Though the sun was high in the sky, it did not lend much warmth to the day. January in Ponyville still carried much of the cold and snow from most winters, and with Winter Wrap Up at least two more months away, things weren't going to get warmer any sooner. Last night, a new layer of snowfall had been delivered by the pegasi, and many young colts and fillies were enjoying the day off from school.
As Applejack strolled through the trees of her farm, still devoid of leaves and apples, she felt oddly at peace in the quiet. True she would always feel most at home in the dense and lush greens of her farm in full bloom, but this white landscape allowed her to take a breath. Her chores were lessened because of the lighter workload, and this gave her more time to think. She took a deep breath of crisp winter air as she continued to wander, without any real destination in mind.
The last 5 months before winter had gone rather smoothly for her and the family. With Twilight’s recent ascension to Princess of Friendship, and her new castle being established, Ponyville was beginning to attract more attention from other parts of Equestria. As such, a few more ponies were beginning to come to Ponyville, either as visitors, or to set up their own businesses, which in turned meant more people to sell her wares to. She thought back to one of those few new business ponies that she had met…
5 months earlier…
Applejack kept up her usual good-natured mood as she packed things up at her apple cart. The day at the market had gone well, and she had managed to bring in a good amount of bits for the farm. Storing the bag of bits safely in the cart, she slipped the on a harness to help her pull the cart, and began the trip back to Sweet Apple Acres. Nothing could spoil her mood today.
CRACK!
Well, almost nothing. Applejack cursed under her breath as she turned around to look behind her. The front end of the cart had for some reason collapsed, with the front wheels, sticking out at odd angles. This had caused a multitude of apples to spill and roll over the ground.
“Ah horseapples!” She voiced a bit louder this time, unhooking herself from the reins to inspect the damage. This looked like it could take some time to work on. Plus with Big Mac back on the farm and Applebloom still in school, she wouldn’t be able to leave the cart to get them to help.
“Need some help there, miss?” a voice asked, causing Applejack to look over her shoulder. A lone stallion, deep burgundy red in colour was looking at her with a friendly curious look on his rounded face. He stood a few inches taller than her, with a stocky build that reminded her of Big Mac when he was younger and stuck in a growth spurt. His mane and tail were jet black, with streaks of goldish- brown.
“Well uh, if you think you can, I’d sure appreciate a hoof,” She said, stepping to the side. The stallion nodded his head and walked over to the front of the cart, standing next to her.
“You mind giving me a hoof to lift this?” He asked, nodding his head down to the cart. Applejack nodded, noticing the smooth hint of a Trottingham accent in his voice, and together they bent their heads under the cart and lifted it, setting it on their shoulders to inspect the damage.
“Ah, I see, it’s a pretty simple break in the axle,” The stallion said, indicating the said axle, snapped in two, splintering across the middle. “You give me about an hour, I should be able to make a new one up for you”. They set the cart down and turned to face each other, causing Applejack to notice his cutie mark – an oak tree with a large crack down the middle.
“You really think you can be that quick?” She asked.
“Yeah, for sure,” He returned, settling back into a more relaxed position. “Permit me to introduce myself. Oak Splitter’s the name, lumber and carpentry is my game.” He held his hoof up for a friendly hoof bump, which she returned with a smile.
“Applejack. My family own Sweet Apple Acres out on the outskirts.”
“Oh, I’ve heard good things about that place. If you couldn’t tell I just moved here for work,” Oak Splitter said, indicating his own cart, filled with basic supplies as well as a large number of carpentry tools. “Trottingham’s kinda dried up with the jump to more modern buildings. Not many ponies buying my wares anymore.”
“Ah can understand that, seems Ponyville’s one of the few places not moving at the speed of light,” Applejack said with a small chuckle. Oak returned it with one of his own, before clearing his throat.
“So, I haven’t got my full workshop set up yet, but if you got somewhere to work and a strong bit of wood, I can get that axle made up for you.” He offered. Applejack thought for a moment before answering.
“Okay, we can use the barn, and I’ve got a fallen branch that could be of use. How much is it gonna cost?”
“Don’t worry Applejack, this one’s on me.”
“Oh no, Oak Splitter, I couldn’t ask that of you.”
“Please, call me Oak, and you don’t have to worry, I’ve got savings to help me get set up. Besides I always let my first order go free for my first customer in a new town. All I ask is that you spread the word about my business, and tell me where to find the best trees.” Oak replied smoothly, giving her a lopsided grin. Applejack paused in thought. Then there was a sigh, and her trademark warm smile
“Alright Oak, you got a deal. Let me get this cart re-hitched so I can pull it back, and I’ll lead you there.”
Now…
Applejack smiled to herself at the memory as she continued through the trees. Ever since that meeting, she had called on Oak Splitter for any task she needed him for, from general repairs to helping her with a barn raising. She regarded him as someone she could trust on wholeheartedly, and a friend almost as close as Twilight and the others.
Speaking of Oak, Applejack could see him as she drew out from the line of trees she was walking past. He was trudging through the snow with a little difficulty, pulling a sizeable tree trunk behind him, tied around his waist with rope, heading in the direction of his house. It turned out that Oak had bought some land near Sweet Apple Acres and on the edge of the Everfree Forest. He had told her he needed more land out of town in order to build both his house and his workshop. She speeded up her trot a little, managing to catch up with his slow plod.
“Afternoon Oak.” She greeted him with a grin, trotting up next to him.
“Oh, hey Applejack.” He returned, straining his words a little as he pulled the trunk a few more feet before stopping, his breathing a little ragged. “Don’t suppose, you could give me a hand with this?” He asked, smiling sheepishly like he had bitten off a bit more than he could chew.
“Sure.” She said simply, taking a second rope that he had offered her, she tied it round the trunk and then herself, and together she and Oak began to haul the tree through the snow.
“You know, you probably should’ve taken the day off, Oak.” She said, Pausing a second to stretch her legs out. “With the snow this thick, I’m surprised you could get the tree this far.”
“I didn’t have much choice, AJ.” Oak replied, working out a kink in his neck. “I need to get this order for Filthy Rich done as soon as possible. It’ll be one of my biggest paydays yet.” Applejack frowned a little. She knew Filthy Rich well, and though she respected him, she also knew he was a very shrewd business pony.
“Well I can understand your thinking, but I’m sure Filthy would understand if you took one day off.” In truth Applejack was kind of worried about Oak. He hadn't taken a single day’s break since he had moved in. Applejack herself knew she wasn't one to take days off, but even she knew that she couldn’t work non-stop, especially after that Applebuck Season disaster.
Before Oak could reply, Applejack saw his ears perk up, and soon the sound reached her as well. It was a cry on the wind, and it seemed to be coming closer to them. The voice sounded familiar, and Applejack could make out a small shape coming closer.
“Applejack! Applejack!” The voice became rougher and more recognizable as an orange filly ploughed through the snow.
“Scootaloo? What’s the matter?” Applejack asked in a confused tone, before the ‘protective big sister’ section of her brain kicked in. Her voice changed to concern. “Is it Applebloom?”
“W-Well…” Scootaloo stuttered a bit, gulping loudly before she carried on, “We were down at the lake trying to get our cutie marks in figure skating, but the ice on the lake hasn’t fully frozen yet, so it’s kinda thin and now….” She didn’t even get the chance to finish, as Applejack had already broken into as fast a sprint as possible through the thick snow in the direction of the lake, slipping out of the rope binding her to the tree.
Scootaloo stared after her before she felt herself, lifted up easily onto the back of the stallion, who had too slipped his rope, leaving the tree to be buried under snowfall.
“Come on kid, we better get after her,” Oak said, picking up his pace as he chased after AJ. He had known her long enough to know she took matters involving family deathly seriously, and anything involving Applebloom usually meant trouble. He knew the youngest Apple well, and though he did like her, she had a habit of getting into mischief like the scamp she was.
As he galloped after the mare, his mind had already jumped to the same dark conclusion as hers, and after about 10 minutes of full out sprint, those thoughts were confirmed as they both pulled up by the lake.
The expanse of water was covered by a layer of ice, which to the untrained eye looked thick enough to skate on, However near the centre a few small cracks could be seen; and standing near those cracks were two very scared fillies.
“Sweetie Belle! I told you not to go out there.” Scootaloo shouted across the lake at the white unicorn, who was trying her best not to slip on the ice. Sweetie Belle looked guilty as she noticed the trio arrive.
“She just looked so scared, I was only trying to help.” She called, stumbling a little. Her companion however, remained completely still as she stared at her feet, the red bow on her head quivering in fear.
“Applebloom!” Applejack cried in horror, racing round the edge of the lake to try and get as close as possible. The yellow filly’s head snapped up at the call, and Oak Splitter could see the fear in her amber eyes.
“Applejack, I’m scared!” She cried out to her sister, her usually adorable accent now filled with terror.
“Don’t worry, little sis, it’s gonna be okay.” Applejack tried to reassure her, but her tone wasn’t one of calm as she turned to Oak Splitter. “Oak, I need to find Big Mac and get some rope, can you stay here and make sure nothing happens?”
“You can count on me.” Oak replied. Applejack nodded a quick thanks before bolting off again. Oak watched her go before turning back to Applebloom and the others. “Don’t worry girls, it’s gonna be okay.”
“I hope you’re right Mr Oak Splitter.” Scootaloo said nervously, looking out at the expanse of ice. As she said that there was a loud crack from the ice, causing both Sweetie Belle and Applebloom to scream. Oak flinched at the sound, realizing Applejack might not make it back in time.
“Applebloom, I need you and Sweetie Belle to keep calm for me okay?” Oak said as he walked around the lake, searching for something in particular. The girls nodded, but their expressions didn’t get any less scared. Even Scootaloo, safe on the bank, was terrified for what may befall her best friends.
Finally Oak spotted it; an area of the lake considerably more opaque than the rest. Hopefully that meant the ice there was thicker. He cautiously readies himself, then quickly steps out onto the ice.
“Girls, look, this part is safe!” Oak shouted out, stamping on the ice a few times to illustrate his point. They look over, and their faces brighten at the prospect of safety.
“How are we gonna get over there?” Sweetie Belle asked, as she looked at the cracking ice beneath her hooves.
“You’re gonna have to jump!” Scootaloo shouted from the bank. Oak nodded and walked a little closer to where the fillies were standing.
“Come one Sweetie you first.” He said to the unicorn, as she was closest. “On 3 okay?” She nodded quickly, trying to steel herself for it. “1…2…3!” The filly leapt with all her might, covering the distance with ease. She landed just short of Oak, who reached out with his hoof to push her past him. She slid along the ice and crashed into the shore, where Scootaloo quickly pulled her to safety. She stood herself up and shook her head, waving over from the bank where they stood.
“Okay, it’s your turn Applebloom.” He said. He looked back over to see her still rooted to the ice.
“I-I don’t think I can!” She said, shivering from both the cold and the fear.
“You can, you just need to trust me. I know you can do it!” Oak encouraged. She didn’t reply, but a frantic nod told him she was ready. “Okay, on 3. 1…” Oak noticed the ice beginning to shift again.
“2…” another crack began to inch its way towards her.
“3!” He shouted urgently. Applebloom leapt, but Oak could see that she hadn’t leapt far enough. Reacting quickly, he shot forward and grabbed her before she could hit the ice, tossing her over onto the strong ice. He landed heavily and slid for a few feet, dazing himself. He stood up slowly, looking over at the bank, where Applebloom was being helped to her feet by Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. They looked over at him, and he smiled back, glad to see that at least they were safe.
It was then that he realised where he was standing.
CRACK!
The last thing Oak Splitter saw was the three young faces of the Cutie Mark Crusaders turn to masks of shock and horror. Then the freezing abyss pulled him into its clutches.