//------------------------------//
// A sidewinder revealed! 
// Story: Applejack Through the Ages 
// by Paradise Oasis 
//------------------------------//

A sidewinder revealed!

So anyway, Ol' Butterfly and I figured it must've been so no-good varmint who let those cattle loose on the town. For three weeks we investigated the circumstances of this crime, and I came to think it was some cattle rustlers. But Butterfly Hunter, he had a different idea about what was causin' the trouble...

"It's that old stallion, Curly... I know he's the  one who let those cattle free!" Butterfly Hunter snorted, pacing back and forth inside the bar after closing. "Nobody else had as much ta gain as he does from messin' up the cattle drive this year!"

"But Butterfly, that doesn't even make a lick of sense!" Candy Apple protested, wiping the bar down with a rag on her hoof. "Curly's the biggest business pony  here in town, what could he possibly gain from wrecking the town's economy?" 

"Candy, let's face it, this town is dying."  The bounty hunter pointed out matter-of factly. "Every pony that can afford to do it is selling tier lands, picking up stakes, and moving back into Equestria. The buffalo tribes are peacefully reclaiming their lands along the frontier, buying up the ranches and homes as the  settlers leave."

"So if Curly speeds up the process and gets them to move out faster, he can buy up the land for cheap from the ponies who just want to get out, and sell it back to the buffalo for a fortune!" Candy realized, putting a hoof to her mouth thoughtfully. "But... the frontier used to be a booming place! How the hay did things come to this?!"

The stallion sighed, slumping into a chair by one of the tables. "Because we failed, Apple. We were given the gift of these wonderful lands and fertile soil, and we screwed it up, bad. Our fellow earth ponies, who were supposed to nurture the land and give back what it gave us, got greedy." He looked out the window, at the boarded up buildings at the edge of  town. "My momma told me this town once had two other saloons, a barber shop, and a post office. It had square dances, and town picnics. But the farmers and ranchers drained the land dry, and wore out the soil trying to make a fortune."

"So instead of bein caretakers of the land, they used and abused it." Applejack replied knowingly, trotting over to the window where he was standing. "Hunter, do you think there is anything we can do to reverse the damage selfish ponies have done?"

"It's too late for that, darlin'.The frontier is only good as sacred stomping ground for the tribes now." Her replied, putting a hoof around the saddened mare. "The only thing we can do, is make sure the pony departure from these lands is a fair experience for all those involved."

...

It was much later that night, when a loud noise outside woke Candy Apple from her blissful slumber. Looking over beside her, she saw that Butterfly was aready awake and out of bed, putting his hat and hoof boots on.

"Darlin', stay here." He snorted, trotting towards the door. "I thought I heard something outside." 

"Hunter wait... come back to bed. " She moaned enticingly, rolling back over. "It's probably just the wind, or-"

But he was already gone, leaving her along in the dark and quiet room. With a sigh, Candy thrust off the covers, and galloped her way out the door after him. Racing down the stairs and out the door after Hunter, she never saw the shovel that smacked her in the back of the head, sending her crashing to the ground.

"AHHHHH!" Candy yelled, as she fell to the ground. Her shadowy attacker was on her in an instant, kicking and biting and trying to go for Apple's throat. Despite being stunned by the surprise attack, Candy put up a good fight, landing several hard hoof blows on her assailant's head. 

"OW!" The attacker yelped, as she finally managed to subdue the much stronger mare. "Damn you, Apple! That hurt!" 

"Cherry Sweet?" Candy yelled in disbelief, staring in shock as the other mare tied her up. "What the Hell!?!" 

"Hiya, Candy! Betcha didn't see this coming!" The saloon mare said with a smirk. "I told you it was bad business to stick your nose in my business!"

"Hmm, I see you got her, very good!" The growling voice of Curly chuckled, as he trotted his way around the building. "I was afraid she's get away and snitch about our little plans!"

"Don't worry, she ain't going anywhere." Cherry chuckled, looking down at her helpless rival. "What about Butterfly Hunter?"

"That ornery Sidewinder got away from me, but don't worry, he ain't no threat." The stallion replied, blowing some smoke from the stogie in his mouth that he was puffing on. "That saddle bum'll just keep running, the only thing he cares about is himself!"

"So it was you two who were up to no good in this town!" Apple snorted angrly, looking up at the two conspirators. "What were you planning to do with the saloon here, that was makin' so much noise?" 

"Countryside is stubbornly refusin' ta sell me this place, despite all the generous offers I been making her!" Curly explained, as they both lifted the tied up mare and began to carry her away. "And as long as she's keepin' this place runnin', she's keepin Dodge Junction alive on life support!"

"So we're gonna burn the whole place down, and take countryside with it!" Cherry Sweet continued. "With the saloon gone, this town will dry up and blow away in no time!"

"Of course, you won't be around to see it." Curly sneered, as the two ponies dragged her away. "Pity you're gonna have to meet such a messy end, but we can't have you warning Countryside or the sheriff, now can we?"

And as his mention of a 'messy end' turned over and over in her head, Candy apple noticed the two villains were dragging her towards the town's railroad tracks...