tried very, very hard not to jump up and down whooping for joy. Pinkie had to fight to keep herself from wailing in grief.

“You won’t regret this, Miss Applejack! Your brother is going to make us rich ponies!”

“One fight, at first. Just schedule one fight. And we’ll see how it goes from there.” Pages nodded his head again.

“Yes Ma’am!” he cried before running up the stairs, almost bowling over Scootaloo, who had been quietly watching from the door.

“Applejack...” Pinkie said quietly, but the farm pony ignored her, and slowly made her own way to the stairs.

Scootaloo watched them walk past, silently, not speaking to each other at all. Even outside, the two friends didn't say a word to each other, and Applejack refused to even look at Pinkie, simply turning and making her way home.

Pinkie watched her friend go, before turning and heading back to her own apartment over sugar cube corner. She would need her sleep, she had a lot of ponies to talk to in the morning.

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The next night, as the sun set, three ponies sat near the entrance to the Arena, just far enough away that the front door pony would leave them alone. The smallest of them a purple unicorn fidgeted a bit before speaking to her companions.

“I have to admit, I’m as much curious as anything else. I used to watch the guards spar back in Canterlot, but that was probably with a lot more rules. And you said Magic is forbidden here?”

Pinkie gave Twilight a disapproving look, but nodded her head.

“Yeah, and a pegasus can only fly so far in the rings. It’s not about magic, it’s about their skills. But it’s still about hurting each other. We can’t let Big Mac go through with this.”

“I agree with Pinkie.” said the white unicorn with the purple mane, “I have had clients who enjoy this sort of nonsense, and one hears things. Even if there are rules and medics on hand, ponies can get seriously hurt here.”

“Alright, alright! I agree with you guys! Applejack can’t let her new infatuation put her brother at risk.”

Pinkie was glad Twilight and Rarity were able to join her. She’d tried to gather everyone, but Fluttershy was too scared of the fights, and Rainbow Dash was in Cloudsdale for a meeting with the main weather office. Twilight had been hesitant but ultimately decided to join them, and Rarity had seemed particularly horrified.

Maybe she felt the same way about the fights as Pinke did?

They had agreed to come and wait for Applejack to show, intercepting her and her brother before they could enter the arena. Shortly before the scheduled time, Total Pages made his way outside and recognized Pinkie. He smiled and wandered up behind them, feeling cordial enough.

“Hello ladies, come to cheer on your friend?” The three mares turned to stare at him, and he took a step back as the Pinke one’s eyes narrowed and she growled at him.

“You’re the one who tricked Applejack! If anything happens to Big Mac, I’m gonna make sure you pay for it!” Pinkie was livid and pressed her nose against Pages. Normally getting so close to such a cute little thing would make him happier, but right now, she seemed rather mad.

“Hey! I haven't tricked anypony! I've been totally upfront about this whole thing, and that includes the risks involved!”

The Pink one was pulled away in an aura of purple magic as the two unicorns got closer.

“We’re just a bit concerned for our friend is all,” said the white one, “This is a dangerous activity, and she may be thinking more with her need for bits than with the proper safety and concern for her family” The Purple unicorn nodded.

“Exactly! We just want to make sure everyone will be okay. You can understand that, right?”

Pages took a deep breath and straightened his mane.

“Well, yes, actually. I can. Look, i’ll tell you what, i’ve set up a match, but since Big Mac is a no name, it’s pretty empty. Let me give you these free passes, so the three of you can come and see what’s going on. How’s that sound?”

The tickets hovered in front of the friends, who looked back and forth at one another. Rarity nodded her head and Pinkie gave a sigh of resignation. A purple aura overtook Pages own green, and the three tickets floated over to their new owners.

Pages gave a sigh of relief before hearing a voice behind him.

“What’re you all doing here?”

Pages spun around to see Applejack with a quizzical look on her face staring past him and at her friends. Pinkie leapt over the shorter unicorn and grabbed at the farm pony.

“Applejack, you can’t do this to Big Mac!”

“She’s right, darling, it isn't fair to him. He’s much too gentle for this sort of thing.”

“Are you sure you've really thought this through? I mean the probability of injury is actually.. say.. where is Big Mac?”

All three of Applejacks friends, plus Pages looked back and forth, but there was no sign of the over-sized red Pony.

“I am not in the mood for this, come on Pages.”

And with that Applejack walked right past the other ponies and to the guarded door. Pages rapidly followed after her with a confused look on his face.

The three others tried to follow but the door pony put out his hoof and stopped them.

“Sorry, this door is for fighters and promoters only. You girls need to go around to the front door.”

The three friends looked at each other and shrugged before walking around to the front of the building, there a long line of ponies, being let in one a time, faced them. It was going to be a long night.

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Back down in the lockers, Pages nervously hopped from one hoof to the next as he watched Applejack calmly walk back up to stare at the same mirror she’d been so infatuated with the night before.

“So, what happened? Is Big Mac coming a bit later? Because the fight starts in twenty...”

“No, he ain’t comin’ at all”

“Oh no! I thought you said i’d have my fighter, oh man! Game Bank is gonna have my Flank over this! Scheduling a fight with a no show!”

“He ain't a no show. I didn't even try to talk him into it. Big Mac is way too gentle for this sorta thing.”

Total Pages blinked in confusion

“What?! Then why did you tell me you’d have him ready for tonight!?”

“I didn't. I said you’d have a fighter, and ya do. Me.”

Pages jaw dropped as he stared at the farm mare. Oh, it wasn't odd for their to be girl fighters, quite to the contrary, more than half the fighters he knew were mares. But this little farm filly, as muscled as she looked, was not the meal ticket Pages had hoped for.

“You’re kidding. No. Absolutely not”

“What? Why not! I’m tough enough!”

“You’re just another schmo, that’s why not. The last thing i need is another one fight loser who backs out after her first bout! I've had enough losers! I wanted a Winner! And Mac, that guy had everything you’d need in a winner, he has POWER! What’ve you got?!”

Pages has hopping mad now, jumping up and down as he shouted at the orange farm pony. Applejack glared back, just as Angry.”

“I can do this! I won’t lose so easy, just gimmie a shot!”

Total Pages was livid. He shivered with rage as he stared back at the taller pony.

“Fine! You want a shot?! You got one! But the conditions change. You lose, you get NOTHING! Your opponent keeps every bit”

“Fine, but If I win, I get it all, my opponent loses his winnings, and its all MINE!”

“Deal!” and with that, Pages turned in a huff and stomped upstairs.

Applejack stared after him for a moment, her heart pounding. She stared down at her hooves and wondered what to do next. She wasn't even sure where the ring was from here.

“You okay, Applejack?” asked a small voice. She turned around to see Scootaloo watching her, deep concern in her eyes.

“Heya Scoots. You know much about this match?”

“I know it was supposed to be Big Mac, not you. If it was him, it would be a given who wins. Have you ever even fought before?”

Applejack smiled and nodded her head.

“Yeah, I've helped the others fight a big ol’ beastie or two. Took down more than my share a’ Changelings during the invasion. I bet I can handle one little dust up.”

Scootaloo watched her carefully and then walked past the larger pony.

“Follow me, I’ll take you to the ring you’ll be using. And, if it’s okay with you, i’ll stay there and tell you what I can.”

Applejack smiled and nodded. She followed after the little orange filly, up the stairs, and to her future.

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Twilight, Rarity and Pinkie found their tickets had given them seats very close to the front of the action, and all of them were a little scared by what they saw. The area this time was very different from the arena Pinkie had seen the previous night. It had a much smaller number of seats surrounded the ring itself, and the place seemed much more sparsely populated.

The ponies that surrounded them seemed to be a rowdy bunch, mostly drinking wheat beers and cheap ciders.

“Will Big Mac really be okay?” asked Twilight as she looked around. She’d never been stuck with such a rough crowd before, and was more than a bit freaked out. Rarity rubbed her back gently.

“Big Mac is an unusually tough pony. I’m sure he won’t be hurt, and after one little dust up, he’ll probably just quit the whole thing.”

Pinkie simply shivered in her seat. The whole building stank of violence and blood. She could taste it, feel it, all the ponies getting hurt, often badly. She could barely stand being here. What she really wanted to do was run back to her home and curl up with Gummi, hiding under the covers. This place made her physically ill, and she was afraid that if she talked too much, or moved to much, she would be sick all over the floor.

She turned to watch her friends. Twilight was obviously freaked out by all the lowbrow ponies. She wasn't really a snob, but she wasn't used to how rowdy some of the more down to earth ponies could be.

Usually Rarity hated this sort of atmosphere as well, but she seemed oddly calm, almost put at ease by the environment. She regarded the whole setup with a long cool gaze, even as she comforted her nervous friend.

A bell loudly began to clang and over the megaphone an unseen announcer began to make his calls.

“Fillies and Gentlecolts! Tonight we have an exciting new match, between an old favorite, and a new challenger!”

The crowd hollered its approval, too small to be a real roar there was still much applause and many cries of excitement. The three friends in the stands watched quietly compared to the rest of the crowd.

“In this corner, our old favorite, he’s big, he’s bold! He’s a bit slow... The Immovable Hard Rock!”

A Large unicorn made his way down the side Aisle and hopped easily into the ring. He was green with a brown mane that almost hid his horn, and was more than a bit pudgy. His cutie mark was a concrete cinder block.

“Is it just me,” asked Applejack from behind her own door. “Or doe she look a mite familiar.”

“Hard Rock is Total Papers big brother. He isn’t too bright, but he’s pretty strong, and he can take a pounding. Not really one of the big winners, but he’s Papers last client.”

“Why do they call him immovable?”

“Oh, every pony gets a nickname. Usually based on how well you do during your first few matches. Hard Rock never backs down, and he’s pretty hard to topple. So they called him 'Immovable.'”

“Oh, right. Say, if everypony gets a nickname, what’ll mine be?”

Scootaloo grinned at Applejack and pointed to the door.

“The same one everyone gets for their first match, and for as long as they can keep it. Go find out! That’s your cue!”

Applejack readied herself just as the curtains began to move.

“And in this corner, the challenger! This tough Farm Pony hails from the edges of town and is sure to shake things up here tonight! I give you, the Undefeated APPLEJACK!”

“APPLEJACK!?” cried all three of her friends at once.

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Undefeated, thought Applejack as she nervously made her way down to the ring. She supposed that was technically true at this point.

Come on now, AJ, this is just like a rodeo crowd, no need to be nervous.

Applejack trotted down the aisles glancing at the small crowd who had turned up for her fight. Her eyes went wide as she saw her three friends, staring at her with their mouths open, and for a second, she almost backed down then and there.

But no.

She’d made her decision, and she was a stubborn pony.

She hopped into the ring and stared across it to her bigger opponent. She glanced back to the crowd and was slightly surprised to see Scootaloo had followed her down to the edge of the ring, holding a bucket of water and a small towel.

Applejack looked and saw that another pony she didn't recognize was doing the same thing at Hard Rock’s corner of the ring. She took a half step back to wave to the crowd and looked back at Scootaloo.

“What’re you doing here?”

“I’m your ring coach! I can give you advice, and if there’s a time out i can wipe you down with the towel and give you some water!”

“And Pages had set ya'all up for this?”

“Nah, Pages doesn’t think you’re worth backing, so he just gave the guy he was gonna give to Big Mac the night off. Don’t worry, I can handle this!”

Applejack frowned and turned back to her opponent.

Hard Rock was a mighty big stallion, but it looked like he was more fat than muscle. A bell rang and Applejack had her chance to find out.

Applejack dashed forward, she did a quick roll at the last second and stood on her hind legs, giving a couple of quick jabs to the bigger pony before ducking down and leaping back.

Just like the fight from last night, the larger Pony would swing his huge hoof down, but his opponent was already away and jabbing somewhere else.

Just like last night, thought Applejack, I can be as quick as that Pinwheel feller, and this guy ain’t no Titan. I’ll wear him out and take him down.

“What’re you doing?!” wailed Scootaloo from the sidelines, but Applejack was too focused to hear her.

Hard Rock took a few swipes here and there at the smaller pony before finally getting the timing right. Other ponies tended to think he was dumb, which wasn't really true. Oh, he had trouble with book smarts and remembering names and date and such. But he wasn't dumb. Now this little Apple pony? She was dumb. Rolling in and out like an acrobat, when clearly she had no training for it. And she was following a pattern. And all he had to do was wait for the right moment and then...

SMACK!

The sound reverberated throughout the hall and every pony in the audience cringed with the sound.
Hard Rock’s hood had landed squarely on Applejacks forehead and sent the smaller mare flying into the ropes. She bounced off and landed on the matt in a heap.

A Pegasus judge swooped down to inspect the orange pony. As she turned to call the match she stopped when she felt a hoof press into her leg.

“Ain’t done yet...” said Applejack staggering to her hooves. A long shallow cut on her head was bleeding badly, and getting into her left eye. She squinted it shut bit glared daggers at the referee, daring her to challenge Applejacks ability to fight.

The Judge watched her and the cut for a second and turned to the crown.

“One minute!” she cried making her way back to the ceiling. Hard Rock turned made his way to his corner as a clock began ticking away the seconds.

Applejack blinked, unsure of what had just happened but turned as Scootaloo waved frantically at her.

“It’s a time out! She’s giving you one minute so I can wash that cut and you can regain your senses! Get over here!!’

Applejack nodded and stumbled over to the corner sitting down and lowering her head. Scootaloo dumped water over her and quickly dried it up with a towel, blotting away the blood.

“So what is with you out there?! Why are you jumping around like a Jackass?”

Applejack shrugged as her thoughts began to return to her, she took a few deep breaths and began to think clearly.

“I dunno. I watched that fight yesterday and it seemed to work well for that Pinwheel Feller’. I mean, yeah, he lost in the end.. but still.”

“Flip Flop is an acrobat,” Scootaloo slapped a bandage quickly onto Applejacks head as she talked.

“He’s used to speed and tumbling. It’s how he fights. You need to figure out how YOU fight. Have you ever had any training at all?”

“Nope.”

“I thought you said you fought against the changelings in the invasion?”

“Well, that was different...”

“How?”

“I had to get out there and hit ‘em with everything I had! I couldn’t afford to do no thinking, just go with the best I got.”
Scootaloo nodded and finished cleaning up Applejack.

“That’s what you gotta do here AJ. Don’t mimic some other guys strength. What are you good at? How can you use that. What makes you such a strong farm pony?”

The Bell rang and Scootaloo jumped out of the ring. Applejack stood and looked back at the little filly. Scootaloo grinned broadly and waved her forward.

What am I strong at, she thought to herself as she made her way to the center of the ring. The larger Unicorn did the same, marching straight to his opponent with an intent to crush her quickly and end this fight.

I’m not as strong as Big Mac, she thought to herself. She stood, frozen in the center of the ring. Not as strong as my brother.

Hard Rock reared upwards and loomed over Applejack. She looked tiny next to his massive bulk.

In the crowded stands, Twilight and Pinkies eyes went huge as they saw their friend about to be crushed. Scootaloo swallowed hard and cringed backwards.

Rarity spoke softly to herself, calmly, In words no one else could hear.

“This fight is over.”

Hard Rock slammed down with all his weight and found he had stopped half way down. He was confused, unsure what had happened when he heard a voice from beneath him.

“I ain’t as strong as my brother”

Applejack pushed her front leg up, she had caught both of his hooves in her one, they wedged together to bring his massive weight down, and had been stopped by Applejack simply raising her right hoof.

Boggled by this impossible sight, Hard Rock leaned back and brought his weight down again, bouncing back and forth against the unmoving hoof of the tiny mare.

“Not even close to him. But i’m still pretty dern strong myself.”

With that Applejack wedged herself underneath the large unicorn and shoved upwards with all her strength. Hard Rocks rear hooves left the floor, his eyes wide as dinner plates.

As he windmilled his legs trying to regain some semblance of balance or sanity, Applejack spun around on her front hoof and reared her legs back.

No, she thought to herself, don’t want to really hurt him, one is enough. She shot out Kicks McGee with far less than her full power and struck Hardrock straight in his gut.

The oversized Unicorn flew out over the ropes and into the crowd, slamming hard into the bleachers and bouncing twice before coming to a stop.

The arena was silent. No one spoke a word. In the stands, Twilight and Pinkie gawked openly. Scootaloo’s mouth hung open, and inside the rear box looking through the one way glass, Total Pages stood completely stunned, his brain having shut down.

The Pegasus Judge flew down and inspected Hard Rock quickly before returning to the Ring. She took Applejacks hoof and held it in the air.

“Winner! The Undefeated APPLEJACK!”

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Down in the locker room again, Applejack sat still while Rarity applied her sewing skills to the cut on her forehead, with Scootaloo helping to wipe it clean as she did. Twilight hopped in circles like a little filly, and Pinkie sat quietly in the corner. Her face completely blank.

“I can’t believe you did that! We were so scared and then you just tossed him aside like he didn’t weigh anything! I mean, I knew you were strong AJ, but not THAT strong! That was an incredible display of the sweet sciences!”

“I do rightly appreciate your enthusiasm Twi, but my head is kinda achin’ a bit after that hit I took and i’d appreciate it if ya stopped pretendin’ you were Pinkie Pie at a birthday party!”

Twilight stopped and lowered her head blushing deeply.

“Sorry, I guess I was just a bit too impressed.”

“It was a good match dear, but really, this sort of thing is no place for a pony such as yourself. you have so many other fine qualities and such lovely features, why risk it all for this?”

Rarity finished sewing up the cut with her usual skill and tied off the wire tightly, causing Applejack to flinch a bit.

“I know Rarity, and I won’t keep it up too long. But I just won two hundred bits, and that’s from a weak little fight like this. If I can get just one or two big fights, The farm’ll be more than just safe for a few years, we may actually be able to expand and get ahead!”

Rarity took a deep look into Applejacks eyes. Rarity knew that look, that set of determination, the desire to move forward and win at all costs. She saw it in the mirror every time she was preparing to sit down and design a new dress.

“Oh very well, but you must be careful. And I insist on being here! I won’t have some hooligan doctors who can’t get real jobs messing with your bumps and bruises.”

“Oh me too! I want to see how well you can do and what kind of moves you have!”

Twilight practically bounced with excitement. Applejack looked away a bit dejectedly.

I don’t really have moves, none. I can do some stuff cause it’s like the races at the rodeo, and I know i’m pretty strong and should use that. But I mean, I don’t rightly know how to throw a punch, and I hit that poor unicorn quite a bit harder than i meant to.”

“Oh I can help with that,” said twilight nodding her head, “I was looking into it this afternoon after i found out about all this, and I have volumes of books on different pony martial arts, from fighting basics to advanced Krav Marega. I’m sure with a little work and practice, we can figure out the right way for you to use that strength!”

Scootaloo hopped up next to Applejack and stuck her chest out proudly.

“And I’ll stick by you too! I know all the fighters here and all their moves! I’m the best Ring Coach you could ask for!”

Applejack grinned at all her friends, amazed and buoyed by the support they were showing her. She didn’t notice Pinkie slip silently down and out the door.

Scootaloo sat in thought while the three friends hugged.

“So what do you think your nickname should be? Super awesome muscle Applejack?”

Twilight raised an eyebrow at that.

“Maybe something a bit more accurate? Applejack the Tree Bucker?”

Rarity rolled her eyes.

“Please Twilight, that has no Pizzaz. You need a nickname that’ll scream your style. Like, All Star Applejack!”

“Actually.. I think I like The Undefeated Applejack”

The others turned to stare at her. Scootaloo raised an eyebrow.

“But, Like i said, that titles only yours for as long as you can keep it. No one ever gets to use it for more than a few matches. I mean, once in awhile someone really tries to drag it out, and gets, two, or three in. But if they’re still using that title, the promoters will pit you up against someone way out of your class, just to knock the wind out of you.”

“Well then. Guess i’ll have to put a bit of effort into keeping then, dontcha’ think?”

Applejack lay back on the bench, grinning ear to ear as her friends discussed her decision. For the first time in a long time, Applejack felt like she wasn't a failure. Like life wasn't all grey and full of loss. She really did like that title. And there was no way she was going to give it up.

She closed her eyes and thought to herself. I am Applejack. Applejack:Undefeated.