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Protection Artistry by Way of a Troubled Apple (Closed: Taco)


SteelEagle

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Applejack huffed out of annoyance, even as she tried to allow herself to understand why Twilight wasn't taking no for an answer. Applejack could be stubborn and expected as much from the rest of her family. What she didn't expect was for such an intelligent and forward thinking Princess like Twilight to be a giant stick in the mud and get involved in Applejack's day to day life. This simple trip to the Everfree should have started hours ago. She'd have been much closer to where she needed to be before nightfall, which was important on account of her only having the next day to really search before she needed to come back home. And here she was having to wait for some guard to come and help her like she was a little old mare lost in the woods.

 

Applejack understood perfectly that Twilight's concern was not entirely unfounded and came from a place of great care and love for her friend. The Princess was only trying to look out for a friend who was as physical as she was stubborn and unwilling at times to seek out the proper protection. It was only exacerbated because Applejack was pregnant and that hosted a whole ream of issues on its own, not to mention what it was like out there in the Everfree. If Applejack was some common mare who didn't deal with the dangerous of the forest often and was surrounded by mountains of ignorance regarding the dangers inside of it, then everything Twilight was doing now was the right direction to go in. 

 

But Applejack knew what she was doing. Heading to Alabaster Rose Cove in the deep swamps of the Everfree forest wasn't some tall feat for an Apple. Her ma had done it, her pa had done it, she'd done it before- really, it wasn't a big deal. They had proper routes to ignore the worst of it and where else could you get the fire-dance seedlings? Needed them for proper Apple family pumpkin pie season, right? Poor things had a habit of dying off every few seasons so somepony had to get them! It was the Apple family's best selling non-apple related product after all. It did big business this time of the year, but they had won national awards for pies in the pumpkin category as well as Apples to add to it. So if all it took was a trek to the Cove every few years, so be it. Prepare right and hit it when in season. 

 

SO she had done so and when the one week time period hit, she had made sure to set some time aside for it so she could see it through. But she had been stopped on her way out of town by Twilight who simply wouldn't let her leave.

 

Applejack was pregnant and Twilight was concerned about Applejack putting herself in harm's way while with child. It was something that Applejack didn't really want to hold her back. It was a special element in an Apple's life to have a child and until the time came where it really did have an impact on what you were doing you were supposed to, as a strong Apple, not let it get in the way. Yeah, she had some bouts of morning sickness- actually all of the time- and it was noticeable. Cramping and she was a bit more fatigued than normal but she was fine. Really, she was. But despite her protests Twilight wasn't gonna allow her out into the Everfree without somepony to help.

 

Uuuughhhhh.

 

So here she was outside of the entrance to the Everfree, just waiting for the bodyguard to show. Apparently she was gonna be quite something though that did little to settle Applejack's mood. She didn't like being made to feel like she was some weak-kneed wallflower that needed to be looked after like she didn't know her rump from a baby bump. Applejack was gonna try to not be too frustrated with this pony since they were here and gonna try their best, but it was hard. Hopefully Applejack was gonna have somepony who know their way around because if not...

Well, pregnancy and mood swings were never far apart.

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Fire Walker was rather surprised to find an official royal scroll waiting for her at the R.E.A station in Fillydelphia. The well written letter was from Princess Twilight Sparkle herself. Apparently, her good friend  Applejack needed to travel to a Alabaster Rose Cove. A place that sounded quite lovely, until the red mare spotted it on a map. It was located deep in a swamp located in the Everfree forest. Now those were two things she was not keen about. Swamps and the unpredictable Everfree Forest. There were also monsters such as Chimeras, Will-O’-Wisps, Cragadiles, Cockatrices, Hydras, and super mosquitos known as stirges. And possibly a three-headed monkey.
 
This confused her. Why in the world would such a pony need her help? She had some of the bravest ponies she called friends living in the same town as her. Then it quickly dawned on her. The cow-pony was with foal. And being a rather heroic, take charge sort of a pony, she probably did not want her friends to see this new side of her. While she was just as brave and clever as ever, Applejack needed to be careful. She couldn't charge into the fray like usual. She needed to be careful. Still, she had a rather hunky big brother. Why in the world didn't she just send him to find the...The mare read on a bit further. Fire-dance seedlings? Apparently the swampy cove was the only place where these could be found. Still, her big sibling probably would be the best for this job. Fire had no qualms looking after him either. What kept her brother from going? Still, the officer could not but feel a little proud. Apparently she must have done a good enough job with the Princess Of Friendship during their travels together in the Unyasi that she was being requested to aid another one of Celestia's champions.
 
The scroll finally mentioned the time and place that the young officer would be needed. There would be more than enough time to get supplies. A proper medical kit could be snagged from her base before leaving. There was also a rather fancy water bottle that not only managed to keep its contents cold, but also had a filter than could turn even the nastiest of water into a pure drinking sensation. She would need two of these, as the earth pony would need to drink every fifteen minutes. There was also food. A sack of healthy trail mix would be fine, along with some basic food packs, or MREs. These also could retrieved from her base. They would taste as blandly as possible, and while the trip wasn't going to be -that- long, it still was smart to be safe. Fire also hoped Applejack would bring along some proper hiking horse-shoes. Ones that helped her keep her balance and also keep the mare from suffering from backaches. A few more ideas floated around in the mare's head as she quickly complied the supplies she would need for such a trip.
 
A few days and a train ride later. Fire Walker was trotting from the safety of Ponyville to the less than idea Everfree Forest. She wore her special 'Adventuring Armor'. This was made of light griffon steel that was enchanted with a simple spell that kept her warm when things were cold, and nice and chilly when it was hot. She also sported a blue hood, which was pulled down. If it rained, she could pull it over her and and keep her mane dry, but for now, the weather was near perfect. She also wore a pack which contained all the needed equipment and supplies for the trip. A royal guard approved spear for scaring and driving away any beasties that tried to make a meal out of the pair and lantern also hung from her side.
 
As she made her way closer to the creepy forest, the mare spotted a familiar sight. Good-gravy. The orange earth pony sure had gained in stock since the last time they spoke. When was it? Ponyville...Birthday party.  "Lady Applejack!", she waved her right front hoof. "It's me, First Lieutenant Fire Walker. Your friend, Princess Twilight sent me to be your wing-pony during you trip to the cove."
 
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Applejack was at least pleased to see who it was. One of the REA who she knew to some degree. Truth be told because of Task Force Suntrot she knew quite a few, but she didn't know the majority outside of their role as Equestrian protectors. This job didn't require anything around that level of intensity, so she was sort of worried it'd be somepony who was as overprotective as the REA could be. Luckily Fire Walker was somepony she knew and could expect to listen when she gave her the 'back off a bit' command. Hopefully, anyway. It wasn't that she wasn't mighty grateful that somepony would come and help her. She didn't want to appear ungrateful to her or Twilight. But it was just that Applejack didn't need that help and time was growing short to do what needed to be done, and all this delaying didn't sit well with her.

 

She had been prepared. She had two changes of boots depending on the depth of the willow wastes this time and several essentials- first aid kit, rope, geothermal headlights, an astrolabe, tent, bedroll, caltrops, a few pouches, some filled water bottles, and other odds and ends- because she tended to be prepared for most eventualities. Hopefully Fire Walker was also prepared. Knowing what Applejack knew of her however, that would be a non-issue. She came up with a healthy looking saddlebag herself, so it looked like everything was gonna be in order. Good. It would be a real shame if the pony she had waited for needed help dealing with the Everfree when she had waited specifically because she was told she needed protection. The irony would have been absurd.

 

"Howdy, Fire Walker," Applejack left out a hoof for her guard friend to shake, "nice ta see you. Been a while! How's your little brother doing?" Applejack asked, trying to make sure that Fire Walker didn't feel like she wasn't a pony too.  Applejack motioned towards the Everfree. "We should get going as soon as possible. We gotta make 'bout thirty miles before the sun sets. Ain't nothing we can't do 'f course, but we're running a bit short on time. Gotta get ta tha Cove soon or we won't be able ta make it back in time, Sugarcube," Applejack said, bringing out a detailed map made by the Apples over several generations. It had a lot of places and landmarks which would be unmarked on any other map, and it detailed a few probable camp locations. It was attached to a notebook written and rewritten by many hooves detailing the dangers encountered along the way. "Ready, Fire?"
 

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Fire Walker's eyes quickly fell over the earth pony's equipment. The mare was more than ready, which was a welcoming sight for the officer. A few years back, The young officer had to guide an stallion through Whitetail Woods and the silly pony had only brought a sandwich and a freaking juice box for the three day trip! They did not start the journey until her partner was properly equipped to survive the forest adventure. He complained about the cost, but losing a few bits sure beat losing one's life. Just as important, Applejack's gear was both keep her safe and comfortable. Both things she needed to be the closer she got to 'D-Day'.
 
"Wow.", she gasped as she gave the map a good lookover. It was basically the same as hers, but it was covered with useful little notes and markings that would make the trip a little easier. Still, the Everfree was rather chaotic. Would last year's safe passage, be today's death trap? Hopefully not, as they were both more than ready to face danger together. Fire needed to balance her need to look after both Applejack and her upcoming kid, without sounding or acting like an oversized foal-sitter. The Apple family was well know for their perfect work ethics, their steely determination and also their pride.  Their little adventure would be less pleasant if the officer managed to insult the mare.
 
The Pegasus pony nodded her head, "I'm ready. We can also talk while we move." Once the apple-mare was ready, she followed after. This again, was something she needed to be careful about. If she moved quicker than the mare, her companion would try to push herself to keep up. This would not be good. If she kept up at a slower speed, Applejack might consider her 'guard' more of a burden than an aid and stress and worry would also follow. So Fire Walker would simply match her speed. The apple-mare knew where she was going, so the officer would need to be a second set of eyes. Along with this, she needed to be a good traveling companion as well. The first step was to maintain a friendly conversation. This would also make the trip a little quicker as well.
 
"Brothers and an sister.", she corrected. "Well, Cordy Walker has been moving up the ranks in Trottingham. He and the missy are expecting an second foal any day by now." The trees sure looked ancient. Fire Walker had heard stories about foolish ponies who dared to cut down these old trees. Misfortune and doom were rooted in these woods, and taking the wood back would only bring those calamities along with them. "Speed Walker still lives in Manehatten and it looks like he and his wife might end up with twins." Was that the sound of a waterfall? That was probably one of her favorite sounds to hear. Maybe Swift Squall could install a nice fountain in the back yard? Something with a shade where she could just rest outside and read a book while the soothing sounds drove away all of the nasty stress monsters from her mind.
 
"Walk Walker still prefers to simply walk the beat, even at his pay grade. Said he would rather die than to be stuck behind a desk. And there's always something new to see in Canterlot." The next one was going to be VERY hard, but she would try. "Punk Walker. Ehm." Maybe a horrible monster attack would make this a little easier. "He's not in jail and he's still part of the guard. Moon Walker has been working with some theater group in Manehatten known as the 'Method Mares'. Will have to check it out when the show starts." Hopefully it will be Manespray. "Sky is off on some silly adventure up north with his friends. The twins Earth and Johnny are still in school, as is my only sister Wind."
 
Ho-Boy. That was a lot. Thankfully the first mile or so of the Everfree was rather peaceful. Still, they needed to be ready. The old, dark woods would soon reveal its true nature. "So, how about you? I heard little Apple Bloom got her cutie mark, and of course, you with the bun in the oven...If I may ask, how much longer do you have? And do you know if it will be a filly or a colt?"
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Applejack held back a self-satisfied expression as the Guard looked over the map. Yep, everypony thought the Apples were just some country family that buried their heads and hooves in the dirt and were loathe to venture off the farm. Those who knew better knew that they were one of the largest families in the nation, owned collectively more land than any other, and were obsessively vigilant when it came to it. And for the Ponyville Apples, that meant they had to obsess over that slow knife plunge of a forest that straddled their borders on three sides. Each and every Apple who had lived at Sweet Apple Acres had ventured into the Everfree enough to have mapped it out extensively. The REA had done well on their ow of course, but you needed true folk with a vested interest to really get down and dirty with it.

 

The two started moving at very much the same clip, which was slower than average for Applejack considering the haste with which she was attempting this. She knew she could do better, but she wanted to be...safe. Well, not safe, since she knew for a fact that even her safe speed could be higher. No, even she had to admit to herself that she felt a bit sluggish, but just a bit- she leaped over outstretched tree limbs and off of trunks to pass poisonous plants all the same. It was the walking that was slower, and she'd have to deal with it. She didn't know if her Guard was matching her speed or not but if so she was being quiet about it, and it was all very much appreciated.

 

She was also a fun conversationalist. Talking about family was one of the great things Applejack loved to talk about. You were never closer, for better or worse, than you were with family. The love in your voice, the passion you felt, the knowledge you had of them would be better than anypony else. When family was the topic you would never run out of stories or opinions, and Applejack was like a sponge who existed in this exact space and soaked it all up. After all, she was more than happy to let loose with her own, after all. It was only proper for a quid pro quo and if Twilight had taught Applejack anything it had been the value of being proper. Never let Rarity know that- she believed it was her. 

 

Cordy was in good shape, a prime example for others to follow. Speed Walker was starting fast on his own family- twins off the bat! Good for him. She wished she had twins- two bundles of joy to love. Walk Walker- what a name- was a cop in the safest city in Equestria with the highest Royal Guard deployment. That was a cushy job for sure. Every family had at least one Punk Walker but at least he wasn't a lazy bum. Those were the worst. Moon was a performer and must have be a hoot at the parties, while Sky was having an adventure. Better be taking care of himself! The little ones were getting their education. Overall, Fire's family was as valuable to Equestria as she was devoted, and they were all the better for it. "Yer family's sounding like they've got all their wheat in a row, sugarcube.

 

As for me, mah family's never been better! Apple Bloom sure has got her cutie mark and Ah'm still besides mahself with joy," she said, tearing up. She had been doing that a lot lately. "She's turnin' into a real little mare now, an' soon she'll be datin' and runnin' around causin' all sortsa big trouble," she chuckled, jumping over a grasping tree limb while wiping her eyes, "jus' like her though, she'll never be worried 'bout nothing 'cept what Ah think. Well, she'll always be mah cutie lil' sis forever. Big Mac's doin' good. He's a rock, never changin', always thar. Granny Smith ain't having tha same sort of health issues she was having the year past, so she's on tha uptick."

 

"As for me," she said, rubbing her pregnant form and sighing, "tha little one will be out soon, month or so. Don't know tha gender of it though. Ah don't wanna know. 'sides, they can be wrong. Ah was supposed ta come out a colt!"

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Applejack held back a self-satisfied expression as the Guard looked over the map. Yep, everypony thought the Apples were just some country family that buried their heads and hooves in the dirt and were loathe to venture off the farm. Those who knew better knew that they were one of the largest families in the nation, owned collectively more land than any other, and were obsessively vigilant when it came to it. And for the Ponyville Apples, that meant they had to obsess over that slow knife plunge of a forest that straddled their borders on three sides. Each and every Apple who had lived at Sweet Apple Acres had ventured into the Everfree enough to have mapped it out extensively. The REA had done well on their ow of course, but you needed true folk with a vested interest to really get down and dirty with it.

 

The two started moving at very much the same clip, which was slower than average for Applejack considering the haste with which she was attempting this. She knew she could do better, but she wanted to be...safe. Well, not safe, since she knew for a fact that even her safe speed could be higher. No, even she had to admit to herself that she felt a bit sluggish, but just a bit- she leaped over outstretched tree limbs and off of trunks to pass poisonous plants all the same. It was the walking that was slower, and she'd have to deal with it. She didn't know if her Guard was matching her speed or not but if so she was being quiet about it, and it was all very much appreciated.

 

She was also a fun conversationalist. Talking about family was one of the great things Applejack loved to talk about. You were never closer, for better or worse, than you were with family. The love in your voice, the passion you felt, the knowledge you had of them would be better than anypony else. When family was the topic you would never run out of stories or opinions, and Applejack was like a sponge who existed in this exact space and soaked it all up. After all, she was more than happy to let loose with her own, after all. It was only proper for a quid pro quo and if Twilight had taught Applejack anything it had been the value of being proper. Never let Rarity know that- she believed it was her. 

 

Cordy was in good shape, a prime example for others to follow. Speed Walker was starting fast on his own family- twins off the bat! Good for him. She wished she had twins- two bundles of joy to love. Walk Walker- what a name- was a cop in the safest city in Equestria with the highest Royal Guard deployment. That was a cushy job for sure. Every family had at least one Punk Walker but at least he wasn't a lazy bum. Those were the worst. Moon was a performer and must have be a hoot at the parties, while Sky was having an adventure. Better be taking care of himself! The little ones were getting their education. Overall, Fire's family was as valuable to Equestria as she was devoted, and they were all the better for it. "Yer family's sounding like they've got all their wheat in a row, sugarcube.

 

As for me, mah family's never been better! Apple Bloom sure has got her cutie mark and Ah'm still besides mahself with joy," she said, tearing up. She had been doing that a lot lately. "She's turnin' into a real little mare now, an' soon she'll be datin' and runnin' around causin' all sortsa big trouble," she chuckled, jumping over a grasping tree limb while wiping her eyes, "jus' like her though, she'll never be worried 'bout nothing 'cept what Ah think. Well, she'll always be mah cutie lil' sis forever. Big Mac's doin' good. He's a rock, never changin', always thar. Granny Smith ain't having tha same sort of health issues she was having the year past, so she's on tha uptick."

 

"As for me," she said, rubbing her pregnant form and sighing, "tha little one will be out soon, month or so. Don't know tha gender of it though. Ah don't wanna know. 'sides, they can be wrong. Ah was supposed ta come out a colt!"

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Today had been going rather nicely so far. Even the usually creepy Everfree seemed like a regular old forest. There was a slight nip in the air, but the red mare was not feeling the hints of winter just yet. it was almost a rather cozy feeling and the enchantments in her armor, hopefully would  not need to be doing their usual magics today. Still, she needed to be be ready. The old woods could be trying its best to lure them into a false sense of safety. Fire Walker needed to be cautious, but not paranoid. She would keep her eyes and ears open and be smart. She had been here before, and knew the telltale sounds of the creatures that lurked in these parts. From the strange slithering Cockatrice to the thundering charge of the Cragadile, she would hear then and she would be prepared.
 
Applejack continued to be as engaging as a pony could be. Fire had worried that the earth pony would have been annoyed that her friends requested somepony to watch over her during a trip she had taken before. Thankfully this was not the case and their little trip continued without sounds of annoyance from either the Everfree or the Apple pony. She nodded as Applejack spoke of her own family. During her last stay over at her parent's place in Ponyville, the red mare was having issues sleeping, so she went through one of her sister's history books. This one was all about Ponyville. Apparently the Apple family founded the little village after Princess Celestia pointed out that there was a rather fertile tract of land near the Everfree. Apparently 'Granny Smith' was there as a child at the founding. Imagine being able to watch as a few homes and a farm slowly transform into an small, but busy little village. Fire found it odd that the village was given a rather generic name of 'Ponyville'. Why not Appletown? Cider City? Farmville?
 
While she had not seen Apple Bloom's marking, she had been told it was very similar to her two closest friends and shared a uniform look of a  badge. Had this ever happened before? It was a common sight to see family members with similar markings, but friends? They must all have a very strong bound together. "Little Wind told me your sister and her friends are now helping other ponies to understand their cutie marks. Even helping adults." Funny. Imagine going through life and not knowing what your marking actually meant, or why you ended up with it. She always wondered about those who ended up with mundane marks. For every rainbow lightening bolt and be-winged tornado, there was some poor fella with a broom on his flank.  Did that mean he was bound to spend his life living a janitor, or maybe he was meant for bigger things? Cleaning up a lawless town or even starting an major company that sold cleaning supplies?
 
"A month? Wow.", she stopped as Applejack paused to place a hoof on her stomach. Was the foal kicking? Kid was probably getting ready to just leap out and experience life. "I broke my parent's streak of colts the day I was born.", she glanced around as she waited for the mare to move on. "While he never admitted it, my father always wanted a girl. As did my grandmother who was a seamstress for the R.E.A.  He got to have tea parties with me, and she got to create cute little dresses. Shame I turned into a horrible little monster when I got older.", she sighed.
 
Once they got moving again, the mare asked, "So tell me if you like. How did a humble little country gal like yourself end up becoming this larger than life hero who helped save the world a few dozen or so times?"
 
 
 
 
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Applejack beamed with pride as Fire continued, telling Applejack that even Windy knew about it. Well, who wouldn't? Who shouldn't! It was so strange and unusual for ponies to get the same cutie mark, let alone three, let alone once more all at the same time. If Ponyville were a hoity toity town like Canterlot, then she was sure it would be front page news across the world. Instead it would remain the claim to fame for this small town which increasingly seemed to gather more claimin' and more famin' than it had any natural right to. Thanks in large part to the Apple family of course, something that was certainly continuing thanks to little Apple Bloom!

“Hehe, yep. Little ones, adults, it don't matter a lick. Mah sister has a gift, and that gift is helpin' others understand their gift. She's a special pony. I'm so proud of her. Ah remember changin' her little diapers when she was just a newborn and thinkin' ta mahself, 'one day she'll be something super special' and here she is, bein' as special and incredible as Ah could have imagined,” Applejack said, tearing up again. And not paying much attention where she was walking, which led to her stumbling over a branch. Luckily she caught herself, but the curse that followed wasn't too family friendly. “Sorry about that. Got mah head too far into tha clouds,” she chuckled, continuing the uneventful trek through the forest.

Onto the subject of foals, Fire spoke about how she had broken her parents' colt streak. Well, that was nice to hear. The best part about siblings beyond the love, the warmth, the shared values and experiences, was the variety. Hmm...now that she thought about it, it really did rate low. Still, she figured nothing but colts was a bit odd for Equestria since most of it was mare. What happened to all of these colts? Lucky fellas were gonna have so many options. Especially with the jobs they had, woohee! "Yer pa sounds like an awfully sweet fella. Ah remember havin' tea with ma and pa 'fore they passed away. Pa would always make tha tea just wrong and momma'd gag, since she didn't like tha taste of them spicey laves he ground up, so he'd make my tea real good. Then when wasn't lookin', momma'd give me a sly little wink. She really was a sneaky little bird," Applejack chuckled before sighing. Those were some good times. "We're all little monsters in one way or another, Ah reckon. You turned out pretty swell, Ah think."

And she did, though she seemed to think that Applejack was above her in the heroic plane. And maybe she was, though Applejack wasn't sure she would. Yeah she was an Element of Harmony. And yeah, she was an Agent of the Sun under Celestia. But those were simply the products of her doing what she thought was right ad fortune smiling on her. She was confident that thousands of other ponies could have been put in her position. But she also knew she couldn't say that, because nopony ever believed her and just assumed she was humble-bragging. And she was, but not like that! "Well, Ah'd say it is fifty percent work and fifty percent luck. Maybe a hundred percent fate? Ah dunno. Ah'm jus' being the best pony Ah can be, and happened to make friends with who Ah did. Had Twilight gone ta Manehattan, would Ah have been tha Element of Honesty?" she shrugged, "like Ah said, maybe its all jus' a bit of fate."

She was content to let that question end there as they came upon the first serious obstacle. A small clearing, no visibility of the ground. That was because writhing vines littered it, heading off into dozens of directions and up oddly shaped trees. "Ahh, we're up ta tha pullers now. Hehe, shouldn't be much of a trouble. Just can't let'm grab a hold of us is all."

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"I do agree with you one hundred percent.", The red mare managed to hide the slight frown she had for a brief second. During her little trip back to filly-hood while in Ponyville, one thing stuck out from the madness. Applejack had lost both of her parents at such an early age. And while she had a big brother and an grandmother to look after her, the poor little filly had to grow up very fast that day. Fire Walker could never imagine a world where her parents were gone. And to think, if that changeling's magic had managed to cut just a little deeper, she would have lost her father during the chaos that nearly wiped out Ponyville just a few Nightmare Nights ago.
 
"Kids are a gift.", she glanced briefly to her side. Something had flown over them. It could have been a bird, or maybe something else? While their conversation was friendly, Fire Walker still needed to keep her eyes out for trouble. "I was a horrible little teenager before little Wind was born. I was selfish, rude and a bit of a bully who wanted nothing to do with my family. Once she got an little older, my parents started to have me take care of Wind Walker and do the things you mentioned. The diapers and heating up her bottle and keeping her amused and that what-not. And when you have a little gal that depends on you like that, there isn't any time in the world to be self-centered or crude or possess any negative emotion. Just need a bit of love and a whole lot of patience." The young officer noticed the branch, however the earth pony was able to stay on her hooves after a brief stumble.
 
"Yeah, dad's a an alright guy.", The Pegasus let out a grin, "Broke his heart that he and mom came so close to retirement only to find out that they were desperately needed and would have to hang around the R.E.A for another year or ten. But he enjoys pushing officers into being their very best." She listened patiently as Applejack spoke and made sure no other branch would try to get the best of her. "I have a feeling things wouldn't be going so well if Princess Luna had not been saved from Nightmare Moon, considering everyone and everything needs sunlight to survive.  Weird, seeing such a pleasant pony who had so much darkness inside her." The officer saw first-hoof what had happened to Princess Luna once she all the nasty 'Nightmare junk' had been purged from her system. At first, it left a rather timid looking mare that best resembled a teenager, but once the positive magic started to flow, she eventually reverted back into her proper age. Alicorns were odd.
 
"A what now?", her eyes quickly fell upon something she hoped they would not have to deal with. "Ho-Boy. Living vines. Thought these were taken care of." She remembered the day the Everfree 'attacked' Ponyville with nastier blackened versions of the vines. "Is there any other way around these? If not, I can hover a little bit and use my punch dagger to drive away any vine that dares get to close, but if you've been through this way before, I'm curious to hear how you manage to avoid getting tangled?" Fire Walker watched the vines. Her armor would protect from any damage caused by the vines, but it would not keep her from being tangled up by them. She would also have to block or stop any vines from slapping or tangling Applejack as well.
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Life could really take a pony in new and odd ways, it felt like. Heck, Applejack figured half of the mystery was simply understanding what it was life wanted from you. And in that web of mystery that sprouted up and around you, rarely could you find somepony who could coalesce around some sense of unprepared responsibility. Fire Walker and Applejack shared that even if they got there in very different ways. That was all well and good, but Fire Walker spoke more truth to power- love and patience were the important ingredients in rearing a properly stable filly or colt. Wasn't that the truth? And the there was the father. Poor stallion forced back into the line of duty, but at the very least he was wanted. Old Mister Leatherneck wanted back in but they wouldn't let him. That stallion wouldn't leave the Watering Hole.

 

"Well, AH reckon thar's a bit of darkness in everypony, but not everypony is an alicorn princess in charge of tha moon," Applejack laughed, "hmm...if Twilight went bad, what would she do? De-friend everypony?" She wondered aloud to nopony in particular. In all likelihood if Twilight did ever go bad Applejack would have the solution, as it was the solutio to all the other problems she had encountered above the aetheral grade of an Earth pony. It would be friendship because Twilight Sparkle was physically incapable of not responding to friendship. Really, it was greatest answer ever- be kind, please rewind someone back to their former selves. She'd lean on that great answer until it failed her and if Equestrian magic was anything, it was incredibly consistent in how it was applied. 

 

All of this was not all that helpful in solving the current crisis. Fire Walker had some ideas and they were pretty good. These voines were dangerous but they weren't the sort of vines that travelers from outside of Ponyville might be familiar with. "Well, these here aren't tha same exact vines that attacked Ponyville. They really aren't all that super aggressive like. Just don't disturb 'em or touch'm, and y'all will be fine. What Ah normally do is just jump from log ta log, tree ta tree, branch ta branch. That way bah tha time they're all up and aware of an intruder, Ah'm onto tha next jump. Makes for some exciting exercise! An' if Ah fall-" she opened up her bag, revealing a small hatchet, "they grow back, so no long term harm, no foul,"  she said as she started to look around at the scene. This was a mossy area, a bit overgrown. Flying would be good but she didn't have wings and you didn't know if in any of the trees there were vines ready to fall and end your flight. But she found some stumps, some hardly looking trunks, and some beefy branches. And so she started to plot out her jumps across the area. "You can fly if y'all want, but Ah'm gonna get mah muscles inta this!"

 

She took some steps back, judging it all appropriately. She licked her lips and reared up. "Let's go!" she said, charging towards the area and jumping off of a stump, flying through the air to her next target!

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The red mare let out a chuckle, "I doubt that would ever happen as I have a feeling Princess Twilight doesn't have a bad bone in her body." What would her 'evil' name be? Dusk Glimmer? Sunset Twinkle? "I remember seeing her a few times at the castle in Canterlot. She would be there with her books and she would push them against her body so hard, I thought she would simply absorb them into her very being." That would probably be the easiest way to digest all that information. "I have a feeling the worse that could have happened to her was that she would simply vanish like one of Princess Celestia's former 'top students'. I heard they had a bit of disagreement and the mare just vanished. Probably became a hermit or 'hedge mage'." At least that's what she had heard. Rumors and stories tended to spread through the barracks as quickly as they were spoken. And more than a few blossomed into stories larger than life.
 
Considering she was right in the middle of it all, the Earth Pony knew what she was talking about. Crazy vines from the Everfree, ready to slap the sense out of any pony it got near!
 
"Right. They do look a little thinner than the ones that harassed Ponyville." For the most part they just looked like slightly sturdier vines, but the whole idea of them moving around like the mind of their own sort of creaped out the mare. Fire Walker had seen a few plants like that while in Unyasi. There were more than a few giant, pony-eating plants out there. "This gives me an idea." She needed to be mindful of the situation. She needed to be careful and not make it sound like she was some foal-sitter. Applejack was a very capable pony, even with the added passenger, but she still needed somepony to look after her. "When I was in school I played varsity hoofball and I generally was on the offensive line and had to keep an eye on the wingback and make sure nopony got to him or her. How about I do the same with you?", she shot the farmer a grin, "You do what you normally do, and I'll make sure none of those pesky vines gets their vine-y mitts on you. I'll let out a yelp if one gets by me. I'll be near you, but not on top of you, so you will have plenty of room to move." the officer was not the quickest Pegasus pony to serve the R.E.A, but she was very agile.
 
Once it was time to move, Fire Walker gave the orange mare a moment to get ahead before she followed. She took to the sky, but kept close. The moment one of those pesky vines got to close, she would be on it! And quick slash with one of her gauntlet daggers and the vine would be mulch! Thankfully Applejack had done this before and knew all the right places to go, but there was always that chance...That one chance....
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Well, that would be a fine topic to discuss as Applejack leaped through the danger zones, hoofball! Talk about the greatest sport ever to grace Celestia's sun soaked nation. Unspoken, she agreed with the plan and went to it. *Hop, Jump!* She first started playing hoofball when she was just a little filly. It was a good way to get some aggression out and was a heck of a lot of fun! "Well, Ah didn't figure you for a linemare. Figure'd you'd be a widey or a halfsie yerself!" *Hop, Jump* "Ah played every which position. We didn't have 'nough ponies back at my school so we'd have a good number play offense, defense, and special teams. Dependin' on what tha coach needed-" *Hop, Jump* "Ooh, that one was a bit close- dependin' on what was needed, Ah'd mostly play a halfback or tosser on tha offense, do all tha kickin', and be a good ol' fashioned hitbacker on defense!" Applejack said, taking her time to get the jumps just right. Some vines were getting close, but nothing she wasn't ready to deal with thanks to Fire Walker.

 

"Ya know, Ponyville's gonna get 'erself a barnstorming team soon. That'll bef un! You ever see a NHA or BAEH game?" Applejack grunted at the end, giving herself enough clearance to land on the last stump-


-But she overshot it, stumbling on a mossy spot on the other side of the stump, falling to the earth with a thump. Senses sharp she almost immediately rolled back up, hoof already in her bag and collecting some rope. She did a short jump or tried to, getting caught by two of the vines. A whole mess of them was coming up in just a few seconds. She quickly sent her rope flying across the way, landing on a large branch. Applejack was pregnant but she was also strong, and she pulled mightily. The branch started to snap but the vines gave in first, snapping in half one by one. Applejack pulled herself up and up into the air, excited to just get away from the vines. She dangled there for a few seconds.

"Howdy," she said through gritted teeth, held tight around the rope, "wanna give me a ride?"

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Just because they were fighting some horrible vine monster, did not mean the pair could not continue their friendly conversation! Fire Walker found that it was usually comporting to hear a friendly voice, even during stressful activities like the ones they were currently involved in. And nopony wants to deal with a stressed out pregnant mare in the middle of the Everfree. Once the apple pony started to move, the red Pegasus mare took to the sky, or at least a few feet from the ground. “Nah, they had some very impressive wingbacks on that team who could fly circles around me.” And one of them was never to shy to point that out. Still. he needed Fire and the other members of her line to keep opposing players from knocking him out of the sky, or at least the ball. Go team!
 
Fire Walker grunted as she slashed at pesky vine that tried to grapple Applejack’s tail. “I can’t imagine Ponyville having much of a team considering how small that school of yours is.” A few more got dangerously close, but the agile mare was able to slam both of her back legs into one that nearly snagged the Pegasus from the sky. Another vine went down before it could reach AJ. Geez! This was hard work! “Little Wind was supposed to be attending the school in Ponyville, but they could only hold around eight kids. Eight!” Was that vine number eight she just stopped? And what exactly do these vines have in store for victims they caught? Were they all attached to some horrible mouth somewhere? Probably would be best not to think about it. “Poor kid is kind of grouchy about it considering she loved the private school she was attending in Canterlot and now she’s being homeschooled. With young couples like you and your partner popping up everyday, I wonder if they’re going to make a bigger school to take care of all the kids that soon will be there.”
 
Ho-Boy! There were vines flying everywhere now! Looks like they must have annoyed whatever controlled these guys. “Is it normally like this?” And for pumpkin pie? While Fire Walker was more of an pecan fan, she did enjoy a slice of be-pumpkined pie during the holidays, but would she do all of this just for that? A quick stop at the nearest Super-Duper-Pony-Mart(tm) in Fillydelphia for a frozen pie would do the job, and she would not have to worry about killer vines getting up into the ol’ Apple Bottom. She soon found herself running on a mash of vines. “Crap. Crap. Crap.”, she could only say. Thankfully, Applejack was able to find safety on a tree, but for how long? “I’m coming”, she slammed her back hooves into the vines, which pushed her up even higher. Earth ponies were heavy enough, but one with all that extra cargo? With a shake of her front hooves, the pointy blades from her gauntlets quickly shifted back into their resting spots.
 
“Gotcha!” Well, that statement was hardly one hundred percent true, as it was more like the orange mare was simply hanging on her bodyguard as they drifted along. This would not last very long. “Point me to the safest landing spot and we should be fine. And please tell me there are no more of those blasted things anywhere else!?”
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Fire Walker came and took possession of Applejack not a moment too soon, since the branch was starting to give. In just a few short seconds they were free and clear of the vines which sought vengeance in their own way, trying to snake closer to the pair of ponies despite their ambitions being grander than their reach. They were soon safe, and Applejack got to kicking herself mentally over the whole ordeal. She needed to be more careful with her jumps after all. The baby threw her off just enough to cause a ruckus, and she was sure as hay not gonna have that happen again. Just had to do a better job, that's all. She felt awfully bad about making Fire Walker have to come and rescue her like that, even if it was her job, even if she probably liked it a bit. That wasn't gonna happen under her watch again, no way, no how.

 

"Thanks Sugarcube," Applejack said, regaining herself on the ground.  She laughed. "Oh, more of them? Plenty! Ah've personally found over a hundred such sites. Only a few of them are in tha way now though, an' that was tha only one we don't have an easy way around. Nah, big ol' monster nests and tha poison fields, that there's what we have ta worry about now," Applejack chirped merrily, trotting forward. The Everfree was a dangerous place and she was always wary but it didn't help her none to get all worked up and in a tizzy over it. The exact opposite would prove more helpful, she believed. Be confident but not arrogant, happy to be challenged but not flippant, and the Everfree's challenges would be washed away in a tide of your good mood. And she was in one heck of a good mood so far!

 

"Eight kids?" Applejack responded with disbelief. "Sugarcube, who filled you with that bull? Mah sister's in a class of twelve all by 'erself, and that's just tha mornin' kids. That there night class with tha batponies and night-worker families has some as well, and that's just one age. Somepony gave you a bit of a lie there! Ah'll talk ta Cheerilee and see 'bout getting him in school. Ain't no sweat, honestly," she replied. That was a silly path to go on. Ponyville was home to dozens and dozens, hundreds, of school age kids. There were multiple schools, multiple classes. How the hay was she led into believing they couldn't hold more? Ponyville wasn't a one-bathroom stall town. Compared to the big city it may have been small but it was on the map of Equestria as a nation- it wasn't a podunk nothing town.

 

"Not that it'd matter for a barnstormin' team none. AH'm figuring y'all don't know what barnstorming is? One small part of tha team are actual professionals. They'll hire on semi-pro an' tha such for a few games when they're in a region ta fill out tha roster. Then they move on! Some of tha semi-pros may actually move with the team, but most are local. Then tha next team comes on into the area and needs ta sign somepony- rinse and repeat! Barnstormers Association of Equestrian Hoofball  is sort of tha minor league of tha National Hoofball Association. Y'all remember Steel "The Deathbacker" Hooves, tha Hall of Famer? Got his start playing for a BAEH team based outta Fet Loch. We're gonna get tha money together soon ta get our own team and a proper field for it," she sighed, "imagine how much fun it'd be. Travelin' tha nation, meetin' so many new ponies, playing a rough and tumble game. I love me some NHA action but filly let me tell you, you don't know hoofball until you've seen some BAEH games!" Applejack replied excitedly, trotting further and further into the Everfree.
 

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Fire Walker nodded her head as a proper, less-vine covered path was spotted.  She slowly drifted, making sure to compensate all that extra, added weight. There would be no 'superhero landing' for this pony! And while pregnant mares were not as fragile as many thought in the 'past', she still wanted to make sure that she provided the safest 'trip' for the mother and foal. While the pair kept close, the red mare felt a little something. Was that the baby she felt, or was it just her own armor shifting? She wondered what this cute little guy was going to look like.  They always started off with such beady little eyes..And tiny little legs...The young officer also wondered what her own kid would look like if she ever had one with Swift.It was still way too early in their relationship for that.
 
Moments later, her hooves touched the ground and Applejack could continue leading her through the dreaded woods. Fire had heard rumors, theories and speculation why the Everfree was so wild. She never thought it was odd that the animals here took care of themselves but the fact that the vegetation itself was alive! Yikes! "A hundred?", she tried not to gasp. "Monsters, I can deal with monsters. They at least are smart enough to get moving after you smack them around for a while, but these animated vines I can do without."One other thing deeply disturbed the mare. Poison? They had fields of poison here? "I've heard about 'Poison Joke', but that's easy to avoid as long as you were looking where you were going." And while the side effects were mostly harmless, Fire Walker wondered what harm it could do to an unborn foal.
 
"I've also heard about a few less than pleasant plants that can be found in Equestria. Sser bushes...Tangle weeds.. Triffids. But what about here in the Everfree? I do have a few potions that can counter most poisons, but I'd prefer not to use them unless we really need them. " The R.E.A tended to stick to basics when it came to healing salves and potions. They either tasted like paste or made you smell like the antiseptic smell of a hospital. No strawberry crème or 'Hint Of The Gallopocus Islands' here. She had a feeling there would be nastier forms of sickness here. Something beyond pony pox or the trots. Probably something with the words 'Spatter' or 'groit' in them.
 
With the path ahead looking a tad bit more safe, the pair could return to their friendly conversation that did not involve monsters and or poison. "I'm guessing my sister Wind wanted to attend the same class as her friends Bebop and Scootaloo and instead opted for home schooling. The little gal also takes flight training in Cloudsdale on certain Saturdays." Or maybe she dreaded the moment she would have to either stand up or walk to the front of the class and have to talk about herself. That was always awkward. And Holy Cow! Applejack was far more into Hoofball than she ever was. "Wind and I've seen a few games over the years...I'm going to assume it's your 'BAEH'. To be honest, I lost most of my interest in the sport once I stopped playing it.  And what you're describing sounds almost like what you and your companions are known for doing. Just with more saving the world." She would have to check the shirt she has purchased for her sister during the last game they attended. It was bound to have the logo of the league on it somewhere.
 
"So.", her eyes fell upon the path ahead, "What can we expect from now on?"
 
 
 
 
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Applejack was happy to note that Fire Walker didn't balk at the dangers as much as others might as she helped Applejack along.. She was an REA mare but more importantly she was what one would call 'task oriented'. Her task? Keeping Applejack safe, so she didn't fright at the mention of dangers. She was more just wondering about how to most efficiently get around the dangers. She could respect that, even if the answers were't all positive. "Well, a hundred Ah've found, at least. No doubt somepony who takes tha time ta explore'd find thousands of 'em. And ta be honest Ah'd rather face'm than the beasties. Sure you can mre easily scare tha beasties off but you can avoid tha vines easier and they don't go past their turf. Ah've been chased by Manticores fer hours," she laughed, reducing the fear of that event by mountains. "Got him so twisted up a tree that Ah almost felt bad when Ah bucked him straight in tha teeth," which was mostly true. 

Poor fellow was just being a Manticore after all.
 

"In terms of monsters- we'll have ta worry about some chimeras, a manticore pride or two, Wyrms, and the odd cockatrice. Timberwolves are a threat as well. 'Course that's just major predators. Tons of poison spiders an' snakes, as well as them fruit bats Ah don't much care for. And about them poison plants- there's plenty of those too! Tangle weeds and Triffids primarily for sure an' a whole bunch of others. But really, tha Everfree ain't so bad as long as ya respect it. And run fast, but mostly respect it. Y'all can think of it like an extra thick Whitetail that has some additional features. Follow tha trails and hope for tha best, Sugarcube," Applejack said with a bit of a hop at the end. It was mostly to disguise the harsher version of events which was that if they followed the route and had good luck, maybe they'd only have to deal with one manticore. 

Maybe.
Happier subjects.


"Ah'm sure tha class can accomodate an extra student. Ah'll talk to Cheerilee and get ta tha bottom of it for you Sugarcube. He deserves ta have a proper education 'round ponies his age so he can grow up all sociable like, not to mention smart as a cookie. Speakin' of- did Ah mention mah lil' sis is going ta Canterlot for a national mathematics award show?" Applejack laughed out loud. "Imagine that, little ol' Apple Bloom bein' tha smartest Apple this side of tha ocean, far and wide. Ah can hardly do long division and thar she is, kicking flank and takin' names. But with numbers. Ah'm so proud of her!" Applejack said loudly, almost on the verge of tears. She had been feeling weepy lately and her sister being a grand one wasn't making it any easier. She sniffled a bit and then recovered leading on. They continued to make small talk for about two hours- dangers along the way noticed and avoided- when suddenly...

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Fire Walker nodded her head as the farmer spoke. They lived in a relatively peaceful world, but there were still a good deal of creatures out there that would not think twice about having a fancy sfilacci dinner. “Oh yeah,  Manticores. I’ve dealt with those guys before.” What a horrible sight to see. You have the hulking body of a lion, combined with the wings of a dragon, and the stinging tail of a scorpion. She was also very sure their front legs and claws were a good deal bigger than their back legs. “Thankfully they only bother ponies if they're sick or disturbed somehow. My former colt-friend Dunder helped me take down one of those beasts that had been driven mad. We tried everything, but the only cure it would take was to be put down for good.", she sighed as Applejack continued to lead the way. And while the fresh thought of her using her punch dagger to put down the enraged beast floated around in her head, it seemed to get worse when there was teeth-bucking to be done!
 
"Youch." That had to smart. "I remember losing a few baby-teeth when I was a filly. Got into a bit of horse-play, and there was also a few not-so-baby teeth that I managed to get kicked out while fighting the changelings during that Nightmare Night fiasco we all had to deal with. Not a fan of dental danger. Not one bit." How she HATED to go to the dentist, but it was practically rule number one for officers. One must have shiny teeth and all must past the 'ding' test while serving the crown. And speaking of teeth. There was the chimera. Beautiful creature, as long as you looked at them from the front. They had the majestic bodies of an tiger, but had the scrawny backside of a goat. They were also be-fanged and be-saber-toothed. This probably kept them from giving a good kiss and therefore made them cranky. They also had a taste for pony-flesh, which kept them far away from civilization. "I only had to deal with one a few years ago, and that was not directly. Considering they can speak, you'd think somepony could talk sense into them, but they need to change that diet of theirs to be sure."
 
As they marched further into the forest, the red mare's eyes fell upon the darkened woods where she was very sure that yellow eyes could be seen from afar,"Still can't believe there are people that actually choose to live in the Everfree." Beyond the lack of running water, the wonderful world of magic that kept a house's lights and conditioned air, there was the previously mentioned monsters! Ponyville's local herbalist and healer, Zecora chose to live in a little hut in the entrance of the dreaded forest. Traveling swiftly through the woods was bad enough, but having to listen to the Everfree sounds while trying to get to bed. She had heard stories when she was younger. The fallen castle of the two sisters. Haunted lost villages filled with the undead, among others. And while most of these stories my be untrue, they did rediscover Princess Celestia and Luna's old castle not that long ago. So if that story was true, maybe the others were as well?
 
"He?" Who was she talking about? "Oh, Wind Walker is my sister. She's a filly." Maybe the brave apple pony thought the colt she was with during the whole 'Kissing Both' thing was related to her. "Fast Track...I was with him during that little event you had. He's a good friend of my sister and somehow I managed to get paired up with him back then when he needed to get apples for his little party. " A sly smile fell upon the officer, "Looks like your sister is going to be a bit of a heartbreaker as well. Poor Fast Track wouldn't stop talking about that kiss. I think she even made him forget about his previous crush. And congratulations on the math thing." Farms were not just about planting seeds and feeding piggies. You needed someone to do the books! Handle the costs! Work the market! Keep an eye on the profits, and other math-y stuff.
 
Their trip continued, and while hours went by, it felt like minutes when hanging around the gregarious earth pony. Fire Walker had nearly finished her story about how her father ended up with a scar around his eye and his silly reasons for not having it fully healed when their pair stumbled upon something. "Is that....an house?" There appeared to be a good sized building partially covered by the Everfree's thick vegetation. Was this part of an lost Everfree village? Or maybe just the remains of an failed attempt to live among the wild? The bleached and warped wood reminded her of the abandoned summer home that belonged to Prince Blueblood's family. He hired the young officer and a few others to check it out.
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It was no doubt the truth about Manticores. They were big softies for the most part, especially the ones you encounter on the fringes of the Everfree. Getting that close to ponies seemed to have a pacifying effect on the big uglies, but once you got deeper into the Everfree things could be a little different. They were still mostly reclusive creatures that rarely sought out contact with ponies but they would fiercely defend their prides. Avoid them, you'd be fine. “Yeah, Manticores shouldn't be too much of a problem. If we hear a lot of roarin' and purrin' we'll know just ta avoid tha pride. And then we'll make sure y'all don't run into any dental trouble,” She laughed, jumping over a log as they continued the trek.

She grew less mirthful as they discussed Chimeras. “They're just generally awful creatures all the way around. Awfully unpleasant pony-eating monsters. They're smart but not in a predatory, common sense sort of way. Ya can trick awful easy like and they're too fond of the sound of their own rank voices ta just out and out eat ya. Ah've dealt with them numerous times an' tha only time they've felt dangerous ta me- well, it was because mah little sis was out here and they were after her instead. Heh, never been more scared in mah life!” Applejack sighed, looking around. They were making good progress.

Applejack laughed again, pretty heartily, as they discussed the youngins. “Well, Ah hope to Canterlot that mah sister doesn't make a habit of breakin' hearts! She's a real cutie an' all but Ah hope she ain't leadin' ponies on an' such. 'Course that does kinda run in tha genes, momma was a bit of a flirt an' all...anyway, Fast Track seemed like a sweet sort. When were you lookin' ta start schoolin' tha youngins'? Ah can talk ta Cheerilee when we get back, no pelt off of mah flank,” she said proudly, trotting alongside tha mare as they entered a new phase of their journey: The Long Trot.

Several hours passed by in quick succession as the pair traded stories and good laughter, keeping wary of their surroundings but not giving in to the fear that plagued so many when they entered these woods. Applejack started to feel a bit tired on account of the extra baggage she was carrying. She didn't let it show, or didn't know if she was, but she had to admit to feeling more relief than caution when she heard about a house in the middle of the dark, dark Everfree. “Well, ain't that something,” she replied, taking a deep breath. “Well, Ah mean, we should be careful an' all...but...Ah'm a little curious. And it'd be awfully rude to just trot on through their...land, Ah guess...without at least saying hi,” Applejack said through deep breaths, gainfully trotting towards the house. Was she worried? Of course she was. But ya didn't gain much from the act of cowardice and you gained everything from educating yourself on the mores of the odd Everfree ponyfolk. Or in this case, hoping it was abandoned and just being able to rest.

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Holy Smoke! Her sister was attacked by an Chimera! Now that was an whole different story. "Little Wind has been through a few less then pleasant little adventures of her own."  Fire Walker continued to keep her voice down low. "Poor thing has no delusions about being an adventurer like her silly older siblings. She just ends up getting stuck in some sticky situation more than once. From being lost in an underground cavern in Canterlot to having to deal with Changelings at Nightmare Night." That holiday was mostly full of real fright, and the poor filly ended up requiring a few months of therapy. While the ebony scaled bug-ponies were weak in magic and brute strength, even a simple drone could cause a dragon's worth of mayhem when left alone to his or hers own natural talents. And that talent was fear. "Still, the kid sure proved that she had a ton of guts.Maybe more than brains, but she stood up for her friends and thankfully none of them were harmed, beyond a few bumps and bruises."
 
The red mare smiled as she nodded her head, "I'm sure your sister will use her powers of being a cutie only for good, not evil." Applejack was as role-modely as a role-model could be. And her mom was a flirt? Fire had caught a peek of an family portrait of the Apple's parents. And while she assumed the worse, the later re-aged Pegasus pony never bothered to actually ask the farmers what had happened to them. Mostly because she was suffering from one heck of magic hangover from being zapped into a kid and then re-zapped into a fully grown adult, along with that not being any of her business. Maybe one of these days she'll ask.
 
"Eh, it's not my decision to make." Now they were trotting side by side. Even with a little one tugging away at her, that mare was in incredible shape. Now, she needed to move a little quicker to keep up with the earth pony. "It's up to our folks. But now that I've been thinking about families, I have a feeling I know why they haven't signed Wind up for that Ponyville school. It's not because they think the school is too small, it's probably because of mom. Poor gal isn't used to being alone." The mare continued to trot along while she kept her eyes out for danger. "This was never the case when we were all living in the big family house in Canterlot, but now it's just the three of them in Ponyville, and she works at home. You'd think a writer would prefer peace and quiet, but not mom."
 
And speaking of peace and quiet, the old house was full of it. "Guess it won't hurt to knock." What sort of person would live in such an ruin down old place? She hoped it was either empty or belonged to someone friendly. No crazy hedge mages or insane loners please. And definitely no bones! She was not in the mood to go wandering into an creepy old shack full of pony bones. The underground temple she and a few officers stumbled into still haunted her dreams. Thankfully, like bell-bottomed pants, Ossuaries had long gone out of fashion.
 
It took a moment, but the officer managed to chase away images of crazy hermit wizards and chandeliers made of bleached bones and regain her usual composure. "Hello.", she knocked, "This is First Lieutenant Fire Walker of the Royal Equestrian Army.", the red mare spoke in a rather serious and professional MILITARY TONE. "We only seek temporary shelter so that we may rest for a moment. Monetary compensation will be given if necessary."
 
After a few proper knocks, she waited for a response.
 
 
 
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Applejack waited for the response as well, wanting desperately for it to be a welcoming force. It wasn't all that uncommon when you were talking about the Everfree in total for there to be loners and weirdos who just failed to jive with Equestrian values. Applejack considered a sad fact that these ponies didn't just not fit in, but that they considered it something shameful to the level they fled instead of just carving out their niche. Sure, some of them wouldn't really be able to adjust to Equestrian morality and that was why they fled. Some bad types did make their home here. But for every one of those, Applejack had met many more shy, pensive types who were just too scared, too different, too weird, or too anxious to be around the hustle and bustle. She hoped they'd remain safe but she wasn't gonna put any money on it...a few sad instances that she knew of formerly occupied homes being the breeding ground for a new clutch of cockatrices when she came back 'round for a visit.

 

There was silence in response to Fire. Applejack didn't expect anypony to hop to the door like it was a garden party guest expected to arrive but this wasn't good news. She started to steel herself for something. A trap? Some of the smarter beasties in the Everfree could set traps, and this would fit well in that style. Ponies, social creatures. Ponies had houses in the Everfree. Ponies may want to stay with ponies in the Everfree. Therefore, see if you can set a trap at a house. Maybe she was just being paranoid...she likely wise, come to think of it, but her concern wasn't unfounded. While rare, organized traps weren't unheard of in the Everfree. It was one of the many thousands of reasons it was foolhardy and stupid to live here. She looked around, examining the surroundings. Nothing was happening just yet, but the hammer could come down at any moment.

 

And then the door creaked open slowly, with the creepy sound accompanying it belonging to any well done haunted house during Nightmare Night. Nothing was there to greet the pair, and the sounds from inside were just as vague and meaningless as could be expected. As if on cue though the rain started to pick up. Droplets folowed by golblets followed by heavy pellets of rain and within minutes she knew that this place was gonna be drenched. She laughed. "Well, Ah reckon we don't have much of a choice now, what with the house being all polite like and the rain not being as accomodatin'," she trotted next to Fire, taking a peak inside. Older place for sure. Parts of it had seen much better days- holes in the walls, vegetation through the cracks. It looked solid enough to handle the weather though the sound of rain on crystalline tiles told her that some parts of it were indeed exposed.

 

"Bit spooky that it just opened up like that, though- likely just tha wind, Ah reckon," Applejack said to both Fore and herself- herself mostly, indeed. Best way to explain the spooks. They needed some form of shelter, this house was ready enough for 'em. "We can stop for a while, cook somethin' up. Get a rest. Mah hooves're feelin' all puffy and such anyway."

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Fire Walker tried to think as positive as possible. Surly there would be an adorable granny behind that door. One that had just finished baking a batch of Chai Snickerdoodles and was waiting for them to cool. These were the officer's favorite. Oh wait a second. How would this old mare know what kind of cookies her guests would prefer? And knew then way ahead of time? She was probably a witch! She would use these cookies to put some sort of hex upon the pair! Then she would make Apple Cinnamon Pony Stew. Yuck. But still, if they were to defeat the witch? Fire Walker had heard rumors about the Crystal Empire's very own Princess Cadance, who ascended into Alicorn-hood after she vanquished a love stealing witch. Would they gain such honor If they were to defeat the cookie witch?
 
Ho-Boy. The quiet, calming nature of the Everfree was letting her imagination run wild. There was probably not going to be any witches in this old house. A proper hedge mage would use spells to hide his or hers house from strangers. The young Pegasus pony studied the door. Were those claw marks? The old place could have been occupied and abandoned and then occupied over the course of many years. And while the old hovel would never win any awards from the E.H.B.A (Equestrian Home Builders Association), a roof over one's head sure beat being outside in the Everfree at night.  Among many other differences between the strange woods and probably the rest of the world, when it wanted to rain here, it was going to rain! A Pegasus could not simply take flight and dismiss the dark clouds with a quick smack. Nope. If it was going to rain. It was going to rain.
 
Looks like they were going in. "Begging your pardon Applejack.", she helped with the old door, "Please let me enter first. If there's something nasty in there, I'm better suited to take a hit.", she tapped her plate armor with a free hoof.  No matter if they enter together, or with her being first, once the door was open, she slowly made her way though. The sudden release of the door, did cause her slight alarm. But she could not let silly superstitions cloud her mind. She needed to be ready for anything. No distractions this time. She needed to keep her ears open for any noises beyond the creaking of the old building. Her eyes needed to be peeled for any sort of hidden nasty or trap. And her snout needed to be ready to catch any harmful smells. 
 
Fire Walker studied the room they had entered. The floor was rough and also appeared to have claw like markings, but there were no signs of mold on the floor. This was a good sign. While the ceiling was in poor shape, the old roof managed to keep most of the water away and there even appeared to be a few rush patch jobs on several patches of the ceiling. The leakage appeared to be recent. Give the house a few more months and it probably would not as inviting. It also appeared someone dragged an old wooden bench into the building. This was not going to be super comfortable, but at least it was something they both could rest on. And an couch with fabric could hold all kinds of nasty bugs and germs and the what not hidden in its folds. There was also an old stone fireplace in the room. "I'm going to check this out. Make sure it's not clogged or anything." She needed to be careful. Nothing good would come from lighting up a fireplace with a stuffed up chimney. "You should use one of your blankets on that old thing. Should make a little more bearable to sit on."
 
"I could see this place being used by random explorers over the years.", the mare pulled out a small mirror from her pack, "If you ever have to climb any really big mountains like Mount Everfrost, they have these little huts scattered all over the place for travelers to use. They don't have anyone to maintain them, so they rely on the people who use them, to make sure they're clean for the next visitor. Maybe this is one of those places? I'm pretty sure there are griffon claw marks all over this place. One could have recently used this for a temporary hunting lodge." After giving the inside of the fireplace a good lookover, Fire Walker returned her mirror, "Wow, the chimney is clear. Looks like we're going to have a fire."
 
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Applejack wasn't gonna be vocal about it or nothing, but she wasn't much happy about being 'pardoned' into the building by Fire Walker. She knew Fire was just being cautious and all but sh didn't need somepony sticking their snout out into a building for her like she was some hoity toity foreign princess on a pleasant tour of the area. Still, she wasn't gonna cause a ruckus about it. She knew in her heart if hearts that Fire meant well and she was just being overly sensitive, likely due to being tired and carrying a foal. She trotted on in after Fire, making sure to give the guard some time to prep the area with her senses. If she as gonna allow this to go on, she might as well...allow it to go on. No sense in rocking the boat now! As she entered she made sure to keep their six covered, entering with her head half-spent looking back from whence they came. When she was sure nothing was coming, she closed the door.
 

The building had seen better days. It had seen what looked like several occupants, some likely very different from those that had first built it. Heavy use, some structural damage, but with hints here and there of imperfect and unscheduled upkeep. She by habit trotted over to the kitchen and opened up the pantry. It had been cleared of everything save three canned goods. Everything else was functional by inches and by large she figured that there was enough here for ponies to live on for a few days should they need to. She had cooked with far less but she didn't want to start cooking. She had the food she needed. Instead she as just checking to make sure that rats or other critters weren't breeding there. When she was satisfied with the general health of the area, including what Fire had said, Applejack sighed. "Well, Ah guess this'll do. Happy that nothin' spooky like is happenin'."

 

She did throw down her blanket on the shaggy bed and laid down. She was an Earth pony- far more naturally resistant to germs, and besides, she had been working in the wild and the fields for years. She wasn't gonna get sick. Applejack yawned and stretched. “Ah'm thinking we could get a bit of a rest here or a few hours. And yeah, probably used by this or that over tha years. Ah know Ah've found somethin' similar out in tha woods. 'Course ponies usually leave some notations in case of entrance, they haven't been known to just let ponies in without some sort of information,” she said, sighing and laughing, “well, maybe Griffons ain't so courteous. A fire would be nice, Fire. Thank ya kindly. Ah'm gonna go ahead and get some milking done before Ah take a rest."
She got out some bottles and equipment and started setting up. Being a mother in waiting was a bunch of binge eating, pains, and busy work. Hopefully nothing would interfere with this, or the motherly rage would kick in.

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  • 2 weeks later...
 
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As Applejack vanished into the adjoining room, the young officer started to work on the fireplace. "Just be careful.", Fire Walker was pleased to see that everything here was designed for pony use, as the damper door handle was well within reach. "This place has basement, and considering how rough the floors are, there is a chance..Ooph.", she let out a unpleasant, hacking cough. It probably wasn't the best idea to talk in such an place as there was remnants of a previous fire still residing in the old bricks. "Erm. Just watch where you put your hooves.", she poked her head out of the fireplace as she spoke. After a quick, refreshing swig from her canteen, she returned to her job.
 
After making sure the damper door was open, and the fire place was given a quick priming, the Pegasus pony scooped up a pile of newspapers that had been left by the previous visitors. These were not for reading, but instead served as useful kindling. And while she did not intend to waste time checking out the articles, a few headlines managed to catch her eyes. There was one from the Canterlot Journal that celebrated the return of Princess Luna. Her brother Moon Walker had actually purchased the photo used for the front page article and had it framed. There were a few  tabloids, and then a more recent issue of something called the Foal Free Press. Apparently this was this was a newspaper written by and also for, kids. And it looks like her mother was right. The mayor of Ponyville dyes her mane. Talk about gripping stuff.
 
There was also a helpful stack of thin logs, which were secure in a metal case. These were easy to get out, and after she formed a small pile, with the kindling sandwiched in between, she was ready to start a fire! She started to open her mouth to ask what was going on in the other room, but heard her answer before the question was asked. Nothing spooky was going on. This was always a good thing.
 
"I actually noticed a few 'hobo signs' etched into the door frame.", the mare watched watched the doorway for a moment. "One for 'safe camp' with an arrow going up, and one, I'm not sure of. Looked like the first symbol with an arrow going down and angry eyebrows. I'm guessing we should probably not go down any stairs. Or there's a fellow down there that trims brows. I'm guessing it's the first one." She nodded her head as the mare spoke. Was Applejack prejudiced against griffons? The Pegasus pony rarely had an issue with the feathered felines. Maybe she only encountered them in Griffonstone? The old ruins were full of rather greedy kitties. In her opinion, griffons were fierce, competitive, creatures of habit, but once a bond was formed, made lifelong friends.
 
Milking? Just close was this gal to having her kid? "Lady Applejack. If I may ask....Please do not answer this if you feel just a smidge of uncomfortableness.", she quickly added, "But who is the lucky, father to be?"
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"Yeah, Ah saw 'em. Some used ta call 'em tha dead pony's notes. Legends say that back in tha day, when tha Everfree was real wild and not like it is today, tha only ponies that'd venture deep inside were those with a death wish. They'd leave notes an' messages for others who came by ta see if they could get further and further in. 'Couse Granny says that's a bunch hoo-haa, says they used ta be called 'venturing journals. Since old fashioned adventures were all poor like and couldn't afford nothing but tha clothes on their back, they'd scrawl warnings and such wherever they could. Heh, Ah always preferred the term Hostile Hostel Homilies mahself, some jokester said that this deep inside, all you had was a prayer. Suppose it don't matter much what y'all call it, Ah just appreciate it. Unless they're tryin' ta lead ya into a trap, that happens every once in a while," Applejack replied with a shrug and a nonchalance that belied the seriousness of that situation. It had only happened to her once or twice, but it was never good. "But yeah, we'll stay here. Celestia knows what's in tha basement. Just gotta make sure that door stays close. Once I went down an' found a colony of fungus. Was sick for a week and a half straight after that, even had to go to tha hospital."

 

Applejack chuckled at the mention of a father. She had by now settled down on her cover and was breathing steadily, milking as she remembered how it had all started. Rainbow Falls, a race, an injury, and Applejack nursing her mare back to full health. Of course that was a down and dirty lie. As much as the wool had been placed strategically over her eyes, she had been more than aware of the fact once she allowed herself to pierce that veil that she had always loved that mare. She had only become aware of it, consciously at least, in more recent times. Together they had made good on their joint promise to make up for that lost time, as evidenced by her growing ball of love. Could she have been so blind for so long, or was she just too stupid to have seen it? Either way, she was happy NOW, and that was all that mattered.

 

"She's Rainbow. Rainbow Dash. Y'all likely know her- element of loyalty, wonderbolt, showboat, and the single greatest consumer of cider this side of Fet Loch!" She laughed heartily, then sighed. "She'll be a good mama, too. Or she'll try to, at least, Ah know that much. Ah worry if tha little one is a pegasus if Rainbow will try and teach her too many tricks too early. Luckily, Ah know Ah can lasso her up very, very well," she smirked and blushed. "Very. VERY. Easily. Talkin' 'bout her doesn't make me uncomfortable in tha slightest, honey. Tha only thing uncomfortable about her is how she'll hog mosta tha bed at night, and her wings get everywhere! Do pegasus ponies normally have bigger beds when they're with somepony?" She asked mostly out of jest, though she was seriously considering whether or not to tie Rainbow up before they slept.


The fire was getting cracking. "Nice job with tha fire, Fire. Hehehe..." she laughed at her own joke, looking at the dancing flames. "We still have plenty of time. How deep have you been in tha Everfree? Ah mean alone," she clarified, not wanting to hear about deep patrols.

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  • 2 weeks later...
 
 
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" Hostile Hostel Homilies?", the red mare could not help but smirk, "That's more than a mouthful." And that could happen. Some devious fellow could mark an hydra's lair with an great big SAFE marking. Fire Walker would prefer to believe that most people in the world were good. Still, there were always going to be one 'son of a bucket' that ruins it for the rest of us. With the fireplace properly set up, the officer removed a small bag from her pack. "I had to help investigate an summer home that had been abandoned for years. And while there was some rather strange things going on, the most dangerous was the nasty stuff that was allowed to grow over the years such as black mold. I really need to start wearing some sort of breathing filter when I go into these old places." In her bag was an magnesium stick along with a few other tools for starting a fire. These would become very useful.
 
A moment later, the officer with the most suitable of names had managed to start a small, but hot fire. This would eventually make the old house a tad more comfortable. She would hardly call the place 'cozy', but it would make their short stop far more pleasant, and possibly keep away most of the nastier creatures that lingered in her mind, as most of them tended to fear fire. There were walking mummified mares, your garden variety Frankentags and even Zombie ponies kept away from that stuff. Fire Bad! It would also at least keep away some of the nastier  molds for growing, at least for the moment.
 
After making sure the smoke was going in the right direction, Fire Walker found a seat next to the farmer. "Rainbow Dash?" She dared not to even ask how this could happen. There was bound to be something, probably magic that allowed two mares to have a foal together. The Pegasus pony tried her best not to think of it, but her devious mind offered a few ideas. Maybe Rainbow managed to get blasted with the same magic ol' Prince Blueblood was hit with before the last Grand Galloping Gala. Fire was still trying to figure that one out. "I've met Miss Dash more than a few times and I always found her to be unique company. Thankfully, in a good way.", she added. "I could see your kid ending up like members of my family. We're basically winged Earth Ponies who can't farm or cook. Family curse. But we're plenty tough and the wings are useful." She waved her back legs towards the direction of the fire. Sitting on one's backside was extremely awkward for a pony, but she could make it work. "And yeah. We like big beds, mostly so when can spread our wings when we settle down."  There was also the problem of occasional wing release during certain dreams. Thankfully a genius pony invented Pegasus pajamas that secured the wings during sleep. No need to knock a loved one from his or hers bed.
 
"As for wandering here alone? Can't say I have.", Fire Walker shrugged her armored shoulders, "Always prefer to have someone at my side when I travel. Not only do you have somepony to watch your back, you also get someone to talk as well. Once you wander alone for hours, your mind sometimes wants to create its own voices for you to hear. Had an rather satisfying little trip with an ex-colt-friend of mine. Ended up staying in some old caves.", she closed her eyes for a moment and sighed ever so blissfully. Good memories. Shame they had to end. This memory had to end as well, as a rather loud 9z9Nih3.png caused the mare to leap off the couch.
 
"What do you supposed that was?", she asked while her eyes crept towards the basement door.
 
 
Spoiler

OOC: Wrote my post and then realized Fire had already started the Fire in the last post...D'Oh! So I made a short edit to a previous post... bad taco

 

 
 
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