COSMIC CENTURY

After hopping out of the train's confined wagon, I take a few seconds to limber up and breathe the fresh afternoon air.

My mind is clear and serene, my muscles flexible and relaxed, and my mood is as nostalgic and cheery as the afternoon light which bathes the modest Ponyville Express Station, as if promising greater and more frequent adventures.

Stepping out of the Friendship Express has never felt so good, such a fantastic feeling I just had to share with the world.

"Yeeeeehawwww!"

"Applejack, I didn't know you enjoyed the trip so much!"   Twilight Sparkle, the smartest pony I know, takes more modest steps as she exits the train.

"Why wouldn't I? We just went to the Crystal Mountain's Inn!"   Trotting in place like crazy, I notice how very light my hooves feel.   "Usually, we step out of that train sore all over and smelling like charred apples."    I even pull off a little spin.    "A luxurious Inn makes for a nice change of pace."

"I have to agree with you, darling."   Rarity, the most hard-working and skillful pony I know, steps out at a precise, controlled pace.   "At least now I won't have to take an emergency trip to the spa."

"And we didn't have to fight any dangerous monsters..."   And Fluttershy emerges right behind her, walking at her usual deliberate stride.

"Meh, it was pretty boring to me. Nothing more than snow and ice over there."   Rainbow Dash barges out of the train like lightning and makes a whirl in the air before stopping to hover above us.   "I thought we got rid of all that ice when we defeated King Sombra."

"This snow is all-natural, Rainbow Dash, not the result of dark magic"   Twilight enthusiastically claps her hooves.   "Didn't you think is was exciting to see a genuine Crystal Mountain snowfall?"

"It's just snow, Twilight."   Rainbow pulls off a loop-de-loop.   "Annoying snow and annoying winds, strong enough to ground the fastest pegasus in Equestria for days!"   Before pulling off a nice landing, all of her hooves touching the ground at the same time.   "I'm just glad we're outta that cramped Inn."

"Oh, don't listen to her, Twilight. I thought the view was spectacular. The white snow painting the sapphire peaks in the morning?"   Rarity kisses her hoof before making this weird 'duck-face' she likes to do.   "Exquisite."

"And the mountain animals were wonderful! "   Fluttershy closes her eyes and hugs the air around her.   "The little Clear Topaz Cats were just so fluffy and cute!"    All while fluttering just above the ground.

"Umm, Fluttershy? Those 'cats' were bigger than the Inn we slept in..."

"Oh yeaaaah..."   Fluttershy opens her eyes wide and directs a wide smile to me.   "That was part of their charm, wasn't it?"

"....and they were ferocious Clear Topaz Mountain Lions."

"Oh."   Fluttershy comes down to the ground before slouching timidly.   "W-well, I thought they were cute...."   Fluttershy backs away slowly from me and kicks the ground before looking away.

And I'm glad they found her cute as well. Otherwise, they might have decided for a Fluttersnack that night.

"Well, regardless of any giant mountain lions and strong winds, we all agree that we had a great time, right?"

"Of course we did!"

"It was simply wonderful, darling."

"I loved it..."

"Well, I guess the view was kind of cool."

We all nod to each other in agreement before making our way out of the platform and into the Station Office, where a single, older clerk sits in front of a small desk, stacks of papers covering every little space in small room.

All we need to do now is to fill out some more paperwork before we can be on our merry way.

Which reminds me.

"Where's Pinkie Pie?"

My question triggers a wave of curious stares among my friends, followed by wide eyes and dumb shrugs.

"Oh, bother...."   Everything was going way too smoothly to be true.   "We forgot to pick her up at the Inn, didn't we?"

"Don't be silly Applejack. How could I be in the Crystal Mountains when I'm standing right behind you?"

The sudden yet very familiar cacophony assaults my ears and sends chills down my spine.

"Pinkie Pie, you almost killed me with your-"

Streamers shoot into my mouth, drowning out my sentence while balloons of a myriad of colors blot out the light, the unforeseen attack making me flinch harder than the shrill voice from before.

"Welcome Back to Ponyville Party!"

"Pinkie Pie!"   My precious tongue is now covered in streamers which leak cheap dye in my mouth, and soon enough a painfully bitter taste makes itself known to my senses.   "Gosh! Ish sho bitter!"

Twilight and Rarity don't seem to be doing any better than I am, if their desperate struggle to get rid of the streamers sticking out of their tongues are any clue.  Flutters seems to be the only one not gagging at the moment.

"Oh! Thank you Pinkie! This is so nice of you...."

"Haw deed yow even git dis party done so quik?!"   Meanwhile, Rainbow's whole face is covered in streamers.

"I had some help with that..."   Pinkie glances at the door.

"That would be me..."   And Spike, assistant dragon extraordinaire, steps in.   "Pinkie, uhh, asked me to prepare this party for when you came back and she, uhh...."

Pinkie Pie procures a small Ruby out of a saddlebag and throws it to Spike, who to admires it in all it's red beauty, hunger making itself known through his eyes, now as big as saucers.

"And she can be very persuasive..."

At least someone won't be tasting misery the rest of the day.

"Do you really have to go so soon, Rainbow Dash?"

"How impolite! We are barely even out of the station and you want to leave us? "

"Yeah! I was even planning on throwing a huge party at my house! You have to stay!"

"Sorry to leave so soon guys, but the Wonderbolts called and I really have to go."

"...well, if you really have to..."

"But the party....!"

"Now now, Pinkie. Rainbow has her own appointments and we have to respect that."

"Awww....Sniff...."

"Oh, come on Pinkie. You don't have to go all mushy on me!"

"But I wanted to have a party with you, but you are leaving and I won't be able to anymore...."

"You don't have to cry about it!"

"Sniff....."

"Pinkie....!"

"Oh, woe is me!

"Augh!....Tell you what. I'm going to make up for it by inviting you all to a party at my house, all on me!"

"Sniff.....you Pinkie promise?"

"I Pinkie promise."

"Hurray!"

"What are you....ACK?!

"Hugs!"

"Darn it, Pinkie Pie! Ponies are looking!"

"I don't care. Hugs are good."

"Arrrrrgh..."

"How cute, she is blushing all over!"

"Hey, you don't have to be shy, sugarcube, we are among friends here!"

"Oh shut up."

"Heh."

"Hahah!"

"That's kind of cute..."

"And hilarious."

"......."

"Are you done?"

"Wait for it."

"Urgh."

"Waaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiit......."

".....Pinkie...."

"Okay, done.

"....Okay then, catch ya later!"

"Good Bye Rainbow!"

"See ya!"

"Bye!"

"Good bye, darling!"

"Good luck with your appointment!"

"Why do I have to carry all this stuff?"

"Sniff...."

"Still feelin' down about Rainbow leaving us, sugarcube?"

"Yeah..." "

"We can have another party some other day, Pinkie."

"Other parties?! No way!"

"Sorry for sharing my opinion..."

"You don't get it, this party was supposed to be ultra-super special, more special than any other, and now Rainbow won't be there to enjoy it because she is too much of a busy mare nowadays to have time with a simple pony and my simply ultra-spectacular parties anymore!"

"What?"

"Oooooooohhhhh....and I worked so hard!"

"Well, why not move the party for tomorrow?"

"And let all the cupcakes go cold? It just wouldn't be the same...."

"Well, I tried...."

"I-I could help you bake more tomorrow, if you want..."

"....Really?"

"Umm...well....yeah!"

"Are you sure?"

"I-I might not look like it, but I am kind of a good cook!"

"Yaaaaaay, the party is saved!"

"Fluttershy, by being a good cook, you don't mean....cooking animal food, do you?"

"...uh....I-It's not like their food is much different from ours, r-right? Most of them eat the same vegetables we do, don't they?"

"There's a big difference between cooking vegetables and baking cupcakes..."

"Don't be silly, I've made plenty of radish cupcakes before, you know?

"With all due respect, Flutters, that doesn't sound all that tasty...."

"I could even bring my animal friends to help!"

"And that doesn't sound sanitary!"

"It isn't? I'm sorry...."

"Don't apologize, just don't do it...."

"With Fluttershy there to help me and if X+3= Ballozoica and the pepinillan creamy pie equals the square root of donuts and the concept of 40 is the maximum level of overpowering techniquest..."

"Pinkie...?"

"There's just so much stuff to do now, I've just got to prepare!"

"Wait, Pinkie, you are leaving?!"

"Where are you going?"

"Didn't you hear me? I'm going to prepare!"

"Oh! I guess this is a good bye, then?"

"Yup! Bye bye!"

"See you tomorrow."

"Looking forward to your cup-cakes!"

"Have fun!"

"Always do!"

"Help me.....my legs are...

"This is going to be so much fun!"

"I never thought I'd ever see you so excited about anything, Fluttershy."

"How would I not be when I get to learn all about Pinkie's baking secrets!"

"I suppose she does make great cupcakes.  I have been curious about them myself...."

"Why don't you come bake with us, then?"

"Oh no, I'll just get in the way. I'm just no good at baking."

"Or at cooking anything, really. Stuff tends to explode whenever she enters the kitchen."

"Spike!"

"Eh, you know it's true. If it wasn't for me, you'd be starving right now."

"Hah! I can see that."

"Hey, I'm not that bad! I just haven't had the time to practice..."

"It's never too late to learn, sugarcube."

"Indeed. Why don't we all go to Pinkie's place tomorrow? We could learn a thing or two together."

"It will be fun, I promise!

"Well....sure! Why not?"

"Then I'll be waiting for you at the market in the morning. Pinkie is going to get such a surprise when she sees we are all there!"

"For a change..."

"I'll be right there, I promise!"

"All of us will."

"I'm going to be the one cleaning up your mess, aren't I?"

"It's very rude to read a book when someone's speaking to you, Twi."

"I know, I know! I just don't want to ruin everything tomorrow and I want it to be perfect and  I...........! Let's see....ingredients......ingredients! The best kind to use is.....of course!....Tomorrow I'll use...!...HEY! Give that back!"

"Trust me, the more you read about them, the less delicious they'll come out."

"That doesn't make any sense!"

"So now you are calling me dumb, eh sister? All the more reason to not give it back."

"Applejack!"

"She deserves that...."

"Are you feeling well, Spike?"

"Oh, Rarity!"

"Are you skulking again?"

"Umm.....what do you mean?"

"I've noticed you've been grumbling and mumbling to yourself a lot, and I wanted to know if there was a problem."

"Well, it's just that I...."

"Go on. You can tell me with confidence."

"It's just that Twilight keeps asking me to do this and that and work and help her and everything. And that's fine, really, she is my friend and I want to help, but it's just that...."

"She didn't invite you to the Crystal Mountains."

"Yeah! She got to go out and have an adventure while I stayed at home to clean it up. Again!"

"I see..."

"And she keeps going on and on about 'Responsibility'-before-'Entertainment', even though she gets to have both while I only ever get the chores!"

"...."

"It's just not fair..."

"You are right, it's not fair at all."

"I'm selfish for thinking this way, aren't I?"

"If only selfish was so harmless and cute. What you are feeling is completely natural, darling, you just don't know when to speak up for yourself."

"I don't want to make Twilight feel bad, though."

"Well, that might be a problem...."

"Yeah...."

"Hmmmm........how about you and me, together, go speak to Twilight tomorrow and see if she let's you come to the party with us, hmm? Would that do?"

"You would do that for me?"

"Of course. I would do anything for my little Spikey-Wikey."

"Heh, stop that!"

"Spike! We are leaving!"

"That's my cue."

"Take care, Spike, and don't forget I'll pick you up tomorrow."

"I'd never!"

"Hurry up, Spike! We have to finish the project tonight if we want to be on time for the party!"

"Oh."

"It seems you won't need my help after all, darling."

"Heh. Yup. See you later, Rarity!"

"Take care, Spike."

"So how's your sister?"

"Sweetie Belle? I suppose she is doing quite well..."

"You don't sound too sure about that."

"To be honest, she is is misbehaving. There isn't a single day when she isn't starting trouble or breaking something with those Cutie Mark Crusaders, and it's starting to grate on my nerves."

"I would know about that."

"Oh, not that I'm blaming Applebloom for her behavior, Applejack."

"You can blame her all you want, sugarcube. She is growing into a full-fledged trouble pony, and worse, she is dragging her friends with her."

"All just to find their special talents..."

"Funny how they are obvious to everyone except them."

"Indeed."

"Maybe you should record Sweetie's singing and show it to her. Then she'll probably get it."

"And Applebloom should just accept that her talent is most likely apples."

"....is that supposed to be a...?"

"It is a joke, darling."

"Right."

"In all honesty, though, have you ever stopped to appreciate Applebloom's crafts?"

"Crafts? You mean her school projects?"

"I've seen them, Applejack. Her skills are extraordinary for someone her age."

"You really think so?"

"Your sister has the soul of an artist inside her. You should be proud of her."

"Heh. I've always said lil' Bloom had a knack for taking garbage and making it look pretty. Glad I'm not the only one who thinks so."

"Mom! Daddy! Big sis is back!"

"....did she just say 'mom'?"

"She said 'daddy' too."

"And I left such a mess before leaving...."

"Better go and clean up quickly, then."

"I should do that..."

"You will not believe who came with me today!"

"So there I was, face to face with a a Topaz Lion. I was the only thing standing between them and Fluttershy."

I try to snarl as hard as I can, but I figure I must look very silly while at it.

"And just when they were about to pounce, all I could think about was on how doomed I was..."

That tends to happen when you are face to face with a 50 meter tall monster...

"But then, before it could get any closer, the big bully rolled on his back and began purring like it was some sort of big kitty. And on top of it was Fluttershy, scratching it's belly like you would a house cat."

That was such a ridiculous sight I just couldn't stop giggling as I recalled it.

"Haha! Now that cracked me up. Hay, it's almost as funny as that time Rainbow crashed on top of the barn!"

Almost, but not quite there yet.

"....All in all, it was a great trip, certainly one of the best ones so far. I had never seen so much snow before. And there were so many plants! I never thought crystal mountain trees could produce so much fruit, and the flowers were beautiful!"

I walk closer to the two stone shrines in front of me.

"Here, I even brought some for you."

After a brief struggle with my saddlebag, I find a bouquet of sparkling, deep-blue flowers.

"Sapphire Roses, they only grow at the tallest points of the Crystal Mountains. I thought you would like them."

And I kneel to carefully plant them at the shrines' feet.

"Thank you so much for watching over us...."

"....."

I'm still surprised by the beauty of this farm at night.

The cool breeze.

The rustling of leaves.

The soft grass.

The ever welcoming smell of apple cider and burnt wood both.

And all the stars in the sky, their soft glow illuminating the firmament, reminding me of happier times long gone, and guides to a much brighter future.

"Makes you want to stay here forever..."

My gaze moves towards the wooden house beyond, and the three figures standing by the front door.

"Welcome back, Applejack."

"Did you have fun, sis?"

"How was your day, AJ?"

"Well, you know...."

"Hmm?"

"...It was just another day."

I still carry the memories of that day close to my heart.

The smile of friends, the smile of family, the smells, the sights, the touch of home.

That day still represents the best parts of my life, and I would be pretty damn heartless to forget it.

....

Memories that will never be marred, regardless of the nightmares that came after.