Twilight, Soldier of War

The sun had risen into the sky painting Applejack’s orchard in a warm shade of red. The farm pony rubbed the sleep from her eyes as she headed to her barn to start her morning chores. As she approached the barn door she noticed the door was left ajar, the lock laid broken on the ground. “What in tarnation?” She muttered to herself. The barn’s lock wasn’t the most complicated it was mainly used to keep animals out. If it had been another barn it may not have been a problem, but this was the barn where they were keeping the cider. With cider season so close they couldn’t afford to have some pony braking into the storage.

“Rainbow dash, if that’s you Ah’m gonna kick your flank!” Applejack called as she stormed into the barn. She stopped short past the entrance when she spotted a figure lying in a pile of hay. “Twilight?” She murmured, stepping closer.

Twilight was wearing a gray outfit instead of that intimidating looking armor from the day before. Laying around her were empty bottles of cider, each with a large red apple logo on the side. With a shake of the head Applejack trotted to her side and gave the sleeping human a hard nug. Twilight’s eyes blinked open and she brought a hand up to shield from the incoming light. “Hey, Applejack, what time is it.”

“It’s mornin’,’” Applejack said, as she stared down at her friend. “You look like you had a rough night. Ah take it the visit with your folks didn't go well?”

“That’s one way to look at it,” Twilight said. Bottles rolled off of her as she set up. “Sorry about the mess, but I didn’t want to go back to my castle, and you were asleep.”

“It’s fine, sugarcube,” Applejack said. In her mind she was already calculating the amount of bits she was out, not that she was planning to voice it. “Come on, you look like you could use some coffee.”

Twilight stumbled to her feet and gave a thankful smile as she said, “That sounds good.” The sound of metal hitting the ground drew Applejack’s attention, as a metal box slipped from Twilight’s pocket. With wide eyes Twilight quickly snatched up the box and shoved it back in her pocket.

“What’s that?”

“It’s nothing,” Twilight said. “Just some medicine.”

“Medicine, for what? Are ya sick or somthin’” Applejack asked, her brow raised in concern.

Twilight crossed her arms in an almost defensive manor. Applejack could see the clear discomfort on Twilight’s face. “No I’m not sick. It’s nothing important.”

Applejack let it go, figuring if it was important enough for her to know then Twilight would tell her. With a shrug of her shoulders she said, If you say so.” Turning she motioned for Twilight to follow and the two walked out of the barn.

They walked in silence through the fields of apple trees. Applejack led the way, but with Twilight’s stride she had to slow her pace to not pass her. “Rarity said you were going to be staying in canterlot.” Applejack said to break the ice.

Twilight could hear a thousand questions in those words, but she knew Applejack wasn’t going to ask them. She somehow found Applejack’s silent demeanor far more annoying than Rarity's subtle questioning. It was almost like she was expected to answer. She toyed with her hands, digging out bits of dirt from her nails. “I freaked out,” she muttered.

Applejack glanced over to her but said nothing, only silently waited for Twilight to continue.

“I don’t know what happened. Everything was going great, sure their was a few rough spots but everypony seemed happy.”

“Ah’m sensing a ‘but’ comin’.”

Twilight paused as she tried to figure out how to phrase the next part. It wasn’t the sudden bout of claustrophobia, or even seeing things that shouldn't have been there, that was likely just a side effect of the Anizon. “I remembered something, I suppose… Applejack, do you mind if I ask you something personal?”

Applejack smiled as she answered, “Twi, you can ask me anything.”

Twilight opened her mouth to reply when something caught her eye. “Is that Big Mac?” She pointed to the edge of the orchard. Big Mac was nearly blocked from view by the trees, but his bright red coat made him hard to miss.

“Looks like it. That’s odd, He should’ve had this area done by now.”

As they drew closer they could see Big Mac toying with what looked like a small train car on wheels. The back half looked like a small laboratory was built into it, with glass tubes and tesla cords connecting everything. Big Mac was grumbling to himself as he flipped various switches on the side of the machine, clearly not happy.

“Is that… oh what was it called,” Twilight said, as she racked her brain. “Speedy Squeezy cider… something or other.”

“Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000, yeah that’s it alright.” Applejack answered. “Although, we just call it the Squeezer for short. Bought it off the Flim Flam brothers about a year back.”

“I guess more changed then I thought.”

“Oh come on now, it’s not that strange is it? Well, I guess maybe from your point of view.” said Applejack. She turned her attention back to Big Mac and trotted up behind him. “Havin’ problems Big Mac?”

Big Mac didn’t turn around as he said, “Nope.” He continued to flip switches, but whatever they did it was having very little effect on the machine itself.

Applejack face went deadpan. “Big Mac,” Said said more sternly. “What’s the problem?”

“I got this under control.” Big Mac said with an irritated look. “Dang things been given me trouble for days now, and today it won’t start at all.”

“Well doggone it,” Applejack said. “And those brothers won't be back in town for another month, at least.”

From what Twilight could see the Squeezer didn’t look that complicated in design, although she was sure there were magic components she couldn’t see. But even considering that she doubted it was as complex as the machines on earth. “I’m not an expert, but I had a friend who was a little obsessed with...well everything. I could take a look at it if you want.” Said Twilight.

Big Mac gave out an annoyed sigh, but relented with a simple “Yup.”

Twilight claimed onto the Squeezer. “Last I remember, this machine required a unicorn to power it. How are you powering it now?” Twilight asked, as she looked around the Squeezer.

“When we bought it off those brothers they installed a mana stone engine for us. Mana stones aren’t cheap, but it still beats hiring a unicorn to do this,” said Applejack.

Twilight stepped near the back end. In the wall separating the two sections was a metallic screen. She pulled it to the side and revealed a glowing white stone, held in place by steel coils. “It’s not a lack of power.” She thought. Twilight pulled the screen back into place and dropped to one knee. She grabbed a piece of paneling, trying to pry it loose. The panel popped off without much of a fight, giving Twilight a clear view into the guts of the machine. There were dozens of gears all interlocked, with each one a different size. “Big Mac, could you try the ignition again.” Twilight called. After a short pause the gears twitched but stayed as they were.

“Still nothing,” Big Mac called.

Twilight let her eyes dance over the gears as she tried to spot the problem. She reached in and tried to turn a gear by hand, but the gear stubbornly refused to move. However, she was greeted to a soft “tinking” sound with each attempt. She let her ears guide her eyes to the far back, and could faintly see a small gear wedged in between two larger ones. She reached inside; her elbow pressed up against the wall with just enough room to grip the gear with three fingers.

After retrieving the gear Twilight held it in her palm. It wasn’t difficult to spot the problem: one of the gear’s points were bent outward. Considering what Applejack said about Flim and Flam being out of town Twilight doubted she had any spare parts, so it would need to be hammered out. Deciding to test the metal herself she held the gear firmly in one hand and, to her surprise, the bent point moved back into shape. ‘That may explain why it broke so easily. Leave it to Flim and Flam to use cheap parts.’ She thought.

It only took Twilight a moment to replace the gear and reseal the opening. She stood up and called over the side, “Try it now.” Within moments the Squeezer began to rumble as the pumps started cranking and steam shot out. Twilight Jumped down over the side and took her place by Applejack.

“Ah’m not sure what you did but you have my thanks.” Said Applejack.

Twilight smiled back at her, “Just consider it payment for the cider, but you should probably have somepony look it over when you can, as I said I’m no expert.”

Big Mac raised an eyebrow and asked, “What cider?”

“Don’t worry about it Big Mac,” Said Applejack. “Now Twilight, I believe I promised you some coffee.” They turned and trotted off leaving Big Mac to work the Squeezer.

Twilight waited until they were out of earshot before asking, “What’s the story behind the Squeezer? Last I remembered your family always did things traditionally, and I wouldn’t think the Squeezer is very traditional.”

Applejack just shook her head as she trotted. “You're telling me. Took me ages to get granny to calmed down over it, kept saying we were breaking with tradition. But we need the Squeezer, because my work with the court takes up too much of my time. Big Mac and Apple Bloom can’t handle all this work on their own.”

Applejack’s two story home had the same rustic feel that Twilight remembered, albeit with what looked like a fresh coat of white paint. They approached just as the front door swung open to reveal Apple Bloom trotting out. She took one look at Twilight and smiled wide. “Hey Twilight, Ah didn’t know you would be coming over.” Apple Bloom said.

“I hadn’t planned on it.”

“Applebloom, don’t you need to be gettin’ to school.” Applejack said with a look that showed there was little room to negotiate.

“But Twilight just got here. Can’t we visit for a bit first?”

“You can visit all you want after school. Twilight’s not going anywhere.”

Apple Bloom kicked the dirt with a hoof while mumbling under her breath, but trotted off down the road.

Applejack’s hooves clopped on the hardwood floor as she led Twilight into the kitchen. Twilight leaned against the kitchen doorway and watched as Applejack retrieved two cups from the cupboard. “What were you going to ask?” Applejack said as she filled the two cups with steaming black liquid.

“What?”

“Before we ran into Big Mac you were going to ask me somethin’. If you still want to talk Ah’m all ears.” Applejack brought the cups over to the table and set one in front of the closest seat to Twilight.

Twilight took a seat. She raised the cup to her lips and could feel the heat brush against her face. Twilight knew she could ask anything and it would satisfy Applejack’s curiosity, but it would do little for her own. “What was it like after your parents died? How did you move on?”

Applejack held a look of surprise, clearly not expecting that question. But after a moment she answered. “It had been a little over three days since ma and pa left to visit family up north. When we got the message about the train crash, well, there wasn’t really much to say. We didn’t have time to break down and cry. Applebloom was still little, there were so many chores on the farm to do, and to top it off we had a funeral to plan. I don’t think it really hit me that they were gone until the funeral, because I remember during the reception just starin’ at the coffins. Big Mac and Granny were mingling with our cousins, but all I could think about was how it wasn’t a dream, they were really gone. And then, probably for the first time in Ah don’t know how long, I cried.

We went back to the closest thing to a normal routine we could manage, but we never really moved on. With time things got easier, and I think that's the key part in all of this. It just takes time.”

Time. Twilight couldn’t help but think. She had time, far more than others did, yet she still...She shook her head and rose to her feet. “Thank you for the coffee but I think I should get going.” She said.

“Are ya sure? You’re more than welcome to stay.”

“I’m sure, besides, I bet Spike is already looking for me.” Twilight said with a smirk.

Applejack walked her to the door. “Just remember Ah’m here if you need me.” Applejack said as Twilight pulled the door open.

Standing on the doorstep with one claw razed to knock was Spike, and was flanked by two royal guards. Spike's eyes grew misty as he looked at Twilight. He leaped forward and wrapped his arms around Twilight. “I was so worried,” He cried. “We ran into Applebloom and when she said you were here we came as fast as we could.”

Twilight patted the drake's head. “Sorry, I guess I should’ve let everypony know I was heading back to ponyville.”

Spike looked up to her and asked through blurry eyes, “Why did you run off? Was it something we did?”

“No Spike,” Twilight assured him. “No pony did anything wrong...I just needed air. Come on, I’ll need to write Celestia a letter and call off the search party.”

As Twilight and Spike walked down the road to town Twilight noticed the way the guards were keeping a constant distance between them. “Celestia ordered those guards to watch me didn’t she.” It wasn’t a question and Spike knew it.

“It’s only for a little while, just until the Archmage can turn you back to normal.” Spike quickly spat out. “She’s just worried about you. We all are.”

“Spike, I’m perfectly fine. Tell you what, why don’t we stop by Sugarcube Corner and have breakfast, my treat.” Twilight said, only then did she realize she didn’t have a bit on her. “On second thought your treat, Chamberlain.”

Spike let out a laugh and said, “Sure thing.”