Applejack opened her eyes and immediately closed them again, shielding them from the light of the lamp that hung from the ceiling. It took her a moment to remember where she was, and when she did, the whole previous day came flooding back to her. Rainbow Dash, the gardens, Quince, all of it.
“I thought farmers were always ‘up with the roosters,’” she heard Twilight say with a small laugh.
Applejack only groaned in response. She didn’t want to get up; the joy of her previous day with Rainbow had been tempered by Quince’s story, and Applejack had had tremendous trouble falling asleep.
“Come on, Applejack, time to get up.” Her tone was more serious this time.
Applejack sighed. She opened her eyes, attempted to rub the sleep from them, and hopped off the bed, narrowly avoiding Twilight on the way down. She sighed even harder when she remembered the maid outfit.
Twilight looked at her with concern. “I thought you’d be happy after yesterday,” she said. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothin,’ Twi, don’t worry about it.” Applejack opened the top drawer of the dresser and withdrew one of the lacy things contained within.
“Applejack, you’re a horrible liar,” Twilight stated. “What happened between the garden and here yesterday?”
Applejack stopped dressing and looked at Twilight. “Do you know a pony named Quince?” she asked.
Twilight gasped. “You didn’t talk to him, did you?” Twilight asked. After a moment, Applejack nodded. “Please tell me you didn’t go to one of his ‘parties.’” Applejack nodded again. “He told you his story, didn’t he?” Another nod.
“Did it really happen?” Applejack asked. “Did Blueblood really... you know... kill Quince’s sister?”
“Yes,” Twilight said. “It was terrible. I sympathize with Quince, I really do, but he can’t be trusted.”
“Why not?” Applejack asked.
Twilight sighed again. “He was never the same after Bella died. I wasn’t very close with either of them, but even I could tell that Quince lost more than his sister to Prince Blueblood. Something about him was... off for the longest time. Then the talk of rebellion started.”
“And what’s so bad about that?” Applejack asked. “If’n ya ask me, things could use a change ‘round here.”
Twilight’s mouth hung open. “Don’t tell me you’re thinking about joining him. He’s a radical, and he’s violent, and with your relationship with Lady Dash, do you really think that Quince would let you two off the hook just because you help him? He blames all of the nobles for what happened to Bella, even though most of them are good ponies.” She shivered. “I’ve heard him speak more than once, Applejack, and I promise you that if he gets his way, he won’t stop with just Blueblood.”
Applejack gulped. What could she do? She couldn’t put Rainbow in danger, but how could she stand by while that kind of injustice went on? And if there wasn’t change, she and Rainbow Dash would have to hide their relationship forever.
“I guess you’re right, Twilight,” Applejack relented.
Twilight still didn’t seem convinced. “So you won’t talk to him anymore?”
“I’ll do my best.”
Twilight smiled. “Thank you, Applejack. I believe it’s for the best.”
“No problem, Twilight,” Applejack responded. “Let’s go take a bath.”
(*)
Applejack was on her knees, forehooves wrapped around the grainy wooden handle of a scrub brush. She pushed forward, then pulled back, over and over, scrubbing the floor of the hallway until it shone a glimmering white, clean enough to see her reflection. Her hooves were wet with sudsy water from the bucket next to her. Behind her, the glossy, freshly-cleaned floor stretched the length of the hallway. Her eyes were fixed on the brush, though she wasn’t really seeing it. Her mind was elsewhere, as it always was when she performed a task that required little attention. Specifically, she was dwelling on Quince, and the things Twilight had said about him.
She flip-flopped back and forth as her mind wrestled for an answer to the questions she had. Twilight was her friend, without whom none of what Applejack and Rainbow Dash had would be possible, and Applejack wanted so badly to listen to her and dismiss Quince. The more she thought about it, however, the harder the decision became.
Twilight was so used to this existence, so desensitized to what happened in the castle that she was almost blind to it. Applejack had been raised to know the difference between right and wrong, and some of the things that were going on were definitely wrong. Twilight had lived here much longer than Applejack had, but that only seemed to cloud her judgement.
The cleaned portion of the floor grew larger and larger as Applejack thought.
Then there was Quince. If anypony had a reason to hate the nobles, it was him, and that alone scared Applejack. How far was he planning to go if Applejack helped him? If things got out of hand, if somepony got hurt, she would be to blame. But without him, things would never change. The nobles would continue doing what they were doing unless somepony did something about it.
No.
She pushed the thoughts from her mind. She had no reason not to trust Twilight, and every reason not to trust Quince; it would be too dangerous to help him. Twilight had never let her down, and loyalty was something Applejack valued in a friend.
These thoughts kept her complete attention, at least until she nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt a hoof on her shoulder. She turned to see Daisy, who was looking at her with a frightened look in her eyes.
“I’m sorry!” Daisy exclaimed. “I said your name a few times, but you didn’t respond, so I touched you. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Don’t worry about it, Daisy,” Applejack said, picking herself up. “I was just a little... preoccupied, is all.” They stood in silence for a moment. “Was there something you needed me for?” Applejack asked.
“Oh!” Daisy blushed a little. “Yes, sorry. Quince wants to talk to you again.”
Applejack tensed. “What for?”
“I don’t know, I didn’t ask, but it sounded important. Do you want me to tell him you can’t?”
Applejack regained her composure. What could one more talk hurt? She could explain to Quince that she couldn’t help him. She was sure Twilight wouldn’t mind.
“No, that’s fine. Did he say where?”
Daisy bit her lip. “Um, in his room. He said he’ll be free after dinner.”
“Tell him I’ll be there.” Applejack returned to her scrubbing.
“Applejack?”
Applejack returned her gaze to Daisy. “Yeah?”
“You and Quince aren’t...” She trailed off, blush deepening.
Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t what?”
“Nevermind, it’s stupid.” She started to walk away.
Then Applejack remembered how Daisy had acted around Quince at the speech, and it dawned on her. “Are ya’ll askin’ if me and Quince are together?” Daisy averted her eyes. “No, Daisy, I’m seein’ somepony else. Trust me, he’s all yours.”
A dainty smile returned to Daisy’s face. She nodded, turned away, and left.
Now free from distractions, Applejack scrubbed with renewed vigor. The storm in her thoughts was quelled, at least for the time being, by her plans to talk to Quince. Everything would be fine once she explained how things were. It had to be.
(*)
Applejack glanced left, then right, then left again, before venturing out into the hallway. She had just finished her chores for the day and put her outfit away in her and Twilight’s room, feeling an unexpected relief when she found that Twilight was not there. Applejack had found herself hoping that she wouldn’t have to see Twilight until after she had talked to Quince.
Once the coast was clear, Applejack crossed the hall to Quince’s room, lifting her hoof and knocking three times.
“Come in,” came the voice from the other side.
Applejack pushed the door open and went inside. The room looked the same as it had the last time she had been there, as if nopony had even been living in it. The bed was immaculate, everything was in place, and there was even a stool waiting for her to sit on, across from where Quince himself was sitting.
“Applejack,” he said with his toothy grin, “what a pleasant surprise.” He gestured to the stool. “Please, have a seat.”
Applejack closed the door behind her and sat. “I heard ya’ll wanted to talk to me,” she stated.
“Yes,” Quince responded, never taking his eyes off Applejack. “I was wondering if you had given any more thought to my offer.”
“I have,” Applejack said with a nod, “and I don’t think I can help you. I’m sorry, but I just can’t.”
Quince’s smile faded for an instant and a dangerous anger flashed behind his eyes, but he regained his composure in the next second. “Why not, if you don’t mind me asking?”
Applejack sighed. “I just don’t think it’s the right way. I mean, you’re talking about uprising, riots in the streets, but do you really think that’s gonna achieve anything?”
Quince started. “Of course! It’s going to achieve everything!” He took a deep breath. “The only way change is going to happen is if somepony instigates it. The way things are now isn’t working. It’s not just the servants in the castle; I’ve been all around Equestria, and the ruling class overpowers the common pony everywhere. I have contact with ponies in Trottingham, Manehatten, Detrot, and countless other cities, and they all tell me the same thing: things need to change.”
“Well, things aren’t like that in Ponyville,” Applejack offered.
Quince raised his eyebrows. “But you feel the effects!” he exclaimed. “Your mayor doesn’t regulate taxes; the aristocrats in Canterlot do, the ponies you now serve every single day. You may think you’re safe when you’re off the map, but trust me, they still get to you. Think about it. With the harvest you pull in every season, how much do you think you should be making? What about with cider? Do you not think it’s strange that you can be so productive and see so few bits? How is it possible that you run one of the largest apple farms in central Equestria and yet you still live in near-poverty?”
Applejack opened her mouth, but nothing came out. The things he was saying made sense, no matter how much she didn’t want to admit it. Then a thought occurred to her.
“How do ya’ll know so much about me?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.
Quince shrugged. “If I’m going to be working with a pony, I do my research.”
Applejack didn’t know what to believe. On the one hoof, everything Quince was saying made sense, and he said them with such confidence in their truth that she found herself wanting to agree with every word. On the other hoof, her life in Ponyville had seemed just fine before he had made her think about it, and, if she did work with him, what would that mean for Rainbow Dash?
Applejack slumped her shoulder. “I just can’t, Quince,” she said. “I don’t want to be involved with anything like this.” She stood up and moved to the door. “I’m sorry.”
“It doesn’t work without you, Applejack,” Quince said. “If you back out, the whole thing, all these ponies have worked for, all they’re hoping for, falls apart. Please consider that before you make your decision.”
Applejack stopped with the door cracked open. “I’m sorry,” she repeated. Then, she left.
Quince allowed her to go without objection, which Applejack was grateful for; he had already given her enough to think about.
Back in her room, Applejack crawled into bed. She tried to explain Quince’s arguments away, but they tormented her thoughts. How was she supposed to decide what to do? What was right? She knew what Twilight would say, but what about Rainbow Dash? Surely she was discontent enough with the nobles to speak out against them, right? Things seemed to be in a bad way in Canterlot, and, if the things Quince said had any truth to them, in the rest of Equestria as well.
Part of her wanted things to go back to how they were; she had been content on the farm, bucking apples and minding her own business. Why did things have to get so complicated? She had led a simple life, with simple goals, and she had been happy.
But another part knew that that was selfish. If bad things were happening, and Applejack had the power to stop them, shouldn’t she do all she could? She wanted to help these ponies, but how? With Quince? But what would that lead to?
She tossed and turned in her bed, unable to get comfortable. How was she supposed to know what to do? What would be better—to be ignorant and happy, or to suffer for a greater future and risk failure?
She had a lot to think about.
(*)
“Are you okay, Applejack?”
Applejack shook herself back to the present, noticing the other mare wrapped in her hooves for what seemed like the first time. They were lying in the center of the maze again, Applejack’s next day off having finally come.
“What?” Applejack responded.
Rainbow Dash regarded her. “You seem a little... off. Is everything okay?”
Applejack smiled a smile so large that it didn’t seem like her face should be able to fit it on her head. “Of course,” she lied.
“Please don’t lie to me,” Rainbow responded. “If something’s the matter, I want you to tell me.”
Applejack sighed. “I’m sorry, Rainbow, I’ve just had a lot on my mind lately.”
“Like what?”
Applejack shook her head. “I don’t wanna talk about it, okay?”
Rainbow Dash looked into Applejack’s eyes. “You can tell me anything, Applejack. Come on, I want to know.”
Applejack bit her lower lip. “You promise you won’t get mad?”
Rainbow Dash scrunched her face up in a way that Applejack found adorable to no end. “I can’t promise that.”
“Can you promise you’ll try?”
Rainbow Dash nodded. “I promise.”
Applejack paused for a long moment before continuing. “There’s this other servant, a pony named Quince, and he’s been goin’ around trying to start up some kinda rebellion to overthrow the nobles.”
Rainbow Dash nodded again. “Yeah, Twilight’s told me about him. She says that he never gets enough ponies to follow him, so I shouldn’t worry about it.” She eyed Applejack. “You’re not thinking of joining him, are you?”
“Nothin’ of the sort,” Applejack responded, “but I just can’t seem to get his arguments out of my head. He makes some good points about why things ‘round here need to change.”
Rainbow Dash flared her nostrils. “But you’re sure you won’t help him?”
“Well, I considered it, but—” She trailed off.
“What!?” Rainbow interrupted. “I know you probably think he’s trying to help, Applejack, but rebellion is not the way to do it.”
“To be honest,” Applejack responded, “I thought you’d be a little more sympathetic. You don’t seem to have any love for the royals, either; just look at your dad!”
Rainbow Dash shook her head. “Do you really think that if a revolution were started Quince would make that distinction? He’d throw me in with the rest of them, and you’re thinking of joining him?”
Applejack stomped her hoof. “I said ‘but,’ didn’t I? Of course I’m not gonna help him, but that don’t mean certain things he said didn’t make sense.”
Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes. “Like what?” she challenged.
“Like the way servants are treated around here,” Applejack responded. “I doubt you’ve noticed, but we don’t exactly have it great. We live in old dungeons, wait on the royalty’s every whim, and get treated like dirt!”
Rainbow Dash bit her lip. “I know,” she relented. “I know it’s bad, Applejack, but it’s the way things have to be.”
Applejack narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean?”
“Twilight always explained it to me like a beehive,” Rainbow said. “Without the queen, the worker bees have no purpose, no direction, and without the workers, the queen would die. The upper class and the lower class are both necessary; things are like this for a reason.”
Applejack stood up. “Well, even if I did believe that that was the only way it could be, that still don’t justify murder.”
Rainbow’s eyebrows shot up. “What?”
“Twilight didn’t tell you?” Applejack asked. Rainbow shook her head. “Quince’s sister was killed by Blueblood. Killed, Rainbow! And he wasn’t even punished for it. If that don’t mean things need to change, then I don’t know what does.”
Rainbow Dash was about to say something, but her words caught in her mouth. “She was... killed? Are you sure?”
Applejack nodded. “Twilight said the same thing. And Blueblood wasn’t even punished for it. I won’t help Quince, but you can’t deny that things need to change ‘round here.”
“I suppose,” Rainbow relented. There was an awkward silence. Rainbow Dash kicked the ground.
Applejack swallowed. “I’m sorry I yelled,” she finally said, shattering the quiet.
“I’m sorry, too,” Rainbow responded. “Forgive me?”
Applejack nuzzled her. “Of course.”
The nuzzling quickly became kissing, but it was difficult for Applejack to put Quince out of her mind, and her time with Rainbow Dash suffered because of it. Her doubts were always there, drawing her attention away. She could tell Rainbow Dash was thinking about something as well; both parties were distracted, and they eventually decided on simply lying together in the shade until it was time to return to the castle.
(*)
When they left the maze, only Gamble was waiting for them
“Where’s Twilight?” Rainbow Dash asked.
Gamble shrugged. “Haven’t seen hide nor hair of her all day.”
“She said she would be at the library all day,” Applejack said. “Somethin’ about a new spell, I think.”
Rainbow Dash nodded. Something didn’t sit right with her, but she pushed it out of her mind.
A few minutes later, after the lovers had been reluctantly separated, Rainbow Dash was returning to her room, accompanied by Gamble. The sun dipped to the horizon, bathing the sky in bright oranges and reds.
The things Applejack had spoken of distracted Rainbow from the journey. She knew things were bad, but murder? She could hardly believe that Blueblood had killed a pony and not been punished for it, no matter how important he was.
“Are you alright, Lady Dash?” Gamble asked. “You look like you’ve got a lot on your mind.”
“Hm?” Rainbow responded, drawing herself from her reverie. “Yes, it’s nothing, don’t worry yourself.”
“Aw, come on,” Gamble responded with a smile. “You can tell me if something’s bothering you. I’m a great listener.”
Rainbow Dash regarded the jovial pony, but he seemed sincere. She sighed. “Are things... fair for the servants here in the castle, Gamble?”
Gamble swallowed hard. “Of course! The nobles are fair and just and give the servants the best life they could have.”
“You’re just saying that, aren’t you?”
Gamble glanced back and forth down the hallway, but there was nopony there. “Sadly, yes,” he said, lowering his voice. “Things are typically alright for the guard, and most of you folk are okay, but a few bad apples can spoil the whole bunch.”
Rainbow Dash laughed some despite herself. “That sounds like something Applejack would say.”
Gamble let out a hearty, booming laugh. “Indeed it does, Lady, indeed it does.”
“Could you name a few of the ‘bad apples?’” Rainbow asked. Then, “discretely, of course.”
Gamble looked around again. “Well, that Blueblood fellow, for one.”
“Yes, I’ve heard stories,” Rainbow Dash responded. “Is it true he killed somepony?”
Gamble nodded. “Aye, it is, Lady. Most ponies in the castle avoid the subject. It’s a rather sensitive spot for the prince, so I wouldn’t go spouting the news about.”
“Spouting what news about?”
The voice came from behind them, and gave Rainbow Dash chills. She and Gamble froze just before the stairs and spun around to see Prince Blueblood approaching them.
“Nothing, your highness,” Gamble said. “Just some mindless gossip.”
Blueblood let out an excited shiver. “Oh, I love gossip. Tell me, what’s the latest news around the castle?”
Gamble gulped and glanced to Rainbow Dash, and Blueblood followed his gaze.
“Actually,” the prince continued, “I think I’d rather hear it from the Lady Dash’s mouth.” He leaned in. “I’m dying to know what you two were talking about just now.”
Even at a distance, Rainbow Dash could smell the alcohol on his breath.
“Like Gamble said,” Rainbow Dash said, unconsciously leaning back, “just mindless chatter. Nothing that would be fit for a prince’s ears.”
Gamble nodded furious assent. “She’s right, your highness, it was—”
“You will speak when spoken to,” Blueblood interrupted, choking off Gamble’s words without ever taking his eyes off of Rainbow Dash. “In fact, why don’t you leave us?”
“I’ve been assigned to guard Lady Dash at all daylight hours by Duchess Persephone,” Gamble said, “and I intend to do so.”
Now Blueblood turned to face him. “Did you just disobey a direct order from your prince?” He moved over to Gamble and stuck his snout in the guard’s face. Despite Gamble’s immense size, he seemed dwarfed by Blueblood, the prince’s presence appearing to lend him a volume beyond his own. “May I remind you,” he spat, “that I am your crown prince, and my authority outweighs the Duchess Persephone’s, and certainly outweighs yours, you trained dog.”
Gamble locked eyes with Blueblood, but the fear was evident in his face. “Yes, your highness.”
“Then I advise you to follow my orders and leave us before something... unpleasant... happens.”
After an eternal moment, Gamble bowed his head. “Yes, your highness.”
Blueblood smiled a smug grin. “Off you go, then. I will accompany the Lady Dash back to her quarters.”
“Yes, your highness,” Gamble repeated before departing, casting one last apologetic look back to Rainbow Dash before he disappeared out of sight.
“Now,” Blueblood continued, “allow me to escort you back to your chambers.”
Rainbow Dash wanted nothing more than to say no, but defying Blueblood would mean the dungeon or, if what Applejack and Gamble had said was true, maybe worse.
Rainbow nodded and started walking with Blueblood up the stairs. She could feel his eyes on her as they walked, probing her, wandering up and down her body, sizing her up like a piece of meat. She kept her own eyes facing forward.
“You know,” Blueblood finally said, “you’ve grown into a fine young mare, Rainbow Dash.” Rainbow said nothing, and Blueblood stopped walking, forcing her to do the same. “When I give you a compliment,” he said, all jovial countenance disappearing from his face, “I expect you to accept it with grace.”
Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth. “Thank you, your highness.”
Blueblood smiled again, reminding Rainbow Dash of a snake. “That’s better.” They resumed walking. “In fact, I may even dare to say that you are the most beautiful noblemare in the entirety of Canterlot.”
“Thank you, your highness.”
They reached the floor which housed Rainbow’s room and made their way into the hall.
“Which is why,” Blueblood continued as they reached Rainbow’s quarters, “I plan on taking you as my bride.”
Rainbow’s mouth dropped open, making Blueblood chuckle.
“Yes, I understand that it is an exciting prospect to marry a prince, but please, compose yourself. It is unladylike to behave in such a way.”
Rainbow Dash’s brain stopped working. Of all the things that could happen, this was one of the worst. She couldn’t deny Blueblood and expect to keep her freedom, but what about Applejack? Rainbow couldn’t just leave her.
“I... I don’t...” Words just wouldn’t come to her.
Blueblood chuckled again, and Rainbow Dash wanted to hit him. “Well, I didn’t expect you to be speechless. I believe the words you’re looking for are ‘yes, your highness.’” He leaned down close to her. “That is, unless somepony else had claimed your affections?”
He flashed his teeth and Rainbow’s blood went cold. He couldn’t possibly know about Applejack, could he? No, they had been too careful. Right?
Rainbow Dash swallowed and opened her mouth. “Your highness, I... I’m not sure I’m ready for marriage.” She just had to get away from him, give herself time to figure something out. She took a step toward the door.
Blueblood moved around her and put himself in her way. “I believe you are.”
“Sincerest apologies, your highness,” Rainbow said, “but it is my lowly opinion to disagree. You see, I—”
“I grow tired of your objections,” Blueblood interrupted, furrowing his brow. “You will marry me, is that clear?”
“Your highness, I don’t think—”
Blueblood stomped. “I do not care what you think!” Rainbow Dash froze, afraid to incite Blueblood’s anger further. He gathered his wits. “I will give you a choice: either you marry me and retain your freedom, or you refuse and spend the rest of your days rotting in the palace dungeons. Which will it be?”
“You can’t do that!” Rainbow shouted, indignant.
“I can do whatever I want, and the sooner you learn that, the easier your life will become.”
Rainbow opened her mouth to object further, but the maelstrom of cold fury in the prince’s eyes choked her words off. She slumped her head; there was no other option. “Yes, your highness, I will marry you.”
Blueblood’s grin returned, wider than ever. “Excellent,” he said, the frightening anger within him having completely dissolved.
It was then that Duchess Persephone approached.
“I,” Blueblood said, “the lovely duchess graces us with her presence.”
Persephone didn’t miss a beat. “Your highness, it is I who should feel graced.” She curtsied. “I heard some shouting. Is everything alright?”
“More than alright,” Blueblood said. He stepped over to Rainbow Dash and put his foreleg around her. “I have just proposed marriage to your lovely daughter, and I am happy to report that she accepted.”
The duchess’s eyes went wide, but she quickly composed herself. “Is that so? Well, that is wonderful news indeed.”
Silence reigned.
“Well,” Blueblood said, “I suppose, now that my business has been concluded, I will take my leave of you.”
He held his hoof out and closed his eyes. Duchess Persephone leaned down to kiss it, but stopped midway.
“Your highness, are you alright?” she asked. “There appears to be blood on your hoof.”
Rainbow looked and saw that there was indeed several red speckles on Blueblood’s hoof.
Blueblood cleared his throat and examined the hoof in question. “That is merely sauce from dinner,” he asserted. “I assure you, I am quite alright.”
He resumed the position and Duchess Persephone kissed his hoof. Rainbow Dash eyed the prince’s limb as if it were a snake.
It certainly is attached to one, she thought.
The duchess nodded toward Blueblood’s hoof and widened her eyes at Rainbow, who, with purposeful and complete lack of enthusiasm, planted the shortest possible kiss on the royal appendage.
Blueblood smiled. “Good evening, ladies.” He turned to Rainbow Dash. “I look forward to making the arrangements.”
Rainbow remained aloof, turning the prince’s smile sour as he turned and left.
Once he was gone, Persephone took her daughter by the foreleg and led her into her chambers.
“What is he talking about?” she asked. “Did you truly agree to marry that... that...” She took a deep breath. “Why?”
“I had no choice!” Rainbow shouted. Now that Blueblood was gone, her emotions welled up inside. She fluttered up into the air. “He threatened to lock me up in the dungeon! I had to accept.” Her wings stopped beating and she collapsed onto her bed. “What am I going to do? What will I tell Applejack?” She flopped onto her back.
“I don’t know,” the duchess said, “but I’m sure you will figure something out. Perhaps if we find the prince another bride.”
Rainbow Dash shook her head. “That won’t work. I don’t think he actually wants to marry me; as we spoke, he asked me if my affections had been taken by another pony. The way he said it...” She sat up and looked at Persephone. “Mother, I think he knows about Applejack.”
The duchess gulped. “Well, then there’s nothing we can do.”
“What?” Rainbow stood up. “We have to try something.”
Persephone shook her head. “I’m sorry, Rainbow, but if the prince knows about your activities and has claimed you as his bride, there is nothing we can do. As prince, Blueblood is entitled to marry whomever he chooses; that’s just the way it is. I thought that, as risky as it may seem, you would be able to get Applejack to leave, to protect her, but if Blueblood knows...”
Tears started to form in Rainbow’s eyes as she fell back down on her bed “Could things get any worse?”
As if in answer, the door burst open and a pony wearing a nurse’s outfit came in. She curtsied.
“Lady Dash, your presence is requested in the infirmary.”
Rainbow sat up. “The infirmary? Why?”
“Have you not heard?” the nurse asked. Rainbow shook her head. “Your tutor, Twilight Sparkle, was found quite injured in the east wing a few hours ago.”
Rainbow Dash just stared.
“She has only just woken up,” the nurse continued, “and is requesting to see you. We normally wouldn’t grant a servant’s request, but she insists that you will come see her.”
“Take me to her,” Rainbow Dash said.
The nurse looked stunned that Rainbow was humoring her servant. “Lady?”
“Now!” she commanded.
“Yes, Lady Dash,” the nurse said, curtsying again. “Right this way.”
The nurse turned and left. Rainbow Dash barely noticed anything as she blew past her mother, maintaining just enough connection with the world to keep up with the nurse.
Her outward demeanor was calm, but inside, a tempest raged. How could so many things be going wrong at once? What had happened to Twilight? What would happen to her and Applejack?
Before she knew it, Rainbow Dash had arrived at the infirmary.
Everything was white; the walls were white, the floor was white, the sheets were white, and it seemed like the only things that weren’t white were the ponies. Beds lined the walls, each with a tough-looking pillow and scratchy blanket, but few were occupied. Rainbow Dash had never been to the infirmary; whenever the nobles took ill, they were treated in their rooms. There were cabinets with various medical instruments in them on the walls.
In the back corner, there was a small crowd of servants gathered near a bed.
“She’s in the back,” the nurse said.
Rainbow Dash nodded and made her way there. As she approached, the crowd parted to allow her through. She saw Applejack standing at the bedside, staring intensely at Twilight.
Rainbow Dash followed her gaze and gasped.
Twilight’s face was in ruins. Even with the color her coat was, it was obvious that her face was severely bruised. Large purple splotches covered her head and neck; both of her eyes were swollen shut; there were small, angry cuts on her forehead and jaw, and her breathing was shallow and uneven.
Everything was so surreal. Rainbow Dash felt detached from her body, like she was dreaming. Twilight didn’t have an accident; she had been beaten, and badly. Rainbow Dash thought she could make out hoofmarks at the centers of the bruises.
When she stepped up to the edge of the bed, she got only an eye movement’s worth of acknowledgement from Applejack. Twilight, however, turned to face her.
“Lady Dash,” she said, her voice hoarse and weak. “You came.”
“Of course I did, Twilight,” Rainbow Dash said, reaching deep within herself to pull a smile to the surface. “What happened to you?”
Twilight gulped, wincing with the effort. “I... fell down the stairs.”
“No, Twilight,” Rainbow responded, “I mean, what really happened. Did one of the other nobles beat you? You can tell me; I promise I won’t allow them to get away with this.”
Twilight looked like she was on the verge of saying something, but she stopped. Her eyes flicked past Rainbow Dash.
“What is it, Twilight?” she asked.
The hair on her neck stood on end. She turned around, following Twilight’s gaze. There, standing behind her, was the imposing figure of Prince Blueblood. All the servants groveled before the prince, including Applejack.
“What are you doing here?” Rainbow asked.
“My my,” Blueblood responded, “such fire. That will have to be quelched if we are to be wed, my darling.”
Rainbow Dash could feel Applejack tense up behind her. “You didn’t answer my question.”
Blueblood’s demeanor darkened. “If you must know, I was the one who found this mare in the east wing earlier this afternoon.” He looked past Rainbow Dash at Twilight. “Poor, miserable creature. She waited, broken and battered, at the bottom of the stairs for somepony to find her. What a cruel twist of fate.” Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes. “Rise,” Blueblood commanded the servants. Like trained animals, they all stood as one, all eyes fixed on the ground.
Rainbow Dash turned back to Twilight.
“Now, darling,” Blueblood said, sidling up beside her and making her muscles tense. She suppressed the shiver that tried to run down her spine. “This cold behaviour is no way to treat you betrothed, now is it?”
Rainbow Dash said nothing. How could she? She just stood and stared, trying to figure out where everything went wrong.
Blueblood put his forearm around her in a display of affection, his hoof resting just on the edge of her peripheral vision. It was the same hoof she had been forced to kiss earlier, same red speckles and all.
Then, it all came together.
Twilight becoming wary when Blueblood entered, the red on his hoof, his story about “finding” Twilight. It was all a lie. Blueblood had beaten Twilight. Rainbow didn’t know why, but she was going to find out.
Rainbow Dash turned to Blueblood, who’s toothy grin made her want to hit him. “Can I talk you you out in the hallway, dear.” She spat the last word.
“Of course, darling,” Blueblood responded, his facade not fading for a second. He tried to leave first, but Rainbow Dash cut him off, forcing him to trail behind her. She didn’t know what she was going to say or do, but she was certain of one thing: she couldn’t let Blueblood get away with this.
Once they were out in the hall, Rainbow Dash turned to face Blueblood.
“What’s on your mind, darling?” he asked.
“Stop calling me darling!” Rainbow shouted, her nostrils flaring. It wasn’t what she was really angry about, but she was ready to explode over anything. “I’m not your pet, and I don’t want to marry you!”
Blueblood’s demeanor intensified. “You will do well to watch your tongue.”
“And what if I don’t, huh? Are you going to throw me in the dungeon? Or are you going to beat me,” she gestured to the infirmary, “like you did that innocent mare in there?”
“What are you talking about?” Blueblood asked. “She fell down the stairs.”
Rainbow Dash scoffed. “Those wounds don’t come from falling down stairs! How do you explain the blood on your hoof? I know you did it, and I want to know why.”
Blueblood’s eyes darted to his hoof, then back up to Rainbow Dash. “You want to know why?” She nodded. “I’ve seen you, skulking about the grounds, taking roundabout routes to remote destinations. You gained your freedom from your mother, and with your father gone, you were able to do whatever you wished. I knew you were up to something, so I decided to ask your ever-faithful friend Twilight Sparkle about your... activities.”
“No...” How much had Twilight said?
Blueblood grinned pure malice. “Oh, yes. After a little... coaxing... she let slip that you’ve been romantically involved with one of the servants.” He looked dejected. “It’s a shame she lost consciousness before she revealed who it was.” He recollected himself. “No matter. It’s not as if you’ll be seeing them anymore.”
Rainbow Dash wanted to cry, but she wanted to hit Blueblood even more. “Why?” she asked.
“Why?” Blueblood thought for a moment. “Because I want what I can’t have.” He leaned down and spoke into her ear. “Now I want you, Rainbow Dash, and I’m a pony who gets what he wants.”
“Is that why you killed that mare?” Rainbow asked. “Because you wanted something?”
Blueblood went still. A heavy silence hung in the air like a blanket, seeming to last for an eternity. Blueblood pulled back, his face icy and emotionless.
Rainbow Dash didn’t even have time to register the blow before she was on the ground, reeling from its force. She caught herself with her forelegs. Her face stung and her ears rang; tears began to form in her eyes. She looked up at Blueblood, looming over her like an idol.
“I promise, I will find your precious servant,” he said. “And when I do, I’m going to do things to them that I guarantee will make sure you never step out of line again.”
Without another word, Blueblood turned and left, the empty sound of his hooves on stone the only sound accompanying him.
A crowd of the servants who had been with Twilight stood at the entrance to the infirmary, looking unsure of what to do. Applejack was at the forefront and, when Rainbow Dash saw that she was about to try and help, she made the slightest shake of her head. They couldn’t risk anything, not with Blueblood on their trail.
One of the nurses pushed through the crowd.
“Lady Dash!” she exclaimed, rushing over to help Rainbow up. She had heard the shouts, and had the good sense not to ask what had happened. “Would you like an escort back to your room?”
Rainbow Dash nodded, and the nurse picked a random servant to take Rainbow back to her quarters. It wasn’t Applejack. They were was silent all the way back to her room.
(*)
Applejack couldn’t believe what she had seen. Everything had gotten out of control in so little time. Twilight looked like she had been on the receiving end of a trampling; Rainbow Dash and Blueblood were apparently engaged; and, worst of all, Rainbow couldn’t even explain anything to her until they could meet again.
She didn’t know how to feel. She was worried about Twilight, but what about Rainbow and Blueblood? How long had that been arranged? Had Rainbow Dash been leading her on this whole time, knowing that she was going to marry Blueblood? It was hard not to think so.
All of the servants who had gone to see Twilight heard the end of the argument between Dash and Blueblood, so they all knew what had really happened to the tutor. Did Rainbow really consent to marry such a brute?
Then, Applejack saw Blueblood hit Rainbow Dash, and it all became real.
What he had done to Twilight, what he had done to Rainbow Dash, it all had to stop. There was only one way that Applejack could think of to make that happen.
She left the infirmary shortly after Rainbow Dash. Twilight had fallen asleep again, granting Applejack the chance to leave. She went back to the servant quarters, walking as fast as she could without drawing attention to herself and taking the stairs down two at a time.
She blew past her room, instead making a beeline for the back wall, where she pulled on the sconce that controlled the secret entrance. With a sweeping grab, she seized a torch to light her descent into the old dungeon.
The door at the bottom was open, and the room was buzzing with activity. Applejack saw a crowd of ponies gathered around a table and made purposeful strides toward it, dropping the torch on the ground. As she approached, the idle conversation died down.
The crowd parted to let her pass. The room was completely silent now. As the last few ponies stepped out of the way, Quince came into view, sitting at the table.
“Applejack?” he said, a look of genuine surprise on his face. “What can I do for you?”
“This idea of yours?” she said. “I’m in. Just tell me what I need to do.”
Quince lowered his eyebrows and a grin spread across his face. “Excellent,” he purred. “Let’s get started."