Chapter Text
Apple Bloom loved the new circle scarf that Craft Apple had given her. Since she was a filly, things like knits and textiles always made her happy! Not that it’ll matter much any more. But she doesn’t know that, so, shush.
The circle scarf was green with a triangle pattern on it made to resemble leaves. “I almost look like Big Mac!” Apple Bloom was very pleased, plus the green would look good with the leaves of the season. She couldn't wait to show Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. Well, she would if she knew where the other two teens were.
The sun shined through the open window. Another day of work for Big Mac, another day of stress on his sisters. He left his messy bedroom, there was really no point in cleaning it. Only by the loud thud he heard outside did he know that Rainbow Dash was present. That and the fact that she was yelling.
”Apple Jack!! APPLE JACK!” The following groan signaled to Rainbow that Apple Jack was, indeed, awake. “What in TARNATION do you WANT?!!” Poking her head out of the window was Apple Jack. Below the window was none other than Rainbow Dash, stubbornly floating in the air.
“Just take the cans!” Rainbow Dash had collected some cans from Cloud’s Dale. “I don’t need yur pity cans!” Apple Jack retorted back. It was far too early for her, why was Rainbow even awake? Without hesitation, Apple Jack took the bag of cans and shoved them back into Rainbow Dash’s arms. “Now leave!” Rainbow Dash frowned and said “Fine then!!” With that, Rainbow Dash had flown off. She was rather annoyed.
Apple Jack rattled off the chores which were on the To-Do List. “Apple Bloom, I need some help with the chickens. You can do that for the first half of the day.” The Apple family sat around the table, it was carved by Bright Mac. It was old, and rather scuffed. Nothing wrong with it though. “Craft Apple, I need you and…Minuette to head to the edge of the property. We need more wood for the walls.”
Craft Apple wasn’t fond of the idea. Going outside always made her stomach churn. “You can take the cart for the wood, 2 axes and some buckets for the apples!” Apple Jack continued to talk about the day’s work whilst Craft looked out the window.
Apple Jack had finished giving out the daily tasks of her family. Now it was time for her to awaken the townsponies. “Look alive everypony!” The large barn doors slammed open with Apple Jack, right in the center. “We’ve all got work to do!” The resounding groans set the mood of the barn. “This way, y’all can start having houses soon!” Ponies then started waking up and walking over.
“Minuette, I need you and Craft Apple to head to the edge of the property! Carrot Top, you and Cherry Berry can plant carrots. Mayor Mare, you and TwinkleShine can preserve apples.” Apple Jack split up the cluster and ponies started doing their tasks.
After all the ponies filed out of the barn, Apple Jack began looking for the wood cutting supplies. The creeky cart was old, but it was still in good condition. It’s wheels turned as Apple Jack walked it over to the gate. The buckets and axes were soon placed inside and the two ponies were off.
“So….what’re you into?” Craft Apple hadn’t met Minuette the times she was in PonyVille as a filly. Minuette just shrugged and continued walking. “I really like…apples.” Craft Apple was making a horrible impression in her head. “That’s nice, I guessed that.” The Mayan blue pony next to Craft barely spared her a glance, as it seemed to be her constant need to look around.
”I like studying time.” Minuette talked as they strolled. “I like crafting things.” Craft Apple did the same. The quiet didn’t seem to matter. Yapping a mile a minute they were, all they did was talk. And as the bright green spring leaves blew in the wind, the wind seemed to blow away. They couldn’t hear it! They, couldn’t, hear it.
The talk was almost as bright as the ponies who were talking. Craft Apple was enjoying herself, her company even. The dirt path to the edge of the forest was rather scenic. It had new pretty flowers blooming, sturdy trees and the great benefit of being far away from PonyVille.
“My siblings are always so loud!” One of the ponies stated, the other nodded. Magic swirled around the handle of the axe as Minuette chipped away at the tree. Craft Apple was quite versed in the ability, as she had done so many times.
”The trees are so pretty this time of year. Too bad we have to cut them down.” Craft Apple understood the sentiment. “True, but they’re so far away. They probably wouldn’t get as much care or attention as the closer trees do. It’s best to cut them down now, before they start to struggle.”
The two mares chopped down few trees. Craft Apple always had respect for the trees which provided for her and her family. It would only be right to appreciate the trees before, and after. A quiet gasp came Minuette as she hopped backwards when the tree finally fell. “Don’t be afraid of the tree. You need to stand perpendicular to the point where you’re cutting.” Minuette got more used to the action, after a few valuable tips.
“Okay, let’s go ge-AHHH!!!” Be for she could finish her sentence, something had jumped onto Craft Apple’s back. It’s weight tipping it over and forcing her onto the dusty ground. “AHHHH!!!” In a split second, Craft Apple had kicked the thing off of her and into a near by tree. Staring at the thing, it was a pony. It was, once.
Craft Apple’s horrified face stared right at the pony. Her mouth hung agape as it twitched, its limbs were heavy and….stoney? “What the heck is that?!” Before Craft Apple could respond, Minuette had picked up her with magic. “Wait!” It was too late, Minuette had slammed the axe down into the zombie’s head. “Slam! Slam! Slam!”
The final swing echoed through out the radiant forest. The zombie’s body had finally stopped twitching, allowing both alive mares to rest. ‘Who was this pony?’ Craft Apple thought as she looked at its body. “It’s Lily.”
Minuette stared at her friend, she was heart broken. She then pointed to the three distinct lilies on the flank of the corpse. “It’s really her….” Against her will, large globs of tears fell down her face. She had just axed her friend in the face.
