AJ leapt to her hooves as soon as she felt the train slow and the conductor announced they were just about to reach Appleloosa. The moment the train station came into view, AJ pressed her face against the window, trying to spot a speck of yellow, a splash of raspberry, her bow - anything! She felt Ash place a hoof on her shoulder, probably in an attempt to calm her, but she shook it off. Her only focus was her little sister and throwing her back onto this train as soon as earthly possible. The absolute minute the front doors opened, Applejack leapt out of the car to the slight protest of the conductor.

As soon as her hooves hit the well-worn platform, she took a moment to gain her bearings and swallow her panic. This morning, while waiting for Ash’s train, Rarity and Sweetie Belle had happened to stroll by the station. Applejack had called out to thank her friend for dropping Applebloom off at home. Her heart sank the moment the two unicorns shared a rather confused look. Applebloom was supposed to stay over? Did Rarity forget? Applejack, at that point, knew exactly what that stubborn little filly had done. All her fear, panic, heartbreak, and anger swelled into an unbridled storm that no pegasi could ever tame.

It was then Ash got onto the platform himself. He tapped her shoulder, then gestured to the town’s inn across the main street. Lo and behold, a little yellow filly, adorned with a pink bow, was tightening the strap of her saddle bag around her barrel. She stepped out into the sun of the early morning, smile as bright as the sky above her. However, her look of determination dropped, and the color drained from her face as she spotted the orange farm mare charging towards her. She froze in place as her sister approached, looking angrier than ever.

“Ah could stuff ya in a pie and cook ya this instant,” Applejack roared as she towered over her younger sibling. “Lyin’ to me! ME! Sneakin’ out? To another town?! Ya ain’t gown up, AB, and yer gonna be grounded till ya are!”

As she paused to catch her breath, she realized her sister’s amber eyes were brimming with tears just about to fall. The dark stallion appeared at her side, ears pricked back and wearing an expression of concern. The farm mare sighed, trying to lower her voice. “Tell me what the hay is goin’ on here.”

Applebloom sniffed, her lower lip trembling as she answered in a weak voice. “Ah jus’ wan’ed ta help. Me and ma friends caught Trouble Shoes ourselves, why can’t ah go after Knife Edge too? Trouble Shoes turned out nice, and he’s even datin’ Marble Pie! Why can’t ah - “

“Because Knife Edge is leagues away from Trouble Shoes.” Ash suddenly interrupted, face darkening. “Trouble Shoes was considered a criminal because he bashed up a few rodeos on accident. Nopony was hurt. Knife Edge is a real, criminal, Applebloom. There’s not a lot out there, but he’s one of the one’s that aren’t good. At all. That’s why I’ve gotta catch him. He…” He glanced at Applejack, changing his phrasing last minute, “he really hurts ponies. He loves the chase, loves committing crimes. Its his talent, and he’s good at it. He is not some clumsy rodeo clown. You’re very brave, Springy, but only adult ponies need to be handling this.” He finished with a nod. Applebloom’s face scrunched as Ash provided his explanation.

“But…can’t ah at least help?! Ah’m fast n’ smart and could help get rid a’ him! That way ah can make sure y’all won’t…that y’all will make it back to Ponyville okay and ya can come back to the farm - “

“Applebloom, this is very serious. You’re a real cool kid and I wanna make sure you and your family are safe. The moment I catch him, you’ll be the first to know.” Ash said with a wink.

“But - “

“But. Nothin’. Applebloom, what would ah do if ah lost mah little sister to some goon? What would Granny, or Big Mac do?! Yer Aunt Sugah Belle?! Yer friends!” Applejack placed a hoof around her sister as sher lead her back towards the platform. “Also, how didja even get up here? Ah know ya didn’ get in Granny’s safe…” She quirked a brow, and AB looked even more ashamed.

“Ah used mah birthday bits for the ticket and the inn. Ah budgeted, jus’ like ya taught me, so ah had enough ta get home.” Applejack sighed, rubbing her forehead with a hoof as they finally reached the train platform. She took a quick glance at the sign next to the ticket window while Ash Bark hovered close by.

“Alrigh’, the train back ta Ponyville is in thirty-five minutes. Ah bought yer ticket so put those bits away. Do ya think ya can git back to the farm okay and tell Granny ah should be back by tomorrow?” Applejack asked and Applebloom nodded silently. AJ leaned down to kiss the top of her head and give her a hug. After a tight squeeze, AJ made sure AB was planted firmly on the wooden bench. After a brief wave, Applejack then turned back towards Ash, amd mumbled, “c’mon. We’re goin’ to the Sheriff.”

Ash didn’t protest as she began to pull him away. After making sure her little sister was far enough away (and still sulking on the bench) she turned to the stallion.

“Okay, yer gonna tell me now. You’ve been scootin’ ’round the issue ever since ya told me about him. What exactly do we have on our hooves here, Ash?” She said sternly, eyes boring into his own. He opened his mouth to retort, but closed it with a sigh.

“No, you’re right, Jack, ya need to know. I was trying to keep as much to myself as I could, so nopony would…ah well.” Quickly making sure they were out of earshot of the townsfolk, Ash began quietly, “Knife Edge has been terrorizing the surrounding areas for about four years. We didn’t even know who he was up until two winters ago or so. This guy is the sneakiest varmint I’ve ever dealt with, and every new bunch of cronies he manipulates never give us the right info when we catch them. He feeds them lies with the promise of money and riches, then dumps them so we catch them, and protects his own flank. He escapes us every time we have enough evidence to throw him into Canterlot’s dungeons, or, if I can swing it, Tartarus.”

AJ’s eyebrows rose. Only the most terrible of ponies and creatures went to Tartarus. A sudden, horrid thought crossed her mind.

“He doesn’t…he hasn’t hurt any foals, has he?” She whispered, fear for her sister suddenly skyrocketing.

“He’s…he’s awful in a different way. He preys on ponies on the trail who are weary and obviously don’t have a lot. He robs them absolutely blind, and purposefully tries to ruin them as much as possible. Destroying wagons, burning their belongings, and causing a lot of ponies…more permanent injuries. One of the town’s shopkeepers is in a wheelchair for the rest of his life because of this guy. If there are kids there, he hurts one of the parents and makes them watch.

Folks say he’s like this because his mother died giving birth to him, and his father blamed him. Didn’t treat him great. Has had a string of bad luck throughout his life. We need to take him down before he gets worse and does something even worse.”

Applejack could only stare at the stallion, absorbing the truth about the cruel stallion. That fear roiling within her for Applebloom and her family did not wane, but instead pushed her to turn towards the center of town and trot away.

“Uh, Jack?” Ash called after her in confusion.

“C’mon! We’re gonna catch this varmint once and for all. And ah’m comin’.”

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Because there was a hellacious snowstorm in my state, my work actually gave us a legitimate snow day. So I decided to give you guys a little Thanksgiving treat early. I am sorry about the length between these updates, but I’m determined to get these finished to the end (especially this particular story). So stay tuned to see where Applejack and Ash Bark adventure to next on their mission to stop this messed up dude, and maybe get a little more expansion on their relationship…

Thanks again for all your comments, views, likes, and all the support y’all are giving. It really means a lot, and I sincerely hope the work I’m putting out makes you guys excited to see it in your notifications. Enjoy, and have a great holiday week.

Ash spawn:

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Ash Bark:
(coming soon)

Apples To Ashes Chapter Five:
(coming soon)

(previous)

A Rare Kind of Happy Chapter One:

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