//------------------------------// // Chapter 10: The Town Harvest // Story: A Dodgy Business // by MLP-Silver-Quill //------------------------------// Princess Luna’s moon had set and Celestia’s sun was on the rise. Big Macintosh ran until they were a good twenty yards away from the mine entrance that belched dust and smoke like a dragon. He stopped and gently eased Applejack off. She collapsed, her shoulders trembling. Gone. Just like that. Clutterstep hadn’t even gotten a proper burial. Just alone, in the dark, with two enemies grabbing for him. That wasn’t the way for an earth pony to go. “It’s not fair.” she whispered. “I know.” Big Macintosh rested a hoof on her shoulder. Tears streamed down his cheeks, matting his coat. “I’m sorry.” Applejack reached and drew her brother into a bone-crushing hug. The world went quiet, like it was all mourning a pony who’d risked it all for a pair of friends he barely knew. “Applejack! Big Macintosh!” A group charged over the frontier dirt. Cherry Jubilee and Lucky Roll headed a posse of a dozen deputized ponies. They were all loaded with slingshots, rocks, helmets, one even bore a kitchen sink. Ms. Jubilee drew ahead of the group and didn’t stop until she’d collide with the Apple siblings. She drew them both to her. “Oh thank goodness, you’re all right! When Lucky Roll told me them awful Grumble Brothers had gotten you, my heart nearly gave out. Are you hurt? How did you get away? Have you seen Clutterstep? He broke outta jail and I was sure he’d do something foalish like-” “Ms. Jubilee!” Applejack pushed away. “Clutter is... Clutter...” The words all gummed up in her throat and threatened to burn their way out. Cherry Jubilee saw the tears running down Applejack’s face. Then those on Big Macintosh. Slowly, her head turned towards the caved in entrance to the Coltez mines. Her legs trembled and gave out. “No.” She shook her head slowly. “No. That can’t be.” “Cherry?” Lucky Roll approached her all quiet. He slid his hooves around her and drew her into a hug. “Easy now. It’s going to be okay.” “Don’t touch me!” She pushed away, eyes all afire and struck him across the cheek. Lucky Roll staggered from the hit, eyes going wide. Cherry Jubilee backed away from him, tears smearing makeup down her cheeks. “This is all your fault!” She shouted at the posse. “All of y’all! You kept looking the other way and let Penelope Preda ruined lives, and now one of us is... he’s gone! He’s gone because y’all were a bunch of yellow-bellied cowards!” Big Macintosh approached the hysteric pony and calmed her with a touch. “Cherry, we ain’t got time.” Cherry Jubilee panted while looking at Big Mac like she’d just woken up and had no idea how she’d gotten way out there. Applejack stood up and dried her own tears. “Clutterstep was right. This ain’t just a fight for your farm. If we quit, it’s all for nothing.” “Eeyup.” Applejack pressed her forehead to her friend’s. “We ain’t gonna let Penelope Preda do as she pleases.” She tossed a glare at the watching ponies. “Because that’s the right thing to do.” “Yes.” Cherry Jubilee steadied herself with a few breaths. “Daylight’s wasting and the deadline’s at noon. We gotta move. But I swear, I am gonna bring that boy home one way or ‘nother.” They took off at a run, leaving behind the dumbstruck sheriff and his deputies. They raced across the dusty land, leaving Clutterstep’s resting place far behind. Applejack had to struggle to keep putting one hoof in front of the other. This was Preda’s fault, but Applejack had wasted time getting mad about the harvest when she could have gotten to know a friend. Gonna be a hard letter to write to the Princess. It got easier once Cherry Hill Ranch came into view. The trees seemed to wave hello in the dawning breeze. We’re ready. they said. Lives come and pass, but the harvest goes on and welcomes all. Come and collect our gift. That’s just what they did. It was a harvest like no other. Three ponies moving at a pace that would stagger most teams. Kicking, harvesting, carrying. Applejack hadn’t worked that hard since the competition with the Flim Flam Brothers. She’d keep harvesting until all four hooves fell off. But the orchards were long and the daylight precious. They weren’t even halfway through the final field when several rickshaws pulled up, carried by the still-bandaged Varmin. Penelope Preda slithered out from the curtains and stood alongside a pegasus and two unicorns dressed in fancy duds. “Well now, this is a surprise.” Preda’s smile didn’t waver, but Applejack took some satisfaction in the griffon’s hardened eyes. “Ms. Applejack, I was under the impression you and your brother were in a terrible plight.” “You’d know.” said Applejack. Her brother lined up next to her, and the Varmin stepped forward to make a barrier. “I haven’t the foggiest of what y’all mean.” said Preda. She turned to the ponies. “Well then, gentlecolts, what’s say we start the business?” “Now hold on!” said Ms. Jubilee. She was a mighty disheveled figure. All sweat stains and smudged makeup. The three stallions whickered and drew back, and Preda let out a delicate giggle. “We’ve still got two hours before the deadline.” “Two hours.” said Preda, taking in the landscape, “and so many, many trees. And I don’t seem to hear anything crashing. I do wonder what became of dear ol’ Clutterstep.” It was all Applejack could do not to throw herself at the witch. “C’mon, y’all. We’re finishing this.” “Mind an extra hoof?” Lucky Roll stepped between the investor ponies and downright shoved through the Varmin line. Behind him came Doc Hacksaw, and then the general store owner. The seamstress mares came up the path, followed by the stagecoach team that gave Applejack a wary glance. The whole of Dodge Junction made their way past Penelope Preda, nodded or tilted their hats to Ms. Jubilee, and went into the orchards. “Sheriff.” Preda’s voice was like falling razor blades. “What in tarnation are you doing?” “What I should have done ages ago.” Lucky Roll stopped before the three friends. “I told every pony in town about Clutterstep. Lot of folks reckon that if a klutz could stand that tall, we should too. If’n you don’t mind, we’re at your service.” Preda shouted, “All y’all, go back to your shops!” The ponies winced, but didn’t leave. “Lucky.” Ms. Jubilee stepped up to him, eyes wet. Lucky Roll cradled her hoof. “You’re right about me, Cherry. I am a shameful, weak pony. But I wanna be better.” Cherry Jubilee smiled, “You can start by getting a team to the opposite end of the field.” Under Applejack and Ms. Jubilee’s direction, the whole ranch rang with the sound of food being harvested and crates of cherries laid out before the investors. Applejack had to keep an eye on the ground just to keep from tripping over ponies as they hustled with buckets or passed out water. For the first time since returning to Dodge, Applejack felt that unity amongst earth ponies. That wonderful strength from being part of a herd. She hardly saw Big Macintosh or Ms. Jubilee in the flurry. All she cared about was that when the town bells rang noon, the investors were all staring up at a mountain of crates filled to the lid with the best cherries in all Equestria. “Courtesy of Cherry Hill Ranch.” Ms. Jubilee said like a mother at her son’s graduation. “Do tell all your partners about us, won’t you?” Big Macintosh stepped forward with a tray bearing samples. The investor ponies look between themselves, then tasted. Their faces lit up after two bites. “Not bad!” said the pegasus. “Not bad?” said a monocle-sporting unicorn. Looked like a miniature Fancy Pants, but not half as refined. “My fellow, this scrumptious!” The other unicorn, Manehattan stock by the look of him, said, “I’d like another batch for my hotel chain.” Ms. Jubilee beamed and the entire town lit up a cheer. “Well, that is regrettable.” Penelope Preda’s wing beat drew everyone to silence. “I’m afraid this is Cherry Hill Ranch’s final crop.” “What are gabbing about?” said Ms. Jubilee. She waved at the stack of crates that reached higher than Big Macintosh’ head. “It’s all here. Paid in full.” “Yes, this will cover the original loan quite nicely.” Ms. Preda smiled like a winter wind. “But it doesn’t cover the interest rate.” She held up a scroll and unrolled it. Was as long as an apple cart and had Ms. Jubilee’s name signed at the bottom. “According to town law, the interest rate goes up by ten percent on the final day. My math might be off by a penny or two, but I’d say you still owe an additional six hundred bits.” The ponies went silent. Was like someone had snuffed out a candle. Ms. Jubilee scanned the document and stiffened at a paragraph typed so small Applejack couldn’t read it. “Nopony’s enacted this law in a good thirty years.” “Nevertheless, the law was never repealed.” Preda handed the scroll to the lanky Varmin and paced the gathered ponies. She eyed each one like a buffet. “You were all so very adorable, trying to save this bit of dirt. But the law’s the law and I do believe the law is on my side. Again.” She stopped at Applejack. If her smirk was an inch wider her head would split in two. “And I’ve been brushing up on Ponyville law as well. I’ll be ever so tickled to see what kind changes I could make from a well-placed loan.” Big Macintosh could sense his sister’s mood. “AJ.” She shrugged him off. Law or no law, Applejack was all set to wipe that smug look off her face. Then the explosion sounded. A thunderclap that rushed over the land and sent a cry through the trees. Not again! All eyes turned skyward, where a smoke plume rose from the horizon. “It’s the Coltez mines.” said Lucky Roll. “Natural gas pockets must’ve gone off.” Applejack’s stomach went into flip-flops. Clutterstep’s burial mound had just gone up in flames. Flames that streaked everywhere. Long smoke trails, like fronds off a tree. Smoking trails that were flying their way. “Everypony, take cover!” They broke for the orchards and hunkered behind the tree trunks. The smoking debris rained down around the farmland, kicking up dust clouds left and right. Applejack clung to her brother, thinking of home while the sky broke “It’s the end of the world!” cried one of the Varmin. They’d all taken shelter under the rickshaws, shoving out the investor ponies. “Tsssseeee!” “We shoulda gone with Rawley. Ain’t nothing good comes outta this town!” Applejack prayed that if this was the end, them thugs would at least go first. Something huge smashed through the center of the orchard, kicking up a cloud of dust that blocked Celestia’s sun. Ponies all around screamed. So did Ms. Preda. “The dirt! Get it away from me. Get it awaaaay!” Applejack coughed on a dust cloud and staggered upright. The land grew quiet. Stray pebbles rained down and bopped pony heads. Applejack called through the dust and found Cherry Jubilee and Lucky Roll. The Sheriff and his deputies went around counting heads. Miracle of miracles, not one pony had been hurt. “Hey!” cried the General Store owner. He had a silver rod in hoof, tossing it up and down while it cooled. “My antique candlestick! The Grumbles made off with this a month ago.” He blew on the still-smoking end. “And my favorite sewing machine!” said one of the seamstress mares. She looked it over. “I can’t believe it’s still intact. Why, a few little fixes and it’ll be good as new.” Applejack studied the treetops. They’d taken the worst of it, cushioning all the falling objects. All the things the Grumbles had taken from town. A strange tingle crept its way up her neck. This was an odd kind of luck. The kind that came out of a genuine end-of-all-days explosion. “Ow!” She winced as something bounced off her head. A golden bit. Then another, and another. Golden flecks shined against the cherry branches. It was raining money. “Hey now!” Lucky Roll cried as ponies danced in the falling bits or gathered them up. “That there’s Dodge Junction property until we can get all this sorted.” He said, stuffing several bits into his pocket. Cherry Jubilee slapped his hoof and he grudgingly turned out his pockets. Applejack ran towards the largest impact. It parted the northern field’s soil into a trench with a smoking crater at the end. The dust hadn’t fully settled, but she could make out who shapes. The Grumble Brothers had petrified mid-flight. Clinging to each other and hollering for their lives, they’d smashed through two trees and come to rest in the softened soil. Some chipped ears and a few cracks, but by and large they’d made it through intact. A length of chain had wrapped around their ankles. Applejack stepped over a crate of silverware and checked behind smashed barrels of still-ripe potatoes. There was a fortune on Cherry Hill. I’d give it all up in a heartbeat if it meant what I hope. “Big Bro, do you think he mighta..?” She was afraid to speak the hope. Like it might spook and vanish. Big Macintosh smiled and pointed towards the stump of the cherry tree they’d replanted that first day. “Eeyup.” A pony-shaped hole lay next to the stump. Echoing gibberish sounded inside. Applejack and Big Macintosh dashed to the hole’s rim and crowded each other to see inside. “Clutter? You there, sugarcube?” “Huuhhiiii Applzjuck...” A blue hoof reached up and planted itself on the rim. Big Macintosh took hold of it and hoisted the owner up with one pull. Clutterstep’s eyes were going every which-way, and never in the same direction. His coat was so dirty he looked like a gray pony, and the red along his stained bandage had spread. “Oh, look at you!” Applejack ran a hoof over his withers. “You went an reopened your wounds.” “Ulzo blew up ah mntn-n-n-n.” He swayed with the breeze. “Lit um match an’ wheeeee!” Applejack hugged him along with Big Macintosh. “I don’t care if Tartarus spit you out. I’m just glad you’re okay. Let’s get you a bath and bed. Get you right as rain.” “No. No!” Clutterstep shook his head and his eyes focused. “Lucky Roll. I need to see Lucky Roll.” Not sure what to say, Applejack looked to her brother who nodded. “Okay. But you just sit here and don’t do nothing. You understand? Just rest and I’ll bring everypony.” Applejack set off at a run, weaving between the cherry trees and debris like a champion rodeo racer. She emerged from the orchard to a bustle of ponies picking up belongings that they claimed were theirs and quarreling when they couldn’t make up their minds. Lucky Roll’s deputies were gathering up every stray bit, with plenty of town ponies keeping them honest by emptying their pockets. The Varmin had all been cuffed to tree trunks, but they tried to drag in nearby bits with their tails. Lucky Roll stood off to the side with a hoof wrapped around Ms. Jubilee. She watched the ponies salvage their lives with a thin smile and tears brimming. She wouldn’t look at the dust-covered Penelope Preda across the way, who stared into emptiness and suffered a fit of shivers. The dust had settled all over her white feathers and stained her dress to near black. Her careful grooming came undone and for a moment she really did look like a feather duster. “He’s alive!” Applejack called as she galloped towards her friends. “Clutterstep’s alive!” The Dodge ponies stopped quarreling. One by one, they set down whatever knick-knack they’d grabbed hold and retreated towards the ranch exit. They gave Ms. Juiblee a nod as they passed, then ran for it as soon as they reached the boundary line. Three minutes, and the property was deserted except for Applejack, her friends, and her enemies. The investor ponies appeared to have been swept up by the Dodge Junction population. They’d have to sort that out later. “Clutter?” Ms. Jubilee whispered. She didn’t seem to notice all the vacated neigh-bors. “Clutterstep? Really!” Applejack smiled proudly, because she understood what Clutterstep was doing. “Right this way, the both of y’all. I imagine Clutter’s got a special gift for the town.” She led them to the impact site with the Grumble Brothers. Clutterstep rested on the stump while Big Macintosh tied a fresh band around the blue pony’s noggin. “Thanks.” said Clutterstep. “I think my brain was trying to leak out.” “Eeyup.” Big Macintosh gave him a back pat that nearly launched Clutterstep from his perch. “Clutterstep! Dearie!” Ms. Jubilee swept him up in a hug that turned him a deeper shade of blue. “Oh, you reckless, foalish pony! I should tan your hide for going off on your own like that. Why, I’ve half a mind to fire you all over again.” “Sorry, boss.” Clutterstep grinned at her, then dislodged himself enough to salute Lucky Roll. “Sheriff, I hereby re-re-submit the Grumble Brothers for capture.” Lucky Roll peered over the edge at the petrified Brothers. A smile worked its way up his snout, and he nodded. “Well, I’ll be. Congratulations, Clutterstep. Third time’s the charm.” “What?” Penelope Preda stood at the edge of the impact site. Veins bulged red in her eyes and her slippers shredded as her claws poked through. Her dress hung it tatters like every tree in the orchard had taken a swipe at her. “Lucky Roll, just what do you think you’re doing?” “Following the law.” Lucky Roll nodded to Clutterstep. “He’s turning over the Grumbles for the bounty.” A nod to Applejack and Big Macintosh. “They’re witnesses.” He then pointed to the chain around the Grumbles’ legs. “And they’re properly bound, far as this sheriff’s concerned. Ain’t no denying it. Clutterstep finally got it right” “Hooray for me.” Clutterstep eased onto the tree stump. “Give the bounty to my boss.” He pointed to Ms. Jubilee. “Oh, Clutter.” The owner of Cherry Hills Ranch covered her mouth with one hoof. “You... you’ve no idea what you’ve done.” Clutterstep shrugged. “Never do. But I hope this pays back most of the stuff I broke.” “Oh, it’ll do that just fine. And there’s plenty left to restore my ranch after I pay off my debt.” She smiled at Penelope Preda. “I do believe a ledger from the sheriff will fit the law, don’t you?” Preda’s eyes bulged and her beak hung low. “I... you can’t...” “Look at it this way,” said Applejack, “this’ll cover all the money you paid for all that sunscreen.” “Hardly!” Preda shouted, then covered her mouth with her talons. She stared at Lucky Roll, horror spreading. The Sheriff produced a pair of cuffs. “That’ll do. Not that it matters, considering Rawley Ratsnout confessed to freeing the Grumbles the first time around.” Lucky Roll approached her real slow. “Penelope Preda, I’m placing you under arrest for aiding criminals and conspiracy for, well, you name it.” The cuffs clattering from his jaw. “Keep away from me, you filthy pony!” Penelope Preda’s wings unfurled and her feathers jutted out like daggers. Snarling, she swatted Lucky Roll aside and sprang. Her ruined dress shredded against her claws and talons, but her wings propelled her higher and higher until she was above the cherry orchard. She scanned them all with pure red eyes and a maniac grin. Applejack could swear she saw drool glisten against her beak. “Ponies are only good for eating. And I know which will be the best meal!” She dove straight for Clutterstep. Every pony realized it at the same moment. Clutterstep stumbled on his perch, legs too wobbly for him to run. Big Macintosh moved quick as wind to protect his friend. Applejack and Ms. Jubilee were quicker. They blocked Preda’s flight, spun, and kicked with all the strength they’d built over a lifetime of work. Applejack had to smile at the tremor running through her legs. Penelope Preda flung back into a cherry tree’s waiting grip. The branches held her for half a tick, then flopped her into the dirt. She lay there, moaning. “Nice kick there, Ms. Jubilee.” “Thank you, Applejack. I still got it! Would you please see to our unwelcome guest while I mind the sheriff?” She trotted off towards Lucky Roll, who was staring at her all flabbergasted. Applejack and Big Macintosh approached the fallen griffon, all caution. A set of hoofprints indented her belly, and the odd angle of her jaw said she wouldn’t be feasting on anything solid for a good long while. Her eyes met Applejack’s and any trace of the proud, delicate griffon vanished. This was a wounded beast, and it knew the prey wasn’t so easy. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head, and she lay quiet. “Big Mac, how’s about you gather some rope for this here ‘lady?’ I reckon I’ll be sending a telegram to Canterlot. I’ll make sure they her a clean cell in the Equestria Penitentiary.” “Eeyup.”