> What Now With Apples?
>  by JC Borch
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Part 1/2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

   It is said that earth pony mares long ago had a way of making their spurned love fall for them by mixing their food or drink with a special ingredient. The practice was forbidden by Celestia during her rule and ponydom eventually forgot about it from disuse. However, could there have been another reason for the ban?


EQUESTRIAN SHIPPING SHORT STORY 02: WHAT NOW WITH APPLES? PART 1/2

DAWN OF THE FIRST MONTH


The Apple family were gathered around a table in their kitchen. They nervously watched as Granny Smith crunched numbers on her calculator. A strip of paper escaped it and rolled across the length of the table between jars of zap apple jam. Applejack had Apple Bloom in a tight embrace, her eyes wide with fear and her little sister worriedly looking up at the table. Big Mac stood on the other side of Granny Smith; his calm exterior betrayed the furore raging inside him.

The only one unfazed was Granny Smith herself, fervently pressing buttons and yanking on levers. She occasionally looked up to peer at receipts and other notes concerning the state of the farm.

“Gosh darn tooting,” Granny Smith exclaimed as she finished the last calculations. “Another month in the red.”

“But... what’s gonna happen now?” Apple Bloom asked with watering eyes.

“We’ll just have to do our best, AB. There is nothing else we can do,” Applejack said and looked away, a tear forming in the corner of her eye.

“But we always do our best. Why can’t that be enough?” Apple Bloom asked desperately.

“Why don’tcha run out and play with yer friends?” Applejack asked quietly.

“But...”

“Big Mac and Ah have things we need ta do.”

Apple Bloom groaned in dismay. She went out into the sunlight and looked back at the farmhouse angrily.  She wandered away from the house and through the orchards and eventually came to the edge of the Apple family’s land. Nestled between trees and on the outskirts of Ponyville, Apple Bloom had her very own tree house. Inside waited Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. They looked up curiously as they saw their best friend in such a foul mood.

“Apple Bloom, what’s wrong with you?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Yeah, you seem a little... upset,” Scootaloo added, wrinkling her brow.

Apple Bloom sat down on the floor opposite them and looked down at her hoofs. “Stupid grownups, always treatin’ me like a kid,” she mumbled.

“What’s the matter?” Scootaloo asked curiously.

“Applejack won’t tell me, but Ah just know it. We’re gonna lose the farm,” Apple Bloom replied.

“You’re going to lose the farm?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Yeah, we can’t pay our bills and then we’ll have ta sell the farm.”

“I’m sure it isn’t that bad!” Scootaloo said in encouragingly. Apple Bloom jolted up and pressed a hoof against Scootaloo’s nose.

“Not that bad? Not that bad?! What’re we gonna do without the farm!” Apple Bloom asked, her voice getting dangerously high.

“Don’t worry,” Sweetie Belle said with a firm smile and got up on her hooves. “We’re the Cutie mark Crusaders, after all! We’re bound to find a solution.”

“Yeah!” Scootaloo said and got up as well. “I’m sure we can figure something out. Cutie mark Crusaders Pro – !”

“No we won’t,” Apple Bloom said and got up too, turning away from her friends. “We’ve been doing everything we could for months, but ponies are just not buying that many apples anymore.”

“Well that’s it then!” Sweetie Belle said triumphantly and slapped hooves together.

“What is?” Scootaloo replied and looked at her funnily.

“If we can find a way to make apples more delicious, then ponies will start to buy more apples,” Sweetie Belle explained.

“How?” Apple Bloom asked dejected.

“How do you think?” Sweetie Belle asked teasingly.

“Hmm,” Scootaloo replied and tapped her chin. “Of course! Zecora, right?”

“Exactly,” Sweetie Belle replied.

“It can’t get any worse,” Apple Bloom said, her mood cheering only slightly.


***


“Now my dear fillies three, what may the reason for your visit be?” Zecora asked and opened her door to two very eager Cutie mark Crusaders and one not so much so.

“You have to help the Apple family,” Scootaloo said before she could even get inside.

“Now what is this I hear about ponies I hold dear?” Zecora asked and shut the door after Apple Bloom as the last of them went inside.

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo sat down in the middle of the hut and babbled freely, their words and pleas tumbling out in a steady stream. Apple Bloom simply placed herself next to them and looked down.

“One at a time, little crusaders. What was that about alligators?”

Since neither Sweetie Belle nor Scootaloo could allow the other to talk, it was eventually Apple Bloom that had to interrupt them. She inhaled deeply to start her explanation.

“We can’t afford ta keep the farm running, and if we can’t afford ta keep the farm running, then we’ll have ta sell the farm and then we’ll be homeless, and if we’re homeless, then Ah won’t have a place ta sleep or anything ta eat and Ah just want everything ta go back ta how Applejack described it before our parents had ta go ta place called Heaven.”

“My dearest Apple Bloom, I cannot prevent certain doom,” Zecora said and looked heartbroken at her. Apple Bloom looked up at her with big watery eyes.

“The problem is that apples aren’t selling well,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Yeah, I bet you can mix up some killer potion to add a little kerpow!” Scootaloo said and visualised said kerpow with some wicked martial arts moves.

“You wouldn’t suggest I use a dark art? That would not be very smart,” Zecora warned direly, the lights in her hut shimmering.

“O-of course not,” Scootaloo said and grinned sheepishly. “Just a little something that would help the apples to sell better is all!”

“Hmm. If you don’t mind a little work, I might have just the perk,” Zecora said and turned from the fillies to her work table.

On a shelf underneath it she kept various old books, dusty from neglect. Among them was what looked like a photograph of a younger Zecora and a handsome young zebra colt, but she flicked through the items too quickly to get a proper look. She pushed aside books and scrolls and other papers and pressed her head further and further inside till she finally emerged with a leather-bound, red tome in her mouth. Apple Bloom accepted it on top of her head.

“Now little fillies, don’t be shy. I only got this from a... guy,” she said with some melancholy in her voice. She had a dreamy look in her eyes for just a moment before resuming her rhymes. “Inside it you will find the answer to your bind. There are many ways to cook, but none as exciting as in this book.”

“A recipe book!” Scootaloo said enthusiastically.

“Indeed it is and one quite old. Make new pies fearlessly and bold,” Zecora said.

“Thanks Zecora!” Sweetie Belle said. Together, the three fillies hurried back outside towards town again.

Zecora watched them disappear into the distance with a smile. She chuckled slightly and went back inside. She took out the old photograph that she kept under the table and stroked it with her hoof, reminiscing. She was just about to put it back under the table when her eyes caught something curious.

“Now what is this? I see something is amiss,” she told herself.

She reached under her table again and retrieved “A Thousand Tasty and Nutritious Recipes for the Zebra on the Go.”

“If my book is here, then what book did disappear?” she remarked.


***


Applejack entered the barn and shook off her cart’s load into a nearby basket. Carts heaping with apples were stacked up against each other, all the work of a few hours. She wiped her brow and took a deep breath before turning to head out again.

Squeak.

“Hmm?” she remarked and looked up.

Squeak, squeak.

“Rats?”

Squeak, squeak, squeak.

“What in tarnation?” Applejack asked and looked around her for a source.

“Are you sure Zecora meant to give us this book?” Sweetie Belle’s voice asked. “Rarity once caught me with one and she flipped completely off the deep end.”

“Of course,” Apple Bloom’s voice said. “Nothing that feels this good can be wrong.”

“I don’t know, you guys. Isn’t this forbidden or something?” Scootaloo’s voice asked.

Applejack looked up at the hayloft above her with a worried expression. What were those three up to now?

“Relax, all right? Ah already told ya Ah’ll do it if none of ya will,” Apple Bloom said and the squeaks resumed.

“Apple Bloom! Ya shouldn’t be fooling around up there,” Applejack burst out with concern. A red-haired head poked out and then quickly disappeared again. 

“D-don’t worry, big sis! We’re just playing up here.”

“That’s what Ah’m afraid of,” Applejack mumbled and left. “A shame yer not big enough to help me out the bigger chores. Celestia knows we could use all the hoofs around the farm right now.”

Once again, Applejack returned to her apple bucking on the Apple family land. For hours she toiled without break though tired and sweaty, panting and nearing collapse.

“Get yourself some rest,” Big Mac said and came up to his sister.

“No thank ya. Ah can still work,” Applejack replied, but her knees buckled under her. Big Mac gave her his usual quiet look, but it was enough for Applejack to sigh in resignation. “Fine. But only for a little bit.” She slowly made her way back towards the farmhouse, nearly having to drag herself along the ground.

Big Mac took the cart that she had been filling and pulled it towards the barn. A very excited Apple Bloom greeted him along with her two friends.

“Hey Big Mac! Is it time ta go ta town?” she asked and bounced up and down.

“Eeeyup,” Big Mac replied and went past them.

“We’d like ta help!” Apple Bloom said and rushed in after him.

“We’ve already prepared a basket for you,” Sweetie Belle said and pushed one towards the entrance. All the apples inside shone like gems.

“We’ve carefully polished them all!” Scootaloo added and helped push.

“I appreciate the gesture,” Big Mac said simply and took one of the apples in his hoof. He could literally see himself on its surface. He was just about to take a bite when Apple Bloom urgently waved her arms and cut him off.

“How will we get our apples sold if ya eat ‘em all?” she asked.

Big Mac merely looked at her curiously and then put it back in the basket.

“Thank you for helping us,” Big Mac said and looked down at the three crusaders, then at Apple Bloom. “I’m glad to see you in a better mood.”

He lifted the heavy barrel up on his back and poured the content into the cart. He fastened the yoke around his belly and made his way towards town. The three fillies followed him with their eyes, Apple Bloom smiling impishly.

“Just as planned,” she said and clapped her hooves together.


***


It was a few days later that Applejack had bucked the last of their trees, or more correctly the next morning. She had jumped out of bed bright and early, making her way out front. Apple Bloom was waiting for her by a cart, smiling from ear to ear.

“Yer ready ta get some apple treats sold?” Apple Bloom asked enthusiastically, referring to the overloaded cart.

“Ahm only bringing ya with me ‘cuz Big Mac praises ya so highly,” Applejack remarked and pulled on the reins. “And Ah am stoked ta see how well business really is. Ah dunno what ya’ve dun ta owah apples, but it’s working. Big Mac’s been returning several times all day yesterday and the day before that.”

They went to their usual spot, the middle of a busy street, and set up their stall. They had barely opened up for business before a throng of ponies flocked around them. Applejack’s eyes nearly rolled out of her head. All of their products were gone within the hour, even though they had brought double their usual amount.

Applejack had to turn down any more customers, creating a lot of tension in the progress. Those that had waited the longest were getting impatient and restless. She did her best to calm down the agitated mob but a scuffle was slowly breaking out. Only the arrival of Big Mac in the nick of time assuaged them.

The crowd mellowed out around midday and mostly consisted of ponies returning to place another exorbitant order. But Applejack was too focused on their income to worry. They were raking in the bits by the bushel and she simply forked over the delicacies as quickly as ponies could demand them. Not until a certain white-coated unicorn came by did a small knot of fear form in the pit of her stomach.

The once so petite Rarity jiggled with every step. A second chin was under rapid development and deposits of fat clung to her belly and cheeks. She took a moment to catch her breath which Applejack used to stare with jaw dropped and eyes nearly rolling out of her head..

“Why Applejack, I haven’t seen you in town in ages! Whatever could have kept you?” Rarity asked unconcerned and wiped her brow.

Applejack swallowed a lump, prising her eyes away from Rarity’s love handles. “F-farm work has kept me busy, but Ah promise Ah’ll be visiting more often. What can Ah getcha?”

“Oh, just a dozen pies,” Rarity said and placed a clinking pouch on the counter. She accepted the pies with a happy squeal and instantly dug into the first one with little regards to manners. She ate an additional two before she could get herself to pack them away and leave.

“Is it always like this?” Applejack asked curiously and stared transfixed at Rarity’s added sway.

“Oh yeah, Rarity is our best costumer,” Apple Bloom said. “Once ya eat a single piece, yer hooked.”

“Well, she looked... happy. Not even caring that she was filling out,” Applejack justified. She took a pie and held it up before her, examining it closely. “Ah’m just not sure Ah understand how it works.”

“Watch this!” Apple Bloom said and jumped out into the street. At that moment, Fluttershy strolled past them carrying a big empty saddle but was too absorbed in a list to notice them. Apple Bloom whistled to get her attention and called her over. She looked up curious and came to the stall.

“Apple Bloom, what a surprise. I see Applejack allowed you to help her again.”

“Sure. Ah promised Ah’d behave,” Apple Bloom said and smiled wide. “Can we interest ya in some pie? Some apple fritters perhaps? Or wouldcha prefer a cobbler instead?”

“Oh, I really shouldn’t. I’m buying dinner for all my woodland friends,” Fluttershy said and smiled back.

“Then have a slice on the house.” Apple Bloom took a warm piece of piece from the stall and put it down on the ground.

Fluttershy lowered her head to take a sniff. Her mouth instantly watered uncontrollably. She nibbled at it carefully at first, but quickly shoved her entire face into it. She slammed all of her bits down on the counter and flew away scant moments later, her saddle heaped with apple desserts.

“See?” Apple Bloom said with a smirk.

“Impressive,” Applejack said awestruck and scratched her neck. “Just what exactly did ya do ta our apples?”

“Ah just gave them a bit of love,” Apple Bloom said innocently.


***
DAWN OF THE SECOND MONTH


Twilight dropped her satchel on the floor of the library and collapsed right there. Spike instead leant up against the wall and wiped his brow.

“Maybe I went a little overboard with your brother’s bachelor party? I got a scroll this morning asking if the goat was okay and if we plan to pay for that grandfather clock.”

“No, it was a fun vacation,” Twilight replied with a tired smile. “I’m just looking forward to read the books I picked up.”

She levitated one of them out her bag and placed it before her. She was too tired to move and even to flip the pages. Spike shook his head and went into the kitchen.

“Wait, Earth Ponies and Magic?” she asked and raised an eyebrow. “I must really have been out of it to pick up a fairytale.”

“We’re not going back to Detrot City to return it,” Spike replied, the fwoosh of a can opening following. “Just read one of the others you bought.”

Twilight looked with dread into her bag. A shiver ran down her coat and she reluctantly returned her attention to the book before her. “Well... maybe it won’t be that bad.”

When Spike returned with a sandwich in one hand and a can of coke in the other, Twilight was deeply immersed and propped up on her hooves. He chuckled slightly and sat down by a window to enjoy his lunch.

“Not so bad, is it?”

“No, it’s surprisingly well-written!” Twilight said eagerly without looking up. “Listen to this: many just rulers have been earth ponies or have come from earth pony families. Also professions such as masseuses and bakers have been left to earth ponies over time. Why? Because they have an inherent feel for the magic of life within all things.”

“Good to hear,” Spike said and rested his elbow on the window sill. It was early morning, but the sun was already high and bright. For a long while, Spike sat just enjoying the outsides and his meal when something suddenly made him spit his mouthful of coke all over the window pane.

“T-Twilight... Twilight, you need to see this!” Spike said hurriedly and pressed his face against the glass.

“What is it?” she asked worriedly and looked up from her book, but Spike need not answer. Rarity walked by and Twilight could only stare speechlessly. She went to the window and pushed Spike aside.

Rarity had gone past chubby and was downright plump. A second chin had been fully developed and was fast accompanied by a third. Her distended belly sloshed around and all of her fat bounced as she walked past. But she was not the only one. Almost everypony outside had suddenly ballooned, but it was Rarity who set the standard.

“We’ve only been gone a month... right?” Twilight asked.

Spike nodded. “You think this is some kind of new fashion thing?” Spike asked and scratched his head.

“I certainly hope not.” Twilight bit her lip nervously for a moment, then rushed outside with Spike in her heels. Rarity was slowly lumbering forward, wiping her cherubic face with a rag. “Rarity, hold up!” Twilight hollered.

“Oh Twilight, you’re back! Did you have fun with your brother and Cadance?” Rarity said with her mouth full of pie. She took no pause from her meal and greedily consumed pies whole, relying on a nearly endless supply from her saddle.

“Is everything all right, Rarity? What happened to you?” Twilight said with a raised eyebrow. Even Spike had trouble getting close to his otherwise favourite pony.

Rarity looked down at herself, creasing her neck into several folds of fat. “Why, whatever do you mean, darling?” she said and dunked her entire head into another pie, noisily consuming everything until the tray was licked spotless. Twilight observed her for a moment, pondering. 

“Hmm. Maybe you’d like to share those pies? They look delicious.” 

Rarity looked up, cringing. “I’m sorry, Twilight, I couldn’t possibly part with any of them. I’m simply wasting away at the thought.”

“Could I at least have a slice?” Twilight asked with increasing concern and annoyance. Rarity fidgeted but eventually place one of her pies on the ground.

“Oh all right, dearie, but just a single one. I won’t get any fuller if I give away all my food.”

Twilight rolled with her eyes while Spike cut a piece out of the pie with his claw. He had barely handed it over to Twilight before Rarity took the pie away from Spike and practically inhaled it. Twilight and Spike could only stare in disbelief as Rarity waddled away, her rump now the size of a small pony. The two gave their hard-earned slice a long stare before silently agreeing never to eat it.

Twilight took it back inside with her to her downstairs laboratory while Spike hung his tongue out and clutched his abdomen, looking a little green around the gills.

She cut off small samples and dropped them down into sizzling test tubes. She investigated the crumbs and the filling down to the molecular structure. She even stared at it hard to see if she could spot anything that might set it apart from other food. For hours she slaved down in her basement until her hair stood out to all sides.

“Anything?” Spike asked and peered up over the counter.

“It’s puzzling, to say the least,” Twilight said, her eyelids drooping. “Of appearance, this apple pie is without a doubt the least appetising food item I have ever seen. I mean, it only has few traces of actual apple in it. The rest is just dough and cheap condiments to make it look appealing. No one in their right mind would take more than a single piece, yet Rarity is eating her own weight in these things... daily.”

Twilight sighed deeply and hung her head.

“Well there’s got to be something magical in it then,” Spike said and poked an alembic. It sent out heavy smoke that enveloped the basement in a foul-smelling blanket. “Oops.”

Twilight’s horn glowed and the smoke dissipated again. She tried to tell Spike something, but only coughs escaped her lips. Her eyes then fell on a small vial combined with the alembic. A condensed, translucent liquid remained at the bottom, even as everything else had burned away. She gave a triumphant smile and headed for the stairs.

“Spike, clean up. I have to show Zecora this!”

“Zecora?” he asked uncomprehending and watched her leave.

“Do you know of any other potion masters in the vicinity?”

Twilight rushed out of town, trying hard not to stare at the meaty residents. She slowed down as she entered the Everfree Forest and trod carefully. “Why can’t Zecora just live in town? It’s not like she’s shunned anymore,” Twilight said frustrated, looking from side to side at the creepy trees and general gloom.

Zecora’s outlandish hut was thankfully not too deep within the forest. Twilight arrived before anything fatal could happen to her. She knocked on the door to the hut and tripped around impatiently with the corked vial dancing in the air around her. Zecora took her time and Twilight was about ready to leave when the door creaked open.

The inside of Zecora’s hut was stacked ceiling to floor with apple pies and numerous other apple treats, leaving only limited room for the zebra to manoeuvre. Zecora was now twice the size of what she normally was. Massive rolls of fats waved over her body and she looked high pregnant. Her whole face was smeared with pie and she had serious trouble dragging herself the short way to the door.

“Twilight... with a... something,” she panted. She wheezed from the exertion and looked dully into Twilight’s eyes. 

Twilight recoiled in horror and turned around instantly.


***


It was a beautiful day in Ponyville and Apple Bloom stood behind her booth with a devious smile for all the ponies that came by. She serviced them innocently as Big Mac heaved larger and larger carts to and from their farm. He had just unloaded another big helping when Twilight went up the stall. She raised a hoof, but was too out of breath to talk.

“Heya Twalight! Care fer a slice of pie?” Apple Bloom asked and put one of her pies on the counter.

“No thanks, and I don’t think you should be selling them either,” Twilight said concernedly, wheezing.

“Oh?” Apple Bloom asked, feigning ignorance.

“You’re the only ones in town selling them, so this... this fat epidemic can only come from you. Listen, there’s something very wrong with your pies, I don’t know what, but you have to stop making them immediately.”

Apple Bloom shook her head and looked up at the unicorn coldly. “Twalight, the new business is important fer us. Our debts have nearly been paid, and then there’s repairs ta the farm and a new hip fer granny.”

“I’m sorry,” Twilight said understandingly, but looked at Apple Bloom with pleading eyes. “You must understand, however, that these pies and I guess all your desserts are extremely dangerous! I don’t know what you have done to your apples, but you’re obviously dabbling with magic that you have no control over.”

“Ah understand,” Apple Bloom said with a sigh and went around the stall.

Twilight gave Apple Bloom an encouraging smile until she looked up at her. Twilight barely had time to register that something was wrong before Apple Bloom whistled and two overweight fillies plumped down on Twilight. Both Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle had sampled the treats and were as much under the curse as everypony else. After a whole month of snacking they now weighed as much, if not more, than a grown pony.

Twilight could not move. Her attention on removing the burden on her back, Apple Bloom easily forced a fritter into Twilight’s mouth. Even as she spat most of it out, some invariably entered her throat and into her system. Twilight’s pupils dilated and her coat prickled up into bristles. Apple Bloom waved a pie under Twilight’s nose. She managed to resist it for a full second before gluttony overcame her. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo shuffled off of her, and Twilight bought nearly fifty bits worth of treats.

Apple Bloom clopped her hooves and smirked. “Today, Twilight. Tomorrow, Equestria.”


***
DAWN OF THE THIRD MONTH


“What’s going on?” Pinkie asked in surprise and jumped back and forth. Both of the Cakes were busy removing their inventory by shoving all of the displayed confections into large trash bags. There was narrowly a crumb left on the shelves of Sugarcube Corner.

“Cleaning up,” Mrs Cake said between pants. She had been on the heavy site from the start, but was pending immobility by now. Her belly dangled dangerously close to the floor and all of her extremities were covered in thick rolls of fat. Pinkie was slim as ever, though, her eyes watering. “Pinkie, we’re not closing. We’ll just be helping the Apple family with their increased demands.”

“And you will still be working here, of course,” Mr Cake assured her.

Pinkie sat down on the floor with a confused expression. “So... we’ll only be selling apple treats from now on?”

“I know it seems strange,” Mrs Cake said and dragged a filled bag across the floor, “but this is a big opportunity for us. We get a discount on their food and we get a share of their profits.”

Pinkie nodded her head fervently. “All right!” she said enthusiastically. “I haven’t tried baking with apples much, but it can’t be that different.”

As if on cue, the bell above the door jingled and Applejack entered.

“Howdy Pinkie, heya Mr and Mrs Cake,” she said. Outside, Apple Bloom watchfully guarded their loads of apples and apple accessories.

“I don’t know what you do with your apples, but they’re simply divine. My husband and I just can’t get enough of them,” Mrs Cake said and beamed.

“Oh shucks, just a bit of love is all,” Applejack replied.

“We’re very proud of you for choosing us to help you out,” Mr Cake said and bowed slightly. “Just go around the back and we’ll have those apples made into pies and candied apples and such in a jiffy.”

“Are they really that good?” Pinkie asked and peered over Applejack.

“Haventcha tried one yet, sugar cube?”

“No, I’ve been staying true to my own goodies. But uhmmm, they smell good.”

“Well why dontcha have one? We brought some of our wares for ya ta sample ta give you an idea of what we want.”

Big Mac entered with a small cartful of assorted apple treats and unloaded them on the bakery floor. Pinkie carefully took a pie into her hoofs and bit down.

“Mmm! Juicy,” she replied with her cheeks full and her eyes shut in pleasure.

“Dig in. We brought enough fer everypony,” Applejack said.

The three ponies didn’t wait for her to finish that sentence before attacking the cart like savage beasts. Pinkie in particular could not get enough. She extended her long elastic tongue and ate ten pies in one go.

Big Mac took the empty cart and went back to the farm while the Apple sisters went around to the back entrance.

“Sure was nice of the Cakes ta offer us help with the baking and selling,” Applejack said and looked up at the early sun above them.

“Yes, nice of them,” Apple Bloom said in deflection. “We’ve been making a lot of money lately, it’s only natural that we would want ta expand.”

“And with all the workers we’ve hired, we’ve had a lot free time. Ah can’t believe how popular our apples have become,” Applejack replied proudly.

“Yes, but Ah still feel we could do better.”

“Whatcha mean?”

Applejack came to a halt behind the store and shrugged off the yoke from her shoulders. The Cakes had somehow already devoured their assigned treats and stood waiting for them. They eagerly accepted the apples and waved goodbye, to which Applejack waved back and smiled.

“Apples alone can only get us so far,” Apple Bloom said. “If we could get the other farmers in on our secrets, we could get rich from making them pay tributes to us.”

“Tributes? Ah’m not sure Ah like that tone,” Applejack said worried, but Apple Bloom simply shook her head.

“We can’t stop here. Trust me; there is big money ta be made on this.” They wandered into the market district and sized the area up. “Only pick the ponies who still has customers, and don’t tell them too much,” Apple Bloom instructed.

Everypony in town were more or less living off of what the Apple family could provide them. Only a hoofful of uninfected came here anymore aside from the vendors themselves.

The two sisters nodded in agreement and separated to cover as much ground as possible. Apple Bloom already had her sights set and walked determined towards a carrot stall. The owner didn’t have a complete second chin yet and her big gut only had a few rolls of fat. Furthermore, she had a small stock of apples pies behind her and delightfully looked up.

“Why Apple Bloom! Are you here for carrots?” Golden Harvest asked hopefully.

“No, but Ah have a much better deal fer ya,” Apple Bloom said.

“Oh?”

“We will letcha into our business for the nominal fee of, oh... a hundred bits. Ya will pay us half of whatcha earn AND ya will get a significant discount.”

Golden Harvest stared nonplussed for a moment, but eventually nodded. “Yes, of course,” she said and instantly procured a small felt pouch.

Apple Bloom greedily accepted it. “Ya will receive a small vial every month. Put it on yer carrots and they will be irresistible. If ya break the deal however and share the potion with anyone, there will be no more pies for ya.”

Golden Harvest nodded and sweated nervously.

“Good. Ya should see result already by the first batch and remember ta apply carefully,” Apple Bloom said and walked off to find another merchant. 


***
DAWN OF THE FOURTH MONTH


Rainbow Dash zoomed across the skies of Equestria, practising her aerial movements at top speed. She zigzagged between tufts of clouds and looped up and down until Ponyville became visible beneath her. Instead of descending, she climbed higher and higher. The houses were nothing more than small dots before she reversed and dove straight down. She picked up enormous speed and her gums flapped from the wind, but still she pushed on. She turned just before imminent collision and whooshed along the ground like a tornado. She slowed down further and further, approaching Fluttershy’s cottage calmly. 

She could barely contain her excitement and chuckled slightly as she went up to the cottage door. She knocked once and the door slowly creaked open. Angel appeared in the crack with a stern look on his face.

“Hey there little buddy... is Fluttershy home?”

Angel nodded and opened the door completely. Rainbow Dash stepped inside, the atmosphere stifling her grin. Something about the hut made her coat prickle.

“Fluttershy, look, I’m not mad at you or anything,” Dash said and followed Angel up the stairs. “I’ve known you almost my whole life. You were just intimidated by the prospect of a large crowd, right?” There was no reply as they came up on the first floor landing. Dash laughed nervously. “But you know, I got accepted into the Wonderbolts training programme. I would have loved to have you guys up there cheering for me.”

Angel held the door and Dash entered. What she saw inside rooted her to the spot and dropped her jaw. Fluttershy was lying inside on the broken remains of her bed, propped up with pillows in a sitting position. She was long past overweight by now and had become clinically obese. Small animals darted up and down her enormous front, bringing food to her mouth and cleaning out between her flabs.

Fluttershy breathed heavily but had her eyes closed. She was too absorbed in eating to take notice of anything. Rainbow Dash was too aghast to say anything and opted to look around the room instead. Pie trays and paper bags obscured the floor in a thick layer. Dash picked one up and read the label.

“‘Sweet Apple Acres New And Improved Apple Pies – You Will Not Be Able To Put Down Our Apples Again, Guarantee’.”

“Dash? That you?” Fluttershy said, too weak to open her eyes or even talk properly.

“Fluttershy, have you been eating nothing but pies since I’ve been gone?” Dash said worriedly and tossed the pie tray over her shoulder.

“No! Apple fondue... apple torte… apple...”

A honey badger crawled up her many layers of fat to deposit a pie by her waiting maw. All of the animals looked tired and starved but continued to work tirelessly.

“Want some?” Fluttershy asked, food spitting everywhere.

“No thanks,” Rainbow Dash said and backed away. “Listen, I’d better go see how our other friends are doing.”

Fluttershy tried to say something and wriggled her limbs uselessly. They had not been used for such a long time that all muscles had atrophied. Instead she sank deeper into pillows and accepted more pie.

Trying to keep herself from ralphing, Rainbow Dash hastily escaped the room and flew up into the air. Her brow creased with worry as the bad feeling kept eating at her. Below her she found not a single pony not in same state of immobility. Dash shook her head. “No, Rarity of all ponies would never fall for this weird craze.”

She landed in front of the Carousel Boutique, finding it hard to simply know. She swallowed a lump in her throat and raised a hoof, but the door creaked open at behest. 

Like Fluttershy’s, the floor was covered in wrappings of all kings. Rarity herself sat in a room at the back of the boutique, perched on a reinforced divan. She was sleeping with all of her fat oozing over the sides. Her neck had completely disappeared and her arms and legs had widened to the width of small tree trunks. Her belly, her face and her couch were all lathered with jam. She burped and sent a cascade of ripples through her flab.

“Not you too! What... what’s going on here? ” Rainbow Dash cried with tears of frustration. She hastily retreated outside and spread her wings. “Surely Twilight...”

But no. took up half of the library’s lower floor lying on her back. She was absorbed in gorging herself that she flat out ignored Rainbow Dash, even as the latter began talking with Spike.

“Spike, what’s wrong with everyone?” Dash asked angrily

“I wish I knew,” he said and washed Twilight with a rag on a long stick. She didn’t seem to notice and simply levitated more pies to her waiting gullet. She was not a pony anymore, just a mass of flesh unable to even grunt.

“It’s got something to do with Applejack’s pies, has it?” Rainbow Dash asked and noted the many empty pie trays.

“Yeah,” Spike said and wiped his brow. “Twilight was studying them, but she still ate one for some reason. I’ve been doing nothing since then but clean her and bring her more pies-”

“Applejack.” Dash stamped one of the trays flat, but she could still see the unmistakable livery and slogan of Sweet Apple Acres. She shed a tear in anger and stormed out. 

“If you’re looking for her, try Sugarcube Corner,” Spike called after her.

The door to Sugarcube Corner had been widened considerably since Dash was last here. She marvelled at the dozens and dozens of treats on shelves and in glass cases. It was mostly apples, but there were some variations with nearly everything that could be grown and/or eaten. The whole shop was empty at a first glance, but loud munching came from a room beyond the counter. Dash ringed a bell and the noisy eating stopped. A motor sound replaced it and Pinkie Pie emerged on a large engine-equipped trolley.

She was a little smaller than Fluttershy, but long since too heavy to walk on her own. All sense of personal hygiene had been abandoned and she was covered from top to toe in cream, crumbs and cake. Her long tongue extended to lick some of it off her.

“Rainbow Dash! Back from Cloudsdale already?” Pinkie asked with a considerable loss to her usual enthusiasm. It was difficult for her to hold the conversation as she continually wheezed and panted.

“Where is Applejack? She has some explaining to do.”

Pinkie nodded almost undetectable and waved towards a large sign over head. “First slice is free.”

Rainbow Dash chose to ignore it and the pie it pointed to. The many aromatic smells lingered enticingly and Dash’s stomach growled. Sweating, she paced around the floor. She bit into her hoof and closed her eyes, but the temptations where everywhere. Dash tried to stand absolutely rigid, but shook nervously.

“Howdy Rainbow Dash!” Apple Bloom said cheerfully and emerged behind the counter. “Uh, whatcha doing?”

“Nothing,” Dash replied and relaxed with a sigh. “Where’s Applejack? I want to talk with her.”

“Mah sis is out back preparing the apples, but she’ll be here soon. Ya want some pie?” Apple Bloom asked and smiled innocently.

“No,” Dash replied with a frown. “Since you still look normal, perhaps you can tell me why everypony is overweight and why I keep finding your pie cases everywhere?”

Apple Bloom shook her head and went around the corner. “Ponyville just loves our new recipes, nothin’ more. It’s not our fault if they can’t stop eating, is it?” The innocent tone was slowly turning into one of malice.

“W-well, perhaps no, but why are you still selling these pies knowing what they do to ponies?” Dash felt her cheeks flush and her voice becoming sterner.

“Ah don’t think ya understand,” Apple Bloom said with a steadily chilling voice. “We’re making a lot of money on this. We’ve finally been able ta pay back our debts and get Granny a new hip and the farm is looking better than ever. Ah don’t regret for a moment the things we’ve had ta do to get this far. Do ya have any ideas what it’s like ta never know if we’re gonna survive the winter? How it’s like ta face losing the farm?”

“And have you even considered the consequences of your actions? The whole town is at a standstill because everypony are too fat and lazy to move!” Rainbow Dash retorted.

“So what are ya gonna do about it? We have done nothing wrong,” Apple Bloom said and smirked.

“I’ll tell the mayor and put a stop to you,” Rainbow Dash replied confidently.

“Try it. Mayor Mare has been in our pockets for months.”

“Then I’ll go get Celestia and make her turn everything to normal.”

Apple Bloom sighed. “Dash, Dash, Dash, this could all have been so easy. Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle!”

Two round fillies emerged out of nowhere and plumped down on Rainbow Dash, knocking the wind out of her. Both of them had feasted well on their relationship with Apple Bloom and had become nothing more than adorable little butter balls with legs and tails. Dash squirmed desperately to free herself, but she could barely breathe.

“Cutie Mark Strangleholds!” the two of them exclaimed.

“Oh. Hey, Rainbow Dash,” Scootaloo said with genuine surprise and looked beneath her. 

“Oh not you too, Scoots? Can’t any of you see what you’ve been doing to yourselves?” Rainbow Dash asked desperately. She was getting worried as Apple Bloom had inexplicably gone.

“I got my cutie mark in eating!” Scootaloo replied ecstatically.

“My cutie mark in eating is much better than yours,” Sweetie Bell replied.

“Yeah,” Scootaloo replied in a defeated tone.

“What?” Dash asked. Both fillies still had a blank flank, bigger now than ever.

“Apple Bloom gave us some of the pies and then she told us that we had gotten our cutie marks!” Scootaloo replied. “It was so obvious. There’s nothing better than just eating all day.”

“So Apple Bloom is behind this?” Dash asked taken aback, her squirming slowly ceasing.

“That’s right!” an ominous voice said and Apple Bloom appeared again. “Anypony who eats mah fruit will fall completely under mah spell. Ah think Ah’d better show ya.”

Apple Bloom pushed a large tray of extra fattening treats just outside Dash’s reach. The apple pies were swimming in chocolate, butter and lard. A green colour swept over Dash’s face and she began to gag at the sight and stench of it. Apple Bloom dug in a large spoon and extended it towards Dash who clenched her mouth tightly shut. Apple Bloom nodded and Sweetie Bell wriggled her tail against Dash’s hooves.

Dash snorted and her eyes watered, struggling not to laugh. Her resistance was futile however. It took her only moments to start laughing loudly. Apple Bloom instantly forced the spoon inside the opened maw. Dash tried to spit it out, but it clayed against the roof of her mouth and trickled down her throat. Her pupils shrunk to the size of pinheads and drool oozing out of her mouth. Dash was in a momentary ecstasy coma before a loud rumble from her belly awakened her again. The two fillies on top of her rolled off and Rainbow Dash was free.

She was no longer in control of herself and didn’t even care how disgusting the pies were, she just wanted more. Apple Bloom grinned down at the once so formidable Rainbow Dash and spat on one of the pies.

“Eat it,” Apple Bloom demanded.

Dash didn’t need to be told twice and devoured the pie with no further ado. Apple Bloom laughed menacingly and grabbed Rainbow Dash by her hair, pulling her up so that she could look into her eyes.

“Ah own ya now, Rainbow Dash, d’ya understand? Ya will do as Ah say and ya can have all the food ya want.” Rainbow Dash nodded eagerly and Apple Bloom smashed her face into the large pile of food.

After ten minutes, Dash sat back on the floor with a pained expression on her face and rubbing her bloated stomach. She was smeared with cream and chocolate from head to toe and groaned quietly in pleasure.

“Clean yerself up, ya disgusting pig.” Apple Bloom said and turned her back on Dash. “Mah sister will be here soon and Ah wantcha ta treat her real nice. She’s too shy ta admit it herself, but it’s obvious that she has crush on ya. Date her and distract her from mah affairs and ya can have the all pies ya can eat.”

Rainbow Dash nodded slowly and tried to get up on her hooves, but found that she was too stuffed to move. This riled Apple Bloom enough to lash out at her, kicking her everywhere until Dash panting and with great effort finally managed to get up. Apple Bloom pointed her towards a side room and Dash toddled away.

She emerged a little while later with damp mane and new pockets of flesh formed on her cheeks, stomach and limbs. Applejack rushed towards her and grabbed her face, moulding it around like playdough. 

“Rainbow Dash, what in tarnation happened ta ya?” Applejack exclaimed in shock. Dash cast a sideways glance to Apple Bloom for guidance. The filly simply rolled her hoof and mouthed the words “Get on with it.” Dash planted a kiss on Applejack’s nuzzle, making her release Dash and taking a step back.

“I came back because I couldn’t stand to be away from you a moment longer,” Dash replied.

“That’s mighty sweet of ya, sugar cube, but what about the Wonderbolts?”

“To Hell with the Wonderbolts!” Dash replied and locked her lips around Applejack’s in a passionate kiss. Scootaloo gagged while Sweetie Belled d’awwed.

“Come on, Sweetie Belle, I’ll bet you that I can eat more pies than you,” Scootaloo said and hoof pumped.

“You’re on!” Sweetie Belle replied.

When Rainbow Dash finally released Applejack from their intense kiss, they were both left panting.

“What… what was that about?” Applejack asked.

“I love you,” Rainbow Dash replied and the two nuzzled.
> Chapter 2: Month 4 to 5
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


EQUESTRIAN SHIPPING SHORT STORY 02: WHAT NOW WITH APPLES? PART 2/2

DAWN OF THE FIFTH MONTH


Applejack twisted and turned in her sleep. Before her closed eyes, the guilt and responsibility twisted and turned her dreams into horrid nightmares. She jolted awake and her eyes immediately fell on Rainbow Dash in the corner opposite. Even in her sleep, she was eating. She had ballooned up near Fluttershy’s size in just a month and the cause was clear. Everything Dash had been eating had had thrice the calorie intake coupled with eating nearly twice as much as anypony else.

Applejack went to the blue butter ball and rubbed the flabby stomach, first gently and then more and more feverishly. Dash simply continued snoring loudly and reflectively carrying a pie up to her mouth. Applejack jumped up, using the folds of fat to climb up to the spherical head. She wrestled the pie out of her hoof and tossed it far, then nuzzled her cheek affectionately.

Blearily, Dash awoke with a grunt but perked up seeing Applejack right in her face. Rainbow Dash tried to talk but only wheezes escaped her. Applejack bit her lip and looked away, like wanting to ask a question she really didn’t want the answer to. Yet she had to know.

“Ah’m gonna ask ya a question, and Ah wantcha ta answer honestly,” Applejack said and put her arms around Dash’s neck.

Dash nodded almost undetectable.

“Who do ya love more. Me or mah pies?”

“Pies,” she blurted out and stared off into the distance. Applejack nodded and jumped off again. She took her hat from the bedpost and strode for the door.

“Ah’ll be gone fer a little while. Trah not ta get yerself constipated by moving about again,” Applejack said.

Rainbow Dash barely registered and simply shovelled more pies into her face.

Applejack hurried from her bedroom on the ground floor to the outside. She looked up at the farm which had also doubled in size lately. It was a veritable castle except it was made of red-painted wood and only contained one extra floor. A truer castle had been erected on the outskirts of their land, a big stone structure with spires and a mote. Applejack could only shake her head.

“When did Ah lose sight of all this?” Applejack asked.

Workers in various states of mobility were busy harvesting as she passed the orchards. There were no one left in Ponyville and vicinity that hadn’t yet tasted the forbidden fruit. Her wracking sense of guilt turned to a hard knot in her stomach. Lyra being fed by an overweight Bon Bon, the Flower trio sitting outside and warming their bellies and discussing current events and Berry Punch lying in the street in a stupor, too drunk and full to move. Applejack tried to shut her eyes but she could still hear the noise of a thousand ponies eating incessantly, only taking time off to breathe with labour.

Applejack entered town and had to swallow a lump. Various pony officials lazed around, indifferent about their clerical duties. She lowered the shadow of her hat and continued up through the floors to the very top. The mayor’s office was ornately furnished with a thick red rug covering the floor, a heavy wooden desk and bookcases on all sides. From a window at the back, one could inspect the city and see what was going on for miles.

Apple Bloom sat comfortable behind the desk with a carefree expression on her face. She smiled and waved as her big sister entered, but her enthusiasm dwindled when she saw how serious Applejack was.

“Apple Bloom, this has gone far enough. We have made plenty of money already,” Applejack said and went up to desk.

“Are ya crazy? We’ve only just taken over the city!” Apple Bloom said and slammed her hoof down on the desk.

“We’re making ponies miserable and they don’t even know it themselves. We’re ending this now,” Applejack said firmly. Apple Bloom simply leant back in her chair and closed her eyes. When she opened them, they were filled with fire.

“Ah don’t think ya truly understand the situation,” Apple Bloom said with a chilling voice. She jumped down from her seat and went around the desk to face her big sister. “And what do ya think will happen ta all the ponies eating our pies now? Do ya really reckon they can all just give up their habits? It’ll kill them if we don’t feed them what they want.”

“And it’ll kill them if we keep feeding them,” Applejack said angrily, her face shoved all the way into Apple Bloom’s. “We’re makin’ everything go back ta normal and that’s final.”

“Heh. Ya really seem ta think Ah have ta listen ta ya,” Apple Bloom said and turned away from her sister. “Ya know what happened ta Big Mac?”

“He... he went ta Trottingham ta expand business?” Applejack said nervously. Not for the first time, nor for the last, did Apple Bloom smirk as she looked over her shoulder.

“Oh, he’s expanding all right... in the basement of Sweet Apple Acres!”

“Ya.... ya monster!” Applejack screamed and was about ready to pounce, but Apple Bloom whistled. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo emerged out of thin air, pressing Applejack to the floor. They were now too fat to both sit on a normal-sized pony’s back and Sweetie Belle simply rolled off, neither of them having the energy to talk or move. Mirroring the incident with Rainbow Dash, Apple Bloom came over to her sister with a fresh pie.

Try as she might, Applejack could not lift Scootaloo. Even breathing made the filly sweat plentifully and Applejack was fast soaked in perspiration. Some of it was her own from dreading that she should become like her victims. Despite thoughts of a justified end, she struggled and jerked her head out of the way. Apple Bloom tried to force the spoon through the clenched teeth, but Applejack was well-known for her stubbornness.

“Sweetie Belle, would you kindly?” Apple Bloom said with a sigh. The young filly had landed on her back next to Applejack, her tail pointing away. She flailed for a moment before giving up. “Use yer horn!” Apple Bloom said annoyed. The white marshmallow blob wriggled her head and eventually found Applejack’s soft side. The pain was making her eyes water but still she resisted desperately. A small spark erupted from Sweetie Belle’s horn and a pained yelp escaped Applejack.

Apple Bloom was quick and jabbed the spoonful into her sister’s mouth. Despairing, Applejack closed her eyes. She knew it was over once the pie was in her mouth and made no attempt to spit it out. She chewed it slowly, savouring the salty aftertaste. She and swallowed and awaited the disastrous addiction that would follow. Apple Bloom nodded and Scootaloo rolled off. Applejack’s back was dark with sweat.

“Ah don’t think Ah’ll be feeding you too well,” Apple Bloom said. “Ah still need ya ta work fer me.”

Applejack ate the rest of the pie calmly, sticking out her tongue in resentment. It was dry and tasted mostly just of dough and flour. Apple Bloom returned to her desk and folded her hooves together, contemplating the bright future ahead of her. Applejack wiped her mouth and got up again.

“Who told ya ta could get up? Yer staying right here; I still need ya ta eat at least thirty more pies just to be sure.”

“No can do,” Applejack replied determinedly.

“What? Aren’t ya hungry?” Apple Bloom asked incredulously.

“Strangely enough, nope! And Ah have a suspicion wha it didn’t work.... Ya used one of mah pies, didntcha?”

“You’re not actually saying.... ?” Apple Bloom asked, slamming her hoofs into the desk and leaning forward.

Applejack smiled triumphantly. “Ah am immune ta mah own apples!”

“It’s so obvious and yet so ridiculous,” Apple Bloom said and stretched her neck back. “Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, restrain her this instant!”

Apple Bloom jumped down again to yell at her friends, but they were both immobile and barely able to wriggle. Apple Bloom facepalmed herself. Applejack made good her escape and fled the office. Apple Bloom followed her to the doorstep and screamed down the stairs.

“Ya’ve got nowhere to hide, sister! This is MAH town! Ya understand that!”

The rash of insults followed Applejack all the way through the buildings. Security guards tried to give chase for tops two seconds at a time, allowing her to walk unhindered wherever she pleased. Her victorious smile fainted slowly at her absolute loneliness. Though surrounded by ponies she knew and even loved, none of them paid her any mind.

Her heart beat rapidly and sweat poured from her brow as she frantically tore through town. “No pony in town ta run the trains. No pony fer miles not infected. Oh Celestia, what am Ah supposed to do.”


***


Apple Bloom returned to the farm later that day, scowling at all the workers toiling with bucking the apple trees and harvesting the other crops. She headed for a wooden tool shed next to the farmhouse and hurried across the dusty lane. She traced a hoof across the tin wall then gave it a gentle push. The shed flipped and revealed a large hole in the ground.

Down in this pit sat a blue ball of a pegasus. Only Rainbow Dash’s head poked up, her chubby cheeks contorted in dread. The surfaces were covered with cold sweat and Dash shivered and gnashed in as much of a foetus position as she could muster. She dared not look up at Apple Bloom and covered her face instead with her hoofs, like an animal having been frequently beaten.

“Ah trust ya won’t let me down again?” Apple Bloom asked coldly. Dash shook violently but managed to nod nervously in reply. “If ya fail me again, Ah won’t keep the pies from ya fer a few hours. Ah might just decide on a whole day.”

Dash looked up, her eyes almost nothing but white. She grabbed the edge of the hole hard. “Please, I-I’ll do anything... just give me more pies!” Dash shouted desperately.

“There’s nothing wrong with mah hearing... and ta think they called ya the element of loyalty. Look atcha. Morbidly obese and whimpering just because Ah took yer pies away from ya.” Apple Bloom shook her head and then smiled wickedly. “What do ya think of Applejack?”

“To Hell with Applejack, I just want more pie!” Dash said.

Apple Bloom finally took mercy on the quivering Rainbow blob and threw a pie into the shed. Dash flailed to reach it as it landed on her voluptuous belly. Or was it her neck?

“Ah’ll have more pies fer ya, but Ah first need ta see if ya can still be of use ta me.”

Rainbow Dash nodded fervently to show the she would. Apple Bloom pressed a pedal by the hole and the floor hovered back up in position. Despite her large size, Dash Rainbow Dash quickly got up on her feet again. The pie had restored her energy and she was ready to take on any challenge that stood between her and her pie-supplier’s trust.

“There is still one pony left in this town who hasn’t tasted our pies,” Apple Bloom said and walked away from the pit. Dash followed her with the pie smeared all over her face.

“Preposterous!”

“Indeed, yet it’s true. Ah believe yer familiar with her... her name is Ditzy Doo... or Derpy... or sumthing. Ya can’t miss her, she’s usually around somewhere playing with those accursed muffins of hers. Convert her and Ah’ll forgive ya.”

One of the workers came dragging a cart and quickly retreated again at Apple Bloom’s hard stare. She turned back towards Dash and swept her hoof towards the load.

“Whatever ya do, Dash, do not eat from this pile,” Apple Bloom said with a triumphant smile from ear to ear. “Ah call this... the Franken-Pie!”

Dash waddled closer to get a better look, her large belly dragging along the ground and jiggling with each step. “Looks pretty normal to me.”

“Of course it does, that’s the whole point!” Apple Bloom said and rapped Dash over the head. “Instead of just being filled with addictive apples or oranges or tomatoes, the Franken-Pie is filled with ever... last... possible thing!”

Apple Bloom laughed sinisterly, but Dash was not particularly impressed and stuck out her tongue. “Disgusting.”

“Well what do you know. Feed one to Derpy and watch as her hunger grows large enough to kill her!”

Rainbow Dash laughed quietly in step with Apple Bloom before equipping the cart on her back. Before sending her on her way, Apple Bloom also put a large sack on Dash’s back. It was filled with regular apple pies and lasted her all the way back into town. The other residents followed her with hungry eyes but all lacked the mobility to highjack the cart. Huffing and puffing, Dash started the search for Derpy.

Afternoon turned to early evening with Dash’s slow tempo. With buckling knees, she finally collapsed just outside of town. The grass was long and soft and tickled her expansive stomach. The sack was empty and carried off by the wind, but her stomach growled. She could not go a moment without sustenance and was forced to constantly eat. The Franken-Pies suddenly became very appetising and Dash licked her lips. She could not reach however and was completely unable to move anyway.

“Ugh,” she exclaimed tired. “I’m never going to find Derpy.”

She closed her eyes to sleep but farted herself awake almost instantly. She opened her eyes again and saw a grey pegasus prancing around before her eyes, a muffin perched on her nose. Derpy stopped up just in front of Dash, her eyes wandering apart in confusion.

“Rainbow Dash, you look different. Did you do something with your mane?” she asked.

“No, I’m.... still the... good old.... Rainbow Dash,” Dash puffed in response. “I’ve been... looking for you.”

“You have?” Derpy asked and assumed a scrunchy face.

“Yeah... I came to offer you a pie... instead of those muffins you always eat.”

Dash tried to reach behind her but her stubby limbs couldn’t even get past her back.

“No thanks! Perhaps you’d like to try some muffin?”

Derpy wasn’t taking no for an answer and forced the chocolate muffin from the top of her head into the little-struggling blue jaws. It was quickly gone in just one gulp and Rainbow Dash licked her lips to get the crumbs. She smiled content for a moment before her face was distorted with searing pain. She couldn’t even scream as her mouth was clenched tightly shut. Derpy cocked her head in bewilderment, her eyes trying to focus on the events unfolding.

Dash went from pain to elation to constipation to Popeye, her body waving and undulating in rhythm with her quickly beating heart. With a loud crack, all of the excess disappeared from her bones. Her hooves touched the ground again, her derriere returned to normal and her cheeks lost their cherubic shape. She was left on the ground as she was before eating the pie, with eyes reduced to spirals.

“Ah, Rainbow Dash!” Derpy exclaimed exuberantly. “You look like yourself again!”

There was no response from Dash, not even from vigorous poking. Derpy shrugged and flew up to the top of the cart. She was about to plunge her face into the pies when she was pulled back with great force and landed on her back. Dash spat out her tail and pinned her down to the ground.

“Don’t eat these pies or anything else you find within the city, you hear me?” Rainbow Dash shouted with tears lining her eyes. “The pies are filled with... with...” She repressed the urge to hurl and swallowed the sour liquid rising in her throat. “Where did you get that muffin?” she finally asked to change the subject.

“I make them myself,” Derpy said cheerfully. “Carrot Top always tells me to eat her muffins but I much prefer chocolate, though.”

“Carrot Top? Oh, you mean Golden Harvest.” Dash released Derpy but she remained on the ground. “Do you have anymore?” Rainbow Dash asked, the urgency in her voice lost on the scatterbrained mare.

“Ummm... I’ve eaten a few, but I think there should be some left.”

“What about four, do you have that many?”

Derpy stuck out her tongue and closed her eyes in deep concentration. It took her a moment before nodding.

“I need those muffins, Derpy. Please?”

Derpy got up on her hooves and spread her wings. Dash followed her back over town. “I can’t believe the things I’ve done,” Dash muttered to herself and looked down at the ponies below them. “When I get my hooves on Apple Bloom... that filly’s quest for her cutie mark has gone too far this time!”

Golden Harvest lived in a large house with an adjacent garden plot. It was a house like most of the others with white walls and a thatched roof. The wide door was of wood and yielded instantly to Derpy crashing through it. She came to a stop in the hallway and scooted along the floor with her tongue sticking out. Dash on the other hoof entered more cautiously.

“Derpy, is that you?” a deep voice asked from one of the rooms. “Why don’t you take some carrots and make yourself some more muffins?”

“No thanks, Carrot Top, I’m just here for my chocolate babies!” Derpy replied and proceeded into the kitchen at the end.

Rainbow Dash followed behind and looked around curiously. The hallway was lavishly decorated with numerous expensive knickknacks and with large paintings. There were no doors inside the house but all the doorframes were large enough for two.

Golden Harvest lay inside a room on the right, taking up all the floor space like a heaving blob of fat. If there had been any furniture in there, it was all compressed underneath her massive girth. Dash shuddered at the sight and quickly went to the kitchen. Derpy was just about to sink her teeth into a chocolate muffin but Dash swiped it from her hooves.

“Please try to understand the seriousness of the situation, Derpy. I need exactly four muffins and no less.”

Derpy nodded and pushed the tray towards Dash. She took only the required amount and stuffed them inside a bag conveniently leaning up against the fridge. One extra was eaten by Derpy and another one placed on top of her head. Dash swung the satchel across her back and turned towards the window.

“I don’t know how you do it,” Rainbow Dash said and looked back at Derpy with a smile, “but please make some more. We may need them soon.”

Dash raced up into the sky where she could watch the whole town. Her eyes slowly glided across the place, contemplating her next move. Wherever she looked, it was obese ponies that caught her gaze. Ponies napping outside, ponies hilarious stuck in doorways, ponies curiously still waddling around.

“I wish I had enough for all you,” Dash lamented. A shadow of grief passed over her face for a moment, but she breathed in deeply and steeled her face. “I need to free my friends of this curse first. I can’t stop Apple Bloom on my own. And what better place to start than Sugarcube Corner?”

Once again springing into action, Dash zoomed down towards the large candy store. Several floors had been added along with a few spires. The ground floor inside was overflowing with addictive apple treats on all shelves running across the walls and rows upon rows of racks. Dash sprinted between them and came to the counter. Behind it lay Pinkie next to a heaping stack of pies.

Her severely bloated stomach almost covered the trolley she was utilising. She had a panicky look on her face as she shoved pies into her maw at a frantic pace. It didn’t look like she had even time to swallow, savour or digest. Dash climbed up on her stomach unnoticed and switched one of the pies out with a muffin.

“Must... eat... everything. Ability... to explain... fading,” Pinkie said, her eyes savage with desire. The muffin went in unnoticed and was almost followed by another helping of pie. The effects were instant however. Her body quivered, head rocking back and forth and limbs flailing. With the sound of someone slurping a milkshake with a straw, the fat melted away. Pinkie was left on her back with hooves in the air and a puzzled look on her face. “That was fun!” she exclaimed and giggled. Dash rolled her eyes.

“We’re not doing it again. We still have three muffins left to distribute.”

But Pinkie’s laughter only gained momentum. She was snorting and kicking her hooves wildly, unable to stop. Dash gave a deep sigh and pushed behind the trolley, not caring what she knocked over in the store.

“Come on, Pinkie, I’m really worried about the others. They’ve been eating a lot longer than we have.”

“I-I’m sorry, Dashie, but –” Pinkie managed to force forth. “You were... and then Apple Bloom! I can’t believe I... and I got so large!”

The trolley squeaked all the way through Ponyville, its wheels threatening with falling off at any moment. Its surface was covered in sweat and pie remains. Its scent attracted many ponies but none of them had the energy to pursue their interest.

“I just hope it wasn’t a bad idea to leave the cart out where anypony can find it,” Dash mumbled.

The tree library looked about ready to burst. A strange purple material was pushing at the walls from the inside and all glass had burst. Even the door was a thing of the past, lying splintered on the ground. A closer examination of the material revealed it be fur. Rainbow Dash was taken aback at how squishy it was and a moment later horrified. An overblown image of Twilight’s cutie mark passed the window, by now bigger than the frame.

Dash facehoofed herself and flew up to the highest floor near the crown of the tree. Twilight kept her astronomy items here, but all the telescopes and blackboards were covered in a layer of thick dust. Her mouth stuck out through the hole where the stairs would normally be. Twilight had been reduced to a living, heaving mass of flesh. Rainbow took a muffin from her satchel and dropped it into the wet hole, hoping that it was her mouth.

With the sound of magical spell igniting a box of firecrackers in a thunderstorm, the purple mass sunk into itself. Twilight landed on the bottom floor with a thud among the wreckage of the floors she had burst through. Books dripping with sweat, a bed crushed to tiny particles and assorted kindle was what remained. She could only look in horror at the damage, quickly turning to anger and grinding of teeth.

“Applejack,” she said with murderous calm, prodding a book and watching it disintegrate at her touch.

“It’s not her fault,” Dash said and touched down next to her. “The one to blame is Apple Bloom and those cursed pies.” 

She nodded in agreement, but proceeded to tap her muzzle in wonderment. “Say, where is Spike? I hope I didn’t squish him.”

“Perhaps he went to get help!” Pinkie suggested as she cartwheeled into the library.

“I hope you’re right,” Twilight said gravely and hurried outside. “I haven’t seen him in months and this is so freaky.”

Roseluck passed the library, resembling an oversized cow ruminating slowly. 

“And that’s why we need put a stop to this,” Rainbow Dash said and flew out over her head. “I’ve only got two more muffins, so we have to make them count.”

“How do they even work?” Twilight asked and ran along with her below with Pinky bouncing behind.

“Twilight, I learned a long time ago not to question how Derpy works. It will only give you a headache.”

They arrived at Fluttershy’s cottage a few minutes later with their newfound strength. The closer they got, the more anxious they became. Even Pinkie frowned in worry. Whatever they had been expecting would not measure up to reality. The first sign of danger was the repellent stench coming from the hut. They tried crossing the bridge over the brook but they were all three instantly hit by nausea.

Fluttershy lay just inside the entrance in a pile of broken and twisted wood. Her fat had burst through the first floor and was now pressing against the walls. Large cracks were forming in the wood and everything not nailed down had been rocketed out through the walls, windows and the door. Numerous small animals crawled all over her to keep up with her growing appetite and to wash her body.

“Smells like... somepony died in here,” Pinkie said and clasped her nose.

“It’s a combination of sweat, leftovers and... and...” Twilight said but was gagging too hard to get it out.

Rainbow Dash hovered above them and looked at the yellow blob with a single tear trailing down her otherwise hardened face. The animals noticed her blue form and a plethora of squeaking erupted among the workers. Two squirrels crawled down from the upper floor and scampered down the wall. They stared with pleading eyes up at Rainbow Dash and looked like they were begging for help with their little dexterous hands.

“What are they saying?” Pinkie asked and dropped flat on the ground.

“Do I look like I speak squirrel?” Dash asked and landed next to them.

“I think they want us to help them, you guys,” Twilight said and took a muffin with her magic, placing it down in front of the critters. “I’m not sure whether you get this or not, but you must feed Fluttershy this muffin. It will return her to normal. Nod if you understand.”

The two squirrels looked at eachother, then took the muffin and nodded. They scaled the wall again, carrying the helpful treat between them. Despite their starved appearance, they didn’t go on board the muffin... as if they really had understood. They all took a few steps back and waited breathlessly, for more than one reason. 

Pinkie bit her lip and danced around in tense expectation, while the other two looked at the quivering yellow mass. Loud munching noise could constantly be heard from inside the hut, but exactly she was eating wasn’t easy to tell. The first sign was a loud crack, like an old car backfiring and then sputtering to life. As it picked up its speed, Fluttershy shrank back to her original size. She lay dumbfounded on her back, looking around confused. All of the animals inside embraced her but Fluttershy just cried.

“I’m sorry, everyone. I’m so, so sorry. I don’t know what came over me,” she told the animals.

“It’s good to see you back to normal,” Rainbow Dash said and embraced her as well.

“Yeah, I didn’t like the big mean Fluttershy at all!” Pinkie said, following just behind Dash.

Twilight was too moved to say anything and simply joined the group hug. “Perhaps you’d like to help us return things to normal?” Twilight finally said as they broke free again.

“I’d rather stay here... that is if you don’t mind,” Fluttershy said, still lying on her back. She rested her head on the floor with a deep sigh. “I have a lot to make up for and this place needs to be cleaned.”

“That’s all right, we only need to visit Rarity,” Rainbow Dash said and gave her an encouraging smile. “Pinkie, why don’t you stay behind and help Fluttershy? We won’t need a whole lot of ponies to stop Apple Bloom.”

“Oh, I’d love to!” Pinkie said and gave Fluttershy a hoof to help her up.

“I’m just glad you’re not mad at me for how I’ve behaved the last few months.” Fluttershy wiped her eyes as tears came trickling down, of shame or of joy.

“We were all under the spell,” Dash said and shook her head. “Think nothing more of it.”

And so, only Rainbow Dash and Twilight went back into town again. Rarity’s Carousel Boutique was in the other end, but the two ponies enjoyed their regained mobility and went with a brisk pace. They met no resistance on the way, no pony to stop them or halt them. Evening was giving way to night fast and it would be dark before they could go to Sweet Apple Acres for their final showdown.

They entered the dress shop and found it empty at first sans all the packaging lying around. Empty paper bags, cake trays and candy wrappers had been strewn carelessly around the floor. The two stepped carefully around in their investigation. Unfinished dresses hung on ponyquins smeared with frosting, blueprints had been smothered beyond recognition with cake cream. Dash shook her head when she heard Twilight gasping from the backroom.

Rarity lay on her stomach, her enormous rear too big for any couches. The floor was covered with pillows instead, her flab filling up the entire room like a sloshing river of cookie dough. Five young stallions tended to her whims, kneading her fat, scrubbing her clean, feeding her. Spike was here as well, trying desperately to save his damsel in distress. The servants merely knocked him around as he hoped to wrestle the treats from them and otherwise stop Rarity from eating. One of the servants gave him a good kick and Spike rolled out, coming to a stop between Twilight and Dash.

“Rainbow Dash? ... Twilight?” Spike asked surprised as he got up again. Happy tears escaped his eyes as he embraced Twilight tightly. She hugged him back, nuzzling his cheek motherly. He released her and took a step back. “How did you even... You know what, I don’t even care right now. I’m going back to the library, take a shower and then I’ll go back to bed.”

“Wait,” Twilight said and put a hoof to his shoulder. “Listen Spike, I’m so sorry for how I’ve behaved. I... I haven’t been myself in a long time. Can you forgive me?”

“I know, I know,” he said and flicked his wrist. “Anyway, Applejack told me everything.”

“Applejack did? When did you meet her?” Rainbow Dash burst out and grabbed Spike.  He looked back at her in surprise.

“She came by the library to make me send a letter to Celestia. Can’t believe I didn’t think about that.”

Rainbow Dash gave an impish smile and rubbed her hooves together. “Then she must be back at the farm already. Let’s hurry this up, Twilight.”

Just at that moment, Rarity finally noticed their presence. She had been too absorbed with eating to even care that there had been others in the room. She had probably not even noticed Spike who now slumped outside.

“Rainbow Dash, Twilight, welcome!” she said and burped. “You look famished. I wish I could share with you, but a lady like me mustn’t be kept waiting.”

“Well, that’s kind of why we’re here!” Twilight said and took the last muffin with her magic. They were afraid to get any closer to their clinically obese friend than the doorway. She was eating like an absolute pig and pieces of pie flew everywhere.

“Ugh, what is that thing?” Rarity scoffed. “I only let the Apple family’s genuine treats across my lips. I don’t know where that... thing has been last.”

“But it IS from the Apple family!” Rainbow Dash said and caught with Twilight’s plan. “It’s, uh... it’s a new apple-chocolate recipe.”

“Really?” Rarity said, salivating and smacking her lips. One of the waiters approached her with a pie, but she sloshed with her fat and made him fall on his back. “I must try this at once! I must!”

She wriggled her flabby arms to get closer to the muffin but she was irrevocably stuck in the room. The brown confection flew through the air with Twilight’s magic and landed in Rarity’s waiting maw. She chewed it greedily with little regards to manners.

“Simply divine,” she moaned. “Strange. I couldn’t even taste the apples.”

The pony she had dismissed got up on his hoofs again and found a new pie. He waved it under her nose and she was just about to sink her teeth into it when she began to vibrate violently. The sound a jackhammer boring into concrete or a woodpecker on speed accompanied her transformation. Like a carpet being dragged out under their hooves, all of the fat melted away and turned the waiters upside down. Rarity finally lay on her belly with several astonished ponies around her. She looked around bewildered and then flushed immensely.

“All of you, out!” she yelled to the waiting ponies with such intensity that they stumbled over each other to get away. She looked up at her friends with a stern look. “We shall never speak of this again... EVER.”

Her two friends couldn’t help but laugh slightly, but quickly stifled their grins when they saw her expression.

“Want to come with us to Sweet Apple Acres?” Rainbow Dash asked, but Rarity was already busy and on her feet.

“I’m afraid I’ll have to decline. I can’t remember the last the time I had a shower that didn’t involve a rag on a stick,” she said and tried to straighten her hair out.

“Just you and me then, Twilight,” Dash said determinedly. “That was our last muffin too, so we better not eat any of the pies.”

“Yes, and please don’t do something rash, all right?” Twilight asked concernedly. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.

“I never do anything rash. I just like to take the initiative is all,” she replied, but Twilight gave her a dismayed look. “Fine, we’ll do this your way. Only because I don’t have a plan! ... At the moment.”


***


“Apple Bloom, ya come on out here right this moment!” Applejack said and yelled up at the large keep in front of her. The once so idyllic two storey farmhouse had been completely overshadowed by a small fortification at the edge of their land. It included a moat, spires, drawbridges and the finest masonry in all of Equestria and sported an extravagance rivalling even that of Canterlot. Large flags waved in the wind and banners hung down the walls, all displaying Apple Bloom’s face.

Applejack stood at this moment on the wrong side of the water trench, trying to talk sense into her little sister. “Tarnation, Apple Bloom, yer in so much trouble right now, young missy. Ya come out right this instant or Ah’ll be seriously mad atcha.”

There was no response. Instead, two guards came waddling towards her from behind the keep. They looked like Celestia’s white guards clad in gilded armour and were not yet overly fat.

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but I’m afraid we must ask you to leave,” the first one said.

“Ah’m her sister, fer crying out loud! This is mah home and Ah live here too,” Applejack said and pounded the ground with her hoof in frustration.

“Not according to Lady Apple Bloom,” the second one said. “Now you’ll either get out or be thrown out.”

“Ugh, this is ridiculous,” Applejack said and facehoofed herself. “Look, can’t ya see what’s happening to ya? Look how big yer getting!”

“Lady Apple Bloom preserve us from the heretics,” they both said and slowly advanced upon Applejack with spears pointed at her fluffy chest. She backed away nervously before retreating in full run.

She sped across the Apple family land, down the dirt road towards the orchards. The old house still stood in renovated splendour with its freshly painted picket fences and barn. She looked up at it, memories flashing before her eyes and wetting them. She reminisced back to the days before, of apple bucking and apple selling. She missed Big Mac and she missed Rainbow Dash so much that it clutched at her heart. It wrought her stomach to think that somewhere inside, Dash was eating her own weight in pies and it was all her fault. She clenched her face and wailed large streams of helplessness.

Composing herself was difficult and the tears would not stop coming. But through sniffing and sobbing, she eventually found an inner peace that calmed her down. The overweight apple pickers ignored her and carried on their harvesting as they always had.

“Please forgive me.” She snivelled quietly at them and wiped her eyes. “I WILL find a way to stop this.”

She looked up at the shining Sun. As if to answer to her pleas, a streak of white flashed above her. Celestia’s unmistakable mane flapped behind her. Applejack’s face lit up. She raised herself up on her hind legs and waved her arms around. Celestia’s head turned, noticing Applejack and touched down before her.  The Princess looked grim and looked much taller than she usually did. Applejack cast herself down on the little dirt road.

“Ah’m mighty sorry, Princess,” Applejack said and buried her head in her hooves. “Ah didn’t know that this could go so wrong and when Ah did it was too late. Mah sister... Apple Bloom, she ain’t herself no more. Please, Ah’m begging ya, please help us.”

Celestia looked down motherly at Applejack. She reached out a hoof and lifted Applejack tear-stained face gently up. “I can see the sincere regret in your eyes. We shan’t worry about pointing hoofs just yet, first we must take action. Will you lead the way?”

“Yes, Princess!” Applejack said and eagerly got up again. She was nearly bursting with happiness that the Princess would be so kind and forgiving. She gave a weak smile at Celestia and Celestia smiled back warmly. Applejack blushed and dragged the hat down her eyes, quickly darting down the path. The Princess followed her at fresh pace, her longer legs negating any need for running.

The guards were gone from their place, so Applejack and Celestia met no opposition. They stopped up in front of the moat and peered up the walls, into the windows of the towers to see if they could find Apple Bloom.

“Apple Bloom, this is yer last warning. Come out here NOW!” Applejack yelled up at the battlements and ramparts with just as much luck as before.

“Apple Bloom, there is something you should know,” Celestia said, her calm voice carrying through the thick walls. “You do not know the magic you’re trifling with. It may look as if you’re only affecting others, but you’re affecting yourself just as much. It is not too late. We can still help you.”

Apple Bloom appeared up on the wall between two towers, right over the entrance. For a moment, it really seemed like they had gotten through to her. She was smiling positively and the gate slammed down. Applejack and Celestia was just about to cross when Apple Bloom nodded. Their progress was cut short by two gigantic fillies landing right on their back. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were now the size of large, sweaty cars.

“Oh horse apples, Ah forgot she could do that,” Applejack said. “Wait... how is she doing this!”

“Yay, I got the Princess!” Sweetie Belle said jubilantly.

“I just got Applejack... again,” Scootaloo said disappointedly. “No offence, of course.”

“None taken,” Applejack said and tapped her hoof impatiently on the ground.

The Princess didn’t look to worry. Her horn glowed and an aura engulfed Sweetie Belle. Nothing happened. Celestia increased her effort and focused more energy into the spell she was performing, but Sweetie Belle remained where she was.

Apple Bloom waltzed across the bridge joined by several guards. Each of them hauled several carts of all kinds of treats. She was smiling and quite devilishly so. Applejack knew how this would end and squirmed and struggled with all of her might, but Scootaloo had only gotten heavier. Her flab completely engulfed Applejack so that only her face and front hooves stuck out. Similarly with Sweetie Belle. Celestia increased her efforts and the strain was visible on her face, but nothing worked.

“Ya can move the Sun and the Moon, but one little overweight filly is too much for ya?” Apple Bloom remarked, her voice thick with malicious mockery.

“You’re under the spell just as much as everypony else,” Celestia said, ignoring Apple Bloom’s observations. “Please allow me help you.”

“Are ya kidding me? Ah feel better than Ah’ve had in all mah life! Ah can’t believe Ah was such a goody two shoes when it pays so much better ta be a tyrant!” Apple Bloom said and laughed maniacally.

“I’m not angry with you, little Apple Bloom. I’m only asking you to let me cure you,” Celestia said serenely, ignoring Apple Bloom’s harsh words.

Apple Bloom grunted and turned away. “Ah tire of our conversation. Don’t even think of escaping, Sweetie Belle is a magical sponge. The stronger she gets, the more powerful she becomes.” She went towards the carts. The royal guards were shaking and sweating from being so close to their drug that they could smell it. Apple Bloom ran a hoof down the gilded armour and a slight whine escaped his lips. “Ah hear ya like cake, Princess, so Ah prepared a few hundred just for you. Wha don’t Ah give ya the first piece?”

The guard kicked the cart and the back hatch fell open. Apple Bloom leapt up and bit down on a plate, dragging it all the way to Celestia. She took an adjoining spoon and snipped off a little piece of frosting on the seven layer cake. Thick butter bled from the sponge like blood from a wound.

“Open up wide,” Apple Bloom said and waved the spoon. The Princess merely closed her eyes and her mouth as well. “Suddenly haven’t got anything ta say? Doesn’t matter, it’ll all be over in a few secs. Sweetie Belle, open her mouth.”

“But how?” Sweetie Belle said and flailed her arms and legs.

“For the love of... use yer magic!” Apple Bloom said angrily, nearly dropping the utensil between her teeth.

“I’m sorry, Apple Bloom. You know I’m no good with magic,” Sweetie Belle said, nearly crying from her ineptitude. Apple Bloom simply gave her a stern look, the dire consequences of her failure written in her eyes. Sweetie Belle trembled and pinched her eyes shut. Her horn flickered to life, slowly glowing light blue. Celestia’s jaw did as well and popped open for Apple Bloom to feed her. The Princess’s eyes rolled back into her head with pleasure the likes of which she had not experienced in her long, long life.

Sweetie Belle heaved with the effort and rolled off the Princess’ back, eyes reduced to swirl. Celestia quickly got up again, greedily devouring the cake she had sampled with Apple Bloom’s helps. The guards unloaded their cargo before the Princess. She sat down, making obscene sounds as she stuffed her face. Apple Bloom lifted an eyebrow at her before moving on to Applejack.

“Ya have caused me so much trouble, dear big sis. Ah was actually starting to worry. But that’s all in the past,” she said with a slight laugh. “Though... Ah think ya deserve a little punishment.”

Apple Bloom motioned for two guards to come closer. They hauled a big metal barrel behind them, scraping it across the drawbridge with a sound as eerie as it looked. Something sloshed around inside as it came closer, dragging across the ground. Applejack increased her kicks and sprawls, but Scootaloo’s butt was irrevocably closed down on her.

“This is a special liquid that Ah had made,” Apple Bloom said proudly and knocked on the metal. It sounded full to the brim. “Every single aspect of it is designed ta add fat ta the pony body. Berry Punch was nice enough ta donate ta it, ensuring that it will overpower any urges ya might have ta flee. Think about it, big sis. From this day forward, ya won’t have ta do anything anymore in yer life. Just sit absolutely still and become the world’s biggest mare.”

The stallions released the ropes binding them to the barrel and sat down on the ground next to it, enjoying their breather. Apple Bloom jumped up top of one of them and dipped a little spoon into the liquid. She cautiously carried it down to her sister, aiming it straight at her.

“Apple Bloom, don’tcha dare,” Applejack said angrily, despair and futility filling her eyes with horror. Even to the last she would be fighting this. The thick, goopy stuff came closer. Applejack shook her head from side to side. It was getting hard to breathe and consciousness was dwindling. The shaking wasn’t helping and the world was spinning. She flexed her eyelids, keeping her awake just long enough to see Apple Bloom trip. There were sounds as well, but Applejack dove into the encroaching darkness.


***


Twilight and Rainbow Dash raced up the dirt path towards the Apple family home. They too had observed the white streak that had announced Celestia’s arrival. Help was near and filled with them renewed energy, hoping things would be resolved when they arrived.

But as they passed the lines of apple trees, shapes started to form in the shadows around them. They shambled into the light, their eyes empty and their coats greasy. The guardians of the Apple land come from out of the trees, across the fields and out of the farmhouse. “Lady... Apple Bloooom,” they moaned.

They quickly formed a circle around Dash and Twilight, surrounding the two in an inescapable ring of blubber. Twilight sprang to action and lit up her horn. The subsequent spells repelled the maddened workers, but their insatiable hunger and adoration for Apple Bloom hardened them. All Twilight did was exhaust herself and pushing them back slightly.

“Aim for their bellies!” Dash said and reared to free her front hooves for punching.

Following the suggestion made the workers fall on their back. Once there, they could only flail their limbs uselessly. Twilight used this to her advantage, but there were too many advancing them at the same time. They were relentless in their onslaught and Twilight was just a single unicorn.

“How didcha manage ta break the hex?” Apple Bloom asked over the din. The battlefield went quiet as all participants directed their attention towards the newcomer. She was riding one of the guards she had stolen from Celestia, surrounded by an additional small band of them.

“Like we’d tell you!” Rainbow Dash said and stuck out her tongue.

“Very well. Ya’ll tell me once yer under the spell again and then Ah’ll make sure that this won’t repeat itself,” Apple Bloom said, a hint of concern betraying her otherwise cool response.

The wave of fat ponies started anew and trampled loudly towards Twilight and Dash. There seemed to be no end to them as they poured out from their hiding places.

“Get them, get them, get them!” Apple Bloom shrieked.

“We can keep this up all day if need be! Right, Twilight?” Dash asked and looked at her friend.

The effectiveness of Twilight’s spells was waning and it strained her harder and harder to perform them. They simply didn’t have as much kick behind them and only served to annoy the advancing horde.

“I’m sorry, Rainbow Dash. I don’t think I can’t keep this up much longer... there are just too many of them,” Twilight panted. Her spells flew left and right, but were just short of mist by now.

“Hmph. Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle!” Apple Bloom shouted

Everypony stopped up for a moment to gaze heavenwards for the much anticipated secret technique, but nothing happened. Apple Bloom looked behind her and saw that the two were still where she had left them, unable to move.

“Dang it. Forgot Ah had already deployed them. All right everypony, listen up, no food fer no pony until these two have been captured!” the little yellow filly yelled.

Twilight was heaving from the exertion. She was too exhausted to perform any more tricks.

“Come on, Twilight, you can’t stop now,” Dash said encouragingly, but Twilight collapsed into her arms.

“Just... give me a minute or two,” Twilight said with a faint smile and looked up into Dash’s purple eyes.

“We don’t have a minute or two! It will be too late by then,” Dash reprimanded but conscious slipped from Twilight.

Suddenly realising the severity of the situation, Dash embraced Twilight deeply to protect her.

The fat ponies stumbled over each to get at them, somewhat working in their favour. Twilight had removed most of the immediate threats and turned them into roadblocks for the next waves. They bumped each into other and stumbled over their fallen comrades, staggering like drunkards unable to focus.

“Rainbow Dash, you have to leave,” Twilight said and stroked Dash’s cheek. “You can still fly and no pony will be able to stop you once you’re in the air.”

“And leave you here?” Rainbow Dash said, appalled that Twilight would even suggest it.

“Please. If they get you as well, how will we warn other cities of the pies?” Twilight said pleadingly with tears in her eyes. “I never want to fill out my library again, but I want even less for others to experience our misfortune.”

“I’m sorry. I would never forgive myself if I did that. When I leave, it will be with you in my hoofs. I don’t care if I have to drag you, we’re doing this together.”

“You stupid stubborn pegasus,” Twilight said, pounding Dash weakly in her fluffy chest. “Can’t you just carry us both?”

“I can’t carry us far,” she said gravely. “I still haven’t recovered completely from being under the spell, and neither have you. This would be child’s play otherwise.”

“I know... I just didn’t want to hear it,” Twilight said and buried her head in Dash’s coat with tears staining it dark. Dash wrapped her hooves around Twilight and rested her head on hers.

The overweight workers had passed the barriers and the distance was closing fast. The enemy ponies were upon them now, so close that the two could smell the sickeningly sweet taste of apple pie on their breath. It was at times like these that you could rely strongest on your friends.

“Ouch,” Dash said and rubbed her head. Something small and squishy had fallen on her which Twilight was quick to pick up.

“A muffin?” she asked inquisitively.

They both looked up to see Derpy flying by above with her arms full of muffins, and not just her, Fluttershy as well. From the city came Pinkie and Rarity as well, all of them with saddle pouches stuffed with muffins.

“Ah don’t get it,” Apple Bloom said and shrugged. “Muffins?”

The chubby ponies stopped up at the sight of food. The muffins rained down on them and they voraciously stuffed the treats into their mouths with no further thoughts. Their reversal was as good as instantaneous.

“No, don’t eat them! Ah forbid ya from eating muffins anymore,” Apple Bloom said in a panic but it was too late. Those still standing had all shared in the feast and were all back to normal. They turned their ire towards Apple Bloom and approached her menacingly instead.

Rainbow Dash released Twilight and waved her friends forwards. “Come on, girls!” she exclaimed and took the lead.

Apple Bloom’s guards were defenceless against the superiorly fit attackers. The disgruntled workers jabbed muffins into little struggling jaws before pinning Apple Bloom to the ground. She was then subjected to her own medicine and had pies and other treats forced into her face.

The mane six with Derpy made no moves to stop them and instead continued up towards the keep. Princess Celestia was licking her hooves lovingly, her distended body covered in thick strawberry butter jam. Her legs, belly and neck were all coated in bulky layers of fat, her rear big enough for a normal pony to hide behind.

Applejack, on the other hoof, was still lying underneath Scootaloo. Judging by her annoyed expression, she was enjoying the experience less and less.

“Darling, are you all right?” Rarity asked.

“Juuuuust dandy,” Applejack replied.

“Not you. Sweetie Belle, dear, you really shouldn’t be eating those.”

Sweetie Belle had decided to help Celestia with her food pile. She was lying on her stomach, head buried in a triple layer chocolate cake with caramel heart. Rarity levitated her sister’s head out and flipped her on her back. Sweetie Belle’s eyes rolled around lazily, her white coat matted with chocolate. Rarity had no problems getting a muffin between jaws. Scootaloo likewise turned back easily, Applejack shirking her off her back.

Celestia was a bit more difficult as she maniacally began to wolf down more cakes with little regards to manners or anything else. Applejack and Rainbow Dash had to restrain her while Twilight and Pinkie removed the cakes and Rarity forced the muffin into her royal mouth.

They all took a moment to breathe. They were all thinking the same thing, but none of them could voice it. Instead they all laughed, like their humour had been bottled away and suddenly released all at once. None of them would have dared to speculate about the future just yesterday, but now it was finally over. Celestia wiped her eyes as the mirth died down with an occasional snickering.

She led them back to where the muffin brigade had left Apple Bloom to the mercy of her angry workers. The workers helped revert their fat brethren with all the muffins lying around. None of them wanted to help the little yellow filly that was ravenously eating everything in sight.

Applejack moved towards her, but Celestia stopped her. “Apple Bloom will finally learn her lesson; what it means to be always hungry, always craving food, never caring how much the belly hurts or how fat she gets.”

Apple Bloom knew where all of the stashes were hidden around the farm, the secret ones as well as the movies. She was running around feverishly, digging up caches of food from the ground or extracting them from hollowed trees.

“Ah can’t tell ya’ll how deeply sorry Ah am,” Applejack said and bowed. She was speaking to everypony gathered here, not just her friends and Celestia, but the apple pickers too and the guards and the farmhoofs as well. “All the money we stole from ya’ll will be used ta make things go back ta how they once were and ta any reimbursements.”

“That’s very noble of you, Applejack,” Celestia said and smiled. “I hope you have learned your lesson?”

“Ah sure have, Princess, but... how will we prevent this from happening again?” Applejack asked worriedly and looked up into her eyes.

“I wouldn’t worry about that,” Celestia said and looked at all of the ponies gathered around them. They finished their conversion and knelt on the ground in respect of her. “Everypony who has tasted your cursed goods will be immune to its effects once they have been turned back.”

“But how can we cure the whole city?” Twilight asked with concern and came up next to the Princess, looking at the town before them. “The muffins Derpy has brought will barely stretch to the ponies gathered here, and there are still many trapped in their own homes.”

“I brought something with me that should help speed things up a little,” The Princess said serenely. With a little flick of her horn, a chest appeared on the ground between them. She prodded it with a hoof and it opened to reveal the Elements of Harmony inside. “This should be easier than when Discord came for a visit.”

The ponies equipped their corresponding elements; Twilight her crown and the others their necklaces. Twilight felt her energy replenished and got the feeling she could accomplish anything. She levitated up into the sky and brought with her her friends and encased them in a bubble the colour of purple like how her horn glowed.

The bubble grew in size and covered all of Ponyville in the span of seconds. Whomever it touched, regardless of walls or other obstruction, was instantaneously slimmed down to a state before their first fateful taste. Ponies emerged from their dwellings for the first time in many months and blinked at the sun that they had not seen for so long.

Once it had crossed Ponyville’s borders and even reached into the Everfree Forest, the bubbled dissipated again. Twilight and her friends returned to the ground, their elements slipping from their bodies. Celestia collected them and stowed them away inside the chest. Twilight smiled tiredly and dropped down on the ground. The other were equally exhausted and sat down as well. Still, one question remained that Fluttershy was astute enough to ask.

“Well, uhm... what are we going to do with all the pies and other treats that have already been made?”

“I know one filly who’d be more than happy to eat it all,” Celestia said and gave a small laughter. “Just be sure to give her a muffin once she’s done.”

Celestia spread her wings and motioned to leave for the skies when Applejack addressed her.

“Uhm, Princess? Can Ah ask ya a question?” she asked and rubbed her arm.

“Of course you may,” Celestia replied calmly.

“Well... Ah still can’t believe Apple Bloom would do this. She’s the nicest little pony there is!”

“The magic of earth ponies is ancient, far older than that of unicorns, but also little understood. Don’t worry, Applejack, your sister will grow up to be a fine mare and a strong earth pony with you there to help her.”

Applejack pondered that for a moment. She nodded finally with an enthusiastic grin. “Ah will, Princess! Don’tcha worry!”

Celestia beamed at them all before taking off with a mighty flap of her wings. They all waved at her until she disappeared towards the sun and was gone. It had been one crazy adventure and they all came out of this having learnt something.


***


To feed the ire of the afflicted, a new attraction arose in Ponyville. It lasted only for a few months, but it was absolutely free and attracted a large crowd. Ponies came from all over Equestria just for this one thing. “Feed Apple Bloom” became the biggest hit since Summer Sun Celebration and, short-lived as it was, really rallied the community together again and helped everyone to slowly forgive the atrocities committed by the Apple family.

Needless to say, Apple Bloom fast became the biggest pony who ever lived. Day and night, curious spectators would grab a pie or a donut or an éclair and shove it into the eagerly waiting maw. Even the liquid Apple Bloom had developed just for Applejack had to go, all forty barrels of them.

After just a week, they had to haul Apple Bloom outside of town and into a meadow where she eventually grew to the size of a small mountain of blubber. One curious aspect of the spiked food was a total removal of any ill side effects one might otherwise expect from extreme obesity. She quickly couldn’t move any parts of herself and was completely dependent on others to care for her, but she was under the circumstances fine.

At the end of it all, when the last of the poisoned goods were gone and it was time for an antidote, Apple Bloom had almost disappeared into her own enormous rolls of fat. Her head alone was like a belly button sunken in the enormous globe of fat that she had become. When she was finally returned to normal, she was above anyone else ashamed of the things she had done. It would serve as a reminder for her to the ends of her days what a monster anyone could become if they allowed desire to take control.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack had a difficult time finding out how they belonged together and mostly tried to avoid each other. They would blush, look away and then hastily go in another direction if they met randomly. It would take them awhile to realise their own feelings for the other mare and admit it freely.

Ponyville soon recovered from the tragedy that had befallen them, but no one would ever forget the events that happened over the course of that year. Although things returned to normal, the memory of what they had all become would remain with them all for a long time.