Some time later, a train arrived to Applelooza, bringing new visitors and workers. One stallion however, had other plans. As he was walking, he noticed the multiple orchards and newly erected derricks. He arrived at Applejack's cottage, sat down, and waited. He holds some camping equipment, a life in a bag. Applejack noticed him, and trotted over to him. "Can I help ya?" asked Applejack. The stranger looked up and said, "Applejack...?", eyes gleaming. "Uh. Yeah..." replied Applejack confused, "Who are you...?". The stranger stood and answered, "My name's Caramel." "Yeah...?" said Applejack, still confused. Caramel came to Applejack and hugged her. "Applejack," he said, "I'm your brother from another mother.... Ranier Apple was my father...." Applejack shook Caramel away and stepped back in shock. She pointed at Caramel, "Marion Brands.... Is that your mother...?" Caramel responded, "Yes. That's right." Applejack was silent. Caramel stepped forth and said, "I read about your gusher in the paper, about your success." Applejack eyed Caramel suspiciously. She said, "You heard 'bout my success and you just decide ta 'show up'? I've learned somethin' in this business. Ye can't trust ANYpony." Caramel retaliated, "Our father's dead. I heard and I wanted to tell you..." Applejack was shocked and asked, "When?". "3 months ago." replied Caramel, "I got a letter from an associate. I came all the way here to tell you, to find you." "Well," said Applejack, "You got the letter?". Caramel whipped it out, and Applejack read it. She was stunned and moved. "Oh, do come in." she said. She went to Caramel and embraced him, relieved she had somepony else from her bloodline here. She gestured Caramel towards her home. Caramel said, "I'm famished.". Food was served and Caramel was eating ferociously. Applejack sat across, with Applebloom next to her. Applebloom was eyeing the stranger. "I was trying to do my own drilling out in Silver City for 'bout two years now." Applejack asked, "Anything that produced?" Caramel chuckled and answered, "Ohh, no. Not like YOUR success...". Applejack asked if he had any other family. Caramel looked up sorrowfully and said, "No. I've spent time in jail. I've done some very bad things Applejack. I got nothing. How 'bout you?", Applejack, ignoring the question, asked, "What were ya in jail for?". Caramel replied, "Believe it or not, despite ALL the trouble I have caused, when they picked me up, I hadn't done anything. But I HAVE done my share of things I'd rather not talk about." Applejack asked if he ever thought about going bac home. Caramel said he had and asked Applejack if SHE had. She said she hadn't. "I have my OWN concerns here..." she said. Applebloom was silent in her noiseless word, eyed Caramel hardly. Applejack got a bottle of milk and mixed it with whisky, urging Applebloom to drink it. She does, hating its putrid taste.

Later that night, Applejack set Applebloom to bed and she and Caramel stayed up, talking about their pasts. Applejack turned to Caramel, eyeing him questionably, and asked, "What do ya REALLY want Caramel?". Caramel looked at her solemnly and replied, "Nothing...if you can spare something. I can work for you in any way, until I get enough money to go back home I ain't got any." Applejack said coldly, "Ya know, jus' answer me directly. Ye say 'nothing' and then you say you wanna stay and work. I'd rather hear ye jus' say that." Caramel said he is a good worker and can work with cables, since he used to build railroads. Some time past, and the sibling just lit a fire and sat.Applejack eyed Caramel with concern and asked, "Are you an angry pony, Caramel...?" Caramel turned, caught off guard, and asked, "...About what...?" "Are you envious?" asked Applejack, "Do you get envious...?" Caramel said, "I don't think so.". Silence, and then Applejack turned to Caramel, eyes glowing with the bitter truth, and said, "I got a competition in me.... I want nopony else to succeed..... I.... I hate most ponies.....". Caramel stared straightforward and said, "Well, that part of me is long gone. working and not succeeding... All my failures have left me.... I don't care now...". Applejack was still glowing and replied, "If it's in ME, it's gotta be in YOU.". There was silence, and then she continued, "I look at ponies, and I don't see nothing worth liking............ Do you want to succeed....?". Caramel responded, "I used to dream and go after success like you.... Now, I just want to survive... I don't have the dedication I once had..........I just.....don't feel that way....". Applejack said, "Yer jus' being lazy. That's what it is. And ye ain't gotta be... I've worked ponies over and got what I want from them and it makes me sick. 'Cause I see that ALL ponies are lazy and incompetent. They're easy ta take... I used ta make so much money that I could jus'......move away.....far from everypony......" Caramel got concerned and asked, "What about your sister...?" Applejack let out a lng groan and responded, "I dunno. Maybe it will change? Does yer sound come back? Does it jus'....come back...? I dunno. Maybe nopony knows. A doctor might not know.... I don't wanna talk 'bout these things.......". She was glowing again, ans said. "I see the worst in ponies..... I don't need ta look past seein' 'em ta get all I need....... I wanna rule and never, ever explain myself. I've built my hatred up for sooo long. And lately..... Sometimes, I think.....I'm goin' funny....in the head..... I've built it up, little by little Caramel......... You bein' here......gives me a sigh of relief. I thank ye for it. I.....can't keep doin' this........on my own........ With these......ponies....." and began to let out a raspy nervous laugh.

The next day, Applebloom woke up late and Caramel and Applejack were out working. Applebloom began to snoop through Caramel's belongings, and discovered his notebook. She couldn't make any sense of it and left. She arrived at the church along with Scootaloo. Scootaloo was trying desperately to talk to her, but her efforts were futile. Applebloom was drinking more of the milk and whisky, becoming convinced by Applejack that it would help. Twilight came into the church and was surprised to see the fillies there. "Oh, why, hello..." said Twilight. She was standing over Applebloom. She sat down next to her and said, "There is only one Spirit, and that is-" but was interrupted by Scootaloo, who said, "She can't hear you, you egghead." Twilight turned to her, staring, and replied, "......Yes....she can....". Scootaloo got up and said, "Twilight, you she can't-" until Twilight put her hoof to Scootaloo's mouth and muttered, "Quiet...". Twilight got really close to Applebloom, staring her down, jostling her to pay attention. "You listen to this, Applebloom...." she said, "I know you can hear me.... Your sister.... has......provoked me.....and she....has....provoked Celestia herself.... Save yourself, Applebloom, before it's......to late.... I can feel it. All this, will end...in blood....."

That night, all was quiet at the Apple's cottage. Applejack and Caramel were sound asleep. Applebloom, however, stayed awake. She had a bottle filled with crude oil and poured it all over the inside of the house. She ran into the kitchen, lit a match, and dropped it on the oil-soaked ground. It took off like a rocket and in a flash traveled to Caramel's room. Black smoke filled the air the fire spread setting the furniture and curtains up in smoke. Caramel woke up and saw he was surrounded by flames. He darted out of his bed and grabbed Applejack in a headlock. She was screaming and writhing in his lock. He called, "APPLEJACK! APPLEJACK! GET UP! GET UP!". Applejack woke up in shock. She saw Applebloom and Caramel. He cried, "SAVE YOURSELF! LEAVE RIGHT NOW!". Applejack broke a window open and got herself out. Caramel and Applebloom banged out of the front door and were outside. The cottage was ripped by the flames. Applejack went to Applebloom, grabbed her, and shouted in her face, "WHAT THE FUCK DO YA THINK YER DOIN'?! WHAT ARE YA DOIN' TO US?!" and threw her on the ground as the cottage fell apart.

That morning, Applejack and Applebloom stepped on a train. She said to Applebloom, "I'm sending you to a school." and paused, gesturing to her mouth and continued slowly, "DO YOU UNDERSTAND?". Applejack was clearly hiding something and holding back emotions. She grabbed Applebloom and hugged her hard and kissed her on the forehead over and over again. Applebloom looked up at Applejack, confused. The train came to a stop. Applejack looked forward, and told Applebloom, "I'm gonna to speak to the conductor. I will be right back. Ya hear? You stay hear...". Applebloom read her lips and nodded some sort of approval. Applejack stood up and walked.....out of the train. The train began to move slowly, as Applejack trotted farther and farther away from it. Applebloom got up and tried to get off the train, headed for the opposite direction, but by now, it was heading too fast. She started to go crazy, screaming and calling for Applejack and shouting, "NO!" over and over again. Applejack kept looking forward, completely ignoring Applebloom as the train traveled farther and farther away........

Next Chapter: Chapter XI: Oil For All Estimated time remaining: 25 Minutes