On My Honor

"Applejack, do you have the bunker rations in place?" Twilight was waiting outside the hidden bunker for her friend to give the OK.

"Yup! I think you might wanna bring some pillows, though. The ground's really hard." She had stepped out in full armor, ready to guard the bunker when the Changeling attack came.

"Do you have any ponies in mind to help you protect me? I mean, all the best soldiers were taken for the other three princesses, but I'm sure you found some..."

"I found better than that." Applejack gestured behind herself, revealing none other than Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy, all decked out in custom armor. Each had a unique weapon in their hooves. Pinkie Pie, being Pinkie Pie, had her party cannon locked and loaded. Rainbow Dash was carrying a wicked-looking spear. Fluttershy had a pair of nunchuks that she probably had no idea how to use. As for Rarity, she had a diamond-tipped, stainless steel mace. Of course.

"I got a bit carried away, dear," said Rarity. "So I hope you don't mind these fancy suits of armor. I just couldn't wear a stallion's armor, their physique is quite different."

Twilight coughed. "Er... yeah."

Applejack clapped her hooves. "Okay, positions, everypony! Remember, guard Twilight, and Twilight only."

Then the purple alicorn descended into the depths of the bunker and Rainbow Dash locked the multiple sets of doors.

"I'm soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo nervicited!" squealed Pinkie Pie. "I just love apocalypses!"

Fluttershy timidly said, "I don't know if this is an apocalypse..."

"You're right, Shy-shy, it's actually a complete and utter destruction of life as we know it!" proclaimed Rainbow Dash.

Then the Changelings came. Well, not so much came as barged through the ceiling and immediately destroyed everything in their path. It was incredibly spontaneous, yet somehow predictable. As soon as they touched down in front of the five friends, they transformed into a bunch of Fluttershy look-alikes.

"Remember, they're not wearing armor!" yelled Applejack as she stood her ground and fended off the Changelings.

Each time the Changelings shifted their appearances, one thing stood out. None of them was wearing armor. That helped to differentiate between friend and foe. Otherwise, things could've taken a turn for the worse.

Once the hall was cleared, Applejack was breathing hard. "I think that's all of them."

"Oh, not all of them." A voice like rancid ramen noodles rang through the hall. A green, mystical vapor filled the air.

"Queen Chrysalis," growled Applejack.

"You flatter me, you really do. Now, if you'll step aside, I need to get my revenge on that nasty Twilight Sparkle for ruining my wedding."

Rarity rolled her eyes. "It wasn't really your wedding, you know. It was Princess Cadence's wedding."

The queen's eyes narrowed. "Whatever. Get out of my way!"

Applejack stood in front of the bunker doors. "You'll have to go through us first."

"So be it." A flash of green magic shot into them, blasting open the doors and revealing the stairs into the bunker.

The others were unconscious. But not Applejack. She had to protect Twilight. She just had to. Mustering up all her remaining strength, she tackled Chrysalis and they tumbled down the stairs. Applejack slashed her sword at the Changeling queen, hoping to finish her off once and for all. Chrysalis flung her off, and she smacked against a wall.

"Applejack!" Twilight's pleading cry echoed from below. She had to get down there and save her friend. When she arrived at the bunker, she saw Twilight pinned against the wall by Chrysalis.

"Mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!" cackled Chrysalis. "My magic is so much stronger now, stronger than that of an alicorn princess! This astronomical occurrence, the Eclipse of the Crab Nebula, gives me such strength! Yes, it's mine, all mine! Ha-ha-ha-ha!"

"You know, Earth ponies have magic too. They just never really use it." Applejack pointed her sword at Chrysalis. A beam of energy shot from the sword, straight into the queen's heart. The energy enveloped Chrysalis, but at the same time engulfed Applejack. Both of them yelled and the energy drew them closer and closer. Twilight's eyes widened. She couldn't let this happen.

"Twilight, before I go, I have one thing to tell ya. I love you." Applejack smiled sadly. Then the energy completely swallowed the two combatants, and in a flash of light, they were gone.

Tears welled up at the corner of Twilight's eyes. "No." She sobbed all alone, in the darkness of the bunker. Time passed with no meaning.

Her four other friends arrived at the bottom of the stairwell. Fluttershy rushed over. "What happened, Twilight? Are you okay?"

"No, I'll never be okay!" Twilight wailed. "Applejack sacrificed herself to kill Queen Chrysalis, but I have a crush on her, and then I found out she has a crush on me, and... WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" She burst into more tears.

"Wait..." said Rainbow Dash, making a time-out sign with her hooves. "You had a crush on Applejack?"

She nodded and rubbed her eyes.

Rarity interjected. "It's all right, Twilight. We'll be here with you."

Pinkie Pie nodded so fast that her head seemed to pop off. "Uh huh! C'mon, we're safe and that's what matters."

Then they all shared a group hug. Twilight smiled appreciatively at her friends. She would be okay, in time. Meanwhile, watching from an endless, dark void, Applejack smiled too. Twilight was safe.