Shattered Memories, Hidden Dreams

Applejack felt the cold feeling in her legs fade slowly away, but she kept her eyes closed. She was afraid of what she might see, of what this weird unicorn had done to her. Applejack felt a pair of eyes watching her, prompting her to slowly open her eyes.

The first thing she noticed was that her legs looked normal. ‘At least there's that' she thought. The next was that Apple Bloom, Big Mac and Rainbow Dash were looking at her with looks of both fear and expectation. After a moment, she started walking, expecting to feel the usual pain. Instead, her legs were able to carry her a few steps, and support her when she stood on them, AND catch her when she jumped into the air.

"Wow," Applejack exclaimed, "that's some mighty impressive magic y'all got there. I feel like I could buck every apple tree on the whole farm and then some."

The unicorn just stared silently at the ground at Applejack's feet. After following his gaze, they all figured out why. In a six foot circle, the grass at her feet was dead. They were an ugly, sickly brown that clashed against the lush green that dominated the landscape. As she tried to understand what happened, Moon Runner stood once again.

"I apologize for disturbing you this evening," he bowed his head, "Please, give me one night, and I will be gone in the morning."

Applejack, Big Mac and Rainbow Dash just stared at him, not sure what to think or say. Apple Bloom, however, couldn't stop herself, "What are ya apologizin' for? You ain't done nothin' wrong."

Everyone, even Moon Runner, looked at her quizzically, making her blush. "Well he didn't."

"What are you talking about?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, "He hurt AJ, possibly Big Mac, and you were passed out when we showed up."

‘We?' thought Applejack, but out loud she said, "Now Rainbow, I dunno what I saw, and neither do you. All you saw was Apple Bloom conked out on the ground. That ain't much ta go on." Applejack turned to Moon Runner, looking just above his eyes, "First off, thank ya for fixin' my legs. Don't know what you did, an' honestly, I don't wanna know. BUT," she leaned in, glaring at the unicorn, "y'all are gonna explain why my sister was out cold when I found ya, and why ya attacked us when we showed up."

Moon Runner bowed his head, hiding further into his hood, "To answer your second request, if you recall, I attacked nopony. You and your larger companion saw fit to charge at me full force, with no explanation or attempts to communicate." He gestured to her hind legs, "Also, any damage either of you experienced happened because of your own actions, not mine. I did not prompt, tell, or ask you to attack me, but you instead followed through on your own initiative."

"Hmph." Rainbow Dash flew straight up to his face, but the look of annoyance on the unicorn's face made her back away to a safer distance. "Well, what about Apple Bloom? She didn't fall over on her own. You had to have done something, or she wouldn't have stopped screaming."

Before Moon Runner could answer, Applejack interrupted, "Exactly how much did ya see ‘fore you came down ta help, Dash?"

The rainbow pegasus rubbed the back of her neck, "After I heard Apple Bloom scream, I came flying over, but I . . . didn't want to fight him alone, so I waited until you guys showed up." She chuckled nervously, avoiding eye contact with anyone.

"Rainbow!" Applejack was more than slightly taken back at her friend's behavior, "Why in the name of Equestria would you wait before helpin' somepony? I figured you'd be the first ‘a anypony to head straight at him."

"Well, Applejack, in case you hadn't noticed, he's bigger and stronger then BIG MAC!" Rainbow yelled indignantly, "First Twilight gets mad, then you, next thing you know, Fluttershy will be mad at me about something. I'm outta here." Rainbow Dash turned, and, in burst of speed only hours of practice could accomplish, she flew off, leaving a faint trail of a rainbow behind her.

"Hotheaded little . . ." Applejack fumed. ‘Why is she always so darn thick?' she thought, ‘If she'd just explained herself a little, I wouldn' be so mad.' She sighed, putting her anger away for later. She turned to Moon Runner, only to see him following Rainbow Dash's fading trail.

"Does she always become so upset when she is caught in a lie?" he said aloud. Before Applejack could respond, Big Macintosh jumped up, and brought himself hoof to hoof with the midnight shaded unicorn. Moon Runner glanced down at him, hardly fazed by the attempt to intimidate him.

"Are y'all callin' Miss Rainbow Dash a liar? Cause I don' take too kindly to anypony who accuses my friends ‘a lyin'." He glared straight into the unicorn's eyes, only to flinch when he stared back. But despite the failed attempt to cow the larger pony, Big Mac still persisted, "I suggest y'all apologize to Miss Rainbow Dash when ya see ‘er, otherwise I might just make ‘nother go at 'cha."

Moon Runner cocked an eyebrow, a condescending look on his face, "Is that so . . ." His horn glowed, and Big Mac was lifted up to eye level. Big Mac tried glaring at the unicorn, but instead found himself nearly shaking in fear, because this time Moon Runner was glaring back, "We both know what happened when you tried to tackle me," he said in quiet anger "We both know that it hurt you considerably more than it hurt me..." Moon Runner kept his eyes locked on Big Mac's, cowing the farm pony. "And we both know, that even without my magic, I could easily crush you under my hoof. So I would quit trying to intimidate me, because if it came down to a confrontation, I think we both know what would happen." He brought his hoof up, and Big Mac flinched. But instead of the blow he was expecting, the unicorn jabbed his hoof into his chest, "Do we have an understanding, Mr. Macintosh?" The red farm-pony simply nodded, too scared to speak. Moon Runner slowly lowered him to the ground. "Good." His tone changed to a softer, more conversational tone, "I did not intend to insult Miss Rainbow Dash, but as it stands, I still spoke the truth. She was lying, and she flew off in order to hide that fact."

Apple Bloom, watching this display off to the side, suddenly had a thought, "How did you know my big brother's name?" she asked.

Moon Runner looked at her, a ghost of a smile touching his face, "How attentive you are, young Apple Bloom." As he answered, he glanced at Applejack, "I believe this will also answer your first question, Miss Applejack." He sat down, his answer directed at the little filly, "When you started screaming, I was afraid some local authority would come to your rescue, or worse, somepony deciding to play hero. So, using a little magic, I drew your attention, both physically and mentally, to my eyes," at this, he opened his eyes a little wider, "Other then scaring most ponies into submission, my eyes can act as a focal point for any spells I cast over the mind, similar to hypnosis."

Applejack, struggling to keep up, asked, "So, ya basically hypnotized her?"

Moon Runner nodded, "In a way, yes. But my spells are much more potent. Since having an unconscious filly lying in front of you may be seen as negative by an approaching pony, I decided to take the opportunity to search her mind-"

At this, Big Mac scoffed, "You don' honestly think we'd believe that load ‘a horseapples, do ya?" he shook his head, "He's playin' us for fools, Applejack. He probably smacked her over the head, or cast a sleep spell with his magic, an' he was just gettin' ready ta run off when we showed up."

In a completely serious tone, "Would you like a demonstration, Mr. Macintosh? I would love to pick apart your mind and find out why you were so hasty in defending your friend's reputation, and discrediting my abilities."

Big Mac pupils shrunk to pinpricks, running through what the "demonstration" could be. "Uhhh, I think I'll pass on that."

Moon Runner turned to the apparent leader of the group, "Miss Applejack." She perked, alert to anything the strange colt in front of her might do, "I can understand if this is stepping out of line, considering the evenings' events, but you are the only one old enough to understand social graces and kind enough not to interrupt with foolish accusations." He bowed his head once, "If I may ask, would I be able to borrow the barn for the night? Despite the roof, it should provide some protection against the wind and any animals that may get into my bags."

Applejack looked warily at the unicorn, "Well . . . I can' say no to a pony in need ‘a help, but on two conditions. One, you're not leavin' tomorrow morning." He nodded, expecting as much. "An' two, you're gonna explain what happened to Apple Bloom and why y'all came to Ponyville."

Moon Runner seemed to think for a moment, "Your requests are not unreasonable, but I must ask that I be allowed to withhold information from you that is not relevant to the current situation."

"But, you coulda done that an' I wouldn've known the difference."

He brought his head eye to eye with Applejack, "You have been only honest and polite with me so far, Miss Applejack. It is only fair that I return the favor."

"Hmmm. Well, if that's the case, I guess I can agree to that." She smiled a small smile, and a ghost of a smile touched Moon Runners lips.

"Let us try this again." He raised his head and cleared his throat, "My name is Moon Runner, and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He raised his hoof, and Applejack couldn't help but notice that his was a deal bigger then Big Mac's hooves.

"Pleasure ta meet 'cha, ma names Applejack." She touched her hoof to his, and they both shook.

"An' I'm Apple Bloom!" Apple Bloom said excitedly.

"A pleasure to meet you as well, little one." he said with a slight bit of warmth. "Now, I think you have all had quite an eventful night, and all of you should get some rest. If you'll allow a moment, I must collect my things, and I will make my way to the barn shortly."

"Well, can't argue with none a' that," Applejack said, "But ya better be in the barn when I check in the morning, got it?"

"Madame, I am a colt of my word." he bowed his head, then looked sternly at Applejack, "Now, off to bed, the three of you. I know just how much work you have, and I'd hate to have you fall behind on my account."

Applejack chuckled, "Alright Ma, we're off." As the others walked off, she stayed behind. When Moon Runner noticed she was still there, he turned to see a serious look on her face, "Listen, you seem to be honest, and y'all's definitely straight forward enough. But if you break your word and run off, I will report this ta Princess Celestia. And y'all don't want that."

Moon Runner tensed up, and Applejack thought she hit a nerve, "Who did you say you would report me to?"

"Princess . . . Celestia?" she said nervously.

He was quiet a moment, then coughed and said, "Well, I would definitely not want that to happen." He turned his gaze from her to a small bag leaning against a tree. "I'll be there in the morning Miss Applejack, you need not worry about that."

She wanted to ask what that was about, but decided against it. "I'll see ya in the mornin' then. Oh, and it's just Applejack, not Miss Applejack." She started toward her home, hoping for much needed sleep. She didn't notice the sad look on the unicorn's face as he stared at the moon one more time, nor did she see the tears that trickled from his one good eye.