In a Flash III: Life on the Farm
By: Rainbow Flash
Many years ago...
I was in a very frigid place, there was snow everywhere I looked. For some strange reason, I couldn't fly, or speak, all I could do, was move my hooves and my head. I looked at my right fore hoof, and saw that I was carrying a page of paper. I didn't bother to read what was on it, I just knew that I had to give it to somepony. I waited there for a while, and I was staring to get cold. The snow was deep enough to reach my knees. Suddenly, an orange earth pony with a blond mane appeared before me, I handed her the paper. "Thanks, sugar cube." She said, then she pecked me on my cheek. I swiftly woke from the dream, when I lifted my head, I saw that I was in a wooden house. "Hey Daring?" I shouted, "Do you know anypony who wears a cowboy hat?"
"So where are we heading?" I questioned as the orange earth pony and I were trotting down the path. She turned her head to look at me, and then my tied wings, I guess she wanted to make sure that they're still tied. "You'll see," she spoke, "It is on the other side of town though, so this might be a long walk. By the way, name's Applejack." We continued trotting, but I was turning my head every once in a while, to see the buildings, and to check if anypony was following me. "Well?" She went on, "Aren't ya goin' to tell me your name?" I spun my head to look at her, and responded with, "Hm? Didn't you read the poster?" She tilted her head, "What poster?" The mare answered. I then shook my head, and looked forward again, "Nevermind," I said, "It's nothing." The clean cobblestone path, then lead to a dirt path, and after we turned the corner, there was a farm. I blurted out, "An earth pony with a farm, figures." After I said that, I felt a hoof bump me on the back of my head. "Eeyup, it's my pride and joy." She returned as she gave me a angry look.
The barn had bright red walls, and a pure white frame, the barn also had a purple roof. Beside the farm was a large orchard, an apple orchard. Applejack sure lives up to her name. We travelled up to the main doors of the barn, there were barrels of apples places in various places, they weren't in any pattern. I swung my head, both left and right, then I asked, "So, quick question. Do you run this entire establishment by yourself?" She then took off her hat, and held it to her chest. "The entire Apple Family has been runnin' this apple farm for years. Well, the part of the Apple Family that lives in Ponyville anyhow. Make yourself at home, I got some chores that I need to do. I would ask for your help, but you don't look like the workin' type to me." She laughed as she went in to the orchard, after she left, I trotted around the place a little, just to see the sights and layout. There were a couple things that caught my eye, near the barn, there was a iron plough. Isn't Applejack's orchard already big enough, why do they need that? Also, in the distance, in the middle of the trees, there was one massive tree, with a tree house built on it, it looked pretty impressive actually, but I doubt that Applejack plays in it.
"Did y'all have fun?" The mare wearing a cowboy hat said. I head another country voice respond, "Yeah! We're goin' to meet up in the clubhouse tonight. We're goin' to try and get our criminal catcher cutiemarks!" This voice sounded higher pitched, it must be a filly. I moved myself around the barn, and saw Applejack, with a light yellow filly, wearing a large pink bow. "Sure y'are sugar cube, just be careful now!" Applejack ended the conversation when she carried the two baskets of apples in to the barn. The filly just ran off, towards the tree house. I noticed that the filly was a blank flank, like somepony I know... Applejack exited the barn, and trotted back to me. "Whelp," she conversed, "That just about does it, for today at least." I pointed in the direction of the tree house, "Who was that?" The orange earth pony then looked where I was pointing, "Who, Apple Bloom? She's my lil' sis, she and her friends are always tryin' to get their cutiemarks, day and night. Some nights they don't sleep at all, which worries me sometimes." Apple Bloom you say? Didn't you call her sugar cube a few minutes ago? I continued the conversation, "Didn't she say that she was going to try and get a criminal catcher cutiemark? Aren't you just the slightest bit worried about that?" The mare replied with a chuckle and answered, "Wait, are you serious? Dere's no criminals here! Sometimes, they think of the strangest things to get their cutiemarks." No criminals, huh? I wish I could see your reaction when you find what I am. "Whelp, since I'm done my chores for now, I'm goin' to hit the hay for a bit. Ya better not run away on me!" Applejack said, as she pointed at me. My only response was a single nod.
A few hours passed by, and the sun was starting to set. I didn't do much for the past few hours, except for aimlessly trotting around, thinking about random things, and I sometimes would lie in the piles of yellow hay in the barn. Applejack was leaning against a tree with her hat over her face, so I didn't really bother her. I was staring to become tired, but I didn't want to fall asleep, because that's when I have a chance to get out of here. I went back in to the barn, and lied on the pile of hay once again. I really need to get a cloud in here, this hay is starting to make me itchy. Only if I could get this stupid rope off, but it's like she quadruple knotted it. I just started to get relaxed, but then I saw a mail pony in the distance, and it looked like he was heading this way. I groaned, stood up, then closed the barn doors. The barn doors were just slightly open, so I could see what the mail pony was doing. He trotted over to the apple themed mailbox that was about twenty hooves away from the barn doors, put the mail inside, then closed the box, nothing unusual. He then strolled away, while whistling a tune. I left the barn doors partly open, and I took off my saddlebag, then placed it on the pile of hay that I was previously resting on.
I saw the barn doors open, Applejack then travelled in to the barn, "I just remembered," she noted, "Twilight wanted to see me tonight. Munch on a apple or two if ya get hungry, I'll be back in a few." She then tipped her hat, and was about to leave the farm. "Wait!" I shouted, "I want you to do something for me." She turned to look at me, then I continued, "I gave something, to this pink earth pony, and a white unicorn. Could you get those two things, and get Twilight to wear them?" She then responded, "Now why do you want me to do that? Why didn't ya just give 'em to Twilight in the first place?" I shook my head, then answered, "Doesn't matter, just do it for me would you? Oh, and when you get back, you have to tell me how Princess Twilight actually wants to see you." The orange mare rolled her eyes, then left the farm. The sun was now showing a bright red sunset, I checked my watch, it was now eight post meridian, or PM for short. I then heard shouts of excitement outside, so I exited the barn, and saw three fillies galloping to the tree house, one of the three was Apple Bloom. I just shrugged it off, then leaned against an apple tree, just like Applejack, and shut my eyes. Honestly, it was way better then lying on the that pile of hay, my saddlebag is there, but I'll get it later.
I wonder what Applejack and Twilight are talking about, but the only way I can know, is if Applejack makes Twilight wear that necklace and ring that I gave to those two ponies. Another way, is if those two ponies are also meeting Twilight, but what are the chances of...that... I quickly stood back up, galloping towards the barn. Twilight could of set up a meeting with the entire town if she wanted to, she's a damn princess! I sprinted in to the barn, and dug my hoof in to my saddlebag. I then pulled out a pair of black headphones, and pressed a few buttons on my watch. I then put the headphones on, and pressed the small button on the left side, which turned a small green light on. I should now get audio feed from the necklace, and location from the ring. I moderately trotted back outside, it was now dark, or becoming dark anyway. Time to relax, I curled up on the pile of hay, beside my saddlebag, and closed my eyes. Of course, since I couldn't see them, I will have trouble telling who says what. The three voices that I will know, is Applejack's, Twilight's, and that really shy, yellow pegasus, but she probably won't even say anything. I lifted my head up slightly, pressed the right button on my headphones, then got comfortable again.
"...simply gave me this ring!" "Yeah! And he gave me this really shiny necklace!" "Speakin' of the necklace and ring, he wanted you to wear 'em Twilight." "There is no way that I'm going to wear anything from him! I saw what he did to that guard, and you didn't!" "Um..." "What if he's just nice guy with a bad past, Twilight? You must consider that." "Actually..." "I don't need to consider anything about him, I saw what he's capable of! He must be stopped before he hurts anypony else." "Here, give me the necklace and the ring. Listen Twilight, maybe ya did see those things, but I think Rarity is right also. Maybe he just wants to give you these as a gift." "He liked my singing...." "He stopped my horn from working." "He what now?" "Whatever do you mean, darling?" "He stopped, my horn, from working. I can't even cast the simplest spell anymore!" "Gasp! Maybe he's an alicorn two!" "No Pinkie, he's not an alicorn. He used this weird object, I actually brought it here with me, follow me." There was a short moment of silence. "Uh...Twilight? What the hay is this?" "This is what he used to prevent my magic from working. All he did was flip this switch." "Oh, really?" "No Pinkie! Don't touch it!" "Well, perhaps we should Twilight. Then we can see why your horn doesn't work." "Yeah, Rarity's a unicorn, we'll be able to see what happened to ya." "No! No pony is going to touch it, because it could disable all the unicorns power in Ponyville!" "Come on Twilight, it can't truly be..."
I felt a rope tie my hooves together, which made me hastily open my eyes, and jolt my head up, flinging the headphones off of my head. "What the!" I shouted, looking around. There were the three fillies that I saw earlier, they seemed pretty excited. "This is so cool!" The pegasus said, "I got the best idea ever, be can question him here, and maybe we will get our interrogator cutiemarks!" I rolled my eyes. "Yeah!" Agreed the others, "Cutie Mark Crusader interrogators!" They all stepped forward, then the earth pony took the lead, "So, what are you doing here? What are you doing in Sweet Apple Acres?" I then looked at my hooves, they weren't tied properly, but I could stick around for a bit. "Well," I responded, "I was minding my own business, and napping. Until you three came along that is." The pegasus then took lead, "Why are your wings tied?" I sighed, and answered, "Because the surprisingly magnificent at tying, Applejack did so." The unicorn then chose to ask a question, "Why did she tie you up?" I replied with, "So she can keep me here as a..." I thought for a moment, "Nevermind, you fillies are too young, I shouldn't say that." The three all looked at each other with puzzled faces. "Oh, and by the way," I continued as I untied the rope with my mouth, "Ask Applejack to teach you how to tie a proper knot." I began to show myself out, but the pegasus grabbed my leg, and tried to prevent me from leaving. "Come on girls! If he leaves, we might not get our interrogator cutiemarks!" I closed my eyes, and just stood in a spot, while they were all trying to take me down. They were getting annoying, really fast, I should just kick them off. After a minute or two, they all let go, I guess they got bored. I opened my eyes, then asked, "Finally gave up, huh?" Then my eyes widened when I saw an orange earth pony sprinting towards me. She took me to the ground, with sheer force.
"Ah!" I screamed, "What the hay, Applejack!" Applejack sat on top of me, preventing me from standing, I could only lie on my back. "Is it true?" She yelled, while she held me down. I paused, and eventually came up with the very logical answer, "Is what true?" She then narrowed her eyes, "Don't play dumb with me!" The unicorn, which was now at the side, turned to the others and said, "Maybe we were doing this interrogating thing wrong." I raised my head, "Is what true Applejack," I repeated, "You need to be more specific." She growled at me, and tightened her grip. "Is it true," she yelled, "That ya stopped Twilight, from using her magic!" The three fillies gasped. "Apple Bloom, go to your clubhouse, y'all shouldn't be here right now." Applejack ordered as she pointed in the direction to the tree house. "Actually," I noted, "Perhaps you should of came earlier, I was about to say something inappropriate to them." The angry orange mare then reverted her stare back to me, "What were ya goin' to say to 'em, huh!" "Uh," I turned my head to the side, "I probably shouldn't tell you either." I then nervously smiled at her. She had a heavy gaze on me, "It was something dirty, wasn't it?" "Uh...maybe. And speaking of, could you get off of me?" She slightly loosened her glare, "Why?" She asked, "Too weak or somethin'?" I responded, "What? Ha ha, um, no. Just my wings are staring to get stiff, and it feels really uncomfortable with this rope on." She continued to sit on top of me, "I can't believe ya!" I had a baffled expression, and responded with, "What do you mean? Your sitting on top of me like your going to..." "Gosh darn it! Not that!" She shouted, "Apple Bloom! Go to your clubhouse, and take your friends with ya!" After the group of three fillies groaned and left, Applejack continued, "I can't believe that ya would just take away somepony's magic like that! That's like...the same as me breakin' your wings!" I rolled my eyes, "Well Applejack, she kinda forced my hoof." Her mood suddenly perked up, she had a sense of accomplishment, "Aha! So you did do it!" "I...fine. Yeah Applejack, I did take away Princess Twilight's magic, but, it is only temporary. Unless," I smiled again, "Unless you flipped the switch a second time while Twilight was near it. You didn't do that, did you? Your obviously way, way, too smart for that."
Applejack probably noticed the tone of sarcasm in my voice, but that seemed to be the least of her worries. "Maybe? What happens if I did?" Applejack questioned. I replied with, "She dies." Applejack's face showed a massive amount of worry, she then screamed in my ears, "What!" I burst out laughing, but Applejack didn't like my joke as much as I did. "No, no," I responded, "I just need to make an elementary concoction of fundamentals." The orange mare tilted her head, "Come again?" I let out a heavy sigh. Right, I forgot, she's a country raised earth pony. "A damn potion, Applejack, I just need to make a potion. Wait, where are my headphones?" I scanned the barn, and saw no sign of them. "I'm pretty sure that ya can survive without a pair of headphones." Applejack uttered. I shook my head, "The headphones are very important to me, Applejack." I replied, "We must find them." "How come?" "Because, I proceded, "I will be totally honest with you, they are directly connected to..." "Applejack! Look at what these headphones can do!" The three fillies dashed in to the barn, as excited as fouls in a candy store. Yep, there they are, should of known.
The filly earth pony held out the headphones so Applejack could grab it, the smiles never left the group's faces. Applejack took off her hat, carefully placed it on the ground, then put the headphones on, her blond mane was now easily visible. She looked kind of funny with those on, the hat suits her better. "What?" Applejack asked, "I don't hear nothin'." I smiled again, "You don't hear anything, you mean." "Shush." The filly pegasus sped over, "Hold on," the spoke as she jumped, then pressed the button on the side. "Applejack...your still sitting on me." I said, "Come on, give me those headphones back." She ignored me for a moment, I could tell that she was trying to hear something. "Applejack." I repeated. She finally took them off, and put her hat back on, "Fine, fine, here ya go." She put my headphones back on my head, then got off of me. She turned to the group of three, "Y'all should run along now." "But!" "Go on, do somethin' else to get your cutiemarks." The group of three left slowly, they acted like their dreams were crushed, but they weren't going to get interrogator cutiemarks anyway. "I don't get what's so special about those headphones." Applejack said. I answered, "Oh, nothing. I've just had these for a long time." I took the headphones off, the light on the side wasn't lit anymore, the super smart fillies pressed the wrong button.
"It's gettin' dark," Applejack yawned, "Ya should get some shut eye, cause ya are, I repeat, ya are makin' that potion t'morrow!" I saluted her, "Yes ma'am!" She lowered my hoof, then left the barn. I tossed my headphones on to the reliable pile of hay, then sighed because I noticed another thing missing, my saddlebag. I just don't know how those fillies do it, and they do it without anypony noticing. I sat in the barn for a few minutes, and waited till Applejack went to sleep. I quickly checked my watch, eleven post meridian, was what my watch displayed. I traveled outside, the moon was out, and the stars were easily visible. I trotted through the trees, and made it all the way to the tree house. There was a green ramp leading to the balcony, the house itself was a pale pink colour, with a brown roof. It was a small tree house, but it looked large enough for those three fillies. I stepped up the ramp, to the door, and pressed my head against the door. I could clearly hear what they were saying. "Now, let's see what he has here." "What's with all of these?" "Maybe he's a potion maker?" "Just like Zecora! I wonder if they know each other. We could ask her in the mornin'." "Sounds like a plan to me." "Agreed." "Hey look, some of these bottles actually have something it them. I wonder what this is." "I dunno, but I don't think that we should open it." "Why not? It's not going to kill us, Apple Bloom." "It might! I mean, we still don't know what he does or anythin' yet."
I knocked on the wood door, then tapped my hoof on the floor until they answered. "Howdy mister!" The little earth pony said as she rushed back over to her friends. "I lost my saddlebag," I began, "Have you seen it?" "Can't say that we have mister." The three stood in the middle of the tree house, all of them were smiling. "Well," I continued, "You wouldn't mind if I asked you to step aside then?" The group shook their head in unison. "Well?" I asked, "Go on then." The three all carefully slid to the left, and pointed to the middle, where they were previously standing. There was nothing at the centre of the tree house, but the fillies were still smiling, they had to have it. "Give me my bag back." I told them, as I gestured for them to hand it to me. "What!" One of them yelled, "How did you know?" I outstretched my left fore hoof, "Heh, I do now. Give it back." The other two sternly looked at the one who squealed, then the earth pony grabbed the bag from behind them, and sadly forked it to me. "Thank you." I said as I bowed, then closed the door. I strapped the bag back on, then headed for the barn once again. It sounds very peaceful here, it was kind of awkward to see pegasi, unicorns, and earth ponies living together, other then that, this seemed like a great town. I entered the barn, set my saddlebag on the hay again, lied down beside it, then closed my eyes.
I awoke in the barn, but it looked...darker, bleak, and colourless. I rubbed my eyes to remove any extra sleepiness that was left behind, then slowly stood, I stretched a few times to help myself wake up. "Rise and shine!" I heard Applejack's voice, "We gotta pick dem apples!" I figured that I could sleep for a few more minutes before Applejack comes to get me, but right before I was about to lie back down, I heard some screams coming from outside. I ran out, then scanned the area. The whole place was cloaked in a dense fog, the town was also. Everything wasn't as bright and colourful as before either, everything looked very plain. It was hard for me to see the town because of the fog, but it seemed as though the buildings were all worn down. I heard a mare's voice from the orchard, "No! Please, please, please! Sweet Celestia, no!" I looked at the trees, and attempted to see better by squinting my eyes. Suddenly, I was grabbed from behind, I spun my head to see a changeling, screeching at me. "Oh buck!" I yelled, holding it back. I then threw it to the ground, and stomped on it's head. The changeling just evaporated in to black smoke.
"Doctor!" My ears perked up to the sound of a stallion voice, "Doctor Flash! Come quickly!" I looked around, and saw a stallion pegasus signalling for me to follow him. After I caught up to him, and we ran to the scene of a mare, lying on the ground. "Hurry Doctor!" He yelled, "Do your thing!" "I..." I choked, "I don't have my saddlebag." He nodded, "Alright, alright," he continued, "We'll just have to go then." I grabbed hold of his hind hoof before he could gallop away. I started to yell back at him, "What? No! Come on, you have to help me carry her!" The pegasus shook me off, "No way! She's nothing but dead weight now!" Then he flew away, deep in to the orchard. I actually agreed with him, and left the mare, there on the ground.
"I said! Rise and shine!" The orange mare earth pony with a blond mane yelled in my ear. "Ah!" I screamed, this made Applejack laugh, "Did I scare ya?" I swiftly stood on my hooves, "What?" I replied, "No, it was something else..." Applejack smiled, "Sure it was. Anyway, your goin' to make that potion today, but before that, your goin' to help us harvest. One more thing, your mane is messed up." I ran my hooves through my mane, and saw small straws of hay fall to the ground. I then spoke up, "Wait, does that mean I'm helping?" The quick response was, "Yep." I then proceeded as I stepped forward, "But you know, it would be way, way easier if this rope was off?" Applejack shook her head, "No way! Your goin' to do this the old fashioned way, just like a earth pony." Joy. I followed her out of the barn, then turned my head to look at the orchard. The trees were very fruitful with different assortments of apples. This might be a long day.
Applejack and I both trotted over to the massive apple orchard. "Well?" The earth pony chuckled, "Give it your best shot." I spun my head to look at her, "Really?" She answered with a nod. I shuffled over to the tree, turned around so my tail was facing it, leaned forward while tucking in my hind legs, then quickly extended them so they would hit the tree. I checked behind me to see what happened, but not a single apple fell. "Ha ha ha!" Applejack laughed as she hit the ground, "Alright, ya can go now." I moved away from the tree, "Your serious? You brought me here, just so you could watch me fail?" She returned with, "Pretty much." I stomped back to the red barn, while Applejack was still laughing. I then strapped my saddlebag on, then trotted back out. "Let's just go already." I sighed. She galloped to my side, "Whoa, whoa, there's still guards down there ya know. I'll lead the way." I agreed, after all, if I don't do this, I'm going back to Celestia. I face hoofed. "What?" Applejack asked. "Nothing, nothing." I quickly countered. I fell asleep last night! That was when I was going to escape, I guess that pile of hay was more comfortable then I thought.
I followed Applejack all the way to our destination, we had to go around the outskirts of town to avoid any contact. It made the trip way longer then I expected. Applejack told me to stop, I did so. We were standing in front of a large, tall tree with a bright red door at the base. Applejack gently pushed me to the side so I wasn't in front of the door, then knocked on the door. The door opened, I couldn't see who opened the door, but a purple hoof gestured for Applejack to go inside, it must of been Twilight. The door closed behind her, I was now standing beside the tree, out in the open, by myself. I couldn't wait here for long, actually, I could probably just dash off right now and no pony would know where I went. I checked in every direction, looking for a good angle to dart. Right before I was going to do so, a orange pony sprinted from the tree, and tugged on my wing. "Oh no ya don't, your makin' that potion no matter what." She said. Applejack grabbed my hoof, and I groaned as she pulled me in through the door. "Girls," Applejack spoke, "There's somepony that I'd like ya to meet."
The others all gasped, then another earth pony jumped on top of me, "What did you do with Rainbow Dash!" She screamed as I cringed by her loud voice. Applejack carefully took her off of me, "Nothing Pinkie, he's just here to help us." The white unicorn stepped forward, "He's here to help...us? Why would he do that? Just a few minutes ago, he was a killer." "Hey, hostile much?" I laughed, "That's no way to treat Applejack's friend." The others all shouted in unison, "Friend?" Then Applejack bumped the back of my skull, "We're not friends." She whispered. "Aw...we're not?" I smiled, but then I felt the hoof bump the back of my head again. "Flash here," she growled, "He's goin' to make some weird potion to cure ya guys." The others found this very suspicious, you could tell by the looks on their faces. "I would my dearest Applejack," I spoke, "But you don't have a lab anywhere near here now do you." "Actually," Twilight spoke up, "I have one downstairs. Come on, follow me." The six of us all tailed behind her, and we all went down the stairs, in to a large room. The place had dirt walls and floor, just like any other basement in Equestria, but around the walls and in the centre of the room, was a bunch of different chemicals and equipment.
"Guess there's no getting out of making it now." I sighed, "Fine, I'll do it, but on one condition. You must all leave me be, with no pony watching me, what so ever. How many do I need to make?" Twilight replied with two. "Really?" I continued, "How many times did you flip that switch?" The white unicorn looked at the pink earth pony then said, "Way more times then necessary." The pink one just happily smiled. I signalled them to leave, they all did so, although, they did give me some looks as they left. "Alright!" I spoke after they left, rubbing my two fore hooves together, "Let's take advantage of this, shall we?"
Many years ago...
I was in a very frigid place, there was snow everywhere I looked. For some strange reason, I couldn't fly, or speak, all I could do, was move my hooves and my head. I looked at my right fore hoof, and saw that I was carrying a page of paper. I didn't bother to read what was on it, I just knew that I had to give it to somepony. I waited there for a while, and I was staring to get cold. The snow was deep enough to reach my knees. Suddenly, an orange earth pony with a blond mane appeared before me, I handed her the paper. "Thanks, sugar cube." She said, then she pecked me on my cheek. I swiftly woke from the dream, when I lifted my head, I saw that I was in a wooden house. "Hey Daring?" I shouted, "Do you know anypony who wears a cowboy hat?"
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"So where are we heading?" I questioned as the orange earth pony and I were trotting down the path. She turned her head to look at me, and then my tied wings, I guess she wanted to make sure that they're still tied. "You'll see," she spoke, "It is on the other side of town though, so this might be a long walk. By the way, name's Applejack." We continued trotting, but I was turning my head every once in a while, to see the buildings, and to check if anypony was following me. "Well?" She went on, "Aren't ya goin' to tell me your name?" I spun my head to look at her, and responded with, "Hm? Didn't you read the poster?" She tilted her head, "What poster?" The mare answered. I then shook my head, and looked forward again, "Nevermind," I said, "It's nothing." The clean cobblestone path, then lead to a dirt path, and after we turned the corner, there was a farm. I blurted out, "An earth pony with a farm, figures." After I said that, I felt a hoof bump me on the back of my head. "Eeyup, it's my pride and joy." She returned as she gave me a angry look.
The barn had bright red walls, and a pure white frame, the barn also had a purple roof. Beside the farm was a large orchard, an apple orchard. Applejack sure lives up to her name. We travelled up to the main doors of the barn, there were barrels of apples places in various places, they weren't in any pattern. I swung my head, both left and right, then I asked, "So, quick question. Do you run this entire establishment by yourself?" She then took off her hat, and held it to her chest. "The entire Apple Family has been runnin' this apple farm for years. Well, the part of the Apple Family that lives in Ponyville anyhow. Make yourself at home, I got some chores that I need to do. I would ask for your help, but you don't look like the workin' type to me." She laughed as she went in to the orchard, after she left, I trotted around the place a little, just to see the sights and layout. There were a couple things that caught my eye, near the barn, there was a iron plough. Isn't Applejack's orchard already big enough, why do they need that? Also, in the distance, in the middle of the trees, there was one massive tree, with a tree house built on it, it looked pretty impressive actually, but I doubt that Applejack plays in it.
"Did y'all have fun?" The mare wearing a cowboy hat said. I head another country voice respond, "Yeah! We're goin' to meet up in the clubhouse tonight. We're goin' to try and get our criminal catcher cutiemarks!" This voice sounded higher pitched, it must be a filly. I moved myself around the barn, and saw Applejack, with a light yellow filly, wearing a large pink bow. "Sure y'are sugar cube, just be careful now!" Applejack ended the conversation when she carried the two baskets of apples in to the barn. The filly just ran off, towards the tree house. I noticed that the filly was a blank flank, like somepony I know... Applejack exited the barn, and trotted back to me. "Whelp," she conversed, "That just about does it, for today at least." I pointed in the direction of the tree house, "Who was that?" The orange earth pony then looked where I was pointing, "Who, Apple Bloom? She's my lil' sis, she and her friends are always tryin' to get their cutiemarks, day and night. Some nights they don't sleep at all, which worries me sometimes." Apple Bloom you say? Didn't you call her sugar cube a few minutes ago? I continued the conversation, "Didn't she say that she was going to try and get a criminal catcher cutiemark? Aren't you just the slightest bit worried about that?" The mare replied with a chuckle and answered, "Wait, are you serious? Dere's no criminals here! Sometimes, they think of the strangest things to get their cutiemarks." No criminals, huh? I wish I could see your reaction when you find what I am. "Whelp, since I'm done my chores for now, I'm goin' to hit the hay for a bit. Ya better not run away on me!" Applejack said, as she pointed at me. My only response was a single nod.
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A few hours passed by, and the sun was starting to set. I didn't do much for the past few hours, except for aimlessly trotting around, thinking about random things, and I sometimes would lie in the piles of yellow hay in the barn. Applejack was leaning against a tree with her hat over her face, so I didn't really bother her. I was staring to become tired, but I didn't want to fall asleep, because that's when I have a chance to get out of here. I went back in to the barn, and lied on the pile of hay once again. I really need to get a cloud in here, this hay is starting to make me itchy. Only if I could get this stupid rope off, but it's like she quadruple knotted it. I just started to get relaxed, but then I saw a mail pony in the distance, and it looked like he was heading this way. I groaned, stood up, then closed the barn doors. The barn doors were just slightly open, so I could see what the mail pony was doing. He trotted over to the apple themed mailbox that was about twenty hooves away from the barn doors, put the mail inside, then closed the box, nothing unusual. He then strolled away, while whistling a tune. I left the barn doors partly open, and I took off my saddlebag, then placed it on the pile of hay that I was previously resting on.
I saw the barn doors open, Applejack then travelled in to the barn, "I just remembered," she noted, "Twilight wanted to see me tonight. Munch on a apple or two if ya get hungry, I'll be back in a few." She then tipped her hat, and was about to leave the farm. "Wait!" I shouted, "I want you to do something for me." She turned to look at me, then I continued, "I gave something, to this pink earth pony, and a white unicorn. Could you get those two things, and get Twilight to wear them?" She then responded, "Now why do you want me to do that? Why didn't ya just give 'em to Twilight in the first place?" I shook my head, then answered, "Doesn't matter, just do it for me would you? Oh, and when you get back, you have to tell me how Princess Twilight actually wants to see you." The orange mare rolled her eyes, then left the farm. The sun was now showing a bright red sunset, I checked my watch, it was now eight post meridian, or PM for short. I then heard shouts of excitement outside, so I exited the barn, and saw three fillies galloping to the tree house, one of the three was Apple Bloom. I just shrugged it off, then leaned against an apple tree, just like Applejack, and shut my eyes. Honestly, it was way better then lying on the that pile of hay, my saddlebag is there, but I'll get it later.
I wonder what Applejack and Twilight are talking about, but the only way I can know, is if Applejack makes Twilight wear that necklace and ring that I gave to those two ponies. Another way, is if those two ponies are also meeting Twilight, but what are the chances of...that... I quickly stood back up, galloping towards the barn. Twilight could of set up a meeting with the entire town if she wanted to, she's a damn princess! I sprinted in to the barn, and dug my hoof in to my saddlebag. I then pulled out a pair of black headphones, and pressed a few buttons on my watch. I then put the headphones on, and pressed the small button on the left side, which turned a small green light on. I should now get audio feed from the necklace, and location from the ring. I moderately trotted back outside, it was now dark, or becoming dark anyway. Time to relax, I curled up on the pile of hay, beside my saddlebag, and closed my eyes. Of course, since I couldn't see them, I will have trouble telling who says what. The three voices that I will know, is Applejack's, Twilight's, and that really shy, yellow pegasus, but she probably won't even say anything. I lifted my head up slightly, pressed the right button on my headphones, then got comfortable again.
"...simply gave me this ring!" "Yeah! And he gave me this really shiny necklace!" "Speakin' of the necklace and ring, he wanted you to wear 'em Twilight." "There is no way that I'm going to wear anything from him! I saw what he did to that guard, and you didn't!" "Um..." "What if he's just nice guy with a bad past, Twilight? You must consider that." "Actually..." "I don't need to consider anything about him, I saw what he's capable of! He must be stopped before he hurts anypony else." "Here, give me the necklace and the ring. Listen Twilight, maybe ya did see those things, but I think Rarity is right also. Maybe he just wants to give you these as a gift." "He liked my singing...." "He stopped my horn from working." "He what now?" "Whatever do you mean, darling?" "He stopped, my horn, from working. I can't even cast the simplest spell anymore!" "Gasp! Maybe he's an alicorn two!" "No Pinkie, he's not an alicorn. He used this weird object, I actually brought it here with me, follow me." There was a short moment of silence. "Uh...Twilight? What the hay is this?" "This is what he used to prevent my magic from working. All he did was flip this switch." "Oh, really?" "No Pinkie! Don't touch it!" "Well, perhaps we should Twilight. Then we can see why your horn doesn't work." "Yeah, Rarity's a unicorn, we'll be able to see what happened to ya." "No! No pony is going to touch it, because it could disable all the unicorns power in Ponyville!" "Come on Twilight, it can't truly be..."
I felt a rope tie my hooves together, which made me hastily open my eyes, and jolt my head up, flinging the headphones off of my head. "What the!" I shouted, looking around. There were the three fillies that I saw earlier, they seemed pretty excited. "This is so cool!" The pegasus said, "I got the best idea ever, be can question him here, and maybe we will get our interrogator cutiemarks!" I rolled my eyes. "Yeah!" Agreed the others, "Cutie Mark Crusader interrogators!" They all stepped forward, then the earth pony took the lead, "So, what are you doing here? What are you doing in Sweet Apple Acres?" I then looked at my hooves, they weren't tied properly, but I could stick around for a bit. "Well," I responded, "I was minding my own business, and napping. Until you three came along that is." The pegasus then took lead, "Why are your wings tied?" I sighed, and answered, "Because the surprisingly magnificent at tying, Applejack did so." The unicorn then chose to ask a question, "Why did she tie you up?" I replied with, "So she can keep me here as a..." I thought for a moment, "Nevermind, you fillies are too young, I shouldn't say that." The three all looked at each other with puzzled faces. "Oh, and by the way," I continued as I untied the rope with my mouth, "Ask Applejack to teach you how to tie a proper knot." I began to show myself out, but the pegasus grabbed my leg, and tried to prevent me from leaving. "Come on girls! If he leaves, we might not get our interrogator cutiemarks!" I closed my eyes, and just stood in a spot, while they were all trying to take me down. They were getting annoying, really fast, I should just kick them off. After a minute or two, they all let go, I guess they got bored. I opened my eyes, then asked, "Finally gave up, huh?" Then my eyes widened when I saw an orange earth pony sprinting towards me. She took me to the ground, with sheer force.
"Ah!" I screamed, "What the hay, Applejack!" Applejack sat on top of me, preventing me from standing, I could only lie on my back. "Is it true?" She yelled, while she held me down. I paused, and eventually came up with the very logical answer, "Is what true?" She then narrowed her eyes, "Don't play dumb with me!" The unicorn, which was now at the side, turned to the others and said, "Maybe we were doing this interrogating thing wrong." I raised my head, "Is what true Applejack," I repeated, "You need to be more specific." She growled at me, and tightened her grip. "Is it true," she yelled, "That ya stopped Twilight, from using her magic!" The three fillies gasped. "Apple Bloom, go to your clubhouse, y'all shouldn't be here right now." Applejack ordered as she pointed in the direction to the tree house. "Actually," I noted, "Perhaps you should of came earlier, I was about to say something inappropriate to them." The angry orange mare then reverted her stare back to me, "What were ya goin' to say to 'em, huh!" "Uh," I turned my head to the side, "I probably shouldn't tell you either." I then nervously smiled at her. She had a heavy gaze on me, "It was something dirty, wasn't it?" "Uh...maybe. And speaking of, could you get off of me?" She slightly loosened her glare, "Why?" She asked, "Too weak or somethin'?" I responded, "What? Ha ha, um, no. Just my wings are staring to get stiff, and it feels really uncomfortable with this rope on." She continued to sit on top of me, "I can't believe ya!" I had a baffled expression, and responded with, "What do you mean? Your sitting on top of me like your going to..." "Gosh darn it! Not that!" She shouted, "Apple Bloom! Go to your clubhouse, and take your friends with ya!" After the group of three fillies groaned and left, Applejack continued, "I can't believe that ya would just take away somepony's magic like that! That's like...the same as me breakin' your wings!" I rolled my eyes, "Well Applejack, she kinda forced my hoof." Her mood suddenly perked up, she had a sense of accomplishment, "Aha! So you did do it!" "I...fine. Yeah Applejack, I did take away Princess Twilight's magic, but, it is only temporary. Unless," I smiled again, "Unless you flipped the switch a second time while Twilight was near it. You didn't do that, did you? Your obviously way, way, too smart for that."
Applejack probably noticed the tone of sarcasm in my voice, but that seemed to be the least of her worries. "Maybe? What happens if I did?" Applejack questioned. I replied with, "She dies." Applejack's face showed a massive amount of worry, she then screamed in my ears, "What!" I burst out laughing, but Applejack didn't like my joke as much as I did. "No, no," I responded, "I just need to make an elementary concoction of fundamentals." The orange mare tilted her head, "Come again?" I let out a heavy sigh. Right, I forgot, she's a country raised earth pony. "A damn potion, Applejack, I just need to make a potion. Wait, where are my headphones?" I scanned the barn, and saw no sign of them. "I'm pretty sure that ya can survive without a pair of headphones." Applejack uttered. I shook my head, "The headphones are very important to me, Applejack." I replied, "We must find them." "How come?" "Because, I proceded, "I will be totally honest with you, they are directly connected to..." "Applejack! Look at what these headphones can do!" The three fillies dashed in to the barn, as excited as fouls in a candy store. Yep, there they are, should of known.
The filly earth pony held out the headphones so Applejack could grab it, the smiles never left the group's faces. Applejack took off her hat, carefully placed it on the ground, then put the headphones on, her blond mane was now easily visible. She looked kind of funny with those on, the hat suits her better. "What?" Applejack asked, "I don't hear nothin'." I smiled again, "You don't hear anything, you mean." "Shush." The filly pegasus sped over, "Hold on," the spoke as she jumped, then pressed the button on the side. "Applejack...your still sitting on me." I said, "Come on, give me those headphones back." She ignored me for a moment, I could tell that she was trying to hear something. "Applejack." I repeated. She finally took them off, and put her hat back on, "Fine, fine, here ya go." She put my headphones back on my head, then got off of me. She turned to the group of three, "Y'all should run along now." "But!" "Go on, do somethin' else to get your cutiemarks." The group of three left slowly, they acted like their dreams were crushed, but they weren't going to get interrogator cutiemarks anyway. "I don't get what's so special about those headphones." Applejack said. I answered, "Oh, nothing. I've just had these for a long time." I took the headphones off, the light on the side wasn't lit anymore, the super smart fillies pressed the wrong button.
"It's gettin' dark," Applejack yawned, "Ya should get some shut eye, cause ya are, I repeat, ya are makin' that potion t'morrow!" I saluted her, "Yes ma'am!" She lowered my hoof, then left the barn. I tossed my headphones on to the reliable pile of hay, then sighed because I noticed another thing missing, my saddlebag. I just don't know how those fillies do it, and they do it without anypony noticing. I sat in the barn for a few minutes, and waited till Applejack went to sleep. I quickly checked my watch, eleven post meridian, was what my watch displayed. I traveled outside, the moon was out, and the stars were easily visible. I trotted through the trees, and made it all the way to the tree house. There was a green ramp leading to the balcony, the house itself was a pale pink colour, with a brown roof. It was a small tree house, but it looked large enough for those three fillies. I stepped up the ramp, to the door, and pressed my head against the door. I could clearly hear what they were saying. "Now, let's see what he has here." "What's with all of these?" "Maybe he's a potion maker?" "Just like Zecora! I wonder if they know each other. We could ask her in the mornin'." "Sounds like a plan to me." "Agreed." "Hey look, some of these bottles actually have something it them. I wonder what this is." "I dunno, but I don't think that we should open it." "Why not? It's not going to kill us, Apple Bloom." "It might! I mean, we still don't know what he does or anythin' yet."
I knocked on the wood door, then tapped my hoof on the floor until they answered. "Howdy mister!" The little earth pony said as she rushed back over to her friends. "I lost my saddlebag," I began, "Have you seen it?" "Can't say that we have mister." The three stood in the middle of the tree house, all of them were smiling. "Well," I continued, "You wouldn't mind if I asked you to step aside then?" The group shook their head in unison. "Well?" I asked, "Go on then." The three all carefully slid to the left, and pointed to the middle, where they were previously standing. There was nothing at the centre of the tree house, but the fillies were still smiling, they had to have it. "Give me my bag back." I told them, as I gestured for them to hand it to me. "What!" One of them yelled, "How did you know?" I outstretched my left fore hoof, "Heh, I do now. Give it back." The other two sternly looked at the one who squealed, then the earth pony grabbed the bag from behind them, and sadly forked it to me. "Thank you." I said as I bowed, then closed the door. I strapped the bag back on, then headed for the barn once again. It sounds very peaceful here, it was kind of awkward to see pegasi, unicorns, and earth ponies living together, other then that, this seemed like a great town. I entered the barn, set my saddlebag on the hay again, lied down beside it, then closed my eyes.
***************
I awoke in the barn, but it looked...darker, bleak, and colourless. I rubbed my eyes to remove any extra sleepiness that was left behind, then slowly stood, I stretched a few times to help myself wake up. "Rise and shine!" I heard Applejack's voice, "We gotta pick dem apples!" I figured that I could sleep for a few more minutes before Applejack comes to get me, but right before I was about to lie back down, I heard some screams coming from outside. I ran out, then scanned the area. The whole place was cloaked in a dense fog, the town was also. Everything wasn't as bright and colourful as before either, everything looked very plain. It was hard for me to see the town because of the fog, but it seemed as though the buildings were all worn down. I heard a mare's voice from the orchard, "No! Please, please, please! Sweet Celestia, no!" I looked at the trees, and attempted to see better by squinting my eyes. Suddenly, I was grabbed from behind, I spun my head to see a changeling, screeching at me. "Oh buck!" I yelled, holding it back. I then threw it to the ground, and stomped on it's head. The changeling just evaporated in to black smoke.
"Doctor!" My ears perked up to the sound of a stallion voice, "Doctor Flash! Come quickly!" I looked around, and saw a stallion pegasus signalling for me to follow him. After I caught up to him, and we ran to the scene of a mare, lying on the ground. "Hurry Doctor!" He yelled, "Do your thing!" "I..." I choked, "I don't have my saddlebag." He nodded, "Alright, alright," he continued, "We'll just have to go then." I grabbed hold of his hind hoof before he could gallop away. I started to yell back at him, "What? No! Come on, you have to help me carry her!" The pegasus shook me off, "No way! She's nothing but dead weight now!" Then he flew away, deep in to the orchard. I actually agreed with him, and left the mare, there on the ground.
***************
"I said! Rise and shine!" The orange mare earth pony with a blond mane yelled in my ear. "Ah!" I screamed, this made Applejack laugh, "Did I scare ya?" I swiftly stood on my hooves, "What?" I replied, "No, it was something else..." Applejack smiled, "Sure it was. Anyway, your goin' to make that potion today, but before that, your goin' to help us harvest. One more thing, your mane is messed up." I ran my hooves through my mane, and saw small straws of hay fall to the ground. I then spoke up, "Wait, does that mean I'm helping?" The quick response was, "Yep." I then proceeded as I stepped forward, "But you know, it would be way, way easier if this rope was off?" Applejack shook her head, "No way! Your goin' to do this the old fashioned way, just like a earth pony." Joy. I followed her out of the barn, then turned my head to look at the orchard. The trees were very fruitful with different assortments of apples. This might be a long day.
Applejack and I both trotted over to the massive apple orchard. "Well?" The earth pony chuckled, "Give it your best shot." I spun my head to look at her, "Really?" She answered with a nod. I shuffled over to the tree, turned around so my tail was facing it, leaned forward while tucking in my hind legs, then quickly extended them so they would hit the tree. I checked behind me to see what happened, but not a single apple fell. "Ha ha ha!" Applejack laughed as she hit the ground, "Alright, ya can go now." I moved away from the tree, "Your serious? You brought me here, just so you could watch me fail?" She returned with, "Pretty much." I stomped back to the red barn, while Applejack was still laughing. I then strapped my saddlebag on, then trotted back out. "Let's just go already." I sighed. She galloped to my side, "Whoa, whoa, there's still guards down there ya know. I'll lead the way." I agreed, after all, if I don't do this, I'm going back to Celestia. I face hoofed. "What?" Applejack asked. "Nothing, nothing." I quickly countered. I fell asleep last night! That was when I was going to escape, I guess that pile of hay was more comfortable then I thought.
I followed Applejack all the way to our destination, we had to go around the outskirts of town to avoid any contact. It made the trip way longer then I expected. Applejack told me to stop, I did so. We were standing in front of a large, tall tree with a bright red door at the base. Applejack gently pushed me to the side so I wasn't in front of the door, then knocked on the door. The door opened, I couldn't see who opened the door, but a purple hoof gestured for Applejack to go inside, it must of been Twilight. The door closed behind her, I was now standing beside the tree, out in the open, by myself. I couldn't wait here for long, actually, I could probably just dash off right now and no pony would know where I went. I checked in every direction, looking for a good angle to dart. Right before I was going to do so, a orange pony sprinted from the tree, and tugged on my wing. "Oh no ya don't, your makin' that potion no matter what." She said. Applejack grabbed my hoof, and I groaned as she pulled me in through the door. "Girls," Applejack spoke, "There's somepony that I'd like ya to meet."
The others all gasped, then another earth pony jumped on top of me, "What did you do with Rainbow Dash!" She screamed as I cringed by her loud voice. Applejack carefully took her off of me, "Nothing Pinkie, he's just here to help us." The white unicorn stepped forward, "He's here to help...us? Why would he do that? Just a few minutes ago, he was a killer." "Hey, hostile much?" I laughed, "That's no way to treat Applejack's friend." The others all shouted in unison, "Friend?" Then Applejack bumped the back of my skull, "We're not friends." She whispered. "Aw...we're not?" I smiled, but then I felt the hoof bump the back of my head again. "Flash here," she growled, "He's goin' to make some weird potion to cure ya guys." The others found this very suspicious, you could tell by the looks on their faces. "I would my dearest Applejack," I spoke, "But you don't have a lab anywhere near here now do you." "Actually," Twilight spoke up, "I have one downstairs. Come on, follow me." The six of us all tailed behind her, and we all went down the stairs, in to a large room. The place had dirt walls and floor, just like any other basement in Equestria, but around the walls and in the centre of the room, was a bunch of different chemicals and equipment.
"Guess there's no getting out of making it now." I sighed, "Fine, I'll do it, but on one condition. You must all leave me be, with no pony watching me, what so ever. How many do I need to make?" Twilight replied with two. "Really?" I continued, "How many times did you flip that switch?" The white unicorn looked at the pink earth pony then said, "Way more times then necessary." The pink one just happily smiled. I signalled them to leave, they all did so, although, they did give me some looks as they left. "Alright!" I spoke after they left, rubbing my two fore hooves together, "Let's take advantage of this, shall we?"
creative, real creative :P
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