Her hoofsteps were slow, and deliberate, while her heart continued to explode with exhilaration. The rain encompassed her entire being, and from her vantage point, the entire known world at that. The fall was quick and harsh, displaying a very dangerous, even tyrannical omnipotence. It drowned her coat, and her soul in its oppressive assault upon the land. She would even go so far as to expect it as an attack from the pegasi.
Even so, the tiny aquatic pebbles fell with an incredible ferocity, as she could feel her weight double from her drenched state. Even as the shivers ran down her spine, she could care less what unjust spite the rain had dealt her. She was too preoccupied to worry about such harsh, yet mundane barrages.
No, her heart raced for a much more disturbing reason.
It had been years since Applejack had been to Fillydelphia, and she couldn't begin to remember so much rainfall in such a small time frame. Her entire memory of her fillyhood trip was shockingly vague, at best. Little fractions of a vision appeared in her mind every now and then, but it was impossible to piece together a coherent chain of events.
There was only one singular aspect of the past that she remembered with absolute clarity. While the memory was a cheerful and happy one, the mere thought of its authenticity worried and disturbed her further. She had been gone for so long, she wouldn't blame him for not recognizing her.
Almost ten years ago, a young orange filly had come to Fillydelphia to meet some of her massive family. Much like her previous trip to Manehattan, she would be staying with them for quite some time, and she was looking forward to listening to some of their more outlandish and wild stories.
While playing with her cousins late one afternoon, the sun had begun to set. The large lamps upon the boardwalk had become active, and this gave the fillies and colts the message to return home. She had peered out towards the sea, watching the fast approaching night race towards the group. As the veil of the night sky became darker, she could bear witness to the stars nightly birth, as one by one they twinkled into being.
The night was so much different than it was back at her home in the west. Something about the way the stars twinkle, how they shined upon that canvas just didn't feel quite right. Something about the texture, or how dark the city lights made the sky above.
Back at Sweet Apple Acres, there were no large amount of lights from Ponyville to obscure the view of the night. It was clear, and one of the best viewing points was from a small crest on the property. Her home had the best view of the stars.
But here, in a bustling city such as this, the stars were almost invisible. While Applejack was able to make out the much brighter ones, they seemed to be the only ones present that night. But even those stars in the sky weren't as bright as her friend.
She had met it under the most frightening of circumstances. It terrified her beyond belief, and she wanted nothing more than to gallop home, to escape whatever monstrosity she had awoken. However, something calmed her as she spoke to it. She grew comfortable, the longer she stared into that eye. It was like a ripe star had been plucked from the night sky. As the nights went on, she grew to enjoy its company.
It became her friend.
And now here she walked. Upon the same boardwalk, soaked and drowning in the rain, almost a decade later. She had been silently preparing for this moment ever since her and her friends had arrived in this city. She had no idea if it would even recognize her now. She had no idea if it was even still around.
That's when she heard it, the sound that sent a terrifying shiver down her spine.
A low, guttural growl erupted from behind her. She knew where it came from, and it was not happy. The growl came again, almost a roar, as she broke into a gallop, racing towards the comforting light of the nearest street lamp. She fell underneath its cold, yet bright embrace, that disturbingly familiar vibrating hiss resounded just outside her barrier. It wouldn't be able to traverse to her now, as long as she hid under the light.
It could never break that threshold.
“C'mon,” She pleaded. “Veil, don'tcha remember me? It's Applejack, your little pony friend!”
Silence rang out, as the hissing and growling came to a halt. She could just barely make out its outline. A dancing spirit of black cloth, shifting and floating around her blockade. She took a chance, and drew closer to the threshold. The spirit flew straight in front of her, coming as close as it physically could.
Applejack sighed, as a small, yet very vivid dot of light began to shine through the spirit's head. A soft, ethereal purring resonated around her. Like the sounds of a curious cat.
“Yes Veil, it's me. It's been a long time, huh?” She said, drawing a very cautious hoof outside of her fortress of light.
Veil came a very distinct ringing sound as a response. It was a very surreal noise, as if Princess Luna chimed a thousand bells throughout her night sky, all with their each comforting and soothing tones. She had remembered the sounds of Veil's voice all too well, and she never truly realized how much she had missed it.
“You're right, and I'm sorry for that, sugar cube.” Applejack kicked her hoof at the ground. “Things have changed is all. I'm busier than I used to be. I have a farm to look after, a baby sister to raise, and now I've become one of Elements of Harmony. If it was my choice, I woulda come back a long time ago.”
Veil chimed another series of tones, seemingly more mournful than the last.
Applejack sighed, as she completely left the comfort of the light for the comfort of her friend. “Thank ya, Veil. That means a lot. I wish I coulda shown them to ya, but I was just a filly, and they wouldn't listen,” She said, seating herself on dry wood under an nearby awning.
The spirit whipped around her, circling her a number of times. A warm and gentle ethereal wind brushed against her coat, as she smiled happily. It was the closest thing Veil could come to a hug.
Another curious series of tones came forth from the apparition, as he floated about, unmoved by the rain.
“Eeyup, they're good ponies. They can be really odd at times, but we all have our quirks, I suppose. Look at me! Talkin' to a ghost,” She laughed.
A few frustrated chimes came from her agitated friend, as it displayed its anger in its flight.
“Oh c'mon, Veil. I'm just joking around! I know you ain't no ghost.”
Veil slowed his rampant flight, as he continued with another series of chimes and rings.
“Comin' back from my cousin's actually. She was actually tellin' me another one of her ghost stories again. And wouldn't ya know it, it was about you of all things!”
Veil tilted his head a soft tone pierced the air.
“Yes indeed! It was really hard not to break out laughin'!”
Silence reigned over them, as the rain continued to pour down even harder than before. Applejack sighed, as she looked upon her ethereal companion. She would have given anything just to see it again, after all these years. Now that she had, she simply couldn't enjoy it as much as she wanted. That magical wonder she had as a filly was gone. While she certainly enjoyed her time with it, it didn't feel anymore special than any of her other friends.
Bell tones softly resonated around her.
“I'm fine, Veil. Just being around you... kinda makes me wish I didn't have to grow up so fast,” She said wistfully.
Veil brushed its ethereal wind against her, embracing her to the best of its abilities. A series of chimes rang out.
“Thanks, sugar cube. You're a better friend than I remember,” She said to it, wishing she could return a hug somehow. “Well, I hate to cut this short, sugar cube, but I really should start headin' out before anyone gets worried.” Her smile fell from her face.
The spirit danced about madly, as rushed series of chimes expressing its worry.
“Of course not! Just for the night. My friends and I will be for the rest of the week,” She assured, as the two began to head back through the rain.
The spirit hesitantly chimed once more, nervously awaiting her answer.
“Honestly Veil, I don't know if I will come back, unless some sort of disaster prompts me to.”
Another series of hesitant rings.
“Are you sure? Would you be leaving anything behind?” She asked him.
Another ring soothed her ears, as it shook its head.
“Ya know what? Yes, I would want nothing more than to have you around the farm. I'd be more than happy to introduce you to the rest of my family. But first, ya need to meet the rest of my friends,” She said happily. A wave of relief overcame her, happy that it had asked the question before she did.
The spirit danced around with elation, chimes resounded with such delicate fervor.
“I'm gonna warn you right now, Veil...” She started, eliciting a curious chime from the apparition. “Twilight's gonna have a hay day with you.”
Author's Note
Welp, this is a thing.
No real background on this one, just needed something to whip up for the fact that IM KINDA BEHIND RIGHT NOW
