Chereads / My Little Pony: Platinum Shadow / Chapter 13 - Episode 12: (Apple Bloom Arc) Sleuthing 2: Origins Of Deception

Chapter 13 - Episode 12: (Apple Bloom Arc) Sleuthing 2: Origins Of Deception

Scene: 12.0: Ponyville, Sweet Apple Acres, 12:00 PM, Day 10 Of 365

 

Shadow and his friends arrive at Sweet Apple Acres and luckily for them both Big Mac and Apple Jack are there while Rainbow Dash, Sugar Belle and Jersey Mac are not.

 

Apple Jack:

Well I'll be. What are you young'uns doing here? Y'all should be at school.

 

Apple Bloom:

I brought them here because they want to know all about Ma and Pa. They all have been begging me to tell them all about it.

 

Apple Jack:

Is that right? Well that's mighty nice of ya. Alright! We'll tell ya everything about Ma and Pa. Right, Big Mac?

 

Big Mac:

Eeyup.

 

Apple Jack, Big Mac:

(Notices Apple Rose)

!?

 

Apple Rose:

(Ladylike Bow)

Hello. My Name is Rose. Pleased to make your acquaintance.

 

Apple Jack:

(Surprised)

Well I'll Be. Have We Met Before?

 

Apple Rose:

(Nervous, Staying Calm)

I'm…A Distant Relative Of Platinum Shadow!

 

Shadow:

(Annoyed, Staying Calm, Hiding Annoyance Behind Smile)

Yeah. Rose is from the distant south of the world. She's so far south, she literally lives in the realm beyond Tartarus.

 

Apple Jack:

What?

 

Apple Rose:

(Annoyed, Kicks Shadow's Leg, Nervous Chuckle, Hiding Annoyance Behind Smile)

You Really Are Such A Meanie, Big Brother Shadow!

 

Shadow:

(Furious, Grabs Apple Rose, Gives Rose Ruthless Noogie, Hiding Fury Behind Smile, [Thinking])

And You Are One Precious [Worthless], Wonderful [Annoying], Adorable [Horrible], Lovable [Despicable] Filly!

 

Shadow's Friends:

(Thinking, Facepalm, Worried)

With A Family Like Them, Who Needs Enemies…!

 

Q:

(Disappointed, Face-Wing)

Kyuu…

 

Apple Jack, Big Mac:

(Laughing)

 

Shadow, Apple Rose:

(Furious)

WHAT!?

 

Apple Jack:

You both are really close even though you happen to be distant relatives.

 

Apple Rose: Shadow:

Me!? Close To This Jerk!? Ridiculous!! | Me!? Close To This Punk!? Ridiculous!!

 

Shadow, Apple Rose:

WHAT DID YOU CALL ME!?!?!?

 

Krystal:

Blaze?

 

Blaze:

I'm Not Getting Involve In This!

 

Apple Bloom:

You Both Play Nice Now, Ya Hear? Or You Ain't Getting To Know Anything About Ma And Pa.

 

Apple Rose, Shadow:

(Annoyed)

FINE!!! We'll Get Along!

 

Apple Jack:

Let's get inside and enjoy some Cider while we tell you the story.

 

Apple Bloom:

I'll get a few barrels then.

 

Apple Jack:

Remember not to touch Rainbow Dash's Stash. That girl needs to learn some self control when it comes to her obsession with Cider.

 

Apple Rose:

Agreed. That Crash She Made At That Heart's Warming Eve Party 4 Years Ago Was A Doozy.

 

Apple Jack:

Now how do you know that? We made sure no creature outside our family know about that.

 

Apple Rose:

(Spooked, Flight Reaction, Pointing At Shadow)

Shadow Told Me All About It!!!

 

Apple Jack:

(Doubting Apple Rose, Raises Eyebrow)

Is That Right?

 

Shadow:

(Furious, Face-Hoof, Thinking)

Could You Have Stuck Your Hind-Hoof Even Deeper In Your Mouth? Even I Didn't Know That Happened! So How Am I Going To Save This Punk Without Making Myself Look Bad In The Process!? Looks Like I'm Going To Use Excuse #2245 For This One. For Tartarus Sake! I Was Saving That Excuse For A Rainy Day! Can't Believe I Have to Waste It Bailing Out This Punk!

(Annoyed Sigh, Out Loud)

You Know That My Father Left Behind Diary Crystals? Well, The Crystal I Found Last Week Also Had A Set Of Coordinates That Had His Private Notes On Everyone He Knows. Looks Like He Wanted To Share A Few Gossips On Everyone In Order To Win Favors From Me. I Never Told Rose About That To Be Honest, She Just Got Nosy And Found That Deadbeat's Diary Notes Thinking It Was Mine.

 

Apple Jack:

And You Have It With You Right Now?

 

Shadow:

I don't think so. You see, this bag I have is literally linked to the Chaotic Void, namely a Pocket Dimension that all of my Teachers in the Void have access to. I told them I found one of my father's things and I was sending it to them through my bag. Rose here read it when she visited my room earlier today before I sent it to my Teachers.

 

Apple Jack:

Really?

 

Shadow:

(Annoyed Sigh)

Want Me To Prove That My Bag Is Linked To The Chaotic Void?

 

Every Creature:

(Shocked)

YOU CAN PROVE IT!?!?!?

 

Shadow:

I Never Say Anything I Cannot Prove.

 

Apple Jack:

Alright, alright. I get it, I get it. You ain't lying. Come Inside.

 

As they all go inside, Shadow gives Rose a mean look that screams "You Owe Me Big For This!" move in. After settling in the house, Apple Jack, Apple Bloom and Big Mac tells the story of their parents to Shadow and his friends [Season 7 Episode 13: The Perfect Pear] and after hearing all about it, every one of them are both moved and saddened after hearing all that they went through. Out of all of them, Florid Harvest is going overboard on the crying, but the story somehow resonated with Shadow as he starts seeing visions in his mind of a Mature Unicorn teaching a class of foals and his eyes are focused on what appears to be an Alicorn at the entrance to his classroom. This Unicorn is saddened upon seeing the Alicorn that Shadow recognizes this feeling all too well: Longing Of A Fate The Will Never Be…

 

Luster:

(Worried)

Shadow? Are you alright?

 

Shadow:

(Lost In Thought)

.....................…

 

Luster:

(Places Hoof On Shadow's Shoulder)

Shadow?

 

Shadow:

(Reacts, Surprised)

Wha…Huh? I'm Sorry. I Just…

 

Blaze:

(Worried)

Shadow? Did you spaced out again?

 

Shadow:

(Shakes Head)

I'm fine. Yeah. I got another vision from "Him". It's been years since he crept up in my mind.

 

Luster:

Who are you talking about?

 

Shadow:

He's not the one we should focus right now.

 

Blaze:

I'll tell you all about it later, Luster.

 

Apple Jack:

Has this happened to you before?

 

Shadow:

Yeah. Visions Of The Past The Will Give Way To Memories Of The Future.

 

Apple Jack:

I don't get it.

 

Shadow:

Don't worry about it. It's a Riddle my Teachers always give to all Reincarnated Souls.

 

Every Creature:

(Surprised)

Reincarnated!?

 

Apple Rose:

(Thinking)

None of you should be surprised by this. Every Creature across all realities are the reincarnation of some creature else. The only exception of this are the ones who chooses to remain in the afterlife, resting in peace among the Pure Souls in Elysium. Looks like Platinum Shadow's Past Self either did not had enough of a Pure Soul to stay in Elysium or he wished to return to the World of the Living for a specific reason.

 

Luster:

So these visions are memories of your Past Life!?

 

Shadow:

That has nothing to do with this. After all of this is done, we can investigate that when you want. Anyhoo…can you tell us about how the three of you came to be? The Conception of the Apple Siblings!

 

Apple Jack:

(Blushing)

Well we never asked Granny Smith in all of those details, but we were around when Apple Bloom was going to be born. We can tell you that!

 

Apple Bloom:

(Ashamed, Blushing)

Aw! Apple Jack!!!

 

Shadow:

(Thinking)

Sorry, Apple Bloom. But this is the Crux Of The Matter we need to listen in order to learn Trotter's Connection to your Family.

 

Apple Jack:

It all happened around 20 Years Ago give or take…

 

***

 

Scene: 12.1: Ponyville, Sweet Apple Acres, 12:00 PM, A Week After Apple Jack's Apple Blight Lie [Season 6 Episode 23: Where the Apple Lies]

 

After Bright Mac and Buttercup (AKA Pear Butter) returned from their trip to Manehattan visiting their cousins, The Oranges, they heard what Apple Jack did by taking her lies farther than ever before. Disappointed in his daughter, Bright Mac doubled the housework on Apple Jack for 3 Months. Big Mac got Punished by doing deliveries for 2½ Months. Big Mac got a lower sentence since he tried to talk Apple Jack to stop the lying, but still became complicit with her when things started too look bad for them.

 

Bright Mac:

(Stern Look)

Next Time You Pull A Stunt Like That, You Will Be Sleeping At The Pigpen!

 

Apple Jack:

(Saddened)

Aw, Pa…!

 

Bright Mac:

Both your Brother and your Grand-mare could have gotten hurt or worse with your childish antics! I kept telling you time and again that your fibbing was going to do send one of us to the hospital and I was hoping that would never happen.

(Warm Smile, Laughing)

And I am glad it didn't play out like that! Sweet Celestia. That must have been a riot!

 

Apple Jack:

(Ashamed, Sad Smile)

I'm sorry it turned out like that, Pa.

 

Bright Mac:

And I forgive you, but you need to learn some discipline and responsibility if you want me to trust you again. And we need you to kick that fibbing habit out of you once and for all.

 

Apple Jack:

I know, Pa. I promise I will never lie again no matter what.

 

Bright Mac:

(Hugs Apple Jack)

Attagirl. I know you will do me proud, AJ.

 

Meanwhile at the moment, Big Mac is making his deliveries to another town accompanied by his mother, Buttercup who is slightly saddened that Big Mac now is talking less and less since what happened with Apple Jack's Apple Blight lie.

 

Buttercup (Pear Butter):

Come On, Big Mac. Speak to me. I really love talking to you. You always sound so lively every time we have our usual chats.

 

Big Mac:

Well…I feel that I shoved my hind-hoof in my mouth every time I said something either to make Apple Jack see reason or when I tried to cover for her. So I decided I should start talking less and less from now on. Actions Speak Louder Than Words.

 

Buttercup:

(Mischievous Smile)

Well you are now doing a lot of talking and not enough of action. Remember that you and your sister are grounded and need to put a lot of effort in making it up to every pony. Especially to Granny.

 

Big Mac:

I know, Ma. Since you are the only one that cares, I will talk as much as you like.

 

Buttercup:

(Smiling)

Thank you, Big Mac.

 

At that moment, a large yet strange black creature appears in front of them. At first they thought it was a bear, but to their horror as soon as they saw its face, the creature's face was a half exposed skull: it was an Undead Monster. Wanting to protect his mother, Big Mac jumps in to fight it. The Undead is large and slow, which gives Big Mac an edge while fighting it as he can easily predict on how it will move, however as the fight progress, the Undead gets more and more enraged that its body is rotting faster than normal and the rotten parts of its body that have fallen in the ground starts to coagulate and transform into lumps of poisonous miasma weakening and hurting both Big Mac and Buttercup as the miasma spreads all over the surrounding area that even the critters nearby are running scared and out of the location. As Big Mac slows down due to the poisonous air and is getting beat by the Undead. Weakened, Hurt and unable to fight back, Big Mac can't do anything but look at the Undead Monster is about to end him and his mother who is also weakened because of the miasma. Before the Undead is going to slay both Big Mac and Buttercup, the voice of an old mare chanting could be heard nearby; these chants creates a pentagram circle under the Undead and out of nowhere, red spears of light pierces the Undead and destroys the monster and with its destruction, the rotten lumps of miasma was also destroyed. The old mare walks to both Big Mac and Buttercup, but before they could see the Old Mare's Face, they both lose consciousness. Hours later, both Big Mac and Buttercup regain consciousness with they meet the Old mare that saved them: Trotter Poisonia, Faking Being A Kind Old Mare.

 

Trotter (???):

(Smiling)

Oh! You are awake. I'm so glad I made it in time.

 

Buttercup:

Who are you?

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

You may call me Mazard Cura. I am a Traveling Priestess helping those in need and Exorcising the Undead just like the one you fought.

 

Buttercup:

(Surprised)

That was an Undead!? I Thought those only existed in scary stories.

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

Unfortunately, My Dear, The Undead Are Very Real And Very Deadly. If you had been slain, both you and your son would have been lost for all time. You would have been completely erased from existence; Never to reach Elysium, Hades, The Shadow Realm or being reincarnated. Next time you see an Undead, run as fast as you can as far as possible, because I already told you the consequences of being slain by one. Especially that you are expecting my dear.

 

Big Mac:

(Surprised)

Ma!?

 

Buttercup:

(Blushing, Surprised)

I'm…But I don't feel…

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

(Laughing)

Ohhohohohoho! I did say I am a Traveling Priestess. My affinity to Magic is very high. I can sense all kinds of magic around me. Both Young and Old…Living or Undead…Old, Young and even the Unborn. If I am not mistaken, Your new foal is just conceived, so you would not feel it until the next following days.

 

Buttercup:

(Overjoyed)

I need to tell the others! Oh! Do you know if the foal will be born a colt or a filly?

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

(Laughing)

Ohhohohohoho! Sorry deary, but some revelations are better left unknown until they are ready to reveal themselves to you. I assume that your husband would not want the surprise ruined because of me.

 

Buttercup:

Thank you, for everything.

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

Just knowing that you are both safe is enough of a reward for me.

 

As Trotter walks away, she starts to wobble and falls to the ground. Worried about her, both Big Mac and Buttercup rush to help her.

 

Buttercup:

(Worried)

Are you alright!?

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

(Weakened)

I'm fine, deary. I just used too much of my magic to exorcise the Undead and heal you both. The amount of poison in your system was quite severe especially that the poison is miasma, the most deadly of all poisons that even has the power to deteriorate its victims bodies in every way both outwardly and internally. Luckily your foal is safe, but you should take it easy for a while, my dear.

 

Buttercup:

Thank you, but we should repay you for all you have done for us. Since you aren't doing well, how about you stay with us until you feel better.

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

I really do not want to impose.

 

Buttercup:

(Warm Smile)

Nonsense! You not only saved my son and me, but you also saved my new foal. This is nothing! I owe you more than you can imagine, Mazard.

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

(Smiling)

I see. Very well. I will allow it even though I believe you should not.

 

Buttercup:

You can relax on the wagon while we head back home.

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

Thank you, Deary.

(Thinking, Evil Smile, Internal Evil Maniacal Laughter)

FOOLS!!! These Peace-loving Equines Are So Naïve It's Downright Pathetic!!! The Young Red Stallion has a nice body: Strong, Adaptable and Quite Agile Even Though he's Quite Big For His Age, but unfortunately as I was healing him, his body instantly rejected the infusion of my Necromancy. Since his body is not compatible with my magic, he is not fit to be my new replacement body. As for his mother…I cannot take her yet, not until she gives birth to that wretched foal she is sharing her body with. But…if this is her third foal, her body has no value to me. I want a Pure, Untouched Body in Order To create the Perfect Ultimate Offspring to assert my dominant grip on this world and beyond. But if she have another daughter…she might be the one who will be my new body. Just you wait Grogar! I Will Make YOUR Legacy My Own Once I Sever All Ties With You When I Get My New Body!

 

Upon arriving at Sweet Apple Acres, Bright Mac, Apple Jack and Granny Smith are dead worried after seeing both Buttercup and Big Mac hurt and Trotter being carried in the wagon.

 

Bright Mac:

(Worried, Spooked)

Buttercup! Big Mac! Are You Both Alright!? What happened!? Who Is This old Mare!?

 

Buttercup:

(Smiling)

We are alright, dear. And we have Mazard Cura to thank for us making it back home.

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

No need to thank me. It was my duty as a Traveling Priestess.

(Stumbles)

 

Granny Smith:

Are you alright, Ma'am?

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

Nothing a little rest cannot fix.

 

Bright Mac:

After helping both my wife and son out we should return the favor. AJ. Would you prepare a room for our guest?

 

Apple Jack:

Right Away, Pa!

 

Granny Smith:

It will be a while 'till Apple Jack has the room ready. You don't mind joining us for supper until she's done?

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

(Smiling)

But Of Course. I am quite famished after using too much of my magic.

 

Bright Mac:

But you're an Earth Pony. How can you use magic?

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

The Perks Of Being A High Priestess. I underwent a very harsh training since I was an Acolyte until my Ascension, thanks to that I can channel Magic through my hooves instead of a horn like a Unicorn does. In a way it is similar to High Tier Alchemy, all I have to do is clap my hooves together and direct it on where I want it to go.

 

Buttercup:

(Impressed)

That's Amazing! So with that training both Earth Ponies and Pegasi can use Magic?

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

(Chuckles)

Yes, they can…if they can survive the training. Also, you need to be at the age of 12 or younger in order to undergo the training. The sooner in life you start, the easier it becomes when you reach adulthood. I don't recommend any pony as mature as all of you to go through that since you will not attain it.

 

Big Mac:

(Disappoint)

Aw, Darn It…

 

Later that day, Apple Jack leads Trotter to her room. In there Trotter can sense a great amount of magic in the room, more so than anywhere in Sweet Apple Acres which is making Trotter nauseous since the magic is Pure Harmony Magic the complete antithesis of Necromancy. Trotter is using all of her might to maintain composure as she sits on the bed and tries to not go out of control. Apple Jack notices Trotter's discomfort and approaches her.

 

Apple Jack:

Ma'am? Are you alright?

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

(Struggling To Stay In Control, Hiding Pain Behind Fake Smile)

I am fine dear. Allow me to thank you by telling you your fortune of the future.

 

Apple Jack:

(Surprised)

You Can Do That!?

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

But of course. Telling Ponies their future is all too easy for a High Priestess such as myself.

 

Apple Jack:

(Excited)

Alright! I don't mind learning something about myself.

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

Approach me and let me have a closer look at you.

 

Apple Jack Trusting of the Old Mare who saved her Mother and Brother, does as Trotter tells her. Suddenly, Trotter uses her Mind Control Magic to subdue Apple Jack by hypnotizing her; now under her control, Trotter absorbs Apple Jack's magic right out of her in order to stabilize her own condition and since Apple Jack is in a Very Powerful Mind Control that she sees visions of her and 5 other mares whom she recognizes 4 of them except for a Purple Unicorn she has never seen before. Apple Jack approaches the Unicorn in order to see her face, but the vision ends abruptly before getting the chance. When it's all over, Apple Jack regains consciousness from the vision and is completely unaware what Trotter has done to her body as they are both sweating like crazy.

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

(Discreet Evil Smile)

Did you enjoy what you saw, my dear?

 

Apple Jack:

(Surprised)

It was surreal.

(Curious)

Why do I feel happy about it? And Why are we both sweating like we were working the fields?

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

(Discreet Evil Chuckle)

Using That Type Of Magic Pushes My Body A Little Too Hard. Since I Am An Old Mare, this Magic Will Push Me Even Harder. As For You, This Magic Spell Tries To Bring To You A Very Positive Future And In Order To For That To Happen, A Large Amount Of Dopamine Needs To Be Pushed Into Your Body. In Order For That To Happen, Your Body Needs To Produce A Lot Of Heat For The Dopamine To Spread Throughout Your Entire Body In Order To Experience The Best Moments Of The Vision.

 

Apple Jack:

(Confused)

I don't get all of that.

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

No worries. Not Every Pony Does. Thank You For All Of Your Help, Young Apple Jack.

 

Apple Jack:

Aw, Shucks! You don't need to mention it, Ma'am. By the way, you look a little better now that I look at ya.

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

How so?

 

Apple Jack:

You look younger, like all glowing.

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

(Discreet Evil Smile, Licks Lips, Hiding Lips Behind Hoof)

Why thank you, young one. The dinner I had really works wonders. You Apples really are as good as they say.

 

As days pass by, Trotter gets close to the Apple Family as she tries to keep a low profile by not going to Ponyville directly and having either Apple Jack or Big Mac to do her bidding and she does so discreetly in order to not catch the attention of Granny Smith, Bright Mac and Buttercup. During that time, Trotter learned that Apple Jack doesn't fits her quota to be her new replacement body either and this infuriates Trotter, but on the positive for her, both of the Apple Siblings are submissive to her Mind Control to the point they both follow her orders without any reservation and she has taken advantage of this in order to restore her magic in the most disturbing and immoral of ways. Trotter knows that if none of the Current Apple Family is susceptible to be her replacement bodies and with Buttercup being pregnant, her unborn foal is her only candidate for a replacement body. So Trotter needs to convince the Apple Family to be the foal's Midwife in order to shape it to be a suitable body for her and thanks to her Necromancy, shaping any creature to serve her is second nature to her. Trotter approaches both Bright Mac And Buttercup as they are happily and playfully thinking of a name for their soon to be new foal.

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

I hope I am not interrupting.

 

Buttercup:

Nope! We are just having a little fun thinking of foal names.

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

(Fake Smile)

How Lovely, Deary.

(Thinking)

How Disgusting, Wench.

(Out Loud)

You don't mind if I sense the foal's magic?

 

Buttercup:

Of course not. Please do.

 

Trotter places her hoof on Buttercup's belly and in reality Trotter is not only sensing the Future Apple Bloom's Magic, but also trying to shape her magic to match her own in order to shape her into a replacement body and after doing so, Trotter is ecstatic and overjoyed that the Unborn Apple Bloom is just as susceptible to her magic as all of her Family as she hides these emotions from both Bright Mac and Buttercup.

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

My! This Foal Has Far More Potential Than I Thought.

 

Bright Mac, Buttercup:

(Surprised)

POTENTIAL!?

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

(Laughter)

Ohhohohohoho! Indeed. I have met so many young ones in my long life and it is very rare for me to find one such as yours. This Potential Has The Power To Reshape Reality As We Know It.

 

Bright Mac, Buttercup:

(Overjoyed)

THAT'S WONDERFUL!!!

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

And you are extremely lucky that you met me. As a High Priestess, I can infuse many of Blessings into this Foal and bring out its true potential in ways that she will do more than you can ever imagine. That is if you wish for me to do so. Think of me as a Reliable Midwife tasked to insure the safety of both you and the foal.

 

Buttercup:

You don't mind if me and Bright Mac talk about this?

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

Not at all. Take your time. But not too long mind you. You only have less than 2 days before that window closes. Once it is closed, I cannot do so without causing dangerous harm to the foal.

 

Buttercup:

We understand.

 

A Few Hours Later, Bright Mac and Buttercup approaches Trotter…

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

Have you made your decision?

 

Buttercup:

Yes. We want you to help our foal become as gifted as you can make it.

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

I see. However…

 

Bright Mac:

However?

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

I might be a High Priestess, but my body is really old and my magic is not what it used to be. So I need to make this proposition. I will help you by being your Midwife in exchange for me to be rewarded for my efforts in order to restore my magic to what it used to be.

 

Buttercup:

How do we do that?

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

You have something I have been looking for, for a very long time. To be honest I was not expecting it to find it here. So once your foal is born, you will give me that item and if you are wondering, the item in question is a Family Heirloom and a very important one at that.

 

Bright Mac:

You are talking about "Eden".

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

Yes, Eden…

(Shocked, Thinking, Hiding Disbelief)

IMPOSSIBLE!!! The Most Powerful Relic Created By The Supreme One Is Here!? The Relic That Can Easily Render Both The Elements Of Virtue And The Elements Of Vice Useless And Powerless!? And These Wretches Are In Possession Of It!? The Key To Literally Meet The Supreme One!?

(Excited, Thinking, Hiding Excitement)

Fortune Smiles On Me this Day And These Fools Just Made It Even Better. A New Body And A Relic Belonging To The Supreme One.

(Out Loud)

Those are my terms. Are they to your satisfaction?

 

Bright Mac:

Alright. After all what you have done for our family, we don't mind giving Eden to you.

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

May I see it? I have sensed it ever since I got here, but I never got the chance to see it.

 

Bright Mac:

It's not here. A close member of our family is keeping it safe at the moment.

 

Trotter (Mazard Cura):

I see. It is understandable. I can wait for it since I have not yet fulfilled my duties as your Midwife, but that will change as of now.

 

For the next following months, Trotter have been infusing her Necromancy into Buttercup, making Apple Bloom into the perfect host for her and none in the Apple Family is the wiser. On Apple Bloom's Date Of Birth, Trotter helps Buttercup giving birth to Apple Bloom, meanwhile outside the house, Goldie Delicious arrives with her cats and is greeted by Granny Smith, Bright Mac, Big Mac and Apple Jack.

 

Goldie Delicious:

Am I on time?

 

Granny Smith:

Sure thing, Old Gal. They're both inside. We just have to wait until the foal is around Buttercup's hooves.

 

At that moment they all could hear the cries of the newborn foal, Bright Mac unable to resist any longer, storms into the house and finally meets his daughter that he's moved to tears. As every pony celebrates, Trotter is maniacally plotting on how to go about things from now on. However…as soon as her eyes meet Goldie's, Trotter recognizes her and Goldie also recognizes her. Goldie is shocked, worried and scared thinking on what Trotter has been doing to her family, and she glares at her with deep fury. Trotter now knows her plans have just hit a roadblock and that is Goldie Delicious who knows the whole truth on who and what Trotter truly is. Not wanting to alarm her family, Goldie at the moment started to mingle and act like everything is normal. As for Trotter, she knows that this is not going as smooth as she wanted or even thought it will be. The next following days, Trotter disappeared from Sweet Apple Acres just leaving behind a note stating that she got a vision from the Supreme One and she is summoned to act on the vision, but the reality of the note is that if Trotter didn't leave something behind in order to clear the nature of her disappearance, it would arouse suspicion and Celestia might get involved on the disappearance of a High Priestess. She also did that in order to prevent meeting Goldie Delicious that she will unmask Trotter as Grogar's High Priestess. Some Months Later, Trotter Returns to Sweet Apple Acres And This Time…She's Out For Blood.

 

***

 

Scene: 12.2: Ponyville, Sweet Apple Acres, 12:56 PM, Present Day

 

Apple Jack and Big Mac finishes telling Shadow and his friends on how they met Trotter who is using the alias Mazard Cura; of course none of them knew of Trotter's True intentions, so they were unable to elaborate those details and what she did to them due to Trotter's Mind Control Spell and that also includes the Pact details and Trotter's encounter with Goldie Delicious.

 

Shadow:

That's very interesting.

 

Apple Jack:

I'm glad you like it. Mazard Cura was one great gal. I wish I could've talked to her before the up and left without telling us. Not long after…

(Saddened)

Ma and Pa, passed away in an accident.

 

Shadow:

I'm sorry for your loss. Do you or Big Mac know what happened?

 

Big Mac:

(Looks Away, Distraught)

.....................…

 

Shadow:

(Notices Big Mac's Discomfort)

 

Apple Jack:

Why you want to know that?

 

Shadow:

Sorry…I didn't mean to intrude.

 

Apple Jack:

No, it alright. They were heading to Vanhoover for some reason we didn't know at the time until a few years ago when we met our Grandpa. A storm came out of nowhere and…

 

Shadow:

I see. Why they wanted to go there?

 

Apple Jack:

(Saddened)

Because…Ma wanted to see our Grandpa, Grand Pear and try to mend the rift that happened that day when…

 

Shadow:

I understand that completely. I have seen many families that have gone through what you have. When a new family member is born, that is motivation enough to confront the family that disowned you and try to restore that bond that was torn because of misguided pride. Thank you for everything, Apple Jack. Big Mac. We learned a lot today.

 

Apple Jack:

I'm glad I could tell the story to y'all.

 

Shadow:

Let's go everyone. We need to hit the library next.

 

Shadow's Friends:

Yeah!

 

As they all leave Apple Jack and Big Mack behind, once they reach the entrance to Sweet Apple Acres, Shadow is furious and disgusted at what he heard about Trotter since he notices gaps in Apple Jack's and Big Mac's recounting of events involving Trotter; meanwhile Apple Rose is starting to awaken to emotions she never thought she would experience because of this event. Every one of Shadow's Friends managed to notice the gaps in the story, even Apple Bloom which is not only worrying her, but scaring her too.

 

Blaze:

So This Is How The Hag Of Raddos Operates.

 

Gatz:

How Parasitical. She Truly Is A Fiend.

 

Slipstream:

So what now? I feel like we need to keep investigating. We don't have enough evidence to make a move on that Hag yet.

 

Shadow:

I'm afraid you are right, Slipstream. Next up, we need to head to Goldie Delicious' Cottage. We might find more to this story there.

 

Apple Bloom:

(Saddened)

What about…?

 

Apple Rose:

(Worried)

Apple Bloom…

 

Shadow:

The Path To Vanhoover where the accident happened? That will be the last place we should investigate. If Goldie Delicious was your Family Historian, she might have some records that we can use to piece everything together. We can also get some hints on what Trotter wanted from your family. Unless you can outright tell us what is going on, Rose.

 

Apple Rose:

(Fake Annoyance, Distraught, Hiding Distraught)

I…I already told you I can't! I really…I really wan-- I mean…I really can't tell you…

 

Shadow:

Fine, I won't force you. Let's keep going then.

(Thinking)

She's Cracking. I knew it and it looks like hearing that story accelerated the process into converting her into a Living Pony. I believe that before the day is over, Rose will no longer be a Homunculus. Whether she will retain her Magic as a Grim Reaper or not after that will depend on how her conversion manifests. Only Time Will Tell…

 

To Be Continued…