Applejack
"Lil' sis."
A large hoof disturbed My dreams. I slowly opened my eyes to see a red face with and orange mane and green eyes gazing down on me.
"It's your turn to take watch."
I sighed. "Awright, brother, ah guess you better get some shut-eye."
Stakeout was a major chore for me. Sitting still for hours on end was not my idea of a good time. I'd have much rather been prowling the orchard at night, actively searching for the thief. Still, I knew it was because they didn't want to tip the thief off, so I had to make do.
I heard heavy panting from beside me. She smiled, happy I wasn't alone on her vigil. Winona would help her keep an eye out, and her ears and nose would be a big help. That dog was so loyal, she would follow me into the gates of Tartarus. As my mountain of a brother went on his belly and drifted off to sleep, I felt a twang of jealousy. He wasn't as overall athletic as I was, but he was much stronger. I didn't envy fighting a thief without him to back me up. Moreover, he was much more patient, and didn't need as much activity.
That's not helping you catch the thief, I thought. So I turned my thoughts to seeing, and not being seen. This thief was clever, taking so little at a time it took the Apple family a few weeks to notice. The brigand also evaded or sprung all the traps they set. Stakeout was the best way to catch this particular crook.
I didn't have long to wait. Winona barked excitedly and growled at a nearby tree about fifteen minutes later. I looked up, and sure enough, the tree was rustling east to west. The breeze was coming from the north, so there had to be something inside making that movement. There was a faint crunching sound. The thief!
I turned to Big Mac. "Wake up", I whispered. His eyes opened. I thanked the princesses that the thief arrived so soon, otherwise I couldn't have woken her brother without alerting him or her. The huge stallion did not sleep very long, but he slept heavy. Big Macintosh rubbed his eyes a little, then I pointed at the tree and he kicked it.
A vague whisk noise went out into the night, and Big Macintosh's mighty leg gave another kick. Nothing fell out except a few apples.
"Horseapples", I muttered under my breath. The thief had escaped. Whoever they were, they were either very fast or very good at hiding. Possibly both
"Language, AJ", my brother admonished.
"I know, but it's so frustrating", I responded. "The thief got away again, and we still have no clues!"
"Not necessarily", said Big Mac, pointing at the ground. There, I saw a half-eaten apple, and knew what he was talking about.
"I'll take this to Twi", I said, as Winona wagged her tail eagerly.
****
Half an hour later, she was at the Ponyville Library's front door. She knocked, and a tired-looking Twilight Sparkle opened the door, with an owl perched on her back.
"Hi, Applejack. Any luck catching the thief?" the purple unicorn asked me.
"The only thing that should be caught this time of night is some Z's" said a tired-looking baby dragon behind her.
"Sorry I woke you up, Spike".
The owl hooted. "Owlowiscious", said Twi, "You deserve a break".
The owl gave another happy hoot and went back to his perch.
"Speaking of breaks, ah caught one just now." I held out the apple with her tail. "Can you check this for me, see what bit it?"
"Of course, AJ", said Twilight. She levitated it over to her with her magic, and said "I should have your answer by morning".
"Thanks, sugarcube", Applejack said.
"You're welcome". She closed the door, and Spike followed her back to bed as the farmpony returned home.
****
The next morning, I returned to the library. she knocked on the door, and Twilight ushered me in. She spoke to Spike, Owlowiscious, and Peewee about diagrams, and then said. "I have your answer". She gestured towards the apple lying on the table next to some diagrams. "The bite marks on that apple could only have been made by..." she hesitated.
"Yes?"
She gulped. "A griffin".
****
Gilda
I arrived safely back in my cave, panting a little. Too close. At the mouth, I saw that she had an unwelcome guest: a bat. No big deal, I always liked some meat with my fruit. As I grabbed the animal and ended its life with a quick snap of the neck, I took out an apple she had been holding in her bag. She ate the bat and the apple, noting that the Apple family now knew there was a thief. Certainly took a while for those hicks to catch on, I thought. Gilda would have to be even more careful in the future. As my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I glanced around my cave. Located in a cliff in the Everfree Forest, it was ideal for quick trips to Ponyville, and had lots of food nearby. Moreover, it was hard for predators and hikers to get in. I still had the few possessions I had brought with me, such as a medallion with my tribe's crest and her favorite book, Seven Days to the Wolves. I also had a record player, with discs from my favorite bands, Sabatalon and The Griffhala Philarhmonic. A deck of playing cards helped me pass the time. On days when she couldn't go out, she would play Solitaire, appropriately enough. I also had a few photographs, such as me and my extended family, my Junior Speedsters camp friends, and a current one of my friend, Rainbow Dash.
Well, maybe "friend" was a strong word. She had pulled some heinous pranks on me, and then kicked me out of Ponyville for getting upset. Things wouldn't be that way for much longer, however. I would have her back as my friend, or my name was not Gilda von Shicklegruber.
I went over to my bed and grabbed the picture. I will make you my friend again, Dash, I thought, and if I have to end your other friendships to make that happen, so be it. With that, I closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.