//------------------------------// // The Final Exchange // Story: Anima Mea Tenebre // by Nixus //------------------------------// The smell of scented oils permeated the air as the three ponies sat in silence. Applejack shuffled in the massage table as she felt the soft touch of the spa ponies hooves start to press into her back. A light moan escaped her lips as she felt the knots in her back start to unwind. She raised her head slightly to see the faces of Rarity and Fluttershy staring at her with concern. Both knew the source of her worries, yet only Rarity spoke while Fluttershy merely soaked in a bath silently. “Relax Applejack, I’m sure Coppa is on his way to Filthy Rich’s mansion as we speak,” Rarity stated as Applejack fidgeted while an employee massaged her aching shoulders. Fluttershy merely stayed quiet as she watched the two converse. She and Rarity had managed to convince the wound up farmpony to come with them. The only problem was that Applejack’s nerves were preventing her from enjoying herself to the full extent. Her trepidation was starting to rub off on Fluttershy, who was trying to avoid being dragged into the conversation. She gave a squeak of fear as Rarity turned her gaze towards her, seeking some form of assistance. “Isn’t that right Fluttershy?” … “Rarity, ah know he’ll do it,” Applejack interjected as her head came up from the embrace of the massage table. She shook her head before speaking again. “Ah’m just nervous, ya know?” “There’s nothing to be nervous about dear,” Rarity replied with a gentle smile. She gave her mane a flip before trotting over to her country friend. Applejack scoffed at the gesture but found her own mouth forming a slight smile. Her head slowly found its way back to the plush folds of the table as Rarity continued, “From the conversations that Moe and I have had, Coppa is a very reliable in these situations.” “Ah’m sure that ain’t the only thing you two have been doing,” Applejack said with a smile as she heard Rarity gasp. She pressed on with her teasing while stepping it up a notch. “Yer lookin a tad tired. How was he Rarity?” “Whatever could you be insinuating Applejack?” “Ya know what ah mean! You’ve been all googly eyed fer that gut since he showed up.” “I have not!” Rarity said. Applejack could feel the heat radiating from the mares face as she felt her friend edge closer. She also could have sworn she heard a quiet giggle from Fluttershy before Rarity tried to correct her. “We are nothing but friends!” “Friends with benefits maybe?” “For your sake, I hope Coppa has finished up his business before I do something I’ll regret.” “Ahm sure you will Rares,” Applejack said just as the door swung open to reveal a large black earth pony. All three mares looked at the new arrival as the stallion politely cleared his throat. He gave a polite bow before attempting to speak before Applejack cut him off. “Is there something we can help ya with?” “Yes, my associates and I are looking for you Ms. Applejack,” he stated, his low rumbling voice echoing throughout the room. Applejack narrowed her eyes as the earth pony stared at her. She felt a strange sense of dread as he approached her. “We would like to discuss a few things alone if you don’t mind.” “What about?” “My employers wish to change your mind about your farm.” “Ain’t happening buddy,” Applejack retorted as she rose from the massage table. She trotted up close to the stallion so that they were almost touching muzzles. “Ah’m getting ma farm back no matter what.” “I was afraid you’d say that.” The stallion sighed as he tapped his hoof on the spa’s floor. A number of other stallions, most of them earth ponies like their boss, entered the room. Applejack swallowed as the boss took another step forward, a frown on his muzzle as he spoke. “I would suggest you change your mind before we are forced to change it for you.” Coppa, you better be on yer way back. Ah need ya here now. ***** “Shit, shit, shit!” Coppa swore as he bolted into the town square past a mob of ponies. His mind raced as he rounded a corner looking frantically for any sign of what could be called a mansion. He took a ragged breath as he leaned against a wall, his chest heaving as he spoke to himself. “I really need to work on my cardio.” He paused for a moment, catching his breath while trying to remember the address Applejack had given him that morning. “This is so stupid! All these houses look the same! Where the hell is it!” “Watch out Coppa!” a familiar fillie’s voice shouted from behind him. He turned his head slightly before a trio of orange, yellow and white blobs smashed into him. Coppa felt himself float in the air for a moment before leaving a large skid mark on the street with his face. He groaned as he felt the crusaders get off his back while repeatedly apologizing. He silenced them with a wave of his hand before attempting to stem the flow of blood leaking from his nose. A sudden gasp from the fillies made him look up to see them staring at him. It was when Scootaloo spoke up did he realize his predicament. “Look girls, he’s bleeding!” she said while her friends made a beeline for Coppa. “We need to help him!” 'Oh please no!' Coppa thought as he watched them pull out a box with a large red cross on it from nowhere. He cursed silently as he heard them utter the five words he did not want to hear. “CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS FIRST AID!” they cheered in unison before pouncing on Coppa. Within seconds, he found his entire body messily wrapped in numerous strips of gauze while band aids plastered his face. Each layer of wrapping served only to restrict his movement as the dwarf was wrapped up like a Christmas present. ‘Well this couldn’t get any worse,’ Coppa thought as he tried to escape from the iron cage of medical supplies pinning his limbs. He managed to sit up by some miracle only to see Sweetie Belle prepping something that looked awfully similar to a defibrillator. “God, why do you hate me so much? Do you have to prove me wrong every time?” “Girls is that really necessary?” an older voice chided in a motherly tone, causing the fillies to stop dead in their tracks. Coppa looked into the distance to see a young mare, just slightly older than Applejack, giving the three fillies a disapproving look. The maroon coloured mare seemed familiar, but at the moment Coppa was more concerned with escaping the intentions of the crusaders. “This is rather excessive…even for you three.” Just as fast as they had been put on, the bandages disappeared. They were heaped into a pile just as his saviour shooed off the three fillies. Coppa rubbed his limbs, coaxing the blood flow back into his numb appendages. Looking up he examined the concerned expression on the mare’s muzzle. “I’m sorry about those three. I turn my head for one second and thy run off from the rest of the class.” The mare said as she helped Coppa to his feet. Noticing his confused gaze, she polity extended a hoof. “My name is Cheerilee, teacher at the Ponyville schoolhouse. Applebloom has told me a lot about you.” “Have we met before?” Coppa asked as he rubbed his temple trying to discern why the mare was so familiar. With a snap of his fingers he let out a sudden gasp. “You’re that mare that was with Big Mac the other day!” He smiled playfully as he placed the final pieces together. “I didn’t recognise you at first. I knew I saw you somewhere.” “Umm… yes I guess that’s me,” Cheerilee said as a blush crossed her muzzle. Coppa took a step back, cursing himself for his sudden outburst. His ears splayed back as Cheerilee’s embarrassment seemed to grow with each passing second. “I’m sorry, but can you keep it a secret.” “What?” “Big Mac and I,” Cheerilee responded as she looked away. “We’ve actually been together for some time and were hoping to keep it a surprise. It was my idea really.” “Sure thing Cheerilee, I won’t tell a soul,” Coppa responded thankful that the awkward air was gone. Cheerilee smiled and began to head back to her class, but was stopped when Coppa cleared his throat. “While you’re here. Can you point me to where Filthy Rich lives?” “Oh it’s just around the corner! House at the end of the street.” “Really… That close by?” Coppa said with a sigh as he waved goodbye to the school teacher. He rounded the corner only to see the massive mansion towering at the end of the street. A relieved smile crossed his face as he walked towards the residence. He stopped just before the gates and rung the bell. A minute passed by while he occupied himself by examining the gates leading to the mansion. “Compensating for something Filthy?” Coppa said quietly to himself as he stared at the massive iron gates. A large golden representation of the businesspony’s cutiemark adorned the wrought iron bars, threatening to bring the entire gate down with its massive weight. A sudden creaking of the hinges caused him to straighten up as the gates slowly opened inwards. He caught sight of Filthy Rich as the pony came out to meet him at the gates. ‘Weird… would’ve thought we’d do this inside?’ Coppa thought as he watched the stallion approach alone. Coppa’s eyes narrowed as the hackles on his neck raised slightly. His hand balled into a fist as he took a step forward. Another pervasive thought crossed his mind as the two neared each other. ‘Probably nothing. Let’s just get this over with.’ “Shall we get down to business?” Filthy’s deep voice grated on Coppa’s nerves as he gestured to the bag hanging at Coppa’s side. Coppa’s mouth formed a slight scowl as he couldn’t shake the sense of dread. He gently tugged at the drawstrings holding his pouch before tossing it to Filthy Rich. The stallion simply eyed the pouch before gently picking it up and producing a piece of paper from the inside of his collar. No words were spoken as Coppa took the paper, slowly he began to go over the writing signifying the ownership had returned to the Apples. With a nod he tucked it into his shirt pocket as he turned to leave until Filthy Rich cleared his throat. “Anything else you’d like Filthy?” Coppa said with an annoyed tone. Filthy Rich’s eyes narrowed at the informal use of his name, but remained largely passive. Coppa ignored the glare as he let more of his impatience show. “I have places to go and a farm to help out.” “I was simply wondering why you care so much about the state of their farm.” Filthy said as he turned away. Coppa stood rigid as he detected a slight tone of distaste coming from the stallion’s mouth. “What I mean to say is, why do you care so much about a family with such questionable history.” “What are you talking about?” Coppa spat as he felt his hand clench into a fist as he watched Filthy Rich turn with a smug smile. He slowly flexed his fingers as he waited for Filthy to make the biggest mistake of his life. “There have been rumors flying around my close associates about the Apples. They've told me time and time again that I should refrain from dealing with their kind." "Their kind?" "Their zap apple jam has been a staple of my business and has been something which my family has enjoyed since my great grandfather. As much as I try to be amicable to them, I cannot simply overlook these growing rumors. Ponyville might be a tolerable community, but even we have morals. I have no doubt that everyponies perception would change if they really knew the truth about the Apple Family." "If you know what's good for you Filthy, I suggest you stop before I do something I'd regret," Coppa said as he managed to keep his growing anger leashed. "As much as it would give me Well there’s always been a rumor that the family is far closer than they let on,” Filthy said, not noticing Coppa approaching. “It wouldn’t be surprising if the youngest apple was the product of her older sis-” Filthy managed to add before being cut off by Coppa’s hand around his throat. A low snarl escaped from Coppa’s mouth as his hackles rose before he tossed Filthy like a ragdoll. He watched the stallion scramble to his hooves, his well-oiled mane now a mess. Coppa gave no mind as the stallion began to shout at him. He simply regained his composure before popping his neck. “Do you even know what are you doing? You just assaulted me! I can have you arrested for this!” Filthy yelled between coughs. Coppa gave him no mind as he crossed the distance between them in an instant. He grabbed Filthy roughly by the collar, lifting him once again into the air before slamming him down in the ground. His hand moved from the now torn collar to the stallion’s mouth, stifling any calls for help. “Go ahead then Filthy. It might not take them half an hour like I did, but it's still going to take them at least five minutes for them to get here. You know what that means Filthy? C'mon tell me!” Coppa said ignoring the muffled cry of the stallion beneath him. He tightened his grip, eliciting another muffled scream from his captive as his nails dug into flesh and fur. "I guess I'll have to explain it then. It means that it'll take the police five minutes to get from their place to here. So that means-" He cracked his knuckles as he placed his fist in front of Filthy's face. "I have exactly five minutes to beat you so bad, your prissy little bitch of a daughter Apple Bloom Told me about, will feel this." He waited for the stallion to say something but watched as Filthy turned blue in the face. Realizing that he didn't really want to be charged with murder in such a innocent land, Coppa decided to simply end the conversation there. “"You want to know something Filthy? I hate you business types, always going around and showing off just how much you have. It's people like you who make others miserable. I've dealt with you kind for most of my life, watching greedy little shits " He added before releasing his hold on Filthy. "Maybe the Apples don’t have money or a fancy mansion like yours, but at least they have a shred of decency unlike your pompous ass. Maybe before you listen to those fucking rumors, you should take the time to get to know them rather than view them as a goddamn cash cow! Now get lost before I wear you like a shoe!" The stallion scrambled up and away from the dwarf shouting nonsensical threats before stumbling over his own hooves. Coppa simply sighed before noticing a cyan blur rocketing right at him. “What now?” Coppa mumbled under his breath as he prepared to catch the form of Rainbow Dash as she rocketed towards him. ***** Applejack landed in a heap as she was thrown out of the spa. Her stetson landed next to her as the stallions exited the spa. She managed to lift her head just as the bosses hoof came down and punched her face. A gasp came from a few bystanders who were quickly scared off by the larger members of the group. “Anybody who doesn’t want their teeth bucked in scram now!” one stallion bellowed. Her vision swam as her head reeled from the force of the blow. The taste of iron and dirt filled her mouth, causing her to gag. She felt a tug on her mane and yelled in pain as the stallion yanked it upShe lashed out and felt her hoof smash into the stallion’s cheek. The suddenness of the attack caused him to release his grip on the farmpony, giving her just enough time to rise to her hooves. “Is that all ya got!” Applejack shouted at the stallion as he regained his composure. She lashed out again, but her hoof was caught by a second stallion who forced her to the ground. Her struggles did nothing to deter her attacker as he leaned in close to her ear. “I like a mare with a fight in her,” the stallion whispered. He leaned in and nibbled on it. Applejack laid still as she felt the stallions teeth on her fur. A lone tear escaped her eye as she blinked, only listening to the stallion continue. “After this is over, you and I are gonna be the best of friends.” “Get offa me!” Applejack said with renewed vigour. She tensed all of her muscles before throwing her head backwards with a surge of adrenaline following. A fresh wave a pain combined with a cry from the stallion told her of the success of the attack. She rose to her hooves, legs shaking, as the shout of the stallion continued. “The bitsh brokth ma nosthe!” he cried, his speech impaired by the massive amount of blood pouring from his face. His thrashing subsided with a swift kick from Applejack, knocking him out cold. She glared at the other stallions as they moved in towards her. She noticed that Rarity and Fluttershy still hadn’t left the spa, a sense of worry also passed over her as she counted two stallions missing also missing. No doubt they were inside tormenting her friends, but at the moment Applejack could do nothing. Five stallions stood in front of her, two unicorns and three earth ponies. Some brandished metal pipes in their hooves while others carried small, crude blades. The boss carried nothing save for a pair of brass hoofknuckles which he simply slid on. The air grew thick with tension as they simply stared at her, daring her to make the first move. Applejack felt every muscle in her body tighten as no one moved. The effects of the adrenaline were beginning to wear off, causing her to feel a fresh sense of exhaustion as she struggled to remain standing. “Ironside, what is taking so long! It’s only one mare!” a voice shouted, grabbing Applejack’s attention. She sneered when the forms of Flim and Flam presented themselves. Yet she couldn’t help but notice the worried expression that was plastered over Flim’s face as his head hung low. She also spotted something peculiar about the appearance of Flam as he approached. His coat seemed at least four shades darker than usual. His moustache and mane had turned from a moderate red and white to an almost blackish red and dull greyish white. His eyes were bloodshot and focused angrily on the lead stallion as he stormed over. There was something extremely wrong with the stallion; anypony with half a brain could have seen it. “We paid you to beat her to a pulp and you’re letting her beat you?!” Flam practically screamed at Ironside. Applejack took a step back, eyes widening at the display as Flam continued to scream insults. She noticed Flim looking dejectedly at her much to her confusion. The stream of insults however, stopped as the sound of yelling and screaming came from above. “Oh craaaaaap!” she heard a distinctly male voice scream as the two crashed into the ground. A cloud of smoke exploded outward, engulfing the street. When the dust settled the five stallions, save for Flim and Flam, were all unconscious and sprawled throughout the street. A groan came from a nearby wall where Coppa lay face down. Rainbow Dash sat next to him, eyes spinning as she fell over dizzily. A small chuckle came from Coppa who had picked himself up. “So much for the badass entrance,” Coppa said as he helped Rainbow up. He gave a shake of his head, sending loose pieces of plaster and dirt flying from his fur. He took a look around the wreckage before his eyes rested on Applejack. He nodded to Rainbow who promptly ran inside the spa. He half walked, half ran to Applejack and carefully inspected her body when he noticed the nasty bruise on her face. His smile quickly became a frown as he picked up her Stetson and placed it back on her head. “Don’t worry, I’ll take it from here. Rainbow'll get the other two.” Applejack nodded silently as she felt weariness begin to sap her strength. Her vision began to blur until she could hardly see in front of her. Slowly her eyelids fell shut, sending her exhausted mind and body into the soft embrace of sleep. ***** Applejack awoke with a start as she heard something heavy fall. With a few breaths, she felt her heart slow as she scanned her surroundings. Slowly, as her vision came back to her, she realized that she was in the hospital. The faint smell of rubbing alcohol permeated the air, causing her nose to wrinkle as she scanned the room. “Oh it seems you’re awake now,” a soft voice said, causing Applejack to turn her head. Nurse Redheart stood in the doorway, a cart with a single tray in front of her. Applejack nodded silently as Nurse Redheart gave her a small smile. “You’re friend was really adamant about us looking after you first.” She shook her head giggling slightly as she trotted next to Applejack. “Gave the doctors quite the headache.” Applejack joined in, giggling as the image of fighting the doctors flashed through her head. She frowned as she noticed the peculiar absence of her family. In fact, the entire room was empty save for her and Redheart. “Where did everypony go?” Applejack questioned as she shifted in her cot slightly. Redheart helped her up, aiding Applejack’s sore muscles support her. “Oh, visiting hours are over, but they were just trying to calm Coppa down. He’s been on edge ever since he got here. Your Grandmother is still here though.” The Nurse frowned as Applejack tried to get out of bed. “You should really lie down. We still need to check you for any internal injuries.” “Ah’m fine,” Applejack said confidently. Her muscles might have ached slightly, but she didn’t feel any worse for wear. A few bruises were still visible, but she ignored those as she moved towards the door. “Can ah go see mah friend?” “Down the hall to the left. I don’t see any problem with it, but we still need to check you after.” “That’s fine by me,” Applejack said as she pushed the door open. Her eyes travelled down the empty hallway before she saw her grandmother. She ran over to the elder mare, much to Redheart’s annoyance and gave her a hug. Granny Smith returned the warm embrace as she checked over Applejack with a concerned expression. “What are ya doin out of bed little missy,” she chided as Applejack let go of her. Applejack looked guiltily at the floor waiting for a lecture. Instead, Granny Smith’s face broke into a smile as she patted Applejack’s back reassuringly. “Ah’m glad yer alright.” “How’s Coppa doin?” Applejack asked as Granny Smith beckoned for her to follow. Applejack got up and walked close behind as they proceeded to the other wing of the hospital. They passed by one room where Applejack spared a glance and gasped. A number of stallions were lying in hospital beds. Their bodies were covered in full-blown body casts. A few had their encased limbs elevated into the air by a few wires. However, one stallion stuck out by the wisps of facial hair that poked out from the nose holes of his head cast. Flam groaned as, what Applejack could imagine were unimaginable amounts of pain coursed through him. “He put Flam and them stallions in them casts fer hitting you, left Flim alone though,” Granny added but reassured her horrified granddaughter. Applejack took a step back as she looked away from the sorry state of her attackers. “They’ll fine, but they’re gonna have to answer fer what they did.” “How’s Coppa?” Applejack asked, desperate to know about Coppa’s condition. Granny smiled sadly as she continued down the hall at a slow pace. Applejack’s worry grew with each passing moment until she could hear the sounds of yelling and screaming. A few orderlies rushed passed them prompting Granny to chuckle. “Flam got a lucky hit on him with a pipe,” Granny Smith said as they neared the end of the hallway. The shouts and sounds of struggle grew louder but were still too muffled to make out anything intelligible. Granny frowned as she recounted the full extent of Coppa’s injuries. “He has a concussion and is gonna need ten or twelve stitches.” “You’re not getting anywhere near me with that thing!” Applejack heard Coppa yell as the door was opened. She had to stifle a laugh at the scene in front of her. The entire room was in chaos, instruments and bed sheets thrown everywhere in the scuffle. Coppa was on top of the bed holding an orderly in a headlock. His foot was in the clutches of a second Orderly who was trying desperately to hold on. In front of them was a doctor with a large needle of clear liquid. Both sides were shouting, Coppa using less than colourful language to declare his intent to remain as far away from the doctor. “What the hay is goin’ on in here?” Applejack shouted loudly, drawing all eyes to her. Her face set into an expression of seriousness as the dwarf growled and tightened his grip “Let go of him Coppa!” Reluctantly, he loosened his grip on the stallion’s head while his foot was released. Both sides released a collective sigh as Coppa let out a whine of defeat. Grumbling, he sat down on the bed as Applejack approached and the orderlies left. She hesitated slightly as she began to see the full extent of his wound. A large gash ran along the right side of his forehead, caked with dried blood. Angry red flesh stood outwards. She could see tiny flecks of bone where the pipe had obviously connected to his skull. The wound could be stitched up but only if Coppa was put under. However, with how things were going, that would prove difficult. “They aren’t coming near me with that thing!” Coppa said pointing to the needle. Applejack rolled her eyes as she approached him. He backed away slightly as she placed her hooves on his shoulders. He gave a pathetic whine as she stared at him menacingly, like a puppy caught chewing on the furniture. “I don’t like needles...” “Ya take a pipe to the head but can’t handle a tiny needle?” Applejack said incredulously as Coppa’s face flushed in embarrassment. “Come on Coppa... ya can do it.” She gestured for the doctor to come forward as Coppa slowly let his arm extend. The doctor quickly swabbed the area before inserting the needle. She felt Coppa’s hand tighten around her hoof as the anaesthesia left the syringe. A few seconds later, the syringe was pulled out. “See, was that so bad?” Applejack said causing Granny to chuckle a bit. His ears perked up in surprise as Applejack leaned down and kissed the injection sight. Her face burned slightly from the gesture but she managed to keep a straight face. “There ya go! All better.” “Umm, not trying to sound ungrateful or anything, but what was that?” “Granny always gave us a kiss on any place that hurt. It made us feel better an I thought you might appreciate it.” She saw his face tinged slightly red, matching her own flushed expression. Suddenly, his face broke out into a stupid smile as the drugs took hold. “Ya feelin ok Coppa?” “A little,” he said swooning a bit before he turned gestured to his mouth. Applejack’s brow knitted in confusion as he giggled like a schoolfilly. “My mouth hurts a bit too, could I get another?” “Not on yer life,” Applejack said laughing, still blushing while Coppa fell back into the hospital bed. He joined in, laughing as his eyelids drooped slightly. “Ah well, I can always steal one later!” He winked at her causing her to backup as Granny cackled. Moments later, he passed out leaving the blushing mare to her grandmother. “Good night Coppa,” she said smiling as she was ushered out by the orderlies so the doctor could get to work. She spared a glance at his sleeping face before the door was closed on them. “Ah’m gonna make this up to ya. Ah promise that.”