An anthology of various one-shots to help expand the Harmony's Warriors Universe
An anthology series of various one-shots to help expand the Harmony's Warriors Universe.
All stories co-written with theseventhdoctor unless otherwise noted.
Characters tagged in such a manner to allow for as many characters as possible.
Stories in This Anthology:
Trottingham Pie:
A three parter, join Pinkie Pie and her sister Marble Pie as they are tasked to protect an important political figure from a mysterious assassin who has a surprising connection to our heroes.
This anthology series also allows me to never have to worry about finishing it in the traditional sense, nor do I have to worry about things that would normally come up in a full length fic, allowing me a chance to breathe and work on my writing skills, especially in the action department, as these stories will be more action focused then my full length stories. This doesn't mean that I'll slack off and give you bad quality, since I'm too much of an anal-retentive nutcase to allow that to happen. It simply means that these stories aren't as heavy or dark as the main stories, and function as a kind of treat for dedicated readers, giving them more awesome pony superhero stuff, and lots of fun little stories to keep ya guys happy.
Pinkie Pie happily trotted along through the Helicarrier hallways, idly singing along to whatever song was playing over her earpiece/hearing aid.
“...and ya can’t say no to the Beauty and the Beast...darling” she elongated the last word in an exaggerated Posh Trottingham accent, sliding along the floor and coming to a stop in front a plain, unassuming door with the words “Director Armor” printed in shiny metallic lettering. Pinkie quietly pressed a small button on the shoulder strap of her uniform, and the music cut out. She then lifted a hoof and knocked on the door sharply.
“Come in,” came the stallion’s voice from inside, and Pinkie opened the door, trotting up to the white unicorn’s desk and taking a seat.
“How ya doin’, Shiny-Whiny?” Pinkie asked, smiling broadly as she settled into her chair. Shining Armor nodded slightly, a small smile on his face.
“Just fine, Agent Pie, just fine,” he answered, and Pinkie nodded in return.
“Whydja call me here? Is it for free candy?!" she asked excitedly, sitting up in her chair and leaning forward. "Cause Nightmare Night’s coming up and--” Pinkie’s quick spiel was silenced by a raised eyebrow and hoof from Shining, and she closed her mouth tight, swallowing whatever words she was going to say before clearing her throat. “Um, sorry…” she murmured shyly, and Shining shook his head.
“No problem Pinkie. Now, to answer your first question, this is why I called you today.” He reached into a drawer in his desk and pulled out a manila folder. In big, bold red letters were the words “Level 7 Access: For Top Secret Eyes Only” and Shining slid the folder over to Pinkie.
“Oooh! What’s inside? Is it candy?!” Pinkie asked adamantly, taking the folder and quickly flipping through it. Shining Armor, however, shook his head.
“Sorry, Pinkie, but those are your mission orders.”
Pinkie stopped flipping through the folder and looked up, her smile fading slightly. She was really hoping it was going to be candy, or maybe a golden ticket to that awesome chocolate factory she’d heard so much about, but alas, it was simply another mission. Not that Pinkie didn’t like going on missions, she really loved being able to fight bad ponies and shoot her bow and arrow at them, but her heart still belonged to the wonderful world of candy and other colorful confectioneries. She started to page through the folder in earnest now, her bouncy effervescence going from hurricane force winds to a calm summer breeze. Now wasn’t the time for candy, sadly, it was time for work, and that called for her to focus.
“So who is this mare?” she asked, holding up a picture of a stuffy looking unicorn pony in a fancy military uniform.
“That is General Lin Beifong, Guoxian Senator, and you’re going to be tasked with watching her during her trip to Trottingham,” Shining replied. Pinkie nodded, before raising an eyebrow slightly.
“Why do I have to watch her? Isn’t security stuff usually more Donut Joe’s job?” Pinkie asked, tilting her head slightly as she spoke. Shining shook his head.
“Sorry, but he's busy on another mission.” he answered, and Pinkie leaned back in her chair slightly.
“Well what about Twilight?” She asked, “I mean, we always do this kinda stuff together.”
Shining shrugged. “Ever since Istanbull, the guys up top have been on my back about you two, and they explicitly stated that you and Twilight aren’t allowed to be on the same mission for at least another three months.”
Pinkie’s mane deflated slightly. “But it wasn’t our fault Shining! You know that! We didn’t plan on that refridgerator exploding like it did!” she protested, waiving her arms.
“I’m not the one blaming you, Pinkie, you know that,” Shining answered calmly. “But, in light of those events, the guys up top think it would be best that you and Twilight avoid each other for awhile, and that you focus on missions that are less likely to run into any exploding refrigerators or flying police boxes.”
Pinkie crossed her arms in frustration, slinking back into the chair. “...not my fault that kooky pony in the box wanted to drag us to the twenty-third century…”
Shining shrugged. “Again, not my call.”
Pinkie sighed overdramatically and rolled her eyes. “Fine then...what about Sam and Dean or Fetlock and Trotson? Can I work with them?”
“Sorry, but last I heard from them, their all are busy dealing with a big rat on an island off of southern Guoxia. Communication has been sporadic and last message, Dean mentioned something about hellhounds and zombies.”
Pinkie let her shoulders sag. “Bummers…” she said, sliding down in her seat even more. She had been hoping for some vacation time, as ever since she had got back from Appleloosa, things had been hectic, mostly because the rest of the Feds wanted to know if there had been any advanced technology left behind or if Fenrir was a threat or not. Not to mention that, since Istanbull, most of the uppers thought she was a walking time bomb.
“So what do I have to do besides just watch her?” she asked, hoping that she’d at least be able to do more then just follow the mare in the photo around all day. The mare didn’t look like somepony who had a sense of humor, as her expression in the photograph seemed to be one of extreme bitterness coupled with a sense of being above it all. Not to mention following a pony around was usually rather boring.
“Well, that’s the thing,” Shining answered, motioning towards the folder. “Inside you’ll find some information our eyes and ears on the ground have found that suggests that our Senator friend here might be a target for assassination.”
Pinkie perked up at that, once more returning to the documents below. As stuffy as the unicorn in the picture was, it still didn’t mean it was okay for a big meanie pants to kill her. She read the information contained, learning that, in this case, Sen. Beifong had been behind some reforms in the Guoxian government, mostly economic and law enforcement reforms, and apparently had made herself quite a few enemies over there, mostly consisting of the local crime lords, the Crimson Tide, and their economic backers.
She reached the end of the documents and closed the folder. “Alrighty then, anypony else coming with?”
Shining leaned back in his chair. “Well, if you want, Marble is free and clear.”
Pinkie’s expression brightened. “For reals?! That’s awesome I’ll take her!”
“I knew you’d say that,” Shining replied with a chuckle. “You two can think of it as some sisterly bonding.”
Pinkie nodded adimately. She hadn’t seen her sister since Istanbull, and had been itching to catch up with her sister. Since they were both agents, this usually meant they were both too busy to arrange a good get together, but they had stayed in touch nonetheless.
“Can I get ready?” she asked, having found new found enthusiasm in the prospect of both helping defend a pony who seemed to be doing good and getting to spend time with Marble.
“You’re dismissed. I’ll contact Marble and bring her up to speed.” Shining answered, and Pinkie Pie grinned.
“Awesome! Thanks Shiny!” she chirped, hopping out of her chair and skipping out of the room, leaving an amused Shining Armor in his office, as the stallion picked up a phone and dialed Marble’s number.
/////////////////////////
Marble Pie trotted up the Quinjet, which sat in the hangar bay of the helicarrier. She was dressed in a well fitted black and white kevlar-lined leather catsuit, and on her back was the backpack that contained her weapon of choice, a collapsable bō-staff. She had already been briefed about her mission to watch the Guoxian Senator, and that she’d be teamed up with her sister.
Marble had been rather surprised by that development, as Pinkie was almost always teamed up with Twilight, a duo that had, despite the two ponies’ vastly different personalities, worked shockingly well in combat. Of course, that was until Istanbull, which, from what Marble had heard, had been a near total catastrophe, although Director Armor was always quick to deem it a ‘successful failure’. But, whatever the mission had been deemed by the superiors, it apparently meant that Pinkie had to see Professor Silverhoof every Sunday since coming back, and Marble knew her sister well enough to know that such visits usually meant that Pinkamena had managed to do...something.
Before Marble’s mind could follow that rather dark tangent, she was sideswiped by a pink blur with a huge smile on it’s face.
“MARBLE!” Pinkie cheered, pulling Marble into a hug so tight that a boa constrictor would blush.
“Pinkie….me….choking….let….go….” Marble gasped, and Pinkie released her death grip, allowing Marble to suck in some desperately needed air.
“Oh sorry Sis, haven't seen ya in awhile,” Pinkie said, helping Marble back on her hooves. Marble smiled, shrugging off the hug as Pinkie simply being Pinkie.
“No problem Pinkie, don’t get your mane in a twist.” she chuckled, and the pair started back towards the Quinjet.
“So, Marble, how ya doin’?” Pinkie asked, breaking the brief silence between the two of them. Marble shrugged slightly.
“Just fine. Same old same old ya know. Stop a terrorist here, capture a murderer there...you know how it is. How are you doing? Heard that Istanbull was pretty tough.”
Pinkie’s smile faded somewhat. “Yeah...it was…” she answered, her voice lacking it’s previous enthusiasm.
“Been talking to Prof. Silverhoof about it?” Marble asked, not really wanting to press the issue, but still wanting to keep tabs on her sister’s health, both physical and psychological. Pinkie nodded slightly, her expression still looking somewhat unenthusiastic.
“Yeah, the Professor’s been nice. Keeps Pinkamena back where she belongs.” Pinkie answered, emphasizing her words by motioning to her head. Marble smiled, nodding her head.
“That’s great Pinkie.” she said, knowing to now drop the subject and move onto something else. “I heard you were in Appleloosa last week. How was that mission?”
Pinkie seemed to instantly brighten up at that question, and the big happy smile that Marble was always glad to see popped onto her sister’s face.
“Oh it was awesome Marble! You should have been there!” she beamed, coming to a stop as her and Marble nodded to the Quinjet pilot, who nodded in return and let them board the aircraft.
“Really?” Marble answered, hanging her backpack on the equipment rack and taking a seat down and buckling herself in. Pinkie nodded, hanging the carrying case for her bow and it’s quiver of arrows on the same rack. Pinkie then sat down and buckled herself in as well in the seat next to Marble.
“Oh yeah totally! It was awesome! I even got over my fear of wolves!”
“Oh really?” Marble asked, genuinely surprised at that development. Ever since Pinkie had caught that wolf documentary back when they were fillies, she had been terrified of the creatures. “How’d you manage that?” she asked, raising an eyebrow slightly.
“Well--” Pinkie began, only to get cut off by the pilot’s voice crackling over the intercom.
“All personnel prepare for take-off. Please make sure you’re all buckled securely and any equipment or luggage is equally secure. Thank you very much.”
Pinkie and Marble blinked, before Marble looked at Pinkie. “You were saying?”
“Oh right! So, there I was in Appleloosa when--OOOH WE’RE ABOUT TO TAKE OFF!” Pinkie practically leapt towards the window, peering out excitedly. Marble rolled her eyes at her sister’s insistence to act as if it was the first time she ever flew in a Quinjet even though they had both been both a passenger and a pilot at least a hundred times over.
“Aren’t ya gonna watch the take off Marble?” Pinkie asked, glancing at Marble for a moment.
“Well...I have seen it before you know,” Marble answered, and Pinkie rolled her eyes.
“Come on Marble! It’s fun!” she insisted, beckoning with a pink hoof for Marble to join her looking out the window.
Marble hesitated for a moment, but the look of childish glee on her sister’s face was too infectious to resist, and Marble found herself looking out the window as well.
The floor beneath the Quinjet began to slowly rise upwards, lifting the aircraft upwards and to the upper deck tarmac that made up the topside of the Helicarrier. The aircraft steadily taxied out onto the open runway and already Marble could tell that the massive flying aircraft carrier was airborne, as the ocean below stretched outwards on to the horizon.
“Flight 1995 you are clear for take-off,” came the voice of the control tower over the intercom.
“Roger that, Tower.” Came the pilot’s response, and the Quinjet's engines roared to life, sending the aircraft rocketing down the runway at full speed. Pinkie and Marble slid back in their seats slightly as the forward motion pushed them back into the seats, Pinkie still looking out the window with childish glee. With a lurch, the aircraft was airborne, and racing off to wherever it’s destination was.
Pinkie, seemingly content on getting her fix of aviation take offs, slinked back into her seat with a happy, content smile on her face.
“You good?” Marble asked with a slight chuckle, and Pinkie nodded.
“Sure thing! I love this jet.” she said, looking around with a proud smile on her face. Marble nodded.
“Yeah it’s pretty cool….” she said, trailing off. There was a pause between the two, with the only sound being the muffled engines outside. Marble glanced at Pinkie who had already whipped out a video game from her mane and was playing it with rapt attention.
“Pinkie, you mentioned something about wolves and Appleloosa?” Marble asked, catching Pinkie’s attention. Pinkie arched an eyebrow for a second, before her expression changed to that of understanding.
“Oh right! Totally forgot!” she laughed, slipping the video game back into her mane and tapping a hoof on her chin. “Now where was I….” she muttered, her eyes darting about as she tried to recall her story. She let out a frustrated grunt, and smacked her hooves together. “Gosh darn it to heck! I forgot!” she then let out a chuckle. “Guess I gotta start from the beginning! You don’t mind do you Marble?”
Marble shook her head, having already expected that this would have been the way she would learn the story. “No I don’t mind. Fire away Pinkie.”
Pinkie nodded and took a deep breath. “Alrighty then! It all started about a month ago when Agent Spike was told to go check up on some bizarre weather patterns in Appleloosa….”
/////////////////////////
“...and that’s how I defeated my phobia of wolves, met a goddess and got to make a bunch of new friends! And if I can get the time off I’ll be going on a date!” Pinkie Pie said, spreading her arms wide as she finished her story. Marble nodded tiredly, resting her head on her hoof.
“That’s quite the story…” Marble said, and Pinkie noticed her sister’s eyes flutter shut for a moment.
“Yeah it is,” Pinkie said. “Sorry if you’re tired Marble. If it makes you feel better the plane’s almost at our destination.” she said, motioning out the window to the bright lights of the city of Trottingham below.
“Awesome…” Marble yawned, stretching slightly as the Quinjet banked to the left, slowly beginning it’s descent. Both Marble and Pinkie took this time to double check their equipment. In Marble's case this meant double checking her bō-staff, while Pinkie inspected her arrows.
“Still got your trick arrows Pinkie?” Marble asked, glancing at her sister as the pink agent nodded.
“Of course! And don’t call them trick arrows. Their trick arrowheads. Having trick arrows would be silly. I mean an arrow that plays tricks on you? That’s just crazy!” Pinkie giggled, looking down at Marble’s staff, which was sitting on her lap.
“Still training with that fancy stick of yours?” she asked, and Marble nodded tiredly.
“Enough to bat your arrows right back at ya.” she said a chuckle, before letting out another yawn. By now, the plane had landed and come to a stop, and Pinkie unbuckled herself, standing up.
“Come Marble, we’re here. But don’t worry, I’ll carry your bags for you since you look so tired. Kay?”
Marble nodded as she yawned and walked down to the waiting transport, Pinkie carrying all the bags on her back.
////////////////////////////////////
Marble awoke to her sister’s gentle prodding, and turned to see Pinkie, still apparently as energized as ever. In Marble’s case, she had been able to catch a good hour and a-half’s worth of sleep on the transport ride over, so at least she had some rest.
“We there?” she asked, sitting up and rubbing away the last of her sleepiness. She knew full well that if they had reached their destination, she’d need to be on alert, regardless if she had any sleep or not.
Pinkie nodded. “Yeah we’re there. Apparently we have to talk to Miss Stuffy Pants first and then we can get some coffee or something. That sound good?”
Marble nodded. “Yeah that sounds good. Makes sense. Let’s do this,” and with that, she stood up, following Pinkie out of the transport. They made their way into the hotel, handing their bags to a porter, who took them up stairs. The duo then headed towards the elevator, stepping inside.
“Alright then, what floor is Sen. Beifong on?” Marble asked, holding a hoof up to the button.
“The file said the twelfth floor.” Pinkie answered, and Marble nodded, pressing the button and taking a step back. The elevator began its ascent upwards and Marble took the time to adjust her uniform.
“Leather’s a tad itchy, gotta talk to Cross Stitch about it.” she muttered and Pinkie shrugged.
“Told ya, ‘Don’t go with the catsuit, they always itch.’” she said, shaking her head. Marble rolled her eyes.
“For the billionth time Pinkie, I don’t like to just waltz around in a simple kevlar vest. You may like it, but I prefer to have as much of my body covered as possible.”
Pinkie rolled her eyes. “That’s what you always say Marble, but I’m telling you, a vest is the way to go.”
Marble was about to come back with a retort on the merits of kevlar-lined leather catsuits when the elevator dinged, signaling that they had reached the twelfth floor.
“Oooh we’re here!” Pinkie chirped, and the door of the elevator opened. Marble and Pinkie quietly trotted up to the hotel room door, which stood out due to the two security ponies standing guard outside.
“Halt!” One of the guards said, holding up an arm to block the doorway. “Identify yourselves.”
Marble and Pinkie held up their NEIGHS IDs in perfect sync. “I’m Agent Marble Pie and this is Agent Pinkie Pie. We’re from NEIGHS and we’re here to help with security.” she said, and the security guard closely inspected her ID.
“Alright then,” The first guard said, “You can come in. Just so you know, the Senator is busy right now, so she might not want to speak.”
“Roger that,” Pinkie answered, and the guard opened the hotel room door, allowing Pinkie and Marble to step inside. The door had only just closed behind them when Pinkie felt her left front knee twitch. In a flash, she pulled Marble down to the floor, narrowly avoiding a spiked brass ball attached to a length of rope. The two shocked mares followed the length of rope back to it’s owner, where a stout, olive green unicorn mare in military dress stood. Her mane was pulled back in a tight bun and she held the other end of the rope in her hoof. Attached to the other end of rope was another ball, this one without spikes.
“And you are?” the mare asked, arching an eyebrow at the prostate ponies.
“We’re the agents that NEIGHS sent,” Marble answered, keeping her head low in fear of a potential decapitation from the spiked-death ball. “Do you always greet your guard with that thing, General?”
“It’s called a meteor hammer, and yes. If I am to trust you two with my life, I need to know that you’re at least on my level.” Beifong answered, lighting her horn and roughly yanking the spiked meteor hammer out of the wall and wrapping the cable around it, setting it down on a nearby table.
“You can get up now,” she said, walking over to pour herself a glass of tea as Pinkie and Marble slowly got up, both at the ready for any other surprises.
“Well...I guess that makes sense.” Pinkie said, taking a seat across from the older mare while Marble took a seat next to the hotel window.
“I mean it’s not a nice thing to do, but I can see why you’d do it.” Pinkie continued. “Are things that bad in Guoxia?”
Beifong scoffed. “You have no idea. My country’s been unable to stabilize since the 20’s, so I assure you, knowing how to quickly dispatch a potential threat is a must.” she paused, taking a sip of her tea. “Especially when you’re trying to finally stamp out the cancer that is the Crimson Tide.”
“Heard of them. I take it you’re not exactly a fan of their influence?” Marble asked, calmly looking out the window to keep an eye out for any suspicious ponies. Beifong let out a very unlady like snorting laugh.
“You must be insane to think I’d have anything to do with those scumbags. I detest them. Of course, you know you’re making progress against them once they start sending assassins after you.” she paused, taking another sip of her tea. “Hopefully though, I’ll be able to get support from your government to help with me and my compatriots efforts, and hopefully, my country can finally know peace again.” she finished, her voice now somber and introspective.
“Know anything about the assassin or assassins they sent after you?” Marble asked, pulling out a notepad and pen. Beifong paused, looking up at the ceiling for a moment.
“All I know for sure is that whoever they got to find me is damn good. Every single one of my contacts has been utterly terrified, but, from what little definite information I could gather, it’s all the work of a single pony. Anything else?”
“Yeah!” Pinkie chirped, “Why didn’t ya use magic to use that meteor thingy?”
Beifong briefly glared at Pinkie, who simply smiled back with the same smile she always used when speaking to a new friend. With a roll of her eyes and a sigh, Beifong finally answered the question.
“I’ve learned from experience that magic is something that can be neutralized far too easily to use it frequently in my field of work. One well placed hit to my horn and I’d be defenseless. It’s always best to keep one’s body in tip top shape, and a trained hoof is much harder to stop then a unicorn’s horn.” she then turned towards Marble. “Any more relevant questions?”
Marble shrugged. “Nothing that comes immediately to our minds. But rest assured if we have any questions, you’ll be the first to know.”
Beifong nodded. “Alright then. You will be staying here in this apartment yes?” she asked as she got up to pour herself more tea. Marble and Pinkie cast each other quick, worrisome glances.
“Um...well, General,” Pinkie began, twiddling her thumbs. “we were given Room 237, which is on this floor.”
Beifong shook her head. “Nonsense. You will be staying here. I didn’t ask for NEIGHS to send protection, but since they saw fit to do so, I expect you to stay here, where you are needed.” she emphasized her words by soundly placing her tea cup on the table. “Understood?”
Both Marble and Pinkie nodded. “Yeah totally understood,” Pinkie said, before reaching into her mane and pulling out her suitcase. “Where do I sleep?”
Beifong simply stared at the sudden appearance of the suitcase, before shooting Marble a questioning look.
“Don’t worry General. Pinkie’s one of our best agents. As weird as she is, she gets the job done that I can assure you.” she said, standing up. “And where do you want us to sleep? That way we can get our bags and come back and set everything up.”
Beifong rolled her eyes again, pouring some sugar into her tea. “If I had an extra bedroom, I would have you use that one, but alas I only have that futon over there.” she motioned to the couch where Pinkie had been sitting. “It folds out and it’s a twin sized bed, so hopefully that works.”
Marble and Pinkie traded looks and Pinkie was about to protest when Marble held up a hoof.
“Thank you very much General, I’ll call for our bags.” Marble said, still keeping her eyes fixed on Pinkie. “Hopefully they won’t take up too much space.”
“They’d better not,” Beifong answered curtly. “This is my hotel room, not a storage locker. Now, if you’ll excuse me,” she glanced at the clock on the wall. “I have to prepare my speech for tomorrow.” and with that, she turned and headed into what seemed to be the bedroom, closing and locking the door behind her.
There was a moment of silence between the two siblings before Pinkie Pie let out a long sigh. “Darn it. I kinda wanted my own bed.” she said, lifting her suitcase and sliding it under the windowsill. Marble shrugged.
“Well, let’s at least see how much space we’re going to have…” she said, walking up to the futon and looking it over. “Hopefully we won’t have to be too cramped.” she pulled the lever and started to unfold it.
“Help me out here Pinkie,” she called out, and Pinkie spun around, stretching an arm to help Marble unfold the bed. As soon as it unfolded however, they could both tell full well that the bed was going to be cramped.
“That’s not a twin.” Pinkie deadpanned. “That’s like...a single right?”
Marble let her shoulders sag. The bed seemed only about one and a half ponies wide, and lacked any bedsheets. “Pinkie could you run to our room and steal the sheets and pillows.”
“Don’t need to!” Pinkie chirped, reaching into her suitcase to pull out a bedsheet, pillows and a comforter. “Here we go!”
Marble blinked. “How much stuff do you have in that suitcase?” she asked.
Pinkie shrugged. “I don’t know...lots...I think I might have left the party cannon back at the Helicarrier.” she said, tapping her chin. “You know what lemmie check!” she said, spinning on her heels to dive inside the seemingly bottomless suitcase.
“Hmm...let’s see...bow and arrow carrying case...my mp3 player...my laptop...my backup costume...My Mare-Do-Well/Green Guardian team up graphic novel...sonic screwdriver...bathroom stuff...bathroom reader…shoot, no party cannon.” she huffed, crawling out of the bag to see Marble nearly completely buried under all the stuff she had tossed out of the bag during her search. “Oh! Sorry Marble, let me help you out there!” she bounded over and started to toss the various paraphernalia back into the suitcase, leaving a somewhat dazed looking Marble standing where the pile had just been.
“Remind me never to ask you to empty out your bag Pinkie.” she said, straightening out her gray mane and cracking her back. Pinkie nodded.
“Yeah, sorry about that. At least we know we don’t have the party canon, so at least I don’t have to worry about buying a bunch of confetti. Which is good since confetti is getting expensive.” Pinkie continued, taking off her kevlar vest and setting it by the suitcase. “But, at least I got my tunes and my comics, so I think I’ll survive. Ready to hit the hay?”
Marble nodded. “Yeah let’s get this bed made and get some actual sleep. I have a feeling tomorrow’s gonna be a long day.”
“Protecting ponies especially politicians normally is.” Pinkie added with a smile, and the sisters began to arrange the bed.
Lin Beifong woke up with a yawn, sliding herself upright in bed, rubbing away her sleep and stretched. As she struggled to gather any kind of awareness of her surroundings, she took a look at the neon green lit numbers glaring straight into her eyes..
6:45 AM? She thought to herself, barely able to string two thoughts together. Much too early for this type of thing, she let out an amused chuckle, I must be getting old if I’m thinking like that.
Without a second thought, she sat up at a perfect ninety degree angle and moved from the rather intact top of the bed, remembering that she’d always been an unsettlingly peaceful and immobile sleeper. Finally out of bed, she took a few moments to stretch out her body, allowing the chi to have a more fluid movement throughout her veins should the need arise to arm herself with magic. Eventually, after hearing the satisfied sound of several pops coming from her joints and her spine, she saw it best to leave her uncomfortably lavish chambers and freshen up some.
Tired but still with full mental capacities, she moved slowly and methodically to her rooms spacious shower and stepped into it, careful not to knock over the tiny soaps and shampoos and reached her off-green arm for the faucet. “Damn,” she swore as she turned on the water to the shower, letting loose an attack of near freezing water upon her coat and completing her process of waking up.
“Someone is trying to kill me,” she began to think out loud as she rubbed the shampoo all over her coat, quickly building up the suds from the soap. Lin then smiled. “Trying. That’s about as far as they ever get,” she grinned, turning off the water just as it was getting warm and exiting the shower.
As she prepared herself in the mirror in the bathroom, she heard the sound of the only other shower in the hotel room running. She nodded slightly, a mildly impressed look on her face. “Damn light weights,” she began to dry off her coat and tail. “These assassins they attack me with now,” she continued to talk to herself as she finished her arm and folded her towel, seeing the red rust from the corner of her eye on her weapon of choice, her meteor hammer, seeing it as a trophy from several hard fought battles. “I suppose they just don’t make them like they used to.”
“...you just looked kinda out of it is all,” she heard a voice say from the living room. She assumed it was one of the NEIGHS agents they had sent her, if her insufferably upbeat and chipper tone was any indication.
“I was tired, Pinkie” a more reserved voice. “Not everypony is made out of sugar and caffeine like you are.” Assumedly, the second voice was that of the other agent. “I was busy the night before with a lot of stuff you know we’re not supposed to talk about.”
Beifong meanwhile, moved from her own room and let out a final yawn as she began to boil her water for some instant coffee, preferring the simple flavor of the army she was once a part of, as oppose to anything fanciful like the fillies she was forced to work with on a day to day basis.
What are those two spooks even talking about? Lin asked herself, turning to open the bedroom door and step into the living room. She was greeted with the sight of several bags and a pair of suitcases open, with a mix of what looked like uniforms of some kind, along with various pieces of equipment, including several arrows, a compound bow and a large quiver. She also heard the sound of what sounded like praying, and turned to see the bright pink pony from yesterday sitting by the window, her eyes closed and hooves clasped together, seemingly praying to herself.
“General,” came another voice, and Beifong spun around to see the gray NEIGHS agent, Marble, having apparently just stepped out of the shower. “She’s praying, if that’s what you’re wondering.” The agent said, glancing towards the pink pony across from them.
“Praying?” Beifong asked, arching an eyebrow. She hadn’t particularly been expecting an agent from that organization to be of the pious sort.
Marble then smiled, taking a long drink of her hazelnut coffee and letting the warmth flood every corner of her body. “Praying,” Marble repeated back. “Yahweh, again if you were wondering. It… helps give her some level of…” she stammered, apparently trying to think of a word, but seemingly couldn’t the get morning drowsiness to leave her.
“Absolution?” Lin pushed further.
“Sure, let’s go with that,” Marble said smoothly, nodding her head as she sat down. “In our line of work, it helps to think there’s something… more out there. That the killing isn’t for the sake of following orders.”
“You joined to protect others, didn’t you?” Beifong asked, squinting her eyelids at the mare with the cup of coffee. “Shouldn’t that be enough?”
“For a lot of us, yeah it is, but Pinkie…” Marble trailed off, her expression growing distant as she looked down at the floor. She ran her tongue along her lips briefly, before sighing slightly. “I’ll just say that she’s got a little more on her mind than just protecting others and leave it at that.” she finally answered, finally looking up at Beifong.
Beifong narrowed her eyes slightly, before relaxing slightly. “Fair enough,” she said, deciding that Marble’s behavior could be chalked up to some vague personal issue Beifong couldn’t care less about.
Marble meanwhile, gave Beifong a confident smile, before motioning towards the praying Pinkie. “She’d actually make a great priest if she put her mind to it, if you can believe it.”
“I don’t believe it.” Beifong said flatly.
“Well, that’s just your opinion then, General,” Marble said with a shrug. “It’s just how she is and if it helps keep my sister on the right track, don’t expect me to raise any objections,” she answered, picking up the black and white catsuit and slipping into it. She then turned towards her sister, who was apparently finishing up whatever prayer she was reciting. “It’s better than what some of our guys get into to cope with the shell shock.” she added sagely.
“...for Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.” With those final words, the bright pink pony opened her eyes and looked at General Beifong. “Mornin’ General! How ya feelin’ this morning? Anypony try and off you overnight?”
Beifong raised an eyebrow ever so slightly. “Just fine, Agent Pie, and no,” she smiled very slightly. “Nopony tried to ‘off me’ last night.”
“Oh good!” Pinkie chirped, turning to look at Marble. “Done with your shower, Sis?”
Marble nodded. “Yup. It’s all yours, Pinks.”
Pinkie nodded, a smile spreading on her face. “Okie dokie loki!” she giggled, grabbing a towel and briskly trotting into the bathroom. Beifong watched Pinkie warily, only looking away once the bathroom door was closed.
“Didn’t think you governmental killer types were religious.” she said sternly, taking a seat at the table by the window. Marble lowered her eyebrows slightly.
“We are not killers,” Marble bit back, some resentment creeping into her tone at the statement. “We’re guards, first and foremost. We only kill as the last resort,” Marble finished rather tersely, only causing Beifong to raise her eyebrows again.
“Well, I’m sorry if I have a difficult time believing the pony who showed up in an armored catsuit with a sister who looks like the sane version of Bullseye.” she emphasized her statement by standing up and walking to pour herself some more coffee. “Relatively speaking, of course.”
“You’ve encountered Bullseye before?” came Marble’s voice, losing some of it’s terseness and instead becoming ever so uneasy. Beifong nodded, pouring the tea into the cup slowly and calmly.
“Yes, I have. Nearly choked the punk out too,” she admitted, smiling proudly, confident with the knowledge that to say such a thing was impressive, as Bullseye wasn’t one of the lightweights she’d been complaining about only a few minutes ago. “But it was close, and if my security detail hadn’t shown up in force only a few seconds later, she might have been able to turn the tables on me, but,” she paused to take a breath. “If I know anything about that psychopath, it is that she was damn good at her job,” she began to stir in some sugar into her coffee. “Why? It sounded like that name rang a bell when I mentioned it. Do you think she’s the one the Crimson Tide has sent her after me?”
“Dunno,” Marble remarked coolly, briefly pausing to clear her throat before continuing. “I mean it’s not totally impossible, at least, but it’s very unlikely that she’ll resurface any time soon. NEIGHS dealt with her around, what? Eight or nine years ago?”
Beifong smiled thinly, pouring an additional cup of tea for the grey mare. “Well that’s quite a relief isn’t it?” she said, placing the twin cups on a matching set of plates and levitating them over to the table, where she slid one towards Marble. Marble took it in hoof, taking a sip.
“Were you the one who finally disposed of Bullseye? Or am I not allowed to know that kind of information?” Beifong asked, keeping a close eye on the grey earth pony’s expressions and body language. Beifong could tell full well that she was getting under the other pony’s skin, and was determined to see what this agent was hiding.
Marble shifted her weight on her flanks slightly as she sat down, taking another sip of coffee before answering. “It wasn’t me strictly, no, but I was a part of the team that brought her in. Hardest mission I was ever a part of, too. There was a hostage situation and everything,” Marble was obviously being careful, dancing around the question, not giving the veteran any real information, seemingly sensing that she probably was saying too much. She halted, furrowing her brow slightly. “Let’s just say it was a rather frustrating experience for all involved.” She finished, sitting up straight and making her expression rather bland.
“Who was the hostage?” Beifong asked, once more keeping her eyes fixed on Marble. Marble shook her head, her expression harding.
“That’s classified information, General. You know full well I’m not at liberty to discuss it.”
Typical spook, Beifong thought, her disdain for espionage surfacing in her mind. She knew that she probably hit a brick wall in the line of questioning anyways, so she decided to drop it. No use trying to break through something that was very likely impenetrable. The sound of humming caught her ears, and Beifong looked towards the bathroom to see the pink agent stepping out of the bathroom, her mane now dripping wet and hanging around her head, perfectly straight.
“What’s up guys? Were ya talkin about me? I swear my ears were on burning.” Pinkie said, smiling smartly as she waltz over towards the random assortment of equipment and weaponry and looked over it.
Beifong narrowed her eyes, the pink mare’s mane bringing back very particular memories. “Yes, yes we were,” she said slowly, glancing briefly towards Marble, who looked noticeably unsettled. Beifong looked back at Pinkie, narrowing her eyes even more.
“You wouldn’t happen to know what happened to Bullseye would you?” she asked flatly, and felt a sense of satisfaction as Pinkie’s eyes widened noticeably and her pupils dilated. Beifong smiled grimly, already running through the memories of her last encounter with Bullseye in her mind. Memories of an old factory, with the earth pony holding a small knife Bei Fong's throat while a weighted rope was wrapped around Bullseye’s own causing the assassin’s breaths to come in small gasps and the sounds of a group of guards nearing.
///////////////////////
“Good luck trying to escape, murderer. The police under my command are the best in the business. Even if you do kill me, you’ll never get away from them without being seen. They will hunt you past the ends of the Earth, and even further!” Beifong spat, both praising and bluffing the skills of the detectives under her lead. “There’s a reason there called the Kindaichi Detectives.”
Bullseye’s grip tightened slightly, and the knife pushed against Beifong's throat. The assassin leaned uncomfortably close Bei Fong's ear, before whispering harshly.
“You win this round, Chief,” the assassin hissed, slipping her knife with a quick flip of her wrists and to the opposite side the hoof handling the weapon. “But remember… you can call a rain check on me anytime you like, but sooner or later...” And with that, the pressure on Beifong’s neck was relieved and there was a slight gust of wind as the assassin vanished into the shadows. “It’s gonna be party time!”
///////////////////////
The former commander simply sided the thought, making mental preparations for later. If her suspicions were confirmed, then she would need to act out of sight from Agent Pie’s partner, and if they weren’t, then she simply prefered not to think of the consequences.
“Well?” She asked again, this time a little more insistent. “Do you know anything or not? Because if you do, then-”
She was cut off by Pinkie turning to look directly at her. “Ma’am,” the pink pony began, her voice more resolute than Lin had thought. ”I can make a 100% bona fide Pinkie Promise that Bullseye will never, ever come back, or my name isn’t Pinkie Diane Pie!” she said, sticking her hoof in her eye, seemingly at random.
Beifong kept her eyes fixed on Pinkie as she slowly stood up, walking over to grab her uniform off a nearby coat rack. She was about to enter the bathroom when she stopped in the doorway.
“Alright then,” she stated simply, noting the pink mare releasing a breath that Lin herself had been scarcely aware that the archer had been holding. It was then that she had decided to change the subject. “You two seem to have brought quite the arsenal.” she said, her eyes catching the assortment of weapons laid out on the bed.
“In our line of work, it’s better to have something and not need it,” Marble answered, standing up. “Than need it and not have it.”
“And where did you learn that little gem?” Beifong asked.
“Sex ed class, General,” Marble was quick to reply with a slick smile. “But, if you’re not comfortable with that little ball and chain, then feel free to check out our stache,” she then offered, moving to a table now and taking a roll mat filled to to the brim with almost every kind of knife that the commander could think of, from the most basic bowie knives to throwing and khukuri knives. Lin only shot her a very confused arched eyebrow.
“What?” Marble shrugged. “I like knives.”
Bei Fong didn’t respond after that, instead choosing to take her up on the offer given and peruse the weapons cache to see if there might have been anything that she could use for her inevitable confrontation with the assassin.
“Sis, did you bring the butterfly?” Pinkie asked, seemingly popping up at random next to Beifong, causing the older mare to tense up slightly. Pinkie simply smiled towards Lin while Marble pulled out a knife from the roll mat.
“Right here, Pinks,” Marble, not even turning back to see her sister flipping the knife in a rather out of the way fashion, absentmindedly showing off both her natural and her honed dexterity as she moved the intricately designed weapon to her belt, with Lin only looking on, an old memory resurfacing.
///////////////////////
14 Years Eariler:
“The Butterfly Knife, a double handled knife most popular in the Fillypines, which, considering that we’re in Maneila, I think it’s most appropriate to kill you with. Don’t you, Officer Beifong?”
“Wait, what’s that, ‘I won’t get away with this’? Of course I will! A dead Guoxian cop in central Maneila attracts the same interest as a dead rat, trust me on that.”
“Oh, but don’t worry, nothing is going to happen to you, Bullseye Bond. Anyone else you hold near and dear to your heart, however, I make no such promises.
////////////////////////
The next few seconds passed by like a blur, beginning with Lin snatching a khukuri knife from the roll, that continued with her tripping Pinkie Pie’s hind legs and ending with her applying just enough force on her neck to bring her down with the knife upon her jugular without penetrating the flesh. “Gotcha now, you bitch!” Lin declared, at the same time pressing on a small, red button intended to summon her personal security detail.
Within moments, two very large and very irate looking unicorns burst through the door of the hotel room, looking to their leader for instructions which she gladly gave.
“Guards?” She looked to them, both responding to the sound of her voice as if they were a couple of well trained junk yard dogs. “Restrain the grey one. I’ll deal with the pink one over here,” she ordered, and the two monolithic guards slammed Marble into the wall and pinned the smaller mare down.
Marble only grumbled at this new, unforeseen advent, putting her knives away so that she didn’t accidently kill anyone that she was supposed to defend on this mission. As the two security personnel closed in on her, she took a deep breath and, as the first made his charge with a punch reminiscent of the iron hoof style of combat, Marble simply turned his force in on itself and slammed him head first into the fancy glass coffee table standing in the center of the room, followed then by a lightning fast cross to the intersection of the right jaw bone and neck of the second adversary. “Damn amateurs,” Marble mumbled, now taking out her throwing knives and looking down the mare that had a knife to her sister’s throat, staring her dead in the eye.
“I know who you are, Bullseye! And you can’t escape me this time!” The senator shouted at the now weeping earth pony. “And don’t you dare think of begging for mercy from me, because you won’t find-”
“Yeah, I may have some words about that,” Marble responded, catching the attention of her sister’s assailant with a barely missed throwing knife. “But you know, I’ve been wrong before, like swearing to protect an uppity senator.”
“You don’t know who this is, do you?” Lin asked, her body still over Pinkie’s.
“I’m aware,” Marble said, her eyes not moving from her target. “But you have to understand, Senator. The situation was more complicated than you think. Pinkamena presented herself as a problem, and it was one that needed a special touch. You have to trust me on-”
“Trust?!” Beifong spat back. “You agree to guard me, and then bring one of my would be killers in the door? Practically gift wrapping me for her? Well, she’s almost gotten me once, and I will not allow her to get me this time!”
Come on, girl, think, Marble struggled to brainstorm, her heart nearly exploding with the force of a frag grenade from both her sister’s tears and the situation at hand. I need to find a way to give her what she really wants, or… needs!
“Try a soul gaze!” Marble blurted out.
“What?” Pinkie and Lin asked simultaneously.
“Look into her mind, find what you’re looking for about Bullseye,” Marble continued to explain. “I promise you that you’ll find out what you need, but please, don’t kill Pinkie,” she began to plead. “She’s just a, relatively, innocent victim in all this.”
“You know the risks of a soul gaze, Girl?” Lin asked, her face half contorted with confusion. “I could end up killing her.”
“Which is nothing compared to what I’ll do to you if you kill her without knowing the whole story,” the agent made it clear that she was not kidding around, her voice showing zero signs of trepidation. “You think Bullseye was a good fighter? Well, wait till you get a load of me.”
A long silence fell upon the two mares, neither willing to give an inch on the matter, but both unable to see any other alternative to what they should do. “Fine,” Beifong agreed, her eyes and horn beginning to glow and looking down at Pinkie once more. “Hold still, you little rat.”
Her eyes, still glowing, began to morph and form from a rainbow of colors, cycling from red, to pink, then violet, blue, green, yellow, then orange and then back to red, funneling her mind into very fine beams of light straight into her potential victims eyes and soul, until finally, she was someplace else.
////////////////////////
Beifong found herself standing alone, in what appeared to be a cold, grey dirt field littered with stones and crystals of various sizes. A few hundred meters away, a humble looking farm house stood, and Beifong looked to see a nearby sign that read Pie Family Rock Farm.
Beifong looked around with bemusement. “A rock farm? That’s,” she struggled to find the right words. “Interesting.” She slowly started to walk towards the house, watching as faint, ghostly figures moved about the landscape, seemingly memories of far off, more innocent times. The cast always remained the same, with three straight haired fillies, one grey, one lavender and one pink, running around and playing some sort of game, though one far more active than what most foals their ages would be playing. An older, homespun looking mare would often be seen handling chores with the help of another filly, while a bitter looking brown stallion would lead most of the farm work. Every so often, a cheery, white pegasus would appear in a spontaneous burst of confetti, seemingly dead set on bringing mirth and cheer to the otherwise dreary landscape.
But, as she drew closer to the farmhouse, the sky grew darker, and she watched as the now older fillies engaging in what looked like military training of some kind, driven on by the same bitter looking stallion from before, only this time barking orders like a mad dog and evidently enjoying every last shout of them, whether it were push ups, combat practice or markspony ship. The bearded stallion just seemed much more alive and in his element than before, as if the military had been his home all along and life on the farm had just been a cover or something to do in his off time.
A roll of thunder caused the memories to disperse, instead replaced by a black void of nothingness, where only the vaguest forms of ponies could be seen.
After a few more steps however, the void began to be populated by memories again, this time of a new assortment of ponies of every tribe and color. The pink pony now had a poofy mane and a big smile, becoming more alive than she’d ever seen her in any of her previous memories, hopping along side a reserved looking lavender unicorn in a black cat suit, all the while babbling on adimately. Another unicorn, this time a white stallion with an eyepatch and a blue mane, simply sat there, drinking his coffee and reading what had appeared to be a manilla folder with a seal of a great sun on it, akin to a much more intricate symbol of the Equestrian nation and with his long overcoat flowing behind him. Another pony, this time a shy looking yellow pegasus with a flowing pink mane, sat at a table, looking calm and peaceful while eating a piece of cake, then there was a white earth pony with a short black mane and large ears. Most surprising, however, was the presence of a mammoth wolf, who was smiling warmly and surrounded by scores of cartoonish floating hearts.
“Alright, this is getting… jarring.”
Bei Fong ignored the rather strange and non sequitur sight and simply continued forward, determined to get to the bottom of things. She finally reached the house, and was mildly surprised to see that the door to the house, was, upon closer inspection, made of metal, which didn’t seem to match the wooden construction of the rest of the home. “Let’s find out what’s behind door number one…” she mumbled to herself as she began to reach for the doorknob when she heard a cultured voice from behind her.
“Excuse me, ma’am,” The voice said. “But I’d rather you not touch that.“
Beifong spun on her heels, ready to strike down any potential attacker, only to see a sage looking light blue earth pony mare with a two tone pink mane, who seemed to be in her early sixties, sitting in a wheelchair. Her eyebrow was raised, and her expression was one of concern.
“Who the hell are you?” Beifong asked incredulously, having not in any expected to see this other pony. “How are you here?”
The other mare shrugged slightly. “I could very well ask you the very same question, Miss, but but I suppose sense this is my home, for all intents and purposes, the burden of politeness falls on me,” she cleared her throat. “I am Professor Silverhoof, Pinkie’s therapist…” she trailed off, before putting her hoof on her chin. “Well, more precisely, I’m the psionic construct of Professor Silverhoof.” she added with a warm chuckle.
Beifong blinked. “Alright then...Professor...what are you doing here?” she asked bluntly, still unsure of how to react to the other pony. The construct pointed towards the door.
“I’m here for a very simple reason. I make sure that what’s in there stays in there,” The Professor answered, her voice becoming serious. Beifong looked back at the door.
“Well, what, exactly, is in there?” she inquired, and the other mare’s expression grew dark and pensive.
“A monster, plain and simple,” the professor answered bluntly. “We took to calling her Pinkamena. You, however, know her as Bullseye.”
“So she is Bullseye, but she isn't?” her hoof went straight for her face. “Why can’t it ever be simple with these NEIGHS spooks?” she turned to the construct, whose expression was surprisingly angry looking.
“When you deal with this kind of thing as long as I have, you get used to it,” The construct shook it’s head. “Pinkie Pie suffers from a severe case of a multiple personality syndrome, to the point where if one acts, the other just won’t remember,” she then started to roll herself closer to Beifong, her wheelchair making a mechanical purr as the motors drove it forward. “While Pinkie and Pinkamena may share a body, they are in no way the same pony. Pinkie is a kind hearted, loving pony, who only wishes to bring joy to the world however she can. Pinkamena… is not. And, as much as Pinkie struggles to keep control, every so often she fails to, and the monster bursts forth, taking complete control of the body. Quite simply, Pinkie is every psychologists dream of finding, only instead of two minds occupying the same room, imagine as if they work opposite shifts. One goes in, the other goes out, and for whatever reason, Pinkamena seems very eager to get overtime in. It’s one of the most troubling cases I’ve been tasked with solving,” in an instant, her voice became so much more grim.
“You have no idea how difficult it is for Pinkie to fight back when the urges hit her. Luckily, we have been able lock Pinkamena away, sure, and each time, I have been able to help restore control to Pinkie.” She then looked directly at Beifong, her focus having shifted to the door while she had been speaking. “But what went on in Pinkamena’s head? That is beyond even my skills. Now, General,” she turned her chair around and began to roll away. “I suggest you leave her be. You and I both know that a Soul Gaze is only allowed under special circumstances. Am I correct in assuming that you didn’t ask Ms. Pie’s permission to invade her private thoughts?”
Beifong shuffled her hooves. “I had her permission.”
“Perhaps you did, but even so,” she began to fade away, leaving only a few more words behind. “I feel obliged to inform you that what you are doing is highly illegal and unethical, and most of all, risks weakening the blocks I have already instilled. Farewell General.” The construct then flicked her hoof and the mindscape evaporated.
////////////////////////
Lin suddenly felt as if the ground had turned into jelly and the real world came rushing back, breaking over her like a tsunami. As she regained her senses she saw that she was being braced by one of own guards. Across from her, Marble was being restrained by another guard, a worried and frustrated look on her face. Beifong looked towards the pink pony, whose face was pale and frantic.
Beifong tapped her guard gently, and he released her, taking a step back to allow her air. Beifong took a deep breath, averting her eyes from the terrified pony across from her, the feeling of guilt overtaking her.
“Back to your posts, gentlecolts. False alarm.” Beifong said, waving her hoof. The two guards raised their eyebrows in perfect sync.
“Are you sure, General? You migh-”
“I’m fine. Obey your orders and leave.” she commanded, and the two guards quickly saluted and walked out of the living room. Marble, now freed from being pinned to the wall, darted over to give Pinkie a place to lean on, shooting Beifong a death glare.
“So?” Marble asked, going over to help a visibly exhausted Pinkie slouch over on the couch. “Find what you wanted?”
“I did.” Beifong said sternly, only causing Marble and Pinkie to raise their eyebrows in shock.
“And what did you find out?” Marble said, standing up from where she and Pinkie had been sitting.
“Things were more complicated than I had come to realize,” Beifong stated coolly and professionally.
“Which means?” Pinkie asked, feeling violated and speaking for the first time since Beifong had pinned her against the floor. Bei Fong’s darted towards Pinkie for a moment, before looking down at the floor shamefully.
“Which means...” She answered, shaking her head. “I’m sorry,” There was a strange pause between the three of them, with Marble’s expression one of fury, Pinkie’s one of confusion and Bei Fong’s one of shame. “I suppose forgiveness is completely out of the question, isn’t it?” She asked quietly, looking towards Pinkie Pie meekly for the first time.
Marble opened her mouth to speak, most likely ready to belt out a long tirade or a very long and very descriptive threat, but Pinkie put a hoof on her sister’s shoulder. Marble looked down, only to see Pinkie motion for her to sit down before slowly getting up and walking over to Beifong and pulling the older mare into a sudden hug.
“Of course I forgive you, you silly filly!” she said, causing both Marble and Beifong’s mouths to drop open. “I mean, just like with the meteor hammer yesterday,” she continued, leaning back slightly. “I might not agree a hundred percent with you, but I understand why you did it. I mean, you’re my friend right?”
Marble was the first to speak. “Oh yeah, thing about working with Pinkie is,” she began to smile. “She’ll usually forgive you on a dime.”
“Usually?” Lin asked?
“Yeah, we don’t talk about when that doesn’t happen,” the grey one said in a very deadpan voice.
Pinkie turned her head to give Marble an unimpressed look. “Marble, you of all ponies know I like to give ponies a second chance. And really, if I stayed a mean meanie pants towards her, would that help the mission?”
Marble facepalmed. “Yeah, I should, shouldn’t I?”
“You should!” Pinkie Pie declared, hurting Lin’s ears a little bit. “Then lets move on Linny needs to get ready for her speech and we need to do some recon so we can keep her safe.”
“Linny?” both Marble and Sen. Beifong said at the same time
“Yes Linny, I give all my friends Nicknames!”She chirped happily before making shooing motions, “Now go get ready you're on at 2.”
“Oh yeah,” Marble began again with being deadpan. “She likes nicknames, too.”
Later that evening, the sister agents were in their pre planned positions. Pinkie Pie was perched on the roof, carefully scanning the area below her, while Marble concentrated on doing sweeps and coordinating with security.
They had also been arguing about what had happened earlier that day.
“Marble,” Pinkie spoke, putting a hoof to her ear piece and shaking her head. “Can we please drop this already? I forgave her, it’s in the past, and we still have a job to do.”
“Pinkie, she took a peek at your soul and before that had every intention to kill both of us. How in the name of Cadence’s riding crop is that in any way, shape or form an okay thing?!” Marble countered, her tone biting. “I mean, if somepony tried that with me, I’d probably put a bullet through their head!”
Pinkie shook her head and rubbed the bridge of her muzzle. “Look, Marble, the important thing is that I can forgive her. Anyways, a soul gaze is a two way street, so I got just as good a look into her soul as she did mine,” she said, her tone softening. “And I saw a pony who deep down just wants to do the right thing, and is trying really hard to fix a broken place.. Is that so really bad?” There was a pause as Pinkie waited for Marble’s response.
“Pinkie, if you saw her soul too why didn’t ya say anything?” Came Marble’s sigh-laden response. “I mean, don’t you think that would have solved that whole problem?”
Pinkie shook her head. “I didn’t want to violate her privacy, and also, don’t you think me saying that I knew all that stuff about would help her confidence at all? I mean, if somepony came up to me and told me they knew everything about me, I’d be like ‘wha?! Digger you crazy!’”
Pinkie could almost hear the sound of Marble blinking in shock at the word, before her sister sighed again. “Ugh, fine whatever. Let’s just get this mission over and done with so I can go home and take a vacay or something. Sound good?”
“Super-duper-ultra-special good!” Pinkie chirped, returning to her normal upbeat self. “I’ve got some motion detectors set up so you can have a heads up if any meany-pants are coming.”
“Roger that. And the access door?” Marble replied, the sound of her checking a lock coming over the intercom.
Pinkie pulled out a wand like device from her mane and twirled it in her hooves like a baton. “Pulled out the sonic screwdriver and used Frequency 56.78 on it.”
There was a pause. “...what?” Marble asked flatly.
“It means I increased the strength and density of the door by fifty percent so that means, if anypony wants to knock it down, they’re gonna hafta really put their backs into it.” Pinkie clarified, crossing her arms in satisfaction.
“Oh. Okay then. You sure you trust that thing? I mean, we should probably take it to the tech guys back at the Triskelion for analyzing. I mean, it looks like a toy.”
“Oh I trust it. As long as it’s not a wooden door, we’re good.” Pinkie answered confidently.
“Why wouldn’t work on wood?” Marble asked, more sounds coming over the intercom.
Pinkie shrugged. “Dunno. The Doctor didn’t say.”
“Okay then, whatever you say,” came Marble’s ambivalent response. “Either way, just alert me if you see anything, got it?”
“Okie dokie loki,” Pinkie answered with a giggle, knowing that while Marble’s voice sounded rather unimpressed, her sister’s face was probably scrunched into something resembling a deeply perplexed modern art piece. She let the giggle pitter out, shifting her weight slightly to better make herself comfortable in her nest. She reached up to her ear, reaching inside to fiddle with the small electronic device inside. To everyone else, it looked like a standard earpiece, usually the kind attached to a radio. However, to Pinkie, it was a vital piece of technology that, if damaged, would be crippling.
It was a hearing aid. The reason for such a thing was simple. Instanbull. Of all the things that had gone wrong during that (admittedly enjoyably chaotic) mission, the loss of Pinkie’s hearing was something the pink-maned mare was most certainly NOT expecting. But alas, fate had decided to deal her a bad hand, and as such, she’d lost her hearing in a particularly violent gunfight. Of course, she had Twilight for a friend, so the threat of permanent deafness was averted, and a brand new, fancy pair of ultra-advanced hearing aids had been made especially for her.
Huh. That’s weird. Almost like I had a backstory dump or something. Pinkie thought idly, adjusting the hearing aid again to help amplify the ambient noise.
She reached into her quiver, pulling out an arrow with a high powered taser at it’s tip, and readying her bow as she carefully scanned the crowd of ponies milling about below. She could see Marble’s greyish mane poking out among the technicolor explosion of other ponies’ manes. Most seemed like the typical kinds that frequented political events: Middle aged, dull and rather unassuming. However, Pinkie knew from experience that it was never a good idea to judge a book by it’s cover. Or in this case, a pony by their coat.
Is a coat the same as a book cover? Now there’s a question to ask Twilight when I get back. Oh! Maybe it’s that ponies’ coats are more like those nifty dust jackets you putoverbook covers! Oh yeah that’s tota-
Her train of thought came to a halt when she felt a tingle in the lower portion of her left leg, and she whipped her head around, catching the bright glint of something metallic for a fraction of a second. Her eyes widened and she dropped to the floor, the razor sharp sai piercing the wall across from her, having missed her by a mere inch or so. It had come so close that it’d even managed to snatch away three or four strands of Pinkie’s mane, and the bright pink hairs were now pinned to the wall.
Pinkie didn’t waste anytime bemoaning the loss of a few hairs, and instead popped upright, firing her arrow in the direction of the leather clad attacker, who merely dropped and rolled out of the way, narrowly avoiding the powerful electric shock. Pinkie let out a frustrated grunt, notching another, this time lethal arrow and sending it sailing towards the assassin, who surprisingly batted it away with one of her sai’s without a second glance.
"Oh come on!" Pinkie grumbled, running after the assassin and notching her third arrow, which was sent flying towards her target, who, once more, dodged the arrow and its explosion of adhesive. Pinkie gritted her teeth. Magically dodging stuff is totally my shtick! She thought, recovering her spent arrows as she ran, and jamming them back into her quiver, where a spinning turntable automatically attached them to a new arrowhead.
Meanwhile, Pinkie notched her fourth arrow, aiming it towards the costumed figure running ahead of her. She muttered a quick prayer before sending the arrow flying. There was a sharp boom and a flash of blinding white light as a cloud of thick purple smoke billowed from the arrow head. The sound of the assassin coughing as the cloud enveloped them was music to Pinkie's ears.
"Praise the maker!" Pinkie cheered, yanking a face mask out of her mane and pulling it over her face. She dived head first into the cloud, slapping a button on the side of the mask, causing the previously clouded image to be replaced by the bright red and yellow patterns of infrared. She spotted her target, arm held over her face and coughing harshly. Pinkie smiled under her mask slightly.
Gotcha! And one more arrow was sent sailing, this one finding its mark and pinning the figure to the wall with a crash.
"High score!" Pinkie proclaimed, already moving towards the pinned assailant, arrow at the ready. “Okay…” she paused, taking in the pony’s uniform. The assassin was visibly feminine, if her body shape was any indication, and the suit she wore was dark red, and a mask covered her face. Pinkie blinked, pushing the arrow towards the pony so that it touched the forehead.
“...Red, you stay still, and we can totally for sure work this all out okay. Just put the fancy fork down, and everything will be fine. Capchie?”
“I capiche.” Came the assassins voice, and in a blur of movement, she reached over, yanking the arrow out, and knocking Pinkie’s legs out from under her and slamming the sharp arrowhead into the shoulder strap of Pinkie’s vest, shoving her to the floor violently.
“But I’d rather get the j-” The assassin was cut off by Pinkie landing a knee to her side, causing her to spew a series of harsh expletives as she rolled off in pain. Pinkie bolted to her hooves, shedding the vest in one fluid motion before firing another shot at the now standing assassin. The assassin however, deflected the arrow with a sai, before darting forward and stabbing at Pinkie, who ducked, swinging her leg out and knocking the pony off her hooves. The pony landed on her chest with a thud, and Pinkie pile-drived down on her.
“Gotcha! Now just give up and we ca-” Pinkie was cut off by a burst of pain to the crotch as the pony beneath her slammed an elbow into her crotch.
“OWCH! NO FAIR!” Pinkie cried, her voice sharp as she lost her place on the pony’s back. She slammed to the ground, her quiver stabbing into her back, causing her to writhe painfully, eyes shut tight. There was an explosion of pain in her right shoulder caused her eyes to bolt open, and she turned her head to see a sai poking out of her shoulder, a small pool of blood already forming.
“Sucks to be you,” Pinkie looked towards the source of the voice, only to see the red pony already running towards the still closed doorway. Pinkie smiled thinly.
“Won’t work fancy pants,” She chuckled, wincing in pain as her shoulder shifted. “It’s locked *huff* and I-ow-don’t have the key.”
The pony’s eyes narrowed slightly, and she simply reached into a pocket in the chest of her suit. “Well then I’ll just pick the lock.” The pony then slammed what looked like white silly putty onto the door, and, with the flick of a wrist, revealed a small detonator. One push of a button later, there was an deafening boom and the door was no longer there. The pony tipped her head slightly, darting through the door and outside.
Pinkie let out a muffled curse, her hooves moving up to her ears. She reached inside, pulling out the two small metallic devices. Her ears drooped. In her hooves, now a fried mess of sparks and wires, were what remained of her hearing aids. She looked around, the world now completely silent. She caught sight of her radio’s light blinking.
Great. She grumbled, reaching over and pulling it out and pressing the talk button.
“Marble! Don’t try calling me. My hearing aids are out. A pony in a red suit and mask managed to down me and get inside. I think it’s the assassin Lin talked about. Get me a medic please.” with that, she lifted her hoof off the toggle, ignoring whatever it was that Marble was probably saying from the other side. Her left hoof moved to put pressure against her shoulder, and she let out a long groan as she finally let her body relax.
At least I’m alive...thank The Maker for that. she thought, closing her eyes slowly. Just keep Marble and Lin safe, okay Lord? she paused, her ears flicking slightly. A slight smile appeared on her face. Okay...thanks a lot.
////////////////////////
Meanwhile, downstairs, Marble wasted no time switching stations, and getting her staff at the ready. As she moved, her pace quickened to a run, her eyes darting about as she looked for the assassin Pinkie had mentioned.
Come on, where are you? She thought in a panic, before grinding to a halt when she caught sight of a blur of red at the far corner of the empty dinner hall.
Bingo! Marble let out a growl as she practically flew towards the assassin, only to barely miss her and instead go crashing into a pyramid of champagne glasses. The assassin meanwhile, flicked several dozen small throwing stars and knives towards Marble, who rolled off the table with a grunt and a thud. By the time Marble was on her hooves again, she practically shouted into her intercom.
“Attention all Guards, The Assassin is in the building and on the second floor heading towards the balcony of the second conference room, She is highly dangerous, try to contain her but lethal force is authorized.” With that, she once more started running after the assassin, who’d managed to get slowed by accidentally slamming into another table, sending several chairs sprawling. Marble let out a war cry, popping open her staff and swinging it at the pony, who stumbled away with a satisfying crack.
Marble didn't waste any time cracking her staff into two batons and charging towards the assassin, who countered by recovering surprisingly quickly and obliging with a pair of sais. The pair met with a crash, sprawling over a large table, both grunting and growling. Neither gave an inch however, seemingly stuck together like two gears going in opposite directions. Marble knew full well that she was the better close quarter fighter. Of course, it also helped that she was practically seeing red right now, and she twisted the assassins’ wrist painfully.
“And that’s what you get for stabbing my sister you bit-”
A headbutt to the face cut off Marble mid sentence, and Marble cried out. If there was one disadvantage to fighting while angry, it was that one’s perception of surroundings was warped. In her zeal to return the favor to the assassin, she’d forgotten to keep both of her arms equally pinned, and the assassin twisted loose, giving Marble one last kick for good measure. A now dizzied Marble staggered off the table, blinking fiercely in an attempt to get her eyes to focus.
She could barely make out the blurry red figure of her opponent, and she let out a roar, charging forwards like a wild bull. The blurry figure however, simply ducked out of the way, sending Marble slamming harshly into the far wall. Marble bounced off, throwing her batons in the general direction of the figure, only to be greeted with the sound of them clattering on the floor.
The assassin meanwhile, ran as fast as her legs could carry her. She’d been obscenely lucky so far, dispatching both the vest wearing pony and the one in the catsuit. She still had a ways to go however, and she wasn’t about to rest on laurels. She opened the door to the main ball room silently, quickly moving to walk on her toes, and making sure her steps were widely spaced. She moved smoothly, being sure to dart behind a pillar or under a table whenever a security guard passed. She could hear some loud chatter over someone’s intercom, and she paused to listen in.
“Guys. She’s in the ballroom. She got past me, so keep an eye out for her. Remember, red suit and mask.” Came the familiar voice of the catsuit pony. The assassin rolled her eyes. Things were going to get harder before they got easier. They always did.
She crouched down, moving slowly and carefully, continuing to remain in the shadows as much as possible. After what seemed like an eternity of stalking, dodging and hiding, she was finally within striking distance of her target.
The unicorn across from her was in full Guoxian garb, and was giving a spirited speech to everyone in the room. Of course, the assassin cared not for whatever babblings the Guoxian was saying, since, if her luck continued, she’d soon be seeing a couple thousand appearing in her bank account. The assassin pulled out a special red sai, an ornate affair with old Skrosian inscribed on it. To anyone else, it would have seemed like some sort of good luck charm, but to the assassin, it was simply the kind of sai she always used for the kill shot. It was always fun to leave a calling card of some sort, if only to mess with ponies heads. She had at least a half dozen back at her home, so losing this one in the line of duty was standard operating procedure.
With a small smile spreading beneath her mask, the assassin took careful aim at the senator, and, in one fluid motion, sent the sai flying towards its target. It sailed clean through, impacting the floor with a thud.
The assassin blinked. Wait what?! She didn’t have much time to process how it was possible for somepony to become instantly intangible however, as a length of rope wrapped around her neck, the heavy weight at the end making her gag.
“Surprise, bet you’d seen the last of me, murderer?” Came a harsh voice, and the assassin glanced as best she could over her shoulder to see the exact same Senator, holding the rope around her neck and pulling it tightly. The assassin let out a choked gasp, her hooves darting up to the improvised garrote. Her eyes darted about wildly, trying to find an opening, and her legs kicked viciously, only for the unicorn’s horn to light up and lock them in place.
“If you value your life, I suggest you cease moving.” The Senator growled, emphasizing her words with a dagger poking at the assassin’s back. The assassin gritted her teeth, halting her movements and letting out a stifled sigh. She heard approaching footsteps, and her eyes darted over to see the catsuit garbed pony running over, a piece of gauze stuffed up her nose.
Marble meanwhile, ran up to the senator, quickly producing a pair of hoofcuffs and slapping them onto the assassins wrists. “You alright senator?”
Lin simply nodded, keeping the rope around their shared foe’s neck. “Perfectly fine, Agent Pie,” she then cracked a thin smile. “I told you the illusion would work.” She then yanked the rope slightly, causing the assassin to grunt in pain. “But I’ve had enough of them. Time for some truth, yes?”
Marble glanced towards the assassin and then towards Lin, nodding. “Yeah. About time we got this halloween reject off our friends face.” With a sharp yank, the mask came tumbling off, revealing the now somewhat bruised, yet decidedly frustrated looking face of a gray pony. The pony’s silver mane was bundled in a tight bun, and her brown eyes rolled.
“Limestone?!” Marble’s jaw dropped open, her eyes blinking as she tried to comprehend what she was seeing. The pony shrugged slightly.
“Oh hey sis. How’s your nose?” she replied with a sarcastic grin, only to get it erased by another tug at the throat from Beifong.
“‘Sis’? What sort of deception is this?” Lin’s eyes darted towards Marble, who simply put a palm to her forehead.
“It’s not a deception. Lin, meet Limestone Pie. She’s my twin sister.” Marble then narrowed her eyes. “Or at least was, before we went our separate ways.”
Limestone let out an scoff. “Oh please, Marble, don’t give me tha-”
“Separate ways? What are you talking about?” Lin pressed, cutting Limestone off by tugging the rope tight and keeping her pinned to the table. Marble let out a sigh, rubbing her still very sore nose.
“We were twins. Pinkie is our younger sister. We have another sister, Maud, but I haven’t seen her in awhile. Our dad trained us. Said the world was rough and cruel,” she sighed. “And he was right...more or less.”
Limestone let out a grunt, and Marble motioned for Lin to loosen the rope slightly. Limestone let out a sharp cough, clearing her throat. “At least I finished my training. Not like you. You and Maud just up and left me and Pinkamena. We had to do everything alone. Some sister you were. Me and Pinkamena had to fend for ourselves. Work our flanks off.”
“Really? When was the last time you saw Pinkamena, Limestone?” Marble asked tersely, leaning in close. Limestone’s face scrunched in thought for a moment.
“I don’t know...like...ten years ago. She told me she had some contract for some sorta intelligence agent or something.” she then looked up at Marble. “I didn’t like sticking my nose in her business. You know that. I never heard back from her though, so I just figured the mission went sour or something.
“Who do you think the pony on the roof was?”
Limestone shrugged slightly. “I don’t know. All I know is that she was in my way. So I dealt with her. She was pretty damn good though, I’ll give her that. Why? What’s got your panties in a bunch? She your girlfriend or something?”
Marble greeted that with a sharp baton end to the stomach, causing Limestone to groan in pain.
“The fu-”
“That was Pinkie, Limestone. Are you that short sighted that you couldn’t even see that?" Marble asked, shaking her head slowly as her voice grew heavy.
Limestone meanwhile, simply blinked, looking down at the ground in shock. Pinkie's alive?! Was the first thought that came to her head. It'd been ten years since she last spoke with her. In her job, she knew full well that if someone didn't call you back, it usually meant they'd been captured...or worse. Of course, Limestone wasn't usually one to meditate over the darker aspects of her job, but as much as she'd verbally deny it, she had cared deeply for Pinkie. It'd been just the two of them, trapped with a father who didn't care for them. Limestone always handled the harsh treatment with a snide backhanded remark or witticism. But Pinkie? To see a smiling filly slowly and steadily transform into something entirely different had been a strange and disturbing sight.
The sound of the radio intercom and Marble answering it caught Limestone's ears, and she glanced towards her sister.
"Is she okay?" Limestone finally asked, her voice now quiet and tentative. Marble simply looked down, and exhaled sharply.
"She's fine. They have her on morphine right now. As for you, you're going to a NEIGHS prison, and hopefully, out of my sight." Marble then put her hoof to her lips, letting out a piercing whistle and motioning for two other agents to come over.
"Take her away." She said coldly, and the two agents nodded, grabbing Limestone and taking her away. As she was dragged away, Limestone looked over her shoulder.
"I'm sorry." She said quietly, while Marble simply turned away, leaving a visibly confused Lin behind.
////////////////////////
"Okay, asides from the stab wound, she's fine," The doctor said, pushing his glasses up his nose. "The blade missed her artery, so really, she just needs a few weeks of rest and to avoid using the arm and she’ll be up and ready. We have her on morphine just so she isn't in any pain. Understand?"
Marble nodded. "Yeah. I understand. Can I see her now?"
The doctor nodded. "Sure. Just don't take long. She needs rest."
Marble nodded mutely, walking into the hospital room to see Pinkie, lying on the bed, a dopey morphine induced smile on her face.
"Hey Pinkie. How's it hanging?" Marble smiled, taking a seat next to the bed. She glanced up at the big 'get well' balloon that was tied to the side of the bed. "Twilight was here?"
Pinkie nodded. "Yupperooney. She was all worried 'bout me." Pinkie let out a giggle, before wincing slightly in pain. "Ooch...that pony really got me though."
Marble nodded. "Yeah, she did. But don't worry. She didn't hurt anypony else."
Pinkie raised an eyebrow. "So the illusion worked? Lin safe?"
"Yup. Senator Beifong is safe. Apparently her speech was very well received."
Pinkie's smile grew a little more. "Huzzah. What about the assassin?"
Marble hesitated. "Well...uh...we managed to identify her." She began, only to get cut off by Pinkie laughing.
"Limestone right? It was Limestone?"
Marble blinked. "How did you know?" She asked, raising an eyebrow incrediously. Pinkie motioned to her ear.
"Her voice. I knew I'd heard it somewhere, it just took a bit for me to make the connection." Pinkie's smile faded, and she gave Marble a concerned look. "Is she okay?"
Marble simply nodded, her face bitter. Pinkie smiled sympathetically, moving her hoof to give Marble a gentle pat. "Hey," she began, motioning to herself. "Even the injured ponies can get healed. They just need time."
Marble smiled thinly. "That the 'Tao of Pinkie'?"
Pinkie shook her head. "Nope. Just me saying what I know is true. Give her a chance. Just like you did with me. Who knows, you might be able to get your favorite twin sister back."
Marble sighed. "Well...I don't know..." She caught sight of Pinkie's eyebrows lowering. "But I'll do my best. Not everypony is as forgiving as you, you know."
Pinkie merely shrugged. "But they can if they just give it a shot. Anyways, I've been told I'm infectious."
The two sisters shared a quiet giggle, and the sound of someone knocking on the doorframe caught their attention. They both looked towards the doorframe to see a mail pony standing in the doorway.
"Um, letter for a Miss Pinkie Pie?"
Pinkie lifted a hoof. "That's me!"
Marble meanwhile stood up, causing Pinkie to give her a quizzical look. "Hey, sis, where you going?" Pinkie asked, and Marble motioned towards one of the water fountains across the hallway.
"I gotta have a drink..." She let out a slight grunt as she walked, rubbing her thigh. "And a physical therapist. But don't worry, I'm coming right back. Read your letter."
"Oh. Okay then. Stay safe." Pinkie called out as the mailpony handed her the letter. Marble simply nodded.
"You too." She was followed out by the mail pony, who moved on to wherever else he was due. Pinkie meanwhile, looked down at the letter, her smile growing.
"Oh yay, she sent me another!" She exclaimed, opening the letter and reading the simple hoofwriting:
Dear Agent Pinkie Pie,
First off, I’d just like to say that I’m so incredibly sorry that I haven’t been able to write to you in awhile. Things have been hectic lately, something about a hammer in Appleloosa. The good news is that I’ve kept my promise and been having regular sessions with Dr. Silverhoof. Who knew a psychologist could be so nice? She’s been very understanding and she’s helped me go such a long way towards getting rid of The Other Mare. I do find it odd that Dr. Silverhoof keeps telling me that New Fluttershy is just an extension of my psych, something I can control. I find that very hard to believe. How can that -- that monster be a part of me? I keep saying I want to lock her away in some cage and forget about her, but Dr. Silverhoof keeps telling me that I shouldn’t keep repressing Her like that. Says it’s bad for my mind. She said I should try to keep my thoughts focused elsewhere, so she suggested trying online school. So I gave it a shot, I’m going for something in Bio-chemistry. Apparently I have a knack for it, since things have been going smoothly. Mom says it’s good I’ve been studying, since, like I said before, it keeps my mind off The Other Mare. I just hope I do well...I mean, I really want to find a way to make myself useful around here. Everypony’s working to help ponies and all I do is talk with Dr. Silverhoof and sit in my room.
It makes me feel kind of useless. Maybe that’s why I was alright with school. It’s the least I could do to make up for what The Other Mare has done. All that pain and suffering.
But enough of me being sad. I know you said you didn’t want to see me sad. So I’m going to keep looking for the positives in things...just like you said. I’m hoping to throw you a nice little party when you get back from wherever it is you are. The least I could do for the pony who helped me so much this past year.
Your friend, Fluttershy Braveheart Wing.
P.S. I got that package you asked about in your last letter. The suit is actually really comfy and stretchy, if a little tight around my neck. Maybe I just need to break it in a little. I’m not quite sure why you felt I needed such an outfit, but I guess it’s the thought that counts. Thanks for sending it. Kinda wish it had sleeves though, but I guess I’m just used to wearing hoodies all the time.
Pinkie smiled warmly. It did her heart good to see Fluttershy doing better. It was probably going to be a long road to recovery for the mare, but with Pinkie by her side, it was sure going to be worth it.
Pinkie looked around, spotting the notepad and pen that Twilight had left behind, apparently so that Pinkie’s ‘mind could stay occupied’. Pinkie reached over, letting out a grunt of annoyance as her shoulder flexed. She picked the notepad and pen up, settling back into her place with a sigh.
Clicking it open, she set out writing a letter in response.
Captain Equestria Prologue - 01 - Of Life and Strife
It was a gorgeous summer morning in the breadbasket of Equestria, without a single cloud in the sky. Acres of apple trees stretched along the gently rolling hills on the outskirts of Ponyville, all in neatly ordered groves. Songbirds filled the air with their delightful music, which brought life to the already beautiful scenery.
And not too far away from the heart of Ponyville, in the unending sea of healthy apple trees, was a scrawny little earth pony filly named Applejack Apple. She was only twelve years old, but she still saw that as no reason she couldn’t enjoy a nice game of Hide and Seek. Which was what she was doing right now. In fact, due to her fragile build, she was easily able to hide in a small bush and watch a massive, dark red earth pony stallion countdown with his face pressed against the trunk of a freshly bucked tree. Seeing him like that made it very hard for Applejack to suppress her giggling.
“Three...Two...One...Here I come!” called her father in his deep, yet teddy bear gentle voice.
Applejack peered through the leaves to see him searching for her, his expressions and movements exaggerated as he peeked in places that no filly would normally fit.
“Now where can that little troublemaker be?” he wondered aloud, looking around one of the famous apple trees. He trotted over to the large wagon that sat nearby and looked underneath, pulling his head out a moment later, scratching his mane in feigned surprise. “Well I'll be darned, she ain't under here either.”
Applejack snickered to herself as she watched her father dip his head in a barrel. She was the Apple Family Hide and Seek champion three years running, she knew there was no way he would ever find her. Applejack gasped when she was suddenly grabbed a dark red hoof, and she screamed with delight as she felt herself being lifted into the air.
“There ya are, missy!” he playfully growled, blowing a raspberry on her stomach. Applejack giggled and playfully kicked her legs. Her dad then set her back down on the ground and started back towards the wagon, Applejack following close behind, still giggling. She watched in amazement as he was able to slip the massive yoke attached to the wagon back on without the tiniest bit of a struggle. Once his yolk was secured, he smiled at Applejack and motioned for her to climb on.
Applejack smiled and scampered onto his strong back. “Aw darn it, Pa! How'd ya find me so darn fast?” she asked, clambering up her father's neck, over his Stetson hat and leaned over in front of his face.
He laughed a deep rich laugh and shrugged slightly. “I can't rightly tell,” he said, as he started to pull the wagon down the well worn dirt road. “I just might have magic,” he said, looking her in the eyes and smiling warmly.
Applejack giggled. “No way Pa! Yer not a unicorn!”
Her father was about to respond when the loud clanging of a bell rang out across the fields, followed by a mare's voice calling out.
“Soups on everypony!”
Applejack's father looked in the direction of the sound and smiled broadly. “Eeyup! Yer Ma must be fixin' somethin' good fer us, AJ,” her father said, motioning towards the small, humble looking house at the end of the road. “Why don't go and see what it is, huh?”
Applejack nodded rapidly, grinning a toothy grin and jumped off his neck and started galloping towards the house as fast as her scrawny legs could carry her. She reached the house and practically bounded up the front porch, where a slightly older light green earth pony with a light blonde mane stood, ringing the dinner bell.
“Hey Sis!” Applejack called out as she ran by.
“Hey AJ, ma just finished breakfast.” Purity Smith said around the string in her mouth that was attached to the bell.
Applejack nodded and ran into the rustic kitchen, where her mother, a caramel colored earth pony with a blonde mane, stood by the stove, doing a last minute stirring for something simmering in her banged up pot. But even in the pot’s poor condition, her mother had still managed to pull of something that smelled positively heavenly. And Applejack knew that it would taste good, too, since it was her mother cooking. And mothers always knew how to make food good.
“Mornin', Ma!” Applejack said cheerfully as she quickly hugged her mother tightly.
“Mornin', Applejack,” her mother Apple Blossom replied, her voice kind and gentle. “And where's yer father?”
“He's a comin' up behind me.” Applejack replied as she trotted over to the breakfast table and sat down in her designated chair. Next to her stood a highchair in which had a tiny yellow baby filly with a red mane. The baby giggled and burbled at the sight of Applejack. Applejack reached over and rubbed the filly's forehead. “Howdy, 'Bloom, how ya doin'?”
Apple Bloom simply squealed in response, babbling a series of nonsense words as she reached out to try and teethe on Applejack's ponytail.
“Mornin' all.” her father called out as he entered the house, giving his wife a kiss on the cheek and reaching into the ice box to pull out a bottle of cider. He then trotted over to the breakfast table and sat down after giving both Applejack and Apple Bloom a quick kiss on their foreheads. Purity Smith followed behind him and sat next to him.
“Now, I wonder what mah beautiful wife has cooked fer breakfast,” he said, smiling when he saw his eldest crack a smile.
He looked towards his wife again, and she smiled warmly in response as she carried a platter with five bowls on it that were all filled with steaming hot oatmeal.
“It's oatmeal, hon,” she said once she set the platter down. She sat next to him and gave a phony stern look as she motioned towards the stetson still propped on his head. “Hon, yer hat.”
Applejack's father glanced up at it. “Wha? Oh!.” He gave her a kiss. “Where would I be without ya?”
He took the hat off and plopped it on Applejack's head. The large hat slid down her forehead, covering her eyes.
Apple Blossom rolled her eyes, a patient smile on her face. “Now, Applejack, you know there's no wearin' hats at the breakfast table.”
“Awe, come on, Ma!” Applejack groaned as she lifted the hat off of her eyes. “Why can't I wear it?” “Cause its breakfast. Now, AJ, listen to yer Ma.” Her father said as he went about eating his food. Applejack hung her head. “Yes, Pa.”
She pulled the hat off her head and set it down on the table. There was a long silence as the family quietly went about eating, with Apple Blossom spoon feeding Apple Bloom.
“So,” Apple Blossom spoke, still feeding Apple Bloom. “What took ya and AJ this mornin', hon?” Applejack's father shrugged. “We was out in the south grove when this little troublemaker,” he playfully ruffled Applejack's mane. “Wanted ta play some hide and seek.”
Apple Blossom smiled warmly at Applejack and gave her quick peck on the cheek. “Of course she did, mah little angel she is.”
Applejack simply blushed and gave her mom a hug. Purity rolled her eyes at the scene and rested her head on her hoof as she glanced out the window. As soon as she looked out the window, her ears perked and she lifted her head as she tapped their father on the shoulder. When her father glanced at her she pointed out the window. Mr. Apple’s face instantly fell and Applejack and Apple Blossom looked at him with concern. And once they looked out the window, everyone became worried as the small cloud of kicked up dirt rapidly approached the simple house. When the visitor stopped in front of the house, the good mood had been replaced with dread.
“Oh no.” Father muttered as he stood up and trotted out the front door to greet the luxury open air carriage that was parked outside.
The carriage, which was pulled by two earth pony stallions, had the emblem of the Belle’s. The wealthiest family in Ponyville, and possibly one of the wealthiest in all of Equestria. Two upscale unicorns were sitting inside, enjoying the comfort of lavishly decorated and top tier soft cushions. The first one was a nattily dressed grey stallion with a well kept dark blue mane. Next to him sat a powder blue filly with a dark blue mane with purple highlights that looked to be about Applejack's age. She was in an incredibly ornate dress and held her head high in the air.
“Good morning, Mr. Apple” the stallion called out, stepping out of the carriage and magically tipping his hat towards the large earth pony, who tipped his head in response.
“Mornin', Mr. Belle,” he said reverently. “What brings ya to mah farm this fine summer mornin’?” His voice was now no longer the confident stallion from before, but rather humble and meek.
“Well, Mr. Apple, it seems you are approximately...” Mr. Belle paused, apparently trying to remember something. “Oh, it seems to have slipped my mind. Glory Belle?” he turned towards the filly sitting next to him. “Glory Belle, sweetie, how far behind rent is our friend here?”
An insufferably smug grin came on the filly's face as she trotted next to him. “He's a month behind, Father.”
“Excellent work my dear,” her father said, patting her head. He then turned back to Mr. Apple. “It seems my brilliant daughter is correct, Mr. Apple. It seems you are a month behind on the rent.” Applejack could see her mother tense up at the words and look towards her husband, who simply looked down at the ground and nodded.
“That's right, sir. Mah apologies. We'll get ya yer money as soon as possible.” he said, his voice low and humiliated.
There is a pause as both stallions look at each other, their place in society painfully apparent. Not even the chirping or warm breeze could levy the intensity of the situation. But rather than going on a tangent about wanting his money now as most would expect from someone of Mr. Belle’s status, he merely clicked his tongue and looked at the family inside, noting their tense mood. He looked back at Mr. Apple and nodded in understanding.
“Alright then. I expect it by next Monday,” Mr. Belle said.
The filly next to him leaned out towards Applejack's father, the same insufferable look on her face.
“Did you hear that, digger?” she sneered, before her father quickly tugged on her tail with his magic causing her to yelp in pain.
“Glory Belle!” Mr. Belle said, sounding quite angry. “Such language! Say you’re sorry to Mr. Apple.”
He motioned towards Mr. Apple, and Glory Belle let out a theatrical groan and she looked back at Mr. Apple with disdain, and the gentle stallion averted his eyes to the ground. There was a long, painfully tense silence, and Mr. Belle’s scowl became more aggressive with each passing second. When he repeated himself, this time in such a way that one would think he was whipping his daughter, she winced and glared at the farmer.
“Sorry, Mr. Apple,” she said quietly through gritted teeth. She turned around and headed back towards the wagon, muttering: “Not my fault you’re a lousy good for nothing, dirt stomper.”
Mr. Belle was quick to turn her and smack her across the cheek, eliciting a sharp yelp from her and leaving a streak on her cheek. Mr. Apple winced, and when Glory Belle glared at him with more resentment than directed towards her father, he once again found himself looking at the ground, swallowing nervously.
“That's enough Glory!” exclaimed Mr. Belle. Then he pushed her towards the wagon, his stomps heavy and expression merciless. “As punishment for your disrespect to our clients, you won't be going to that sleepover!”
Glory Belle turned towards her father, aghast. “But Daddy-”
Mr. Belle shook his head and used his magic to put her in the backseat with what appeared to be office supplies. “No buts, young lady! You have shown behavior most unbecoming of a mare of your upbringing!”
When Glory Belle tried to protest, using a mix of high pitched whines and begs, he silenced her with another threat of a slap. That shut her up. Glory Belle folded her arms across her chest and glared at the stallions attached to the wagon. Mr. Belle stared at his daughter for another moment before briefly turning towards Mr. Apple.
“My sincerest apologies,” he said apologetically, he turned back to his daughter again, glaring, “I have no idea where she learned such language.”
Applejack's father simply shook his head. “No offense taken, Mr. Belle,” he said meekly.
Mr. Belle turned to Mr. Apple and gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder, smiling. “Good to see that I employ such long suffering and well mannered workers.” He then beckoned for the two earth pony drivers to ready themselves for pulling. “Now, remember Mr. Apple, I expect this month’s rent by next Monday. I have no doubts that you will be able to meet my deadline, now do I?”
Applejack's father simply nodded, trying in vain to smile confidently. “Yes, sir. Ya'll can be sure. We Apple's is honest folk.”
Mr. Belle smiled and climbed inside his wagon. “Good. I'll be going then.” He motioned towards the drivers. “Onward gentlecolts!”
And with that, the two earth ponies reared up and started off down the road again, leaving a trail of kicked up dirt. Mr. Apple stared at the ever shrinking wagon, and when they reached the fence, he sighed and walked back inside with his head down.
////////////////////
Applejack watched from the doorway as her father climbed the stairs of the front porch with slow, heavy steps. She wanted to say something, but words eluded her. Her father was always the one who cheered her up, he always seemed happy and unbreakable, but seeing him like this made her heart sink. When he gently rubbed her mane without even looking at her, she lowered her eyes and followed him back to the table. He sat down at the table and stared at his oatmeal, seemingly fighting a losing war to keep his anguish hidden. It was an expression Applejack hadn't seen since her Granny passed away.
Applejack carefully approached his side and put her slender hoof on his lap. This made her father look at her with a sad smile.
“Pa...” said Applejack quietly, still trying to find words to lift his spirit.
He all of a sudden embraced Applejack in a tight hug, gently rocking her as he stroked her mane. She felt his tears drip on her mane, and she sniffled as she contorted herself to return the hug. She knew it wasn't much, but hoped that it would be enough to give him some comfort that he has always shown her when she was sad.
Applejack looked up at her father as her mother walked up next to him and nuzzled him gently.
“Honey, don’t you worry. We’ll pay up,” her mother said in a soft voice.
Applejack smiled a bit, and hoped that her father would smile, too. After all, her mother was the most honest mare in Ponyville, so she knew she wouldn't lie about this. Everything would be okay, and her father would smile again. She hugged her father tighter, and he in turn squeezed her.
“I know, I know…” he replied as he rubbed Applejack's shoulder, but his voice was still doubtful. He sat at the table, the air heavy from sadness and resentment.
“Don’t worry Pa.” Applejack whispered as she looked up at her father.
Her father smiled down at her, the sadness still there in his eyes. Applejack nuzzled herself into her father’s large chest as her mother and sister joined in the hug. The family sat there quietly, hugging each other tightly.
Apple Bloom’s cries for attention broke the silence as she bucked against her highchair, seemingly trying to break free and join the hug. The family chuckled at her antics, relieved that there was something to distract them from the impending crisis.
Applejack’s father wiped tears from his eyes, but they returned to coat his eyes in a sad shimmer. “Come now, no time fer cryin’. Let’s finish our breakfast and get out with our day huh?” he said, his voice sounding somewhat choked.
Apple Blossom nodded, and attended to Apple Bloom, shushing her gently. Purity Smith also nodded, but solemnly, and silently resumed eating her oatmeal. Applejack did the same, only she kept glancing at her father as she gingerly ate her meal, and the family finished their breakfast in silence.
////////////////////
“Dear, stop worryin’ yerself,” Apple Blossom said as she snuggled next to her husband in their overused bed. “Everythin’ will sort itself out. It always has.”
Apple Buck simply nodded, looking out the window at one of the hundreds of apple groves that dotted the farm. His family had spent more than a hundred years cultivating and carefully tending this land, and, if he didn’t get that rent money by Monday, he would lose all of what his father’s had worked for.
His precious daughters would be without a home, and his beloved wife would be forced to work, a thought he couldn’t bear to conceive. This wasn’t the way things were supposed to be, with him constantly groveling at the feet of some upstart unicorn or pegasus, just to get some money to feed his family or water for the crops. And yet, that was the way the world worked, and as much as Apple Buck wanted it to change, he knew that he could do nothing to change it.
He felt his wife’s warm embrace. “Oh Buck…” she said. “Don’t you worry none. The kid’s will be fine.” She ran a hoof through his dark brown mane. “We’ll get the money and pay the rent. Just like we always do. No worries.”
Apple Buck shook his head, scowling. “Na it ain’t all right. I work all too hard fer that money. Where’s it all go? To Mr. Belle.” He spat the name like a profanity.
Apple Blossom shook her head. “Hon, as bad as our lives are now, they could be worse. At least Blue Belle is a generous pony. The Belle’s have always been kind to our family. They gave yer great-granddad a job here back when he was a nopony. Think of it that way.”
“But that’s still not gonna pay the rent, ya know.” Apple Buck responded. “No matter how nice they are, we’re still a month behind. We gotta get them that money.”
“But how honey? What are you gonna do? Get another job?”
“Eeyup. It's the only way t' make sure that Mr. Belle doesn't take the farm.”
“But you work hard enough as it is.” Apple Blossom replied with worry, nuzzling him gently. She paused. “Let me get a job.”
“Absolutely not!” snapped Apple Buck. His wife shrunk back a bit, ears drooped and a small whine escaping her lips. Apple Buck sighed and hugged his wife, rubbing her shoulder in loving, apologetic strokes. “I'm sorry, honey, but I can't let ya do that. Who's gonna watch the kids if we're both workin'?”
Apple Blossom thought for a moment. “The Harvest's?”
Apple Buck snorted. “Those folk are jus' 'bout as greedy as them unicorns. The moment we ask 'em fer help, they'll charge us as much as the rent.”
Apple Blossom's face fell and she snuggled against Apple Buck again, feeling the tension with every breath he took. She looked up at her husband again, trying to get him to look into her eyes, but he was focused on the beautiful farm land that they might lose. She knew that getting another job was the only option, but she also knew that Apple Buck's mouth was making promises his legs can't keep.
“What about the Heartstrings? They are a kind family and-”
“No! I cannot allow other folks t' raise our children, Blossom! Much less them dang unicorns! If we let other folks raise our kids then we might as well go and sell 'em, seein' as how they'll be the one’s raisin' them!” Apple Buck replied harshly.
Apple Blossom leaned away from Apple Buck, her hoof still on his chest but the fires of a woman scorned burning in her eyes as the severity of his words stabbed her like a knife. Apple Buck returned the glare, completely unmoved by the look his wife was giving him.
“Listen to yerself, Buck!” cried Apple Blossom, eyes wet with tears. “Ya sound just like them folks in Canterlot!”
Apple Buck shook his head. “Well, if it's 'bout us raising our own kids, I reckon it is the one thing we agree on!”
“No! It's about you bein' stubborn and not lettin' me get a job or askin' fer help from the Hearstring's simply because they're unicorns!” Apple Blossom retorted.
Apple Buck swore under his breath as he climbed out of bed, then he turned to his wife and pointed at his barrel, chest heaving and face getting a violent shade of red.
“I'm doin' everything I can ta put food on tha table, give you and the girls a home! It is mah job t' take care of you, and by Celestia I will do that!”
“Yer gonna get yerself hurt with how much yer workin'! Please let me help!”
Apple Buck pointed out the window, towards the sleeping town. “Do ya want ta work down there! Down there with all 'em degenerates and hooligans!” Apple Blossom shrunk under his wrathful shouts, but he can't hear her whimper, he's too busy yelling. “I know them folks! Those crooks ain't no better than Canterlot! If yer a little ole earth pony mare without somepony ta protect ya, they will grab ya, abuse ya, and spit ya out like the garbage they think you are!”
Apple Buck turned towards the door when Apple Bloom started to cry, then he looked back at his wife. Apple Blossom had collapsed to the floor and was now sobbing in her hooves. Apple Buck silently grabbed his stetson and stomped out of the room.
In the hallway, he slammed the door shut, muffling his wife's crying, and was about to go down the stairs when he noticed a pair of green eyes staring at him from the doorway. Apple Buck looked at Applejack, noting the tears in her eyes as she cradled Apple Bloom, and he opened his mouth to say something, but couldn't find the words, so he just walked down the stairs with his head down.
When Applejack heard the front door slam shut, she lowered her eyes and continued to rock Apple Bloom as her tears dripped down on the baby.
////////////////////
Early the next morning, Apple Buck stood with massive bags under his eyes at the front gate of Mr. Belle’s palatial estate. He was dressed in his Sunday best, which wasn’t much. A nice, rather simple looking dark brown jacket and his ever-present Stetson. A rather stocky unicorn in a neatly pressed uniform stood in front of him, looking at him dismissively.
Apple Buck's mind was heavy with guilt from his explosive tangent last night with Apple Blossom, and him spending some time with hard cider at the local pub didn't make matters any better when he woke up. All it did was give him a moment of relaxation at the price of a throbbing head, burning eyes, and a bad smell. A smell that he could not get rid of even if Celestia wished it.
“What seems to be the trouble, Mr. Apple?” The guard pony suddenly spoke, snapping Apple Buck’s attention away from his guilt ridden thoughts.
Apple Buck swallowed and took off his hat as he tried to look up at the unicorn. “I just wanna speak with Mr. Belle if that’s okay wit ya.”
The unicorn huffed. “For what reason? I have to know, otherwise you’re not allowed in.”
Apple Buck nodded submissively. “Yes sir. I’m here ta talk ta Mr. Belle about allowing me ta get an extra job.”
The unicorn guard raised an eyebrow. “Extra job? Why might I ask would you need an extra job?”
Apple Buck hesitated. “So that’d I can pay mah rent. I’m a month behind on it, and I need the money.”
“Is that so?” the unicorn replied, his voice practically dripping with disdain.
Apple Buck's eyes lowered to the pampered pavement as the disdain in the unicorn’s tone and last night's events left him emotionally sore.
There was a painfully long pause between the two before the unicorn finally nodded. “Alright then. Let’s just have a quick security check and then you may continue.”
At those words, the unicorn’s horn flared up and Apple Buck could feel the instantly recognizable tingle of magic running over his body, including some very personal places. After what felt like an eternity of abject embarrassment, the dark green glow around the unicorn’s horn died and he nodded.
“Okay you check out. Go on then.”
Apple Buck nodded and the gate started to open, glowing the same dull green as the unicorn’s horn.
The front gate was at least three times his height, and was seemingly made of solid bronze. At the end of a long cobble stone road was the beautiful mansion that belonged to Mr. Belle.
“Oh and digger!” the unicorn shouted after him as he started down the cobblestone path. Apple Buck stopped in his tracks and turned slowly to face the unicorn, who eyed him suspiciously. “Don’t try anything funny. Got it?” the unicorn said, pointing an accusatory hoof at him.
“Yes sir.” Apple Buck replied, turning back to the path and walking down the cobblestone road.
Alongside the road were two long hedges that were taller than Apple Buck himself. They gave the path a closed in feeling and it made Apple Buck uncomfortable. He was used to open spaces, not tiny roads. It was awfully quiet inside the gates, as the large walls blocked off the outside world.
Never in his life had Apple Buck seen such opulence. Behind the hedges were a seemingly endless variety of well kept and manicured gardens, with all sorts of flowers and trees of a thousand different colors, all of which are being kept by earth ponies. There were statues sitting atop fountains, which poured water down into koi ponds below, and were being washed and polished by earth ponies. Scattered around the gardens were several large topiaries, all made to look like various types of ponies and other animals. An especially large willow tree was being attended to by another earth pony, who briefly stopped his work and waved towards Apple Buck.
Apple Buck waved back rather awkwardly, not saying anything. He noticed that while all the dirty work was being done by earth ponies, the unicorns walked around with pleasant smiles and hushed conversations. He even spotted a couple of pegasi enjoying what he could only guess were high class drinks and pastries with other unicorns as earth ponies waited them with carefully balanced trays on their heads. Apple Buck guessed that there was some sort of party going on, but didn't risk checking it out, especially when a unicorn mare gave him a scornful look that caused one of the manor guards to eye him suspiciously.
Apple Buck swallowed and continued his trek with his head down, which seemed to be enough to dissuade the magical bearers and winged ponies from pondering his presence further.
He finally reached the front porch and stared in awe at the mansion before him. Whereas his house was a simple two story affair with clapboard roofing, this place would be better described as castle.
It was at least four stories tall, painted a bright white. The windows were the single cleanest windows he’d ever seen. Perched right above the massive rosewood door was the Belle Family coat of arms, which was two unicorns rearing up, their horns crossing over a large diamond. The floorboards creaked as Apple Buck set foot on them, and he paused right in front of the oak door.
He reached up a hoof to knock and then hesitated. He actually hadn’t thought he’d get this far. He had expected to be turned back at the gate, humiliated. Instead, asides from the rather invasive security check, and the hawk-like scrutiny of the unicorn guards patrolling, he hadn’t noticed any particular problems. Maybe his luck would continue and Mr. Belle would grant his request.
He finally started to knock on the door, aiming on the only worn spot on the door. The rest of the door was so well polished that he could see his own reflection in the rosewood. The door’s thickness prevented his knocks from making much noise. It didn’t help that he knocked as if the door were made of glass and might shatter at any moment either.
He paused, waiting awkwardly for someone to respond. A few moments passed and there was no answer. All of a sudden, a voice called out to him.
“Hey! You have to ring the doorbell.”
Apple Buck turned in the direction of the voice to see an earth pony tending to a nearby bush. He let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding and relaxed. “Oh, really?”
The earth pony nodded. “Yup. Or else The Boss won’t hear ya. Door’s too damned thick.” The pony then laughed. “Hay, you could buck it and he wouldn’t be able to hear ya.”
“Thank ya.” Apple Buck replied, causing the other pony to simply wave a hoof.
“Just doin’ my job is all. Good day.” and with that, he returned to the bush he was tending.
Apple Buck smiled slightly. With a sense of renewed confidence, he searched for the doorbell. He found it as a cable that ran along the side of the door and disappeared into the wall. He gave it a gentle tug. He could hear the faint sound of a bell ringing coming from inside. Then, the sound of rapidly advancing hoofsteps. The door unexpectedly opened to reveal a gray earth pony with a well groomed, silver and white mane wearing a tuxedo. It was quite obvious that the butler took pride in his work.
“Oh. Hello there. How may I help you?” he asked in a practiced Canterlot accent.
Apple Buck once more took his hat off his head, bowing his head in respect. “I’d like ta speak with Mr. Belle. Iffin’ that’s okay wit ya.”
The earth pony nodded rather tersely before stepping asides, motioning towards the inside of the house. “Come in. Mr. Belle is in his office.”
Apple Buck smiled with the puny amount of confidence he was able to muster and walked inside. “Thank ya kindly.”
The other earth pony simply nodded and closed the door behind him, before trotting up in front of Apple Buck and motioning for him to follow.
As Apple Buck walked into the mansion and let out a low whistle as he took in the incredible grandeur of the home, their own hooffalls echoed through the house, making Apple Buck feel all the more out of place. While his house was cozy and rustic and welcoming to all, this place was the polar opposite. It was a place meant for the elite of society. Not for diggers. The floor was polished to a mirror shine that made Apple Buck worried that his rough and well worn working boots might damage the floor. There was a exotic scent in the air that Apple Buck assumed came from the various pots of ornate flowers that were placed in the windows. The walls were covered in a mix of ornate wallpapers of various colors and paintings. Most of the paints were portraits of various unicorns that Apple Buck assumed where members of the Belle Family line.
Suddenly they came to a stop in front of another rosewood door, upon which was inscribed the Belle Family Coat of Arms.
“Pardon me,” the butler pony spoke before knocking firmly on the door. “Excuse me, Mr. Belle, it seems you have a visitor.”
There was the faint sound of rustling papers and muttering before the cultured voice of Mr. Belle responded.
“I, yes, you may let him in.”
The butler nodded and opened the door. “You may enter, sir.”
Apple Buck nodded and entered the office, and before the door closed, Mr. Belle called the butler.
“Hoity Toity, do check on my daughter, please. I want to make sure she's obeying the grounds of her punishment,” said Mr. Belle as he casually made some last minute touch ups to make his desk look proper for visitors. As in straightening some pens and adjusting his binder to a slight angle.
Apple Buck barely noticed the butler, Hoity Toity, cringe, but the faithful servant nonetheless put on a smile.
“Of course, sir.”
And with that, the doors shut, leaving Apple Buck and Mr. Belle alone. Mr. Belle stood up from where he was seated, smiling broadly.
“Well, I must say, Mr. Apple, I was not expecting your appearance today,” said Mr. Belle. “Did you come up with the rent already?”
Mr. Belle laughed at himself and Apple Buck forces himself to chuckle with the upscale unicorn.
“No, I'm 'fraid not, sir,” said Apple Buck. Mr. Belle nodded, completely expecting an answer like that. “But it is 'bout the rent, and I was hopin' ya could be mah audience fer just a minute as I present a request.”
Mr. Belle grinned as he gave Apple Buck a great pat on the back like they were best friends. “You're trying too hard to be a unicorn, Mr. Apple. Come, come, sit down, relax, and tell me what's on your mind.”
He motioned towards the front of the desk, while making his way back behind his desk, where he sat down again. Apple Buck smiled weakly, still feeling incredibly out of place and like an idiot for trying to impress his boss, and sat down. Mr. Belle looked towards him expectantly, while Apple Buck simply fidgeted, not sure what to say. The only sound between them was the radio that was tucked in the corner. It happened to be tuned into some news station playing from a dial radio, where the host was speaking of civil unrest.
“And more news from the Earth Pony Liberation Front meeting in Manehattan. Authorities have made several arrests after several violent riots broke out, including high ranking members of the E.P.L.F. who were speaking at the event and being accused of insinuating the violence. Authorities refuse to comment on whether or not they have pressed any charges, but our reporter did speak with Chief of Police Stalwart Guard...”
Mr. Belle glanced towards the radio and discreetly switched the radio station to a jazz channel, filling the room with something more upbeat. It didn't make Apple Buck feel better, though, it only made him feel more awkward, especially when Mr. Belle got into the jazz subject.
“Ah, Celestia, I do love jazz.” Mr. Belle said with a relaxed sigh. “Do you play jazz, Mr. Apple?”
Apple Buck shook his head. “'Fraid not, sir.”
“Neither do I. How about listen? Do you listen to jazz?”
Apple Buck shook his head again with a weak smile. “No, sir, I'm a uh... a country stallion.”
Mr. Belle chuckled. “Well, let's move on, then, shall we? What is that you need?”
Apple Buck shifted awkwardly in his seat for a few moments, pondering what to say. “Well, um, Mr. Belle, I was thinkin’ iffin I’m able tah look fer extra work iffin that’s alright wit ya.” He managed to stutter out, reflexively taking his hat off and twiddling with it in his hooves, all while looking down at the floor.
There was another weighted pause between the two as Apple Buck busied himself studying the ornate carpet below his feet. Mr. Belle’s expression, meanwhile, shifted from the expected smile from before to a slightly more pensive expression. The only noise to fill the void was the jazz music playing from the radio. The jaunty music standing in stark counterpoint to the unsettling silence between the two ponies.
All of a sudden, Mr. Belle spoke up, making the farmer flinch. “Mr. Apple, I’d be quite alright with you seeking out extra work. If that is what you need to do to provide for your family in the way you see fit, then by all means, please do so.”
Apple Buck looked up from the floor in shock. “’Cuse me sir? I’m able tah do that?”
Mr. Belle nodded. “Of course!” he chuckled. “I mean, seriously, my dear boy, whatever possessed you to think that I would for some reason deny your request? If anything, we both benefit from it. You have a way to provide for your wonderfully charming children; whereas I can rest assured that you will pay your debts. Its simple mathematics my friend.” And with that he stood up and motioned for Apple Buck to stand. Trotting over to the office door, the unicorn opened it. Apple Buck meanwhile, stood up with a dazed smile faintly visible on his face.
“Th-thank ya kindly, Mr. Belle,” he said as he stepped out the door. “I really mean that.”
Mr. Belle simply nodded and walked him towards the front door. “Think nothing of it. I might be your superior, and I may be from Canterlot, but by no means does that mean I’m a dictator. I am a kind master, Mr. Apple, and I would absolutely hate to see my servants unhappy.”
They walked up to the front door and Hoity Toity quickly trotted past them to open the door for them. Mr. Belle quickly thanked the butler, in which he returned with a smile and a bow.
“I’m sure of that sir.” Apple Buck said, still in a daze.
Celestia must have been smiling on him today. He walked out of the door with a smile on his face, pausing on the front porch to take it the sunny day.
He had done it. He had managed to provide for his family. They wouldn’t have to worry any more. No more humiliation, no more having to cut corners so that they would have enough cash left over to buy both food and pay the rent.
He turned to say thank you once more, only to be greeted by the door slamming rather unceremoniously in his face. The nearly deafening sound of the door slamming shut behind him grounded him back into reality, shaking him out of his fantasy. This was the real world, a world where he was at the bottom of the social ladder. A place where one minute, someone might be nice to him only to slam the door in his face once he turned away.
He started down the path, feeling once more like dirt, but figuring that at least Mr. Belle had given him the decency of letting him into his own mansion and talking with him. Maybe once he paid the rent again and kept the payments nice and regular he could earn his respect and hopefully one day, be allowed to own the farm in earnest.
With that hope in his heart, he trotted a little faster.
Captain Equestria Prologue - 02 - Daddy, What'd You Leave Behind for Me?
Chapter Two: “Daddy, What’d You Leave Behind For Me?”
Apple Buck took a deep breath, looking at himself in the mirror. The sun was just beginning to peek over the eastern fields and the room was bathed in a gentle pink light. He fiddled with his old brown jacket and vest, doing his to best make himself presentable. Today was the first day of his new job. He had shaved, combed his hair and made sure he looked as clean as possible. Though a part of him was laughing on the inside since he knew that it would mean absolutely nothing once he started working, but he also knew that the Apples were still a proud family, even if the times demanded their submission.
Apple Buck tweaked his vest before reaching for his prized hat. His hooves gently pressed on the hat’s rim, and he stopped to glance down at the simple, black and white photograph that sat tucked in the mirror frame. It showed him and his wife, with their three beloved daughters. He smiled slightly to stave the burden of anxiousness crushing his heart. He wasn’t going to let them down, he couldn’t. Everything depended on him and this job and to fail would bring an end to everything his forefathers built, and break his family.
His smile faded and he quickly put his hat on, trying to swallow his nerves, but his eyes refused to leave the photo.
“Dear…” his wife’s voice diverted his attention away from the photo and towards the bedroom’s doorway. His wife stood there, her beautiful features looking somewhat worried. The two stared at each other awkwardly for a moment before Apple Blossom walked up to him and nuzzled him lovingly, stopping only to look into his worried eyes. “Buck, just remember, don’t let them employers push ya’ll around okay?”
Apple Buck forced himself to smile. “You know I won’t.”
A flicker of a smile crosses Apple Blossom’s face. “Liar.”
She then kissed him on the cheek, and he returned the favor by planting a soft, loving kiss on her lips. Their lips stayed locked for a few moments before they reluctantly pulled away from each other. Now Apple Blossom’s eyes were shimmering in the morning light as she stared at her husband.
“Stay safe, ya here?” she said, her voice cracking.
“Of course, Blossom. Don’t you worry none. Once I gets me a job, everythin’ will sort itself out. I promise.”
And with that, he quietly made his way down the hallway with his wife trailing him, begging with her eyes for him not to go.
Apple Buck briefly paused to glance into his daughter’s room. Applejack’s blonde mane could be seen peeking out from under the covers as the sound of her snoring quietly reached Apple Buck’s ears. He smiled again before continuing down the stairs, trotting out onto the front porch. He paused, scanning the land surrounding the house for a sign of his eldest daughter, who he finally saw walking towards the house, apparently just finished feeding the chickens. The light green mare saw him and smiled, trotting up to him and giving him a hug.
“Hope it goes well Pa, I really do,” she said as she squeezed him tight.
“Me too, Purity, me too,” said Apple Buck in a gentle whisper as he returned the hug, straining his will to keep the worry out of his tone.
With that, they released each other from the hug and Apple Buck continued down the dirt road that led into town. He paused at the old white picket fence, taking in the view. The sunrise was reflecting off the thousands of droplets of dew, making the sea of the distant wheat fields to look as if it was shimmering. A thick bank of morning fog covered the path ahead of him and the farmland around the home, with the tops of the apple trees poking out of the fog. He glanced back towards the house when he heard a familiar young voice calling to him. He felt his heart warm at the sight that greeted him. The tiny orange frame of Applejack could be seen running towards him as fast as her spindly legs could carry her. She was still in her nightgown, having apparently just woken up, the white gown now having picked up its fair share of dirt and mud along the way. She ran up to him and hugged his leg tightly.
“Let me come wit ya daddy,” she said, the hug tightening by the second. “I wants ta come wit ya ta Canterlot.”
Her green eyes looked up at him longingly, looking somewhat damp. He sighed and pulled her up into a gentle hug. The filly immediately cuddled against him, trying to put her arms around his stocky neck.
“I’ma sorry AJ, but ya can’t come with me. It’s a long ride ta Canterlot and ya gotta stay here tah take care of yer ma, kay?” he gently spoke into her ear.
“But daddy I’ll miss ya,” she cried, tears running down her cheeks. “What if’in ya’ll don’t come back?”
Apple Buck was unsure how to respond in order to calm the crying filly, and simply squeezed her protectively in an attempt to put her fears to rest.
“Don’t worry I’ll be fine,” he said simply.
He paused, a thought in his mind and a smile crossed his face. He gently set the scrawny filly down, pulled off his Stetson hat and placed it atop Applejack’s head. His smile widened when Applejack looked at the hat with wonder, grinning from ear to ear. That is until it slid down and covered half of her head, then her smile turned into a disappointed frown. Apple Buck chuckled lightly and fixed it for her so it would stay on her head. She giggled and thanked him vocally and with another hug, which he returned without hesitation.
“Here, ya’ll keep this safe got it?” he whispered into her ear, causing the little filly to nod rapidly. He caught sight of his wife trotting up to them, a concerned smile on her face.
“Oh don’t ya worry none,” Apple Blossom said as she trotted up and gently took Applejack from the large stallion. “Daddy will be back tonight, you’ll see.” She then tucked Applejack onto her back securely. “And everythin’ will be all right.”
As she said those confident words she looked towards Apple Buck and smiled gently. Apple Buck walked back towards his wife and hugged her again, being sure to spare a hoof to rub Applejack’s head, which pushed the hat over her face again. Applejack giggled and fixed the hat so that it is nestled securely on her blonde mane.
“I’ll be back AJ, I promise,” said Apple Buck softly, but with confidence.
And with that, he gently rubbed her head and started down the dirt road, and vanished into the morning fog.
//////////////////////
The screeching brakes woke Apple Buck from his slumber, and the jerking motion of the train nearly knocked him out of his seat and brought him back to reality. He gulped slightly as he stared out the window, observing the dark land down below. The mountainside was poked with holes and looked as if it was bleeding full tracks. Steel carts pushed and pulled by colossal earth ponies crawled in and out of the bowels of the mountain. The ones going in were devoid of anything and speeding compared to the overfilled ones leaving.
Apple Buck was ushered out with a crowd of other earth ponies into the drizzling weather by a group of unicorns wearing simple suits that had the Belle Family crest pinned to them. The apple farmer flinched when an explosion shook the land, and when he turned his ears drooped at the sight of a thick, dark cloud of dust staining the already murky sky.
“Welcome to the Belle Family Coal Mine, gentlecolts,” snickered the lead unicorn.
A few hours later, Apple Buck was finished being processed and was now wearing a thick gray jumpsuit that had the all too familiar Belle symbol stitched to the chest. He was also wearing a hard hat that had a small light on it, though the light seemed to do next to nothing since it was dim, just like the other hats and string of lamps snaking along the chipped wall.
Apple Buck was following a bulky unicorn, and admittedly the farmer had trouble keeping up. He kept tripping over nitpicky obstacles and bumping into others, which was instantly met with profanity and snarls, whereas the unicorn was practically gliding over the tracks. He only spoke to Apple Buck to tell him to keep up, watch his step or call him an idiot with a derogatory remark attached.
Once the unicorn made a sudden stop, Apple Buck unintentionally bumped into his backside and shrunk back when the unicorn whirled around, glaring poisoned blades at him.
“How many times do I have to tell you to watch where you’re going, ya Faust-damn digger!” yelled the unicorn.
“Sorry, sir,” stammered Apple Buck.
The unicorn snorted, muttering more colorful phrases under his breath and then pointed towards the wall behind him. It was where the tracks and tunnel ended, and a team of earth ponies hacked away at the wall with desperate swings, grunting and reeking of sweat.
“You’re gonna be working this end of the mine, got it?” said the unicorn.
Apple Buck nodded rapidly and the unicorn pointed towards the team of miners hacking at the walls with pickaxes. Every so often, one would stop, sweep up the rocky chunks into a device that looked like two metallic dustpans connected by a rod and they would slide underneath and carry it to the waiting car. Once there, they dumped their payload and the mine car would be carted off out of the mine by other earth ponies, one pushing and the other pulling.
“It’s pretty easy. Something like you should be able to do it without a problem. Just chip, collect and dump. Simple. Now take this and get to work.” He levitated a pickaxe from his saddle, which Apple Buck honestly didn’t see, and dropped it in front of the farmer. Then he left Apple Buck standing awkwardly while shouting down the tunnel. “He’s all yours, Pickaxe!”
Apple Buck stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do. He looked around for a moment, trying to locate the mysterious ‘Pickaxe’. The seconds ticked like minutes, and after what seemed like half an hour of waiting, rather lanky and thin looking unicorn with what looked like a chunk of coal on his flank walked into view. To Apple Buck, the unicorn looked like Pestilence; thin, pale and in desperate need of sleep. However, that didn’t make the miner any less imposing. He actually looked more imposing with his sickly state.
“You one of the new diggers?” he spat, eying Apple Buck with a look that could best be described as pure distain.
Apple Buck nodded, subconsciously making himself lower to the ground. “Yes sir I am…”
The unicorn eyed him for a few more seconds before his dark blue eyes drifted towards Apple Buck’s mane. He raised an eyebrow and his chapped lips curled to a frown.
“Didn’t that foreman tell you ya gotta cut that? Or are you too dumb to figure that out?”
Apple Buck wanted to answer, but his tongue stopped working and Pickaxe didn’t wait for him. The sickly pony whipped out a pair of seemingly razor sharp scissors from his pocket and proceeded to cut away the excess hair that hung around Apple Buck’s head, all the while muttering about how this was supposedly “not his job” and “work for diggers”. Once Apple Buck’s mane were trimmed, he pointed towards the other workers. “Now get to work”. Once he finished, there was hair all over Apple Buck's shoudlers and Pickaxe stood back to look at his work with the pride of a pegasus.
“That’s more like it,” he said to no one in particular, then to Apple Buck: “Well, what are you standing around for? Let’s see some chipping!”
Apple Buck nodded meekly walked up to the conveyer belt and paused, unsure of what to do next. All he had to go on where the other workers, who were obviously veterans of the dirty job. He was way out of his depth. He was an apple farmer, not a coal miner.
After a minute of standing around, feeling stupid, he caught on at what he was supposed to do and began working. Minutes turned to hours, and the already stale air became thicker with the cloud of unknown origin, causing his throat to burn. The other earth ponies around him seemed used it, but he could still hear coughing over the constant echoing sound of the pickaxes striking the rock, along with the vague creaking sounds of the wood supports preventing the mountain from crashing down on them all. He felt his heart sink a little, but quickly reminded himself of the reason he was hear in the first place.
Straightening himself out and swung his pickaxe as hard as his arms would allow, chipping off head sized chunks with each swing. A couple of the workers stopped to watch him swing, then looked at each other and shrugged and resumed chipping off half headed pieces with four times the swings.
“Hey,” said a nasally pony near Apple Buck. The farmer stopped and looked at a large, dark earth pony with a piece of coal as his cutie mark. “Don’t swing too hard or you’ll hurt yourself.”
Apple Buck nodded and the miner also nodded, then they proceeded to chip away at the mountain side by side.
//////////////////////
The work day dragged onward in a relentlessly slow pace. The job of mining coal was an exhausting one, with his arms and neck groaning in pain at the constant repetitive motion. His eyes and throat also burned from the massive, poisonous clouds of coal dust being stirred up.
The only thing that kept Apple Buck going was the hope that at least, once he got a paycheck at the end of the week, he'd be able to finally pay the month’s rent. Then he'd be free for the month, and able once more to focus on work at the farm. He’d finally be back in the fresh open air of the farm, working the land he loved, basking in the sunlight and enjoying his family’s company.
As he thought about the dirt under his feet and the smell of fresh rain, a low rumbling sound caught his attention. At first, he ignored it, dismissing it as either a simple figment of his imagination or something normal in a mine. The other miners seemed to tense up a bit, but still they worked with resolve. He chipped away more of the mountain, and when he busted off a piece that was nearly the size of two heads, the mountain rumbled again.
He froze and the workers froze, and all eyes went up to the ceiling, dropping their pickaxes and slowly backing away as thundering cracks echoed down the hall.
“THE TUNNEL IS COLLAPSING!” screamed the coal cutie mark stallion.
Everyone swore and stampeded down the tunnel, ruthlessly trampling each other to pulp while repeating the coal pony’s alarm and shouting at everyone to get out. Apple Buck ran with the crowd, heart racing and lungs burning, and while his legs felt like jelly he pushed them to stay up. He fell behind, but he was determined to get out and right as he rounded the corner, the screams became silent and the lights disappeared like a candle being blown out. Before he could blink, all the lights disappeared and the very last thing he heard was the split second of the deafening sound of rocks crashing around him.
//////////////////////
The sun was setting, and Applejack had scooted her chair next to the window and was staring intently towards the front gates that lead towards town.
Daddy should be here by now, she thought, biting her lip slightly. He promised.
Applejack all of a sudden felt a hoof rest on her shoulder. She looked up to see her mother smiling gently.
"Now Applejack, y'all know a watched pot never boils. Daddy'll be home soon." she said, her voice warm. Applejack frowned slightly.
"But mama, it's been so long.” She said, shifting in her chair in order to get more comfortable. The last rays of the sun peered through the window, flooding the room with orange light. The sky in the west had become a beautiful shade of orange. Applejack continued to gaze towards the gate when her eyes caught a closed in carriage coming towards them.
“Momma, look,” she said, pointing out the window towards the rapidly growing carriage. Her mother, who had been hunched over the stove top, concentrated on the soup cooking there, turned and looked out the window, motioning for Purity to keep stirring. Applejack could see her mother’s expression morph into concern.
“You stay here okay hon?” she said as she started for the door and trotted out to meet the carriage.
//////////////////////
Apple Blossom trotted up to the carriage, a uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. She couldn’t quite peg it, but something was off.
The carriage was jet black and polished so that it reflected the fading light. The large diamond and unicorn logo on the door identified it as the property of Mr. Belle. The door opened to reveal Mr. Belle, who stepped out. As he stepped out, another unicorn was revealed to be seen sitting next to him. She was a pale gray unicorn with a snow white mane with purple streaks.
The instant Mr. Belle faced her, Apple Blossom could tell something was amiss. He looked as if he was about to tell her something horrible. Taking a deep breath, Apple Blossom contained herself. She was an adult mare, and could probably handle whatever it was that happened. A thought for Apple Buck’s safety, however, was at the forefront of her mind.
“Good evenin’ Mr. Belle, is there anythin’ I can help ya with?” she asked, making sure not to let her voice betray her worry. Mr. Belle slowly took his hat off his head.
“Mrs. Apple, it greatly burdens me to tell you this, but...” he trailed off, looking incredibly uncomfortable.
Apple Blossom’s eyes narrowed slightly. “What is it Mr. Belle, what happened?” she pressed, fear for her husband creeping into her tone as the pit in her stomach grew, making her feel slightly queasy. Something was wrong. Horribly wrong.
Mr. Belle shifted his weight slightly, obviously distressed. “Mrs. Apple,” he took another deep breath, seemingly trying to calm himself. “There seems to have been an incident at the mines in Canterlot-”
Apple Blossom felt as if her heart turned to stone and fell out of her chest at that point. “No...” she whispered. “Please no...”
Mr. Belle simply shook his head. “I’m afraid so, Mrs. Apple...it seems there was a collapse in the north tunnel...”
Apple Blossom didn’t bother to hear the rest, as she fell to her knees, sobbing. She instantly knew the truth. Her husband was dead. Why else would they come in that black carriage? She could hear Mr. Belle say something she couldn’t make out over her sobs and she felt a hoof rest on her shoulder.
“Mrs. Apple,” a voice said. Apple Blossom looked up to see the pale gray unicorn that had been standing next to Mr. Belle looking at her with sympathy. “I’m Twilight Velvet, I’m Mr. Belle’s assistant. I know that what you’re going through right now is probably unfathomable to someone like me, but I assure you, you needn’t worry, you no longer need to pay that outstanding rent.”
Apple Blossom stood up right almost immediately. She looked at the rather bookish looking unicorn for a moment. Did these two seriously believe that simply saying they could simply wave away his death by saying she no longer had to pay money? Was his life that disposable to them? That all it took to calm her was a simple piece of paper with a dollar sign on it? Not in her book.
“Mrs. Velvet, as much as I would love to accept yer charity, we Apple’s are ponies of our word. I assure you, we always pay our debts. I’ll find a way tah pay ya, that I swear to ya.” Apple Blossom said, her voice tight with the sickening mix of anger and grief she was feeling. The unicorn simply looked at Apple Blossom with a vague look of confusion before she nodded slowly and headed back to Mr. Belle’s side. Mr. Belle meanwhile, looked noticeably concerned.
“Mrs. Apple,” he said, taking a step forward. “By no means should you burden yourself. It was my mine, and therefore my responsibility. I implore you, take this check,” he levitated a checkbook out of his suit pocket.
“No Mr. Belle, I don’t need it. As I said, we Apple’s keep our word. Mah husband promised ya that’d he’d pay and I as his wife feel obliged to fulfill his promise. Rest assured, I’ll pay up.” She said, her voice tight.
Mr. Belle simply nodded slowly, tucked the checkbook back in his pocket and turned back towards the carriage, followed by Twilight Velvet, looked back at Apple Blossom sadly.
“I truly am sorry,” Twilight Velvet said as she stepped inside the carriage. Mr. Belle simply nodded and looked at Apple Blossom.
“As am I. Farewell Mrs. Apple...” with those words, he gently tapped the side of carriage and the earth pony drivers started back around and started off into the rapidly growing twilight. Apple Blossom looked towards the summit of Canterlot Mountain, the stone in her heart becoming heavier as the setting sun’s light played off the face of it, causing it to turn a brilliant pinkish-orange.
“I won’t let the family down Bucky...” she whispered, “I swear.”
She let out a shuddering sigh and started back towards the house, her feet heavy.
//////////////////////
Applejack watched intently from the window as a familiar grey unicorn stepped out of the carriage. It was Mr. Belle. Along side him stood a unicorn Applejack didn’t recognize. She was an elegant mare with a grey coat and purple and white mane. She stood along side Mr. Belle with a concerned look on her face. She could tell the two unicorns and her mother were having a conversation of some kind. All of a sudden she saw her mother drop down onto her knees, apparently overcome with emotion.
She could see Mr. Belle standing over her, seemingly unsure of what to do next. The other unicorn simply leaned down next to her mother, and seemed to be saying something to her. After what seemed like an abnormally long time, the unicorn mare helped her mother stand back up slowly. After speaking what seemed to be parting words, the two unicorns turned slowly back towards the carriage and disappeared inside. Her mother stood stoically for a few moments, looking northeast towards the peak of Canterlot Mountain, which could be seen looming in the twilight. Then, head still held stoically upwards, she turned and trotted slowly into the house. Her hoofsteps however, seemed weighed down by something Applejack couldn’t quite pin down.
Apple Blossom walked into the house, not saying a word. She paused in the doorway, her green eyes looking somewhat puffy. Her face was dominated by a deeply worried expression. Applejack got to her feet and trotted over to her.
“Mama, what’s wrong? Why’d Mr. Belle visit?” Purity asked, looking at her mother with concern. Apple Blossom didn’t say a word in response, simply leaning down to pull Applejack into a tight hug.
“Mama? what’s wrong?” Applejack asked, looking into her mom’s eyes with concern. Her mother’s eyes instantly started to water and she pulled Applejack into a tight hug.
“I’m so sorry,” she said as the tears started to flow freely.
“Mama!” Purity all of a sudden said sharply, her voice sounding frightened. Apple Blossom turned to her, visibly trying to calm herself down. She wiped the tears from her eyes.
Biting her lip, she took a deep breath and started to talk, her voice choked with emotion. “There was a... a collapse at the mine,” she began. Purity immediately put a hoof to her mouth in horror. Applejack just gave her mother a confused look.
“I don’t understand,” she said. “Where’s daddy? He said he’d be back so where is he?” she asked, growing more concerned as her mother fumbled to find the words to explain.
Purity stepped in. “Applejack,” she said softly, resting a hoof on her sister’s shoulder. “Daddy won’t be comin’ home,” she said, her voice emotional.
“Sweetheart,” her mother called,”Your father was in an accident,” she explained, starting to cry again. “He’s been sent to a better place,” she choked the last words out as if they caused her physical pain.
Applejack just looked to her sister in desperation as the full scope of what happened dawned on her. “B-but he promised,” she said pleadingly, tears welling in her eyes.
“He can’t keep that promise,” Apple Blossom said, pulling her daughter closer. “I’m so sorry,” she repeated, stroking Applejack’s mane gently. Applejack simply hugged her mother tighter, as the tears finally started to pour out of her eyes and her thin frame was wracked by her own crying.
She could hear her sister crying in the back as well, as the older mare joined the hug and started to cry into her mother’s mane.
The three sat there for what seemed like an eternity, seized in a wave of emotion and sorrow.
Captain Equestria Prologue - 03 - Dragged Down by the Stone
“Ma, where ya goin?” Applejack asked as Apple Blossom made her way down the stairs, a determined look on her face. She was dressed in a pair of overalls, and wore her normally flowing blonde mane back in a tight bun.
“Mama’s goin’ to work honey, remember?” Apple Blossom replied, her voice kind, yet rushed as she made a last minute touch up in front of a dirty mirror.
“But Momma why ya’ll gotta go to work?” asked Applejack with her head tilted to the side bit, just so she can get a better look at her mother.
When Apple Blossom didn’t answer, Applejack whimpered and gently tugged on her mother’s tail. She paused and looked at Applejack as she sat in the unplowed dirt. Applejack stared up at her with teary, green eyes stared up at the older mare from under the oversized Stetson she now wore on her head at all times. It was the last remnant of Apple Buck asides from the family photos. Apple Blossom leaned down so that she could look Applejack in the eyes and she forced herself to smile to hide her uncertainty and to give Applejack some comfort.
“Applejack, momma has ta work so that we can keep tha farm, understand? Or else those mean ponies in town’ll take it from us.” Apple Blossom said simply, caressing Applejack’s face with her hoof.
“Okay Momma…” Applejack said, sounding dejected. “Will y’all come home safe? Or are ya gonna work in a mine like Daddy?” she looked at Apple Blossom with a fearful look in her eyes.
Apple Blossom hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say. “No honey, I’ll be workin’ in town. Don’t you worry none, I’ll be safe. I promise ya that.” she pulled Applejack into a tight hug, running a hoof through the filly’s mane.
“Now ya’ll stay safe ya hear? And listen to yer sister.” Apple Blossom said as she pulled out of the hug, motioning towards Purity, who was busying herself feeding Apple Bloom. Applejack nodded.
“Yes mamma.” She said, nodding her head, once more hugging Apple Blossom’s leg. Apple Blossom’s heart warmed at the sight of the scrawny filly showing such devotion. She leaned down and whispered in Applejack’s ear.
“Be strong AJ, Mama loves you.” Applejack nodded in response and nuzzled her mother’s leg.
“Now go, Purity’s got breakfast ready.” Apple Blossom said, motioning towards the breakfast table. Applejack nodded and started towards the breakfast table, and Apple Blossom started for the front door, giving a final goodbye to her daughters as she stepped out.
//////////////////////
Applejack stood expectantly at the front door, gazing towards the fence, waiting for her mother to return. She was scared and she knew Purity knew it. Apple Bloom probably would’ve known if she wasn’t sleeping. The oncoming twilight looked almost exactly like the day her father had died, and Applejack dreaded the possible appearance of Mr. Belle’s carriage again. Behind her, Purity busied herself with keeping a bowl of soup warm in expectation for their mother's return. On the dinner table sat an old, tarnished oil lamp that provided lighting for the room.
Be strong Applejack. Fer Momma. Applejack thought, gently nudging her father’s hat out of her field of vision as it slid forward. She took a moment to feel the rough old fabric that the hat was made of. Be strong fer daddy… she thought, trying, but failing, to holding back a tear.
“Applejack, come on, it’s almost bedtime…” Purity said, stepping up next to her and sitting down. When Applejack didn’t so much as blink, the older mare looked down. “Don’t worry Applejack…Mama will be fine. She promised she’d come back right?”
Applejack didn’t look away from the fence, her eyes still focused on the gate. “But Daddy had promised he’d come back…and he didn’t…” she said quietly, looking up at Purity with tears in her eyes. She all of a sudden pulled the older mare into a hug. “I don’t want that ta happen ta Mama…”
Purity hesitated, but with a sad sigh she gently put her arm around the younger filly and looked towards the gate. Like Applejack, she was hoping that her own prayers for her mother’s safety had been answered. She felt as if a massive burden was placed on her back. How would she raise Applejack and Apple Bloom without her mother? Would they be able to stay, or would they be forced to leave the farm? She looked down at Applejack, who was still crying softly into Purity’s leg.
Please be safe Mother…for Applejack’s sake. Purity thought, looking back towards the gate. Her eyes narrowed however, when they caught sight of a figure walking towards the gate in the twilight. It looked like a mare, but from this distance and in the rapidly dimming light it was hard to tell. The figure paused at the fence, apparently fiddling with the lock. Purity gently nudged Applejack, making sure not take her eyes off the fence.
“Applejack, stay here okay? I’ll be right back.” With those words, she started down the stairs, trotting towards the front gate.
“Alrighty, who’s there?” she called out as she neared the figure, the sun having now set behind the rolling hills on the horizon. The figure looked up and let out what Purity understood as a tired sigh of relief.
“Purity, it’s me, yer ma.” The figure said. Purity let out her own sigh of relief as she finally got close enough to spot her mother in the growing darkness.
“Oh thank Celestia yer alright!” she said as she undid the lock of the gate and pulled her mother in for a tight hug. “Me and Applejack were gettin’ worried…”
Apple Blossom simply hugged Purity back. “Oh no need. Workin’ in town ain’t that bad.” She chuckled, as Purity lead her back to the house. As the two neared the house, Purity took notice of the way Apple Blossom carried herself. Despite the relieved smile on her mother’s face, she looked tired and worn out, as if she had been stretched out and squeezed like a piece of rubber. She hoofsteps where slower than before, and they dragged slightly.
“Momma, ya’ll okay? Ya look a little beat.” Purity said, looking at her mother with concern.
“Oh nonsense Purity, I’m fine. Just a little tired after work is all. Don’t you worry none.” Her mother replied, waving a hoof dismissively. Purity was about to ask another question when the sound of scampering hooves greeted their ears and a tired, yet deeply loving smile came across Apple Blossom’s face at the sight of Applejack running towards them, a huge smile plastered on the filly’s face.
“MOMMA!” The young filly cheered she leap into the air and attack hugged Apple Blossom, sending the two playfully rolling along the ground.
“Applejack!” Purity reprimanded.
Apple Blossom looked up at Purity and smiled. “Oh don’t worry, I’m happy ta be home. Come Applejack, let’s go in.” with that, the two ponies stood up and followed Purity inside.
Once inside, Apple Blossom let out a long sigh and sat at the dinner table, her shoulders sagging slightly from the long day’s work. Applejack perched herself on the chair next to her and leaned against her.
“I’m so happy yer safe momma…” she said softly, nuzzling her slightly. Apple Blossom chuckled quietly and put a arm around the tiny filly’s shoulder.
“Me too, Applejack, me too.” She replied. Purity meanwhile, busied herself brewing up some tea on the old stove. After a few moments, she poured a cup of tea and some warm soup and set it before Apple Blossom.
“So, momma, how’d it go?” Purity asked as she sat down next to her mother. Apple Blossom thanked her for the tea and soup and took a sip of each.
“Went well, went well…” she replied, letting out another sigh. “Hopefully, tha boss’ll be nice and let me stay on.” She then turned to look out the window towards the unplowed fields.
“Them fields need plowin’,” she thought aloud, her eyes distant. Applejack shifted slightly, unsure of what to make of her mom’s words. Was she going to go and work even more?
“Momma, iffin’ ya want, I can ask the neighbors ta help ‘round the farm…” Purity started. Apple Blossom shook her head.
“No need fer that. We Apples never take charity. We pull ourselves up, no matter what and get tha job one.” Apple Blossom replied, her voice oddly terse. Applejack looked up at her mother, concerned at what had made her all of a sudden so stern.
“Mamma ya’ll can’t plow them fields yerself,” Purity said, sounding vaguely frustrated. “Even when Pa did it, he usually got some help." There was a heavy pause between them as Purity waited for a response from Apple Blossom. "What about the Heartstrings? They're nice folks and I'm pretty sure they'd be willin' ta help iffin we asked.” Purity continued, her voice heavy with concern.
Apple Blossom shifted in the chair. “Don’t ya’ll go askin’ fer help when it should be offered Purity. Iffin tha Heartstrings really wanna help, than they can come an' offer. No use makin' ourselves look like fools.” She replied bluntly.
“Alright then Mama," Purity responded, looking towards her mother worriedly. Apple Blossom seemed to notice Purity's worried look, and she leaned towards her slightly.
“No need to worry, angel, we'll get by. Just as we always do.” She said, her voice returning to its normal loving tone. She then glanced towards the old clock on the wall. “Is Apple Bloom sleepin’?”
Applejack nodded, “Yeah she is, ma.”
A distant, tired smile came across Apple Blossom’s face. “Good, that’s good.” She said quietly, her voice sounding tired and exhausted. The clock continued to tick, with Apple Blossom quietly going about her soup.
"That's a wonderful soup ya made Purity," Apple Blossom sighed contently as she finished the soup.
"Welcome ma, least I could do," Purity replied simply. There was another pause, with the clock chiming at the pass of the hour. Apple Blossom looked up at the clock and exhaled through her nose quietly. "Come on than girls, it's way past yer bed time..." She said as she stood up slowly and beckoned for Applejack and Purity to follow her. The three earth ponies made their way upstairs, with Purity being sure to blow out the oil lamp.
///////////////////
Apple Blossom lay in the bed, unable to fall asleep. Her body was exhausted, but her mind was still active. The bed felt noticeably empty. To her left was an open space of bed, left ready and waiting for the stallion she knew would never come. She remembered how he would come home, tired from a long days work either plowing the fields or bucking apples, and how he would flop down in the bed, letting out a contented sigh. He would normally spend the night snuggling with her, each of them enjoying the other's company.
But that was all gone now, torn away from her by forces she could in no way control. Her eyes drifted towards their wedding photo, now faded from age and barely visible in the pre-dawn twilight.
"Oh Bucky..." she whispered, her voice heavy with emotion. "I don't know what ta do...I've already paid this month's rent, but the children need new clothes, Applejack has her asthma, an’ the house needs that new stove and the roof leaks...” she let out a heavy sigh. “I just don’t know how I’m gonna be able ta do this.” she sniffed slightly as her eyes started to water.
“Oh Bucky I miss ya so much...” she sobbed, reaching for the old photo and clutching it. Her tears flowed freely, staining the rough pillow she was resting on.
*knock* *knock* *knock*
Apple Blossom stopped crying and looked towards the door. “Who is it?” she asked, still sniffing.
“It’s Applejack Mama...” the small voice of her daughter said. She sounded frightened.
“What’s wrong hon?” Apple Blossom asked.
“I had a nightmare Mama...” Applejack said, her voice trembling.
Apple Blossom’s expression instantly softened. She climbed out of bed and opened the door. There stood Applejack, dressed in her white nightgown, looking up at her with pleading emerald eyes.
“Come ‘ere Applejack,” Apple Blossom beckoned, leaning down and letting the young filly walk up and hug her tightly. “What kinda nightmare didja have?” she asked, brushing the filly’s flowing blonde mane out of her face.
“I dreamed that you, Purity an’ ‘Bloom died and left me alone...” Applejack cried, burying herself into her mother’s shoulder, sobbing. Apple Blossom tightened the hug and rocked her distraught daughter back and forth, shushing her gently.
“Oh don’t worry Applejack...that’s never gonna happen, I promise ya. We’re always gonna be a family. Don’t worry.”
“I don’t wanna be alone Mama...don’t leave me alone...” Applejack continued, her crying having calmed slightly. she tightened her hug around Apple Blossom.
“Don’t worry, I won’t leave ya...come now,” she scooped Applejack up and gently carried the now softly crying filly over to the bed, laying her down gently, Apple Blossom lay down next to her, bundling the two of them in the covers. “That better?”
Applejack nodded. “Yes Mama...much better.” she snuggled up against Apple Blossom and almost instantly fell asleep. Apple Blossom let out a quiet sigh. She looked back towards the wedding photo, which now rested on the bed next to her. Reaching for it, she gently perched it back on the shelf. Her smile was wistful as she looked between it and the sleeping filly in her arms.
“Bucky,” she whispered, settling her eyes on the photo. “I won’t let her down. I promise ya that.”
///////////////////
Applejack awoke to the distant sound of the rooster crowing in the distance. Yawning, she sat up in her mother’s bed, rubbing away the last vestiges of sleep. Down below, she could hear the voices of her mother and eldest sister talking downstairs. Their tone, however, carried with it a strong sense of strife between the two voices.
"Mama, please listen ta me, I can't let ya work yerself like this!" Purity could be heard pleading.
"Purity, I've told ya enough times, I'll be fine. Stop worryin' yerself. I'm just plowin' tha field is all, or else we won't have a crop ready for next applebuck season." Applejack heard her mother say, followed by the sounds of shuffling hooves.
"Mama, listen, just let me do it, I mean ya barely slept a wink last night, ya need rest mama..." Purity insisted.
"No I don't, Purity. Now let me work." With those words, Applejack heard the front door creak open, then swing shut. Applejack scampered out of the bed and to the window that overlooked the fields behind the house. She could make out her mother trotting out towards the old plow that sat at the end of the field through the condensation on the window. A foggy mist hung over the field as her mother put on the yoke and started to pull.
Applejack expression turned worried. She remembered how hard her father had to work in order to plow the field, there was no way her mother could do the same. She started down the staircase, running as fast as her skinny legs could carry her thin frame. Her mother needed help, and Applejack was determined to help her.
She spotted Purity sitting in the kitchen, a frustrated expression on her face. She was looking out the window as well.
“Purity, what’s Mama doin’?” Applejack asked.
“Plowin’.” Purity answered simply. Applejack started for the door, ignoring her sister’s protests for her to stay inside.
“Mama!” she called out, running towards her mother, who continued to pull the plow with dogged determination. “Mama let me help ya!” Applejack called again, running up next to her mother.
Her mother looked down at her, already dripping with lather and sweat despite the cool morning air. her eyes had thick bags underneath them, betraying her lack of sleep. A thin, sad smile was on her face.
“Applejack, why aren’t ya eatin’ yer breakfast yet?” She asked, coming to a stop. Her voice was just as tired as her eyes. Applejack shook her head.
“Mama lemme help ya, please!” she begged.
Her mother shook her head. “Honey, ya know I can’t do that. I’ve gotta do this mahself. Now go inside and eat yer breakfast.” with those words she started to tug at the plow again, causing it to inch ahead slowly, splitting the soil open as the sharp end pushed forward.
“But Mama! Please!” Applejack insisted again, tugging at the reigns. Her mother shook her head, turning her head to look at Applejack sternly.
“Applejack, please, let Mommy work. Now go inside.” she ordered, her tone stern. Applejack looked at her mother, her face sad and confused. Why wouldn’t Mother let her help? She obviously needed all the help she could get, so why did she refuse? She could see that her mother’s eyes carried a deep seated sadness in them, as if her mother were crying on the inside but refused to let it show on the outside, instead adopting a hardline expression.
“But Mama...” Applejack pleaded, this time her voice small and frail.
“Go. Inside.” Her mother ordered again, this time with a touch of sadness. Applejack felt herself deflate, and nodded sadly.
“Yes Mama.” she said forlornly, turning around and walking slowly towards the house, head hung low. As she walked she could hear her mother start pulling the plow again, breathing heavily with the exertion. Applejack cast a sad glance back towards her mother, watching helplessly as her mother continued forward. She could have sworn she saw tears falling from her mother’s eyes, but was unsure if the droplets really were tears, or simply the sweat dripping from her mother’s brow. Letting out a sad sigh, Applejack turned and walked back to the house, unable to bear the sight of her mother in such a state.
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The summer and autumn passed by all too slowly for Applejack. Since her mother started working, Applejack had seen less and less of her, as her mother took new job, after new job. Soon she had so many that Applejack would only catch an occasional glimpse of her in the early morning or late at night. Applejack had also noticed a change in her mother’s personality. She had lost much of the warmth that Applejack remembered, instead replaced by an almost constant sense of heavy sadness and exhaustion. Her normally long, flowing orange mane was now cut shorter, with split ends and the color had faded from it. Her coat, once an almost golden shade of yellow, was now dull and faded. She had also lost quite a bit of weight, often by skipping meals, always saying “I’ll get something on the way to work”
Whenever Applejack would ask for a reason for all this, Apple Blossom would look down at her and state simply: “To provide for you.” her voice always thin and sad.
And so it went for months on end. Soon, winter came with all it’s force. Snow began to fall, coating the ground with a thick layer of white powder. The temperatures dropped into the negative numbers, and ice would frequently jam the pipes. The home would become cold and drafty, the only warmth coming from the fire place. In spite of this, her mother continued working, often shoveling snow for the unicorns in town for extra pay. She’d come home, shivering violently inspite of the thick layers of clothing she wore. More often than not, she’d only have a quick bowl of hot soup and some tea before going out again, this time to make sure the cows’ udders hadn’t frozen or some other farm related duty. Than she’d come back inside and set about deicing the pipes.
That is, until one particularly frigid December day.
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The wind blew across the farm as Applejack stood in the doorway, her tiny frame bundled up in several thick layers of clothing. Her eyes scanned the horizon, fraught with worry.
Apple Blossom had once more insisted on going to work, regardless of the freezing temperatures that day. No matter what Purity had said to prevent her from leaving, Apple Blossom had insisted and could not be swayed. So now here Applejack was, waiting hopefully for her mother’s return. Her sister had resigned herself to taking over Mother’s duty with raising Apple Bloom, and was now sitting in front of the fire, with Apple Bloom bundled in swaddling cloth.
Applejack, however, was determined to wait for her mother’s return. She felt herself tense up when her eyes caught sight of a familiar shape against the white backdrop. She trotted out to the front porch, calling out towards Purity as she yanked at least three scarfs off the wall as she went, wrapping them around her neck. “Purity! It’s Mama!” By the time Purity responded, she was already trudging through the snow, making a beeline towards her mother, who was dragging herself through the snow as well.
“Mama!” She called out, a cloud forming in front of her face as she shouted. Her mother looked up towards her, a weak smile on her face. she lifted an arm to wave, but instead stumbled forward. Applejack instantly moved to her side, doing her best to catch the older mare before she could fall over.
“Mama you alright?” She asked, putting an arm up to prop her mother up as best she could. She looked into her mother’s face to see her looking awfully pale. Her mother nodded weakly.
“I’m fine Applejack, *cough* no need ta worry...*cough* *cough*” A long series of hacking coughs cut off her sentence as Applejack bit her lip, and called towards the house as loud as she could.
“Purity! Purity!” she could see Purity walking out of the house, herself now bundled up tightly.
“Applejack I told ya ta stay inside and wait fer me!” she said, her voice stern as she walked up. The disappointed look on Purity’s face however, almost instantaneously transformed to deep concern when she saw their mother.
“Mama y’all okay? Ya look sick?” she instantly reached a hoof to her mother’s forehead. “And yer burning up! Come let’s get ya inside.” She stepped next to Applejack and took Apple Blossom and started towards the house, Applejack following close behind.
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Apple Blossom flopped down in the chair at the kitchen table, still shivering from the cold. Every so often she would let out a deep, whooping cough that caused her to hunch over slightly. Purity busied herself over the stovetop, cooking up some hot soup. Applejack meanwhile, had shed her jackets and coats and was busy wrapping up her mother in layer after layer of warm clothing.
Purity turned from the stove and set the steaming hot bowl of soup in front of her mother.
“There ya go Momma, nice and hot.” she said, sitting down next to Apple Blossom and reaching around to rub her in order to keep her warm. Apple Blossom smiled thinly and took a sip.
“Thank ya very much *koff* but I swear I’m fine *koff*. Just a little cou-*koff-koff* cough is all.” she said, her voice raspy from all the coughing.
“No you’re not Mama, yer sick. I’m gonna call the Doctor.” Purity said, getting up from her chair and making her way towards the door. Before she could get far, Apple Blossom reached out and grabbed her.
“Nonsense *koff* I don’t need no *hack**koff* doctor.” She insisted, dragging herself to her hooves and standing for a second. She didn't last, however, as her wobbly legs gave way and she collapsed to the floor, seized in a vicious coughing fit. Purity and Applejack both ran to her side and dragged the older mare to her hooves.
"Come on Applejack, we gotta get Mama in bed now." Purity said. Applejack nodded and helped bring their mother up the stairs, who was still hacking and coughing violently.
///////////////////
The Doctor, a caramel coated unicorn pony with horn rimmed glasses and a brown mane, let out a heavy sigh as he stepped out of Apple Blossom’s bed room, the constant hacking and coughing of Apple Blossom filtering through the doorway.
“I’m sorry Miss. Purity, but there’s nothing I can do.” he said, his voice heavy. Applejack looked up at Purity, who was shaking her head.
“No Doc, please tell me there’s something...” Purity pleaded, and Applejack noticed that her eyes were watering. The doctor shook his head.
“I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can do. Her fever is at least 105 degrees if not more. She has to have some rest. I’ll hopefully be able to check back on her tomorrow,” he gently put a hoof on Purity’s shoulder. “You have my deepest condolences.” he stated simply, his voice heavy. With that, he levitated his thick coat onto his body and started down the stairs, the sound of the door opening and closing indicating him leaving. Purity simply stood there, unmoving, the tears now making themselves evident.
Applejack, however, was unable to show any emotion. It wasn’t because she wasn’t feeling any, but she simply couldn’t process it. It was simply too much. How could her mother be dying? She was just fine a few weeks ago. Why did it have to be her? Why her and not one of those mean unicorns? Why did this have to happen to her? Her mother was a good mare, the kindest and gentlest mare Applejack had ever seen. Why did she have to suffer? Had she committed some secret wrong? All this only managed to make Applejack simultaneously angry, confused and grief stricken. First her father had died, snuffed out like a candle, and now her mother was in bed, slowly withering away. She could still hear the hacking coughs and groans of pain that came from her mother.
“D-dears,” she heard her mother choke out, her voice a deathly whisper.
“Momma,” Applejack finally whimpered, scampering into the room. Purity resigned herself to stand in the doorway, quietly sobbing.
“I’m here Momma! I’m here!” Applejack said, coming to the side of the bed and leaning in close to her mother. Her mother was now deathly pale, her golden coat now completely faded to pale greyish green. On her face was a paper thin smile, and her eyes drifted towards Applejack. Her eyes now looked as if they were dead, with all the color and life drained from them.
“Oh Applejack...” Apple Blossom whispered, her voice a half-dead croak. She slowly reached a hoof to caress Applejack’s face gently. Before she had a chance to properly reach Applejack, she was seized in another booming coughing. Applejack stood by, not knowing how to do anything to stop her mother from coughing and simply watched helplessly, tears in her eyes.
"Yes Mama?" She said, leaning closer as her mother beckoned her to come closer. Her mother's coughing subsided and she let out a wheeze.
"A-Applejack, I want ya ta*koff**hack* ta-take care of 'Bloom, alri-*cough*-alright?" Apple Blossom whispered. Applejack nodded.
"Yes Mama," she cried, wiping a tear from her eye. Apple Blossom smiled thinly.
"Good girl," she replied, "An-and li-listen ta Pur-*koff*-Purity alright? Promise me that?"
Applejack nodded rapidly, her eyes watering as tears stained her cheeks. Apple Blossom seemed to notice Applejack's tears because she let out a sound that Applejack assumed was a shushing noise, but due to all her coughing, it sounded more like a strangulated wheeze. She rested a hoof on Applejack's shoulder.
"Oh dear, look," she put her hoof on Applejack's chin so that Applejack could see her eyes. Applejack couldn't help but smile thinly. She noticed that her mother's eyes once more had a glint of hope in them. The look on her mother's face was one of pure pride.
"Don't cry now ya hear?" Her mother cooed. "It'll all be o-*koff-koff*-okay. An' remember, an Apple never gives up," she then suddenly looked very serious and her eyes stared into Applejack's, as if she suddenly felt compelled to tell her some deeply profound. Applejack noticed that her eyes seemed to be watering.
"Applejack, promise me that you'll never give up. Ever. Promise me?" Her voice cracked slightly on the last word, as if she were holding back a sob.
Applejack nodded gently. "I promise Mama, I promise." she said quietly. Apple Blossom's expression softened and she lay her head back down on the pillow, her faded blue eyes awash with intense and endless relief.
She then smiled slightly, seemingly taking special notice of something. "You have yer dad's eyes ya know..." She whispered as she smiled sadly, her energy obviously completely spent. "Just like Bucky's..." She whispered, as she exhaled slowly and closed her eyes, her face the picture of serene peace. Applejack's lower lip trembled as she held back tears. She reached out a hoof and gently touched her mother's hoof.
"M-mama?" She asked, her voice cracking with sadness as her hoof felt how icy cold her mother's hoof had become. Oh Celestia no... She thought as she reached out and gently shook her mother's body.
"M-Mama?! Mama?!" She cried, tears streaming from her eyes as the truth of the situation dawned on her. Letting out a stifled sob she clutched her mother's limp hoof.
"P-please don't leave me..." She finally sobbed, her cries of anguish soon filling the room.