My Little Dynasty: Kung Fu is Magic

by Goombasa

Chapter 2: Task Taken

“Breath deep... regulate the sensation. Move naturally. Be like water. Keep from stiffening. Raise the arm, drop the leg. Sweep, block... kick, punch, it's all in the mind...”
Twilight continued to whisper to herself as she ran through her morning kata, or form. Every movement was precise and calculated, by the book, exactly as she had been taught. Down below her, several kata scrolls remained open and spread out, detailing the movements from one form to another. Twilight didn't really need them. She'd been running the basic forms of this style since she was a filly and had them all memorized, both in her mind and in her body.
However, that didn't mean that she should grow complacent. She never ran through these forms without having a reference out in front of her. That way, if she needed to go back and correct a missed movement, she would be able to pinpoint her exact mistake, and move to correct it as fast as possible.
“And raise the sun,” she said, pulling her leg up high. “Then set it.” She dropped her foot down to the ground.
“Twilight!” came a call from outside the door. Twilight was startled, even moreso when the door was swung wide open, with a loud boom. A small dragon jogged in just as Twilight hit the ground, thrown right out of her peaceful concentration. “Geez, Twilight, for someone who insists on doing the same forms every single morning, you don't seem that enthusiastic about them,” he said, pointing to her sitting on the ground.
She gave a light grumble, tossing her mane from her face and tugging her tail out from under her as she pulled herself up on her knees. She took a deep breath, folding her arms together. There was no way she would be able to resume the forms where she left off, so she decided that now would be as good a time as any to end her practice for the morning. She'd have to do each form twice over tomorrow to make up for the lost time. She gave a quick, sharp glance at her familiar. “What is it, Spike?” she asked, in a no-nonsense tone.
The little dragon nodded and held out a small piece of parchment, neatly rolled and closed with the seal of the Empress. “Your brother just stopped by to drop this off for you.”
She blinked, shooting up. Inner calm forgotten, she moved to the door, hastily. “My brother was here, and you didn't tell me?”
“Well, like I said, he just stopped by to drop off this letter from the Empress,” Spike told her, sighing as Twilight turned back towards him. “He said he had to get back to the guard right away, so he didn't have time to talk, but he said that this was real important.”
Twilight gazed at the letter in her familiar's hand and nodded, rubbing her head. She had hoped she would actually have a moment to speak with her dear brother, but apparently such opportunities would have to be set to the side, as usual. Adjusting her practice gi, she walked over and took the letter, carefully breaking the seal so as not to damage the central sun decoration on it. She unfurled it, disappointed to see it was not in her mentor's distinctive handwriting, but was a dime-a-dozen scribe who had crafted this missive. Shrugging, she peered down at it, looking it over. “To Twilight Sparkle, personal student of our most honored Empress,” she read, clearing her throat to stop a bit of pride from welling up. She couldn't allow herself to get a big head after all. “Your presence is hereby requested by the Empress herself for a discussion of the utmost importance, to take place with the Empress' private meeting room, at the hour of the Tiger. Tea and cake will be served.” She frowned and blinked, her head raising up. “Spike, what time is it?”
The dragon turned his head to an ornate sun dial sitting just outside in the garden. “Um, five minutes til,” he answered.
Twilight squeaked. “Why do I never get these things with plenty of time to spare?” she shouted, turning and dashing out of the room. “You'll clean up for me, right?”
Spike sighed. She was already gone before he could answer and he looked down over the several dozen form scrolls, completely unfurled and littering the ground. “Oh sure, why not,” he grumbled, grabbing the closest one and starting to roll it up. “Look at me, a child dragon familiar with all the power of the Zodiac at my disposal and she has me rolling up scrolls. Life. Don't talk to me about life.”

#

Twilight was quite fast. Her training under Celestia had involved quite a large emphasis on parkour and thinking on her feet. One of her favorite activities when she had been younger, before she had the discipline she had needed to be a true student, had been to see how quickly she could get from one side of the palace to the other without causing too much confusion or destruction.
Right now, she was very grateful for all that time she'd spent doing that. It meant she actually had a small chance of making it to the meeting in time. She would NOT be tardy! She jumped over a few large wagons, ducked under a table, dashed into the main hall, and quickly twisted down the hallways, dashing by guards, who offered her quick hellos and other greetings of that kind. She knew most everyone who lived or worked in the palace, at least in terms of their name and position. Her studies meant that she had little time for fraternizing with those below her station.
Below her station... she hated that sort of descriptor, but she knew no other way of describing her situation. Her family was already quite high in society, a long line of nobility marked with dozens of prominent magicians, chi masters, and psychics that had remained high in the Empress' favor for decades. Her ascension to a personal student of the princess has only increased what was already a firmly established position of comfort. But did that mean she had to act like those around her were below her? No, she decided. It was merely a matter of circumstance. Surely, if her studies were not quite so heavy, she would have been a much more sociable unicorn, right?
Right?
She skidded to a halt right in front of two large, ornate double doors, made of the most solid oak. It had a huge, golden sun painted upon it, carefully carved to make it look as though the true sun itself were resting upon its door. Twilight had to stop herself and take several deep breaths. She hadn't pushed herself to go so fast in quite a while. She vaguely worried that she might be getting out of shape, but a quick touch of her toned stomach assured her that she was above average health. With one more deep breath, she calmed herself and raised one hand up, knocking at the door. She blushed as she realized the two guards standing at attention on either side of her were looking her over with a raised brow. “Um, just didn't want to be late,” she said with a nervous chuckle.
The guards just shrugged and resumed their stoic stance.
“Enter,” came the gentle response from within.
Twilight nodded, though no one was around to see it, and pushed open the door in front of her. She peeked inside, just in time to see Empress Celestia pouring hot water into two small cups sitting in front of her. An advisor sat by herself, her head bowed. “Forgive me, your highness, am I late? Or early? Or...”
“You are just in time, Twilight,” Celestia answered with a smile. “I was just finishing up some business with Dusty.” She turned to the advisor, who bowed her head even lower. “Have a brigade sent down towards the Everfree border,” she said. “And be sure that all villages are fortified in case the brigand attacks grow any worse.”
“As you wish,” the advisor said with a small smile, drawing herself up, bowing her upper body several times as she backed away, offering Twilight similar bows before sliding out of the room, closing the door behind her.
Twilight watched her go for a moment before she dropped to one knee. “Empress Celestia, I am so glad to see you again, and so humbled by your invitation.”
“And I am gladdened to see you here accepting my invitation,” the alicorn said, raising one cup up and blowing on it. “It's also nice to see you wearing something a tad more casual than normal.”
Twilight blinked, tilting her head before she looked down at her clothing. She flushed bright red as she realized that she was still wearing her practice gi. “Oh, Princess, I'm so sorry. The missive was just delivered five minutes ago and I didn't have time...”
Celestia raised her hand. “Now, now, Twilight, I'm well aware of how long it took you to get the invitation. You performed amicably, managing to get here before the meeting time.” She gave her a soft smile. “You certainly have been taking your exercises seriously.”
Twilight blushed again and toyed with her tail a little bit, sitting down at the table across from her mentor. “Thank you.” she said softly. She took up her own cup, blowing on it, politely waiting for her Empress to take the first sip before she took a soft gulp from her own. The soft flavor of spice and jasmine swirled around her tongue, making her instantly feel at ease. The familiar flavor was enough to break down any and all barriers she had erected around herself. “Ahhh,” she sighed.
Celestia chuckled. “I take it you enjoy the tea?”
Twilight giggled. “My empress, the tea you make is always perfect. I only wish I could mimic an ounce of your talent.”
Celestia smiled, taking another small sip. “Tea making is a simple art, Twilight. You have but to ask, and I would be happy to share my technique with you.”
Twilight bowed her head again. “I don't wish to inconvenience you in such a manner, Empress.”
She smiled. “Nonsense, Twilight. I always have time for my wonderful student.”
Twilight would never get used to the praise that the empress heaped upon her. She took her studies seriously, and she did her best in every endeavor that was put before her, but to be complimented by the high ruler of all Equestria, well... it felt more than a little weird, especially when she was just an ordinary unicorn.
Celestia pushed a plate with a small slice of chocolate cake towards her. “Cake, Twilight?”
Twilight looked over the treat for a moment before she shook her head. “I don't mean to be rude, but I did have a large breakfast.”
“Suit yourself,” she said with a shrug, taking a small nibble of her own slice.
They sat in silence for a while now, sipping their tea and enjoying one another's company. Patience, Twilight thought to herself. As curious as she was to know why she had been called here, she had learned not to rush her mentor. Whatever it was, she was sure that it could wait until they had finished their tea.
And indeed it did. As per manners and protocol, both cups were emptied and both mouths were wiped before Celestia assumed a more formal stance, adjusting herself so that she sat on her knees. “Now then, to business,” she said, reaching under the cloth adorning the table, drawing forth a small scroll. “I fear that dark times may be coming, my student.”
Twilight frowned, the sudden change in her teacher's demeanor instantly setting off warning sirens in her mind. She'd known Celestia to sway from incredibly informal to stone serious in a matter of words, sometimes within the same sentence, and it always made her uncomfortable, even moreso than the compliments. “Dark times?” she asked.
Celestia nodded. “I awoke last night from a dream I had only had one time before. Long ago. Even after all this time, I will never forget the feeling.” She took a deep breath and Twilight saw her shudder.
The unicorn almost gasped. She'd never seen her empress shaken, in any capacity, but seeing her shiver like that. Twilight started to feel a little scared.
After a moment, Celestia shook her head, unfurling the scroll. “Twilight, have you heard the tales of the Four Black Stars?”
Twilight tilted her head to the side. “The Four Black Stars?” she parroted. “Of course I know of them, it's just a foal's bedtime story, Your Highness. It's the story of four demons who each came from a different cardinal direction in an attempt to conquer the land.” She smiled, remembering the story well. It had been one of her favorites back when she was just a child. “They say it was the event that brought you forth from the sun.” She gave a shrug. “But you're ageless. You've always ben here.”
Celestia gave a slight smile. “Do you mean to say that I am old, Twilight?”
“Yes,” she said without hesitation, flushing deeply whens he realized what she'd said. “I-I mean of course not, it's just that... you are... and were... and here...”
Celestia laughed and waved a hand. “Calm yourself, my student, merely a joke on my part.”
“Ehehe... yes, of course.”
Celestia's stoicism returned. “Well, that aside, I'm afraid it was more than just an old foal's tale. Time and generations have twisted and altered the facts, but the truth remains.” She held up the scroll, offering it to Twilight. The young unicorn frowned, taking it and carefully unfurling it. It felt old, ragged, almost as though it would fall apart if not held by the gentlest of hands. However, despite the age of the parchment, the writing and drawings held within remained as pristine and unmarred as though they were applied yesterday. “That scroll is the only known recording from that time, Twilight. In it, I have written down everything I saw and learned of the four. Including the dreams that I had during the war against them.” She sighed. “Last night, my dreams were caked in a thick, dark miasma. Nothing was definite, but I could hear mocking laughter, pained screams, feel the pulse of their black magic.”
Twilight looked over the first few drawings presented in the scroll, a depiction of the four demons in question. “Princess, not that I question your ability, but... could it be that you are mistake? Everypony has nightmares at some points in their lives, right?” She shrugged. “I used to get them very badly when I was a foal.”
“I remember, yes. They continued well into your first year here.” She gave a light smile. “And while I wish that were a possibility, Twilight, there can be no mistake. The dream is the same, and I only ever had those dreams when those four roamed free.”
“But... the legend. I thought that it said you destroyed them, utterly.”
Celestia gave a slight sigh and for a moment Twilight worried that she might have upset the Empress, but her look was not one of annoyance. Rather, it was one of regret. “I should have ended them, yes. I had the power back then. I had found a way of annihilating them utterly, without any risk to my little ponies. After all they had done, it certainly would have been deserved. But my heart was soft. Certain events had transpired before the fateful encounter, and I... I couldn't bring myself to unleash the full power I had at my disposal. Instead, I merely encased them in stone and had their bodies hidden away where none would find them, under the pretense that everyone can chance and all deserve a second chance.” She bowed her head, running her fingers through her long mane. “It was... one of many mistakes I would make through my life.
Twilight's ears lowered. “Empress Celestia...” she said, attempting her best to find something to say. Nothing came to mind. This was a pretty big deal, and something that required the utmost care and patience when dealing with. Or, she could do what she felt like doing and absolutely panicking at the thought of four powerful demons being unleashed into the world again. She shoved those thoughts aside, however. “Can you not use this power again?”
“The power was lost to me the day,” she said. “The moment I made my choice, and the moment it was used, they left.”
“They?”
Celestia nodded. “I suppose I should explain. The legend equates total victory over the Black Stars to me, my student. That... could not have been further from the truth. I was powerful. I still am powerful, but in a straight fight against all four of them, I would most definitely fall. As much as my subjects like to think this, I am far from omnipotent. Just as every creature that lives and breaths in this world, I am fallible. I am vulnerable. Am I powerful? Indeed. But even I could not face this threat alone. Six warriors came forward, from all over Equestria, holding within them, something that I had never seen before, nor have I ever seen since. They held a strange... how to describe it... a strange spark within each of them, and when these sparks were united, their already considerable skills escalated to something far more. After seeing them together, against these dark forces, I decided to name their powers The Elements of Harmony, a true unity of all the six great elements that brings all life together in true unity.”
“But if they were the elements, why did you lose their power when the Black Stars were defeated?”
She leaned back. “The elements broke off their ties with me after my moment of weakness. They believed that I had made the wrong decision and that my choice would come back to haunt me. It seems that they were quite right in their assumptions. I never saw them again after that.” She smiled. “However, I know what they had did not die with them. It could not have. I believe that these six warriors, or at least their spirits, still live on in some form or another.”
Twilight's eyes sparkled. “Reincarnation?” she asked, happy to discuss something so metaphysical with her teacher.
Celestia chuckled, recognizing the spark. “Indeed. I believe that those six have been reincarnated at least once a generation. The sparks have never been brought forth since then, but I believe that they walk among us now, and they must be reunited if we are to put a stop to the coming storm before it can begin.”
“Absolutely,” Twilight agreed. “But how would we go about finding them? Is there any sort of family line we can trace? Perhaps some sort of artifact we could use to locate them.”
“As far as I know, the warriors had no families, or if they did, their lines have long since disappeared. The sparks, the elements, they weren't something I could easily pinpoint, as powerful as they were. I'm afraid that the task I am settling you with will be incredibly difficult.”
“Yes, well, I'm pretty sure that we...” Twilight paused, taking in her mentor's phrasing. “Wait, wait, wait. Forgive me, Empress, but I seem to have misunderstood you. Surely you meant that WE would have an incredibly difficult task ahead of US.”
Celestia shook her head. “I'm afraid not, Twilight. That is the real reason I have called you here today. I am afraid I must set the task of locating the six elements squarely on your shoulders, my most faithful student.”
Millions of responses fluttered through Twilight's brain at that moment. Most of them were not very polite or pleasant, so she just settled on a simple, “What?”
The empress slowly pulled herself to her feet, adjusting her pure white robes and spreading her wings out. “I'm afraid that I must remain here. If I leave, then the heart of the empire will be wide open to attack. If I step out, there is also the unfortunate possibility of ambush, and if word gets out that the Empress is out and about in the world, Ponies will talk. I must do all I can to prevent panic amongst the ponies. The less they know about this the better. That, and I am afraid that the timing of this event could not be any more terrible.”
“What do you mean, Empress?”
“You are aware of the state of our relations with Griffonia to the west, I assume?”
Twilight nodded. “I was aware that relations were beginning to grow more than a little shaky,” she answered.
“I'm afraid it is worse than that,” Celestia said, looking out her window. “While we have yet to enter open conflict, I fear that skirmishes along the border are inevitable, and once it starts, it will quickly snowball out of control. In addition to the cloud within, there is a war brewing just beyond our borders, and I must be here to observe it and doll out the necessary orders.”
Twilight rubbed the back of her head. “But, Empress...” she stated. “What exactly makes me such a worthy candidate for such an important task?”
Celestia smiled and walked forward, placing her hands upon Twilight's shoulders. “Because, my dear student, you have the power and perception necessary for this task.”
“But... I don't really have much experience dealing with other ponies, Empress.”
“I know. That certainly is a problem,” she mused, causing Twilight to blush. “But there is no one else I would trust with such an important task. You can move about the general populace without arousing suspicions, and your clarity for the magical arts and skill in the martial arts will surely be a boon to you in your search. But above all, I believe in you because you are my student and I know that you will not fail.”
Twilight felt nervous pride welling up within her and she gave a slow nod before standing up, straight and confident. “My empress,” she said, folding her hands together and bowing forward. “It would be an honor to undertake this task for you.”
“Thank you, Twilight.” She pat her shoulder. “I shall have some supplies prepared for you. You should go back and pack. Make sure Spike is ready for long travel as well.”
“Spike?” she asked blinking. “You want him to come with me?”
“But of course. I won't be sending you out completely alone, Twilight, and above all else, I believe that even a unicorn of your talents should not be alone. Your familiar is as much a part of you as your horn is. He should always be by your side, and chances are good that he will be an invaluable asset in your quest.”
“I don't doubt your wisdom, Empress,” she said with a small smile. “But I worry that bringing someone so young with me on such a dangerous quest...”
Celestia pressed a finger to her lips and shook her head. “Spike is a dragon. A baby dragon to be sure but a dragon nonetheless, and linked to you at the spirit, as is the case for all who gain a familiar of their own. You need not be concerned over putting him in danger. Besides,” she said with a slightly impish grin. “Even if Spike were told not to come with you, he would still find a way to follow, you know.”
Twilight giggled, rolling her eyes. “You're probably right. Very well then, Empress, I shall go and pack.”
“One last thing, my student,” she said. “While I cannot send a regiment of soldiers with you, as it would draw too much attention, I want you take at least one bodyguard with you. Before you leave, go to the Barracks and ask for a Wonderbolt to accompany you.
Twilight gasped. “A Wonderbolt? But empress, those are your most elite soldiers, practically your personal honor guard.”
“And it would do put my mind at ease a great deal if you would have one with you.” She smiled and clapped her hands. A guard opened a door. “Please call Dusty to my side again,” she said. “And prepare two packs of provisions for my student, as much as she and another pony can comfortably carry.”
“At once, empress,” the guard stated, bowing his head as he slid back out.
Twilight took a deep breath. “Well, I suppose that is my cue to go and get ready.”
“Your provisions will be delivered to you before you set out. And as I said, I leave the decision on which Wonderbolt you wish to take up to you.” she pat her shoulder before she bent down to be at her student's eye level, touching her horn to hers, making the unicorn blush slightly. “Be safe, my dearest student, Twilight Sparkle. I shall be counting the days until your return.”
Thank you, Empress Celestia,” she whispered, closing her eyes as she turned away. “I swear to you, I shall not fail. I'll find the elements, I will see that the Four Black Stars are stopped for good this time, and I shall see Equestria returned to its safe and peaceful state.” She gulped. “Somehow.” She walked out, slowly.
Celestia watched her go, letting out a deep breath. “Gods be with you, Twilight... and I pray I have not made yet another mistake.”
A few minutes later, A brown maned earth pony stuck her head in. “You called for me, Empress.”
“Indeed,” she said, motioning for her to come in. “Thank you for coming so promptly, Dusty.”
“Think nothing of it, Empress. As your advisor and personal attendant, I must always be as prompt as possible.” She smiled. “What can I do for you.”
“Have a missive written and delivered to the Barracks and inform Commander Spitfire to have her finest Wonderbolts prepared to present themselves to my student. She will be going on a journey, and one of them shall be attending to her on the trip.”
“Of course,” she nodded, adjusting the spectacles she wore and jotting down notes on a clip board held close to her chest. “Will that be all?”
Celestia was about to nod and dismiss her, but the uneasy feeling remained with her. She needed something to relax her. She shook her head, sitting down in front of the small table. “Actually, yes, there is something else you can do for me, Dusty.”
“Anything.”
“Would you... please help me to relax a tad?”
Dusty gave a soft blush and a smile, walking over and setting her board and her quill to the side. “I am always glad to be of service to you, my lady.” She bowed low before scooting her way behind the princess. With careful and steady precision, which came from years of practice, she spread one of Celestia's wings outward. Then, with long and loving strokes, she began to brush her fingers through her feathers, preening them.
Celestia took in a deep breath and let out a long, happy sigh, her entire body relaxing as her attendant's fingers ran through her sensitive feathers. “Ahhh, that is perfect.”
“Nothing but the best for you, my empress.”
“Thank you.”
“No, empress. Thank you.”
Celestia smiled, feeling a soft blush rise under her pure white coat. For now, at least, she could just enjoy herself.

#

Applejack carefully raised the lit incense to the wind, letting the small puff of smoke emanating from the stick to be carried of before she carefully placed it down on the small, gold cylinder plate resting between two small grave stones. They sat here, underneath the largest tree in the entire orchard. The first tree. While other members of the clan had opted for a more traditional burial, her father had always been the odd man out of the family, and her mother had only been too glad to mimic is want to be laid to rest underneath the place where they had confessed their love to one another.
She supposed it was fitting. They had cared for this land for their entire lives, and now, for over two years, they had been a part of it. They were at peace. They were where they wished to be.
But it didn't make their passing any easier.
As the incense continued to burn, the blond-haired mare bowed her head down to the ground before the grave stones, just as her mother had taught her to do when addressing the fallen. “Mom, dad,” she said, smiling as she rose back up, tilting the brim of the unusual hat she wore. Her father's hat. The hat he'd given to her the night that Applebloom had been born. She took a deep breath before standing up. “I hope it's enough of an offerin' for ya. I plum forgot to pick up more incense last time I was in town.” She smiled. “It's been a good harvest. I promise, we'll save some of the best apples for both of you.” She took a deep breath, waving to the two headstones before turning away.
As she turned and looked back down the hill, she frowned. Down at the small farm house, a small group of armed ponies were speaking with her grandmother. They didn't look terribly friendly... or clean. That wouldn't have bothered Applejack too much. After all, she was a farm pony, she and her family were never spotless at the best of times, but these didn't look like farm ponies. They didn't look like beggars either.
Mostly because beggars didn't carry blades that big.
She started down the way, frowning. Big Mac and Applebloom had come out of the farm house to inspect their visitors as well, though Mac was quick to usher the little filly back into the front door when he saw that they were armed. As she neared, her Granny Smith's voice began to reach her ears. “We don't have much, but we do have some spare harvest if you really need it. But we aren't going to just hand over our money, especially when we need all that we can save for the winter months.”
“Well that's a right shame, a black-furred earth pony holding a long dagger said, examining the rather worn blade. “Because, you see, my friends and I are in a bit of a state. We need just a little bit of money and food to see us through to town.” He smirked. “Surely you could spare just a little bit of your savings?”
Big Mac frowned, crossing his arms. He was a massive pony, standing all above everyone else present. “Nope,” he stated.
One of the ponies frowned. “You talk funny, boy. But we weren't talking to you. Quite presumptuous of you to speak for your whole family here.”
“Oh, he ain't speakin' for all of us, but he ain't wrong. We got nothin' for folks like you. We deal with yer kind all the time, and we ain't about to give in to a bunch of lil buckers like you.”
The black coated stallion scowled and turned on her. “You've got quite a mouth on you, little lady.” He drew closer to her. “And a strange way of talking, to be sure.” He raised brow. “Are you even from here.”
“Born and raised my whole life. What's it to you?”
He pointed to her hat. “Interesting headware as well. I haven't seen anything like that around here before.”
“You ain't libel to see somethin' like it anywhere else, neither.” She was growing tired of this conversation. Everyone always commented on her accent, and her hat... and...
He reached up and propped the brim of her hat up, raising a brow. “Your eyes...”
Said eyes narrowed at him. “What about em?”
He chuckled. The chuckle turned into full on laughter as he pulled her hat off completely. “Ahaha! It makes sense now! Oh Celestia, I don't know why I didn't see it before, especially on that giant of a man over there.” He twirled his dagger in Mac's direction. “You're a half breed! Mixed parentage!” He laughed again. The others began to laugh as well. Applejack could feel her blood beginning to boil. “So, who was the foreigner? And why did one settle for the other?”
Applejack growled louder. “Give me back my hat,” she ordered, her voice icy. “An' take back what you said about my pa.”
“Ah, so your father was from outside the borders.” He chuckled. “I feel so sorry for the mare who had to settle for one of those filthy barbarians from...”
He was cut off as Applejack grabbed her hat back, placing it back on her brow, her ears folding back in anger. “Leave,” she ordered. “I ain't gonna ask nicely again.”
“Oh, I'm shaking in my hooves,” he said mockingly. His gang, totaling five strong, laughed behind him. “Well, listen up, half breed, I don't care how nice you ask, we didn't come here to just walk away. Now, I'm through being polite myself. Hand over all your money, and as much food as we can carry and no one will get hurt.”
“Someone's gonna get hurt around here, but it ain't gonna be us,” the mare stated.
“And what are you going to- HURK!”
Before he could complete his question, Applejack gave him her answer, in the form of a powerful curled fist launched directly into his stomach. The bandit crumpled down, clutching at his stomach and coughing as he tried to keep from retching in pain. “I said get the buck offa my orchard,” she snarled.
The five other bandits, momentarily stunned at seeing their leader brought to his knees after a single punch, began to draw their own weapons. Applejack tensed, raising her fists up. “AJ!” someone called. She turned to see Big Mac holding two garden hoes. Granny Smith was retreating into the house, pulling a worried Applebloom with her. Mac tossed one of the hoes to her and she caught it, smiling and spinning it.
“Thanks, big bro!” she called.
Mac nodded, holding up his own makeshift weapon in a defensive stance. “Eeyup!”
She smirked as two of the five began to approach her. “You'll pay for that, girlie!” one of them hissed, holding a sword out in front of him. Applejack watched his stance carefully. He was off balance and didn't seem like he knew how to hold a sword. AJ smirked. They just made this way too easy. His compatriot lunged forward, swiping at her with one of two daggers he clutched in his hands. She chuckled a bit and spun the hoe, knocking the end against his wrist, making him stumble to the side in an attempt to recover. She pushed forward with her hoe again, bashing him in the nose as he stumbled, sending him to the ground with a yelp. The sword wielder drew forward and made an attempted stab at her. She stepped out of the way easily and caught him in the back of the head as he tried to pull back from his ill conceived lunge. The smack to the back of the skull caused him to lurch forward, straight onto his stomach. Before he could recover, Applejack raised the butt of the hoe up, slamming it down in the center of his back, making him howl in pan and roll over, writhing.
“Do yerself a big favor and get outta here afore I start breaking bones,” she ordered, stepping over the two downed enemies, briefly glancing to make sure that Big Mac was holding his own. He was doing just fine, but unlike her, he was far more of a defensive fighter. He never pressed after he pushed someone away. Sighing, she decided it was up to her to get the message across. She walked past the recovering leader, giving him a small crack in the skull to keep him down on the ground where he deserved to be before walking up to the first brigand attempting to break past her brother's defense. “Beg pardon, but I think yer bein' called away.” She grabbed the back of his muddy, tattered tunic and tossed him away with one might heave.
His call made the other two turn their attention away from the huge stallion defending the farm house and refocus their efforts on the crazy mare who seemed far more dangerous. Applejack backed away for a moment, letting them get their bearings, hoping that they would be smart enough to realize they were outmatched and outclassed. They didn't, instead attempting to flank her. She raised a brow. At least these two had a sense of strategy. Not that it would help them much.
Both of them attempted to charge her at once. She sighed and spun the hoe behind her, catching the assailant in the side, making him fall to the side. She twisted back around and sent the metal edge of the hoe towards his knee. It dinged against the sensitive bone with an audible ring, making the poor mare shriek. She fell backwards, dropping her knives and clutching her knee. Applejack pushed up the brim of her hat, smiling in satisfaction. “Easier than bucking apples,” she said happily.
The sound of a crack caught her attention and she turned to see Big Mac putting down another brigand who had attempted to rise back up after she'd floored him. He turned to her and pointed. “AJ, Watch yourself!”
She tensed, but before she could react, she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her, gripping her arms tightly and spinning her around to face the black furred leader. He rubbed at his face, growling loudly. “That's it,” he snarled. “I'm going to take those pretty little eyes of yours, you bitch!” He began to stumble forward, raising his sword up high.
AJ snorted, writhing against the grip of her captor, raising herself up and curling her legs forward, planting both feet firmly into the chest of the charging stallion in one of the hardest kicks she had ever mustered against another living being. She imagined him as an apple tree, ripe for the picking, and the strength just came naturally to her. The kick sent the unfortunate target sailing backwards, spiraling through the air before he came to rest a few good trots away, clutching at his chest, coughing and groaning loudly.
Momentarily dumbfounded by seeing his boss launched a good distance away from a single kick, the goon holding Applejack let his grip loosen a little. The mare grinned and pulled her head forward before launching the back of her skull straight against his nose. He let go of her, crumpling like cheap parchment, falling to the ground and clutching at what was no doubt a broken nose. Applejack rubbed the back of her head lightly. “Ma always told me I had a thick skull. Thank the empress she was right,” She chuckled, turning away from the writhing stallion, back to the leader. Their eyes locked and all confidence drained away from his expression. She began to advance on him, and while he tried to push himself up, he was obviously still in pain from her kick, as he couldn't sit up without recoiling in pain. She towered over him, hand on her hip. “Now, what was I sayin' afore? Oh yeah.” Reaching down, she yanked the injured pony to his feet, holding him in front of her. “Get offa mah orchard,” she ordered.
He gulped and nodded softly, holding up his hands. “Yes ma'am, right away ma'am.”
She nodded. “Now that's what I like to hear.” she tossed him away. “An' ya can go an' tell all yer friends that if they come around here again, I'll be dishin' out the same to them too!”
The stallion nodded and he and his gang turned tail, limping away and clutching at their injured bodies. Applejack watched them go with a slight sense of satisfaction. She took a deep breath, trying to calm down from the adrenaline still pumping through her body. A large gentle hand rested against her shoulder and she smiled. “Thanks fer the help, Big Mac. Ya okay?”
“Eeyup,” he answered with a small smile. “You?”
“Never better,” she answered, turning back to the farm house. “Come on, let's go make sure Granny didn't have a heart attack.”
“Eeyup.”
The two of them walked back to the farm house and Applejack opened the door, only to see a small yellow blur launch itself at her, clinging to her leg. “Applejack! Thank goodnest yer okay!” her little sister said. “Ah was so worried when they started tryin ta hitcha!”
Applejack chuckled and pat the little filly's head. “Ah'm just fine, darlin'. Don't worry.” She sighed. “But ah am getting mighty concerned here. This is the third time this month we've had to deal with ruffians comin' round here.”
Granny smith, leaning on her cane, came forward, trying to raise up from her hunched state. She gave a slight cough. “It has been worse this year than others, yes,” she noted. “Ah mean, it's not uncommon to have an attack maybe once every few months, maybe three or four stragglers attempting to raid us for something to eat, but they've been getting bolder ever since the royal guards stopped patrolling out this far.”
“Why DID they stop comin' out here?” Applejack asked. “Ah remember sellin' off whole bushels to em back with Pa was around, fer their convoys back home.”
“I wish I knew, darlin'” the elder said, coughing into her hand a little. Her accent was a tad mixed. While she had been born here in Equestria, after her daughter had married an outsider, she'd taken on several of his speech mannerisms as well. “I suppose our little hovel out here isn't as pressin' as what's goin' on in Canterlot right now.”
Applejack sighed softly. “Well, we need help out here. Them bandits are gonna start overrunnin' our home, and the nearby towns if the capital don't send out someone to handle the problem.” She put a hand on her hip. “Ah mean, Mac an' me, we're good, but we ain't gonna get any work done if we have to keep crackin' skulls like this.”
“Nope,” her brother agreed.
“I never said that it was right,” Granny stated, walking towards her chair, and lowering herself down into it. “But we don't have much of a choice out here. It's one of the hazards of being out this far from the bigger world in Canterlot. It isn't like we're near Okineighwa or Neighasaki, or one of those other big cities. We're out in the back woods as far as the Canterlot elite are concered.”
“All the more reason they should want us safe an' sound!” she stated, patting her head. “Who do they think helps get 'em all those delicious apple treats they keep stuffin' their faces with all the time? They sure ain't growin' it themselves!”
Applebloom frowned. “AJ, are yah alright?”
She took a deep breath and hugged her sister. “Ah'm fine, sugarcube. Just more than a lil' peeved.”
Granny smiled. “Everything'll be all right, little darlin'. After all, we've been around for generations and this has always been our lot in life. It's...”
“Not a lot, but it's our life,” Applejack stated with a smirk. She chuckled. “Ah know. An' I'm proud to be a part of it, but if we don't do somethin' we might not be around for much longer.” She tapped her chin in thought, her mind working carefully as she looked around her. Memorabilia from all the past Apple family members to inhabit this home. Everything had been hand carved from the wood of retired apple trees, strong and sturdy as the hands that had crafted them. All the bedding, all the sheets and the clothes were hand stitched and handed down from generation to generation, made with the love, care and attention that only one dedicated to their craft could pull off. On the back wall, from the very top to the very bottom, a series of wooden plaques rested, each one listing the name of every member of the family along with what they were known for. She followed it down to the very bottom, with the three most recent plaques had been added. Her name rested between her elder brother and younger sister there. “Applejack,” it read. “Honest Determination.”
And it was the same determination that refused to think about generations of work being tossed away merely because they couldn't defend themselves and keep to their farm at the same time. “I'm going,” she announced at last.
“What's that dear?” Granny said, frowning.
“I'm going to Canterlot,” she said. “I gotta find someone who'll listen to reason an' help us keep our farm safe. I'll go all the way to the top an' talk to Celestia herself if I have to.
Applebloom tensed. “Yer leavin'? But... but why so sudden, AJ?”
“Them brigands must have hit you harder than I thought,” Granny Smith said. “We need you here, dear! The farm needs you!”
Applejack nodded. “Ah know it's spur o' the moment and whatnot, but Ah been thinkin' about this fer a while now. We can't just wait around anymore, waitin' fer things to go back to the way they were, 'cause chances are good, they won't. Ah gotta go and see if there's something, anything I can do to get the royal guards patrolling out this far again, an' if I can, find out why they stopped in the first place.” She smiled to them. “An' Ah know the farm needs me, but Ah think things'll be okay if I'm not gone too long. The harvest is almost done, yah got plenty of orders that'll be picked up before long, and yah got Big Mac. Ah'm sure he can handle things while I'm away.”
Big Mac walked over to her, patting her shoulder again. They stared at one another. She smiled. “Ah know. Ah'll miss y'all too. An' I know I ain't been to Canterlot before, but Ah know Ah'll be fine.” Mac continued to stare at her. “Now don't you be givin' me any grief, Macintosh.” She pat his shoulder. “Yah gotta trust me. Yah wanna keep this place safe?”
“Eeyup.”
“Yah wanna keep them bandits offa our land?”
“Eeyup.”
“An' you don't wanna go to Canterlot yerself?”
“Nope.”
“Well one of us has to, or we ain't gonna get anything done. We apples may be reliable and we can do a lotta things, but we can't stand on our own. Pa came here with nothin' and everyone turned him away til' he came out here and met Granny and Ma. And everyone here, even in town, they ain't treated him any different from them, an' they've done the same fer the three of us, despite the fact that we don't look like everpony else. Ah'm doin' this for them, just as much as I am.”
The room grew quiet. Big Mac smiled a little bit and hugged his sister close. “Pa would be prouda you, little sis.”
She blinked, not used to hearing her brother actually talk in a full sentence. “Er...” she sighed, smiling, appreciating his soft words. “Thanks. I swear, Ah'll be real careful. And Ah'll be coming home with help.”
“I've no doubt you will,” Granny smith said, standing up. “And it seems that your mind is set. Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Ah not only want to, but I have to.”
She nodded. “Well, then, at least wait until tomorrow. Travelin' is always easier after a good night's rest.”
She nodded. “Well Ah wasn't just gonna go walkin' out the front door.” She gave a soft laugh.
“Indeed,” Granny smith said. “And you'll be needing something to defend yourself with as well.” She stood up and walked over to the small bookshelf which encompassed a very small collection of books and scrolls, mostly on farming and gardening and the basics of frontier living. She reached up to the top shelf, with some effort, and pulled a small box off the top. “Your father left you a good many things here on the farm after his passing. There was only one item that he had brought with him from his old home that he gave me very specific instructions for.” she turned to them.
Applebloom frowned. “Ain't that the box you told me not to go near, Granny?”
She chuckled. “Ah yes, that is correct little Applebloom.” She smiled. “And all things told, it is a good thing I scolded you whenever you got curious about this. I'd always had a fool's hope that I wouldn't have to open this, but your father insisted that, should the day come when one of his children wished to leave the farm, for whatever reason, I give them this.” She beckoned the three of them over. “Your father was not raised here. In many ways he did not believe in the philosophies of the martial. So he had his own way of compensating.” She cracked open the box, to the waiting eyes of three young ponies.
Inside was a gun.
Applejack's eyes widened. “Pa's old three-shot,” she whispered, looking up and down the gleaming silver barrel. “Ah thought it'd been buried with him.”
“No, my dear. He insisted that I hold it, for the day that we might need it. I told him we wouldn't, but he insisted that, as good as we were with our fists, it never hurt to have something extra.” She rolled her eyes. “It was foreigner thinking, but I suppose I can't fault his logic too much.”
Applejack found the thing absolutely beautiful. She'd seen her father firing it off a few times, practicing by setting up the old, rotten apples he couldn't sell out a ways from him, taking shots with strange, little round balls he made himself. He'd even let her fire it a few times. She'd never manage to hit a single target. She'd also learned quick enough how dangerous it could be, especially after she had tried to take it out on her own. She'd improperly loaded it and it had backfired. Not powerfully, but enough to leave her arm sore and bandaged for a month, and her behind sore for a week. Her father had certainly been quite upset. She'd never tried to reach the gun again, unless her father offered to help her practice.
She knew how to fire it. She knew how to load it. Her father had even shown her how he made his makeshift bullets from the earth. His own personal brand of magic, he'd called it. The process had amazed her as a child, but it made so much sense to her own. He'd even told her a few stories of his old home, how before the guns had been made infused with magic, there was a very dangerous kind of powder used in the earliest guns. It made them very dangerous and much more prone to backfire, but after a few special enchantments had been made, the guns were much safer and more reliable. He had said the gun was one of his only heirlooms from his old life.
Beside the gun was her father's personal ammunition pouch, holding a sizable amount of shot he had made. Beneath that was a small notebook written in her father's native tongue. It was a tad messy, something that she could read, vaguely, but the more complicated words were unfamilar to her. It seemed to be a journal of different kinds of shots he had made and experimented with, detailing materials needed, where they could be found, and going into great detail on what they should be used for. In the back of her mind, Applejack wondered something she hadn't wondered since the day her father had begun to teach her own to shoot: Had her father once been more than a farmer?
The question went unanswered as the box was handed to her, her grandmother beginning to cough a tad. Big Mac went to her side, supporting her. She waved him away as the coughing ceased. “No need to worry about me, my boy. I'm just getting old.” She chuckled and turned back to her chair. “I give you that knowing that you're smart enough to know when not to use it, Applejack. If you're going to go on this journey, then prepare yourself. You've not been off the farm before. The closer to Canterlot you go, I can assure you, the more the world is going to change. It is a very different place.”
Applejack let out a sigh. “Ah know it'll be different, but Ah think Ah can handle it, Granny.” She carefully pulled the gun up out of the box. It felt much lighter than she remembered. More memories came flooding back to her and she checked the safety and then the chambers to see if they were loaded. They weren't. She smiled and spun the gun in her hand, like she had seen her father do dozens of times before when he was showing off to her and Big Mac. She'd never managed to master the simple motion, despite his instruction, but now she managed three spins before catching the handle again and holding it tight.
Applebloom gasped nearby. “How'd ya do that, sis?” she asked, eyes wide with wonder.
Applejack blushed a moment and smiled. “Y'all can thank Pa fer that.” She replaced the gun in the box and tucked it under her arm. “Ah should really go an' pack, Ah think. Make sure Ah don't forget anything Ah'll need when I head out tomorrow.”
Her little sister frowned. “Are yah sure yah gotta go?” she asked again.
Applejack smiled at the filly, gentle calm and patience on her face as she looked to the stairs leading up to her room. “Yeah. I do.”
Applebloom looked less than happy with this answer, but she lowered her head and nodded.
Her sister smiled at her, reassuringly. “Hey hey, it ain't like I'm headin' out now. Ah promise, we'll spend one more good night together, we'll all say good bye tomororw, an' then when Ah come back an' the soldiers start patrollin' around here again, Ah bet Ah'll have a lotta real swell stories to tell yah!” She grinned at her, rubbing her head.
“Yah... promise yer comin' back?”
“Course!” she said with a grin. “Already said I was, didn't Ah?”
“It's just... ah don't wanna lose yah, big sis. Ma and Pa are already gone, an'... an'...”
The smile faded, and it took a great deal of self control to keep herself from misting up as she saw her little sister beginning to sob. She took off her hat and bent herself down to be at eye level with her sister. “Listen to me, sugarcube,” she said with a soft whisper. “Ah ain't gonna leave like that. Ah swear, I'm comin' home, safe and sound, an' Ah'm gonna keep workin' on the farm when Ah do. If Ma and Pa had a choice, Ah know they'd still be here with us, okay? Ah got a choice in this, an' it's just something Ah gotta do, for all of us.” She drew her sister into a tight hug, taking a deep breath. “Ah promise. Ah'm comin' home.
The filly whimpered, clinging to her sister. The two sat there for a moment before they felt the strong arms of their elder brother wrapping around them as well, holding them both close. Applejack sniffed a little bit. “Y'all ain't gonna start cryin' too, are yah Mac?”
She could hear him sniffle as he pressed his head against her hair, holding his sisters close. “Nope,” he answered, his voice cracking.
Granny Smith watched from her chair, her old eyes, already strained with the burden of age, beginning to mist over. She smiled and wiped an eye softly, sighing and leaning back as she watched her grandchildren. “Jonathan,” she said under her breath. “You left behind three wonderful children. I only wish I could have apologized to you for all the strife I caused. I never said it when you were alive, but... I'm proud that you married Ida.” She took a deep breath. “So you'd best watch over your daughter while she's on the road.”
“Yah say something, Granny?” Applejack asked, slowly raising up off the ground, smiling behind her.
The elder smiled and shook her head. “Nothing, dear. Just the ramblings of a very old Mare.” She grunted softly. “Mac, come with me and help me get lunch started? Far too much sadness in this house right now.”
“Eeyup,” he said, smiling and going to her, taking her arm and helping her towards the kitchen.
Applejack smiled. “Well, Ah gotta go and sort through mah things. Gotta see what Ah'm takin' with me.” She smiled down at Applebloom, still trying to get her sniffles under control. “Yah wanna come and gimmie a hand, lil sis?”
The filly brightened up considerably at the offer. “Yeah! I'd love to!” She smiled and eagerly took her sister's hand, the two of them making their way up the stairs as Applejack panicked within her own mind. For all her conviction and bravado, she didn't think she had much of a plan to work with. 'Well, sugarcube,' she thought to herself, 'Yah done gone and gave yerself this task. Now how in the hay are yah gonna pull it off?'