Alteration

by MaximumBurn117


Chapter 13: Strayed From the Path Once Followed

Episode 13: Strayed From the Path Once Followed

Some city full of criminals
Applejack stepped into the ring, dimly aware of the crowd clamouring for her; whether for victory or defeat she didn’t care. All she wanted was to join her friends, wherever they were. So strong was her depression that she was barely aware that she was losing until… “COME ON APPLEJACK! DON’T LOSE!” She heard that voice. She looked to the stands and sure enough, Vinyl Scratch was there. Whether real or not, Applejack wasn’t going to lose in front of her girlfriend. “This one’s for you, Vinyl…” She said as she lifted her fist and a bright light shone, then the battle was over. Applejack just walked back down the hallway, like it was just a distraction.

Twilight was worried. She, Vinyl and Luna had seen that Applejack was trying to get herself killed. “Did anyone notice her reaction when Vinyl called out?” Vinyl glanced at Twilight, puzzled by the question. “My guess would be that she believes us to have died in the Uprising. Can’t say I blame her, but it’s had a profound effect.” Vinyl marched past both Twilight and Luna, “Then I’ll hafta talk some sense into her. It’s only fitting. I am her girlfriend, after all.” Luna sighed, “Then let’s go. I’d rather not spend any more time in here.” Twilight agreed, “Remind me to shower whenever we find one that isn’t in this place…”

Luna opened the door to Applejack’s room, and was not pleased by what she saw. Applejack was a shell of her former self. Broken by loneliness and depression. “Applejack?” She looked up as she heard that familiar voice and hope returned to her eyes. “Luna? Is it really you? Please tell me I’m not dreaming.” Vinyl looked at her, at the tears of joy streaming down her face. She was so happy to see a friendly face. It must have been a long time since she saw any of her friends. She raced up and wrapped her arms around Applejack, shedding tears of her own. “I was worried about you. We all thought you were dead.” Applejack returned the embrace, “I missed you so much, Vinyl. I’m so glad you’re ok. But what about Applebloom and Scootaloo?” “We don’t know where they are, but Rainbow Dash can find them, I bet.” Vinyl helped Applejack to her feet, “Let’s get outta here.” Applejack nodded, “I’m gonna look for Applebloom. Not sure how long it will take me, but I have to find her. Just one catch, Vinyl.” Applejack looked deadly serious, but also worried. “For now, my instinct tells me to go alone, but I’ll see you again real soon. I promise.” Vinyl dried her tears. She could barely believe it. She just found Applejack and now she had to leave again. “Same old Applejack. Always thinking of others.” Applejack grinned, though her defiant edge was gone. “I lost a part of me. Part of this journey is getting it back.” Luna nodded, “We understand. At least let us accompany you out.” “Mighty nice of ya. Hey, got anything to eat?”

The Village in the mountains
Rarity awoke with a start, sitting bolt upright. “Must’ve been a dream.” A hoarse voice assured her that it wasn’t. “You ok? You passed out back there. Applebloom and I have been taking care of you.” “Thank you, um…” The orange pony to whom the hoarse voice belonged grinned, “Name’s Scootaloo. This is the first time we’ve properly met.” Rarity saw Applebloom hovering by the door. “It’s alright. Please come in.” She walked in slowly, somewhat afraid. “It’s ok, Applebloom. She’s friendly.” Rarity smiled, “So, you two are close?” Applebloom nodded, “Not quite as close and Sis and me, but Scootaloo is always there to help.” “What happened to your voice, Scootaloo?” “Months of depression, underuse, and physical torture at the hands of those…” She dared not say the word she wanted to in front of Applebloom. “I see. Is there anything I can do to help?” “Well, do you know anything about Applejack? It’s really important that we find her.” Rarity tried to remember, but couldn’t. “No, I’m sorry. Tell me, what was she like?” “According to us or HOLY?” Scootaloo joked, “She’s a nice pony. Dedicated to her family and friends. She’s thrown her life on the line so many times for everyone and defied the odds by coming home. We just hope that she kept up her lucky streak.” Rarity stared at the window, “She sounds like a mother bear, protecting her young. A powerful image, and a dangerous enemy. Remind me never to make her angry, assuming I ever get to meet her.” Applebloom giggled, “You remind me of my Sis. You have that same caring heart that she does.” Rarity couldn’t help but smile. These ponies were kind, even though Scootaloo seemed wary. Perhaps, given her situation before, she had every right to be.

The Airport
Applejack figured the best place to look for clues was the city. Why she came to the airport was anyone’s guess. “No one’s seen her at all. No signs of Applebloom, and no signs of Scootaloo.” “Hey, it’s been a while, Applejack.” That voice, familiar but also different. “Umm…darn it; I don’t remember your name.” A yellow pony with pale pink hair stood not far from Applejack. “Fluttershy. I’ll write it down for you if you like.” Something was wrong. Fluttershy wasn’t like this last time. She used to be calm, quiet, and shy. This time, she was braver, but she was so cold. “What’s wrong with you, Fluttershy? You sound different. What did the mainland do to you?” Fluttershy screamed with rage, and blasted Applejack through the wall with a torrent of water. “You threw the Lost Ground into chaos…” Applejack slammed one fist to the ground, “Why are you doing this?” Fluttershy stopped for a second, then resumed her assault. Applejack raised her fist, then lowered it. “I can’t fight you. I don’t want to fight you. We used to be friends, so what changed, Shy?” Fluttershy paused again, this time, her Alter flickered. Then, she saw what others had seen. Applejack’s tears. “Why are you sad, Applejack?” “Because…I may have lost a friend. You. Are we really going to be enemies, Shy?”

The Village
“A HOLY patrol? What are they doing here?” “We have to run!” the villagers panicked, even as Scootaloo tried her best to calm them down. “Wait! What’s going on?” Rarity asked, having gotten everyone’s attention. Scootaloo filled her in, “There’s a HOLY transport not far from here. HOLY’s not known for playing nice.” Rarity understood, “Then I’ll go and meet them. Please stay calm and wait for me to return with news.”

The Airport
“Shy, please!” Applejack yelled as Fluttershy hit her over and over again. “WHY DON’T YOU FIGHT BACK, APPLEJACK?!” Applejack struggled under the barrage, trying to get a breath. She was about to give up, then she heard Vinyl Scratch’s voice in her head.
‘Giving up already, sweetie?’ What can I do? ‘Keep fighting. If she won’t listen, beat some sense into her. Give it all you got, baby.’ Yeah…I’ll do that…
The air and water shimmered, and Applejack manifested Shell Bullet. “Fluttershy, why are you fighting me like this? Is it for Angel?” Fluttershy screamed out as she attacked again. “SHOCKING FIRST BULLET!” Applejack pushed against the wave, struggling to hold it back. “One thing I’ve learned since last time…I can fire the Bullets faster. ANNIHILATING SECOND BULLET!” The combined power and speed of the two Bullets broke through the wave propelling Applejack closer to Fluttershy. “EXTERMINATING LAST BULLET!” The attack hit the rock Fluttershy was standing on, throwing her up into the air. Applejack landed gracefully, her former strength and agility returning slowly, but she was still reluctant to fight Fluttershy. “You’re still holding back. Why?” Fluttershy asked, her mannerisms clearly showing how crazed she had become. “Because I still call you a friend, Shy. And I don’t want to fight you…” Fluttershy roared, launching another barrage. Then Applejack figured it out. “Except…you’re not really Fluttershy, are you? You walk like her, talk like her. Heck, she may still be inside there somewhere, but right now…YOU’RE NOT FLUTTERSHY!” A bright light flashed, and Applejack stood there in her shining Wing Bullet. “That’s it. There’s the trigger! Thank you, Shy.” Fluttershy stopped, her expression changing from anger to fear. Applejack leapt high into the air, over the tidal wave, chanting as her fist glowed brightly, “Shine…brighter…SHINE BRIGHTER, WING BULLET!” Applejack dove down, propelled by her fist. Fluttershy smiled, “I’m sorry…Applejack.” She waited for Applejack’s fist for what seemed like hours, but it never came. She opened her eyes and saw Applejack standing there, holding her hoof out towards Fluttershy. “Welcome back, Shy.”

The mountain area – Near the HOLY transport
“There’s someone in the road.” Derpy looked at the screen. “Probably just some idiot trying to be a hero. Somethin’ familiar about ‘em, though.” Pinkie looked closely at the monitor, then exclaimed happily, “Stop the truck! It’s Rarity!” She kicked open the door and sprinted towards Rarity, leaving Derpy to handle the truck herself. “Rarity! We missed you!” Pinkie shouted, excited to see her friend again. But Rarity didn’t seem to recognize her. “Not far from here is a village filled with ponies who have done nothing wrong. All we want is to be left alone.” Pinkie smiled, “We came to see you, silly. You don’t remember me?” Rarity shook her head, “No, I’m sorry. There is something familiar about you, but please, leave the village alone. It’s my duty to protect the ponies living there, and I will fight if I must.” Derpy panted heavily, having finally caught up with Pinkie, “Don’t worry about that. HOLY’s in disarray right now, so it wouldn’t matter. Commander Macintosh scattered his loyalists around so we wouldn’t be sent off to the mainland.” Pinkie held up Rarity’s diary, “Remember this? Rainbow Dash and I once read it out to you. You muttered death threats for an hour until we promised to return it to you.” Rarity took the diary and started reading as her memories started rushing back, but never in complete pieces. There was still a missing piece…

Applebloom watched as Rarity returned with two HOLY members behind her. “Everyone! They mean us no harm. They have come to extend aid to our village.” Though there was mistrust, Applebloom and Scootaloo made the first steps to welcome the HOLY members. “Hi there. I’m Scootaloo and this is Applebloom. We’re just Inners who decided to make a life here after Rarity rescued us.” Pinkie smiled at Applebloom, “Hiya, I’m Pinkie Pie.” Derpy leaned on a pole as she introduced herself, “I’m Derpy Hooves. Please don’t make fun of me-” She was cut off by a loud snap as the pole broke and Derpy tumbled over. “Oops. My bad.” Applebloom giggled as Derpy got up. Derpy grinned, “It happens all the time.” Rarity motioned for Scootaloo to follow her, to which Scootaloo replied with a nod. “Hey, Applebloom, I gotta talk with Rarity. Why don’t you show Derpy and Pinkie around?” Derpy shook her head, “I gotta fill in the Commander first. I’ll bring you a muffin, though.” Pinkie looked at her as if she’d grown three more heads. Derpy glanced at Pinkie, giving her a sceptical look, “You know I’ve got a soft spot for kids.” Pinkie wasted no time in making jokes, “You have a softer spot for muffins.”

Somewhere out in the wilderness – Following Luna’s trail
“Thanks for doing this, Applejack.” Fluttershy said, her voice trembling slightly. Applejack grinned, though slightly strained from carrying Fluttershy. “I’d do the same for any of my friends. Not sure about the piggyback rides, though.” A loud roaring on the horizon informed them of a potential threat. Or it would have, if it wasn’t a familiar pink death-trap hurtling towards them at high-speed.

Rainbow Dash grinned, a crazed yet defiant look in her eye. She began to talk rapidly, almost too fast to make out the words. “They say speed can’t compete with mass, but if I concentrate all my speed into one spot, I can break through it, no matter how thick. And THAT is the secret…” She kicked the engine into hyperdrive, closing the distance faster, and opening the rainbow-coloured switch, finishing her speech as she pressed the button. “TO THE SONIC RAINBOOM!” The car slammed into the wall, knocking Applejack and Fluttershy off their feet and vaporizing the wall…and the car. Rainbow Dash flew backwards away from the wreckage of her vehicle, a look of crazed glee on her face. “Dramatic…Fantastic…EXSTATIC!” She broke into laughter, flipping around and landing on her feet. Applejack got to her feet, raising her fist. “That’s rude, Rainbow.” Rainbow Dash smiled, the air shimmering around her. “So you DO remember me?” A pair of pink metallic boots formed around her back hooves. Applejack leapt forwards, her fist engulfed in light. “SHINE BRIGHTER, WING BULLET!” Rainbow Dash rocketed off the ground, leaving a giant dust cloud and matching crater behind. “HEEL AND TOE!” Rainbow Dash’s kick and Applejack’s fist collided, releasing a wave of energy and light. “Looks like you’ve gotten better.” Rainbow Dash said, casually jumping off Applejack’s fist and somersaulting in the air. “But there’s still something you’re missing.” Applejack rolled her eyes, “Yeah, somethin’ to eat.” Before she could respond, Rainbow raced up and kicked her into a boulder. “You’re too slow.” Applejack broke free of the boulder, shattering it in the meantime. “I ain’t interested in fighting right now, but I could use a ride, if you know where Luna and Vinyl went.”

HOLY HQ
“Excellent. Blueblood, would you be so kind as to retrieve them, please?” Discord said, grinning madly as he read the report he all but forced Commander Macintosh to give. He burst out laughing as he closed the comm channel. “This is all too easy. Commander Macintosh thought he was so clever, but his plan is coming down around him. Still a little too early to say ‘I win’. Besides, it’s only just getting fun.”

End of Episode 13