//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4: Spitfire Buster 
// Story: Alteration 
// by MaximumBurn117 
//------------------------------//

Episode 4: Spitfire Buster Based on the episode ‘Big Magnum’

A normal day in the Lost Ground, with the foals playing outside and the adults working. A bustling market, alive with ponies of all ages. One foal sat aside from the rest, coughing into his hoof. He had been sick for a while, though he held onto his life dearly. He watched some other foals playing with a ball, wishing he was well enough to join in. He looked up and saw a cloaked figure standing atop a nearby. Her mane was bright orange and yellow, like flames. Suddenly, the figure moved, and the ball burst apart…then she spoke. “Attention, attention, attention! We at HOLD have but one thing to say to you! Surrender!” The crowd clamoured angrily at the intruder, even with the gun she held being pointed at them. An all-too familiar shimmer appeared, and pieces of the building broke away, scattered into molecules and reformed behind the Alter User. “Well…well, well, well. Don’t you know what ‘surrender’ means? It means YOU work for US now. And no complaining. You’re gonna obey us, and if you don’t, my trigger finger might get itchy…” As if to demonstrate, she pulled the trigger on her target pointer, and the giant gun behind her fired…

“You’d better work hard today.” Applebloom said as she and Applejack walked down the road to the farm. “I know, Applebloom.” Applejack brushed some dust off her coat. “We’ve hardly got any food left…” “Yes, Applebloom, I know.” Applebloom turned to Applejack, giving her an accusing look, “You are listening to me, right?” Applejack sighed, “Yes, Applebloom, I am listening. Sooner we get there, the sooner it’s done.” The old mare Applebloom worked with opened the door, “Oh, Applebloom, thanks for coming.” Her stare went cold as she spotted Applejack, and Applebloom’s face fell, “I thought I’d bring her with me today, since she’s feeling better and all…” “It’s been 10 days, Applejack.” Applejack managed a weak smile, a bad sign. “Really? That long, huh?” The old mare grabbed her behind the neck with a surprisingly strong grip, “Why not start acting your age and do some serious work for a change?” She threw a punch straight into Applejack’s gut, laughing as Applejack doubled over, “All bark and no bite. Can’t you suck it up and pretend all the way?” Applejack glared up at the old mare, “Feel better now, you old hag? And I’ll have you know that I do work…just not here.” She noticed the workers behind the ‘old hag’ and straightened up, “Yes, ma’am. We’ll get right on it and work as hard as we always do!”

If there was one type of job Applejack hated, it was building. She was baking in the sun, and her stomach was growling. She yelled loudly, “I gotta eat something!” “Don’t think about slacking off!” One of the other workers yelled. Applejack looked back, “Ok. Sorry.” She glared as they walked away and muttered under her breath, “He’s got far too much energy, and he don’t like me too much. How’d I get into this, anyway?” She looked over the side of the barn as a pebble almost hit her ear, and saw Scootaloo on her new bike. Scootaloo raised a hoof to her helmet, with a grin that meant trouble, “Yo!”

“What do you want, Scootaloo? Right now, I’m working very hard at a job I hate very much with hard-working citizens who probably don’t like that I vanish for days on end, and can’t be seen in the company of questionable characters like yourself…so GO AWAY!” Applejack yelled as she sat there, watching Scootaloo pull apart some old vehicles in a junkyard. Scootaloo sighed, “Well, how about a job you would like? Especially one that pays 500?” Applejack’s eyes lit up. “Really?” “I owe it to ya.” Applejack looked puzzled; Scootaloo was a better liar than Applejack was. “She’s the only Alter User to escape from the escape-proof HOLY HQ! She alone beat 20 HOLY members and destroyed their building! The Native Alter User who stood up for our peaceful life! What’s her name? Applejack!” Applejack rolled her eyes, “Are ya sure you went far enough, Scootaloo? I bet you could throw in something like ‘thrashed the Commander of HOLY’ while we’re at it…” Scootaloo laughed sarcastically, “That’s so funny. Ha ha ha. Seriously, This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. We gotta cash in now while it’s good! Applebloom hasn’t been eating that well lately, has she? Don’t ya feel guilty at all? I do, but that’s just me.” Applejack sighed, “Whatever. When do we start?” “Right now.” “WHAT?! ARE YOU CRAZY?” Scootaloo jumped down to try and calm her friend, “Please take the job, Applejack. It’s for my happiness, too.”  Applejack grabbed Scootaloo by her collar, “What about the farm?”

“Not again…Where does she disappear to all the time?” ‘Old Hag’ yelled. Applebloom picked up the note attached to Applejack’s construction helmet. It read: ‘Gone on a journey. Not sure when I’ll be back. Don’t worry.’ Applebloom looked down, and thought to herself, Even her handwriting is terrible when she tries to lie. Still... “She was complaining about an upset stomach this morning. She probably went to a doctor.”

“So they’re developing the northwest area?” Rarity asked, holding the papers in her hoof. “Yes.” “Didn’t they freeze the city expansion plan for financial reasons?” Commander Macintosh looked as calm as always, “The mainland council’s decision to restart it. Our duty is to send an operative to the HOLD HQ for protection.” “I volunteer, Commander.” “No, you’re to remain here and preserve the Native Alters as before. I’ll send Spitfire.” Rarity had read the reports about Spitfire, “You mean… Trixie Spitfire?” “Yes. She’s rated a C-class Alter, but she’s good at wide area combat.” “Her actions caused over 30 casualties just three months ago…” “Exactly. The Inners involved in that incident are now at the construction site in the northwest area. And one thing they fear is the return of an old enemy. They won’t go against her.” Rarity nodded, “I still have my doubts, sir.” “We of HOLY must follow the upper level’s orders faithfully. Executing these orders given to us is both our duty and reason for existence. Only when that is achieved can we find peace.” “I understand, Commander.” Outside the door, Twilight watched, a look of clear concern on her face. “Worried?” She turned around quickly, finding Pinkie behind her with a huge grin on her face. “No. Just…getting lost in time…”

Applejack and Scootaloo poked around the ruins. The place had seen action recently, and Applejack didn’t like it. “What happened?” “HOLD’s hunting humans now. They started a big redevelopment of the city, and they arrested everyone here and put ‘em to work as forced labourers.” “There’s plenty of bullet holes, but no signs of a fight. Did they just surrender…like that?” “Not everyone will fight HOLD like you did. Most of these guys were criminals anyway…” Applejack turned, a fierce fire burning in her eyes, “Rules and laws won’t protect you in this place!” Scootaloo investigated a house nearby, “Don’t be so hard on them. Most people don’t have Alters like you do.” “Still…this burns me up. Even without an Alter, I would still try to fight! Until the end.” “Aren’t you a feisty one?” Scootaloo and Applejack turned in the direction of the third voice. “Hey, Fluttershy.” She was a pale yellow pony wearing a brown coat. Her long pink hair was tied back in a bun, but some of it was left loose. She smiled at Scootaloo, “You’re right on time, Scootaloo.” Scootaloo grinned widely, “Of course. You look great.” Fluttershy giggled, “You haven’t changed at all.” Applejack rolled her eyes; She was here for a job, not to watch Scootaloo joke around. Fluttershy looked over at Applejack, “Are you the helper?” “Yep.” Fluttershy smiled at her, “I’m Fluttershy, but you can call me ‘Shy’. Most people do.” Apelejack tipped her hat, “Applejack.” Fluttershy looked her over, “You look kinda weak. Have you eaten anything lately?” Applejack shook her head, “Y’know, you remind me of someone…” Scootaloo beamed happily, “Introduction went smoothly.” Fluttershy grabbed a bag she hid nearby and rummaged through it, “Anyone want an apple?” She held out three apples. Applejack hesitantly grabbed one, “Thanks. Now about this job…” Fluttershy’s gentle air turned hard and serious suddenly, almost unnerving both Applejack and Scootaloo, “We’re going to release of all the people who lived here.” “Even though they didn’t fight back?” “That’s why you’re here. If you’re not interested, you can go.” Scootaloo grabbed Applejack by the shoulders, “No, no. We’d love to help. And Shy’s offered her help for this one, so you better do your best, Applejack.” Applejack looked Fluttershy up and down, “If you don’t mind me asking, how can you help?” Fluttershy grinned at her, “Problem?” “If you can’t help, you’ll be dead weight. Can’t do much for those people if that’s the case.” Scootaloo sighed, “You idiot! She’s an Alter User, same as you. And her Alter is necessary for the mission.” Applejack pushed Scootaloo back a few steps, “How so?” “I’ll show you…” Fluttershy untied her hair and closed her eyes. The air shimmered and strands of hair began flowing around her turning anything they touched into water. “Oh…that’s how.” Scootaloo leaned against a wall, grinning smugly, “And with no noise, perfect for a stealth mission…” Applejack looked over to Scootaloo’s bike, “And your bike’s gone…” “and my bike is gone. Wait, what?” She spotted her bike, “Oh no! Not the bike!” Fluttershy opened her eyes, “Oh dear, I’m so sorry…I didn’t see it there…um…” Applejack laughed, “You can’t say it was me this time.”

The camp was heavily fortified, and everyone was being worked like slaves. The leader, a pale orange pony with hair like flames, was throwing rotten food at the workers and laughing. “How can they do this?” Applejack leaned over to Scootaloo, trying to wrestle the telescope from her, “What are they doing? Show me.” “No way. If you saw that, you’d go ballistic. And we need you in control.” Scootaloo unfolded a map of the compound, “There are about 30 armed HOLD members, and everyone wears a transmitter. They go anywhere outside the perimeter,” Scootaloo gestured on the map, “HOLD jumps ‘em, and we can’t save ‘em.” Applejack thought it out quickly, “What’s the plan, then?” “You’re gonna get Shy into the barracks. Her Alter will mess up the monitoring systems. I’ll prepare the escape, and…” “And I create a diversion, attracting HOLD onto me, giving you guys time to escape…” Scootaloo nodded, “And not get captured this time. We go just before dawn.” Applejack grinned, “Right,” She turned to Fluttershy, “Don’t worry. We’ll get them out of there.” Fluttershy nodded, “I wish I had your confidence…”
“Watch it, brat! You’re spilling it!” The young foal from the village went flying across the room. The pale orange pony from earlier, Trixie Spitfire, looked over the table, a look of disgust on her face, “There’s hardly any food.” “The Inners don’t even get half of this…” “Who cares? When they finish the farm, they can have all the food they want,” She looked at the foals mockingly, “Isn’t that right, kids?” She burst out laughing, an evil boasting laugh…

Applejack looked out from the cliff. She was worried about Applebloom, and wondered if she should tell her what she really did…what she really was. Scootaloo tossed and turned in her sleeping bag, mumbling too quietly for Applejack to hear. “Aren’t you tired, Applejack?” She snapped back to reality and turned to face Fluttershy, who was offering her some tea, “No. Besides, I’d lose my edge, and those Inners down there are as good as gone.” “Are you going to do this kind of work forever?” Applejack nodded, “Not much else I can do. I had a dream once…I wanted to own my own apple orchard. Maybe one day, my dream can still come true…” “I’ve just hidden my Alter from everyone. Everyone hates us for being different, and…well, it’s a depressing story…” Applejack sipped her tea carefully, “You have family down there, don’t you?” Fluttershy nodded, “A brother. His name is Angel.” “He doesn’t know that you’re an Alter User?” “No.” “Well, think of this. If there was a big thick wall, and I had to get through it, then I wouldn’t hesitate for a second. Sure, take a moment to think, but remember that people count on you. That’s why I won’t hesitate, not when there are people in trouble.” “You sound so confident. Like you can do anything.” Applejack looked Fluttershy in the eyes, “If you want to rescue your brother, don’t hesitate. We can do this,” She grinned widely, her trademark defiant grin, “Trust me.”

The plan was swiftly set in motion. Electric locks fried as they turned to water and the three ponies slipped through the compound undetected for the most part. “I’m not so sure about this…” Fluttershy shivered. Applejack put a reassuring hoof on her shoulder, “It’s gonna be ok, Shy.” Applejack hid by the truck as a guard walked up, “What’s wrong?” “I…uh…I tripped…” The guard went to arrest her, but a sneak attack from Applejack downed him quickly, “Mind if I take a picture? You’d be great as a model.” Fluttershy shook her head, “No way. I’d hate it.” They hid near the truck as more guards patrolled nearby. Scootaloo checked her watch, “Time to go.” She began waking the Inners as Applejack and Fluttershy disabled the security. “We’re doing great. Scootaloo should be done right about now.” Applejack was right on the ball. Scootaloo was now herding everyone out quietly. She checked around for stragglers, and noticed a young foal leaning against the wall, coughing and breathing heavily. “You must be Fluttershy’s little brother. Are you ok?” “You know Shy?” He looked up hopefully. Scootaloo nodded, “I’ll take you to her.” 

Applejack and Fluttershy leapt from the truck, now flooded with water. “Nice work, Shy. I’ll take it from here. Go find Scootaloo and get out of here.” “Thank you for helping. Will you be ok?” Applejack nodded and tipped her hat to Fluttershy, “Sure thing. Take care of Angel, Shy.” Fluttershy smiled as she ran to re-join the others. “Now…let’s make it REALLY LOUD!” The air shimmered as Applejack’s arm rapidly changed, the signature gold armour covering her entire arm. “SHOCKING FIRST BULLET!” She charged at the truck, hitting it at high-speed with a loud ‘BOOM’. The truck went skidding and smashed into two more. Fluttershy stopped and turned around. “Is that…her Alter?” “Fluttershy!” Scootaloo called out, carrying Angel on her back. Fluttershy ran towards them, overjoyed to see her brother in one piece. Then…the air shimmered again, and HOLD troops gathered around them, guns trained on Scootaloo and Fluttershy. “They’re getting fast.” Applejack dropped to a defensive stance; This was not good. Spitfire stepped forward, “Who’s the idiot responsible for this pathetic escape plan? Come on, show yourself, pathetic little coward! Ah, who cares, you’re all gonna die anyway, so why bother knowing? Am I right?” She pointed the target gun in her hoof and fired the huge floating gun behind her, “TEST SHOT! SPITFIRE BUSTER!” A giant bullet flew at the buildings, sending debris flying everywhere. Spitfire laughed maniacally, “Wind, good. Humidity is fine. And now…THE MAIN EVENT!” Fluttershy ran at her, “Wait! Stop! I’m the one you want!” Spitfire grinned and aimed her giant gun with the target pointer straight at Fluttershy…and fired… “ANNIHILATING SECOND BULLET!”
Applejack raced over, and threw a punch to stop the bullet, but it grazed the back of her fist and travelled up her arm. Applejack quickly arched her shoulder, forcing the bullet up and away from the Inners. But Applejack had taken most of the force. Bit of armour broke off and blood ran down her arm, but she still stood, ready to fight. “Attacking an unarmed civilian? Dirty…even for HOLY.” Spitfire laughed again, “Pathetic…Were you trying to break the bullet or your arm?” Fluttershy stared in horror at the giant injury on Applejack’s arm, a long bleeding gash, though it was already healing over. “We should give up, Applejack! There’s…” Applejack waved her away, “Then she’ll kill us all anyway!” Spitfire jumped on top of her giant gun, “Hell yeah, I will! What about you, Native Alter? Think you can beat my big, hard Spitfire Buster with your torn up fist?” She pulled out a second gun, which was just an ordinary gun. Applejack tensed up, “Bring it on, bitch!” If they could see Spitfire’s eyes, they would’ve seen the eyes of a madman. “It’s thick,” She fired at Applejack, missing by a few inches, “It’s hard,” She fired again, this time forcing Applejack to dodge, “AND IT’S COMING TO GET YA!” This last shot hit right before Applejack landed, sending her flying. Spitfire laughed uncontrollably, grabbing Fluttershy by the arm as she ran to help Applejack, “Where do you think you’re going, cutie?” Angel yelled, “Let her go!” Scootaloo held up one of her guns, the other one still hidden in her sleeve, “Better do what the kid says, or else!” Applejack got to her feet and glared at Spitfire, “If you hurt her…” “You’ll do what? You and your pathetic friends can’t save her. Besides, I’m a HOLY Alter User. That means we do our duty, and you have no say in how we go about it! And since you bring it up, that means she’s obliged to serve me anyway I see fit. Now surrender! Or I’ll send you all to hell with my thick, hard Spitfire Buster, and I won’t leave any witnesses behind!” Applejack’s eyes went wide, though instead of shock, there was only rage. Rage at the injustice she saw before her, and this one pony revelling in it. “You…YOU SICK TWISTED FREAK! YOU’D KILL EVERYONE JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN?! BECAUSE YOU’RE AN ALTER USER?!” Spitfire laughed, “Yeah. Why? Got a problem with that? But I’ll be a good girl and let everyone live if you surrender. You see, either way…I win.” She laughed maniacally as everyone held up their hands in defeat, and Scootaloo dropped her gun, “Fine, you win. We give up…” Spitfire grinned triumphantly, “Good. You’re an honest man after all. What about you, Native Alter?” Applejack kept glaring at Spitfire, her stance changing from defensive to offensive. “Why are you still in fighting position?”  Applejack concentrated on Spitfire, and Spitfire alone, ignoring shout to give up and that Fluttershy was in danger…

I can’t turn back now. But this can’t go wrong either. Fluttershy’s life depends on what happens next…No! Purge the doubt from my mind! I WILL save her! 
Applejack held up her fist. The armour was still broken, but her injury had healed and her green eyes were glowing brightly. Spitfire laughed, “Are really so stupid to try and fight me while I have a hostage and you’re injured? I guess they didn’t hand you enough brains, did they?” Fluttershy looked into Applejack’s eyes; there was no doubt. The fires of rage had given way to defiance, and Applejack was thinking clearly now, waiting for the right moment. ‘I wouldn’t hesitate for a second, not with so many people counting on me…’ Her words rang clear in Fluttershy’s head, spurring her on. It was time to act. Applejack gathered as much Alter energy as she could muster, pooling it into her final bullet. Spitfire grinned, still believing she was superior, “Still wanna fight? News flash, bitch, you can’t beat me!” Scootaloo pulled the gun from her sleeve and fired, having figured out Applejack’s plan. Spitfire recoiled as the bullet struck her pistol, and Fluttershy ducked under her arm as she turned the gun to water. “Get her, Applejack!” Applejack grinned, “EXTERMINATING LAST BULLET!” A green light burst from the last blade on her shoulder as it shattered, propelling her towards Spitfire. “SPITFIRE BUSTER!” The giant bullet collided dead on with Applejack’s fist, sending a massive shockwave through the compounds. Spitfire laughed triumphantly, “I WIN!!” Applejack yelled back, “I don’t think so, BITCH!!” Applejack threw all her weight and strength behind her fist, pushing the bullet back down the barrel effortlessly, destroying the giant gun. Spitfire looked up, her Alter destroyed, and now this... thing, looking down at her with eyes like a demon. Applejack leaned down and picked her up with one hand, rage burning in her eyes, “I should kill you! For everything you’ve done, you deserve it! But I won’t…because I’m not like you.” She dropped Spitfire and walked away, her arm returning to normal, and no trace of any injury. Fluttershy looked up as the morning light illuminated Applejack, almost as if it washed away her rage and the hatred she felt for Spitfire. “Thank you, Applejack.” Applejack grinned, “No problem. Little bit of luck goes a long way.” Fluttershy embraced her, “Truly…thank you.” “Hey, Shy!” She turned in the direction of her brother’s voice. Scootaloo was bringing him to Fluttershy, but the look on her face was worrying. “Angel! I’m so glad you’re alright.” She embraced her brother, but Scootaloo walked up to Applejack, “Would you have sacrificed Fluttershy if this plan hadn’t worked out? Are you really that cruel, Applejack?” Scootaloo grabbed Applejack’s collar, “What if I hadn’t fired?” Applejack calmly looked at him, “It doesn’t matter, because you DID shoot. It was a huge risk, but it worked out,” Applejack smiled, a genuine honest smile, “and we get our happy ending, right?” Scootaloo grinned, “Yeah, I guess we do.” Fluttershy smiled at them as Applejack turned to look at the sunrise. “Scootaloo, if you find more jobs like this, bring them to me first. HOLD and HOLY think they can do what they want out here with no regard for the people living here. And I’m gonna do something about it.”

 End of Episode 4