//------------------------------// // Beginning // Story: Captain Applejack Harkness // by Inthretis //------------------------------// 618 AD (After Discord) Everfree Castle Celestia was not amused. No, she was downright furious. In less than a week, her sister had gone from a gentle, loving soul to a genocidal supervillain. The world was plunged into eternal night, and the landscape began to freeze. Celestia had barely been able to stop Nightmare Moon with the Elements of Harmony before any irreversible damage was done. Worst of all, the Doctor knew all of it was going to happen, and decided to not help. He just watched it unfold while snickering along with that infuriating companion of his. Savior of worlds, and yet he decided not to save one pony. “For thy non-interference with the event of Nightmare Moon, I banish thee, Doctor of TARDIS, from Equestria! Should thou ever return, thou shalt face the might of the entire Equestrian Army. Now leave, and never return.” “Wait a minute.” Standing in front of Celestia was a brown earth pony stallion and a pale yellow earth pony mare. The stallion had an hourglass cutie mark, while the other’s was of a single rose. The mare’s face was contorted in an attempt to hold back a snort. Her eyes were beginning to tear up, as she fought back her urge to laugh. The stallion was snickering as well, with his hoof to face. The mare held her breath, paused, and continued, “Hold it. So you’re banning him from Equestria for... standing?” “Nay, Roseluck of Trottingham, the Doctor knew of this event, and decided to not interfere, resulting in my sister’s imprisonment on the moon. He could have stopped her, but decided not to," Princess Celestia glared at the Doctor, whose face remained neutral. Roseluck just stood, an eyebrow raised, “But this was supposed to happen, I mean he saves the day a lot, but your sister will return. Haven't you ever heard of the prophecy? On the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will-” The Doctor brought his hoof up and covered Roseluck’s mouth, “Don’t tell her, Rose. This is a fixed point. I couldn’t change this even if I tried. Celestia, you were lucky I stopped Luna from bombing Zebrica.” Celestia’s eye twitched in rage, “Says the one who stopped Discord. You know of many prophecies, and yet you gallivant across time, helping only those you perceive to be in flux. If history says nay, then thou agrees.” “Celestia, I’ve told you before that certain events cannot be changed, Discord is a point in time that fluctuates wildly. But this time with your sister, I could not intervene, only watch. Just be on the look out for the prophecy. It will explain everything. That is all I can say.” “Get out.” “I beg you pardon?” “GET OUT!" Celestia screamed with all her might. “Very well. Roseluck, let’s go to 1376, I hear they have good scones in a nice bakery in Los Pegasus," the Doctor said to his companion. "Okay, let's go. Princess?" Roseluck looked at the new monarch, "Just remember that your sister will return one day. It will be many years, time will pass and empires will rise and fall, but she will come back. And it will be one of the best days of your life. Until then, have faith." As the two earth ponies made their leave, Celestia’s face continued to darken. With great sorrow and anger, she turned herself towards her advisors. “This is a day for mourning, in my sister’s anger, almost five hundred ponies perished in the ensuing battle. Therefore, I proclaim that every year on this day, a new holiday representing the tale of Nightmare Moon shall be created," Celestia decreed. “Very well, your highness," said a bespeckled pegasus. “Also, with this past day and night, I have learned that Equestria can no longer rely on the Doctor for help. In truth, he has been selecting in what he interferes in, and we cannot trust the one who nearly let Nightmare Moon kill all of Equestria. “That is why I propose an institute. In memory of the fallen soldiers Bright Torch and Woodstock, on this eve of the six hundred and eighteenth year the creation of a new branch of the military, equal in standing to the Wonderbolts and the Royal Guard. “In honor of Commander Bright Torch and Lieutenant Woodstock, I name it Torchwood... the Torchwood Institute! For now we must protect ourselves on all sides. The east from Dragons and Griffons, the North from Sombra, the West from Zebras, the South from Changelings, and the below from Diamond Dogs. Now we must also protect from above-” Celestia abruptly looked towards the moon and the stars. The newly formed mare on the moon stared back, “And should my sister - or the Doctor - ever return, we’ll be ready for them! They shall face a new enemy, one that was developed just for them.” --0o0-- 999 years and 362 days later Sweet Apple Acres For nearly one thousand years, Celestia’s secret paramilitary organization prepared for the inevitable return of Nightmare Moon and/or the Doctor. It was just three days until the Summer Sun Celebration, and Applejack was busy organizing the catering of the event, along with most of her family. Despite being both the oldest and the youngest member of her clan, she was still sometimes treated with the respect of a teenager fresh out of high school. This was probably due to her appearance, looking like an average earth pony in her early twenties. Occasionally, it bothered her, but at least it got her out of trouble on a regular basis. Her job after all, required her to get into trouble very often. Protecting Equestria from certain “potentially dangerous individuals” was hard work. She was the leader of Torchwood Seven, located above the Ponyville Rift that extends across the town into the Everfree forest and towards the gates of Tartarus. Her name was Captain Applejack Harkness, and she was preparing. Two years before the Summer Sun Celebration, she discovered the book “Predictions and Prophecies” and had since predicted the exact day Nightmare Moon would appear. Now, with only three days left, she had to practice. A rope. A chair. A notebook. A stopwatch. The rope wrapped around her neck, tied in a noose. She closed her eyes and tightened her grip. Then she jumped.Then she passed out. Within three minutes, her heart stopped. Her brain shut off and all of her cells began to die. And then she woke up. With a gasp of air, she fell backwards, slamming into the floor. Her face showed a mix of confusion and bewilderment, she squinted and stood up. Her eyes leveled with a stopwatch on her bed. She glanced at it and noted the time. “Four minutes and 22 seconds, my best time yet," she said with a smirk, “Nightmare Moon won’t know what’ll hit her.” --0o0-- June 17, 1618 Dear Diary, My name is Applejack Harkness. Today I just bought you to replace my old one after I ran out of space, so I dub you “Applejack’s Diary No. 157”. You have a long legacy to keep up, so don’t tell ANYPONY what I write in here. Let’s start with the basics. I was born on the Boeshane peninsula, I am 475 years old, I am basically immortal, and I buck apples for a living. In my spare time, I participate in rodeos, play the fiddle, and hunt aliens. Let’s get something straight, this is 100% confidential, so don’t let Applebloom read this. Seriously, don’t. I don’t know why I keep getting you diaries, but I every four or five years, somebody finds out. When Big Mac found and read No. 152, he totally freaked out, and I just know that if Applebloom were to read this, it would jeopardize my literal existence. (Time travel, yadda-yadda yadda, I’ll explain later.) But enough about that, I’m here to write down my practice results. Death by Hanging: 25 times (22 for practice). Quickest revival: 4 min., 22 seconds Death by drowning (Freshwater): 38 (35 for practice). QR: 3 min., 40 sec. Death by Overeating (non poisonous): 2 times for practice QR: 9 min., 5 sec. Death by boredom: 1 time by accident. QR: 1 hour, 18 min., 16 sec. Death by electrocution: 44 times (8 by Ditzy) (20 for practice). QR: 2.6 sec. Death by Magic blast: 104 (31 for practice). QR: 6.03 sec. Death by instant heart attack: 67 (65 for practice). QR: 3.6 sec. So yeah, very productive day. Tomorrow, I’ll finish up the preparations for the Princess (must avoid eye contact or else I might shoot her in rage) to arrive here, and probably begin searching for the Elements of Harmony when I can. Wish me luck! -Captain AJH