Episode 5: Twilight Sparkle based on the episode ‘Mimori Kiryu’
“Ok, I gotta go now, Applebloom. I might be late, so take care of yourself. And remember about the apples I put in the fridge, if it still works…” Applejack said, sitting behind Scootaloo on her latest vehicle. Applebloom thought to herself, ‘Since when has SHE been responsible? I’ll strap her down and find out if she’s sick when she gets back…’ ‘Uh huh…one thing before you go.” Applebloom said, looking Applejack up and down. Applejack, unaware of Applebloom’s wary glance, responded kindly, “Yes?” “Who are you and what have you done with Applejack?” Applejack looked at Applebloom indignantly and Scootaloo burst out laughing, “I wish I had a video camera. That was priceless.” Applejack muttered under her breath and fastened her helmet, as Scootaloo revved the engine to life, burning down the street at top speed. Applebloom smiled. It was nice to see Applejack become a little more responsible, maybe now she’ll help with cleaning up, too. As she closed the door and started cleaning up, she felt dizzy and nearly collapsed. Maybe Applejack left too soon…
“Trixie, what do you remember about the incident 10 days ago?” Spitfire looked up, her hair flat and her eyes filled with fear, “I won’t talk about her. I’ve seen tough, but then…she’s downright terrifying. I can barely stand thinking about her, and the way she glared at me after the fight…” She suddenly screamed out loud, burying her face in the pillow. Rarity walked out and closed the cell door and turned to the medical staff, “Well, that was…enlightening. I take it she won’t be able to form her Alter for some time?” “It’s highly unlikely, ma’am. Ms. Spitfire was subjected to extreme mental stress by an outside force. When she did speak of her attacker, only one matched the description: NP3228.” Rarity’s eyes widened, “Her? Have you told the Commander about this?” “Not yet, ma’am…” The medical staff slowly backed away from Rarity, who calmly resumed her usual cool, styled demeanour, “Then I shall pass along the reports. I was going to speak with him anyway. As you were.” Each one saluted and went about their duties. Rarity narrowed her eyes as she walked out. Applejack had been a thorn in her side ever since the night of her capture. ‘Is she on a mission? Or just trying to show off her power? I’ll have to stop her, one way or another…’ Her thoughts were interrupted by a cheerful, yet concerned, Pinkie. “How’s Spitfire?” “Resistant as always. Seems she’s dead scared of Applejack, not that I could really blame her. I probably would be, too, if I were anyone but me.” Pinkie grinned deviously at Rarity, “I get the feeling you almost respect her.” Rarity threw her a glance that looked like it could kill someone; Naturally, Pinkie was oblivious. “By the way, the medical unit is heading out to the North Redevelopment area, and Twilight signed on.” Rarity had become used to Pinkie’s sudden changes of personality since she first joined, but there were times when she would gladly bury the pink pony, preferably under a mountain. These thoughts were quickly dismissed as Rarity being overly annoyed by something other than Pinkie. Besides, they had more important things to worry about than Pinkie being…well, Pinkie.
The loading bay was fine, even though the day was hotter than usual. Twilight stacked boxes of medical supplies, ready for the trip. She pulled out a checklist, and began searching frantically for the last box of band-aids, probably the least important medical supply in the base. “Looking for this?” A familiar voice spoke as Twilight looked up from the benches she was searching under. Rainbow Dash was standing over her, holding the missing box of band-aids. “They were in the box you just moved.” Twilight couldn’t help but grin, “My ever-present follower, Rainbow Dash. Charming, dashing, and always gets my name wrong…” Rainbow Dash chuckled, “Got me there, huh? Well, you see, the first move is always crucial when you meet someone. I hear it’s even the basis of making friends. It’s always better to let her know that you’re interested the moment you meet her after all speed is power and if you are interested or you like her you gotta tell her so and…” Twilight stuffed a bar of chocolate into Rainbow Dash’s mouth, preventing her from finishing the extraordinarily long sentence, “You also have to get her name right, and remember to breathe.” She giggled quietly as she saw Rainbow Dash’s puzzled expression. After biting a chunk of chocolate off and swallowing, Rainbow Dash laughed, “Did I mention that I like your sense of humour?” “Back again, Rainbow Dash?” Both turned to Rarity, who had been listening to the whole thing. Rainbow Dash chuckled, “I had some free time, so I thought I’d help Ms Twinight.” Both Rarity and Twilight said in unison, “Twilight.” Rarity grinned, “Well…since the ice is broken, Ms Twilight, are you free this evening? I have some things I’d very much like to discuss with you in private.” Twilight looked overjoyed at the prospect of talking with her old friend properly. Rainbow Dash, however… Twilight answered with a quick ‘Yes, I’d love to” and hurried to finish her work, while Rainbow Dash went into a semi-meltdown trying to figure out what had gone wrong. Derpy, who had been sitting by the crates the whole time, scarfing down muffins, burst out laughing, “I’m sorry, Rainbow Dash. I just don’t know what went wrong.”
Applebloom struggled to move, leaning against the walls for support. She was trying to resist this illness she had contracted, but as strong as she was, she was still very young. Her legs gave out as she passed out on the floor. Please, Applejack, hurry home!
When HOLD patrols are out, people run. Well, except for Applejack and Scootaloo, that is. Once again (Surely you’re expecting it by now), the air shimmered and she disintegrated a nearby rock, forming her Alter. Leaping off the rock and down at the HOLD patrol, she yelled at the top of her lungs, “SHOCKING FIRST BULLET!” Throwing her full force behind the attack, she ripped through the HOLD trucks, causing as much destruction as possible without killing anyone. Scootaloo grinned as she watched the spectacle, “Looks like we’re goin’ home early.” She looked up quickly and leapt off her bike, scurrying away from the falling HOLD truck. The force of the truck impacting with the ground launched her forwards off her feet. Applejack landed on top of the truck soon after, “You ok, sugarcube?” Scootaloo rolled over, glaring at Applejack, “One, don’t call me that. Two, I hate you so much…” Applejack nodded, “Yep, you’re definitely alive…”
“Scootaloo, for the last time, I didn’t do it on purpose.” Scootaloo rolled her eyes at Applejack, “Sure you didn’t…” Applejack gave the slightly younger pony a stern look, “Are you gonna sulk for the rest of the night? At least be glad it was the bike and not you…APPLEBLOOM!” Applejack peered through the window and saw Applebloom lying unconscious on the floor. She wrenched open the door and checked that Applebloom was still alive. Scootaloo watched from the doorway, “I’ll get a doctor, just hold on!” Applejack called out after her, “Hurry, Scootaloo!” She turned back to Applebloom, “Please be ok, Sis…”
Twilight had just finished her weekly schedule, a letter to her parents and her checklist for the medical team, when heard a knock on her door and went to investigate. “Who is it?” Rarity’s voice floated in through the intercom, “It’s Rarity. May I come in?” Twilight opened the door, “Of course. Oh, I forgot to prepare for this. I can’t believe I forgot all about you coming up here tonight.” Rarity had almost forgotten how fussy her friend Twilight could be at times as she thought to herself, Well, at least she adjusted fast… “Twilight, have you thought through your decision to join the medical unit going to the northwest region?” Twilight nodded, “Yes. Why do you ask?” “Because I believe it’s far too dangerous for you.” Twilight grinned mischievously, “So, under that layer of ice, is there still a soft centre?” Rarity seemed slightly annoyed, “Is it really so important as to whether I’m soft or not?” Twilight giggled, “Well, yes. You act so cold, but it’s all just an elaborate act, isn’t it?” Her expression turned serious and sad, “You wanted to hide your pain…” Rarity also looked sad, “Yes. Even after seven years, the pain still hasn’t gone away…”
“Why does the medical unit need a HOLY guard, sir?” Luna asked, having just been told the news. Commander Macintosh responded plainly, “Because one of the members is Twilight Sparkle, daughter of one of our major sponsors. We cannot allow her to be in danger.” Luna nodded in acknowledgement as the screen flickered off. She held up a picture of her and a white pony with pale green and pink hair, “Why do I have a bad feeling about this? I guess it’s just because I miss you, Sis…”
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?!” Applejack yelled as she threw the doctor against the wall, barely being restrained by Scootaloo, “WHY CAN’T YOU TREAT HER?! THERE HAS TO BE A WAY!” The doctor stood up, “Well, there’s no medicine to treat her with and my medical knowledge is over 20 years old.” Applejack hung her head in defeat, tears streaming down her face, “There must be something… ANYTHING!” Scootaloo released her as the doctor walked out solemnly.
1 hour later…
Applejack charged out the door, blazing determination in her eyes. Scootaloo jumped out of her car and followed her, yelling, “Applejack. Hey, Applejack! Where are you going?” Applejack’s pace did not slow for a second, “I’m goin’ to the city! There’s bound to be some medicine there, and there is no way I’m letting Applebloom go out like this!” Scootaloo had never seen her friend like this, and the combination of Applebloom’s illness and Applejack’s reaction and current state made her worry. Fortunately, she had some good news, “HOLD’s got a medical unit down here at the redevelopment area. We can make it there in no time.” She grinned hopefully as Applejack’s eyes lit up with hope. “Wait right there, Scootaloo. I’ll get Applebloom, and then we’ll go for it.”
Rarity charged out the front doors of the HOLD HQ, her head thumping like crazy. “She’s still as crafty as ever. I bet she spiked the drinks…” Any memories of the previous night were incredibly fuzzy, something Rarity attributed to alcohol, and would certainly be having a word to Twilight about keeping alcoholic beverages on the base. “Whatever it was, it certainly wasn’t cider…” A black car nearly ran her over, and the window rolled down as she went to scold the driver. “Need a ride? Fast, cheap, and perfectly safe.” Rarity rolled her eyes and replied, “Rainbow Dash, whatever kind of driver you are, ‘safe’ is not it.” Rainbow Dash grinned, “Are you gonna get in or not?” as Rarity climbed in, Pinkie popped out of the back seat without warning, “What’s up, Dashie? Are you and Rarity having a secret party?” Rarity groaned, “Its official, HOLY has now gone mad…”
Twilight checked her checklist, though her mind was going really slowly and whatever she remembered about the previous night was incredibly blurred. She pushed it out of her mind for now, but knew that she would need to reconcile with Rarity later. With any hope, Rarity had come out of her shell...
“Is that them?” Applejack asked, yelling to be heard over the roaring of engines. Scootaloo answered back, “Yup! Looks like they’re seeing the sights, too.” Applejack grinned, “Well, I’ll show them another one!” The air shimmered and rocks disintegrated as Applejack formed her Alter. She leapt off the car, and propelled herself into the air with her fist. It was quick, painless, and (for once) no damage, destruction, or injuries.
Twilight had no idea why the transport had stopped so violently, or how and why she had blacked out. Before she had a chance to look around and assess the damage, a gloved hoof covered her mouth and a vaguely familiar voice spoke, “Please don’t scream. Just nod your head. I don’t want to hurt anyone, I just need your help.” She nodded and her assailant came into view. It was her! The Native Alter she had helped back at HOLD HQ, the one who addressed herself as ‘Applejack’. The Native Alter continued, “There’s a little filly in a car outside. She very sick and she needs a doctor. Please, will you help her?” Twilight looked the Native Alter, the one who had been attacking HOLD patrols for some time now, in the eyes. Her eyes were pleading, showing that this was more than just an ordinary filly. Twilight nodded, and the Native Alter released her.
Rainbow Dash laughed as Rarity covered her face with her hooves, blushing madly, “That’s an interesting one. Read out the other one, Pinkie.” Pinkie grinned evilly as she glanced back at Rarity, who glared at both of them and said, quite menacingly, “I hate you both…” Pinkie flashed a big, wide smile, and Rainbow Dash quipped cheerfully, “No you don’t. You hate the fact that Pinkie found your secret diary. The Knight of HOLY has a pink diary.” Both Rainbow Dash and Pinkie laughed, while Rarity quietly uttered death threats as they drove to meet the medical unit at their destination.
Twilight checked her patient. Readings were fine and it looked like she would make a full recovery. “She’ll be fine. All the treatments are done, and the medicine is right here. I’m not really a doctor, though. More of a scientist…” “As long as she gets cured. Thank you so much for your help.” Twilight nodded, a small grin forming on her face, “You could’ve just asked, though. By the way, I’m Twilight Sparkle.” The Native Alter and her friend, both nice ponies despite their chosen professions, nodded and introduced themselves, “I’m Applejack, this is Scootaloo, and the young filly you just treated is Applebloom.” Scootaloo nodded and Applejack tipped her hat towards Twilight. Twilight couldn’t resist asking, “Family relation?” Applejack tried to hide it, but Twilight correctly guessed that Applejack was a terrible liar, “No…She’s…uh…well…” Twilight held up a hoof, “Stop trying to lie, ‘coz you’re terrible at it. Sister or daughter?” Applejack whispered, “Sister…” Before anyone could say anything else, a dark shape lunged at Applejack. “We meet again, NP3228. Thank you, Ms Sparkle, for luring her here.” The air began shimmering as Applejack prepared to summon her Alter, something Scootaloo was quick to warn against, “Wait! There’s innocent ponies in here, and Applebloom!” Applejack nodded and vaulted out the door, dragging her dark attacker out with her.
A pale blue mist gathered around Applejack as she frantically looked around, searching for the dark pony who attacked her. “Who the hay are you, anyway?” A dark hoof appeared out of the mist, striking Applejack in the gut, “I am Luna, and what you are seeing now is my Alter, Nightmare Moon.” Applejack tried to form her Alter, but a pair of hooves grabbed her by the right arm and slammed her into the nearby rocks. Applejack coughed, “This is getting old…” She back flipped onto the rocks and summoned the fist part of her Alter, using it to propel her upwards but she was caught mid-jump and thrown against the ground where Luna revealed herself, “I must say, you are a stubborn one. Are you going to keep fighting me all day?” Applejack looked up, a defiant grin on her face, “Yep. You’re the one I elbowed in the face back at HOLY, aren’t you?” Luna nodded, her expression darkening. Applejack got up and dusted herself off, “Sorry about that, really.” Luna yelled, “How am I supposed to believe that?” Applejack calmly responded, “I can’t lie. And you can ask anyone who knows me; they’ll say the same thing.” Luna shook her head, “You blow up our trucks easily enough, yet you cannot tell a lie? That’s a little pathetic…” Applejack summoned the rest of her Alter, “Yeah, but I don’t need to lie. I just need to beat you.” Luna grinned, “You’re welcome to try.” Applejack charged, fist outstretched. Luna countered with a quick swipe of her mist, which was solid enough to deflect Applejack’s fist. “Are you holding back?” Applejack grinned, then made the mistake of trying to lie, “Um…” Sweat drops rolled down her face as Luna hid her face with her hoof, “Tell me, how did you derail what was meant to be a serious battle?” Applejack shrugged, “You asked me whether my apology was sincere and I told you that I can’t lie.” She charged, hitting Luna across the face, “Serious enough now?” The answer was swift and painful. Applejack may not be male, but she still felt a kick to the groin. She weakly mumbled, “That’s cheating…” Luna roared, “So was that sucker punch! I cannot believe it…Spitfire is dead-scared of YOU?!” Applejack struggled to her feet, “That’s your only motivation to fight me, isn’t it? That first punch… Not really worth fighting over.” Luna stared at this Native Alter. Why did she make sense like this? “Luna, was it? My name is Applejack, and I only went after the doctors to get some medicine for a friend who is very ill. Whoever I was when you first saw me, that’s not who I really am.” Luna turned around and walked away, “I can’t fight you in earnest, not because I’m a coward, but because you remind me of my sister. She was very honest and kind, the way you are,” She grinned at Applejack, “When you’re not blowing up our trucks, that is.” Applejack laughed, “HOLY doesn’t deserve you, y’know. You’re hurting inside, but you’re still a kind pony.”
Luna arrived back at the medical unit to find Rarity, Pinkie and Rainbow Dash there. “Huh? What are you guys doing here?” Rarity spoke up first, in a tone completely alien to how she normally spoke, “Looking for you and Twilight. Where did you go?” Luna lowered her head, “I couldn’t fight her, Rarity…” Pinkie and Rainbow Dash leaned in to listen, before being waved off by Rarity, “Who couldn’t you fight?” “Applejack.” Rarity looked from the transport to the doctors then to Luna, “What? She was here? Where is the destruction she usually causes? The injured ponies? The traumatized HOLY member sent to defeat her?” Rainbow Dash grinned, “This wasn’t to spite us, I think. She had another reason.” Rarity mulled this over, before filing it away and turning to Luna, “Be glad she didn’t injure you at least, but did you really meet the same Applejack? Surely there aren’t two of that uncouth lunatic running around.” Twilight walked over to Luna and began inspecting her, only to be waved off with a simple “I’m fine.” Pinkie began drawing something in the dirt, something vaguely resembling a…well, such a thing shall not be described here. She was swiftly reprimanded by Rarity, and any semblance of professionalism fell away like paper. Twilight giggled and thought to herself, There’s the Rarity I know. I wonder if she knows what happened last night…
End of Episode 5