Disclaimer: The characters and setting used in this work are from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, and are the property of Hasbro Inc..
Aegis Amore
Chapter 1 - (Dis)contented Dreams
The sun was beginning to set over the rolling hills of Sweet Apple Acres, painting the sky in a multitude of oranges, reds and yellows and imparting the hues upon the normally lush greens of the leaves the orchards. The warm air of the late Summer evening was filled with the pungent fragrance of fresh apples and the earthy scent of compost that accompanied many a farm.
Applejack moved at a sedate pace, taking her time, as always, to enjoy the orchard as she hauled the cart. She mentally ticked off a list in her head, and gauged how much more work needed to be done before this particular field was finished. A smile once again formed on her lips as she figured she should be done the next day, a bit ahead of schedule. She had been working extra hard to make sure she would have time for Pinkie Pie's party on the weekend.
She picked up her pace when she spotted the barn where she would be storing this particular field's cultivar: Golden Russet. They used it to make some of their strongest hard cider, a product that they sold by the barrel to various restaurants and taverns after fermenting rather than by the mug during their annual cider season. She maneuvered the cart expertly into the barn before she shrugged the harness from her shoulders.
Big Mac would be busy tomorrow transforming the fruit into cider, she figured with a giggle to herself, she had awoken a few hours early every day for the past week to make the progress she had. She exited the barn, and, with a strong kick, closed the door before she set off to the Apple family house at a light canter.
Despite her hard work, Applejack felt light and giddy. Tomorrow would be a relatively light workday, and she would be free for at least the next few days, after which the farm would become busy once more with the next cultivar's harvest.
When she arrived at the farmhouse, she noticed a wonderfully sweet scent coming from one of the windows. With a glance she saw a pie sitting on one of the window sills to cool, with steam slowly rising from its crust to glow in the light of the setting sun. She breathed in the heavenly scent and let out a contented sigh before stamping and scuffing her hooves on the welcome mat to remove any mud and dirt that still managed to cling to her.
“All done for the day,” Applejack called into the house as she opened the front door, her husky voice thick with a southern farm pony drawl.
“Shhh!” A voice called from the entryway to the kitchen, immediately drawing Applejack's attention. There, in the kitchen, stood Twilight Sparkle, a small smile on her face. Her lavender coat and dark mane stood in sharp contrast to the orange light filtering through the windows behind her.
She was wearing a frilly apron, one of several that the Apple family had owned and used since before Applejack was born. Her horn was alight with magic, undoubtedly her telekinesis, considering the freshly baked pie that was hovering just outside of the open oven, awash in the same light that shimmered around her horn.
The pie sailed through the air as though it were a leaf on a gentle breeze only to be set gently next to the pie that Applejack had seen just moments earlier as she approached the front of the house. The light from Twilight's horn dimmed only for a moment before it brightened once more, accompanied this time with a fresh towel, rather than a pie.
“Granny is taking a nap,” Twilight explained as she slowly closed the distance between the two. Her magic hung the towel around Applejack's neck before lifting the ends up to lightly dab at the farm pony's face to wick the day's sweat away. “Welcome back.”
“Sorry,” Applejack responded, before she realized she was continuing to speak, “old habits die hard, y'know? Granny's been takin' more naps lately.” Her own face softened, and a smile worked its way onto her lips as well as a fullness to her heart despite her growing confusion. “How was your day, sugar cube?” She heard herself ask fondly.
Twilight became giddy. “The ultrasound went more perfect than I could have hoped,” Twilight responded, her soft smile becoming quite coy. Applejack's face continued to smile in defiance of her growing alarm as she glanced down. Twilight's ultrasound, Applejack surmised, by the now apparent bulge in her midsection.
“More perfect?” Applejack asked, as her body took a step to close the scant distance between the two of them. “You just wanted healthy. What could be more perfect than healthy?” Motion out of the corner of her eye tore her gaze from Twilight's amethyst eyes. The two pies from earlier now flanked Twilight, held in the glow of the Alicorn's magic.
“They're going to have the best mothers,” Twilight said as she closed the remaining distance between them, before she gently pressed her lips to Applejack's.
“I love you,” Twilight's voice became tinny as it faded.
Applejack's eyes opened to reveal her bedroom, which appeared for a moment to be quite bright before dimming slightly as her eyes adjusted to the darkness properly. She glanced out the window only to see the Moon floating in a sea of stars with no hint of sunrise on the horizon.
The silence in the house was so deep that she could hear the three distinct snores from her family members. Her eyes began to burn, and she reached a hoof out from under her blankets to feel hot wetness on her cheeks. She sighed shakily, more alone in a house full of family than in a dream fabricated by her own mind.
Her own mind that seemed intent on torturing her in the dead of night, intent on stealing from her any hope for sleep. It had been happening with greater frequency in the recent weeks, and Applejack hadn't felt as tired since her attempt at handling all of Applebuck Season on her own.
Applejack rolled from her back to her stomach, and buried her face in her pillow. She stifled her quiet sobs as her tears were absorbed by the soft cushion. She stayed like that for what felt like hours, though she knew it was likely only minutes dilated by the late, or perhaps early, hour.
With a sniffle, Applejack drew her face across the pillow to wipe away the last of her tears and accompanying runny nose. She carefully rolled out of bed from under her covers and turned around to retrieve the pillow case from her pillow before tossing the damp article into a laundry hamper by her door.
Her door opened quietly, she had oiled it when she realized that dream was becoming a regular occurrence. She crept silently down the hall and down the stairs before making her way across the living room to the front door, avoiding several squeaky floor boards along the way.
Once she had made it outside, she closed the front doors, it's recently oiled hinges aided the door's silent glide close. She set off quickly, her path was well lit by the moon, which hung full in the midnight sky. She needed to clear her head.
Applejack's path wound through the many fields of Sweet Apple Acres, the evenly spaced trees allowed the moonlight to filter through their canopies to the earth. As she moved through the trees, the relatively cool air of the summer night helped to properly dry her eyes and clear her sinuses. She still felt tired, but she didn't feel as nearly worn out as when she first woke up.
She began to head back as the sky began to, nearly imperceptibly, lighten. It had become her usual routine lately to begin preparing breakfast for the house before heading out to take care of her share of the farm work. She was already running through her head as to what she would prepare for breakfast before her plans were neatly derailed by a red figure sitting in Granny Smith's rocking chair.
Applejack stood stock still for a moment while she judged her best course of action. “Dang it,” she muttered before she slowly made her way to Big McIntosh. When she arrived, she stood there under his steady gaze before either of them dared to break the silence.
Eventually, Big McIntosh nodded his head to his left, prompting Applejack to look at the small table where Granny Smith usually had her afternoon apple juice. Instead of juice, however, there rested the pillow case that Applejack had earlier soaked in her own tears. She met his eyes, her own gaze accusatory to his own apologetic expression.
“How long?” He asked in his deep and slow drawl, his general silence served to deepen the profundity of his words. Those two words snatched away the growing anger from Applejack at his earlier intrusion.
She heaved a heavy sigh as she plopped down on the ground in front of him, her ears drooped in her sorrow. “Few weeks,” she answered, her throat became itchy as she felt the blood returning to her sinuses, her eyes once more becoming wet. They sat in silence once more as she felt him weighing his next words carefully.
“Anyone else know?” He finally asked, she shook her head in response, her voice stolen by her returning tears. “Not even your friends?”
“No!” Applejack nearly shouted as she jumped back to her hooves before she cringed at the volume of her voice. “No,” she said once more, and plopped back to the ground before she turned her head to avoid his eyes, “that'd only make things worse.”
She could feel him once more carefully picking over his words while he sat there and watched as she sniffed away her tears and chewed on her bottom lip. She looked up as she heard the rocking chair creek.
Big McIntosh stood up out of the chair, his massive body towering over the wilted Applejack. “Know what I think?” He asked, looking down at her.
“What's that?” Applejack asked, her voice wavered as she spoke.
Her big brother reached a hoof back to scoop up the tear stained pillow case before holding it before her. “I think this is a whole lot bigger than a season of apple bucking.” Applejack's eyes widened at the implication of his statement. Somehow, without her even saying, he understood.
She stood and threw her forelegs around his thick neck and he responded by dropping the pillow case to wrap is own foreleg around her. They stood like that for a long while, with Applejack releasing her sorrow and frustration as tears into Big McIntosh's red coat. He stood there patiently, rubbing his hoof up and down her back, soothingly.
“Which one is it?” he asked at long last. She stilled in his arm before finally wiping her face along his shoulder one last time. He cringed at the treatment, but shrugged it off easily.
“Too smart for your own good,” Applejack stated fondly with a hiccup. She drew one of her forelegs across her face to dry up the last of her tears. “It's Twi. It's always been Twi.” McIntosh nodded once in response.
“That don't bother you none?” Applejack asked, scared at finally letting someone know her secret. He snorted in amusement.
“Ain't like you're the last Apple,” he reasoned, before bumping his forehead to hers, she smiled at the contact. “Ain't like it's anyone's business but yours.” Suddenly, the loneliness she had experienced when she woke up seemed farther away than it ever had.
“Should talk to your friends,” he once more offered before turning to the door. She nodded, though she knew he couldn't see it.
“I know,” she said softly, “you go ahead and take a bath. I'll get to work on breakfast.”
“Eyup,” Big McIntosh said as he entered the house.
Applejack placed the last plate onto the drying rack, and turned to head to the bathroom, to prepare for her chores. She paused, however, when she saw Big McIntosh standing in the entryway of the kitchen.
“Hey, Big Mac,” she said, “you go on ahead, I'll meet you out in the fields in a little bit.”
McIntosh smiled and shook his head. “Nope,” was his simple reply. Applejack raised an eyebrow. “You been workin' yourself into the ground, sis,” he explained. “You've done enough to get some time off. Probably more'n a few days, but I know that won't be happening.”
“You're darn right it won't,” she bit back, flatly.
“But you will be taking today off,” he said sternly. She opened her mouth to argue before closing it with a click of her teeth.
“Fine,” she relented, “but only one day. This farm ain't gonna run right with just one pony.” She smiled before tossing in one final jab. “It just don't add up.” Her brother snorted in amusement before turning and leaving.
Applejack made her way to the bathroom, sparing a glance out the open front door to Granny, who was already sitting in her rocking chair, with a cool pitcher and glass of apple juice next to a small cooler filled with ice.
She couldn't help but think back to her dream, especially the Granny Smith of that dream. She was getting on in years, even more than she was at the moment, and had been napping more. This Granny Smith, at least, was perhaps the only thing better than in the dream.
Applejack entered the bathroom and turned the handle of the faucet over the tub, and waited while the water warmed up. Once it was piping hot, as was her preference, she pushed the stopper over the drain and pushed it into place.
She turned to the mirror and took a good look at herself. After her little heart to heart with Big McIntosh earlier, she felt as if she had woken up, truly woken up for the first time in a long while. She looked at the bags under her eyes and pulled a face. She wasn't one to normally worry about her appearance, but it was easy to tell that she hadn't slept well in a long time.
She turned the tap off as the bathtub filled sufficiently before she lowered herself into the steaming hot water. It stung a bit, but the heat penetrated deep into her sore joints and muscles. She was startled at just how sore she had been, she hadn't realized just how much she was putting her body through as she worked extra hours with hardly any sleep at all. As the stress melted slowly away, she let her mind drift from one point to another, before settling on Big McIntosh's earlier words.
Should talk to your friends. His voice echoed in the back of her mind. She knew he was right, he usually was, the big galoot. That did nothing to dispel the hesitation, or the intangible fear that all of her years of friendship would be stomped on should any one of them know her secret.
But he had accepted it. He, Big McIntosh, perhaps one of the most stereotypical Apple family farm ponies ever, had accepted her. Ain't like you're the last Apple. Ain't like it's anyone business but yours. It was a no nonsense approach, an Apple approach. He was an Apple to the core, after all. She had no idea how she could have expected anything less from him.
“Talk to my friends, huh?” Applejack said to the empty room, before she sank deeper into the steaming water of her bath. She considered it for a while, as she idly blew air out her nose, and watched the resulting bubbles gurgle merrily on the surface of the water.
Rarity would likely be the most accepting, she thought. It was a stereotype, but the fashionable types lent themselves to be more accepting of homosexuality. Her quick friendship to Steven, who was quite fabulous, seemed to reinforce that. Applejack then struck her forehead with a hoof. There was no way to know Steven's tendencies, and it was unfair to use him as a measuring stick.
She knew the rumors flying around about Rainbow Dash, but that's as far as her knowledge on the athletic weather pony extended. She certainly had a more than healthy obsession with the Wonder Bolts and their captain, Spitfire.
Pinkie Pie was easy enough, Applejack mused. She liked everypony, with no exceptions. Whether or not she accepted a pony's quirks wouldn't stop her from being the best friend she could be. It also wouldn't stop her from trying to make you smile.
Fluttershy might be more difficult, however. She certainly remembered more than a few of her relatives saying at one time or another that it wasn't natural. How would Fluttershy react if she found it wrong? Would she scold Applejack, or would she run off and cut off contact? Applejack couldn't know, and she felt her gut twist a bit at the thought. Maybe she would leave off telling Fluttershy to the end.
Well, maybe not to the very end. Applejack let that thought run through her mind as she sank deeper into the water, and leaned her head back. With her muzzle just peeking out of the water, she took in a careful breath and opened her eyes. She sat like that for a long while, and stared at the ceiling of the bathroom.
Every minute movement caused ripples to spread out across the water's surface and served to distort the image of the ceiling. The sight was mesmerizing, and it was something Applejack enjoyed doing ever since she was a smaller filly than her little sister, Applebloom.
The first pony she wanted to talk to was Twilight, but she knew that wouldn't happen. Twilight would accept her for who she was, no questions asked. She was an academic and a scientist, she always made her judgments on a case by case basis. But if Twilight knew that, then she would know about her feelings in short order.
Applejack knew she couldn't lie to save her life. However, even if she was unconvincing most of the time, she could deter other ponies from pursuing the truth from time to time. Like when she told Pinkie Pie that they were repairing one of the barns on the farm instead of planning her surprise party. Pinkie was still suspicious, but she let it drop.
Twilight wouldn't be able to let it drop, though. It was part of what drew Applejack to the lavender mare. Her drive and dedication, and her unwillingness to leave a job half done made Twilight the bedrock of their little group of friends, and they were traits that Applejack aspired to.
Applejack sat back up, and reached out to take a bottle of soap into her mouth. She carefully tipped the bottle over, letting just enough of the unscented liquid fall into the water before she placed it back on its ledge. Once she was certain the bottle wasn't going to slip from the edge into the water, she set about methodically lathering up her coat and mane. It was an action so well practiced that her mind once again began to wander.
In her mind's eye, she could see the day she had met Twilight Sparkle. She had been very excited, as the Summer Sun Celebration had managed to bring in a lot of Apple family members from all over Equestria to help with preparing the food. It had been a sort of impromptu family reunion that sent her into a giddy euphoria.
Apple Fritter, one of her favorite cousins, and one she hadn't seen since she was a little school filly, had bet she couldn't knock all of the apples out of a tree with a single buck. She had wasted no time, and let out one of her characteristic Ye-Haws and charged a nearby tree surrounded by baskets.
With a solid kick, she had managed to knock the apples from the tree, and turned around to smile smugly at her cousin, only to get an eyeful of a pretty little mare she had never seen before. Still running high from the excitement, she foalishly greeted Twilight over enthusiastically.
She groaned to herself, as she always did, when she thought about how pushy she had been. It worked out in the end. They managed to rescue Luna from her fate as Nightmare Moon and Applejack managed to make her already close group of friends even closer with Twilight's help.
Not only that, she had become one of Twilight's best friends on account of her being the Element of Honesty. She had long since resigned herself to the idea of growing old alone, and being Twilight's friend was good enough for her.
Well, had been, at any rate. A few weeks prior they had returned the Elements to the Tree of Harmony. Suddenly she no longer had that connection to Twilight, and just being her friend didn't guarantee Twilight's presence in her life anymore. That's when the dreams started in earnest.
She had had them before, but they had been few and far between. She enjoyed them, they were a secret desire that she could enjoy as she maintained the status quo. However, with the unifying presence of the Elements gone, the realization had sunk in that at any time, Twilight could leave, and she wouldn't have any reason to be able to leave with her.
What had once been an occasional and uplifting event had suddenly become a taunt. It was her brain tormenting her with a fancy that she was certain would never be realized. And every night she had woken alone in her bed, all she could feel was the crushing weight of a future alone.
Unlike most dreams, the ones that had been haunting her nightly since the return of the Elements to the Tree had been frighteningly vivid. And the one she just had was the most soul crushingly cruel of thelot. Twilight had been with foal. Foals, she corrected herself, and somehow they had been hers. Is that even possible? She wondered. It didn't really matter, though, if it were possible or not, because the basis of the dream was something that she had convinced herself was something that could never be.
While she had been an Element, even when Twilight became a princess, she had a reason to be by her side. Without that, what was she? She was a farm pony, plain and simple. She sighed, and pulled the plug from the drain once she finished lathering up and turned the spigot for the shower head on.
The cool water shook her fully from her thoughts. And she turned a few times in the large tube to rinse all the suds from her coat before she closed the valve. She let the water run from her coat a bit before she reached out to take a towel and get ready for her surprise day off.
After taking her time getting ready and a taking leisurely stroll through the orchards, Applejack found herself aimlessly meandering the streets of Ponyville. It wasn't very often that she took a day off, or was forced to, in this case, so she had little in mind when she donned her saddlebags and moseyed into town.
The day was nice, a cool breeze was blowing though town, and there was little in the way of humidity. Add in the fact that the shade of her hat kept the bright noon sun from her eyes and it became an idyllic summer day.
The streets were not very crowded, though she expected that would be normal for the middle of a weekday. She had come across several acquaintances and made idle chatter with them. The talk consisted mostly of her explaining that she had a day off, or talking about the nice weather, before the ponies she was talking to had to get back to their day to day business.
It didn't bother her, if she were in their place, she'd likely behave the same way. Polite greeting, send the pony on their way, and back to work. She really only spared more of her time for her friends, though some she allowed more than others.
She was in the middle of deciding what do do for lunch as she wandered the town when she saw her. It was hard not to, her particular shade of lavender always seemed to draw the farm pony's eye. Through one of the windows of the Hay Burger, Applejack saw Twilight Sparkle.
She was sitting alone, staring down at a pile of hay fries, with a frown on her face. She idly twirled one of the crisp snacks through a small puddle of their cherry sauce. A frowning Twilight with a sweet tooth was a certain sign that something was wrong.
A twist in her gut told her it was a bad idea to be alone with Twilight, in light of the fact that she was supposed to talk to her friends about her own troubles, especially when those troubles centered on the very lavender mare she was currently staring at. However, she could hardly call herself the most dependable of ponies if she let that come between her and a friend in need.
With determination, Applejack entered the establishment and moved to the front counter. She kept an eye on Twilight, and kept her voice relatively low to avoid grabbing the Alicorn's attention as she ordered. Once her food was paid for and in hand, she moved quickly over to the small table that Twilight sat at, and placed the tray opposite her friend.
“This seat taken?” Applejack asked as she slid atop the stool, already knowing the answer. Twilight looked up quickly, alarmed at her own lack of awareness. She smiled briefly when she realized that it was Applejack asking the question.
“Not at all,” Twilight said, finally picking up the hay fry she had been twirling in the deep red sauce for the last several minutes and tossing it in her mouth. “What brings you here? I thought you'd be busy on the farm today.”
Applejack took a big bite of her hay burger. “I woulda been,” she explained around her mouthful of food, “but Big McIntosh said I'd been workin' too hard these past few weeks.” She swallowed and snorted. “Probably woulda kicked me off the farm for the day if I didn't agree to take the day off.” Twilight giggled at that, Applejack responded by sticking her tongue out at her friend.
“Came in here, though.” Applejack continued, “on account of seeing a pretty little mare worrying about something.” Twilight's cheeks pinked at the compliment, though she settled back into a frown. “What's botherin' you, sugar cube?”
“That obvious, huh?” Twilight asked, to which Applejack nodded. Twilight sat in silence for a moment, twirling another fry through her cherry sauce. “It's this whole being a princess thing,” she started, “turns out, you can't just get away from it.”
Applejack cocked her head to the side. “What do you mean?” She asked, she wasn't certain what there was about being a princess that was troubling Twilight.
“The nobility in Canterlot,” Twilight said, “they're pushing the Princesses to assign me a security detail,” she scoffed and rolled her eyes, “like there's oh so much danger in Ponyville.” Applejack just gave her a flat stare.
“We sorta live right next to the Everfree,” Applejack countered, Twilight rolled her eyes again, but nodded.
“I know,” she relented, “but with ponies like you around, it's less of a risk and more of an inconvenience.” With a glow of her horn, she lifted a letter from her saddlebag. She waved the letter around, but didn't unroll it. “I've been talking with Princess Celestia, and she's stalled the nobles for as long as she can. They've worked out an agreement, but it's still not ideal, as far as I'm concerned. They want to assign me a knight protector, one of the members of nobility in military service.”
“That's not even the worst part, though,” Twilight continued, Applejack raised an inquisitive eyebrow. The lavender mare levitated several more letters from her saddlebag and passed them to Applejack. Applejack unrolled one of the letters and began to read.
“Dear Princess Twilight,” she read aloud, “I am pleased to see your rise to princess-hood, blah blah blah, in order to strengthen the royal line, yada— marriage proposal!?” Applejack dropped the letter in shock and looked up at Twilight.
“Seems my brother set a precedent,” Twilight explained, “I've done a bit of research and it seems that his and Cadence's wedding was the first marriage of an Alicorn princess in recorded history.” She let out a heavy sigh. “It would have been a non-issue, since the only other Alicorns other than Cadence were Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, and they're much too... venerable to approach in such a manner. Or that used to be the case,” she spread her wings for emphasis, “until now.” Applejack felt a lump in her throat at the thought.
“I,” Applejack began, only to falter as she felt the tears once again threaten to return, “I wish I could help you with that.”
“I wish you could, too,” she agreed morosely before her ears perked up. “You could. You know what, Applejack? I think you could help me!” That statement certainly derailed Applejack's emotional fall.
“What do y'all mean?” She asked, heart hammering hard in her chest. Twilight smiled at her wide eyed friend.
“Not the marriage thing, of course,” Twilight elucidated with a waved hoof, “I wouldn't want to trap you into something like that with me.” Applejack nodded numbly, a little put out, but touched that Twilight's given reason was that it would trap her, not Twilight. She would take what she could get. “I need a knight, but they haven't decided on who. I certainly don't want to intrude on Ponyville by bringing a military presence, but even more than that, I don't want to leave Ponyville, either.” She happily scooped hay fry after hay fry through her cherry sauce, and tossed them back in her excitement.
“Your efforts, and the others',” Twilight amended, though more as an afterthought, “has more than warranted ennoblement. That would certainly make you qualify for the position of my protector. Not that I would drag you away from your farm work, but the other nobles wouldn't have to know that. I couldn't think of a more capable pony to be my knight, could you?”
Twilight had started to ramble in her excitement, but the enthusiasm quickly spread to Applejack. The horrible clenching on her heart that started the moment her Element was set back in its proper place in the Tree of Harmony had eased greatly. This was a new link, a new way to continue to be associated with the beautiful mare across from her. She began to nod so hard, she was surprised her head didn't wobble right off her neck.
“Of course not,” Applejack answered, nearly tripping over her words in their shared excitement, “I'm the loyalist of friends and most dependable of ponies, you couldn't ask for anypony better.” Twilight sighed in relief.
“Thanks, Applejack,” Twilight said, “you have no idea how much this means to me. The proposals can be put off indefinitely, but the knight thing was pretty urgent.” She took a bite of her own hay burger and levitated the letters back into her saddlebag. “So, are you going to tell me what's been bothering you?” Applejack nearly choked on her soda.
“What makes you think something's been bothering me?” Applejack managed to ask between sputtering coughs. Twilight giggled at her friend's predicament, the sound was music to Applejack's ears.
“Oh, please,” Twilight scoffed, “you work hard, but you definitely learned your lesson way back when you tried to buck all of Sweet Apple Acres all on your own.” Applejack's cheeks darkened at the memory.
“I,” Applejack began, though she had to pause and organize her thoughts. “It's hard to talk about, sugar cube.” Twilight nodded in commiseration. “I ain't been sleepin' real well.” She explained to her studious friend.
“Nightmares?” Twilight asked, Applejack shook her head.
“Not exactly,” Applejack clarified, “They're good dreams, I think.” Twilight looked confused.
“Isn't that a good thing, then?” She asked. Applejack looked down at the table, her expression a mix of pain and longing.
“While they're happening, yeah,” she offered. “I ain't never been as happy as when I'm in those dreams. Problem is, I wake up.”
“And then you can't get back to sleep?” Twilight asked, her voice soft, and sad for her friend. Applejack smiled sadly at her empathy.
“Not even a wink,” she said. “Been working extra hard 'round the farm, too. Trying to keep my mind off it.” Twilight reached a hoof across the table and gently stroked Applejack's.
“I'm so sorry,” Twilight said, “can you tell me what they are about?” Applejack met her friend's eyes and her ears fell flat against her head. She held Twilight's gaze for a long time, and judged carefully her words.
“I,” Applejack stopped, and felt foalish at how difficult it was for her to speak. “Is it possible for two mares to have foals?” She asked quickly and as soon as the words were out of her mouth, she felt like kicking herself. Coward, she accused herself in her mind, can't even tell the truth. She could barely bring herself to keep eye contact with Twilight.
“Hmm,” Twilight hummed, her eyes going to the ceiling as she thought. “It might be possible, though I haven't heard of it actually happening.” Applejack tilted her head in confusion.
“If you ain't heard of it before, then what makes you think it's possible?” She asked. Twilight giggled once more, sending secret shivers down Applejack's spine.
“Applejack,” Twilight said, “I was able to give a reptile a mustache and turn a few rocks into a top hat when I was a unicorn.” She wiggled her wings for emphasis. “I'm certain with the right research and effort it should be possible, but what does that have to do with—” Her eyes widened when she made the connection.
“Applejack,” she began, “are you—” Applejack pressed a hoof to Twilight's mouth to hush her and nodded, her face burning in embarrassment and shame. It took a moment, but Twilight seemed to settle down, and she gave a sheepish smile when Applejack finally removed her hoof from her lips.
“Sorry,” she apologized, “I shouldn't have done that.” Applejack looked around the restaurant, thankfully it seemed that nopony was really paying much attention to them. “Can you tell me who it is?” Applejack's ears drooped, and she looked away.
“I really want to,” Applejack said, “but maybe this is enough for now. Just having somepony else know, it's more than I hoped for.” Twilight nodded in acceptance, and reached across the table once more, taking one of Applejack's hooves in her own.
“I understand,” she said, “but if you ever need anything, if there's some way I can help, or if you just need somepony to talk to, you know that I'd do anything for you.” Applejack smiled with genuine appreciation.
“Thanks, sugar cube,” Applejack said, “I promise, just as soon as I'm ready, you'll be the first pony I tell.” They sat like that for a while, hooves grasped and basking in the friendship they shared.
“Do you think you could get the next few days off?” Twilight asked, finally breaking their companionable silence. Applejack smiled and nodded.
“I reckon I could,” she answered, “Big Mac told me I earned more'n a few, though he only made me take just this one off.” Twilight smiled in response.
“Thanks,” she said, “I'll send a letter ahead to Princess Celestia, we need to take care of my problem quickly, before something drastic happens. Do you think you could meet me in a couple hours at the train station?” Applejack thought for a moment.
“Suppose I could,” she offered, “just need to swing by the farm and let the family know. How long should I pack for?”
“Not more than a few days, I expect,” Twilight said. “If it needs to be longer, then I'll think of something.” Applejack nodded, and the two of them stood and took care of their waste before heading to the door. “Applejack?” Twilight asked as they exited the restaurant.
“What's up, sugar cube?”
“Thanks for being there for me.” Applejack smiled at Twilight's appreciation.
“Not at all, sugar cube. Thank you for listening.”
Chapter 1 End
Author's Note
Let me first say that I am going to be putting True Harmony on hiatus indefinitely. I know, I know, it's been on hiatus since before I made that announcement, and shame on me. I found myself unexpectedly busy with real life, and then I lost motivation for it once I was bit by the TwiJack bug. Curse you great authors and your well reasoned arguments! You know who you are.
I've actually got something of an outline and a destination for this particular fic, so expect to see more. I'll try to keep to a monthly update schedule, but my muse can be a bit fickle. That being said, I want to ask for help. I need a pre-reader or ten to help with quality and help me set deadlines to meet. This idea has been brewing in my head for a while, and I'm starting to feel attached to this yet to be written story. So, please, send me a PM if you are interested.
Also, if you notice something off grammatically or spelling wise, please feel free to place that in the comments section. If you dislike the story for any reason, please leave constructive criticism so as to help me improve. Likewise, if you think the tags need to change, please let me know, I want to keep it as accurate as possible.
Disclaimer: The characters and setting used in this work are from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, and are the property of Hasbro Inc..
Aegis Amore
Chapter 2: Troublesome Train
Twilight Sparkle waved enthusiastically as she saw Applejack approach the train platform. She had arrived only a few minutes earlier herself with Spike in tow, and bought tickets for the three of them. She didn't need to wait long for the orange farm pony to arrive.
After they had parted ways at the restaurant, Twilight had rushed home to collect Spike. Because she had been 'moping' as he put it, her assistant had been more than happy to pen a letter to Princess Celestia at her request. Once the letter was sent, they packed quickly and hurried to the train station.
“I've already got you covered,” Twilight greeted Applejack before she could approach the ticket window. Applejack accepted the ticket and put it in her saddlebags.
“Shucks,” she smiled at the librarian, “you didn't need to do that for me.” Twilight waved her protest away easily.
“Nonsense, I'm taking you away from your farm work for my own selfish reasons.” She smiled, “the least I can do is pay for a train ticket.”
“Hi, Applejack,” Spike greeted from where he sat on Twilight's back, “haven't seen you around in a while.”
“Hi there, yourself,” Applejack returned, “been a bit busy on the farm, but I figured this is more important than waiting around for the first harvest of Applebuck Season to start.” Spike raised a scaled brow at her words.
“Wait a minute,” Spike said, “how can you be busy on the farm, but waiting for Applebuck Season?” Applejack's muzzle scrunched up, but Twilight spoke before she was able to come up with an explanation.
“Applejack said she was working hard to get ahead in her preparations,” Twilight lied for Applejack. “It's why she took a day off to relax when she came across me at the Hay Burger.” Twilight smiled at Applejack's relieved face.
“Yep,” Applejack agreed, keeping her eyes on Twilight's to avoid Spike's. Twilight couldn't help but let a small giggle escape her lips at Applejack's inability to lie. “In fact, I'm so far ahead that Big Mac said to take as long as I need to do what I need to do to help Twi here before I start back at the farm.”
Their attention was derailed momentarily as the train to Canterlot pulled in to the station. Twilight smiled at Applejack as they made their way to the train's entrance after a few ponies hopped out at the Ponyville platform.
“I really appreciate you doing this for me,” Twilight said to her friend after they boarded the train and offered their tickets to the conductor. Applejack smiled as they found some empty seats.
“Don't worry 'bout a thing, sugar cube,” she returned. The train was relatively empty, and they were the sole occupants of the car they chose.
The three of them stowed their luggage in an overhead rack and got comfortable. The seating on the train consisted of two rows of benches separated by an aisle. The benches were arranged perpendicular to the aisle and back to back, forming several small alcoves for relative privacy. Applejack and Twilight sat across from one another, with Spike next to Twilight.
“No, really,” Twilight countered, “if you hadn't had to take a day off, I'd probably still be worrying about what to do, and if I didn't act soon enough, the nobility might—” whatever she was going to say was interrupted as Spike let out a belch of green fire, which coalesced into a scroll.
“There it is,” Twilight exclaimed happily as she took the airborne scroll into her magic.
Dear Twilight,
Your proposal is an excellent one, Applejack is a perfect choice, both strong and honest. It is easy to see why you came to that decision.
Truth be told, it was surprising that you would suggest her, as Luna and I were just discussing the matter this morning. You see, she had also suggested much the same thing. I must agree with her, as I had granted the Apple family land near the Everfree Forest some time ago, the nobility would have no recourse if I were to grant her peerage.
I expect you are already on your way to Canterlot, and if not, you should make your way here as soon as you can. Luna and I will make arrangements for a ceremony to grant Applejack peerage and knighthood to take place on your arrival.
Ever your friend,
Princess Celestia
Twilight smiled as she read, Princess Celestia's approval still held heavy influence on her. She hummed happily as she passed the letter to Applejack. “This is moving along much faster than I had hoped,” she said with a grin. A sharp whistle and a sudden jerk alerted them to the train's departure.
“Huh,” Applejack grunted and scratched a hoof through her mane as she read over it, “what's peerage?” Twilight giggled at the question. She rolled the letter up and retied the ribbon around it when Applejack offered it back to her.
“It means she's going to make you a noble,” Twilight offered, as she sent the letter through the air to her bags, “I assume she'll make you a baron and tie the peerage to Sweet Apple Acres.” Her attention was taken by one of Spike's claws as it prodded at her shoulder.
“Hey, Twilight,” Spike said to get her attention, “do you think I could get some snacks from the concession car?” His expression was hopeful as he looked up at her with dewy eyes. She smiled fondly at her assistant and levitated a few bits from her saddlebags in the rack down to Spike's outstretched claw.
“Keep it reasonable,” she warned, “we have a busy evening ahead of us, and I don't want you getting an upset stomach.” Spike nodded and ran off with all of the enthusiasm of a foal preparing to do just the opposite of what his mother said.
Applejack chuckled as they watched him exit their car to the next. “He sure likes to snack, doesn't he?” Twilight nodded fondly, but frowned as she thought.
“He does, but his eyes are usually too big for his stomach.” Twilight raised an eyebrow as Applejack favored her with a small smile. “What?”
“Nothing,” Applejack dismissed, “just thinking how lucky Spike is to have you for a mom.”
“I am not his mother,” Twilight quickly denied, though she deflated quickly at Applejack's skeptical look. “Well,” she conceded, looking anywhere but at Applejack in embarrassment, “maybe I think of myself a bit like his mother.” She giggled and shot Applejack a conspiratorial look.
“For the first year after he hatched, I used to push him around in a little carriage,” she admitted. “He gets embarrassed when I bring it up, but I've raised him all his life. You should have seen him back then, he was adorable.” Twilight blushed as she noticed Applejack's smile hadn't wavered. “I know it's silly—”
“Not a bit, sugar cube,” Applejack interrupted and shook her head. “I think it's sweet, and I'm more'n sure he feels the same way.” Twilight smiled, touched at Applejack's words.
“Speaking of which,” Twilight said with a sly smile at Applejack, “you were talking about foals earlier.” Applejack blushed and averted her gaze, choosing to look out the window at the distant landscape which seemed to move lazily by.
“I might 'a been,” she said, “family's important to me, you know that. I might like mares, but I'd still like to raise a family, too.” Twilight nodded.
“Can you tell me about her?” Twilight asked suddenly, “not who, just about her.” Applejack raised an eyebrow as she returned to looking at Twilight.
“Why're you so interested?” she asked. Twilight took her turn in watching the distant landscape.
“I don't know,” she said poking her front hooves together nervously, “it's just that, when I was growing up and when I was Princess Celestia's student, I never really thought about romance. Heck, I didn't even think about friendship. Now that I've had these last few years with you girls, and how I've grown as a pony, I can see now why it's so important.”
“Outside of Rarity's crush of the month, nopony else I know ever really seemed interested in it either. Until you, that is.” Applejack nodded and smiled softly. She seemed to be mulling over how to respond.
“I can't get into too many specifics,” she finally offered, “but I s'pose it can't hurt. What'd you want to know?” Twilight smiled in relief, glad that her friend was willing to talk about it.
“How did you know?” Twilight nearly tripped over her own words as they spilled from her mouth. Applejack's smile grew fonder as she looked out over the moving terrain.
“It was strange,” she said, “I seen all manner of pretty mares all around Ponyville. I knew for a long time that I wasn't really into colts. But the moment I laid eyes on her, sure as Princess Celestia raises the Sun, I knew that she was different. I got to bein' her friend, and that was enough for me. I know she don't mind the way I am, but I can't know for sure she'd feel the same way.” Her smile was oddly content, Twilight thought, considering how much she obviously cared for this other mare.
“Why haven't you said anything to her?” Twilight asked. Applejack shook her head and looked at Twilight.
“I'm happy as her friend,” Applejack explained. “I wouldn't want to make anything awkward if she wasn't into mares. Besides, the only reason I was losing sleep over her was because I wasn't sure if she was gong to be able to stick around much longer or not. Even if she was into mares, though, I doubt she'd be interested in a farm pony like me.” Twilight scoffed at Applejack's opinion of herself.
“A farm pony like you?” Twilight repeated with an incredulous shake of her head. “A farm pony like you happens to be one of the bravest ponies I've ever met, not to mention one of the strongest, kindest, most dependable of ponies as well.” Twilight gesticulated enthusiastically as she continued, ignoring Applejack's growing blush. “You can clearly take care of a family, I mean, you've practically raised Applebloom. You've risked life and limb to save me countless times, not to mention the lives of our friends, too. Whoever this mare is, she'd be blind not to see how great you are. I'd be lucky to ever meet somepony like you for myself!”
Her ears drooped once she realized how animated she had become, and she was glad they were the only ponies in the train car at the moment. Applejack, for her part, had shrunk down in her seat as far as her sturdy frame would allow and had pulled her hat down over her face to hide a blush that was visible to the tips of her ears.
They sat like that for a moment in silence. Twilight took that time to calm herself. Applejack pushed her hat up after several long moments. She was still blushing, but she was looking out the window with a ghost of a smile on her face.
“What's she like?” Twilight found herself asking quietly, curiosity egging her on.
“She's amazing,” Applejack said without missing a beat. “She cares about her family, just like an Apple. She works so hard for everypony around her, that she always forgets to work hard for herself. And she can make friends with just about everypony she meets.” Applejack's eyes moved from the terrain to lock onto Twilight's.
“Not like Pinkie Pie, mind,” Applejack clarified, “she don't even have to try. She even got two of the most ornery of opposite ponies to put their differences aside and enjoy each other's company.”
Twilight couldn't help but blush at Applejack's enamored description. She knew that she was talking about somepony else, but the honesty with which she spoke the words held such a deep conviction that it seemed to reach out to her and tug at her heart.
“She sounds like a wonderful pony,” Twilight said, “I'd really like to meet her someday.” Applejack opened her mouth to say something, but she smiled and chuckled instead.
“You almost got me, sugar cube,” she said, smiling at Twilight, “all I'll say is that maybe you know her, maybe you don't.” Twilight smiled ruefully at her friend.
They shared a laugh, their good humor washed away any embarrassment at their conversation. Applejack's laugh was interrupted with a great yawn. Twilight smiled at her friend.
“Maybe you should try to get a little bit of sleep while we wait,” Twilight offered. “After all, like I told Spike, we have a busy evening tonight.”
“I reckon you're right, Twi,” Applejack said, “I feel like I could sleep straight through to tomorrow morning at this rate. Wake me when we get there?”
“Of course,” Twilight replied. She pulled down a book from her bags and flipped through the pages as Applejack got comfortable. She soon found a page titled Restful Respite and carefully committed the contents to memory. It wasn't a difficult spell, but it was designed to make sleep more productive by letting a well rested unicorn share the burden, something that would help out Applejack during her short nap. It was the least she could do, Twilight felt, in light of Applejack's help.
As soon as she heard Applejack's breathing take on an even rhythm indicative of sleep, she sent the book back to her bags and got up. She carefully moved to Applejack's bench and sat next to the slumbering farm pony. She reached out with her magic and, as carefully as she could, wove the energy into the desired spell.
Once the spell took form, Twilight lowered it down gently to rest over Applejack's eyes, much like a translucent eye mask. As she felt the spell take hold, Twilight's own eyes suddenly became heavy, and, with a great yawn of her own, she soon fell asleep next to her friend.
Twilight sat in a chair in the kitchen of the Apple family house, waiting patiently next to the oven. The windows of the room let in the soft orange light of the setting Sun. The pots and pans that were stacked here and there reflected the light, glowing a fiery orange. It was very cozy, and the light gave the house that Twilight had always admired a warm feel.
She looked to the sitting room through the entrance of the kitchen to see Granny Smith sleeping soundly, her snores soft, yet audible. She couldn't help but smile at the kind old mare. She stood from the chair she was sitting in and found the activity was more difficult than it should have been.
She felt oddly heavy, causing her to sway on her hooves a bit before regaining her balance. A quick glance down told her why; her belly was swollen. It reminded her of her first day in Ponyville, when she had eaten too much pie at Sweet Apple Acres. She smiled at the memory. Her reverie was broken by the sound of a buzzer coming from the oven.
She moved quickly to shut off the device. When no one else arrived, she opened the oven to reveal two apple pies. The smell of apples that seemed to pervade the house at all times intensified as the sweet confections were allowed to spread their scent more easily.
She picked one up with her magic and brought it close to her muzzle, and inhaled deeply, basking in the warmth of the pie and the delicious scent that it offered. After she placed it on the cooling rack in one of the windows, she picked up the second pie to do the same.
“All done for the day,” Applejack's voice called into the house accompanied with the sound of the front door swinging wide open. Twilight jumped at the sudden sound and turned sharply.
“Shhh!” She hissed, hoping to quiet Applejack. Her friend stood in the door, sweaty from a hard day's work. She was smiling, though her ears laid back against her head, obviously realizing her mistake. Twilight sent the pie she was carrying in her magic off to rest on the rack with the other before picking up a nearby clean towel.
“Granny is taking a nap,” she said as she hung the towel around Applejack's neck. She smiled at the abashed farm pony and picked up the ends of the towel in her magic to dab them at her friend's face. “Welcome back.”
“Sorry,” Applejack said, apologetically, “old habits die hard, y'know? Granny's been takin' more naps lately.” She smiled as Twilight moved the towel around her face. “How was your day sugar cube?”
“The ultrasound went more perfect than I could have hoped,” Twilight said. Ultrasound!? Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, lucidity returned to Twilight's mind. This was a dream, she realized. She was really sitting on a train with Applejack and Spike on her way to Canterlot. The alarm quickly fled her body as she felt relief flood trough her.
She was no stranger to lucid dreams, having experienced a fair few in her life as an overworked student. She felt her lips twist into a coy smile even as she fought to gain control of her body. She shouldn't have been experiencing so much trouble in doing so.
“More perfect?” Applejack's voice sounded confused as she closed the gap between the two of them. “You just wanted healthy. What could be more perfect than healthy?” Twilight felt her head twist and her horn light up in magic free from her own will. The two pies she had placed on the rack floated into view, and her lips smiled widely as she looked at the growing realization on Applejack's face.
Despite all of her efforts, her body continued to act on its own. Why can't I move my own body? She thought as she felt herself take a step closer to Applejack, eliminating any personal space between the two of them.
“They're going to have the best mothers,” Twilight's voice sounded from her own lips. Her body leaned in, and she felt her lips press against Applejack's.
“I love you,” she heard herself say. Her dream body embraced Applejack in a hug and over her friend's shoulders, she thought she could see a giggling Luna in the distance outside the window.
Twilight's eyes shot open as she awoke from her dream. Her vision was filled with her friend's face, and she jerked back in surprise. Applejack was still sleeping, thankfully, so she would be none the wiser for what had happened. She glanced around the train car finding no one else but a blushing Spike, holding a popcorn bag in his claws.
“Twilight, are you okay?” Spike asked nervously, “you two were almost k—” Twilight jumped down from her place next to Applejack and pushed Spikes bag of popcorn into his face.
“Not a word!” She hissed at her assistant. “This never happened, and you saw nothing.” Spike could only nod, with shocked eyes locked on Twilight's around the popcorn bag pressed against his face.
She looked out the window to find that the train was already on the incline to head up the mountains to Canterlot. Her ear twitched as she heard some commotion from where Applejack sat and she turned frantically to face her friend.
Applejack blinked the sleep from her eyes and gave a great stretch accompanied with a deep yawn. She took a moment to crack her neck before gazing confusedly at the scene before her. Twilight was standing between the two benches with a wild look in her eye, Spike was also wide eyed where he sat, covered in popcorn. “What in the hay happened to you two?”
“I must have dozed off,” Twilight offered with a weak laugh. “When I woke up, I thought I felt a spider crawling on my leg and jumped.” She turned to her assistant. “I'm really sorry about your popcorn, Spike.” Spike shook his head and shrugged.
“I wasn't really all that hungry anyways,” Spike offered in a strained voice. Twilight narrowed her eyes at the baby dragon. His mannerisms were off, that much was sure. If he was capable of sweating, Twilight was sure it'd be pouring off him at the moment.
She looked at the popcorn spread over the seat and floor skeptically for a moment before looking out the window. She took a moment to judge the incline and reassured herself that they were nearing the end of their journey, which meant she had been asleep for quite some time.
She turned her gaze back to Spike, who appeared for all the world a criminal in a dark room with a single light shining on him. Her focus moved about the him and the seat he was sitting in. Finally, she zeroed in on an inconsistency; there were several empty paper bags hiding behind him. Empty paper bags that were identical in design to the now crumpled popcorn bag sitting in his lap.
“Spiiiike,” Twilight sang with a smile, “how many bags of popcorn have you had?” Her sweet smile and tone of voice set her assistant on edge. His eyes darted back and forth, obviously searching for an answer that would satisfy her. His shoulders drooped when no such answer was forthcoming.
“Five,” he mumbled, as he looked everywhere but at Twilight. She raised a delicate eyebrow at that statement and looked more closely before spotting one last bag, which Spike was currently sitting on.
Her eye twitched. “Spike, I thought I told you to keep it reasonable,” Twilight began, her tone quickly becoming authoritative.
“Don't fret about the little guy, none,” Applejack's voice took the wind from her sails. “Applebloom would 'a done the same thing.” She hopped down from her bench before retrieving a few bits from under her hat.
“You mind getting us a few drinks?” She asked as she handed the bits to the little dragon.
“Sure thing!” Spike exclaimed as he rushed off, grateful for the easy out that Applejack provided for him. Twilight's ears drooped as she watched Applejack start to pick up the mess she had made and felt her indignation quickly drain from her being.
“You didn't have to do that,” Twilight said, before she used her magic to gather up the popcorn and stow it in one of the empty bags. Applejack shook her head.
“Aw, no sense in yelling at the little guy,” Applejack chuckled, “we should 'a known better than to fall asleep like that. He did the same thing any of us would 'a done when we were foals.” She smiled the same smile that Twilight had seen in the dream before she reached a hoof out and tapped Twilight on the tip of her nose. “Like I said, you're a great momma, but we can't keep our eyes on 'em all the time.”
Twilight stilled at that comment. You've practically raised Applebloom. They're going to have the best mothers. I love you. “I—” Twilight stuttered, certain that there was steam pouring from her ears, “I—” her tongue was tied in a firm knot. “I have to go to the bathroom,” Twilight nearly shouted as she grabbed onto the first excuse she could before she practically galloped away from her confused friend.
Twilight quickly made her way to the next train car down from the one they had been sitting in. She ducked into one of the bathrooms and locked the door behind her. She leaned heavily on the sink, staring at her own blushing face in the mirror while she tried to get her breathing under control.
The magenta glow of her own magic caught her attention and she noticed she was still firmly grasping the bag of popcorn she had earlier pushed into Spike's face. Her panic drained slowly and she released her grip on the abused snack. She allowed herself a weak chuckle, the popcorn had been crushed so thoroughly that it was nearly a fraction of its original size.
“Okay, Twilight,” she said to herself as she tossed the tiny, crumpled mass of the popcorn bag into a nearby waste bin, “get a hold of yourself.” She turned on the tap in the sink and splashed her face with cold water. “It was just a dream. A dream brought on by the conversation we had just before we fell asleep.”
She paused when she noticed her reflection in the mirror was scowling at her. She breathed out a sigh as she used a hoof to massage her brow between the eyes. “Also, you really need to stop using your reflection to scold yourself.”
She cast a quick spell to dry the fur on her face and turned to the door. She opened the door slowly and peered down the train to where she had been sitting with Applejack and Spike. There, she saw Applejack, sitting alone. Her friend was blushing again, like she had before they had fallen asleep. She had her hat off and was fiddling with the brim in her hooves.
Twilight nearly slammed the door back shut and shook her head hard to dispel the growing heat she felt blossoming on her face. She was suddenly acutely aware of her friend's charms, in a way that had never occurred to her before.
“This is bad,” Twilight said to herself, already abandoning her earlier advice to not talk to herself, “this is really bad.” She paced around the tiny room quickly, practically turning circles before she stopped and stood stock still. “Okay, think this through rationally.”
She took a deep breath and exhaled. “Our conversation obviously bled into my dream. Nothing more, I'll go out there and everything will be just fine.” She cracked her neck before taking the door handle in hoof. “If Applejack can be happy just being friends with the pony she's in love with, then I will be just fine around a mare that I'm apparently attracted to. We've been friends for years now, nothing's changed.”
She then did something she always did when she was faced with a situation that was beyond her comfort. It was something Celestia had taught her when she was a little filly, something to help her control her magic in light of her loss of control when she had taken her entrance examination.
She walked right out of the bathroom, even when she wanted to run right back into it. It was silly, she mused, that she would approach Applejack in the same manner that brought her before Nightmare Moon, Sombra, Chrysalis and even Discord.
Applejack noticed her approaching and quickly placed her hat atop her head and waved in greeting. “Welcome back, sugar cube,” she said with a smile. Twilight hopped back up in her own seat opposite the orange farm pony.
“Sorry about that,” Twilight apologized, “I must have had too much coffee this morning.” Applejack laughed in agreement.
“I know how that is,” she said, “hay, this past week I think I must 'a spent more time running back and forth between the orchard and the house than I did working.” The laugh they shared at that went a long way to settle Twilight's nerves.
“They had apple juice,” Spike's voice alerted Twilight to his arrival. He waddled up to the two, carrying three small glass bottles, each marked with an apple. Twilight took two of the bottles from his arms and sent one off to Applejack, who caught it in her hooves.
“Thanks, sugar cube,” Applejack said to Spike, “that was right thoughtful of you.” Spike waved her away as he climbed up in his seat.
“Nah,” he said before taking a quick sip of his drink, “it was easy. It's one of Twilight's favorites.” Applejack raised an eyebrow as she shifter her gaze to Twilight.
“What can I say?” Twilight laughed, “you spoiled me with Sweet Apple Acres apples.” She leaned forward and whispered, loudly enough that it could hardly be considered a whisper, to her friend. “It's what keeps me in Ponyville. Well, that and the honesty of the ponies living there.”
Applejack laughed heartily at Twilight's admission. “Well, aren't you just the sweetest thing.”
“I'm serious,” Twilight said, “I mean, this is the whole reason we have to go to Canterlot in the first place.” Applejack tilted her head.
“What do you mean?”
“The Canterlot nobility,” Twilight explained, “aside from a few shining examples of what nobility should be, is full of duplicitous ponies who say only what they think you'll want to hear as long as they think it will suit their purpose."
She pulled down the stack of letters from her saddlebags. “Take this whole Knight-protector business, for instance. It's not just coincidence that the subject came up at the same exact time as these proposals started pouring in.” Applejack nodded as she followed along.
“The ponies who suggested it would have known that I wouldn't allow a military presence in a small town like Ponyville. They likely want to have a way to get one of their own in constant contact with me to increase the likelihood of a favorable response to their proposal so that they could elevate their family's status above their peers.” She paused when she noticed that she had lost Applejack in the explanation.
“Each noble family wants to choose a knight from their own family, and hope that I choose to marry him,” she clarified.
“Oh,” Applejack said as understanding dawned on her. Her expression quickly moved to one of outrage. “Why those no good, back stabbin', lyin' sons 'a—”
“But,” Twilight said, her ears drooping in shame, “I'm using you in the same way. It seems that it kind of rubs off on you, growing up there.”
“Hold on there, sugar cube,” Applejack cut her off, “it's not the same thing. You were honest when you asked me. Well, I wouldn't say you asked, but I didn't say no.” Twilight smiled at her friend.
“Thanks,” she said, “it helps to know that I'm not like those nobles.” She laughed as her good cheer returned. “That's what I'll do,” Twilight announced with a smile as she struck her right hoof against her upturned left hoof. The proposal letters, still in her magical grip, shredded in an instant before the debris caught flame and blew out the window as a small stream of smoking ash. “I'll just make you my knight and marry you, using their own plot against them!”
Her joke was rewarded with an apple juice drenched coat courtesy of twin spit-takes from both Applejack and Spike. She let the juice drip from her fur as she waited for her friend and assistant to stop coughing.
“Twilight,” Spike complained over Applejack's continuing coughing fit, “are you trying to scare my scales off? Especially after you and Applejack almost k—” He was cut off by Twilight's hoof, and stopped any further protest at the manic look in her eye, a look that dared him to say more.
“Corn's sake, girl,” Applejack finally managed to squeeze out between coughs, her face was bright red with lack of air, “are y'all trying to give me a heart attack and drown me at the same time?” Twilight gave a nervous chuckle.
“Sorry, Applejack,” she removed her hoof from Spike's mouth, certain that Applejack had been too busy coughing to properly hear what he had said. “It was just a little joke.” With a small burst of magic from her horn, she pulled the apple juice from her fur, before tossing it out the window like she had with the ashes of the proposal letters.
“I just wish sometimes that becoming a princess wasn't so complicated,” Twilight said as she finished off her juice. “I love that it represents the culmination of my studies on friendship, but I hate that it's becoming a burden on my friends.” Applejack smiled at Twilight and reached across to pat Twilight's leg reassuringly.
“Just one friend, so far,” Applejack corrected her, “and if there's ever anything I can do to help make it easier, you just let me know.” Twilight nodded, though her frown stayed in place.
“I really appreciate that, but even one friend being bothered is one too many.” Twilight tilted her head towards Spike. “A few of the Unicorn nobles had started sending their letters through Spike. I had to cast a limiter on him so that only Princesses can send letters using his fire.” She smiled as a thought occurred to her.
“The last time something similar happened, Princess Celestia sent him gemstones for a month,” Spike smiled at her recounting, as, according to him, it had been the best month ever. “Hers was an unintended side effect of a contingency plan to make sure my friendship reports would be available if our friendship was ever in danger. I'd hate to think of how bad it would be for Spike if all of the nobles started using his fire.”
Spike's purple scales seemed to turn slightly green as he thought about that scenario. Twilight reached a hoof down and rubbed his back and giggled. She looked up at Applejack with a mischievous smile.
“You should have seen right after I cast the limit, Spike had a hiccuping fit for nearly an hour,” She jumped slightly in her seat a few times to mimic Spike's earlier condition. “Each hiccup was a letter being sent back to the sender. They finally got the hint and stopped, poor Spike almost sent a bookshelf to the Princesses.” The three of them laughed, though Spike's was more than a bit sarcastic.
They were interrupted by the train's whistle and sudden stop. It was only at that moment that Twilight looked out the window to see that they had finally arrived in Canterlot. She pulled all of their luggage down from the overhead rack.
“Here, Spike,” Twilight said as she passed each of the empty glass bottles to the dragon with her magic. “Could you please take those back to the concession train? We'll wait for you on the platform.” Spike nodded before he took off down the train aisle, his little arms full with the clinking empty bottles.
Twilight and Applejack made their way off the train and stood on the platform as they waited for Spike to return. Twilight could see the city streets outside the station from their vantage point on the platform. There, waiting for them, was a royal chariot ready to whisk them away to the Palace for Applejack's knighting ceremony.
“Last chance to back out,” Twilight offered to her friend with a nervous smile. “Unless you do something completely against your nature, this is going to be fairly permanent.” Applejack smiled at her Twilight, banishing her unease.
“Sugar cube,” Applejack returned, “the way I see it, this isn't about choice. This'll just give me one more reason to visit my best friend. And if I get stuck by your side every day in the name of protectin' ya, well,” the farm pony looked up at the sky, her voice wistful, “that wouldn't be so bad, I'm thinkin'.”
Twilight was glad that Applejack wasn't looking at her, as she was sure she was blushing again. She had been utterly wrong back in the bathroom on the train. Things had certainly changed after that dream. Things had changed, and she wasn't sure what to do about it.
Chapter 2 End
Author's Note
I'll be hopping back and forth in chapter perspective as I need to. This one is Twilight's perspective, though I'll try to avoid any perspective changes inside of chapters. Also, I noticed that the story title and the first chapter both coincidentally had alliteration in them. I decided to run with it. I'm going to be breaking out my thesaurus if I have to so that I can make sure that each chapter will now incorporate alliteration. On another note, I'm still on the look out for pre-readers, though not having any will not keep me from writing. Not much else to say here other than I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Like and favorite, it gives me warm fuzzies when you do. Comments really make my day. If you dislike it, please leave some constructive criticism so that I can improve my ability to write.
Also, if any one here plays Star Wars: The Old Republic, feel free to look me up on The Harbinger. My main is a Sentinel named Irila. I am under the Manar Legacy and run the guild Light of the Republic.
See you all in the next chapter!
