//------------------------------//
// Chapter 7 
// Story: Metro 2033: A Stalker's Tale 
// by Hurgusburgus 
//------------------------------//

The first thing I felt as my consciousness returned was a dull, jarring throb in my left wrist. The back of my head was damp. Everything was, well… blurry. Sounds were muffled and distant, but I could make out Rarity's stern tone. She was chastising someone. Then, I felt someone else poke at my wrist and I moaned in pain. That, in turn, made my chest hurt and I held still until the pain subsided. Okay, what the heck happened? We were walking towards the Sweet Apple Acres. We'd gotten quite close to our destination, too, when Rarity shouted something about a dashing rainbow. Then something blue knocked me down and out.

The fuck's a rainbow?

“Ow… Nu yob tvaju maty...” I groaned.
“Oh, dear, she’s hurt badly!” Fluttershy exclaimed worriedly, poking at my wrist again.
“Uuuugh…” I groaned. “Help…” At that, I was propped upwards by a very helpful Pinkie Pie and Spike. My spine screamed in protest, but I managed to remain upright.
“So. What the fuck happened? Why’s my wrist dislocated?” Rarity looked at me then.
“Well, Rainbow Dash attacked you without a reason, that’s why.” The newcomer rolled her eyes at that, glaring at me mistrustfully.
“I thought it was going to eat or attack you!”
“Her name is Alyona and she's done nothing of the sort!” Rarity exclaimed incredulously. “She may be many things, but she does have far better manners than you ever will, Rainbow Dash! Princess Celestia herself vouches for her!” That seemed to take the starch out of 'Rainbow Dash' and she glanced at me briefly.
“Re-really?” I nodded once in return and she seemed to deflate even more. “Oh, um... Sorry. It's not every day I see something like, uh... well, you. My name's Rainbow Dash. And, uh... sorry about attacking you.” She stuck her hoof out at me, a sheepish grin on her face.
“Podozhdyi-ka. I need to re-set my wrist...” Fluttershy interrupted then.
“Oh, let me! I can help.”
“No offence to you, Fluttershy, but do you have taken care of humans before?”
“Um, well, no...”
“Ah, don't worry. Just need to do this correctly...” I muttered as I gingerly grasped my palm and twisted it the right way – I'd dislocated limbs before in my life, so I knew what was I doing – and I heard the pop and crack of bone and flesh. I sighed in relief – it's one of the best feelings ever when you re-set a dislocated limb. Soon, though, it started to throb dully and I grumbled, slowly standing up as I poked gingerly at the back of my head. My fingers were smeared with blood and a couple of black hairs as I gave Rainbow Dash a flat stare. She chuckled nervously, poking at the ground sheepishly.
“Heh, heh... sorry. Your name's Alyona, then, right?”
“Da.” I nodded slowly before running a quick inventory check. Hmm... Nothing's disappeared, which is good. Hmm. “Let's go.” Rarity cringed slightly then.
“But your head's bleeding!”
“Ah, don't worry. I'll take care of it later. I've had worse, trust me.”
“Re-really?”
“Da.” I nodded, pulling up the left sleeve of my shirt, displaying a long scar on my shin. “See? Got this one from a Demon. I got lucky that time... I came this close to becoming meat salad.” Rainbow oohed in surprise/awe, while others blanched in shock.
“What sort of a job puts you in danger of dying?” She muttered confusedly. “I mean, working in the weather service does put us pegasi at some danger, but nothing like life-threatening injuries!”
“I'm a Stalker.”
“Wait, you follow ponies around and spy on them? That's creepy.” I snickered at that.
“No, not that sort of a Stalker! Look, I'll explain everything to you once we find the last of your group, horosho?”
“Uh, sure, I guess. I guess you were headed towards Sweet Apple Acres, then?”
“Da. Let's keep going.” Rainbow nodded and we headed onwards.



When we finally arrived, I was awestruck. The farmlands were a vibrant mix of lush, lively colours and I stopped immediately, taking a moment to look around – back in Moscow, the only trees were cold, dead husks, eaten away by radiation and harsh weather. Here, however... everything was flourishing.
“Well, Ah'll be! Hey, girls! What brings ya here?” We turned to look at an orange mare wearing a cowboy hat – I'd only seen it in books and old movies. Her mane was tied in a ponytail – heh – and her eyes were green. She trotted up to us, but kept eyeing me, both hesitant and curious.
“And, uh... who're you?”
“I'm Alyona. Nice to meet you.” I knelt down, sticking out my hand.
“Ah'm Applejack! Me an' my family run the Sweet Apple Acres!” She enthusiastically shook my hand, smiling, and then spoke again. “Ah've nev'r seen ya before. Must be new to Ponyville, huh?”
“You could say that... It's somewhat of a long story.”
“She's never eaten a cupcake before! Or apples, for that matter!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed.
“Wha- Really?”
“It's true! She comes from a gloomy, dreary place called Moscow! And it's boring over there!”
“Well, if by boring you mean 'live by the skin of my teeth', then yes. It is boring.” I responded to the pink pony's exclamation.
“Well, shoot! So you've never eaten an apple?”
“Nyet. To be fair, I've never eaten a single fruit during my life.”
“Can't have that, now can we? Come on! I have some freshly-picked apples in th' kitchen.” She gestured to the large house a ways off and we followed the amiable farmpony.

Once we were inside, I was once more treated to a surprise – the house was so clean and tidy! Back in the Metro, it was always cold – even in the stations, so everyone had to always wear warm clothes. Applejack noticed my surprise and chuckled softly.
“Aw, shucks, it's nothin'. This place's old, but we keep it runnin'. 's a family business, after all!”
“Where I come from, well, life's hard. You've got it better than us, back at the Metro.” She nodded slowly and I coughed quietly.
“Nu tak. So, we're all here. I guess now's a good time as any for me to tell my story.” We sat down on the chairs and I had soon gained the undivided attention of five mares and a baby dragon, and I smirked inwardly as I started to speak.
“A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...” I broke down right there and then, snickering unreservedly as I collapsed on the table. I could tell they were staring at me in surprise as I shook in my mirthful paroxysms. What, did you really think I wouldn't use the chance? Anyways, it took me a couple of moments to collect myself and sit up. Rainbow Dash was the first to speak.
“The hay was that about?”
“Oh, I'll explain you later, okay?” She nodded warily and I continued, retelling what I had told to others. It took me the better part of three hours to do so, but eventually, we got to where we were sitting right now.

“Heh. You're pretty awesome, Alyona.” I shrugged slowly at that as Rainbow Dash grinned amiably at me.
“I try.” Fluttershy spoke up then.
“A-are you sure you don't need some ice for that wrist? It has to be painful...”
“It's nothing. I've had worse.” I flexed the limb in question.
“Well, at least let me give you a salve to help with the swelling. I mean, if that's okay with you...” She muttered bashfully and I caved in at that. I mean, come on! Who wouldn't melt when subjected to that smile?
“Nu ladno. I guess it can't hurt to try...” She smiled happily at that. Applejack trotted up to me, carrying a couple of apples with her.
“Here, try one!” I chuckled and took one of the shiny red fruits in my hand, taking a moment to examine it before taking a bite. Instantly, my taste buds were assaulted by a completely alien taste and I closed my eyes blissfully, overwhelmed by the new experience. I devoured the fruit in mere moments and licked my lips as Applejack looked on expectantly.
“Well? How was it?”
“Unbelievable. Food fit for gods, I say!” She grinned and gave me another apple.
“Then have 'nother one, friend!” I consumed in. And then several more.

“Hmm. So you're stuck here f'r the time bein'?”
“Da. No telling when I'll be able to go back.”
“Huh. Well, lemme make an offer to ya. You stay here at the Sweet Apple Acres. You work for us – applebuckin', field ploughin', the like. We have an empty room that needs somepony to live in it. An' we could always use a helpin' hoof  'round here. Whatcha say, parnder?” She spat on her hoof and stuck it out at me. I didn't have to think long and I spat on my palm and we shook on it, hoof-to-hand.
“Deal.” She smiled brightly.
“'kay, then! Ah'm gonna spruce yer new room up some.”
“Ladno. I'll get my stuff from Twilight's.” She nodded, while others congratulated me. We stood up and walked outside, with Applejack waving enthusiastically at me as me, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash headed off towards Ponyville. Along the way, we made a quick stop at Fluttershy's cottage and she gave me a small pot, filled with the salve she'd promised earlier.

I whistled thoughtfully as I walked down the path again, my backpack and weapons strapped to my back. My left wrist was wrapped with some bandaging to let the salve do its work. Twilight had been excited to find out Applejack had decided to employ me in the farm, but she'd been disappointed she could no longer use me for information regarding humans and Metro. I promised her I'd drop by whenever I was free and let her take notes. She nearly broke my ribs when she tacklehugged me. Maybe I'm exaggerating. Oh well.

Applejack grinned at me as I walked up to the house.
“That was quick!”
“I don't doodle around. I hate sitting idle.”
“Well, then, Ah think we're gonna get along jus' fine! Come on in! Ah have ta introduce ya with my folks!” I nodded and we went inside the living room. It was... cosy, I guess – a couple of chairs, a couch, a table or two, and a fireplace. Applejack seated me down on one of the chairs and then called out.
“Granny Smith! Big Mac! Applebloom! Come on downstairs! We have ourselves a guest an' Ah'd like t'introduce her to y'all!” Moments later, a clatter of hooves announced the arrival of the rest of Apples and I finally saw the other members of Applejack's family – a wizened green mare with her grey mane in a bun, a small, yellow foal with red mane, and a red, heavily built stallion with short, yellow mane. He wasn't hard to look at, not at allALYONA SEVERNAYA, DID YOU REALLY JUST THINK THAT? GOSPODJI MOY, GET A GRIP ON YOURSELF, GIRL!

“Alyona? You're kinda spacin' out there...” Applejack's words returned me to now and here and I shook my head, grinning sheepishly.
“Sorry. You were saying?” She eyed me for a moment before speaking.
“So, this is Granny Smith... Granny, meet Alyona.” She pointed at the elder mare and she trotted up to me, inspecting me. She might be old, but she was sharp-eyed.
“Well, then, youngin'. Nice ta see you've got some meat on yer bones! Work over here ain't easy, ya know!” I shrugged slowly.
“I can pull my own weight. The Surface weeds out the weak rather quickly. You need to be strong to survive back there...” She nodded slowly.
“Tha's what Ah like t'hear! Meet th' problem 'ead on, right?”
“Ymenno tak.” Her eyes narrowed before she nodded again.
“Y'sound like you're from Stalliongrad, kid.”
“Stalingrad? Nyet, I'm from Moscow. And how do you know of Stalingrad, anyways?”
“You're mixin' th' words up, kid! Stalliongrad! Cold and wintry all th' time ov'r there!”
“Stalingrad.”
“Stalliongrad!”
“Stalingrad.”
“Stalliongrad!”
“Stalingrad.”
“Stalliongrad!”
“Stalliongrad.”
“Stalingrad! Oh, consarn it!” She muttered, scowling lightly before chuckling. “Ah like ya already. Welcome t'the Sweet Apple Acres, kid!” She shook my hand and vice versa. Only with hooves.

Whatever.

So, I was introduced to both Big Mac and Applebloom afterwards. I showered myself, had a dinner with the Apples and went to sleep afterwards, seeing as night was already encroaching upon us. I plopped down in the bed and was asleep in mere moments...



“WAKEY, WAKEY, EVERYPONY!” Applejack's enthusiastic voice instantly got me awake. I'm a light sleeper and I've always been a morning girl. Drove others at the orphanage crazy. Nonetheless, I sat up, stretching as I yawned. Applejack knocked on the door to my room.
“Come in!” The door popped open and the orange farmpony walked in, nodding appreciatively as she looked at me.
“You're awake! Nice t'see! Come on, let's get some breakfast!” A very sleepy and very grumpy Applebloom trotted past Applejack through the corridor, cursing mornings. I climbed out of my bed, donning my clothes and followed Applejack downstairs to the kitchen, where a breakfast already awaited – cereals, pancakes, coffee, the like. And apples. Glorious, glorious apples. Vkusno.

Well, a whole new day awaited me.

It was a good day.