//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: A Strange New Pony in Town // by Dark Dienen //------------------------------// Applejack could proudly say she was always the first one up on the farm. Rain, hail, or shine, she was up and about at the crack of dawn, before the farm’s rooster even on some days, the calling of her work always overriding her need for more sleep. Admittedly, there was the occasional day when she didn’t want to do so, days when the mare found herself torn between doing her chores in the early morning cold, or staying tucked up in the comfort of her warm blankets for an hour or so more. Still, responsibility always won over, even on those days. “Can thank me fer that,” she chuckled lightly to herself, throwing back the thick covers and rolling from her mattress. “Celestia bless her soul.” What followed was ingrained routine for Applejack. A quick shower to deal with any lingering morning drowsiness, a minute or two spent drying, then a brush of her blond mane and tail followed by neatly tying the locks up with their red ties, and finally the fetching of her Stetson from its place of residence on her nightstand before heading down for breakfast. She grinned at her reflection as she passed her nightstand mirror. The farm pony would openly admit to not being a Rarity kind of gorgeous, but given her muscular definition and curves, she still liked to think that she could look damn good when she wanted to. “Still, vanity ain’t gonna get the chores done round’ here.” She kept her steps as light as possible while traversing the barn’s main hallway. Big Mac would’ve been out and about working in the orchard. By then, he was always the first out in the orchard, and Granny Smith would’ve slept through an earthquake, but AB was a different story altogether; that filly was a big enough nightmare when she wasn’t grumpy, when she was… eesh. Luckily, she made it past her sister’s room without issue, prompting a small sigh of relief from the amber mare. When she wandered past the guest room, however, Applejack felt her eyebrow rise at what she saw. The door was partly open, and hence whoever was using the room was probably awake at that point; that was nothing particularly new to the Apple household, and on any other morning she would’ve ignored it as just an out of pattern occurrence… except this particular time the pony inside wasn’t an Apple. Staying light on her hooves, Applejack approached the door, her sense of curiosity overriding the small amount of embarrassment and wrong she felt for prying on a guest. And on a stallion no less. Upon sticking her head around the corner, the Earth pony couldn’t help but blink at what greeted her eyes. Xarzith was standing up and awake, and currently standing in silence by the room’s sole window, something which was considered a small marvel in Ponyville if one wasn’t an Apple, or didn’t need to be up at an early hour… though that was not what surprised her the most; the stallion was apparently content to ignore his present state of having a scruffy alabaster coat and bedhead blue mane, either of which would’ve caused a panic if Rarity had been present, and instead watch the sun rise as he drank down gulps of blue… something… from a small glass vial she’d yet to see since meeting him. What was more, her eyes found themselves drawn to his flank… his glaringly bare flank. “A stallion his age with no mark?” she pondered. “Well… ah’ guess that explains the need to wear that cloak all the time… best not to tell AB.” Having apparently not yet noticed her presence, Applejack felt an uncomfortable knot form in her stomach as the stallion corked the strange glass, turned, and then stowed it back in his nearby saddleback, his entire body giving an almost unnatural quiver as he did so, as if the stuff tasted vile. “I know it’s your house and all, but it’s still kinda rude to go watching somepony while their back’s turned,” he said flatly to the room, going about doing the strap on his saddlebag up. Applejack winced and bit her lip. “Ah’m surprised ya’ll heard me.” Xarzith shook his head. “Smelt you, actually, all the way from down the hall,” the stallion offered, his body quivering once more before turning to her. “Your soap is lemon and barely scented, so it’s a bit hard to miss it in a place that otherwise smells like apples… sorry if that sounds a little weird.” “Ya must have a better nose than ma’ dog if you can tell that,” Applejack snickered and blushed, though inwardly feeling more than a bit uneasy. She turned her attention to his saddlebag to change the subject. “If ya don’t mind me askin’, what’n the hay were y’all drinking just now? Look like ya wouldn’t keep it down for moment there.” The stallion just shrugged. “Medication.” “Medication?” Applejack asked bluntly. “Eh, I’ve lived most of my life in the Northern Mountains, so my body’s basically suited to living in sub-zero temperatures all year round,” he replied, shrugging. A slight grin spread across his maw as he poked his own side. “But down here the weather’s a lot different, a lot warmer, so I have to take that stuff to regulate my body temperature while it slowly adapts… otherwise I could get hit with climatic shock and end up in hospital.” Applejack simply nodded as the words left the stallion’s muzzle; he didn’t appear to be lying, but there was something about his story that seemed a little too… perfect, scripted almost. It was kinda of like the numerous times she’d been asked ‘where’d you get your hat?’, and she’d replied with the same, well versed answer. “The reason I nearly couldn’t keep it down was… well, heh, let’s just say it doesn’t taste like quality cider,” he chuckled as he pulled his cloak over himself, nudging her as he walked past and out the door. “I’ll be out by the Everfree if you want to find me.” “What ‘bout breakfast?” she called over her shoulder. “I already ate,” was his reply from somewhere down the hall, followed by tell-tale wooden creak of the barn door being opened. Silence soon took its reign over the house once again, and Applejack, as its one and only subject, just stood in the now empty room in such a state, her mind trying to make some sort of sense of what had just happened as she stared at the floor; this stallion, Xarzith… he seemed to be a nice enough pony, and a rather polite one to boot… but these little things, first the dragon part of his upbringing, and now this ‘medication’ of his… well, they were starting to paint a cloudy layer over that ‘nice enough pony’ visage. It wasn’t like he was up to no good, that much she knew for certain… but the fact that there was so much he apparently wanted to keep to himself up until it was discovered… the farm mare couldn’t help but find it unsettling. Applejack’s green eyes settled on his saddle bag, which still lay hung on the guest rooms’ bed frame. “Ah’ ain’t no thief or peepin’ filly, ma,” she whispered, momentarily staring at the barn ceiling. “But some things ah’ can’t just let be.” Holding her breath, Applejack gingerly approached the bags like it was a sleeping manticore, shakily unclipped the latch on the nearest of the two, and flipped it open. Surprisingly, there was very little to be found inside the small bag. The glass vial with its small amount of remaining blue… medication… a few rolled up scrolls, which appeared to simply be the combination of a map of Ponyville, a few blanks sheets, and a few varying forms relating to the purchase of Xarzith’s block, and a quill and ink bottle. Well… that had been rather uneventful. “I swear, ah’m going loopier than Pinkie Pie,” Applejack huffed in self annoyance, replacing the bag’s flap before rubbing her brow. “What in the hay is wro… huh?” she trailed off as something else caught her eye. It wasn’t a surprise that she’d missed it upon her first look, seeing as she’d only noticed it by chance, but there, on the floor beside the spare bed’s leg, was a small, glinting… something, that was reflecting the light as it trickled in through the window. Hastily, the blonde farm pony reached down and plucked it from the floor, resting the small object atop her hoof as she scrutinized it closely. It appeared to be one of the ice-like gem stones that Xarzith had shown them all the day before, and given to Spike at one point, an ‘ice diamond’ if her memory served her right. The word appeared to come to mind because it looked to have been broken-no, bitten in half. That was certainly unusual. “Ah’ll… have to ask ‘im about this later,” she huffed, admiring the stone for a few more seconds, before stowing it in her hat. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… “Good morning, Big Mac!” “Hey, Mac!” Twilight and Spike’s greetings were met first by perked ears, and then by a smile from the red stallion as he turned and inclined his head to the two, a silent acknowledgement of having noticed the adopted siblings presence. Quickly, the half-full bucket of apples, which had been clasped in the second oldest Apple’s jaws, was first carried between the nearby tree of his families’ staple crop and his wagon, and then poured into the wooden cart. Twilight just waited and admired the surrounding view while he went about his work, knowing that patience would reward her the same as impatience would, if not less with the red stallion; It was well known that he never said much in public, and was usually withdrawn at the best of times… but, what wasn’t well known was that if caught on his own, and in a good mood, Big Macintosh was actually a decent stallion worth a few words. And a quiet look whilst conversing, Twilight had to admit. “Mornin’ to the both of ya,” he replied, emptying a second bucket into an already laden cart. “What brings ya’ll out to the Acres this time ah’ day? Still pretty early, ain’t it?” “Well you’re up, aren’t you?” “Eeyup,” Macintosh admitted, prompting snickers from Spike and Twilight. “But that’s only ‘cause I’m an Apple.” “We came to see how Ice is settling in,” Spike answered, sliding down from Twilight’s back as she came to a stop, before stretching his legs out. “And help out a bit if we could. We finished re-shelving a day early.” “I think you just want to earn some more ice diamonds.” “Hey! I’m not that shallow! Ice is my friend,” Spike huffed, folding his claws, before the edge of smirk crossed his face. “Although, now you mention it…” Twilight rolled her eyes. “He means Xarzith,” she offered, noting the second oldest Apple’s confused expression. “Apparently it’s draconic for Ice Fire. I don’t completely understand the need for translation.” Big Macintosh just chuckled and nodded once. “I’ll take your word for it; don’t know much ‘bout dragons ma’self. Well, anyway, last time I saw that critter, he was heading out towards the western side of the farm; don’t rightly know what he was doin’, had a rope with ‘im and that was about it… did say somethin’ about cuttin’ down Everfree trees last night though. Ya’ll might wanna go find AJ, she’ll help ya track hi...” “Hey! Twilight!” Twilight grinned. “Speak of Discord,” Macintosh laughed, shaking his hay coloured mane. Sure enough, upon turning and looking up in the direction of the family barn, the three caught sight of Applejack cantering towards them, mane and tail trailing behind in her haste. With trained ease, Applejack hit the brakes as she neared, and the mare came to a skidding halt barely a meter from the three of them. “Ya’ll see a snake or something, AJ?” Big Macintosh grinned, stepping back from the newly created dust cloud. “Haven’t seen ya run that fast since ya’ll were a filly.” Applejack just stuck her tongue out at her older sibling. “Morning to you too,” she jabbed, smirking. “Heh, howdy Twi, Spike, ain’t it a bit early for ya be awake there Twilight?” The unicorn in question groaned at the parroted question, whilst her assistant just sniggered behind a purple claw; why did everypony have to make that assumption? She didn’t stay up and study every night. “You’re as bad as your brother,” Twilight huffed, prompting a chuckle from the farm siblings. “Anyway, we were coming to see if you needed some helping out, and hopefully to check on Xarzith, just to see how he was going… and I was kind of hoping to organize a time to document dragon tongue.” “He knows dragon tongue?” “Surprisingly, yes… although he’s a little tight lipped when it comes to explanations.” Twilight explained, somewhat disappointed at her own words; Big Macintosh just gave her a confused look. Applejack gave an additional shrug. “Well, he was heading out to the Everfree the last time ah’ saw him, so I’d suspect he’ll be back here a bit later, probably ‘round lunch; ya’ll are welcome to help out while ya wait… I’d be mindful if ya’ll ar’ gonna be looking for him on your own though.” The unicorn turned and regarded her friend oddly, the edge of a frown playing at her lips. “AJ… just what do you mean by that?” Twilight asked, looking between the two of Apples. “You seemed to think he was alright yesterday, the hay, you seemed to get along well even.” Applejack let out a long sigh, before pulling her hat off and staring at the dirt. “Honestly, ah’ don’t rightly know that well anymore, Twilight,” she said, sounding unsure as she tipped her stetson, and allowed something small and shiny to fall into her outstretched hoof. “Maybe ah’m just being paranoid… but ah’ get the feeling there’s more he ain’t tellin’ us. This mornin’ I found ‘im drinking down on something blue he called ‘medication’, and then I found this here beside his bed.” Twilight regarded the gemstone. “Spike…” “Hey! It wasn’t me!” the dragon hissed indignantly, crossing his forearms. The unicorn just rolled her eyes, first her study habits and now accusations; why was everyone jumping to conclusions this morning. “I wasn’t going to accuse you of anything, Spike, I was going to ask if you knew anything about these ice diamonds of Xarzith’s? Say… magical or potion properties?” “Huh? Eh, well, not really,” the drake huffed, shrugging his smaller shoulders. “They taste nice. That’s about all I know.” Twilight, despite her best efforts to avoid doing so, proceeded to face-hoof. “Ugh! Ok, once Xarzith gets back we can ask him our questions… but I do have to ask Applejack, what exactly are you getting at? What do honestly think’s up here?” All eyes settled on the orange mare. “Not entirely sure, Twi,” she admitted, blowing a lock of blond mane from her eyes. “A pony who’s ‘from up north’, speaks dragon, has no cutie mark…” “Ya were looking at his flank?” “… And lugs around a saddlebag full ah’ jewels,” she went on, ignoring her sibling’s questioning tone. “You tell me.” A purple hoof found its way to Twilight’s chin, her tail all the while flicking from side to side as she pondered; was Xarzith capable of holding some second agenda? Was there really something he wasn’t telling them? He came across as so genuine. “I think we should hold back on judgement for now… but we’ll keep a close eye on him, just to be safe.” ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… “Ugh! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!” If one were to be wandering, these were not the usual sounds one would’ve expected to hear whilst out on their morning walk, even if said walk was along the edge of Everfree forest. Still, the words rang out through the trees like the roars of an angry ursa, their echoes usually accompanied, shortly after, by either a loud crack as yet another proud and tall tree met the forest floor, or a growl that could’ve been easily mistaken for a territorial dragon’s. The animals and birds had since departed for the protection that the deeper trees provided, all fearing just what could’ve possibly brought such wrath to their forest. Another round of ‘Stupid!’ left Xarzith’s muzzle as his eyes began to glow blue once again. A second later, the stallion’s spell concentrated all of the moisture found inside the aged willow tree he’d been looking at, froze it solid, and then forced it to burst outwards like an axe blade, the disc of solid ice leaving the tree with a splintering crack. Then, without missing a beat, the stallion snorted and clenched his jaw, spun on his front hooves, and slammed his back legs into the now detached dark trunk like a pair of hammers, sending the once proud timber giant crashing earth to join its already fallen brothers. The stallion took a moment to eye his wooden quarry, five fallen trunks so far, before slumping down on of his newly created stump, a white hoof removing the few drops of sweat that had since formed on his brow as he stared out at the surrounding darkness. “Had to let my guard down, didn’t I?” he groaned to the forest around him, continuing to rub his forehead with a hoof. “Start to get a little emotionally attached, and all sense of reason just goes straight to Tartarus; nice one scales for brains.” The surrounding forest offered no reply. He sighed again as the silence stretched on, each breath he took sending a small puff of mist drifting from his nostrils. Acceptance. It was something that he’d admit to being the driving force behind his wandering travels; he’d been looking for it in every town he’d visited since setting out, and had, at long last, finally seemed to have found in the small town of Ponyville. Xarzith clenched his teeth, annoyed at his own stupidity; he’d made the same mistake again, allowing himself to get too comfortable too quickly, resulting in a lapse in his security; a lapse which had only been saved by a well scripted and rehearsed half-truth. He’d been able to dodge one arrow, but when more inevitably started flying as the questions built up… “One’ll eventually find its mark,” he grumbled, staring down at his blank-canvas marble flank, which was just visible beneath his cloak; some questions had no believable half-truth, and there would come a time, just like all the others, when they would surface. He shook his head and got to his hooves. “I’ll deal with that when it comes around.” A few moments later, another tree crashed to Earth.