//------------------------------// // "Ascension" (Applejack) // Story: Shadowland // by mocandragon5 //------------------------------// I couldn't believe it when I saw Rarity, Rainbow and Pinkie being dragged by some of the guards towards her castle. The look on her face as she was dragged past made me shudder. After that happened, I just carried on with my duties, knowing fully well what could happen if these vampires caught you not doing your work. I pulled the cart behind me, full to the brim with apples, towards the old town hall. Luckily for me, I didn't have to go anywhere near that accursed castle for the rest of the week, just having to see Fluttershy in this state? All I can say is even after all these years, I still feel terrible. I travelled for a while, going back and forth between the town hall and various other places to pick up and move various materials, whether it be food, building materials or raw materials for weaponry. I don't want to work for these slavers, but I have no choice. They have my family, and even if I tried to run, I'd die. "Applejack. The matriarch wishes to see you." A stallion's voice came from behind me. I was petrified, my heart beat faster. The only reason she ever calls for someone is for some sort of punishment. "Come with me." The stallion spoke, placing a hand on my shoulder and twisting me around. The guard who was sent to escort me there was one of the main ones who acted directly from her will. Unlike the law enforcers, these were only sent for important reasons, as these were the ones who guarded her at all times. I nodded quietly and followed behind him. Various other ponies stopped to watch as I followed the guard, expressions of worry and fear for my safety on their faces. They probably thought the same I did. "Ah'll be fine." Was all I managed to say to one of them before my escort stopped and glared at me for a moment before carrying on. We finally arrived at the entrance to the throne room, in the ex-castle of Twilight, a mere shadow of what it once was. The guard spoke, saying "I have brought Applejack, your highness." "Bring her in." A voice from inside replied. It was the corrupted voice of Fluttershy. The doors opened, and what I saw inside was surprising. Rarity, Rainbow and Pinkie were sitting on wooden chairs by one of the walls, and Fluttershy was there. "Come in, Applejack." Fluttershy said, eyeing me in the doorway. "I don't bite, wait, that's a lie, isn't it? And Thassra, get it set up." "Yes, your highness." My escort, Thassra, replied before walking down the corridor behind me. I swallowed hard and walked in. I cast a questioning glance at Rarity, but stopped when Fluttershy spoke again. "You may be wondering why you are here, Applejack." She said, rising from her throne and walking down to meet me. "You can thank Rarity for what is about to happe to you. She has reminded me of how you helped me in the time I was... imperfect. And she has convinced me to share my gift with you. Aren't you honoured?" My eyes widened as I heard her plans. Most here wouldn't have found this a punishment, but for me? It was. The worst kind. I looked at Rarity. "Now, my question, as I said earlier and now that Applejack is here," Rarity started, "I request we may have some last words, in private, together, before you allow her to... ascend." Fluttershy was obviously considering the proposal. "Alright, but you must stay in this room. You may go over there." She said, pointing out an empty corner of the room. Rarity and I walked over there. "I only suggested this to bring you up here." Rarity said. "I was thinking of a break out method." "Before we go onto that, what are y'all doing here? Y'all got out!" I replied. "We were supposed to be heading to Manehattan, thy are going to fall to an attack. We took the wrong train track and ended up here. Twilight has gone missing too." "Twilight was coming here? If they got their hands on her..." "They haven't. She wasn't with us when we became conscious." "Well? What's the plan?" "We will disrupt the ceremony and escape in the chaos. Pinkie's plan." "Better than nothin', ah guess." "Are you done over there?" Fluttershy called over, a hand of one of the guards grabbing Applejack, the same one, and dragged her to where there was a strange set up. Fluttershy was drinking down some strange liquid while one of the guards was lighting candles which were held in a circular pattern around a table. "Alright Applejack, just lie down on the table. It won't hurt... lethally." Fluttershy commanded. "Guards, hold back her friends." Rarity's eyes widened. The plan was ruined. I did as I was told, lying down on the table. Fluttershy leaned over me, lining her mouth up with my neck. She opened her mouth, revealing fangs and placed them around my neck. I tried my best to attack the vampire, but something was holding me down. The fangs sunk deep. The candles around the table extinguished one by one, fresh blood dripping out of the wound before it sealed up. I immediately felt the change. My heartbeat began to slow and a warm sensation began in my neck, slowly engulfing my entire body. Everything went black for seconds, before I reached up and grabbed Fluttershy's neck. "Ah'll... never... serve... you..." Was all I could muster before I felt pain racking through my body once more. Wings began to grow from my back, some of my teeth lengthening into fangs. My eyes began to turn into a shade of red as I felt strength leaving her body. This reduction in strength allowed Fluttershy to escape. "They always do that." She muttered. "Rise." I slid her legs over the side of the table and sat up. I looked at Fluttershy deep in the eyes. "Alright, Applejack, go and bring your friends to me."