Chapter 10: Apples, Pranks and Chaos
Your author here with yet another yedious and boring message. Still accepting OC's. Need 2 more to act as my main characters. Also, I beleive that in the last chapter I may have portrayed the character, Firestorm as a bit harsh. This is not the case. I'd also like to thank all of you who are favoriting and reviewing this story. It helps to know that people are actually reading this. So, enjoy.
After gathering up Najmi, Pinkie Pie and I set our brilliant prank in motion. Najmi waited just outside Twilight's slightly ajar front door. And I sat a bucket filled with a mysterious gray liquid on top. Twas a simple enough prank. Najmi would call Firestorm. Firestorm would come see what was wrong and open the door. The bucket would fall and drench him. What was special about this prank was that we didn't fill the bucket with water. Giving the signal to Najmi, we set the prank in motion.
"Firestorm, I need your help with something. Could you come give me a hand?"
As Firestorm opened the door, the bucket fell.
"What is it Najm-" cut off from his sentence the bucket struck his head with a loud thunk. But, no liquid came out. Running over to Firestorm, I realized that he was out cold.
"Pinkie, we have a problem." Galloping over, Pinkie realized that the prank had gone awry.
"What happened? Why is he sleeping? Where's the cement?"
Looking around for the bucket I found it a few feet away. Lifting it up was much harder than it was last time. As I looked inside, I found a solidified layer of cement. It had hardened. But how?
"Pinkie, do you still have the bag you got this cement from?"
"Absolutely! Here you go." Pinkie said, happily handing me the bag from out of seemingly nowhere. As I looked it over, I translated it and read the label aloud.
"Cemento's Super Cement. The strongest, hardest and fastest drying cement in Equestria. If it's not dry in 3 minutes or less, we guarantee your hard earned bits back. Warning: For use in construction purposes only. For the safety of you and others please do not consume, bathe, or play with it. This product was not intended for pranking purposes." Finishing, I turned to look at Pinkie.
"Really? You seriously let me use this without reading the label first? Do you realize that Firestorm could have been killed? In fact, if this had been anypony else, they'd be dead right now. You're lucky he has a thick skull."
This started Pinkie giggling and snorting.
"You think this is funny?" I shouted at her.
"No silly. You said he had a thick skull." And with that Pinkie just burst out laughing. Face palming, I called out to the only person who could take me seriously.
"Give me a hand Najmi, we need to get him inside."
After we'd gotten Firestorm back in the house we carried him up the stairs and set him down on Twilights bed.
"Man Ryan. He's a lot heavier than he looks."
"I'm not concerned about his weight Najmi. I worry more for what we have to tell him when he wakes up." Pondering this, Najmi came up with an idea.
"Maybe we could say he had one too many hookers." That got me laughing.
"Are you kidding me? Not even hookers would want to be with this guy." This got us laughing even harder.
"Maybe 'cause I killed them." A third voice spoke out. Immediately we froze in place. As I looked down, I found Firestorm glaring up at me. "Now then, you're going to explain to me what happened, or I'm going to use your body as a knife sheath."
"If you do, I will eat each and every one of them." I replied smiling.
"Speaking of," Firestorm said, getting off subject, "are you ever going to give me that one knife back?"
"No, I already flushed it."
At this all three of us started laughing. After settling down we helped an unsteady Firestorm to his hooves. Firestorm wandered off to find Spike, leaving me and Najmi by ourselves. Terrible idea that is. Leaving 2 magic capable humans by themselves. Well, they got off lucky this time, since I wasn't feeling too mischievous. After heading downstairs myself, I decided to pursue my one true passion. Reading. Setting myself down in a chair, I started with a history book so that I could learn the things about this place that weren't shown in the actual show itself. Might learn something useful. Finishing, rather short for a history book, I stood up from my chair and yawned. But as I opened my mouth, out came a bright green flame which transformed into a letter.
"Well, didn't expect that." As I picked it up, I unrolled it and began reading. Then I realized that I couldn't read it. I didn't know Equestrian. So I cast a spell that translated it for me. Just as I had done with the history book.
Dear Princess Celestia,
This is my first report. Observing the humans is no easy feat. And I hate to tell you this, but your suspicions about Ryan were correct. I wish I could accurately describe it, but my head just really hurts. And I can't think too clearly. However, I will give a full report nonetheless. Ryan, the lighter skinned human, is an odd one. He seems to be rather unstable with his emotions. At one moment he is dead serious, then he's laughing like a madman. And as well, it turns out that these humans are magic capable. In fact, Ryan's powers, at times, feel as if they could rival yours in strength. Oddly enough though, he won't use it. Unless he has good reason he just flat out doesn't use magic. The darker skinned one, Najmi, is more friendly and agreeable. I find that I can happily hang out with him. He doesn't do stupid things. So, in our best interests, I recommend sending a magic channeling collar for Ryan. As to why, well, he shot lightning at me. Hit me right between the eyes he did. And then he nearly burned down Twilights library. Of course he fixed it for her, but still. That's all I can say about the humans so far. Moving on to other matters, Ponyville is still as peaceful as ever. However, your lead turned out to be wrong. I couldn't find them here. So I would like to request that you relieve me of my post so that I may continue my search. Why don't you send Atom Bomb, or one of the others from my squad? I really miss them all. Seems like forever since the last time I saw them. I'm fairly certain they can handle the humans. And lastly, one of the resident ponies filed a complaint. The keeper of the Ponyville pony cemetery says that some hoodlum or another went and dug up all the graves and removed the bodies. I would recommend sending down a squad of guards to investigate this.
Respectfully,
Elite Guard Firestorm
P.S. I've not seen any sign of the escaped prisoner yet. But, I'm still certain he will show himself.
Well, this was something. It was a report. After reading it, I felt many different things. Not sure how to describe it. So instead of pondering my emotions, I tried doing what Spike did. I sent the letter by fire, hoping that I didn't accidentally set it on fire. Of course, I could have been mean and destroyed it. But, I just feel that there's something incredibly rude about destroying someones mail. After a couple minutes, I felt a weird sensation coming from my stomach. Opening my mouth I let off a rather loud burp and out came another scroll. Unsealing the letter, a large metal handcuff fell out. Not bothering to pick it up I began to read the letter.
Dear Firestorm,
After carefully reviewing your report I regret to say that we need you where you are. We can't allow Ryan or Najmi to remain un-supervised. As for the rest of your squad, we will send them at once. Though I have sad news. While Atom Bomb was conducting research on an experimental kind of blade, there was an explosion. He was injured, badly. Though the doctors want him to remain with them, he insisted on coming down at once and promptly escaped from the hospital. If you see him, please talk some sense into him. Although I was surprised when you wrote that the humans were capable of rivaling us in magical strength. I wasn't even aware that they were even capable of performing the simplest of spells. So, I have sent you a variation of the magic channeling collar. This one is not quite as strong and won't cut off his magic completely. But, it should regulate his usage of it so that he's not as powerful. Lastly, I fully expect that you and your team can handle the graveyard situation.
Sincerely,
Princess Celestia
P.S. Princess Luna says hi.
Carefully, I resealed the letter and picked up the little hand cuff. Turning it over in my hand, it felt smooth. If I were to guess, I'd say it was made out of obsidian. But that's just a guess. As I studied, it I began to feel a little weaker. As if something were sucking the life out of me. Setting it down, I breathed in and out slowly. As I breathed, I began to feel better. Now then,
"FIRESTORM, YOU'VE GOT MAIL!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. Firestorm entered the room and I handed him his letter. As he read it, I saw a lone tear go down his face. But then he closed it and began looking around.
"By any chance was there a bracelet that came with this?"
I pointed to where I had set it and he proceeded to collect it.
"Well, I'm going to go on down to Apple Acres. If you need me, well, you know."
And with that, I left Twilight's home. Making my way down the street, I began heading towards where I remember Applejack's farm being located. As I made my way, I came upon a nice bright white fence. Enclosed by the fence, was a massive orchard of apple tress. Walking along the fence, my ears were greeted by the sound of someone grunting. Didn't take a genius to figure out what that sound was. Hopping the fence, I began heading towards the sound. Soon enough, I came across Applejack bucking trees. Leaning against a tree she hadn't kicked yet, I picked a green apple and began munching on it. As Applejack finished with the tree she was working on, she let out a tired sigh.
"Hoo boy, this is tough. Now why'd Mac have ta' go and get so sick. And right before harvest season."
"Need a hand?" I asked, startling her.
"Where'd you come from?" She growled taking a defensive stance. Now this was going to be tough. Lying successfully would be near impossible considering that she could probably see through any lie that I threw at her. Then again, I was a skilled liar.
"Well, I heard you say you were having trouble and just thought I might offer a hand. I mean, is it wrong to want to help someone?" I replied with a false smile.
At that she let her stance slip a tiny bit, "And what if I say I don't need help from the likes of you? I can handle this myself."
Alright, game face. Here we go. "Wow, and I thought you were the element of honesty. I didn't think you were capable of telling a lie"
At this she became confused, and let her stance slip even more. "What are you talking about? I'm not lying. I can handle a few apple trees."
And once more, "A few huh. I think you mean a few hundred. 'Cause on my way here I noticed lots and lots of trees that still had apples on them." At this her face became very haggard and she sunk to the ground.
"I...I thought that I was almost done. But I still have even more trees…no. No, I can handle it, I...I can do it. A few hundred's not so bad. If ah work hard enough I can finish in no time." She said, trying to fill herself with confidence. But it wasn't working, and I could tell.
And now for the finisher, "Applejack, I don't care that you're lying to me, that's fine. But, please, stop lying to yourself. Just let me help you. Please, I honestly want to repay for what I've done. But, I can't help you if you won't let me. If you truly feel you can do this without my help, I won't argue. I'll let you handle it. But, consider my offer. I truly want to help you." And on that note, I stood up and began walking away. Wait for it.
"Wait. If ya' truly do want to help, then I guess I can accept it." As soon as she said that, an evil smile spread across my face. But I let it fade to be replaced by a friendly one. Turning around, I stuck out my hand to help her up.
"I'm glad you're letting me help you. Though, I know you probably don't trust me, I can accept that fact. Honestly, I respect your pride. I understand the want to be able to do things yourself. And if at any time you want me to stop, or leave you alone, I will respect your wishes."
Taking my hand she got back up and nodded.
"Now then Applejack, where'd you want me to start?"
Applejack flicked her head towards one of the un-harvested trees. "Well, let's see if you can handle that tree over there. Though, I don't expect ya' to be able to knock more than one apple off of it." Walking up to the indicated tree, I looked back at her and she nodded once more. Taking a stance, I pulled back a hand as if preparing to punch it. Then I let my fist fly but stopped just short of the tree. As I struggled to control the surge of power going through my fist, I focused it all into the tip of my pointer finger. Then I flicked the tree.
As second after second passed, I waited. Finally, Applejack couldn't wait any longer,
"Well, that was a good try. But, I suppose not everyone is meant to be an apple bucker."
As soon as she finished her sentence every single apple on every tree around us fell to the ground with muffled thunking sounds. Applejack stood there amazed. Turning back to her, I said smugly,
"What was that? I couldn't hear you over the sound of my success."
That got her to laugh. And so I spent the next 4 and a half hours bucking apples. Finally, finished we both collapsed to the ground. "Whew, *pant* that was exhausting. How do you do it?"
"It takes lots of hard work and determination." she said smiling. "But sometimes you also need the help of a friend."
"I'm honored you would consider me your friend. Even after all the trouble I've caused. But, if you don't mind, I'd like to go wash up. I'll see you later."
"Alright then. I spose I'll see you later,umm. Actually I never got your name." AppleJack said blushing. Stopping I said over my shoulder, "The name's Ryan."
And with that, my performance ended and I began my trek back to Twilight's house.
After walking for a couple minutes, I stopped, turned my head, and spat at the ground. "Fuck, that was tuff. Never thought manual labor was a way to earn friendship. If I ever have to do that again, I might just lose my mind."
Hopping the fence, I started walking back through the streets of Ponyville. However, I was being followed again. Turning around, I saw no one. But I could sense that they were close. I was really getting sick of people following me. I mean, if you wanted to learn something about someone, then why not just walk up and ask. There's no need to stalk them. As I turned back around, I was startled to find 10 unicorns standing in front of me. Wait…they look familiar. Then it struck me. These were the ponies I had sent to retrieve the Discord statue. After waiting a couple seconds, one of them spoke up. "Sir, we searched the gardens. But, there was no sign of the statue. All that we found was a note." Handing me the note I was surprised to see that it was written in English. It said,
Human, we need to talk. I'll be waiting in the Everfree forest when you're ready. Search for me by the patch of Poison joke.
Lots of love, mayhem, and chocolate milk.
-Discord
A/N Well, as of right now I am accepting characters for Firestorm's elite squadron of guards. These ponies can, and probably should, be a weapons specialist. Meaning that I want any of you who submit a character for the squad to get creative, really creative with what you do. That means special powers, magics, abilities, the works. But please remember this: I will not accept gun toters. They do not have guns in Equestria, they never have and never will. And if you do submit a character for the elite guard squad, then I need you to submit the reason as to why they joined the guards and how they made it to the elite of the elite. I'll also need a detailed backstory on them. And the all important detailed personality should not be forgotten. And for any of you who've already submitted an OC and have not seen them appear yet I will also need you to tell me if they are going to be in the elite squad, or in the undead horde. Also, I am only accepting 6 ponies for the elite squad. 2 of these spaces being filled by Firestorm, and Atom Bomb. So in actuality there are 4 spaces open. And I still need 2 more main characters. One from the undead horde, and one from the elite squad. The next chapter cannot and will not come out until I have these 2 characters. And with that I apologize for the harassment. Leave a review please. Or an OC. Or you can PM me the OC. Peace.