Vol4:Tomorrow Never Knows: Carry That Weight

"I call your name,
but you're not there
Was I to blame
For being unfair?
Oh I can't sleep at night
Since you've been gone
I only weep at night
I can't go on...

Lennon & McCartney, The Beatles

As she reached for her third pancake Applejack looked up and smiled at Princess Luna. At Sweet Apple Acres it was considered a great compliment when guests had seconds. Thirds was a true honor. Beyond that was edging toward gluttony. Luna her chin resting between her hooves, just watched, her smile so broad it wrinkled the corners of her eyes. She sighed with glee as the earth pony drowned her second round of pancakes in fresh maple syrup. The Princess of the Night was clearly beside herself with delight with as she watched Applejack attack her breakfast with gusto.

“I cannot tell you Applejack how pleased I am that you are enjoying the pancakes I prepared for you.”

“Mmfhmm, thr plm amzn!” Applejack answered, her mouth fully and busy with a bite.

“I must say that I was surprised at the ease with which one prepares such a meal. It turns out you just take this lovely smelling batter out of the refrigerator. Then our chef, Creme Brulee, pours the batter onto what is called the griddle.Tiny bubbles appear and then it is time to do the hard part - one must sprinkle just the right amount of cinnamon. Too much or too little will absolutely ruin it. He said I was a natural with the cinnamon. Judging by your eagerness it indeed looks like I do have a bit of a gift. Oh, yes, and then he flips it. Depending on whether the mood strikes I might sprinkle a dusting of powdered sugar over it.”

The blonde pony smiled and nodded rapidly as she finished her coffee. “That was one of the finest stack of flapjacks this pony has ever eaten,” she declared. Luna’s smile was radiant and she clapped her hooves in delight.

“I am so glad Applejack! The moment Twilight introduced us on that Nightmare Night, I knew we would be close friends. She was right, you are the friendliest pony in all of Ponyville.”

“I took a real liking to you too, Princess. That ain’t to say I wasn’t a little nervous, but that never stopped me from makin a new friend. Thanks Princess Luna I really-”

“Oh Applejack, did we not settle this on Nightmare Night?”

“Oh, right. Sorry Luna.”

“Since we are close friends, you may call me Lulu, if you wish.”

Applejack, thrilled at being thought of as close giggled, “How about moonbuh-”

Before Applejack could get the rest of the word out the young princess, had disappeared only to reappear inches from Applejack's nose, her eyes full of anger. She leaned in.‘YES...?” she snarled.

“Uh, nuthin, I wasn’t going to say a thing!!”

Luna went eyeball to eyeball with a very nervous Applejack and, over-exaggerating the pronunciations with her lips said with a slow, quiet, deliberate menace said YOU WERE NOT GOING TO SAY MOON BUTT WERE YOU?”

Applejack was barely able to shake her head. Luna leaned forward slightly, forcing Applejack to backup. “NO Pony calls me that, is that clear? NOPONY!!”

Applejack was trembling now “Uhhumm, if you’d like uh, y-you c-can c-all me Fruity-Patootie…”

Luna’s expression softened, her eyes revealing surprise. “You-you would permit me to call you such an embarrassing name? Really? Is that what friends do?”

“Well real close friends know that you never say it as something mean, insulting, or hurtful, you say it because you know they’ll understand that you mean it with love. It’s a little teasing but in a very private way.”

Luna, overcome with emotion, just looked at her and bit her lower lip, Applejack went to give her a hug. She then discovered the only emotion Luna been suppressing was not of the sort Applejack had anticipated.

“Fruity Patootie!! Ahhhh!!” Luna roared with laughter. Applejack frowned, rolled her eyes, and blushed. “What a funny name! Fruity Patootie!!” Tears rolled down her face and she held her stomach. She noticed Applejack’s attempt at being a good sport about it was barely working. Then suddenly she threw her arms around a very confused earth pony. “Moonbutt loves Fruity Patootie!” As she held her, Luna rested her head on Applejack’s shoulder. “Moonbutt has a very close friend now. I will call you... Applebutt, I will save the other name for just us. I feel as though I’ve found another sister!!” She pulled back to look at Applejack. The earth pony was deeply touched by how excited Luna was to have her as a very close friend. As they looked at each other with damp eyes, Applejack giggled, “Apple Butt and Moon Butt!”

“YES!! It even sounds cute when you say it with your drawl - Muune buhht. You may call me that any time you wish. It will now make me smile to hear it. May I ask, do you have names for the others?”

“eYup.”

“Really? What you call Fluttershy? “

“Flutterbybutt”

“FLUTTERBYBUTT!!!! Ahhhh!!” Luna screamed in hysterics and rolled on her back on the thick dining room carpeting.

“And Rainbow Dash?”

“Thunderbutt”

“Ahhh!!,” Luna laughed, “Because of the lightning bolt on her flank?”

“Partly, but, well, Fluttershy says never to fly too close behind her, especially after a big meal. Know what I mean?”

Luna, was laughing so hard, she could only nod her head. Applejack anticipated the next question.

“The diva with the diamond derriere.”

“Yes,” Luna said, finally catching her breath.. “Pinkie is balloon butt?”

“eYup.” **burrrrp** “Pardon me Princess Moonbutt,” Applejack said with a laugh as she picked up a napkin to wipe her muzzle. Luna giggled.

“So Applebutt, what do you call Twilight?"

With great care, Applejack wiped the sticky syrup from her muzzle and without thinking said, “My naughty princess…” she seemed puzzled by her own words.

“Excuse me?” Luna said

“Uhh, no, I’m sorry, Sparkle Bottom.”

“Why did you call her your “Naughty Princess?”

Applejack, now clearly troubled, seemed to be asking herself that same question. “I-I don’t know.” She looked up at Luna who was startled to see her friends eyes brimming with tears.

“Applejack? What is wrong? Are you crying? I’m so sorry if I upset you!” She pulled her close and hugged her.

Applejack’s chin had begun to wrinkle up and her tears began to spilled down her cheeks. “I don’t know. All of a sudden I feel sadder than I ever have in my whole life. I suddenly feel like part of my heart is gone.”

Luna whispered “It’s okay, it’s okay, and held her close as Applejack sobbed.

“What happened sister?” Celestia asked as she hurried into the room. Applejack lay asleep on the sofa.

“I do not know. We were just talking - you know silly things about nicknames and such and she suddenly began to cry. Within moments she was sobbing as though her heart were breaking. I led her to the couch and she finally succumbed to sleep.”

‘What did you say?”

“Nothing. We were talking about nicknames - Applebutt, Flutterbybutt…”

“Moonbutt?”

“Yes, Moonbutt!, Princess Sunbutt!”

“So how did she come to this?”

“Well we were talking about all the Mane Six. We had come to Twilight…”

“Ah, yes, Little Miss Sparkle Bottom.”

“Yes, but when I asked her about Twilight’s nickname she sort of absentmindedly said, ‘My naughty Princess,’ Twilight Sparkle is many things, but naughty certainly is not a characteristic I would typically ascribe to her.”

“Hmmm…”

A little sound came from Applejack as she slowly awoke from her deep sleep. She vaguely became aware of Celestia and Luna. Despite the nap, she felt physically and emotionally drained. Above all she felt a deep ache of loneliness. Celestia could see the pain on her face.

“How are you feeling my child?”

“Alone. What happened?”

“Do you remember talking to Luna? It was about the little nicknames we have for each other.”

“Yeah, I think so.”

“You referred to Twilight as a ‘naughty princess.’ Does that mean anything to you?”

Applejack shrugged, “Nope, can’t say it does. Naughty princess, that’s kinda funny when you think about it.”

Celestia’s face seemed to cloud over for a moment.. “Yes. Tell me, why do you think you feel lonely?”

“I dunno, why does anypony feel lonely? I reckon I miss Twilight. It’s funny, I’m a real homebody. You get me away from Sweet Apple Acres for more than a day and unless I’m with kinfolk, I’ll be bustin at the seams to get home. Except for that one time I stayed away after the rodeo, and that was a might painful, but I wasn’t gonna let Ponyville down. Anyway, I been away from the farm for a couple of days now and this is the first time I thought of it. All i keep thinking about is Twi and how I need her, uh, what I mean to say is that is you know, that I need to find her.”

“Yes, of course you do. Do you remember anything about those two weeks yet? Perhaps you’ve recalled something of your nightmare?”

“‘Fraid I don’t.” Applejack got up off the sofa and walked to the window that looked westward. Thoughts of what might have happened during those two weeks faded as the earth pony began to contemplate what lay ahead, “Could be kinda excitin’ I reckon. I don’t mind sayin I’m more than a little nervous.”

Celestia had seen her expression change from worry to wistfulness and took the opportunity to change topic. “Don’t worry, I’ve found the right guards to accompany you.”

“You do know I’m gonna lose ‘em in the first hour, right? I’m the best hide-and-go-seeker in Ponyville.”

“I was hoping I might talk some reason into you, but I suppose that was too much to ask. Are you sure you won’t let me help you?” the look in the monarch’s eyes touched Applejack’s heart.

“You have helped me beyond anything I could ever imagine. I can travel a lot faster on my own, those guards will only slow me down. I only got time to worry about myself and Twilight. I can’t fret about more ponies.”

“Yes, I suppose. In any event you’d probably end up saving their hides anyway. Make no mistake Applejack, this journey holds a lot of dangers. .”

She transported Applejack and Luna to a large cavern. Ponies in lab coats, almost all unicorns, Light’s hung from the high ceiling. Workbenches filled much of the space. There were several glassed in areas where odd clouds of potions floated up out of beakers. There was a long glassed-in area with several targets placed at one end. Dozens of ponies in lab coats were working everywhere.

The earth pony’s jaw went slack and her eyes opened wide. “Where are we?” she asked in awe.

“We are directly under the castle, in the Canterlot Caves.”

“Is this where Chrysalis sent Twilight and Cadence?”

“Yes, that’s a little north of here, in the old mines. So, this is our weapons room. It is where we develop both magical and non-magical weapons. After Chrysalis’s attack, it was determined that we form an elite protective agency for the purpose of counter-espionage and protection. This is where we design and test weapons that they use.”

Applejack walked toward the long glass hall with the targets.

“Ah. I see you are drawn to my favorite area!” Luna said with unsuppressed delight. “Cele, may we show her the Hocka Horseshoe?” She turned to Applejack. “It is of my design. A favorite character from a series of novels..” she suddenly looked at her sister who was rolling her eyes, Luna scowled at her, “What?!! They are graphic novels!” Celestia rolled her eyes again. Luna’s squint became more pronounced, “They’re as good as any of that romantic tripe you read!!”

“Well at least my novels aren’t all pictures!”

“No, but there are some pictures dear sis, that do not need any words to tell the reader EXACTLY what those two are doing!”

Celestia was not one to back down. “Well that certainly explains why all my books seemed to fall open to those pictures. Somepony has clearly spent a good deal of time studying pictures of ponies copulating, not to mention other acts of sexual gratification...”

Applejack quickly cut in, “Okayyyyyyy, well what were you going to show me Luna?”

Luna’s face was turned away, though her blushing cheeks could still be seen. Celestia tried to stifle a laugh. “I believe what my sister wanted to show you was a very creative spell she had been working on which involved the use of sonic waves to control a, well, why don’t you tell her dear sister?”

Luna turned back, her squint even more pronounced. “A horseshoe, you can use sonic waves to control a horseshoe,” the princess explained through gritted teeth. She turned to Applejack and her face relaxed into a warm smile. “Come my dear friend,” she continued, turning away, but not before sticking her tongue out at Celestia.

“Ahhh,” smiled Celestia, “reminds me of page 242 of ‘Sub-Umbra, or Sport Among the She Ponies,’ Quite an unforgettable image…”

Luna stamped a front hoof and snorted in anger. Celestia giggled.

“Let us leave my wretched sister and her perverted mind to think such improper thoughts!” Luna snapped then turned and lead Applejack away.

Celestia’s giggle broke into full laughter. Most of the unicorns in the lab turned to look at her, all smiling with affection. She turned to the lead researcher and said softly, “Please assist Princess Luna and Applejack in choosing the appropriate items. Once they’ve made their selections, notify me for final approval.”

“Very well your highness.”

Celestia transported herself out of the caverns.

Applejack looked over her shoulder at the sound, but Luna ignored it as she walked over to the outside of the long glass corridor. “I was experimenting with a number of spells involving the use of vibration…”

“Really? What for?”

Luna’s eyes went wide as she remembered why she had been finding new things to vibrate, “Oh uh, it was just, you know, experimentation, but it doesn’t matter. In any case I discovered that one could direct that energy at things and practically bring them to life. Let me demonstrate. Do you see that small horseshoe on the table at the far end of the corridor? I will use it to strike these targets at the other end.”

Luna closed her eyes and concentrated. Her horn did not glow but she began to hum. It was very high pitched and as she did, the horseshoe lifted off the table. Now she modulated the pitch up and down. Suddenly the horseshoe flew down the corridor, past where the two ponies stood outside the glass, and struck the center of the target, burying itself deep inside.

“Woah!!” Applejack exclaimed, “How the hay?! I didn’t see you use any magic!”

“The magic is in the horseshoe. One needs to hold it and concentrate deeply, feeling its internal vibration. Once they have sensed it, they can control it with sound. So far I am the only one that has been able to do it. Even my perverted sister cannot.” Luna hummed again, her voice raising to a higher pitch than it had previously. The horseshoe ripped itself from the target and as Luna’s hum fluctuated, it flew back to rest on the table.”

“That is the dangdest thing I have EVER seen!”

“Would you care to try?”

“Who, me?”

“Of course you, Applebutt!” Luna whispered the last word.

“Well I reckon I could, Moonbutt!”

Luna giggled at the word. “Here, follow me.” The glass door opened and the two ponies stepped inside. “Now take the horseshoe and hold it to your head. Yes like that, against your forehead. Now close your eyes and concentrate on where the horseshoe is touching you.”

Applejack felt the cool metal against her coat. She relaxed and thought only of that sensation. She began to feel something building, radiating powerfully from her mind. A small pain passed through her genitals, now suddenly full and aching. Her body went stiff and she found herself in bed with Twilight’s horn touching her forehead. They both cried out in a moan of ecstasy as the orgasm pulsed through them. In that moment she was one with Twilight, both sharing the orgasm.

Applejack awoke on her side, panting hard and completely disoriented. Somepony was shaking her gently, mild panic in their voice. “Applejack? Are you okay? Applejack?”

Slowly opening her eyes the earth pony looked at Luna’s concerned face. Gradually she became aware of things around her. She was clutching a horseshoe as tightly as she could against her chest. Everything between her hips was pulsing. Her coat down there was wet and sticky, and she tucked her legs up to her chest. Seven or eight of the ponies in lab coats stood around looking down at her with concern. Luna, looking somewhat confused, glanced down at Applejack’s trembling legs as she held them clenched against her body. She leaned forward and took a closer look. Suddenly there was a flash and the two mares were in Luna’s bathroom. Applejack found herself in a bathtub, the water temperature hot and soothing. The throbbing between her legs eased and she felt herself relaxing.

“Are you okay Applejack?”

The earth pony, unable to meet the eyes of her Princess and friend, answered truthfully, “Uh, yeah, I don’t know what happened.”

“You, uh, sort of cried out, then your hind quarters began to, well, have spasms. Suddenly you collapsed on your side and passed out. What do you remember?”

"All that came to mind was the horseshoe. After that, nothing. I kind of remember holding the horseshoe then waking up. Was I in pain?”

“Uh, well, I wouldn’t exactly say you sounded like you were in pain…” Luna blushed. “Though I could be wrong.”

“Oh…” Applejack was unsure why her mareparts felt so, well, kind of nice, but she guessed it had to do with her crying out. “Where’s the horseshoe?”

“Hmm? Oh, I’ll get it.” Luna closed her eyes and concentrated. Suddenly there was a flash and the horseshoe was resting on the countertop next to the sink. As she opened her eyes, Luna saw that Applejack had been trying to wash the thick stickiness from between her thighs. “Oh, well, um, let me get a towel for you…”

Both ponies looked at the towels hanging from the towel bars. “Oh, yes, those. Well, those are for, uh, guests. Let me get you the good ones.” Both ponies blushed at the little deception. Luna stood and went out to get the “good towels.”

Applejack took the bar of soap and rubbed it against the inside of her upper thighs. It felt wonderful. She jerked slightly as she gently ran it over her mare parts. She let out a little moan of pleasure. She touched them directly with her hoof, and jumped again. surprised at how sensitive they felt. The sensations made her forget all about what had happened. As she continued caressing herself with the bar of soap, she kept looking at the horseshoe sitting up on the edge of the sink counter. A confusing mix of emotions began to stir within her. She recognized the feeling of physical arousal and welcomed its pleasure, but with it seemed to come a sense of melancholy followed by deep emotional pain. The two experiences became a confusing storm of desire and heartbreak. She tried to focus on the sexual pleasure, pressing the soap harder and moving it faster. She wanted to look down between her legs, but found she was unable to keep herself from staring at the horseshoe. Now tears spilled from her eyes and began to roll down her face. Finally the pain in her heart overcame her and she let the soap slip from her hoof and broke down crying.

Luna wondered how many of the ponies back in the lab knew what Applejack had experienced as she held the horseshoe to her head. Luna recognized the look, sound and scent from Applejack and was certain that Applejack had experienced a sudden, powerful orgasm as she held the horseshoe. Then, as she went to the bathroom door with the heated towels and saw what Applejack was doing, her suspicions were confirmed. The sight of Applejack sitting there staring at the horseshoe, masturbating and crying both puzzled and brought incredible pain to the alicorn’s heart. She stepped away and waited for Applejack to call for her, but when she heard her sobbing, she went into the room, the towels floating in the air beside her. She smiled as though nothing were wrong. “Here we go Applebutt, some nice warm towels,” then she motioned for her friend to stand and step out of the tub. Applejack looked at her, sincerely grateful at the lack of mention of her red eyes or her stuffy nose. As the earth pony sat down on the thick bath mat, Luna took the largest towel in her hooves and wrapped it around her. While the warmth of the towels felt nice, Applejack loved the feeling of Luna's arms around her and was grateful that the Princess hadn't pulled away but held her in a comforting, protective hug.

A short time later the two ponies sat in front of the fireplace in Luna’s bedroom sipping tea. Applejack stared at the fire roaring in the fireplace. She held the horseshoe. “I don’t know what all happened.”

Luna knew better than to probe too deeply. “I’m afraid the magic I infused in the horseshoe was rather strong. Perhaps I was too hasty in my decision to have you try it.”

Applejack examined it closely. “Did you make it? Where did it come from. It’s too small for a mare, it looks like a filly’s size.”

“I found it in the back of Celestia’s bedroom closet. I went in there looking for a book, Uh I mean looking for a, uh, scarf to borrow and I found it. I thought it was kind of cute.”

Applejack looked up at her quickly, “Did you say the back of her closet?”

“Yes, why?”

Applejack was closely examining the shoe. She put it to her ear and listened, then sniffed it.

“Do you think it’s significant?”

“When Twilight was going to the academy here she used to hide back there when she was upset and wanted to be alone. That could be one of her shoes.”

It took several moments for Luna to accept what her mind suddenly knew to be true. Unicorns all learned from their earliest courses in magic that every living thing had a unique life force and that that life force was identified as a series of very tiny vibrations. Those vibrations had been known to manifest themselves in items that were often physically close such as shoes, saddle bags, even chairs and beds, Those manifestations were stronger and more likely when the source of the vibrations was going through something emotionally powerful, such as falling in love or experiencing great emotional stress. When she had imparted the magical spell on the horseshoe, Luna had gotten a sense of Twilight. Since she had been working on this when Twilight had been trying to solve Starswirl's unfinished spell. Luna had assumed that Twilight had been on her mind and had pushed the thoughts away, never realizing they were coming from the shoe itself.

The spell must have subtly excited the molecular structure of the horseshoe enabling Applejack to pick up on Twilight’s vibrations...

The truth that lay behind this phenomenon would never had occurred to Luna, Celestia or even Starswirl. Had an Alicorn’s horn ever touched an earth pony’s forehead during the very moment when each of them were at the peak of sexual excitement? Had it resulted in the two sharing that most private and intimate of moments was utterly unknown. In the thousands of eon’s that had passed since the beginning of recorded history, there were no entries telling of two ponies literally sharing a single orgasm, knowing each other so deeply, having, for those moments, breaking all metaphysical boundaries. Applejack had experienced Twilight’s orgasm, and Twilight had experienced Applejack’s. In those moments they had both discovered what lay at the very center of that joy, desire, and utter physical pleasure. The other. They had revealed to the other the love, passion and desire they felt for them. It had been an endlessly intensifying sensation. As she climaxed, Applejack had seen and felt Twilight’s seeing, imagining and feeling Applejack’s climax which brought on Twilight’s climax which Applejack felt, bringing her to an orgasm. It was an endless cycle. Separate from that had been feelings known and passed between them, almost a sense of violation since it was unexpected and uninvited. It had been emotionally, physically and sexually exhausting, through all that had occurred between them was mutual caresses. It had been overwhelming for the poor earth pony. She had locked away much of her emotions after losing her parents and this experience had forced them open to another. Had it been any other pony than Twilight, Applejack’s emotional state would have been crippled.Twilight had offered only comfort and love.

Luna was surprised at the reaction within her. She was jealous of them both. That they had clearly had a sexual relationship was of no concern to her. In the thousands of years they had been alive, both she and her sister had had any number of both male and female lovers. What bothered her was that they were in love. Deeply in love. Luna had to fight her feelings of jealousy. Twilight had been the first pony to reach out a very kind hoof of friendship. Applejack had been the second. Luna loved all the six and so many others, but Applejack and Twilight were very special to her. She had come to think of them as closer than the others. Now she was excluded by their love for each other. But she also knew that somewhere within her, Applejack must be in an intense amount of pain and that was what mattered now. Then the realization that her beloved Twilight was facing that pain alone confronted her, obliterated her jealousy..

“Luna? Are you okay? What’s the matter?”

“Oh, yes, excuse me, I was just thinking about what could have caused what happened to you.”

“Mmm…” Applejack said unconvinced. She held the horseshoe up and took a closer look, “That must be one powerful spell,” she said and whistled softly.

The horseshoe jerked from her hoof and fell to the floor. Luna’s jaw dropped and her eyes darted from Applejack’s shocked face to the horseshoe on the floor.and back to Applejack’s frozen gaze. Neither said a word. Luna, also frozen in place said a single word.

“Whistle.”

Applejack whistled again, very softly, and the two ponies watched the horseshoe jerk around on the floor. She tried whistling louder and the shoe slowly lifted from the floor. Applejack concentrated intently on it. She felt something deep within her stir - a feeling of hope which grew into joy. She smiled, staring at the little shoe then whistled a quick tune. Luna watched, speechless as the piece of iron danced in the air and did a flat little spin. A flood of joy filled the earth pony and she felt tears of joy sting her eyes. With a sharp quick note it shot toward Applejack’s chest and straight to her heart where she clutched it tightly, tucking her head down protectively over it. Luna smiled and clapped her hooves together in happiness at the sight of her friends tearful smile.

“That is my gift to you, my Fruity Patootie. Accept it with all my love my friend.”

“It’s truly one of the finest gifts I’ve ever gotten. I love you Moonbutt.”

The two of them laughed and hugged.

A short time later Luna found Applejack lying on her back on the bed, whistling as the horseshoe spun in a blur over her head. It danced a little then flew over to the princess. Applejack turned it over and ran the open end of it down the center of Luna’s spine. The alicorn closed her eyes in pleasure and tilted her head back.

“Oh Applejack, that feels most delightful, thank you. You have grown to be quite good with that.”

“Anytime sister, and thank you.”

Luna beamed.

Two hours after sunset Luna, Celestia and Applejack stood on the Canterlot station platform. A warming halo hovered just above them, courtesy of Celestia.

“I’m so sorry I was unable to help you remember what happened during those two weeks Applejack.”

“Will I ever remember?”

“It’s doubtful, but the equine mind is a strange thing. I wouldn't count it out. Have you decided where to get off the train?”

“I don’t know, I reckon there are a couple of changes I'll be needin' to make to get to the Badlands. I’ll see what I find along the way." Applejack looked back at her saddlebags then down at the platform. She exhaled then raised her head back up and looked at the two sisters. Her expression, her demeanor had changed. A solemnness had come into her eyes, a seriousness that took Celestia and Luna by surprise. "Are you ever going to tell me why y’all set me up with these here weapons?”

“There are many dangerous things out there that you must be aware of. Things that are evil.” Luna spoke quietly.

“She’s right my child, and it is time for you to know some things. There is a darkness coming. Luna and I have been studying ancient scrolls. They tell of a prophecy but most of it is hard to decipher. To tell you too much would put you in greater peril. There are a number of forces that are searching for a powerful artifact, one from long ago. I ask that you please use great caution in your travels and be very careful whom you trust.”

“Is Twilight part of it? Is she in danger?”

“As Celestia said, the scrolls are hard to decipher. You should know that they mention a beautiful young pony of light and honesty.”

Applejack’s eyes widened and her jaw opened slowly. “You mean ME?!”

“Luna and I can think of no other pony who that would describe better than you.”

Anger flashed in Applejack's eyes, “And y'all thought you would wait till now to tell me this? Am I in any danger?”

Celestia and Luna looked at each other.

Applejack’s face went pale, “Aw hay! That surely can't be good! What kind of danger?”

“We don’t know if you are in danger, but if our interpretation of this part of the scroll is accurate then you may have a part to play. Are you finally ready to accept my offer of help?”

"Well what do the dang scroll's say?!" Applejack snapped, "And What do they say about Twilight?"

"Everything is very vague. It speaks of all the princesses and becomes difficult to disting-."

Celestia stopped mid-sentence as, two large, handsome stallions approached them at the station. They were dressed casually and carried large saddlebags. Applejack looked at the two of them. She recognized the one with the large blue eyes. She smiled and raised an eyebrow. He tried to remain nonchalant but at the look on her face he could only blush.

“I reckon the idea was us travelling as a sister and two brothers?” she said sardonically. “Somehow with me and blue-eyes and all the flirtin’ I don’t reckon anypony’s gonna buy it.”

“I’m sorry your highness,” the blue eyed one apologized.

“It’s okay. The only reason your brother next to you hasn’t blushed is that he won’t let himself even look at Applejack,” smirked Luna. Now the other brother blushed. Applejack had to look away to hide her own blush.

“It is this very reason I worry about you my child. You’re bound to attract attention of stallions with those green eyes of yours, your lovely mane and tail, and your physique. Do you really think you’ll be safe?”

“Long as I keep my wits sharp and my legs fast and strong, I’ll be just fine, but I’ll try to keep to myself and the shadows. Can you tell me anything else about this coming darkness you was mentioning?”

Luna cast a spell, putting the guards into a state of sleep in order to keep the conversation private.

“I'm sorry Applejack, but we must keep this quiet, we do not want to cause a panic. As I’ve said, we only know it is an old power that has slept thousands of years. It has awoken and is seeking something. We suspect it might be an artifact of some kind, but it’s…”

“I know, I know, very vague, I'm gettin' that part,.”

Celestia’s face became dark, “There is something else that you should know. Despite what you may think, if you are drawn into this it will not be by happenstance. It will be intentional. They will be looking for you.”

“I’ll stay wary - not trust anypony.”

“Applejack, what I’m about to tell you will sound terrifying but you are about to go looking for Twilight and you must know that these things may be out there. What it would be that might seek you would not be ponies.” Luna said. Applejack saw the angry look of sharp reproach that Celestia gave her sister and felt a bolt of fear chill her. She had to work to keep her voice from shaking.

“Care to tell me what that means?”

Celestia closed her eyes and sighed. “If they decide to come looking for you, they may not take the form of a pony.”

“Wait, like a shape shifter or somthin?”

“The evil that rose attempted to bring sentience to nature. It wanted to bring trees to life, it wanted to direct weak minded creatures such as insects. This was how it planned to mass its forces. The spell was cast but dispersed widely and unpredictably.”

“Is that what happened to the Everfree Forest?”

Luna answered, “Yes, a great deal of the spell’s energy was directed at our old castle. The land around it suffered, though we didn’t know it at the time.”

“That’s where the Timberwolves came from, right? And the poison joke?”

“Precisely. The creatures that inhabit the forest are a result of that spell, but every creature in Equestria was affected. There was goodness that came from it though.”

“Is that why Fluttershy can talk with all the animals?”

“You are very perceptive child,” Celestia said with a smile, “For a number of reasons she was predisposed to having what we call a sympathetic ear, however normally she would not be able to converse with insects. The spell enabled that and a great deal more. As generations of animals spread, that trait was carried throughout Equestria.”

“So what did this evil thing do when the spell didn’t turn out right?”

“It turned to the dark powers of the earth. It created creatures of the dark. Hideous, soulless things that crawled out of the mud, each with a given purpose.”

“Are you telling me these things are made out of mud??”

“Mud over the parts of skeletons. They sense life and from the moment they crawl from the earth they begin their search. Never stopping, never resting complete the tasks for which they were created. They fear nothing. They toy with their prey as they hunt. Once they have trapped you, their form returns to mud.”

Applejack looked at Luna. The Princess was starting to look uncomfortable.

“Well I got a couple of good hind legs, they’ll find I don’t go down easy.”

“Some you will be able to attack and perhaps cause some damage. Others, once they have you and may return to their natural state and they will envelope you, hold you, all except your mouth, nose, eyes and ears. As they do, you will feel them filling you, except your nose, mouth and ears. Then they will begin to enter those too. They will provide you just enough air to remain conscious, but unable to breathe or move. Then they will slowly crush you.“

But Applejack could only think of one thing.

“So is Twilight in danger?”

“We don’t believe so. I’ve been waiting to hear from a number of my sources. That I have not heard I take as a positive sign. Luna and I have discussed it and we agree that the safest place for you may well be away from Canterlot, so we are glad that this will take you far from here.”

The whistle of an approaching train could be heard in the distance. Their darkness seemed to lift with the realization it was time for goodbyes.

Luna threw her arms around Applejack, “I’m going to miss you so much.”

Applejack returned the embrace, “I’m gonna miss you too, sugarcube. I don’t know what’s out there, but I promise I’ll be on my guard. Thanks for the warning.”

The two broke apart and Celestia, tears in her eyes took Applejack into her arms, “Please come home to me safe and sound my child and bring my other little one with you,”

The pain in Applejack’s heart almost made her turn back and stay. They could create a plan where the three of them would search for Twilight. But in her heart, Applejack knew that this was her journey alone. There was more at stake here than finding Twilight, there were questions that could only be asked and answered between the two of them.

Applejack stepped back from Celestia, studying her and Luna’s faces, a long last look. She felt fear and hope mix within her and Celestia saw it. She grew somber, “Listen to me Applejack, there is one thing I did see when I was in your conscious mind and that is how much Twilight loves you and I know how much you love her. I cannot tell you if it was romantic love or the love two friends share, but whatever it is you discover out there..” she paused. Applejack looked down, a little embarrassed at the words. With her hoof, Celestia tipped the earth ponies chin up and looked her directly in the eyes. “...you must never forget that whatever Twilight Sparkle did, it was from the very core of who she is and it was done from pure love. Before you judge her, know this. Whether or not your friendship has changed, remember that everything Twilight did, she did out of love for you.”

Applejack nodded, filing the words away for a time when she was alone and could give them the contemplation they deserved, “I’ll try to remember that,” was all she said.

The train thundered into the station as the three ponies said there last goodbyes. Just as she was about to get on the train, one of the unicorn’s form the lab came galloping down from the castle, out of breath,

“Princess Luna, Princess Luna! I finished it! I was able to complete it!” He handed the Princess a beautiful rectangular box just over a foot long then bowed before the two sisters.

“Oh Ore! That’s wonderful!! Applejack!” Luna went to the train as Applejack emerged to see what was going on, “What is it Moonbutt?”

“Very funny. I had Ore Vein, my top metallurgical spell caster, take Twilight’s other horseshoe, melt it and forge it into a small arrow. Here!”

Luna floated the box in front of Applejack and opened it. The arrow was a work of art. The arrowhead came to a fine point. The finish was smooth satin black and the shaft which ran from the point all the way to the back, was encased in a sheath of ironwood. The fletches were barely noticeable but were also made out of iron. Ore smiled and blushed, “Hi again Miss Applejack. It sure is nice to see you again,” he stammered.

“Likewise Ore. Say, that sure is some beautiful work!”

He seemed to be having some difficulty looking at her, “Thank you, that’s, um, kind of you to say,” he answered, bashfully. She looked at him and saw he was holding a small polished hollow cylinder of wood, slightly larger than the arrow, with two straps on it.

Touched by his shyness, Applejack lowered her head and cocked it to the side, trying to catch his eye, “Say Ore, what’s that?”

He looked down at the cylinder in his hoof as thought surprised to find something there. “Oh this, well yes, uh…” he seemed to steel himself and raised his head, looking into her large green eyes.

“...you see it uh holds the arrow inside your thigh and while you quiver, it shoots…”

The three mares looked at each other in confusion. Applejack blushed almost as much as Ore. Luna was close behind in her realization and reaction. Celestia just smirked.

“NO that’s not it! I’m sorry, I’m so sorry I did NOT mean to say that, that’s not what I meant or what it does. Not what I meant to say is at all. No, uh,” he stammered, trying to make light of the situation. He looked at Applejack with as much nonchalance as he could “what I said to have meant was you strap your thigh until it holds you, no I mean till it holds the arrow inside you while you quiver...NO! I am SO SORRY!! It holds the arrow inside your thigh…” He was completely red-faced now and looked like he was going to faint. He closed his eyes, his horn glowed and he transported himself away with a sharp bang. The train whistle blew. Celestia’s horn glowed and he was suddenly back. He hadn’t realized that he had returned and stood there hitting his forehead with his hoof. “Stupid stupid, stup- oh, uh hi…”

Now it was Applejack’s turn to look somewhat embarrassed.

Celestia nodded and raised her hoof, signaling the conductor to wait a few more minutes. She smiled, “Let’s start again. I believe what Ore is trying to say is it’s a quiver. You strap it to your thigh and it holds the arrow in place, ready until you need to shoot it. Is that right Ore?”

Ore let out a large sigh and nodded gratefully, “Thank you your highness.” He smiled and turned back to Applejack. The two ponies stood, awkwardly looking at each other. Ore tried to erase the feeling by assuming the role he was most comfortable with, that of the instructor. He held the quiver up with his magic and taking the arrow in hi hoof he brought the tip to one end of the tube. It’s quite simple,” he smiled, “So this is the arrowhead and these are the fletches. There is an opening at both ends of the quiver. To put it in the quiver, you just grasp the arrow firmly by the shaft and push the head in the opening at this end, you may have to use a little force, the quiver is pretty tight to...hold…” He stopped, closed his eyes and just shook his head and sighed, “I'm doing again, aren't I?"

Celestia’s laughter spread to Luna, then to Applejack and finally to Ore. Applejack leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. “It’s okay sugarcube, I’m mighty flattered that you think I’m worth gettin all flustered over.”

He smiled through dreamy eyes and murmured. “Just remember that the arrow goes in only one way. There are bristles in there that are angled forward and hold it in place. You can tell the right end by feeling the ridges I’ve carved there. If you’re on the run in the dark, you don’t want to waste time.”

“Will do sweetie,” Applejack gave him another little kiss on the cheek, but her mind focused on what he'd said. “If you’re on the run in the dark, you don’t want to waste time.” The implications left her feeling shaken. She sat down and taking the arrow in one shaking hoof and the quiver in the other, she examined them both.

“I think I see how this works…” She tried a couple of times but her hooves were shaking too much. Finally she managed to but was grateful when the train conductor gave the whistle a brief tug.

“Well that’s me, reckon it’s time to go.I better put this back in the case,” Applejack said as she tapped the quiver. The arrow slid out into her waiting hoof. As she looked it over once again, she was overcome at its beauty and elegance. Then she noticed the small inscription on it. It was a heart with FP on one side and LP on the other. Applejack scowled in confusion as she read it. She looked up at Luna and cocked her head. The princess had clearly been waiting for her to notice it and was smiling expectantly. She went to Applejack and whispered very quietly. “Loony Patoonie.” Applejack smiled and hugged her tight. “I’m gonna miss you so much. When I get back, you and me are gonna spend a lot of time together. I have a special place I want to take you. It’s near a stream and it’s very quiet. We’ll have a picnic there and tell each other about all our adventures.”

“I look forward to that Applejack. I’ll start planning the menu.”

“Pancakes?”

“Many stacks!” The two embraced and started laughing as tears spilled from their eyes. Luna lifted the arrow from Applejack's hoof and placed it back in its wooden case. Before she closed it she looked at the arrow and spoke to it, “Protect her or I will personally melt you down and made into a magical hoof scraper!” Then she closed the box, latched it, and floated it into Applejack’s saddlebag.

Applejack gave each of them a hug and climbed aboard. The conductor looked at his watch and up at Celestia then shook his head disapprovingly at the delay. She waved happily back with feigned obliviousness, and with a long whistle, the train was off.

Celestia would never forget it. It was just before dawn on that miserable morning when her forward commander knocked on the door to her bedroom. The tone of his voice brought a winter chill, its fear stabbing her unexpectedly. Her sleep had been restless and her sheets and blankets were a mess all over the bed. Her mane was a mess as she staggered past the mirror.toward the door. She spoke through the closed door.

“Yes?”

“Your highness, I bring urgent news. The Doctor is waiting for you at the castle, he says he has vitally important information for you that you must hear at once.”

“Summon Princess Luna and have her meet us in the council chamber.”

“At once your highness.”

The two sisters arrived at the council chamber in Canterlot Castle at the same time. The Doctor was pacing at the far end of the room. Upon seeing the two sisters he bowed quickly and went to them.

“Celestia, Luna, I’m afraid I have some very bad news. He has escaped.”

Celestia, her greatest fears confirmed, sat down as through struck. “WHAT?!! He’s out?”

“Yes, I’m afraid so.”

“Who is out? What’s wrong?” Luna asked, frightened at seeing her sister’s reaction..

Celestia turned to her, “Remember the stories I used to tell you when you were little to scare you and your friends when you misbehaved? The one about the creeper?”

“Of course - that horrible thing - the one we called Lunatic Fritz.”

The Doctor spun around and looked at Luna, “What did you say?”

“Lunatic Fritz, he was a make believe character about whom Celestia would tell these horrible stories in an attempt at getting me to behave.” She looked at her sister with reproach, “They brought on terrifying nightmares and so she stopped.”

The Doctor looked at Celestia who was struggling to keep calm. Luna, now more frightened than before went to her, “Cele? What is it, what’s wrong? Tell me!!”

Celestia’s eyes darted back and forth as the implications of this news sunk in. She searched for rational thought. Luna looked at the Doctor. “What is wrong with her? What’s going on?” Luna was trembling with fright. She staggered slightly and suddenly fell into a sitting position. Her eyes were wide and terrified.

“He-he wasn’t make believe, was he? All those horrible things my sister hinted at were real, weren’t they?”

The Doctor hung his head, giving the slightest of nods.

“Was he the one? Was he the one that summoned the darkness?” Luna asked, her voice shaking.

“Yes, he was a key member of the dark council,” Celestia looked up at the Doctor, “Where was he being held? How long has he been out?”

“As to where he has been, you know I can’t tell you. As to when he escaped, we have not yet determined that.”

Luna interrupted, “But he can’t have those powers you told me about. He can’t control animals such as timberwolves.” Luna’s tone teetered between a statement and a question. “Can he?”

The Doctor, head still bowed, raised his eyes and looked at the younger sister, “His magic is very old and very evil. Creatures like timberwolves, well, they have weak minds, they dwell in thoughts of perversion and evil. They watch, they answer to him and they reveal things to him. This is why the place we kept him was miles from anywhere else. There was no place for one of those bloody creature to hide, just open space.”

Celestia spoke softly, “He will be looking. There is always one, the first one. Do you know who is it Doctor? The Queen of Saddle Arabia? I know the signs were pointing to her.” In a moment the monarch was up and pacing, “I had thought it might be the daughter of the Chancellor of Germaneigh, but then we found that part of the scroll that refuted that. She has 7 brothers and sisters, far too many…” Celestia began to get frantic. Seeing her sister becoming unhinged like this terrified Luna and she shrunk back, trembling. “Okay, well then we know it’s not her. Didn’t Duke Fairweather suggest the possibility that it might be the princess from Saddle Arabia? She has a brother in the army. That fits perfectly. We must warn them immediately!”

“I’m so sorry your highness, you know her brother has taken another stallion as his mate. You were at the betrothal.”

“Yes, yes of course, how could I forget that? That leaves, the, uh. You know, that really sweet Dutchess from Scoltand.” Celestia insisted.

The Doctor could see she knew. She was rationalizing as much as she could, avoiding what she knew to be true. He loved Twilight Sparkle as much as any of her subjects and could barely allow himself to admit what Celestia was frantically avoiding.

“Your highness-”

Celestia turned to him, her eyes filled with rage, “NO Do NOT say it!! I FORBID you! Do not speak a lie or I will have you executed!” She screamed.

“CELESTIA!!” Luna cried, “What are you saying?!!”

The Doctor looked at her, “I’m so sorry Celestia,” He handed her a large, sealed packet. “We found this in his cell. You know this is his modus operandi - it was left there specifically for you to see so you’ll know his intentions.” The monarch who had suffered from a fear of snakes since fillyhood, looked at it as though it was a cobra.

“Are those photo-sketches of her?”

“Yes.”

“Is she still alive in them?”

“Yes.”

“How much of her skin is left.?”

The Doctor closed his eyes, trying to expunge the images. Luna didn’t move.

Celestia asked again, gently, “How much Doctor?”

“Very little.”

“Had he done it?”

"Yes."

Luna’s voice was no louder than a fillie’s whisper, “Cele?”

Celestia turned to her sister, her face as grim and gray as death. “Toward the end, many of his victims are granted the gift of taking their own lives, frequently glad to cut out their own hearts. In several instances though, they, um…” She fought hard, bringing all her strength to bear in an effort at not thinking of what that packet contained. Her voice was trembling now “...they are given a lash, a whip made of pony hides. They whip their own skin off as punishment for their crimes.”

Luna’s head shook as she fought to keep the images at bay. “No, no...”

“His final mercy is to leave them to finish the job by lashing as much of their remaining flesh from their bones as possible before dying. It is what they believe they deserve.”

Luna refused to accept this and shook her head in denial.

Celestia drew in a deep breath in order to contain her rage, she spoke calmly, “If that monster touches a hair of that little fillies mane I will eviscerate him and hang his entrails from the top of the castle flagpole.” Celestia stood for several minutes, saying nothing. Finally she looked up and spoke, her voice now meek and pitiful, “Oh dear spirit of earth and sky, I beg you to protect her I will take upon me his wrath and his wretched illness, only please watch over her, please protect her.” She bowed her head in supplication and humility. “Please,” she whispered, “please, I beg you, bring her home safe to me.” The monarch remained there, gradually regaining some semblance of control. Finally she looked up.

“We must find her. I will send out every soldier we have, every guard. I’ll command Cadences and Shining to do the same. I’ll speak to the Griffins and the Yaks. I’ll insist on their help if they want my protection! I- I-” Celestia lowered her head, her shoulders shaking as she wept. The sound of it terrified. Celestia was the protector of Equestria. Very few ponies understood the extent of her true powers. At their zenith they could level mountains but were extremely hard to control. There was so much emotion necessary to generate the power that the spells became extremely unstable at practically the moment they were conjured.

For Luna, as well as the rest of Equestria, Celestia was the epitome of balance and calm. Seeing her like this chilled the younger sister to the bone. Luna knew then that this was connected to a time many years ago, when Celestia had gone to a distant part of Equestria. She was gone several years and when she returned, Luna could she that she had changed. She had brought many interesting artifacts back with her, most of which were either in the Canterlot museum, on display in the castle or locked safely in a spell, unable to wreak the horrible damage they were capable of.

“How could he possibly do those things?” Luna asked. “Does he force them?”

Celestia looked out of one of the windows toward the west, her expressionless, “It’s not how he works. He will seek out a weakness and study it. He will immerse himself in that weakness and cloak himself in it until he becomes the living embodiment of that guilt. When he approaches he knows the balm, the soothing words and kindnesses that will lift the suffering from her. He is very careful to offer a little at a time, leading her to him for relief of the deep shame. Now he becomes her world and he can control her utterly but he doesn’t want to control her to a physical end. If only his desire to take her that would only require a single thought, but that is of no interest. What he wants is to watch her torture herself both physically and mentally. The more information he is able to retrieve, the more dangerous he is to that pony. Be assured he is summoning creatures as he did years ago, things that…”

Celestia turned away from the window and looked back at her sister and addressed the Doctor “What do you think?”

“We should go to Ponyville”

It was just after midnight when the creature first lifted its head out of the dark muddy depression in the earth. Moments later it began crawling out of the mud, moving past the crooked tombstones as it made its way out of the graveyard. The ruins of the Castle of the Two Sisters cast a shadow from the moon there, just before it was shrouded by the clouds. The creature was between two and three meters long. It’s body was mud, dry and cracked, the face was long and almost flat, except for a slight rise in the middle, where two slits in the skin made a soft growling hiss as it breathed. Small milky gray orbs sat in deep eye sockets surrounded by black. The jaws held even saw teeth, hooked inward for grabbing hold of flesh and tearing. Its muscular upper legs flexed powerfully now as it crouched low, each of its four legs tapering down and ending as a tiny claw of three opposing talons upon which it walked.

It remained low as it moved, following the scent, a scent that it knew. A scent it would always pursue. The scent led it to the edge of the forest close to a small hamlet. The scent had brought here, to the front door of a large tree that was the town library. At the foot of the oaken door it sniffed then stood on it’s rear legs and growled as it began scratching at the door jamb around the knob. It’s claws were flint hard and shredded the oak, sending splinters flying. After a short time most of the wood was gone. The creature pushed against the door, until with a large splintering crack the door jamb surrendered and the creature walked inside.

It was silent in the library.

It listened.