Honesty.
Its been a solid way of life for me and my kin for as long as we Apples have been around and its a virtue I was blessed enough to represent. I remember the day that Granny saw that Orange gem around my neck after the girls and I defeated Nightmare Moon. She had told me Ma and Pa would have been so proud and how she couldn't be prouder either. I couldn't help breaking down like a little filly right there. I miss them even to this day but I knew they would always be watching over me.
Now though might be the day I join them in that Eternal Plain. Me and my troops had been tasked with keeping the main Equestrian force off Rainbow's army as they moved over a hundred wounded and double that in civilians from our camp near Apploosa. The main Equestrian force was led by General Dark Aegis, a cruel excuse of a pony if I ever saw one and Twilight's personal lapdog. Rainbow's army had been force to go through the Dragonbone Canyon and if Dark Aegis got through it'd be like shooting fish in a barrel for him. I could see them in the distance. Looking up at the sky and I say a quick prayer to the blazing hot sun before turning back to look at my troops, two hundred in all. I've bled, sweated, laughed, and, yes, even cried with these ponies and I trusted each of them with my life. All of them were fighters and every bit as stubborn as me. I decide to give them a way out, to live if they choose to as I turn to the two hundred ponies I had come to befriend and respect.
"Alright any that wanna save yer skin Ah won't think any less of ya if ya do. Ah'll be honest with ya we might not survive this, in fact Ah'm right certain we're all gonna die today but it'll be for a good cause. Ah just want ta say it's been an honor ta fight with ya and Ah couldn't think of any ponies Ah'd rather die beside than all of ya'll."
They all stood unflinching. I notice a fear in their eyes but there was a determination there that rivaled mine, hell that rivaled Rainbow's. One of them, a white unicorn stallion, stepped forward. His mane's a blonde a touch lighter than mine. He stood easily a head taller than me and was covered in battle won scars. When I had first met him some eight years ago he was a pompous pampered brat of a prince but he changed the day he watched his only family die at Twilight's hooves. I remember the day he strode into my tent some six years ago. I half expected him to start trying to call the shots and I gave him a solid punch to the muzzle ( after all Applejack Apple never forgets a face and this pony had it coming) but he didn't whimper or cower. He stood his ground, his eyes holding a sorrow and a cold resolve as he stared at me. I admit I was a mite impressed he didn't stumble from the blow. After all only a hoofful of ponies can take a solid punch from me without at least stumbling back some. As I was saying he stood his ground and asked me if he could fight alongside my troops. I just snorted and told him to report to the armory to pick up a set of armor and a weapon. In the years following he became my right hoof stallion. He had become a strong, resourceful, and determined (if a mite stubborn) soldier. As well I found myself falling for him. Now I'm just cursing myself for not telling him sooner. I may be honest to others but I have a habit of lying to myself. Blueblood stopped before me and smiled that annoying cocky smile of his.
"With all due respect ma'am none of are moving. We're with you to the end."
"Ya'll a right stubborn bunch," I chuckle and find myself turning away from his bright blue eyes. Consarnit we're about to be facing down death here and I'm acting like a school filly meeting her crush.
"We learned from the best," he let out a laugh and saluted me," Awaiting orders ma'am."
I was speechless as every one of my troops saluted as well. I shake my head and return their salute," Form up ya bunch of lazy critters."
Blue steps beside me as I turn toward the approaching army. Drawing his twin rapiers with his magic he shouts," It's a good day to die ponies. Lets give em hell!!!"
With that we galloped for the other army with a fierceness that rivaled an angry momma bear protecting her cubs. Blueblood was beside me every step of the way. When we clashed with the other army a unicorn tried to skewer me with his spear but Blue showed him what real steel felt like as he cut the unicorn's horn off with a swipe of one of his rapiers. Without missing a beat he slides the second blade into the fallen unicorn's skull. A pegasus tries to make a swipe at Blue from above but I stop her by jumping onto Blue's back and launching myself into the air. With a twist I slam my trusty hammer down on her skull. Landing with a heavy thud I look back at a whistling Blueblood.
"Oh hush-" The words die in my throat when I spot Dark Aegis behind him. Blue goes down as Dark slashes him across the back with a wicked looking dagger. Blue goes down with a grunt. Turing to me the dark grey stallion smirks darkly," Commander Applejack so sorry about that but after all he was a traitor."
"Your the bloody traitor you cad," Blue yells as he struggles to his hooves but Dark slams him back into the ground with his magic.
"I chose the winning side brother nothing more and now I'm going to end this pathetic excuse of a war here and now."
"You are not my brother," Blue growls to which Dark chuckles. I coil my tail tight around my hammer and rush him while he's distracted. Pivoting on my fore hooves I try to slam my hammer into the side of his useless skull but he ducks under the hefty steel weight. I smirk as he realizes he just made big error and buck him clean in the muzzle. I feel bones crack under the force of my buck as I send him sliding back in the dirt. He picks himself up and looks at me with hate filled eyes," You'll pay for that you inbred hick."
Then a rapier slices through the air aimed at Dark's horn but the grey unicorn jumps to the side, barely dodging it.
"You still haven't learned your manners have you Aegis," Blue grunted as he stood up," Never talk to a Lady in such a way."
I'm about to tell him I'm no lady but the cuts me off," And don't argue AJ. In my eyes your my Lady and with my dying breathe I'll protect your honor."
"Darn fool," I mumble as I feel a blush color my freckled cheeks. He smiles sat me and we face Dark Aegis together. With a war cry we rush him. Blue slices the second rapier at Aegis but he dodges and bucks Blue in the side. I respond by trying to crush his back with my hammer. He slams me back with a burst of magic. The grey stallion cackles as he summons several ethereal daggers and sends them flying at me. I don't have time to dodge. Time seems to slow down as I close my eyes and prepare for the inevitable.But the pain to follow never comes. I crack an eye open and I see Blue standing over me, panting heavily.
"Blue what are you..." I ask before realizing what he had just done. He gives me a pained smile, as cocky as ever.
"I told you didn't I. I'll protect your honor with my dying breath and that's the honest truth."
He's thrown to the side by Dark's magic and I find myself Charging at Dark with a screech of rage. I slam my hammer down on him just as he tries to erect a shield but it shatters and I feel my hammer meet his skull, crushing it. I'm about to go over to Blueblood when suddenly a pegasus Drives me into the ground. My vision goes red with pain and shock as I feel blades dig deep into my back. I buck the pegasus off me and grab a fallen spear and pin her to the ground with it. I collapse and feel myself become lightheaded from the blood loss. I turn my head to look at my back. To my horror I see my spine peeking from the bloody wound. I gasp and remember Blueblood. He is on his side with his back to me. The daggers were gone leaving six bloody gashes. I crawl over to Blueblood and find he's still breathing. His breathes are short and shallow and I push a strand of his mane form his face. To my surprise he opens his eyes and smiles at me.
"I'm sorry," he whispers as he shifts on his side, wincing slightly at the wounds on his back. Teras begin to form in my eyes. He's fading fast.
"What fer you big idiot," I say trying to sound angry at him," Fer running into them blades like a derned fool."
"No for not doing this sooner," he leans forward and gently places his lips to mine. At first shock reigns supreme in my mind at the sudden kiss but I find myself melting into it, savoring it. Tears of joy roll down my cheeks and the massive gash on my back is forgotten. Blue pulls back and smiles gently at me then goes still.
"Blue," I give him a shake but no response," Blue darling n-now this aren't funny B-Blue ple-please c'mon."
I stop shaking him as I start to sob into his chest. Around us the battle has slowed, many of my troops lay dead or dying. Slowly I pull myself up and close Blue's eyes with a hoof. I can feel my strength fading as I pick one of Blue's rapiers up with my mouth. Several enemy soldiers surround me. I grit my teeth around Blue's rapier and stand ready to cut down any that dare come near his body.
One last tear falls form my eye but this tear is the last I will shed. They rush me without a moments notice. In that final moment I think back to Applebloom and Big Mac. I'm sorry but it looks like I'll be getting to see Ma and Pa first.
Goodbye.
