Chapters Applejack sat, rather irritated. A blind date? This was ridiculous. She didn't have no time for dates and the like. She needed to get home. Them apples weren't gonna pick themselves and Big Macintosh would be ready to chew her up and spit her out if he knew she was shultzin' her chores to go on a blind date. But the others had insisted.
“It'll help you make new friends.” said twilight.
“Ah already got friends. All of y'all!” she protested, but they would not have it.
“You must learn to enjoy yourself, darling. All work and no play has always been bad for a pony, you know.” said Rarity, tossing her mane regally.
“And when was the last time you took time off of work to go on a blind date?” rebutted Applejack.
Rarity said nothing. Applejack had smiled, knowing she had her there.
“That don't help none.” said Applejack.
“Come on Applejack! We took a lot of time to actually get this guy to bother taking time off his own work to come and see you. Can't you just meet the guy?” said Rainbow Dash from her perch on a nearby cloud.
That was a point of interest and it was probably the only reason Applejack had let them talk her into meeting him. Whoever he was. Twilight had described him as “A tall gray pegasus with messy blonde hair.”
So there she sat, just outside of Sugarcube Corner, waiting for this mystery man. It had been almost twenty minutes since he was supposed to arrive. Applejack sighed in relief and walked into the store to buy herself a sweet. Ah, the feelin' of victory. The girls had been wrong. He was probably some high falutin' book worm, more of twilight's type. Time offa work. Hah!
After finishing her sweet, Applejack left the store with an air of somepony who had done something great. She was just about to head back home when she heard an awful ruckus coming from her right. She turned just in time to see a large gray pegasus speeding toward her. He yelled “LOOK OUT!”, and slammed right into her. They lay in a heap on the floor, groaning and squirming. The pegasus got up as quickly as he could and helped Applejack up. He was rambling in a thick southern accent. Applejack knew this pony. He worked in her orchard sometimes. He was a mighty good apple bucker too. As she looked him over, she realized he was a tall gray pegasus with messy blonde hair. She finally zoned in on what he was saying.
“...So sorry! I wasn't lookin' were I was goin'. I was late for my blind date that Rainbow Dash'd set me up on and I was hopin' I hadn't missed her!” he finished, looking around, obviously hoping he would see somepony that would catch his eye.
“Gray? You're the one they sent? Bu-but I thought you were workin' all day in the fields?” said Applejack, very confused. Is that why Big Macintosh was so upset about her going out for the day? Because he had been told by Gray that he would be cutting off work early as well?
Gray stared at her. “Wait.... You're my blind date? But Rainbow Dash said I din't know her.” he said, completely dumbfounded.
They looked at each other for a minute before Applejack pawed the ground nervously and said “Well... ya wanna.... do somethin'?”
Gray looked surprised for a second but then nodded and smiled as they began to walk down the road chatting about the orchard.
They spent the entire day getting into mischief. They would run through mud puddles, hide from each other and eat apples. They had a contest on who could slide the farthest in a mud patch which shortly became a mud fight. Several ponies who walked by looked at them curiously but just carried on. Applejack and Gray didn't care. They were having the time of their life. They had a contest to see which of them could buck more apples off a tree. They even went and walked through the edge of the Everfree forest, constantly trying to scare one another.
That Night, When Applejack and Gray returned to the orchard, covered in mud and laughing, Big Macintosh was waiting for them. They stood and took his berating. They acted guilty, hung their heads, and even apologized. The moment he went to bed, though. They burst into a fit of stifled laughter. They continued to talk as they hosed each other down to get the mud off and finally dried themselves.
"That was the most fun I've had in a long time." said Applejack, still giggling a little bit.
"Like wise," grinned Gray, "We should do this again some time."
"Yeah. Definitely."
They looked at each other for a second and Applejack blushed.
"Well. I'll, uh, see ya tomorrow." Applejack whispered.
Gray simply smiled and waved her off to bed as he flew off into the sky. Applejack didn't go to bed for a long time. She had never actually talked to Gray until today. How had she never known him?
Gray was having similar thoughts up in his house. He had worked at the orchard for several years now and not once had he actually taking time to talk to Applejack. He had always thought she was beautiful, but now she was the most wonderful mare he had ever met. He sat and began writing in his journal. He had never done much with the old thing but write a few pieces of poetry in it. Now he really had something to write. He wrote and wrote, and wrote some more until he looked at his clock and it revealed he would have a short night.
With a sigh, Gray set down his quill and shut his journal. His mind could only stay a few moments before it landed back on Applejack.
Applejack and Gray dreamed the same dream that night. They dreamed of what things would be like if they continued with what they had discovered. What they saw was wonderful.
"Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo?" asked an extra excited Pinkie Pie.
"So what?" replied Applejack.
Applejack knew exactly what she was talking about but she wasn't going to just hand it to Pinkie or any Pony.
"Oh come on Applejack!" yelled Pinkie Pie "You can't expect me to believe you have noooo idea what I'm talking about!". She threw herself across one of the nearby tables just outside of Sugarcube Corner.
"She has a point, you know." added Rainbow Dash, who was hovering just overhead, "We can all see it. We just wanna hear about it. Gossip about it with us for once."
"Oh puh-lease Rainbow Dash, gossip is such a crude term," said Rarity, waving her hoof at Rainbow Dash, " But if you were willing to divulge the aspects of last nights events with us, we would be ever so inclined to listen my dear." she finished, reverting back to Applejack, batting her long eyelashes at her.
"What she means," interjected Twilight, " is that we're all really interested in what you two did on your date."
"Ha. Nothing doin' girls." said Applejack with a smile and started off with a wave of her tail. She was stopped almost immediately by a begging Pinkie Pie.
"Please oh please oh please! We won't tell a soul! We Pinkie promise! Cross our hearts, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in our eyes! Please oh please oh pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!"
Applejack was really enjoying this. She put on a mock serious face and put her nose against Pinkie's.
"You won't tell a soul?" Pinkie nodded furiously. "Not one peep?" Pinkie was at risk of breaking her neck, her head was whipping up and down so fast. "Okay." Pinkie Pie fell over and scampered around to stand next to the other girls.
"Alright, so when we met up, it was completely by accident...."
Applejack told them about the entire evening and almost made Rarity sick when she got into detail about the mud fight. Pinkie Pie was grinning the entire time and interrupted Applejack when ever she slowed down by yelling "AND THEN?!"
When Applejack told them about the very end, they all leaned in close. Applejack new what they wanted to know, and she also knew Pinkie Pie would ask it. Sure enough, when she paused at the point of where they stood and looked into each others eyes, Pinkie Pie almost screamed "Did he kiss you?!"
"Heh, No sugarcube. Not yet. It was just the first date. We'll have another one soon enough. Maybe then." she said with a wink to Pinkie. They all burst out with questions. When would be the next date? Would she get to see him often? What did she like most about him? Applejack just laughed and gave them all the same answer.
"I don't know yet."
"I must say, it sounds like Twilight's idea was an absolute success. If we hadn't ever set this up, you two may never have found your mutual attraction." said Rarity, a dainty smile graced her lips.
"Heck yeah it was! I'm so glad for you Applejack! Hoof Bump!" yelled Rainbow Dash, thrusting her hoof forward, which Applejack bumped her's against with a chuckle.
Pinkie Pie was excited for a completely different reason. "IF YOU TWO GET MARRIED.........PARTY CITY!!!" she bellowed. All the girls fell about laughing and giggling.
When they all managed to calm down, Twilight stood up and smiled at Applejack.
"Don't y'all go worryin' about that," said Applejack, "now come on. We got things to do. We can't be caught gossipin' when there's work to be done."
They all went their separate ways and Applejack headed back to the orchard. As she walked, she began to daydream. What if they really did get married? She imagined herself in a beautiful white dress, made by Rarity of course, with small rubies cut in the shape of apples. Her mane just the way she had worn it to the gala and her veil spun in between her ears. Her heart hammered at the thought of Gray in a regal suit, also made by Rarity, who else would she trust with a job like that? He would be dressed in all black with a ruffled white shirt, and an apple bow tie around his neck. His messy blonde hair, groomed and pulled to the side would look absolutely wonderful.
"Howdy." said a voice.
Applejack was broken from her revelry and looked to see who it was. Her heart jumped and skipped in place. Gray stood before her, grinning and holding a fresh picked apple out for her.
"O-oh. Thank ya." she said, graciously taking the apple and trying to hide her blushing at the same time with a smile. "Hot out today, innit?" she asked, fanning herself with her hat.
Gray chuckled and looked at Applejack as if her were holding her with his eyes. Applejack couldn't look away.
"So I was wonderin'. Since last night's date when so well, would you like too go on another-"
"Yes." interrupted Applejack. She was completely lost in his light blue eyes.
"O-oh. Excellent! So... when would you like to....?" he trailed off, half expecting her to interrupt him again.
Applejack mentally shook herself. This was no time to act like a fool. She almost looked back into his eyes but pulled her eyes to his forehead instead. "How about next week? What would you like to do?"
He seemed nervous for a second before he asked, "Do you know how to fancy dance?"
Her brain whirred for a second. "Oh of course. Learned as a foal. Yessiry." her mouth seemed to say it all on it's own.
"Great," said Gray, looking ecstatic, "I'll tell Rarity that the dance is a go. I'll talk to ya later. I got some more apples to buck down before I go and talk to Rarity."
Applejack watched him go. After he had been gone for a few minutes she finally moved. Her heart was back to normal speed and she could breath. Was she this in love with Gray already? It seemed so sudden.
"Just calm down Applejack. You're fine, you got this." she told herself. She nodded and took a bite of her apple.
Suddenly she spat it out. FANCY DANCING?! Why had she told him she could fancy dance?! That was a lie and she knew it! What was she gonna do?!
"You must calm down darling." said Rarity to a frantic Applejack, " running about and panicking won't solve anything."
It had been two days since Applejack had accepted Gray's invitation to the dance Rarity was putting on in one week. Applejack had run straight to Rarity and told her her plight. She had asked in desperation for Rarity to teach her to dance 'fancy like'. Rarity had promised to help her but had also insisted on making her a gown for the evening.
"How in hayseeds am I supposed to relax? I told the one pony I may ever have a chance with a lie! Gall dernit, I'm supposed to be the element of Honesty." she rammed her head against a nearby wall, causing the light fixture above to tremble. "And if ah don't learn to 'fancy dance' by the time that dance comes round, he might loose interest or he'll feel like ah betrayed him by lying."
"Ah. Done. Now. Lets see if I can't show you a thing or two." said Rarity approaching Applejack.
It was a long two hours. There was a lot of bumping, falling, and mistakes. When they finished for the evening, Rarity looked like she had been fighting with Applejack and Applejack didn't look any better.
"Well," said Rarity, rather tiredly, " that will be all for today. I think we could both use a rest, and maybe a bath. We will continue this tomorrow?"
"Yeah. Ah think I'm getting the hang of the waltz thing. Maybe we could try a different move after we get that one mastered?" said Applejack.
"Oh, yes. You can't just waltz the entire evening. That would get incredibly boring. I shall teach you several different steps. But not today." responded Rarity.
And with that, Rarity shooed Applejack out. Applejack began her walk home. She was very sore and her hooves hurt a lot. Fancy Dancing was a lot of work. Applejack was used to work but this was a new kind of work.
"Oh, sorry Applejack! We were just gonna go and try to see if skydivin' was our special talent." said Applebloom
"Yeah! Twilight said we could use her hot air balloon, and Pinkie Pie put some parachutes together for us!" chimed in Sweetie Belle.
"At this hour?" inquired Applejack, looking up at the darkening sky. It was getting late and Applejack didn't want the girls to stay up too long.
"Don't worry. Twilight will be diving with us and she'll make definite sure that we get home in time." smiled Scootaloo.
"All right, but don't y'all get into any trouble, ya hear?" she said as she shooed the fillies off.
Applejack helped Big Macintosh unload his wagon and then went up to bed. She had had a rough time trying to learn those dance moves.
All that week was the same. Applejack went to Rarity, learned to dance and watching her put her gown together, piece by piece. Each day, the dance got closer and closer, and Applejack got more and more desperate to learn everything she could. Rarity taught her everything she knew, but Applejack was still incredibly nervous.
"You'll be fine." said Twilight, helping Rarity and Pinkie Pie to get Applejack into her gown. It was the night of the big dance and Applejack was almost hyperventilating. The others were already in their dresses. Every pony in Ponyville was going to be at the dance but there was only one pony that Applejack wanted to see.
"Um. It's starting." said Fluttershy.
Twilight and Pinkie Pie were the first to step out onto the dance floor, each accompanied with a different pony.
Finally, Applejack stepped out. Every pony gasped in amazement. Her hair shimmered in the light, beautifully drawn to the side. He gown was even more dazzling. It was a magnificent red with green trim. She had a tall white collar with a rim of green along the edge. A layer of gleaming red fabric flowed down over her back and trailed behind her. Each trim of green accented her emerald eyes. Her hooves were wrapped in sparkling, forest green slippers.
She walked forward and onto the dance floor, and almost immediately tripped and landed flat on her face. There was a huge gasp from all around, but no pony laughed. Applejack looked up to see Gray standing over her, offering her his hoof. She blushed vigorously and took it allowing him to help her up and onto the dance floor. The other ponies apparently had been holding their breath and let out a sigh. The dance began in full and every pony began to dance. Waltzes, Foxtrots, Quicksteps, and even Tangos.
"You look absolutely amazin'" said Gray, staring at her.
"Aw, stop it. You're just sayin' that." she said, blushing again. She looked him over for the first time. He was wearing a deep blue shirt that went ravishingly with his eyes. He also had a flashing violet tie that combined with the shirt only too well.
"No, no. I love your gown. It goes so well with your ........ eyes." he said, trailing off as he looked into her eyes.
They had been dancing for well over an hour when the unthinkable happened. They were waltzing close together, and Applejack felt it. She trod on her gown and slipped and fell, again square on her face. She couldn't take the embarrassment. It had already happened once and now twice. She ran.
What a fool she must have looked. Falling on her face twice infront of everypony, especially infront of.... him. She ignored the yells of the others. She just ran. She had no idea where she was going. As she ran, she wept. How could she have been so clumsy? How could she have let herself make a fool of herself in front of Gray?
Several minutes latter found her sitting alone, her gown torn, tears running down her face, next to a small stream on the edge of the orchard. There was no sound except for her sobs and the stream. She didn't even notice the hoof steps, she was so distraught.
"Hey."
Applejack turned to see Gray walking closer. She hid her tear stained face and tried to wipe the them away. She stopped when she felt his hoof under her chin. He turned her face back to his and she looked into his eyes. She couldn't help it. She threw herself into his arms and wept.
"I'm such a cluts! I feel so stupid!" she sobbed.
He hugged her close and held her as she wept, talking quietly and reassuringly to her. They sat there for almost an hour, him holding her and her quietly weeping.
"Hey, I wanna show you something. Come on." said Gray quietly.
She did not resist and let him lead her. He had led her to the barn, and said "Now get up on my back."
She climbed up without protest and he flew up to the top of the barn. Once he had settled on top of the barn he helped her off and sat down with her.
"Look up at the stars." he said, pointing up into the air. She did so and he pointed to a collection of stars that stood very near the moon.
"You see that constellation? Its know as Tura Sini by most but I call it the Pegasus of Wonder. It's said to have appeared in the sky after a pegasus named Charles the eighth fought off a massive army of dragons. He fought with great vigor but was wounded far too much. He died and the constellation appeared in the sky because of his selfless act of valor. They also say the souls of other selfless ponies join the constellation when they pass on."
Gray looked at Applejack and she looked back at him.
"Ah noticed that the constellation didn't have an eye. Why's that?" asked Applejack.
"That's also part of the legend. If a pony of purest heart passes in the action of doing something for another, not for glory or fame, but just to aid another, they will become the eye of the pegasus." said Gray, smiling at her.
They gazed into each others eyes for what seemed an eternity. Gray began to lean forward slowly. Applejack knew what this meant. She closed her eyes and lifted her face. Moments later. she felt his lips touch hers. Her heart was racing but she did not move. Their lips felt so natural together. Applejack did not care about anything else in the world. She didn't care about the incident at the dance. It was just her and Gray. Nothing else mattered.
It had been about four months since Applejack's and Gray's first kiss and Pinkie Pie had said they were "Officially" dating. The classification didn't bother Applejack. In fact she liked it. She liked being able to say she was 'dating' someone. Gray had taken her on several more dates since the dance. He also made sure that they always did something Applejack and him could do together and enjoy. They had gone fishing, hiking, had had a few more mud fights, and even tried baking one evening. The resulting "cake" didn't taste bad, it just wasn't all that great. The second time they tried, they got Grannysmith's help. They tried to make a cake, but Grannysmith didn't seem to understand the concept and it came out as a pie. It was wonderful, even if it was supposed to be a cake. Grannysmith chuckled and left without being noticed when Gray and Applejack started to feed the pie to each other. Who says elders don't have tact? Some of the other dates consisted of just simple things like apple bucking together or walking and talking.
It had been about a week since their last date and Gray had asked Applejack to come on another one that evening. He said he wanted to go hiking and have a picnic up on the side of the nearby mountains. Applejack was in town, looking for some of the things they would need for the evening. Gray had to help Big Macintosh fix a wagon that morning so Applejack said she would get the stuff. She had been joined by Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie as she was walking into town. Rainbow Dash had invited her out to the horseshoe throwing contest her and Pinkie were going to hold that evening.
"Sorry sugarcubes," said Applejack, smiling at them, "I got another date with Gray tonight."
"Ooh! What are you guys gonna do? Is it gonna be exciting? Will you guys be doing another mud fight?" asked Pinkie Pie, ecstatic as usual.
"We're just going for a hike and then we're gonna have a picnic. Calm down sugarcube." said Applejack chuckling slightly.
"Aw!" protested Pinkie Pie.
"What do you guys get out of hiking?" asked Rainbow Dash, who was floating above them, apparently relaxing on her back as her wings kept her suspended in the air.
"Well, what do you get out of flyin'?" asked Applejack, who was now going through some produce at a stand.
Rainbow Dash actually thought about it for a minute and then said "I see your point." as Applejack handed the pony at the stand a few bits after having picked out several apples and a few carrots. Pinkie Pie saw Twilight and dashed off to say 'hi' as Applejack and Rainbow Dash carried on together. Applejack and Rainbow Dash visited several different stands, trading news and just silly banter until the clock tower chimed out twelve o'clock.
"Welp. Ah better get back. He'll be ready to go and ah don't wanna keep him waiting." said Applejack with a contented sigh.
"Hey, I'll see ya later, Okay Applejack?" called Rainbow Dash to her back.
"Yeah, definitely." said Applejack, waving over her shoulder.
She made her way back to the orchard with her basket bouncing slightly at her side. She saw Gray and Big Macintosh hoof bump as she approached. The wagon looked almost brand new now.
"Y'all really did a number on that there wagon." said Applejack smiling at them both before turning her full attention to Gray. " I got several different things for the picnic. Oranges, apples, some lettuce, carrots, and the like."
"Sounds good to me. When will ya be ready?" he asked
"I'm ready to go when ever." Applejack smiled.
"Now hold on a second." came Grannysmith's voice from inside the house. She slowly came out with a jar of zap apple juice. "Don't forget something to drink ma little ones."
Gray smiled and took the jar, then set it in the basket before taking it from Applejack and setting it on his own back. They said bye to Grannysmith, Big Macintosh, and Applebloom before they headed out.
They ate and joked, even playing with some of the food. After a lot of laughing and rough housing they sat close together and watched the sun begin to sink lower in the sky.
After several minutes, Gray cleared his throat and said "You know, we've known each other for along time."
"Mm hm." said Applejack. She was only listening partially.
"And we've been dating for a pretty good amount of time."
"Uh huh." said Applejack. She was still only half paying attention until Gray moved to the side and looked at her. She sat up straight and looked him in the eyes.
"Applejack. I wanna ask you a question."
"Sure Gray. Whats on your mind?" she asked.
Gray knelt down and looked Applejack right in the eyes. She stared back intently. Her breath was coming in quiet but rapid bursts. Was this really happening? To her? Now?
"Applejack... Will you marry me?" asked Gray.
What seemed like an eternity passed in silence. Applejack's eyes filled with tears as she put her hooves to her mouth. Gray smiled at her, his eyes getting moist now too.
She launched herself onto him and shouted "YES!"
They laughed and shed tears of joy as they rolled around, hugging each other.
Grannysmith was sitting in her rocking chair, Big Macintosh was reading a book, and Applebloom was drawing a picture at the table. Big Macintosh was the first to hear them.
"Ah think their home." he said putting his book mark in place and closing it.
Gray and Applejack stepped inside, both smiling.
Applebloom looked from one to the other. "Well? What are y'all so happy about?"
"Grannysmith, Big Macintosh, Applebloom..... We're getting married!" shouted Applejack, as she threw her arms around Gray.
The three Apple family members shouted with joy and congratulations. Much hugging and happy chatter carried on several hours into the night.
The next morning they told the others. Twilight and Rarity stood with their mouths agape, Fluttershy gave her quiet cheer of "yay!", and Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie hoof bumped.
"I can hardly believe it." said Rarity, finally finding her voice.
"Just to think," added Twilight, "We all helped this happen."
"And we thank ye kindly" said Gray, smiling at them.
They all talked for a long time, and started to make the wedding plans. As Applejack had imagined, Pinkie Pie wanted to take care of food and decorations. Rarity told Pinkie Pie that she could the food but she herself was going to take care of decorations. "I'd of course I'll be making the dress." she added. Twilight said she would get everything and every pony organized and would tell the mayor to spread the good news. Fluttershy said she would get the birds to sing for the ceremony and Rainbow Dash said she would take care of weather for that day.
After much more chatter they agreed on a date and scattered. Applejack and Gray went to tell Grannysmith the plans, and the others went about getting things ready and planned out. The wedding was scheduled for the next week and every pony had their hands full. Applejack and Gray were constantly being measured and remeasured by Rarity. Pinkie Pie was putting together the entire ensemble of dinner and the cake. Fluttershy had her hands full with teaching the birds the proper songs. Twilight was helping the mayor organize the seating and the placement of the wedding ceremony, and Rainbow Dash got the weather ponies to put that day as a sunshine day.
Each pony, Rarity, Twilight, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie were all determined to make this the Best Wedding Ever!
The wedding was only four days away now. Rarity had made Applejack's dress, just had she had imagined it, and Gray's suit was simple but still very handsome on him. The cake Pinkie Pie was working on was eight tiers tall. It was a thing of beauty, pink with violet trim. Fluttershy had managed to get the birds to separate themselves into specific ranges and sing several different parts. The day had been rough for every pony, and they were grateful when night time finally rolled around. Gray had taken to sleeping in the same bed as Applejack where he could hold her close.
In the middle of the night, Applejack woke. Something wasn't right. She slid out of Gray's arms and to the window. She couldn't see anything but she could still feel that uneasy sensation in the pit of her stomach. She walked quietly outside and looked around. Still nothing. It wasn't cold out, but she still had goosebumps. She heard some one come out of the house behind her.
"You feel it too?" she asked.
"Yes." said Gray's voice.
He walked up beside her and scanned the orchard with her. Something was very wrong here. It was a minute or two before Big Macintosh, Grannysmith, and Applebloom joined them.
"What is it?" asked Applebloom. She felt it too, but she didn't know what she was feeling.
"Danger." said Big Macintosh, his eyes narrowing.
"Ain't nothing hurtin' this here orchard while I'm still kickin'." said Grannysmith as she popped her neck and hip.
As if on some sort of cue, gleaming eyes seemed to appear in between the trees. They were everywhere. The eyes seemed to spawn from the gloom. They were advancing, and quickly.
"Big Macintosh! Run! Get Help! I'll stray here and protect them!" yelled Gray. Big Macintosh snorted and lowered his head. The last thing he said before he ran forward and broke the line was "Eeyup!"
One of the creatures rushed forward toward Grannysmith. With agility surprising for such an old pony, she turned herself around and slammed her legs into the beast's face. It was rocketed back into it's fellows with much thumping and grunting.
Instead of just eyes now, glistening fangs seemed to materialize under them and a horrible snarl was echoed around the orchard. Gray knew what was going to happen. "Applebloom, Applejack! Get inside!" he yelled. Applebloom obliged but Applejack stood firm.
"No way partner! We're in this together." she said, putting her hoof next to his.
The beasts charged. Applejack slammed the closest one with her hooves, Gray head butted another one, and Grannysmith did an impressive back flip kick. Soon, they were each fighting about three of the beasts each. Claws flashed, hooves swung, and fur shimmered under the moon light. Applejack finally got a good look at one. They were hideous wolven creatures with elongated snouts and pure yellow eyes.
It seemed they were going to be overwhelmed when Big Macintosh arrived with the cavalry. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy slammed into the main group of the wolves, scattering several of them. Pinkie Pie and Big Macintosh came in from the back and slammed into the group. Rarity and Twilight were flinging large stones at the wolves, slamming them almost as hard as Pinkie and Big Macintosh.
They started to scatter in all directions. They were all gone from view except a few when a very large one shouted over it's shoulder, "We'll be back! You've not see the last of us!" and disappeared.
Every one checked on each other. There were scratches and some bruises but nothing serious. Applejack hugged Gray tight and he returned the hug.
"Those punks said they're coming back. We should be ready for them." said Rainbow Dash, slamming one of her hooves into the other.
"Wait! We can't just go on fighting if we don't know why they're attacking. We should see if we can reason with them." interjected Twilight.
"I think its pretty clear what they came for and they ain't gettin' it." said Applejack, stamping her left hoof. "If those varmints want us, they'll have to take us, and we ain't goin' down with out a fight! Who's with me?"
Gray, Grannysmith, Big Macintosh, Applebloom, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and even Rarity raised their hooves and shouted "Aye!"
"Not you sis." said Applejack firmly.
"Aw! But I wanna help protect the orchard!" protested Applebloom.
"I can't have you runnin' against those things. They're too big for you and would gobble you up in one bite." said Applejack.
"Eeyup." agreed Big Macintosh.
"I know you wanna help, young-un, but if something happened to you... Celestia forbid." said Grannysmith, laying a hoof on Applebloom's head.
"Rainbow Dash is right. We need to set up a perimeter and defenses for if that loathsome herd comes back." said Gray. He was already pulling the wagon along behind him and getting ready to set up a barricade of some sorts.
"Fluttershy?" said Applejack, turning to the floating pegasus, "Could you take Applebloom somewhere safe? I don't what her to get hurt."
"I'd be happy too." said Fluttershy. She turned to Applebloom, "Come on Applebloom. Lets go some where safer."
A dejected looking Applebloom sat on Fluttershy's back. Applejack watched as she and Fluttershy faded into the distance, then she turned and began to help the others ponies who were setting up hay bails, other wagons and even the plow with the bladed pointing toward the outside. Anything that ran into that blade would receive a horrific laceration.
It had been about an hour after the first attack that they finished their barricades. Pinkie held a heavy brick in her hoof, Rainbow Dash had a long heavy pole in her hooves, Applejack held a hefty frying pan in between her teeth, Gray had set up a small catapult loaded with old cinder blocks, and Rarity and Twilight stood on the roof with several large objects she could use as projectiles with their magic. Grannysmith was wearing a heavy war helmet and hardened cleats. Big Macintosh didn't even pick up a weapon or any armor.
Another hour passed. Everything was tense and there was no sound. The wind blew slightly and the leaves of the orchard rustled.
"Here they come." breathed Grannysmith.
Eyes began to appear in the trees. Rainbow Dash dropped her pole and her jaw went slack. There were almost five times the amount that attacked the first time.
"Ready!" yelled Gray. The wolves began to advance. "Aim!" shouted Applejack. The wolves began to run at them now. A small bead of sweat ran down Applejack's face. "FIRE!" bellowed Gray and Applejack at the same time.
Rocks, cinder blocks, a few bowling balls, and a dumbbell slammed into the ranks of the wolves. Several were felled, but the others kept running under the moon light.
"FIRE!" screamed Grannysmith.
More ex-strenuous items flew into the air and pelted the wolven ranks. Fewer fell this time. Rainbow Dash flew low over the horde and whacked several wolves, knocking many of them down. A wolf attempted to grab Rainbow Dash but merely scratched her. She flew high into the sky and landed with her friends. The wolves were just about to the barricade. Applejack, Grannysmith, Big Macintosh, Pinkie Pie, and Gray tensed.
A resounding CRASH echoed as the wolves slammed into the wall of junk. Several screamed out in pain, obviously having run into the plow blade. The rest poured over the wall and the fight began. Thunks from Pinkie's brick, clangs from Applejack's frying pan, ringing, like a bell, from Grannysmith's helmet being rammed into people, Thwacks from Rainbow Dash's stick, and thumps and crunches from Big Macintosh and Gray donkey kicking the wolves. There was snarling and scratching and biting. Pinkie Pie had a black eye, Rainbow Dash was scratched extensively along her hind quarters, and Big Macintosh had a bloody nose.
They continued to fight while Rarity and Twilight dropped more heavy objects on the wolves. Gray now had a long gouge on his shoulder, and Grannysmith had several bite marks on her back legs and back. No one stopped kicking and swinging. The wolves seemed to be thinning but they were not giving up.
Suddenly, there was a loud whistle from in the distance. Rarity pointed and shouted "IT'S FLUTTERSHY!"
Fluttershy rammed straight into the fray, punching and kicking, flailing all of her limbs, even snapping her tail and wings back and forth, thwacking any wolf that got too close. The wolves began to retreat, whining and yipping. Several lay on the ground, unconscious or dead. Fluttershy stood in the middle of the group, panting and gasping for air. The others started to tend to each other. Applejack ran to Fluttershy.
"Fluttershy! Fluttershy, wheres Applebloom? Why aren't you with her?"
"T-that's w-what I came t-to tell y-you. Applejack, They d-disappeared. Sweetie Belle, S-scootaloo, and Applebloom. I turned my back for j-just a second and they were gone. Oh, Applejack, I'm scared." said Fluttershy, clutching to Applejack.
Gray limped over to them.
"Whats wrong?" he asked, seeing their expressions.
"Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo are missing. I'm afraid they might have tried to come back here to help." said Applejack, staring up into Gray's eyes.
He was about to hug her and tell it would be okay, when he heard a distant scream. Everypony looked toward the sound but could see nothing. Despite his injured leg, Gray bolted over and out of the barricade.
"Gray! No, wait!" yelled Applejack
Gray didn't not hear. He pumped his legs as fast as he could. The screaming continued. That was definitely Applebloom's voice. Gray found in him a new energy and he moved even fast. He was just about to the Everfree forest when he saw them. A small hoard of about fifteen of the wolves. Gray neighed in rage and charged them.
"GRAY!" screamed Applebloom.
"HELP US!" bellowed Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.
The wolves turn and attacked. Gray rammed straight into them, pushing some to the side and trampling several others. One of them jumped on his back and bit deep into his neck. He shook it off and slammed his hoof down on it's chest. There was a sickening crunch, but there were more wolves to deal with. A jagged set of claws slashed Gray across the face and another set deep into his haunches. He bucked and set a wolf flying. Another wolf jumped onto his back, but he was ready this time. He bucked the Wolf straight off and continued to kick and punch.
Finally, the wolves began to run for the second time. Gray ran to the young fillies and collected them, then pelted back to the orchard. Applebloom had a hard time holding on. She looked at her hoof to see it was covered in blood. It wasn't hers that was for sure.
The others were waiting for them. Gray trotted into the clearing and lay down to let the fillies off. In the light he looked so much worse.
Applejack rushed forward and held Gray. Was he going to be okay? She took a cloth and wiped some of the blood off of his face. He smiled up at her. "We won." he said weakly.
"Yes. Yes we did." said Applejack. She was crying now.
He took her hoof in his and kisses it. "You'll take care of yourself, won't you?" he asked.
Applejack tried to laugh. "What do you mean? We'll be married in a few days. You'll be right there beside me." she said, desperately trying to keep the tears out of her voice.
Gray looked at the others.
"Grannysmith. I was hopin' to one day be able to just call ya Granny. " he said. Grannysmith let a single tear run down her face as she smiled at him.
"Big Macintosh. You're everything a pony could ask for in a brother. Please. Take care of your sister." he smiled at Big Macintosh, who smiled, his eyes wet.
"You five." he said, addressing Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash, "Love your friend. She is yours and you are very lucky to have her."
All of them were crying now.
"But..." said Applebloom, coming up to him and looking into his eyes, ".....but you can't go. What about Applejack? You was gonna marry her! You was gonna make my sister happy! How can you just leave her like this?!" cried Applebloom, sobbing onto Gray's blood soaked chest.
"Hey now, shh shh shh." said Gray, brushing her hair back a little. "It'll be okay. You'll see. You just be strong like I know you are. Same to you two." he said Addressing the other two fillies, who were now bawling. They sniffed and rubbed their eyes, then nodded. "That's my girls."
Gray's eyes wondered back up to Applejack. She stared back down into his eyes. Those lovely, deep sea blue eyes. She played with his soft, golden blonde hair.
"Applejack.." Whispered Gray.
"Yeah?" said Applejack, her eyes still steaming.
"I have to go now." he said. Applejack began to sob. Gray put his hoof under her chin and said "Shh. Its okay. I want you to know. That I love you. I will always love you. Nothing can change that. Not the age of time. Not the turning of the earth. You are the apple of my eye."
Applejack said nothing. She leaned in and kissed him.
When she pulled away, he lifted a weak hoof and pointed to the sky.
Applejack and the others looked up. It was the constellation he had shown her on the night of the dance. The Pegasus of Wonder. Applejack thought she was crying as much as she could. She was wrong. She sobbed harder than ever before and held Gray close. He lifted his mouth to her ear and whispered the three words that meant the most to them.
"I love... you."
And with one final sigh, Gray passed on.
"no. No!" screamed Applejack. She held his limp form close to her and cried into his chest.
and he was gone.
It had been two years since Gray had passed on. Life had returned to normal for the ponies. Applebloom had finally gotten her cutie mark, as did Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. Twilight was still the Librarian, Pinkie was still the same party animal, Fluttershy was still shy, Rainbow Dash had become a member of the Wonderbolts, Rarity had moved up to Canterlot, but always wrote and visited a lot. Everything was the same.
Applejack was not resentful. She didn't hate the world for going on. She was still a great apple bucker. Ever now and then when she would think about Gray, she would go and buck apples all day long. She didn't cry any more, and she didn't sulk. The others actually thought this was disturbing.
"You don't think you need some more time, do you?" asked Twilight one day, when they were out shopping.
"Nah, I'm fine sugarcube." she said kindly to her friend.
Once with Pinkie.
"You don't mind that I have the party tomorrow, do you?" she asked.
"Nope. Why would I?" asked Applejack.
"Well, its, you know. The anniversary." Pinkie finished quietly.
"Its okay. Have the party tomorrow. I'll be there." Applejack reassured her.
Rainbow Dash even brought it up with Rarity once.
"How can a pony be so strong?" wondered Rainbow Dash aloud.
"I don't know. I would have fallen into deep depression." said Rarity.
Applejack knew that most ponies watched her, with pity in their eyes. She knew the pity was there but she didn't want it. Why pity her? She had been the happiest pony in all of Equestria for a long time. In truth, Applejack actually pitied them. They had never known love like she had. She had no reason to mourn. She did miss him, but she knew he was in a better place.
"Hey! Applejack!"
Applejack turned to see Twilight walking towards her.
"Hey there sugarcube. How you doin' today?" she asked pleasantly.
"Are you going to be at Sugarcube Corner tonight? We're all having a party and we wanted you to come."
"Sure thing. I just gotta make sure I have everything put away where is belongs at home." she said smiling at Twilight.
"Alright, see ya then." said Twilight as Applejack walked away. Twilight watched her and thought to herself, "I wish I could help her."
That night, they partied. They danced, they ate, they played games and laughed. It was all very enjoy able.
Finally Applejack yawned and said, "This has really been fun girls. Maybe we should do it again some time soon. I gotta go home though. I'll see y'all later."
They all watched her go, and the moment she left, their faces drooped. They all thought of that night, two years ago. The heart wrenching screams Applejack had made. Fluttershy couldn't bare the memory. She began to cry, and in turn, all the others did too.
Applejack walked all the way home, but did not go to bed.
She grabbed a ladder and got up on top of the roof and looked up into the sky.
There it was. The Pegasus of Wonder. Applejack smiled at the constellation. She combed it with her eyes and finally made it to the head. She smiled. Two years ago, the constellation changed. Two years ago the constellation received a new star. Two years ago, the constellation got an eye.
"That's also part of the legend. If a pony of purest heart passes in the action of doing something for another, not for glory or fame, but just to aid another, they will become the eye of the pegasus."
His voice echoed in her heart and mind. She raised her head up and shut her eyes. He had gotten his wish. He had become part of the constellation. He had passed on in the service of another.
Applejack closed her eyes.
"I love you." she whispered, as she smiled and a single tear rolled down her cheek.
The End