Chapters 1. Celestia works at the Bakery
Everypony is Celestia
The life of a baker was simple.
"Here's your dozen Muffins Ditzy! I added an extra apple since I know Sparklers visiting! Oh and don't forget to bring Dinky to the 'Summer Vacation Reunion' Party at the park!"
You had a set place and after a while you'd have set order.
"Here's the cake for your mom's anniversary Button! Tell her that I'll be stopping by later today with my super duper special surprise gift!!"
And after a time after that, you know the names that come with the orders, the mother with the two children that want cupcakes with each delivery of bread, the single mare that orders bagels on a normal day, but a muffin if her date didn't go well the day before, even the hermit who has a surprisingly high class pallet despite what her home might suggest.
"And here's your crystal cupcake with extra catalyst Spike! Oh oh! And tell Twilight that I'll be bringing over some snacks for the Comet party later tonight!"
You'd know everyone after awhile and they'd know you. It was so different than what she was used to, Celestia couldn't get enough of it.
Pinkie Pie smiled as the last of the line trotted away, another lunch hour rush successfully delivered. She took note of the few ponies still eating inside the bakery, making sure to smile at them, check on their meals and bounced back into the bakery, passing Mr. Cake on her way.
"I'm going on my lunch break Mr. Cake! There's only a few ponies still eating in the store front!"
Mr. Cake was in the process of adding the finishing touches to a multi-layered cake, intricate spirals being added in raspberry frosting. Setting the bag of frosting down he turned back to shoot her a grateful grin, "Thanks Pinkie Pie! I know you don't normally work on weekends but with the Twins and Cupcake visiting the grandparents, we really appreciate it."
Pinkie Pie giggled as she bounced a box, a ball, and Gummy onto her back, "Oh it's no problem Mr. Cake! Tiny Itty Bitty Baby Ponies need to grandparent love too! It's essential to having a happy, healthy, childhood free of depression, mental instability and sadness! For at least the first ten years of child development! In fact, Long Study, a mare at Manehattan U, just published an fantastic paper under the theory that the more ties to family and friends foals have growing up, the longer their life expectancy by at least five years outside the normal average! The ramifications of the discover.... "
Pinkie trailed off, halter her prance out the door. She nervously turned to take in Mr. Cakes puzzled expression.
"Pinkie Pie? Are you oka-"
"Fine! I'm fine! Erm...I mean cookies! Cookies from grandponies are just the yummiest yum yums! A-and hugs! Grandponies give the best hugs! Like when I was a little filly, my Granny Pie would always give me the best of hugs!"
Pinkie gave a wide smile and stared nervously at Mr. Cake. His confused stare has gradually morphed into a small frown as his eyes filled with concern. Pinkie Pie's tail began to steadily twitch.
"Pinkie Pie, are you okay? You were talking about a study? Pinkie do you normally read such heavy liter-.."
Pinkie Pie's tail abruptly stopped twitching around the same time Mr. Cakes sentence trailed off. His eyes slowly sliding into an unfocused expression before snapping back to focus onto Pinkie Pie. Suddenly he laughed, "Oh Pinkie! You're so random!"
He continued down the hallway and out into the front of the bakery, no sign that he had ever been troubled, " You enjoy your break Pinkie, we're going to be up late tonight decorating Carrot Tops Birthday cake!"
"Okie Dokie Lokie Mr. Cake!" Called back Pinkie as she continued her hop out the back door, her hair not having quite the same bounce that it had previously.
Celestia still wasn't sure on how she came to live this life. Initially, it was just a simple disguise to sneak into the kitchens for some extra cakes. Then to local bakeries in Canterlot. Then trips to other towns. And suddenly a lovely couple needed help running their bakery after the husband sprained his ankle and she was there to lend a hoof.
"One day," she told herself when she first put on the baker hat, "One day and then its back to the castle."
But that one day a filly got her cutiemark and her parents ordered dozens upon dozens of sweets for the foal and set reservations for a party for that Friday. Much too much for just a pair of ponies. So she stayed an extra day, just to help them get by....then a town festival needed eighty three cupcakes by that Sunday. Then a bunny stampede destroyed their store front, then one of the ovens burnt out, and then she was asked to throw a birthday party for one of the foals, then a parent who attended that party asked if she could organize her filly's party and then...
You get the idea.
Pinkie Pie skipped down the street, her head held high as she greeted the other ponies she passed.She continued her way down to the local park where she turned a corner and found a small aside off the beaten path. Pinkie would come here often as a small quiet break to her day where hardly anypony would stop by to talk to Ponyvilles premier party planning pony. Just silence and nature to let her rest and reflect.
Seven. That had made it seven times that Pinkie had to confuse and lie to the cakes. Far from being her closest call but each time she had to misdirect and lie a stone would roll in her stomach. Quietly reminding her of the other lies she had made.
Pinkie stared up and watched dully as the trees branches swayed in the wind. was this right? Should she really be spending her tie like this? Or should she be honest with herself and the cakes. They were both doing fine so shouldn't she just go and-
*Twich Twich*
Pinkie pie dived to the side just in time to avoid being crushed by a pile of wood, tree sap, and filly. Peering over at the pile, Pinkie recognized Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Bell as they tried to dis-engage from their wreckage. Groaning softly, each filly slowly dismantled themselves from the pile and examined the wreckage.
"It ain't too bad," Applebloom said, poking at a piece of wood, "Most of the wood didn't break this time and if we maybe use somethin more than tree sap to hold it toge-"
"Why is it allays tree sap!" Complained Sweetie Bell, " It gets in our main, it hurts to get out, and THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS WEEK!"
"Oh sorry pinkie pie! Didn' see you there. We didn't cause no trouble did we?"
Pinkie Pie stared at the three fillings before breaking out into a fit of the giggles.
"No," she snorted out, " You three are just Pinkie Perfect. How goes Crusading, Crusaders?"
Scootaloo jumped out of the pile and stood on top of it, her chest puffed out, " It goes perfect! We've crossed off airship pilots, yoga instructors, sandwich makers and carpentry!"
"Get off me!" Applebloom said, her voiced muffled by the fact that Scootaloo's hoof was on her face. Scootaloo hoped off and continued talking, not even glancing down at her fellow crusaders. "By the pace we're going! We'll find out our special talents before Lunch!" She finished, grinning at Pinkie Pie.
Pinkie Stared back at the other two crusaders dismantled themselves from the mess and came to stand beside their friend.
"Oh little old Pinkie?" Pinkie Pie asked, laughter still dancing in her eyes after her giggles had subsided. "Nothing yet!"
"You you Pinkie Pie, it's never nothing!" Smiled Scootaloo as she began to gather the rest of their crusader materials. "Your probably working on Berrie's party for next week already!"
It was a nice break from the prim and poise of Canterlot. Little slots of time where she could hum, sing, and dance. It had been years since "the bounce" had fallen out of fashion and being able to stretch her hooves and bounce her way around the bakery was a joy she hadn't felt in years. She'd laugh several times when putting pastries in the oven, just from the sheer idea that she was doing it herself.
After a while, her little ponies began to get curious. Who was the talented pink Baker who'd eat an alicorn sized meal during her lunch breaks and bounce through their town. Questions began to be asked, ponies began hanging out more by the cashier, making more small talk.
Her answers were vague at first. she'd laugh and say something nonsensical. It became a game for her, how far could she push their belief while also learning about her own little ponies. She enjoyed the conversations, leaving Canterlot a little earlier and staying in Ponyville a little later to hold a couple more conversations.
Pinkie Pie continued to zip around the room, much to the delight of the foals watching as one fillies living room was slowly transformed into a birthday game room with all the coolest games and decorations needed for a tenth birthday party, all the while chatting away with Gummy.
"What do you think Gummy? The yellow or the blue streamers?"
Which would you recommend Fancy? Sargent Nightingale or Sargent Still Waters?
Four streamers quickly flew from one end of the room to the other.
"Your right Gummy! Both would be so super amazing!"
Agreed, we'll observe them both until one of them proves their capability.
"But do you think the snack table should be in the corner, or center of the room?"
Table cloths were quickly set out, much to the delight of one filly who was under one of them.
I think we should be good with the packing industry situation, how do you think the market will react when the legislation is revealed.
The filly's previous world of white cloth was suddenly overwhelmed with Curley Pink.
"What do you think Berry Pinch?" asked Pinkie Pie, inches away from the giggling foal, "Where would you like the snack table to be put? Up close or far away?"
"Closer! Closer!" the foal chanted.
"Oki Doki Loki!" Chirped Pinkie Pie, pooping Berry on the nose before retreating, "I'll bring it to you. "
Pinkie's hyperactive and fast talking voice was a special gift that she made ample use of. Allowing her to multi-task and keep several thoughts and plans running simultaneously, without getting the two confused. It takes a lot to properly plan out and run a party, but Pinkie Pie was the best at ensuring that, through all the hard work, her ponies were happy and smiling by the end of it.
She slowly trotted into the Library, a picnic basket on her back, "Twilight!" she called out, "I'm here for the super-special-once-in-a-lifetime sky event thingy!"
"We're on the balcony!" Twilight's voice echoed back from upstairs and Pinkie could hear the faint chatter of her friends talking.
Friends.
She stopped by the fireplace and beamed at the picture on the mantel, six ponies huddled together with smiles at the camera.
Six ponies who weren't teacher and student, ruler and subjects, older and younger, just good friends.
Friends who played pranks on one another.
Friends who helped each other when they were feeling down or needed help.
Friends who would be there for her and she for them when needed.
Equals.
Her beam turned into a smile and she bounced up the stairs, letting out a laugh of pure joy, something she previously hadn't felt in a long, long time before coming to Ponyville.
Finally it had become her new normal. A couple forbidden time spells to ensure Canterlot didn't miss her, several new laws and policies that would eventually make Equestria more of a democracy, and one Alligator Medium and she was set. She was free to stay in Ponyville for as long as she wanted.
"Sorry for being late girls! Rush hour ran a little late at Sugar Cube Corner. But I brought cupcakes!"
Twilight glanced up from the telescope, she had been tipple checking that all seven of the telescopes were perfectly calibrated so that every pony's view for the night would be of the spectral up close instead of it being a small blur in the sky.
"Thanks Pinkie Pie!" Twilight chirped as she trotted over to help Pinkie Pie unload her saddles, "The Library was very busy today so I didn't have time to make those mini-sandwiches I was talking about earlier."
Pinkie Pie gave a grin as she unloaded the last of the boxes, "That's perfectly fine! Your Auntie Pinkie Pie has you covered!" She then bumped the table causing all the boxes to burst open and display the assortment of snacks.
Twilight's inner scientist groaned the same time as her stomach as she surveyed all the snacks that had impossibly made themselves available to her. There were Apple tarts, poached pears, fruit kebabs and...
"Carrot Cake Donuts?" she asked, look up at Pinkie Pie with wide eyes as Rainbow Dash and Rarity moved in to take some, "I only get these from Pony Joe! And he makes them for me special!"
"Oh yeah!" replied Pinkie as she handed off the apple tart to Applejack, "It was just after rush hour and I was like; Pinkie!Youhaveleftovercarrotcakebutnotenoughtomakeafullbrownieorcupcakebutadonutalreadyhaslessmass SOOOOOOOO, I just made a couple donuts instead of a sad-looking half carrot-cake-cup-cake-!"
Twilight blinked twice and eye twitched once before giving up on the issue and took one in her grasp, "Well whatever the reason, thank you Pinkie Pie, these are my personal favorite!"
Pinkie Pie grinned at her friend.
"I'll be sure to keep it in mind! "
"Alright little one! Are you ready to learn some magic?"
"..."
"Hey...its okay. I know I may seem scary being a big fancy white Princess Alicorn bu-"
*GRUMBLE*
"...Sorry..."
"Are you hungry? Tell you what, I know a place in Canterlot that has the best comfort food, how about we eat there before we start. Does that sound good?"
"...Do they have carrot cake?"
"...I'm sure Pony Joe will be able to figure something out!"
She came to love this life. The life of a zanny hyperactive baker who knew everyponies name and was friends with them all. The pony who made sure a town knew that they were loved and celebrated their existence. The friend to six girls in a now who liked her for who she was. The Pink Pony Baker who worked at Sugar Cube Corner with the Cakes. Maybe one day she would leave it behind. But for today she was able to be herself...
Pinkie Pie
Author's Note
Re-written and re-checked. Not back for good but able to stay long enough
2. Celestia's out working the Farmland
Everypony is Celestia
"That'll be 2 bits ya hear?"
The life of the farmer was not suited for her.
"Twenty barrels of cider in the first week of cider season? It'll be close, but I think we'll have enough for ya."
The hours were long, the food was repetitive and there was too little actual pony to pony interaction for her liking.
"Why go ahead Big Mac! I can handle the farm for a day, besides! I know how much you enjoy that Smartie Pants book series that you've been talkin' so much about!"
While it did have it's moments, she vary much would have preferred something more complex and artistic.
"Aw hayseed! Only 4 Bushels today? Any less and the Carrot family would have beaten us! That's it! We'll need to bust out the special crop of Golden Delicious! Applebloom! Go tell Big Mac."
A Baker would have been nice.
" Hey Granny? Why don't I take over for tonight's meal, I had a recipe I wanna get right."
But what she wanted didn't matter, it was trivial compared to the work she was actually doing. The moment's she was given she cherished and made it all worth it.
"No no, it's alright Granny! I'll go to the town hall meeting! You just rest and get better!"
She owed it to them.
It was shaping up to be another long summer day of work on the farm for Applejack. Apples needed to be collected, barrels needed to be topped off, and trees need to be watered all before the mark opened up in town. Big Mac was helping Applebloom get ready for school so that left her with the prep work on top of her usual load.
Lucky her.
Thankfully most of the tasks were mainly physical ones so with any luck, the time would fly by as long as she kept her mind preoccupied on other things.
Yes good morning Shoe Shine! I just felt like getting an early start today.
Applejack slowly hitched herself up to the wagon full of supplies, checked the wagon once over to make sure she had everything. and set off, eager to distribute them to the proper locations on the farm.
Raven? Could you check if it's possible to meet up with Blueblood over breakfast instead of lunch?
Applejack made it to her first stop and unloaded the gardening tools at the fence post before setting off again.
Oh no reason, I just feel like I need to get more done today, the fiscal crisis in Fillydelphia took quite a lot of my time yesterday.
Time passed, and Applejack continued to work relentlessly, pausing only for a moment to watch the sun fully rise before continuing on her errands. With Applejack's mind on other matters, she didn't notice pothole in the road until a wagon wheel was already firmly entrenched in it.
"Fiddlesticks!" She swore before unhooking herself to examine the damage. The entire back axle was completely detached from the right side of the cart.
Hmm? Oh! I am terribly sorry Ambassador, I've appeared to have lost my whe- train of thought, please give me a moment.
Applejack glanced around at her surroundings, she was right in the heart of the West Acres, Honey Crisps surrounding her. She surveyed the items in the cart, hoping that one of them might be able to aid her in the repair. If she had the tools it'd delay her by an hour at most. If not...
Nothing.
Applejack sighed again, then surveyed the field again, a new light in her eyes. Big Mac had already left the farm and it was unlikely that Granny Smith would come out this far to check on her, and Applebloom was with her friends...perhaps if she...?
She slowly began to remove her hat from her head, a small satisfied smile forming on her mouth.
Applejack suddenly froze, staring at the hat she held in her hooves, the weathered material coarse against her coat. With a sigh, she hooked herself back up to the broken cart, and slowly began pulling it back to the barn, inch by inch, her hat pulled low over her head.
So sorry for that, I don't know what came over me. Raven? Could you fetch some water for me and the Ambassador? I feel like its going to be a long day.
She wouldn't have done it if it wasn't necessary. That is not to say that she hadn't fantasied of it before. Watching the Apple family grow, year after year. A web of kinship stretching across her country. Keeping in touch in a way none of her other little ponies had managed to do with their families. Being able to visit and be so close, after years had passed. Even the daughter, Blossom Smith Apple, still greeted her with the same warm eyes as the day when she gave the land to the Apple Family. Celestia turned as green as her friend as she envied the Apples.
Many times she had wondered what it was like. To have so many ponies acknowledge you as close family and greet you with such love.
She hadn't felt it for so many years. Of course she would have taken the chance when it was offered.
What probably was the most unusual part of the scenario, that didn't go as planned for Celestia was the older brother. It was a novel experience that didn't quite match up to anything else she had experience. The best she could make out, the role of a brother was a sort mixed bag containing traits from several ponies in her life previous to this situation. The Royal Guards had been just as watchful of suitors, her sister was just as mischievous, some caring traits from the few memories of her father. Yet they all seemed to be encompassed and covered seamlessly together into the role of older brother.
And yet, to Celestia, there was something more there that she couldn't quite identify. A bond that seemed to transcend the mask she had worn long before he was born and let him see directly to her core.. Whenever something was on her mind, he would be there offering support.
For anything.
Either with a mug of cider or just an open set of ears, he knew exactly what to say, when to hug, and when she was out of her depth. Even when it came to the issues that Celestia could never share with him. Matters of politics and legislation, things he could never have known weighted on her mind. He still knew when she needed him.
It was beautiful, comforting, unnerving, agonizing and perfect all at the same time.
Celestia wasn't quite sure what to think of the role of 'Older Brother' and the stallion who occupied it.
Applejack loved him for it.
"Are you kidding me? Carrots are root vegetables! Apples come from trees! Trees! They need much more water than just 42 hectares!"
If there was one part of the weekly paperwork needed to run a farm that Applejack actually enjoyed it was the haggling over resources and supplies. Water rights, boarder issues, a tree between two properties, it didn't matter, Applejack loved throwing down and haggling at a level rarely seen in the day to day market sales.
The same could not be said for Mayor Mare.
The poor exhausted mare ran a hoof down her face and checked the time, "Alright! Alright! Lets remain civilized here ponies! We will take a fifteen minute break and settle the cloud disbursement issue afterwards!"
Mayor Mare needed her tea break.
Light grumbling was heard as the different business ponies and legislators filed out of the room. What was left was two equally orange/yellow contrast ponies and an equal am mount of determination.
"You know you won't get it."
Applejack glared at the smug mare across the room, "Aw, shut your trap Carrot Top, your crops go only a foot down into the soil , you don't need that much water to fully water your fields!"
Carrot Top grinned back, "True, but carrots don't have the shade cover that apple trees have with their branches and leaves, with a full canopy you won't need that much water to maintain field capacity."
Applejack scowled.
"Plus, with that extra water I could add some cover-crops and stop the rabbits from eating the first batch!" She continued happily.
"Now you know the apple leaves transpire over a hundred gallons a week! We need the excess to reach full saturation for the entire season! Otherwise they hit wilting point a week before Harvest season!" Applejack retorted.
"Well of course I know that." Carrot Top Lazily replied, "But does Mayor Mare know it? Of course you could always just cut back your fields by a fifth and redistribute your water that way."
Applejack grit her teeth as ponies began to filter back into the room.
"Best of luck to you Applejack!"
As her view of Carrot Top was slowly blocked by the moving bodies, Applejack's glare relaxed and settled into a brilliant competitive grin.
It was so refreshing to not have ponies bow over you or constantly taking your side. To have an actual opposition who was willing to go horn to horn and tell you that you wont get your way. Arguing with Carrot Top was one of the highlights of her day.
"Alright then," said Mayor Mare, considerably more energized after the tea break, "Lets say we hammer this out in the next half hour and focus on the funds for the new train station next, sounds good to everypony?"
It was a perk of this role that Celestia cherished.
It was certainty an...adjustment when she first tried bargaining during the town meetings. Jade from generations of Canterlot nobles had made her the most cutthroat pony in the room. Sweet Apple Acres ended up with double the amount of water they actually required that year.
It was a rough adjustment. Carrot Top had actually left the room in tears the first time and Granny Smith had lectured her for hours on end about decency and considering others.
It taught Celestia a lot. It had also horrified her to think that such a basic lesson had been forgotten by the Alicorn. Just what else had she forgotten?
Over time, she learned.
The Apples taught her.
"AJ?"
Applejack stiffened before letting out a sigh, "Applebloom, what are you still doing up?" she asked, turning away from the papers on the living room floor to glance towards the youngest member of the household.
The little filly peered up at her, her wide eyes watery and red,
"There's a monster under my bed,"
At this a peculiar expression overtook Applejack's expression, and she raised a hoof to pull her hat further down over her head,
"There ain't no monster there L-Applebloom." she replied, staring firmly into the fireplace, "Just go to sleep and you'll be fine."
Applejack remained staring into the fireplace until she heard Appleblooms hoof steps move from the door way. She let out a sigh and relaxed her shoulders leaning back into the couch, only for a bundle to block her flank.
Applejack whipped her head around, "Wha- Applebloom? I thought I told ya to get to bed!"
"You said to get to sleep," the foal replied, snuggling down into the space between Applejack and the couch, "So I am."
Applejack's mouth gaped wordlessly for a few moments before turning back back to the papers in font of her, "Fine." She replied, "But you better actually sleep instead of trying to stay up later,"
"Okay," the Applebloom replied, letting out a yawn, "Hey Applejack?"
"Yes? What is it?"
"Can you sing me a song like Granny does?"
Applejack turned and peered down at the filly with a blank expression, "A song."
"Yes."
"Like Granny does."
"Uh-huh,"
Applejack stared at her with an expression Applebloom couldn't quite identify in the flickering fire light before she sighed, "Alright, one song."
Applebloom sleepily beamed, "Thanks Sister!"
Applejack paused at Applebloom's words and looked down at her, Applebloom was about to ask her what was wrong until Applejack started singing.
Stars in the sky, Moving so slow...
And as Applebloom drifted off to sleep to the unfamiliar song, she didn't see the embers of the fireplace slowly go out, she didn't hear the growing waver in Applejack's voice or the few tears that fell into her mane as the night passed on.
Then the tears stopped.
It was good to have a sister.
Luna's return was the first thing to start some changes. Leaving your sister of blood in Canterlot to play big sister in a different family. Who could call themselves a good pony when they could do something like that? So she switched out. A magical golem for Ponyville while she spent time helping Luna recover and get caught up with modern history.
Not only that, but Celestia found herself actually paying attention to Luna. Listening to her fears, taking baths together like they used to. Being actual sisters. Being a better sister. The kind of sister who grew up with an older brother and a baby sister.
That's not to say it didn't cause any problems. It did. Celestia was balancing two lives and it was just too darn tricky. Everypony in Canterlot just saw Luna as... as some kind of bad seed!
Luna needed what Celestia had needed. Support, trust, comfort and love.
A family.
The Apple's had become her family.
Applejack pushed open the door to the farm house, "Granny! I'm back!" she called as she walked into the kitchen to unload her saddlebags.
"Granny?"
Applejack found her in the living room, one of the family albums open in her lap. Granny Smith was fast asleep in her favorite rocking chair.
Applejack smiled and slowly took the photo album from the sleeping mare, She was about to shut it to put it away it away when a photo caught her eye.
It was one of the first photos taken by the Apples after Twilight came to Ponyville, the five of her friends and her enjoying some Apple juice after a long day of work. She flipped through a few more, grinning at the photo's taken the memories they represented.
Applejack during the Running of the Leaves, her Birthday party, Applebloom's First Day of School, Grannies completion of her 100th quilt. She smiled warmly as she stopped on a photo from the last Family Reunion, all the apples grinning back up at her from the page.
"That there was one of the best reunions in awhile, least for this branch of the Apple family."
Applejack's head snapped up from the book, "Granny! I didn't know you were still awake."
Granny Smith grinned sleepily at Applejack and took the photo album from her grasp, "Nah, I was just resting my eyes for a sec. Lot of memories to think back on in here."
She flipped to the next page portraying a group of cousins sharing a pie in front of a newly built barn.
"But this one, this was one of those special memories."
Applejack peered at the photo, "But why? Outside my... incident with the fruit bats, nothing really happened at this one."
"Ahh," said Granny Smith, "But it was most defiantly a special one. You were positively glowing at this one!"
Applejack stared at the old mare.
Granny Smith grinned toothily back.
"Granny, What are you talking about?"
Granny Smith looked back to the photo album and began to flip backwards through the pages, "Now ever since you came back from your Manehatten trip when you were a filly, something was on your mind."
She settled on one of the first pictures, taken at Applejack's cute-ceañera celebration. "Now I know about your story about the rainbow and all but I always felt like you had another reason for coming back to us. One of those big important reasons ponies get."
Granny Smith looked up into Applejack's shocked face, "Now I know enough that a pony needs to figure out these things on her own, but that didn't stop me from watchin and waitin trying to see when you'd figure out what got you tail all in a twist."
Granny Smith turned back to the reunion photo, "And it was right there, that day," she whispered, touching the photo with a hoof fondly, " That whatever it was, it wasn't botherin you anymore."
The album went flying as Applejack took her Grandmother in a tight embrace and began to sob.
Applejack approached the hill with a somber expression, it had been exactly eight years since and every anniversary after it had been the same. Despite all the change and how far they had come, it all happened the same. Big Mac would take Granny early in the morning while Applejack was working and they would then stay in the house for the rest of the day, Granny telling Applebloom stories and Big Mac throwing himself into his work with a ferocity rarely seen from the gentle stallion.
Leaving her to come alone.
She took the flowers out of her saddlebags and stared for a time, tracing over the words with her eyes,
Here Lies Johnny Seed and Honey Crisp
Applejack placed two flowers on the gravestone and bowed her head for a second. She then continued past the graves, down to the base of the hill on the other side.
There at the base, covered by other trees, right on the border of the farm and the Everfree, was an apple tree. It wasn't a particularly large apple tree, it was a modest young one, with only a handful of branches and only just under the height of a normal apple tree.
Applejack slowly approached the tree as though it was a dangerous predator, looking to snack on a pony. She lowered the flowers to the base off the tree and take in the picture.
"You're doing well, I see."
The Tree gently swayed, some leaves falling to the ground as though replying.
"Ponyville's doing well, Applebloom and her friends are still Crusading and Twilight Sparkle started reading the Daring Doo series with Rainbow Dash now that she's caught up, I've told you about the Hospital visit right?"
The tree continued to sway in the breeze.
"Quite a lot has happened this year, in fact, just the othe-"
Behind the swaying of the tree branches was a patch of red.
Taking deep, quick breaths, Applejack nervously approached the tree, and very lightly bucked the tree.It wasn't a hard buck. Far from it, a hoof bump had more power than what Applejack put into her hooves.
But it was enough.
The bright patch fell at her hooves to reveal itself to be a large apple, the shine of the skin apparent without any pits or bruises.
Applejack picked up the apple and stared into it's surface, her orange freckled face reflected back at her.
It was the first time the tree had fully born fruit. And although Celestia had handled many apples over the years, this was the first one that scared her. Nervously she took a bite.
The flavor was sharp, clear, and stronger than any apples she'd tasted on the farm. In it lied endless potential for apple dishes that would be made exponentially better if it was made with this apple instead of a normal apple. The taste was both of an apple and of something so much more. This Apple tree had the potential to produce a new kind of apple unlike any that she had ever tasted.
In the dying light of the day, with her mouth holding the lingering aftertaste, Celestia began to cry.
It wasn't right. She should had been here instead to experience this. To live long enough to fully become part of the Apply Family. She shouldn't enjoy this, it was a tragedy a horrible accident. It was wrong for her to enjoy this li-
Yet Celestia loved the life of a farmer and cherished every moment. It had brought her and Luna closer together and had brought her closer to her little ponies.
It was the life of a farmer.
The life of Applejack
Author's Note
Stars in the Sky,
Not to many changes but meh.
3. Celestia is the Designer
Everypony is Celestia
"Now girl! What you showed up there on stage was something seeensational!!! And you can just forget that cop out score they gave your winter scarf. I personally know that somepony-, now I wont say who, but sooooomepony had a vested interest in the outcome of this little show here."
"Why thank you Ms. Shores! It's always high praise coming from you, but the judges criticisms were valid regarding my stitching choice."
This was not new to Celestia.
"In fact I agree that Starlight's work was slightly better than my own... though perhaps not as much as a five point difference..."
The slow growth, the anonymity, the meeting her little ponies, it was something she had done hundreds of times before.
"Well whatever the case, it has been a terribly long weekend, let us end this night on a high note! Have you heard of the restaurant that just opened in town?"
A baker, a farmer, a painter, a poet, a writer, she had been them all.
"Tête de chou? Oh yes! Why I heard all the reviews positively rave about their soup! The waiting list to make a reservation is apparently over a month! ...why do you ask?"
Yet whenever she caster her memory to all her other experiences, all her past works of art and nuanced lifestyles...
"Oh Rarity I simply do not believe this! You are quite something else!"
Celestia found this life to be the sweetest.
Rarity stood in the middle of her studio with nothing set out before her. Her workbench cleared of everything but six sheets of parchment and a quill. She took a quick glance at the clock, tool a deep breath, and closed her eyes.
A little lavender filly stares out her telescope, her face locked in an expression of endless wonder...
She smiles, and her horn lights up, pulling reams of different shades of blue from her shelves.
Green teary eyes are covered by a slightly large hat, as the young mare stumbles in the market place only a week after the accident.
Soft Greens and off-white laces come out of the drawers.
The golden chime of one of her ponies laughter echos and dances within the sweet smell of the bakery.
Several colors are pulled from the surrounding cabinets. All the materials coming to settle onto her desk.
And on it went.
Memories filled her mind and Rarity channeled each one through her horn, letting the quill move on its own. Slowly but surely she had five sets of supplies set out on her desk and five mental images ready to come to life.
Rarity released her magic with a slight sigh and turned towards the clock to see how much time it had taken. Normally one work would take over an hour to mentally plan, she must had wasted the entire afternoo-
She blinked and stared at the clock again.
It had only been five minutes.
She continued to stare at the clock, a small smile growing across her face. Her paintings had taken weeks to think up, her novels over many years, and the less said about the time spent on poems and the like the better. And yet here she was, her dresses fully planned out, rich detailed sketches with small piles of materials beneath each one.
Her horn lit up and she sprang into act, her eyes sparkling, a smile of pure joy illuminating the room. This was the first time she'd ever been that fast! As she turned on the sowing machine she began to sing eager to have her vision realized.
" And then I said to him dear, 'We'll of course I know you Mr. Digger! You introduced yourself just yesterday!'"
Rarity chuckled to herself as she removed one of the cucumber slices to see Fluttershy's reaction to her reply.
Fluttershy sat unresponsive, the avocado paste covering her face as she dozed in the tub, her face just above the mud. A small content smile visible beneath the cucumber and avocado.
Rarity smiled and leaned back into her mud bath, chewing thoughtfully on the one cucumber slice as she stared at the opposite wall.
When Celestia had first gone to the spa, it was a small break in her will, just something to ease her through the life of a designer. It had been over a couple decades since she had last done something like this and she was struggling to get back into regular pony life. Each time she came, she swore it would be the last time. It was even part of her decision to move out of the city, to try and limit her access to extravagant luxuries.
Rarity's smile faded slightly.
It didn't work. She still had the need to just be pampered for a period of time. She was so ashamed of herself in the beginning, giving in to such a shallow need to feel good, unable to go by a day without a massage or mud bath. Going in day in and day out constantly putting off any actual dress making up until...until...
Clear blue eyes stared out at her from behind a tangled dirty pink mane, a stammered apology for her appearance.
Rarity's eyes shot open and she began to choke on the cucumber, startling Fluttershy awake.
"Bwa? Wha-? Oh! Rarity!"
It wasn't until Fluttershy had begun to acompany her to the spa that she had begun spacing out her trips. It had resulted when Fluttershy had entered her shop to get a new raincoat, tracking in dirt in the process. Obviously she couldn't let one of her ponies remain like that. And with a quick gasp and a lot of stammering on Fluttershys part, what was once a mark of her continuous weakness was now a place of many cherished memories...
"Stay calm Rarity! I'll- oh! I'll do something!"
As Fluttershy jumped out of her bath to help Rarity, and as Aloe and Lottus burst into the room, exclaiming at the sight, Celestia's mind was racing. Not because of her dwindling supply of oxygen, but because of the sheer amount of memories that had been created in that spa. The gossip she could freely share and enjoy, without worry of somepony misunderstanding her, listening to her friends weekly troubles and plans, the simple joy of enjoying a friends company...as equals.
Rarity's eyes widened just as two yellow hooves reached around her middle section and squeezed.
Hard.
"Aww, but sis! What if we-"
"No."
"Aww come on Rarity, we could practice on Opal first if we-"
"Absolutely not."
"But Miss. Rarity! If we can't practice tattoo art then how can we get a-"
"There will be no tattoos under this house or anywhere else for tonight!"
"So tomorrow morning then?"
"..."
"Honestly," she continued as she finished setting out the sheets on the couch cushions, "Why on earth you would want to get or even try to get a cutie mark specialized in tattoo art?"
She turned around and looked down at the three fillies as they muttered into the carpet.
"What's that?" she asked leaning in as the three blushed and sank lower.
Further mutterings.
Rarity reared back, "So you could see how different cutiemarks would look on your coats?" she asked disbelievingly.
The fillies sunk down further.
Rarity sighed and began to lecture on the importance of taking care of ones body. However on the inside Celestia was fighting off a strong case of the giggles. She found the three fillies to be the most adorable and most cherished part of her life in Ponyville. The latest generation of her little ponies making their way into the world and wanting to seize their future. While Rarity had the obligation and duty to play the protective big sister role, Celestia inwardly cheered them on each time and left out easily accessible supplies, all with several safety spells cast on them of course.
"Now go on up stairs and tidy up before breakfast! Mother and Father are expected to stop in tonight before they head out to the culture festival in Appleloosa and I will not have them think we live in such a horrid mess! "
As Rarity shooed the Cutie Mark Crusaders upstairs, she watched them go with a smile. To think that such joy and happiness all came from one horrible trip...
Celestia stormed through Manehatten, fighting back tears as she carried her rejected designs on her back. Rejected! All of them.
She shoved her way through the crowed and headed in the general direction she thought her hotel room was in.
Five months of careful planning, three of perfecting the stitching, and another two revising and making minor adjustments to the dresses and what did she get?
Nothing.
She knew that success didn't always come immediately to a beginning artist but she never expected to be turned down so... so harshly...
The sound of thunder make Celestia jerk her head up for a moment before she letting out a frustrated groan, stomping through the now increasingly wet pavement.
Great, she thought bitterly as the rain began to soak through the stack of dresses on her back sending all the other pedestrians off of the streets in a hurry, leaving her alone. She had forgotten to check when the rain was suppose to start, so confident that they would at least be open to looking over her designs and spend the rest of the afternoon hashing out a role for her in the company and... maybe even seeing if they would take on one or two of her designs. But instead she was immediately rejected, by the secretary no less! And was now having her many colorful designs slowly transfer their vibrant colors to her coat. A passing carriage sprayed the white mare and her colorful designs with copious amounts of muddy water ensuring that Celestia fully understood the folly of her expectations. The white mare stood silently in the road, as the rain pushed more of the muddy water into her hard work and into her well kept coat.
She lost it. Screaming in anger she began tossing the dresses all over the street, shouting cures all the while. Velvet scarves, dresses with intricate tassels, hoof stitched in-seams, the hat with the cute round thing on the top, all littered the road, any remaining pedestrians now fully gone, driven off by the rain and and now the stark raving mad mare.
It just wasn't fair. She had done this dozens of times before and none had ever failed as spectacular right off the bat. Barring her initial attempt of fire swallowing that is... She gasped for air as she came off her temper tantrum. Looking around mournfully before sighing and slowly beginning the tedious task of picking up her works, one by one.
The one on the light pole, the one in the gutter, the one on the abandoned foal carriage, the one on the-
What?
Celestia's eyes blinked over to the unattended carriage on the other side of the road and a flash of magic later she had blinked over herself. Sitting inside the black carriage was a small bundle wrapped in a purple blanket. She raised her head and looked up and down the street, seeing if anyone was around to claim ownership.
She saw nothing until her eyes fell on the building in front of her, the darkened windows standing out from the others.
Manehatten Orphanage
Her eyes traced the letters multiple times, her mind working at a sluggish pace, her dresses turned away, her time wasted, her coat ruined, and one of her ponies had abandoned a foal!
With a sigh, Celestia pulled the carriage along with her as she moved forward to knock. Delivering three quick raps, she stood back and closed her eyes to reflect on the situation. While it wasn't a common occurrence, abandoned foals were sadly not unheard of in the larger cities in Equestria and it had been a problem she had been struggling with for a few years now. Cities didn't have the tightly knit communities like small towns or the familiarity of family and friends to take over when a foal had been left on it's own due to unforeseen circumstances. Foals that were abandoned in the cities ended up having several issues with their development that became more pronounced the longer the foals went without love or a proper home.
"Goo..."
Celestia opened her eyes and stared down at the bundle in the carriage that had begun to move. She shifted nervously, knocking again on the door. It had been over two hundred years since she had done anything other thank kiss a baby at public ceremonies and if Celestia was honest, foals terrified her. She cared deeply for their well-being and education but to actually care for and interact with...
The bundle shifted again, a tiny horn peeking out the top.
Celestia knocked again, harder, her eyes widening in horror as the horn was followed by...followed by...
Celestia stared.
The filly stared back.
The foal stared up at the stranger covered in mud and watery colors and giggled, a sweet bell like sound cutting through the sound of the rain and city life.
Celestia continued to stare, her mind far away, her eyes unblinking.
"Say hello to your sister Luna!"
Wide eyes staring curiously up at her.
" Now Celly, your sister is a lot younger than you so you're going to need to be very careful with her, alright?"
A tiny hoof stretched out to reach for her face to boop her on the nose.
" You're a big sister now Celestia, and you'll need to look after and protect your little sister from now on, okay? This is very important Celestia, she's going to look up to you in the future.
Boop.
When the door was eventually answered, the caretaker of the orphanage found a carriage full of slightly wet clothes on his door step. The clothes were eventually dried and were deeply cherished by the children of the orphanage, starting an undercurrent of fashion in Manehatten known as 'tie dye'.
Meanwhile far away in a shoddy apartment, Celestia was looking over available houses near Canterlot that would be more suitable for a foal. And maybe one that didn't have such a wide variety of spas too...
"The night will last forever!"
Celestia would be a good sister this time.
Rarity was cleaning the last of the dishes as her 'parents' got the Cutie Mark Crusaders settled and tucked in for the night. It had been a long night full of activity as Sweetie Bell and her friends tried to get their parents completely caught up on events in Ponyville since they had last been in town. Rarity smiled as she remembered how animated her sister had been describing another of her friends wild exploits. She turned off the water and faced back to the dining table, her horn lighting up.
Several flashes conjured several stacks of papers, each one carefully organized and color coded as her 'parents' came down the stairs. Giving her a nod, the two sat at the table and began to look through their respective piled.
With a slight cough, Celestia began speaking, "I'll be able to attend six events this week but I have to keep the third Monday open this week for my sister's school talent show. Begin an inquisition into Mr. Digger in Manehatten, I have reason to suspect he might be accepting bribes, keep it discreet. With some luck he might be able to turn things arround without any hard legal action. Implement reform plan 2B for now. Any further details are in the one white article. The yellow coded articles need to go to Parliament and the Blue should be sent to the respective business ponies. Red ones are for the Secret Service and the Violet ones are to be sent to Luna's instructors. Don't forget that the orange ones must..."
And so it went.
"Ah, why if it isn't Rarity Bell! What on earth are you doing here?"
Rarity to broke off her conversation with Sapphire Shores and glanced back over her shoulder, "Oh, yes hello," she said stiffly, almost forcing herself to turn back to Sapphire, "Nice to see you."
The off colored stallion strutted up to their table a lopsided smirk adorning his face, " I must thank you for such an...interesting submission to this years fashion contest! It was very...quaint."
Celestia made to make a angry retort but was held back by a quick worried glance from Sapphire Shores, she took a deep breath and turned back to focus on her food.
"What a....surprise. To think that you would be at a place as luxurious and extaaaAAAaaavagant as this one Gold"
Bless Sapphire Shore's little heart, trying to avoid a confrontation after such an obvious show of favoritism and bias. However Celestia tried to stay quiet, to not let such an obviously corrupt and bias judge who turned down so many other mares to-
The stallion sauntered to their table, ignoring Sapphire Shore's comment, casting an eye over their meal, " What an....interesting choice for two mares of your...stature."
She had had enough. Rarity's neck whipped around to stare down the pony who has weaved his way into the fashion industry and ended so many many Ponies careers and livelihoods all just so he could profit from a small investment. For bits! She had had enough of this stallion, inflicting pain on her ponies just so somepony could feel fancy and well dressed as they enjoyed luxuries she had fought for, lost friends for, and bleed for in years past. It was suppose to be for everypony, not even just ponies, but anyone who wanted happiness and friendship in Equestria.
All of this and more welled up in Celestia as she began to speak to Gold Digger, taking delight in his facial expressions.
She continued on for five minutes straight, the restaurant growing more and more silent as other patrons took notice of the scene taking place. She covered everything from his poor personal taste, to his revolting manners, to the obvious nativity of his judging, she heft no stone un-turned. Determined to make the pony realize a fraction of the pain he had inflicted on others. Soon it was dead silent as she came to a close, only the sound of her magic as she took a drink of water.
"I-I...Wha....D-do you even know who I am? I could end you!"
Sighing as the cool water quenched her dry mouth, she opened her eyes to take in Gold Digger, his shocked expression, out of season hat and....his engagement necklace, made with the last honest money he made...
Celestia sighed, these things were never easy. While he made had caused so much pain and suffering, he was still one of her little ponies...and he wanted the best for his soon to be wife and her children.
"We'll of course I know you Mr. Digger! You introduced yourself just yesterday."
And as the stallion spluttered and Sapphire and the other patrons let out a laugh, Celestia felt no joy as she sat back down and focused back on her food.
At least Fluttershy might enjoy the story, she thought sourly, as the the stallion fled the restaurant.
The sun shined Brightly into Celestia's eyes as she stared unwavering into it, her brow slightly furrowed as she took another sip of her coffee. She was close, she was sure of it. Maybe if she compensated for the humidity in the atmosphere? Her horn flared quickly, lighting her her kitchen before softening to a small glow, stopping altogether when she set down her coffee mug.
A groaning from upstairs rewarded her efforts and the mare grinned triumphantly at the sound. She had done it. She had shined the sun just enough send sunlight directly into Sweetie Bell's eyes waking her up.
Five minutes later had a very sleepy and bed mangled filly sitting unresponsive as Rarity continued to prepare breakfast. Humming a slight tune as she went. Previous methods of waking up Sweetie Bell had resulted in many temper tantrums and tense mornings as her sister would begin her morning routines perfecting dirty glances and long soliloquies about Rarity moral standing and role in the universe.
But one couldn't get mad at the sun.
Or at least not rationally.
"Now don't forget Sweetie Bell," Rarity stated in a sing song voice as she set down the plate of Pancakes and wheat, "Your math homework is still on the coffee table and you still need to clean your room before your friends come over to spend the night, alright?"
Sweetie gave a grunt of acknowledgement and began to devour her breakfast.
Her message delivered the fashionista burst into the business portion of her house and began tidying up from her late night work and ensuring everything was in its proper place for the day ahead of her.
She still had to unpack from her most recent trip to Manehatten, clean the house for the upcoming sleepover, and that wasn't even counting the work she had scheduled by appointment. She had three fittings that day and two outfits that needed to be finalized, she had been having some trouble with the proper stitching that's would best complement the colors of the thread and fabric...maybe black on blue? Or white on gold?
"Rarity? I'm ready to go."
She immediately spun around and dropped the three rolls of fabric she had in her magical grasp in order to devote her full attention to her little sister. While she may get caught up in her busy schedule at times and not be able to properly talk or give her enough attention during the work day, she always made sure that they would walk to school together and chat and bond. Having pleasant exchanges and planning for the day. Yet another pro of Sweetie Bell being annoyed with the sun and not Rarity herself.
"Goodness and at such an early time? Well then, let's head off! We both have busy schedules for today!"
And so they were off.
Celestia stared out the window with a troubled expression, watching the landscape of Equestria pass by under the moonlight as the train carriage gently swayed.
She had messed up. Again. Letting her pride and her honor get in the way of what was really important.
She sighed and closed her eyes, only for her mind to be swarmed with the mental image of the scared stallion and his engagement necklace shining brightly against his coat. He was doing this out of love. It all made sense. It fit with his profile that she researched before entering the competition, it fit with the attitude of the Manehatten culture, and it explained how one of her ponies could appear so cold and heartless. It was ignorance, not darkness that drove his actions.
And how did she come to this conclusion? By looking at him then in the restaurant, after spending two days talking with him and strategically trying to win some silly fashion competition and not once did she look at him. Not once did she see him...
Again and again she had once again blinded herself in favor of her own issues instead of the ponies that needed her most.
"Have I really changed?" She whispered to the moon, her eyes distant and unfocused, "Have I really become sensitive or am I still the selfish vein mare from a thousand years ago?"
Memories seemed to seep out of the darkened landscape, moments of weakness and selfishness danced in her mind.
A dark blue mare, watching wish shock as Celestia dismissed her concerns to focus on a gaggle of nobles.
A small tearful filly, her voice cracking as she demands to know why heir parents haven't come home, dark theories born from many lonely nights as to why spewing into the silence.
A violet haired white mare, sitting among nobles and the upper class, feeling relaxed for the first time in years at being presented with something fimiliar again.
Celesria remained caught in memories for the remainder of the journey jntil the train finally came to a stop, arriving in Ponyville.
Shaking her head slightly, she gathered her belongings and exited the train to head back to the boutique for some much needed rest.Or at least that was what she planned to do. What instead happen was surprising. And loud. Three seconds after she had stepped on the platform she was overcome with confetti and noise, a weight barreled into her her legs, knocking her down. She blinked bemusedly up at what appeared to be Sweetie Bell in an adorable winter hat before pink filled her vision and Pinkie Pie filled her ear.
"WELCOME BAAAAACK!!! Were you surprise? Were you, were you, were you? Did you like the banner the Crusaders made? Oh it took-"
As Pinkie Pie continued to talk at an unintelligible rate, Celestia couldn't help but laugh as her friends and family gathered around.
Rarity sighed in content as the door to the boutique fell shut behind her. Aside from the cucumber incident, the spa trip was exactly what she needed after the trip to Manehatten. She walked further into the building taking care to straighten a few Hearth Warming Eve decorations that had been strewn about the house, four oust of Sweetie Bell and her friends.
She paused at the small tree that sat by the fitting room observing the small collections of Ornaments she and Sweetie Bell had set out to represent this past year. A fire of friendship for when Twilight joined her life in Ponyville, another from when the Crusaders got their capes uniting for the first time, each and every ointment represented precious memories Celestia and Sweetie Bell had drawn on to decorate each. Except one.
A dark blue one with a pattern of white stars and snow flakes. A silver moon in it's center.
Celestia stared at it, as the ball turned slowly on it's hook.When she had set it out to dry, Sweetie Bell had asked nonstop what the it was a memory of to no success. She suspected that if she hadn't left to attend the Hearth Warming Eve fashion show in Manehatten, she would have been pushing off giving Sweetie Bell an answer for several more days.
"Maybe it's time.." Celestia muttered as she turned the ornament slightly with her magic, the slight glow making the painted stars seem to glow with their own light. She stood there in silence as she briefly toyed with the idea of introducing Sweetie Bell to Luna. Luna had been recovering white remarkably since her return and she just knew Sweetie Bell would love to have a more playful and relaxed sister like Luna... and they could all spend Hearth Warming Eve togeth-
Ching Ching!
Her thoughts were cut off by the door chiming softly, alerting her to potential customer on the cups of the holiday season.
She quickly placed the ornament back on the small tree and headed out into the main area of the boutique, passing all of her many garments along the way.
A hat that she wore at Sweetie Bell's talent show.
A sweater she lent to Fluttershy when she needed to check on her hibernating animal friends after a large storm came in from the Everfree.
The tiara she wore to the Grand Galloping Gala.
Celestia allowed a warm grin as she walked into the front of the room, it was time for her favorite part of being a designer.
"Welcome to Carousel Boutique..."
The part where she makes a choice and heads in a direction that she's never explored before.
"...where every garment is chic, unique..."
She couldn't wait for Hearth Warming Day.
" and magnifique!"
The beginning.
Author's Note
Man.... It's sure been a while. Undertale, thanksgiving, finals, midterms, Halloween, Christmas, Star Wars, New Years, College classes and family have cause so much delay! I'm really sorry about that. So have a larger chapter than last time... yeah...
I feel like this one reaches a good medium between the last two chapters, and I hope to keep this kind of vibe with the rest. Be sure to let me know what you think in the comments below! Or don't....that's fine too...
Until Next Time! (Which will hopefully be a lot sooner...)
