The Red Rock Canyon

by Flynn_Vector

Chapter 3: New Allies, New Problems

The Past is like a ghost: it leads to fear and temptation of later regrettable deeds. If there is anypony that understands this it’s Linus, his cold attitude often made him a fearful pony and kept him away from making friends but is the result of his past; even as a little filly, Applejack seems to be the only one to understand her uncle's attitude, mostly because she could see through him better than any other member in the family, she could tell Linus was broken just like her during does days, but she couldn't understand anything else other than that, she was very young...

The farm was in dire conditions with too many apple unbuckled and reserves of money running out by that time, Linus tried get some other members of the apple family to help, but with them taking care of their own farms there is simply no time to help the Apples at Ponyville, production had pretty much stopped and anything that can be profitable is all out; Linus just can't handle the responsibilities of the Apple family, but somehow, Linus could keep calm and promises to the Apples that he "will make the problem go away" and that he did.

He started to work has a courier in Equestria and made good money for the farm, but that left the problem of the unworked lands. Big Machintoch did what he could for the little pony he was back then but it just wasn't enough, as just a little filly, Applejack could only watch helplessly at what was going on before her. But Granny Smith told her that she one day would be just as strong as her brother and could help him.

Uncle Linus helped a lot with the money concern and while it wasn't much, it was enough for what a single pony could do, and the Apple couldn't be any more grateful; it was one more issue off their backs. Linus would always say "It's just my job".

On one dark night at Sweet Apple Acres, Linus was sitting in the table of the kitchen, the look in his eyes show that he is in a deep thought; it's starting to rain; a filly Applejack is coming down the stairs and heading towards the kitchen, the little filly seems to have been sleeping for quite a while, the soft yawn made Linus turns his eyes towards the door where Applejack is coming through, he just looks at her, Applejack is awake enough to realize her uncle there:

-Uncle Linus ya wake al' ready?-

Linus chuckles -No kid, I uh... can't sleep...-

The filly walks towards Linus and puts her hoof over his uncle's in sing of compassion:

-It's ok uncle, Granny Smith says there is no reason to be afraid of the dark-
Linus laughs softly -Oh you little fella, is not that... I'm just thinking-

- 'Bout what?!-

-Grown up things, kid...- said Linus

Applejack puts her hoof down and just turns her head away a bit, she knows that "Grown up things" means "Don't ask", so she then heads towards the cabinet and picks a glass and pours water in it, Applejacks feels guilty for asking her uncle about that kind of thing, he has been that thoughtful ever since her dad left, that was a month ago:

-Uncle?-

-MMmm?-

-When is my dad comin back...?- asked Applejack

But it wasn't the first time, of course, a month is a long time for a little kid to wait for father's return, Linus reply was a sigh, Applejack can't see through the stallions poker face so she thinks is not an answer, but rather something else:

-Uncle?-

-Kid, I... think he is coming... soon...-

Applejack listen and understands what she hears "her father is coming soon" and with that she finishes to drink her water and heads to the stairs, not before looking at Linus one more time, he is still with that thoughtful face of his:

-I'm glad you are here uncle- said the little filly with joy

-Thanks kid...- said Linus -...I'm glad live in peace for once-

Applejack heard but didn't understand what he meant by that, but she could tell it sounded serious, but for the time she has known her uncle, he has always been a serious pony:

-Hey tomorrow I don' have school maybe I thought we could-- -

-Kid, please just... go to sleep- interrupted the stallion

Applejack remained there silent and looking at Linus for a little while, she could tell it meant "I want to be alone", she suddenly felt hurt, she went upstairs leaving Linus alone in the kitchen, when Linus heard the door upstairs close, he sighed deeply:

-I'm sorry kid... but you don't wanna be my friend...-

Little filly Applejack walked towards her bed, took a seat, and in the night table next to her, was picture of her with her dad, every time she looked at it she felt sad and somewhat nostalgic. Applejack wishes she could have known her mother better, the tiredness of the little pony is beginning to take the best of her, so she just finally lie down in her soft bed and fell asleep fast.

At that time, it just feels like the days were getting longer

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The sunlight comes through the window of the place where Applejack is, it was all made of wood, it pretty much looks like the inside of a barn. Applejack has bandages are covering her stomach and a small part of her chest, she is over a small bed; the sunlight slowly reaches her face and opens her eyes, the young mare takes a little time to check herself and her surroundings, she is mostly impressed to see she is still alive; Applejack is no medic, but she can tell a normal treatable wound from a mortal one, and hers were bad “How am I still alive” though the pony while looking at her hooves “I feel just fine, almost like... nothing happened”.

Another pony walks into the room, it a clear grey mare, dark yellow mane and a red cross for a cutie mark, she is carrying some clothing on her back:

-Howdy there, I thought you woul’ be wake by now, how are ya?-

-huh...-

The grey pony chuckles a little, has she leaves the clothes at the tables near the bed, Applejack shakes her head softly, it still hurts a little:

-...beg you’ pardon ma’am huh... I’m good thanks- said Applejack

-Yeah ah can tell, le me just check you’ wounds k’?-

The nurse comes to check the stomach, she begins to take off the bandages leaving only the gauze that covers exactly the place where Applejack took the shoot, she looks with shock when the gray mare removes it to see the wound, it still has fresh blood pouring out, thought not more than before, but Applejack could tell the stitches were there, so is not like it’s open:

-Al’righty all in order, you are healing well miss- said the gray mare

-I... thought ah was done for...-

-You jus’ lost a blood there, you passed out faster cus’ of the stress, but you’ll be k now-

The gray mare finished checking the wound, she changed the dirty gauze and puts a new clean one, she puts it on top and bullet wound and puts new bandages over the wound, all over Applejack’s torso and tight enough:

-...there ya go mah mare, try standin up now- said the medic pony

Applejack did as she was told, but even now, her stomach feels hot so she took it slow, the gray pony helped her to sit in the bed:

-Thanks ma’am...- said Applejack -...have you huh... seen mah hat?-

-Oh... fraid not, when you were brought here you had no hat...-

Applejack turned her sight down, she is disappointed and deeply frustrated; she has been holding too that hat for longer than anypony would think, and now is lost “Shoot” is all the farm pony could think now:

-...I’m sorry-

-It’s ok...- said Applejack with disappointment

The nurse mare stepped behind just a bit to give the wounded pony space:

- The marshal would like to speak with you miss- said the nurse pony while walking out the door

-What’s this clothes here?- asked Applejack while looking at the just brought clothes from the gray mare

-Oh! I almost forgot...- said the nurse pony -...they told me to get you this, the marshal said it would make you look like less of an outsider-

Applejack just nodded in sign of understanding, the gray pony continues her retreat:

-Have a nice day, miss- said the nurse

Applejack finishes to stand up from the bed and picks the clothing over the table, seems like her size, the pony starts to put it on slowly. Back in Equestria is not normal to be wearing clothes unless is an special occasion, but Red Rock has different traditions and cultures; Applejack has many things going on through her head right now.

“The marshal of the town wants to see me?” thought Applejack, maybe because she was a survivor of that massacre she witnessed back there; the pony wished all that would have been all a just a very bad dream, but it obviously wasn't. Applejack have finished getting dressed, she looked herself in the mirror in the room “Boy! Ah’ look good!”.

Applejack is now wearing a black duster coat, with a white button shirt below, a red scarf that covers part of her neck and a black cowboy hat; Applejack definitely looks like a Red Rock habitant now!

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Applejack steps out the room, she can immediately is a hospital seeing all the wounded ponies being moved around the halls, in and out doors, etc... It all seems like chaos, Applejack continues down the hall, the sing up the door says Reception Area, Applejack goes through and ends up in a more relieved area, certainly the stress of the moving patients is not felt here, yet feels like death is in the air; all there is in the reception is a single receptionist; is a clear blue colt, seems to be checking some papers and reading them for himself, Applejack approaches to the reception desk:

- ’Scuse me?- says Applejack

The colt continues to read the papers at his desk:

-Ah’m looking for the marshal... is he here?- asks the orange mare again

The receptionist continues to not even notice Applejack there, the Equestrian doesn't want to be rude to the first pony that isn’t exactly “helping the client”, so she decides to remain there looking directly at the colt while he continues to read specting for a response.

-Are you testing mah patience, partner? ‘cause ah ain’t got much right now!- remarks Applejack, she is clearly beginning to lose her temper and the receptionist is still working; suddenly a familiar voice calls nearby:

-Boy miss, tha’s how you treat everypony?!-

Applejack turns to see there right behind her is the very same pony that took her to the camp, Windshot. She is still wearing the same white combination of clothes from before but is also having her left front hoof covert in bandages, but doesn’t seem very bad she is standing right in front of what looks like the main entrance:

-You...?- exclaims Applejack pointing a hoof at her, she then begins walking towards Windshoot -...you are tha’ pony that took me to the camp!-

-Ah’m glad to see you are save too- says Windshoot sarcastically

-Why are you here?-

-Tha marshal sent me, he wants too see ya-

Applejack chuckles -What are ya? a courier or somthin’?-

-Just somepony that likes to get tha’ job done- said Windshot with a grin

Applejack knew Windshot was asking to follow her to the marshal’s, it’s not like Applejack saw Windshot like a threat, but she clearly had her doubts:

-Ah don’ know sister, last time ah follow you, Ah ended up in a battlefield... how can I trust you?- said Applejack, trying to sound nice

-We are not goin’ outta town miss, I promise ya...- says Windshot -...’sides this town is one of the safest in Red Rock-

Applejack could tell the truth in Windshot’s voice and good willing intention, no wonder Applejack is the element of honesty, she just nods and they begin to leave the hospital, leaving the receptionist all alone, only the sound of paper could be heard.

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Walking down the town Applejack knew she wasn't in West Station anymore, clearly, a different air could be breathe here, more safety and stability, the colts and mares from around look more calm and friendly, even the town itself is a lot more clean, both ponies continue to walk, Applejack is looking around admiring the town, Windshot is right next to her, she looks at Applejack:

-May Ah ask, what’s this place?- asks Applejack

-This is “Hoof Jewel”, peaceful little place compared to some other towns if ya ask me-

They both continued walking, they were coming close to a building at a distance, Applejack could only predict that is where she is heading:

-We ain’t far miss- said Windshot

Applejack wouldn't show it, but she feels terrible for Windshot; she tried to be nice with her the other day and Applejack behave like a complete idiot refusing a good friendship, that’s not the way she would treat any other pony:

-...AJ...- said Applejack, softly

-Sorry-

-Mah friends back home call me “AJ”...-

Windshot just looked at Applejack in total confusion, but immediately understood the message the orange mare was trying to give her; she is trying to apologize and willing to accept her friendship, Windshot could only smile:

-”AJ” huh? ah prefer Jackie- says Windshot joking

-Sorry for bein’ a jerk tha other day...-

-Nah it’s fine, if ah were you ah would worry about talkin’ to tha’ marshal-

Windshot points at the little structure with her hoof, it has a fair size for what the rest of the town looks like; it has a sign on top that says “Sherif” full representation of law and order in a town like this, Applejack just remains looking at the structure for a while before going in with Windshot.

Windshot entered first in the building while Applejack waited out nearby, the marshal was sitting in a desk, anypony would say he is sleeping; he is a clear gray colt with dark mane, wearing a cowboy hat that covers his face almost completely, he is wearing a white shirt and a leather jacket, not long like the ones from around the town, Windshot steps in and takes off her hat:

-Howdy marshal!- says Windshot happily

The colt lift his head just enough so we can see his face, he a a big black mustache and blue eyes, he seems annoyed and angry at Windshot, who replies with an awkward smile:

-Ah brought her, marshal!- continues Windshot

But her confidence clearly seems to have faded after that stare from the marshal, Windshot turns to see at the door and notice that Applejack is already standing at it, she reacts in surprise:

-...Oh...- is all that came out Windshot’s mouth

-Ma’am...- says the marshal to the orange pony while standing up

Applejack finally enters completely in the structure, Windshot returns her sight to the marshal who approaches Applejack and extends his hoof to her, AJ returns the gesture by shaking her hoof with his:

-...on behalf of all the marshals of Red Rock, we apologize for the horrible experience you had last day- continued the marshal, he sounded sincere with his words

Applejack nodded at the good gesture and smiled softly, she could tell the marshal wasn't a bad pony; in fact, he somehow reminded her to Major Mare from Ponyville:

-I hope we haven’t give you a bad “first impression”- says the marshal

Applejack chuckles -Yawl saved mah life sir, an’ ahm grateful for that-

-They told me to strike right has soon has I got the chance...- says the marshal, he seems troubled by saying that.

The marshal turns around and walks towards a small window and looks through it:

-...but they sure didn’t said there were innocents- finishes the stallion

-Ah was there too meet mah uncle, his name is Linus Seeds- says Applejack

-I know, Windshot here told me everything...- the marshal sighs -...miss Applejack, look... I find myself in the uncomfortable position of asking you to collaborate with me-

This words stroke Applejack off guard, she is being ask to fight in a war that isn’t hers? “Is he askin’ me to play soldier?” thought the young mare:

-Ah beg your pardon?!- says Applejack angry, she is trying her best to not start a fight

The marshal walks away the window -Don’t think I like it miss, I understand you-- -

-You understand this, partner!- interrupts Applejack while walking towards the marshal.

Her intentions aren’t exactly to “be nice”, but she is stopped by a hoof of Windshot, AJ stops where she is being asked to:

-Ah am not gonna do it!- finishes Applejack

The rooms remains quiet for a while, but the tension can still be felt in the air, the marshal sits back again in his desk and takes a deep breath, for what can be telled, he is looking for the inner strength necessary to explain everything the orange pony needs and should know:

-We have been trying to capture Linus for the past 13 years, he is the longest running criminal in the history of Red Rock...- says the marshal -...is is accused of robbery, kidnaping, assaults and many more; sounds like somepony that wouldn't really be a problem if you ask me but I know Linus... he is not like them-

The marshal finishes saying that while he stands up and walks towards Applejack, who is listening in shock more than surprise, still trying to understand and believe what she is being told:

-...8 years ago I found him, tried to capture him but he got a way and my partner died that day...- continues the law colt, finally standing right in front of Applejack-...and now we find him meeting you near the canyon; 8 years after miss, that’s a very long time...-

Applejack blinks and looks down at the wooden floor, she just can’t find the courage to look at the marshal in the face anymore, the law pony stands back to be respectful the mare, he know he had just thrown too much at her at one, she needs to digest it, Windshot even lows the hoof she used to stop Applejack before:

-Mah...- says Applejack softly -...mah uncle really did all that?-

-Look, with you here, we have more chance of having him show off again, you leave now and we may never find him again-

-You didn’t answer mah question- says Applejack almost immediately

-You know the answer to that miss... why must I answer it to you again?- says the marshal in a friendly tune, hoping that would make things easy for her.

Applejacks thinks about this for a while, the question she already had about Linus had just been multiplied, she wanted to have does questions answered desperately and she knows the marshal can’t answer does, accepting this task is dangerous, she could get killed; “No, it’s not worth it...” though Applejack, but her desire to know the truth is stronger than her fear to death:

-Alright, ahm gonna do it; but not for you....- says Applejack

The marshal smiled, but of joy:

-Good to hear, really...- says the marshal -...now before you go, I have something to give you-

The mashal gets from under his desk a showed-off shotgun, seems a little bit used, but clearly functional, he kindly hands it over to the mare:

-Wow... tha’s a nice one!- says Windshot

-Le’me guess, another gift from the marshals...- says Applejack

-No, it’s my gift to you...- says the marshal -...just like that outfit you are wearing now-

-Thanks, I guess...- says Applejack

She is clearly grateful, but she knows it’s like a compensation for the assignment she is getting, but can tell the honesty coming from the ponies around her; and right now she needs allies for the problems she is going to encounter:

-Where do I start- says Applejack

The marshal thinks for a while:

-I recommend you head towards the Cricket Ranch, at the west; we heard some witnessed were there...- says the marchal -...maybe they know where Linus and his gang went-

-What, you didn’t get anythin’ from them?- says Applejack joking

-No, maybe you get them to talk- says the marshal

Applejack, heads towards the door, Windshot and the marshal follow nearby:

-Take care miss and thank you...- says the marshal to Applejack

Applejack nods and finally comes out of the commissary, she turns to see Windshot:

-You wanna come?- asks Applejack to the green mare

-You kidding? of course, ah wouldn’t miss it- says Windshot in absolute joy

-You just be careful out there and keep miss Applejack safe, ok?- says the marshal to Windshot

-Sure thing, marshal!- replies Winshot

She approaches Applejack has they both start galloping into the west, the marshal waves a hoof at them and gets inside:

-You know how to get there?!- asks Applejack

-’Course, is a bit far though...!- replies Winshot

-Then we must go now!- finishes Applejack has the two mares go into the west...

Comments

[Prince Applejack]

Very well written and I'm looking forward to the next chapter.