I had turned off my suppression field shortly before racing through the forest. The ground flung up in clouds of dirt and plant life as all manner of obscenities were spewing forth from my mouth. As Twilight was struggling to keep up she managed to state, “What’s…wrong …with Applejack?” through winded breaths.

I kept my eyes facing the destination of our camp and labored to get my thoughts together. “Applejack has…been bitten…remember? With her…not enchanted…she is a danger…to herself…and others,” I stated as my muscles started to burn.

Twilight was silent only for a moment. “I thought they…only went…crazy during…full moons?” she inquired between now ragged breaths.

“hahaha…yes that is…rich,” I said in a mocking tone before adding, “No…the moon…just makes them…worse…all thanks…to discord’s…thrice damned…sense of humor. The unenchanted ones…are just…significantly less controlled. Please…remind me…to hoof discord…directly in...the stomach…the next chance…we get.” In response I heard Twilight state something quite unlady like as we increased our pace.

We were only about a minute from camp when I heard a loud yelp. A mere moment later I saw something fly directly at me. Before I knew what was happening I was ripped right off my hooves before abruptly stopping after colliding with a pine tree. My ears rang and my vision blurred for a second before I realized it was Shadow Dancer on top of me.

“Get off me you oaf!” I protested, but he did not respond. So I shoved him off of me and he flopped hard on his side

He then coughed a few times while seemingly quite dazed and said “Did somepony get the number on that there train. Ah think it was orange…with apples on the side.”

“By the moon! Shadow Dancer, what happened?!” I replied while fumbling to check him for injuries.

“Applejack…done lost her mind. Now…if ya’ll excuse me...ah’mma…ah’mma gonna pass out now,” he said right before he lost consciousness. I had attempted to shake him a few times, but he was out cold. Although it did not take long to notice that the front of his armor had several deep gouges and indents in it.

I heard Twilight rush over before stating “Oh my gosh what happened?!”

I just frowned and said “Applejack happened it appears. Please keep an eye on him while I deal with a certain unenchanted friend of your’s”

With little delay I left Shadow Dancer with Twilight and sped the remaining way towards our camp. Upon arrive I found that Applejack had indeed turned into her lycan form. To make matters worse she was in the middle of the camp pinning Gray Mane on his back. In defense he had the pole of his battle axe stuffed in her mouth as she was taking swipes at him with her forepaws. What was more worrying however was that she was somehow beginning to overpower him. I then looked around and noticed my other lieutenants were trying to keep Twilight’s other friends away from the danger and were not able to aid him.

Gray Mane glance over at me before growling, “Anytime Blood Moon! She’s stronger than she…looks! And her damn enchanted armor isn't helping either! Do something damnit!”

I had several thoughts whirling through my head. First and fore most, I needed to get her attention somehow. Secondly I needed some way to disable her long enough to cast a sleep spell on her. After that I needed to locate the lycan control enchantment in my book of shadows so she will not continue her path of destruction when she wakes up.

With the tasks in mind I snapped out of my trance, summoned my scythe, and fully raised my armor. I then decided on a simple yet amusing way to focus her ire on me, attack her pride. I took a deep breath and bellowed, “APPLEJACK! APPLES ARE HORRID! PEARS ARE FAR SUPERIOR!” while shaking a forehoof in the air.

The result of which however worked far too well for my liking. She, in response, snarled in burning rage before smashing Gray Mane in the face with both of her forepaws. Then after she knocked him out cold, she then dove at me, fangs and claws bared. I did not have enough time to react properly so I just put my scythe’s pole in front of me in defense.

This however proved to be a poor decision when I remembered why Gray Mane was having difficulty with her, her enchanted armor. The armor’s enchantments amplified her strength and flung me back into a tree. As my vision was swimming I vaguely saw her spin on her forelegs and buck at me. Right as the strike was about to hit I dove to the side and heard the sound of a tree get violently smashed off its roots.

After swallowing heavily at the thought that the tree could have easily been me, I rolled onto my legs and jumped straight into the air. My logic seemed to have paid off when she dove and landed right where I had just been. However, before she was able to move away I landed right on top of her, slamming her to the ground. I then wrapped my legs around her and locked my armor into statue mode as she attempted to get up. This did not prove to be enough when she stood up with ease and attempted to shake me off.

I knew I did not have a grand amount of time before she was going to break free of me. So I decide to rob her of her enhanced strength. My horned started to glow as I reach out with my mind to her armor’s ring. I then stated in my mind, ‘The Cider Press 2.0, Master Override, Captain Blood Moon, Retract and detach.’

Within seconds I felt her armor retract under me and then I saw the armor ring fall of her neck. This however only appeared to enrage her further as she attempted to buck me off with increased vigor. Her efforts ultimately proved to be fruitless before she could no longer support our combine weight. She then fumbled and fell over with me on her back.

Without delay I unfused my armor and pinned all of her legs with mine. I then retracted my helm and said “Applejack if you are hearing this, you need to control that beast inside of you. If you cannot do so I will be forced to take measures I would rather not.”

Her eyes leered back at me with bestial fury. “I can’t…hurts sooo…bad…so huuuuungry!” her voice snarled out before she started to struggle further.

“Applejack please, I implore you! You are stronger than this! Please do not force my hoof!” I replied straining to keep her pinned.

This however did little to deter her as she only increased her efforts to free herself. My grip slipped only for a moment, but it was all it took. She managed to free her right foreleg, reach behind herself, and rake the side of my face with her claws.

My eyes slammed shut in pain and I yelped in shock as I pinned her leg again. But my efforts were now made in vain. The scent of my blood was the last straw that overpowered her remaining will. The beast inside her burned anew and it caused her to flail around as she tried to bite me. Thus again, like so many other times in my life, my hoof had indeed been forced. There was nothing more that I could do and if I did not act soon she was going to break free of my hold to resume her onslaught against the others.

My mind spun through all the options that I had at my disposal. I could not focus long enough to work my magic to stun her. Also waiting for Twilight to cast something in my stead would only put everypony present in danger. In turn there was only one method at the moment that I knew that could stop her. I steeled my will as I said in lament, “I am sorry Applejack. Please know that I truly hate resorting to this.” I then lean my head back, opened my mouth, and drove my fangs into the side of her neck.

Blood spilled into my mouth as I felt her heart speed up. Then for some unknown reason she stopped struggling against me. Also to make the situation even stranger she kept shuttering every few seconds. I raised an eyebrow in response as my puzzlement grew. ‘What is going on here? Is…is she enjoying this? No no noooo, it has to be a ploy…right? She is juuuust trying to get my guard down and then strike. But enraged lycans usually are not that crafty, but this is Applejack though. I…hmmm,’ I thought to myself as my confusion did not dissipate.

After draining her for about two minutes I felt her muscles relax and I had figured she had passed out from blood loss. Right as I was about to pull my fangs out I heard somepony clear their throat before they stated, “Umm Blood Moon, what in Equestria are you doing to Applejack?”

I looked up to see Twilight looking at me in both confusion and worry. “I amf affemfinf fo maff herf paff ouf” I said trying to speak, but I found it rather difficult to speak with a mouth full of Applejack neck.

“What?” she replied tilting her head.

I rolled my eyes and pulled fangs out before licking her bite wound. As I had figured the small infusion of life force healed the wound. There was no denying now the fact that Applejack was indeed a lycan. I sighed and said, “I said that I was attempting to make her pass out. She would not let me cast any spells so this was the only option.”

“Are you sure that was necessary?” Twilight retorted.

I turned my head to show her the rake marks on my face and said “You tell me…”

“Oh my gosh! Are you alright?!” Twilight replied in shock.

“I am fine. How are the others?” I said rubbing my face.

“They’re doing okay I suppose. Shadow Dancer’s getting patched up by Fluttershy. Dear Celestia, Applejack really did a number on him. He’s got bruises everywhere and several broken teeth. Last I checked Gray Mane was still out cold. From the scratch marks on his face I assume that was Applejack’s doing as well” she said. I merely nodded in reply. “Yeah that’s what I figured. The others are alright just a bit jumpy," she added.

I rubbed my face again and said “It is good to hear that most of us were unharmed. However, what is puzzling me is why did Applejack stop struggling right after I bit her?”

“Hmm? What do you mean?” she replied.

“Just as I said, I bit her, she stop struggling. Her body just kept shuttering for some reason. It was rather stra…what are you looking at?” I said raising an eyebrow.

Twilight’s face had scrunched up and she had a hoof in front her mouth as if she was attempting to hold back laughter. In confusion I tilted my head and looked down at Applejack. Then my face turned three shades of red as I said “Was she doing what I think she was…oh she was…well that explains a few things. I umm…this is…unprecedented.”

Twilight giggled a few times and said, “Yup Applejack was reeeeally enjoying herself with you hehehe. Oh Celestia that awkward smile on her face is just priceless. Good thing Rainbow Dash didn’t see this otherwise she’d never live this down.” Twilight then pointed a forehoof Applejack and added, “We probably should move her hoof away from…herself…before everypony sees this.”

My face heated up even further in embarrassment and I had opened my mouth a few times to say something, but nothing came out. I just ended up stuffing my face in my forehooves before stating, “Can you please hoof me my tome so I can enchant her? I very much would like to forget this ever happened.” Twilight just laughed as she floated me my tone and put Applejack into a less compromising position. It was surely going to be one of “those” days.

After I enchanted Applejack, Twilight went to help the others and left me to watch over Applejack in one of our tents. Applejack looked quite peaceful lying unconscious on one of our cots. You would almost think that she had not attempted to rip me and two my lieutenants to pieces twenty minutes ago. I did not know how long she so was going to be out so I reached over to examine my tome only to realize it was missing. I laughed despite myself in that Twilight must have grabbed it on her way out.

“What’s so funny?” I heard Applejack say next to me.

“What? Oh Twilight took my tome again. I swear I may never get it back. Regardless, how are you feeling?” I replied.

She just rubbed her face and said “Like an apple tree fell on me. Dear Celestia ah had the craziest dream. Ah dreamt that ah beat the daylights out of Shadow Dancer and Gray Mane. Then for some reason ah was pleasurin’ mahself while ya were slurpin’ on mah neck. Haha like ah said, crazy dream huh?”

“Indeed, heh heh heh yes...crazy dream,” I said not looking at her.

“Ahh horseapples. That actually happened didn't it? Please tell me everypony’s okay,” she groaned while touching where I had bitten her.

“Everypony is doing fine for the most part. We have been through much worse than an out of control lycan,” I said smiling at her. I then added “Do not worry, you have been enchanted and that should at least alleviate most of your instability. However, as I see you are doing better I am going to-” before I was interrupted by somepony’s voice outside our tent.

“Captain Blood Moon, the princesses require your attendance at the counter-attack meeting,” she said with a hint of nervousness in her tone.

I replied “Acknowledged” and then proceeded to smash my forehooves into my face a few times before grumbling “No rest for the wicked it appears ugh. By the moon it is as if it is on damned cue.”

So I dragged my tired body around our small camp and gathered everypony for a meeting I had no desire attending. Now do not get me wrong, I truly wanted Canterlot liberated from the rogue factions, but these types of meetings do nothing…at all. The Lunar and Solar forces only functioned so well because we normally did not have to work together. We are the night guard, they are the solar guard, period. So when we come to “delightful” times such as these, there shall be nothing but glares of disdain abound and overwhelming tension. I would even go as to say it shall probably end the same way all the others do, with General Black Wing and General Solar Burn at each other’s throats yet again. Perhaps even with the amusing addition of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna attempting to keep them from slaying each other.

When we arrived I took notice of the quite large round table that dominated the small clearing. Officers from Lunar, Solar, and Crystal forces along with Princess Luna, Princess Celestia, Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor were seated around it. I begrudgingly found two empty seats between both the Lunar and Crystal officers and then sat down with Twilight.

It was going to be several minutes before the meeting “officially” started so I took the time to develop an absolutely displeased scowl. I may have been forced to be here, but I was not forced to enjoy it and I surely was going to make it known. In addition to my growing displeasure, I had begun mindlessly analyzing the other officers for anypony I knew. This however stopped when I spotted General Solar Burn sitting in all his arrogance next to Princess Celestia on the other side of the table.

I could feel my teeth clench and my eyes narrow, but kept my rage from bubbling over. Oh what I would not have given to be able to throttle him for all the trouble he has given me and countless others down the years. I would never be able to forgive him for his warmongering that resulted in the complete destruction of innocent lives. My hateful leer did not break until Princess Celestia had announced the meeting had begun.

And so this farce of a meeting started. Points and counter-points were made back and forth several times between everypony with no progress. As the first hour had been burn away my mind started to wander from the sheer boredom. At first I was thinking about more solid methods of reclaiming for the city. However none of them seemed to really work in my head and before long my thoughts soon shifted to the ridiculous.

I grinned and thought, ‘They should just drop a bomb on the city or flood the place with nerve gas. Surely that would remove the problem hahahahaaa…hmm?’ I paused for a moment as I thought about the completely absurd idea. Something in back of my mind seemed to nag at me and make the idea somehow more realistic.

‘No, I cannot be seriously thinking of bombing the city. I would rather not even fathom the thought of destroying lives in such a manner. There lies only madne…wait a moment…lives…lives…life? Destroy life…destroy life force? Why does this…waaaaiiiit a moooooment. THAT IS IT!” I spoke in mind right before my eyes snap wide open.

I then started to furiously search the small crowd behind us for Applejack. As I spotted her I turned around and waved her to come closer. Upon seeing me she tilted her head and walked over with a puzzled look on her face.

When she got to me she looked back and forth a few times and said “If ya need something Ah’d make it quick as those guards over there are given me the stink eye,”

I told her to lean closer and then I whispered “How big is your apple orchard?”

“Huh? What do ya mean?” she replied.

“Compared to Canterlot. How big is your orchard? Is it smaller or larger?” I inquired

She scratched her head for a moment and whispered, “Well if ah had to hazard a guess ah’d say a little bit bigger. Why ya ask?”

I pursed my lips and replied “Just a crazy thought. Thank you.”

She chuckled and whispered, “If yer hopin’ to buy the place we ain’t sellin’ heh heh,” before winking at me.

I quietly laughed a bit and replied “No, it is nothing like that. Thank you for your assistance.”

She then nodded and walked away. Then the very second she turned to leave I scrambled for something to write on. But upon finding nothing I resorted to picking up a small rock and scratching numbers and equations into the table in front of me.

My fevered thoughts flowed out of my head as I worked until I realized that my crazy little idea could actually work. But then fear started to sink into my heart. Yes, it was true the idea could work, the very thought of unleashing something so terrible on the city was unthinkable. There was no way in Tartarus the Princesses would go for it or at least I really hoped they did not.

But then something slowly dawned on me. Everypony at the table was really quiet for some reason. I looked up from my furious calculations to see everypony looking at me in either confusion or annoyance. To my displeasure it was Solar Burn that broke the silence, “Are we boring you, Blood Moon? Perhaps a guard could get you a coloring book instead of you noisily grinding that rock of your’s into the table.”

I saw General Black Wing turn red in anger, but I signaled for her to settle down. I then cleared my throat, grinned, and stated, “With all due respect, this is not just some random musing. It is a plan of sorts that I was mulling over. However, I am sure the plan you possess is far superior. Am I correct?”

His face turned several shades of red in what I assumed was both embarrassment and anger. He kept trying to say something, but nothing came out. After a moment of silence Princess Celestia spoke up, “The table is open to all ideas, Blood Moon. Please feel free to speak them.”

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again. “With your permission, I would like to speak with you and Princess Luna in private. It is a bit of a sensitive matter I intend to discuss,” I said biting my lip in nervousness.

Solar Burn laughed and said “Ha, why should we follow one of your crazy ideas?”

“In lieu of no other solid plans, it could work. And even if I succeed, you very well may not see me ever again,” I replied, narrowing my eyes.

“I love this plan already,” he replied and as silence overtook the table, the only sound that remained, was his wretched laughter.

The only thing better than a good idea is a crazy good one bwahahahaha.