Another teleportation spiked with chaos-magic and a migraine later, and I was at Sweet Apple Acres. I blinked the spots from my vision, looking around at the large orchard. I frowned slightly when I saw the state of the trees; clearly, someone hadn't seen fit to maintain them for some time. "Do ya think she—" I paused when I looked around, a worried frown creasing my features. Discord was gone. A faint shiver ran up my spine, but I ignored it. I could just barely see the farmhouse up ahead, at the crest of a small hill to overlook the surrounding orchard. I smiled and started walking.

I tramped up the few stairs to knock on the door, crossing my arms as I waited for Applejack to answer. I didn't have to wait long, as the door swung out (nearly catching my nose, if not for a quick step back) and Applejack stood with a cool glare. "Weren't you s'pposed to be in Canterlot?"

I stopped my usual nervous twitches, forcing myself to stand adamant under her stare. "Celestia made it clear she doesn't have my best interest at heart. There was no reason to stay." It was difficult to look her in the eyes, but I did. It was easier than anticipated to stand my ground. Maybe since I proved I could take out any one pony if it came down to it. That's always empowering.

Applejack raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment. Instead, she turned around and walked further into the house. "Well, c'mon in, tell me whatcha gotta tell me." I snorted lightly with a small smile. I'd almost forgotten how blunt she could be. Nonetheless, I followed her into the family-room and sat down on one end of a rickety couch that looked like it had definitely seen better days. "So what's this about the Princess?"

I shrugged, trying to keep my anger out of my voice. "I asked for justice. She refused." I rolled my good eye. "Apparently, being Element Bearers gives you six Diplomatic Immunity."

"Dippin' what?"

I barked a laugh, wiping a tear from my eye until I saw Applejack's sour glare. I cleared my throat and sat back with my legs crossed, fingers laced over my lap. "It means Equestrian Law can't touch you. You six can do whatever you want: beat, torture, starve, maim, and no pony can do a thing to any of you—legally at least." At Applejack's indignant, furious scowl, I held up a hand. "Ponies assume that because you represent Equestrian moral values, you live by them." At this, I leaned forward, my expression darkening. "But we both know none of you do."

Applejack glared harder at me, ears splayed back. "What do you want?" I smirked, leaning back.

"Help. If Celestia won't give me the courts, I'll take the press. I'm going to write an autobiography, detailing my adventures in Equestria. I want your help publishing it. If I'm endorsed by the Element of Honesty, there's a better chance ponies will believe me." I smiled, steepling my fingers in front of me. "Consider this a substitute for the last request I asked of you."

Applejack couldn't speak. She hung her head, trying to work her mouth and looking like a fish for her efforts. My smile widened when she looked back up, steeling her nerve. "...Don't name any of mah friends." My smile dropped. "Do that, and ya got a deal."

How I wanted to just throw it all in her face and storm out of there. Instead, I furrowed my eyebrows. "I'm not going to lie, Applejack." She winced. "Frankly, I'm surprised you'd even say that." Applejack lowered, looking down with her belly almost touching the floor.

"Those're mah terms." I could tell it was physically painful for her to press the issue. I was sure I could've made her crack if I pressed any harder, but...I felt like if I broke her, I'd lose something. Reluctantly, I sighed.

"Fine...deal. I will identify them as Element Bearers." I scowled. "But no names."

"Ah need ta finish mah chores...Can ya..."

I nodded, standing. "I'll leave you to it then. Until next time, Applejack." I turned and walked out of the house, almost running into Apple Bloom on the way out.

Well, I almost ran into her. She galloped full-tilt into my leg, almost sending me to the floor. "What the ffff..." I looked down to the terrified filly staring up at me in blatant terror, and rolled my eyes. "...ffforget this, I'm done here." I continued walking away, my strides longer and falling harder than absolutely necessary. "I am so done."
-----

Applejack let herself fall to the floor, covering her face with her hooves. A shuddering breath escaped her, carrying a faint sob with it. There's no doubtin' it...he's gone bad. She squeezed her eyes shut, ignoring her hat that had fallen beside her. Was only a matter o'time, Ah suppose.

"...Sis?" Applejack opened one eye, looking up to the concerned, shaken eyes of her sister. "Did he hurt ya?"

Applejack didn't respond. Reaching out with a hoof, she drew Apple Bloom towards her, pulling her down and wrapping her in a crushing hug. "No...he didn't." Applejack sniffled, resting her chin on Apple Bloom's head. "He's just mad, is all."

"Why?" Apple Bloom wiggled, her bow irritating Applejack's nose. The latter flinched at the question, before gulping.

"...Ah hurt him. Me an' the girls hurt him a lot." Applejack closed her eyes. "Honestly, Ah can't blame him for wantin' ta get even."

"Why'd ya go hurt him then?" Apple Bloom pushed, "Did he do anythin' to ya?"

Sighing, Applejack responded. "No...Sometimes, ponies do things that don't make a whole lotta sense."

It was several seconds before Apple Bloom responded. "...He's scary."

Applejack chuckled. "Yeah...Ah suppose he is."
-----

The walk back to Ponyville was uneventful. My permanent scowl was back in place, my single emerald eye peering out from under severe brows.

At least that's what I was going for. I could've looked like a gargoyle for all I knew. Either way, the ponies fled from me as per usual as soon as I was in the town proper. I looked around, the seeming ghost town. Wait... I squinted my eye and looked ahead. Usually there were still a few stragglers scrambling inside and slamming their doors. But every single house was closed up, and there was nopony out on the streets.

Something was going on. I narrowed my eye, speeding up to a jog until I turned the corner. A cloaked quadruped stood a ways away, oblivious to my presence. At least I'm not the only one they run from. Without a second thought, I approached.

"HEY!" I shouted, raising an arm. The figure froze until I was a couple pony-lengths away, slowly turning around. I paused, seeing a striped muzzle under the shadow of her hood. I frowned. The last zebra I'd met had a funny little habit...A spot on the back of my head throbbed at the memory.

The zebra lifted one hoof, pushing the hood back and OH MY GOD IT'S THE SAME ZEBRA. I squawked and fell back, scrambling and kicking at the ground until I'd managed a few feet. I stood, looking for her stick.

She was not amused. Her dark-rimmed eyes stared at me with a sharpness absent in any pony, until I'd calmed down. Once I had, I pointed my index finger at her. "What...the fuck...are you doing here?!"

"I thought it best for me to settle," her deep, rich accent caused the hairs on my body to stand. "Where better than the forest to test my mettle?"

My eye twitched. So she rhymes now... "Why're you rhyming?"

"I do not rhyme; there's just no time." From the little smirk on her face, I assumed she was messing with me. I frowned.

"Fine, don't tell me...when did you learn English anyway?" I crossed my arms.

"Miss Rose Stone is responsible for my new tone," she responded.

The earth-pony? I raised an eyebrow. I knew she was a translator, but I had no idea she could actually teach a language. I filed it away for later. "My name's Jason, by the way. Jason Wright." I nodded at her.

I tuned out her rhyming as best I could, though she introduced herself as Zecora. And apparently, this was a common occurrence. She had come into town several times, and each time the place was deserted. "Yeah, I know how ya feel," I added, "don't expect it to get better. It doesn't. Why'd you come to town, anyway?"

She said she needed a certain plant for a potion. I offered to help, but apparently she couldn't use me if I didn't know what it looked like. I shrugged and leaned against a nearby building, watching her work.

And work.

Aaaand work.

Aaaaaaaaaand oh dear God she's just poking at the ground. "STOP!" I shouted, pushing off and walking towards her. "Just...stop. Jeez, how ponies get anything done with hooves is a mystery..." Probably magic, the cheaters. "Just tell me where to dig, and I'll dig. Okay?"

She nodded, a sly smile on her face. ...She was just waiting for me to do the dirty work... My eye twitched, but I bit my tongue and did as asked.

I scraped at the packed earth with my fingers, scooping out handfuls of dirt far quicker than she was. It took twenty minutes of dirty, and eventually painful work, once my fingertips went raw. But a tiny unassuming seedling was my reward, which Zecora deftly swiped from my hand and stuffed in the satchel under her cloak. She thanked me and turned to walk out into the Everfree.

Of course, I followed. I followed her out of town, into the forest, around a field of weird blue flowers, and into the deepest part of the forest. She either didn't hear me, or didn't care. When she disappeared into a hollowed out tree made to look like a hut, I crossed my arms at the door.

"A-HEM!!!" I shouted, rapping on the shoddy door. It swung open, revealing a somewhat surprised and incredulous zebra mare within.

"You're free to go. Did I not tell you so?"

I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow. "I know. I'm here for another reason."

Author's Notes:

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