Tale of Two Tyrants and the Eternal War

"So, Fluttershy. How long have you been living in the Everfree?" The two mares were now making their way to Ponyville.

"Ever since we got split up. I ran back to my cottage, but it was being demolished by those…things. So I ran to the Everfree Forest and have been living there ever since." Twilight nodded in response. "How have you been ever since…the Princesses…" Fluttershy absently rubbed her leg.

"I've been doing alright. It took me forever to get all this stuff, especially the Elements. Now I'm finally putting my plan into action."

"Twilight…how do you plan on getting all of us together? You found me by chance, so how are you gonna find the rest of us?"

"Now that you mention it, I'm not really sure, but I know where to find Applejack. She'll be in Ponyville."

"How do you know that? She might be gone, and even if shes there, Ponyville isn't safe." Twilight gave Flutershy the "seriously?" look.

"Equestria isn't safe. And Applejack would never leave Ponyville, or Sweet Apple Acres." She sighed. Twilight could just barely make out a speck if light in the distance. "Fluttershy, look! Daylight!" Twilight began to trot faster, as did Fluttershy. Soon the trio arrived at the edge of the Everfree. Flora peeked out from behind Fluttershy's pink mane to take in the sunlight. The little Filly flapped her small wings and tried to fly over her mother. Fluttershy snatched Flora out of the air.

"That's enough flight practice for today, Flora. Mommy's not ready for you to start flying yet." Twilight looked over at Fluttershy and Flora, a small smile forming on her face.

"Are you two ready to go?" Asked Twilight. Fluttershy nodded, Flora cradled in her arm. The two mares then stepped out of the Everfree, letting the sunlight warm them. They trotted in silence, taking in the ruins of their hometown. The once bustling town had gone completely quiet: there were no ponies anywhere to be seen. The burnt wreckage of houses crumbled left and right, as the once lush green grass and colorful flowers were now shriveled and void of life. Fluttershy sniffed the air.

"Twilight…do you smell that?" Twilight paused and took a deep sniff.

"I do…it smells like…" Twilight trailed off.

"Burning apples." Fluttershy finished. Fluttershy and Twilight exchanged fearful looks, then galloped full speed to Sweet Apple Acres. As they approached, they saw a large portion of Apple Trees ablaze, the rest barren. The two slowed to a trot, then approached the farmhouse. Twilight gingerly knocked on the door.

"Who are ya'!?" A small voice peeped.

"Applebloom? Is that you?" Twilight asked. She attempted to open the door, but her attempts were in vain. It was locked.

"Ah said, who are ya', and what're ya' doin' here!?" The pony was more demanding.

"Applebloom, please open up! It's me, Twilight!"

"T-Twillight? Is that really you?" To Twilight's delight, the door opened a hair. Then, the door opened wider, revealing Applebloom. She wasn't the same, though. Her yellow coat was filthy, as was her mane and tail. And she was so thin…Twilight could see the shallow grooves of her ribcage. Her orange eyes were slightly waxy.

"And Fluttershy? Why're y'all here?" Applebloom coughed slightly.

"We're here to see Applejack. Is she home?" Asked Twilight.

"She's upstairs. Follow me." Applebloom turned and motioned for Twilight and Fluttershy to follow her. Twilight stepped inside, followed by Fluttershy. The door squeaked shut behind them.

"A- *cough* Applejack! Twilight and Fluttershy are here t' see ya'!" Applebloom called. Applejack appeared at the top of the stairwell. She looked worse than Applebloom. She was thinner, and her coat was dirtier. Her eyes were also slightly glossy, and there was a bloody bandage wrapped around her right foreleg.

"Twilight? Fluttershy? What brings y'all here?" Applejack wheezed. Twilight held up the Element of Honesty.

"This. We need you to come with us."

"Twilight, just look at her! She's in no condition to be traveling, she's starving and sick!" Fluttershy said defensively.

"Ah' ain't *cough* sick! Ah'm fine!" Applejack retorted, her legs wobbling slightly.

"No, you're not." Fluttershy demanded.

"Twilight, ah' wish ah' could go with ya', ah' really do. But I just can't. Ah' have to watch over mah' family." Said Applejack, completely ignoring Fluttershy. Twilight looked down at the floor beneath her. Dust bunnies resided in every nook and cranny, and muddy hoofprints were tracked everywhere. The entire house was coated in a layer of filth. Flies buzzed around the kitchen, and Twilight saw maggots writhing in the rotting food scraps strewn about. Broken glass lay scattered by the boarded windows.

"Applejack…I-" Twilight was cut off.

"Ah' don't need yer' pity, Twilight!! Ah' can *cough* take care of myself AND mah' family without your help!! Now, is there anythang else ya' want!?" Applejack roared. Twilight took a startled step back, shocked and hurt. A tear ran down Twilight's face and splashed on the floor. Twilight turned around and galloped at the door, slamming it behind her. Fluttershy looked up at Applejack, a blazing hellfire in her eyes.

"You know what, Applejack? You're not the only one with family!" Fluttershy held out her daughter for Applejack to see, then brought her close. "This is Flora, my daughter. At first I said no, but I ended up coming with her anyway because I cared about her, and I knew that if we succeeded, this would end and we would all be happy again!! I came because Twilight  needs me, and so does everypony in Equestria! Countless lives depend on US, and you're part of that. So make a choice. I hope you're happy, you selfish bitch!!" Fluttershy spat. The yellow Pegasus then turned rudely and left in a huff.

Applejack just stood there for a moment, taking in Fluttershy's words. She had spent so much time looking out for herself and her family that she had lost sight of how many other lives were at steak. Applejack then turned to Applebloom, her face fierce with determination.

"Applebloom, you're the mare of the house now, alright? Be strong, and look out for Granny Smith when Big Mac's gone, ok? But Mac is still in charge, ya' got that? Ah' love you, Applebloom. Be strong fer' me. It'll all be ok soon, ah' promise." Applejack wrapped her arms around the quivering Applebloom in a tight embrace.

"Just promise me that you'll come back." Applebloom choked. Applejack looked into her sister's pleading eyes.

"Ah' love you, and that's all that matters." Applejack kissed the filly on her cheek, then galloped out as fast as she could.

.................

"It's alright, Twilight. We can come back when we find the rest of our friends." Said Fluttershy. Twilight gave a slight nod, then went back to her melancholy state. They both perked up when they heard Applejack's voice call out.

"Girls! Girls! Ah'm comin' with you!" Applejack galloped at top speed to catch up with Twilight and Fluttershy. "Twilight, ah'm so, so sorry! Can ya' ever forgive me?"

"I-I could never stay mad at you, Applejack." Said Twilight.

"Fluttershy, thank you fer' talkin' some sense into me."

"You're very welcome."

"Now let's end this thang!"