//------------------------------// // Truth. // Story: Applejack's Secret // by Song Leaf //------------------------------// Chapter Two - Truth. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Applejack pulled a chain to light up the Basement. She quickly shut the Basement, making Applebloom jump. Big Macintosh really didn't seem to care. There was a huge boulder-shaped thing against the far wall, covered with a huge red cloth. Applebloom blinked. Why so secretive? We've already locked the whole barn, no need to tie the trapdoor up. She observed as Applejack pulled some rusted chains over the Basement door, over the handles. She bucked the door, and it didn't break. She gave a satisfied nod, a muttered something to herself. Applebloom froze. It sounded like; "The Flim Flam brothers did it well..." Applebloom shook her head. Big Sis' would never, under any circumstances, team up with the two colts that made the problem in the first place! Applebloom thought angrily, before turning to the big boulder-thing again. -- Big Macintosh stared at the Boulder-shaped thing, soon turning his attention to Applejack, who ran up to the boulder-thing, and tapped it with her hoof five times. It made a metallic and hollow sound, which Macintosh didn't like the sound of. He froze in horror as two familiar figures jumped out from behind the boulder-thing. "Flim an' Flam! I can't believe it! What are you doin' in our barn?!" Applebloom yelled, expressing just what Macintosh felt like. Macintosh stepped backwards to stand beside Applebloom. "Don't worry, Little Sis' and Big Brother..." Applejack soothed. Macintosh looked at Applejack. She seemed to now have a more crimson tinge in her eyes, just like the smear on her cheek. "...They'll help us to gain more Apples, but we can't make the Orchard grow back. Never." Applejack continued. Like Flim and Flam were given an order, they immediately pulled the cover off the boulder-shaped thing. Macintosh and Applebloom gasped in sheer horror. This was not a solution to their problem at all. "Here's the Apple-Maker 2000. Ain't it beautiful?" Applejack chimed. -- The 'Apple-Maker 2000' was all rusted and the hay around it was stained red. Just at that moment, Applebloom realized that Flim and Flam were had many crimson stains on their bodies and vests. They didn't look excited of any sort. They just looked like they felt sickeningly guilty. Applebloom's eyes widened as the smell of blood suddenly hit her nose like a wave. The stench was overwhelming. She coughed. Applejack looked at her. "You don't seem ta' appreciate the smell." She observed. Applebloom was still coughing, but then she realized the Machine wasn't rusted-- In fact, it looked new, but the rust was blood. She felt like she was being choked-- The stench was overwhelming her. Applebloom held her breath, and it seemed to do the trick. Applebloom sighed inwardly. -- Big Macintosh stared at the Machine. This is a killin' machine! He thought, feeling like he never wanted to have the orchard back. He choked as the stench of the blood caught in his throat. Macintosh saw Applebloom holding her breath, so he did the same. He felt slightly better, but he didn't feel any better when Applejack pulled out a Katana Sword from behind her. Macintosh swallowed to speak, but Applebloom spoke first. "H-how does it work, Big Sis'?" Applebloom asked hesitantly. "Well, I'm sure glad you asked, Little Sis'." Applejack replied happily.