Appledashery

by Just Essay

The Coronation

Shindig lifted her face, smiling into the glittering sunlight wafting down through the tight ravine.

"Citizens of Philanthropy, you have been patient all of these years, yearning on my promise for a new age that will usher in prosperity and joy."

She trotted across the stage of the ampitheatre, levitating a crown by her side.

"As your Queen and ruler, I've been pleased to see you grow into a very model of equine society..."

---

Epcot landed behind a series of parked wagons. She materialized, then peered into a dark alleyway where several shadowed figures hid.

"We go as soon as Applejack appears!" the chaperone whispered.

"You hear that, ya melon fudges?!" Donut Joe hissed over his shoulder at Mulia and the others. "It's time to crush this stinkin' popsicle stand!"

Several Ponyvillean fascimiles grunted in response. They leaned forward, clutching all sorts of bludgeons and weaponry. Glaring faces were locked on the ampitheatre.

"Any moment now..." Donut Joe rasped.

---

"...now the future awaits, and it is glorious!" Shindig smiled, turning to gaze across the mancy faces in the crowd. "For my daughter—the Cider Princess—shall bring this glory through her pristine elegance!"

In the shadow of the entrance leading up to the stage, a dainty figure leaned against a wall, breathing deeply to compose herself. Straightening her mane one last time, Apple Jewell pivoted to face the end of the ramp.

Behind her, Flim and Flam stood along with a train of servants. They smiled proudly while the voice of their Queen echoed down the corridor.

"Believe in her! Exalt her! And obey her! Even when I am no longer around to enjoy the bounties that her rule will provide!"

---

"This is it..." Stu Leaves motioned towards the ponies behind him. "No turning back now!"

"Shake a tail!" Gustave clattered through is break.

With thunderous hooves, the group poured out of the building's lobby, filling the streets at an alarming street.

"You sure we can do this?" Gustave turned to ask Stu.

"No." Stu shook his head. "Let's go."

"Right." Gustave grabbed Stu's shoulders with his talons. "Hang on, my friend."

---

"For Philanthropy is nothing without honest generosity." Shindig smiled. "Which is what she brings for as long as she lives. So fear not, my little pony."

She turned and gestured towards the lower entrance leading up to the stage.

"The Cider Princess lives."

The crowd cheered loudly as the mare in white trotted gently up to the light.

Apple Jewell's freckles were the first to glisten, followed by the tresses in her headdress. She came to a stop before the edge of the stage, staring at the hundreds and hundreds of equines.

She took a deep breath, then batted her eyelids to dry them.

---

Rainbow Dash sneered into the whipping winds. She soared faster and faster, the air and buildings around her distorting completely. The closer her wings came into contact with the buildingsides, their plaster pieces dissolved into spectral anomalies, leaving dust and sand in the wake.

---

Flim and Flam stood in their places, flanking Shindig and Apple Jewell.

The Queen approached the mare, smiling. With a glowing horn, she lowered the crown closer to her head.

Apple Jewell curtsied before her.

The entire crowd bowed, growing slight.

And that was when noise spilled into the ampitheatre.

Guards yelped and citizens shrieked.

Apple Jewell gasped.

Shindig spun to gawk.

Flim and Flam paled visibly.

A roaring crowd of citizens fought, bucked, and beat their way past the line of defense. Donut Joe bashed several skulls in while Mulia and other ponies tossed bricks into the line of reinforcements.

Then, overhead, Gustave flew in with wings spread. He dropped a lithe figure from his talons. In mid-air, Stu twirled, then came down with a thunderous drop-kick.

WHAM! He slammed directly into Flam. "OOF!" And the sibling barreled off, tripping his brother across the stage. "Aaaugh!"

"Httt!" Stu landed and stood up tall before Apple Jewell.

"The Red Rook!" Shindig gasped.

"What in heaven's name are you doing?!" Apple Jewell stammered.

Stu blinked. He smiled. "Trying my hoof at being awesome." Two guards ran up to his flank, yelling. He blindly back-hoofed one, then turned to face the other.

And it was precisely at this time that all Tartarus broke loose.

Comments

[RoboRed]

Game on.

[zaponator]

Funny just how much Stu has grown and changed since we met him as a random bumbling fool.

[WhitewolfStormrunner]

And it was precisely at this time that all Tartarus broke loose.

Aaaaaand I'm thinking that this is the cue for a certain cyan blue Element of Loyalty to make her grand entrance, and proceed to put Shindig and Sons in their proper places.

Awesomely, of course.

[viofriedsevey]

Stu has officially become a thoroughly likable character, well done skirts, for twisting my emotions yet again!

[Mister Saxon]

Yeah, remember when we used to hate Stu?
Whoever said we'd make terrible ponies was right.

[Teraphim]

Go Stu, I knew you had it in you, pity about the mecha suit though...
I wonder if next chapter is going to have a Boom!

[Lightning Bearer]

Do I smell a sonic rainboom?

[Sam the Anti-Ninja]

And it was precisely at this time that all Tartarus broke loose.

Ugh, did Cerberus get loose again. WHO LET THE DOG OUT?

[Keradon]

5871564

Woof, woof, woof woof woof

[Sheendough]

Uh oh... Everypony likes Stu now... I hope the thing I'm thinking doesn't happen.

[Fishberry]

Fishberry starts another hand of solitaire deep in her bunker.

derpicdn.net/img/view/2012/10/25/131606__safe_rainbow+dash_applejack_shipping_flying_hug_happy_appledash_missing+accessory_artist-colon-spiralshockwave.jpg

[HopelessRomanetic]

Yesssss! More awesome please?

[Tchernobog]

5871440
5871519

5871764

Nah, I still don't like him. Too worried that exactly what you're thinking will happen :P

[Leftover of Saikano]

And it was precisely at this time that all Tartarus broke loose.

Did they make the alicorn angry?

[FloydienSlip]

Yessss

[LucyHorseThing]

Donut Joe bashed several skulls in

Donut HD.

[DrEggnog]

I always love seeing the good guys charge in without having any idea if they'll win or not. Such a cool trope.

I have no idea how Rainbow Dash got those superpowers though. From Dad feels?