A Story Never Told

As I approached the farm called Sweet Apple Acres, I noted the unusual liveliness of the orchard. Although I knew the Earth Ponies has subtle magic allowing them to strengthen and revitalize plants of all types, this was far beyond what even modern technology could do. I resolved to one day investigate what they could do if used together.

If I could survive the week, that is.

As I approached the farm, I was greeted by an orange mare with a blonde, braided mane.

Name: Applejack

Race: Earth Pony

Age: 2.16 * 10^8 half lives of carbon-15

Intelligence: 984.4 Rellings

Language: Equestrian

Basic Abilities: Naturecraft

She took one of my hooves in two of hers and began shaking it, somewhat more vigorously that was probably necessary, "How ya doin' there, partner? Don't reckon I've seen you around these parts before. My name's Applejack, what's yours?"

I removed my hoof and answered calmly, "I'm Recumen. I'm here looking for work. Quite busy here, I see"

"Recumen. Odd name, but Ah've heard odder. Ah thought ya might've been the pony the princess sent to check on the apples, come a day early. How are ya?"

"I'm doing fine. Anyway, this pony the princess mentioned. What did she say about him?"

"Oh, just the usual. Somepony would come by to check on how the preparations for the celebration are goin', and to be extra friendly"

"Interesting. Actually, did the princess mention the gender of the investigator at all?"

Applejack thought for a moment, "Ah don't reckon she did. Fancy that"

I got back onto topic, "Weird. Anyway, is there anything I can do to help out?"

"Well, you better let the cookin' get done by family who know their stuff. Nopony can beat a home-baked apple family pastry. The rest is really just grunt work, probably a bit to much for a unicorn like y'self"

In response to this, I dodged to the side, got Applejack in a modified headlock, lifted her over my shoulder, and slammed her onto her side. The startled mare got up with a surprised expression.

"Woo boy! I haven't been tossed like that since Big Mac stopped giving piggyback rides! I'm sure we can find something for ya to do"

I spent the next five hours or so moving apples, hauling wood for cookfires, and other strength-based work. Unfortunately, during my work I found that none of the Apples were unicorns. Every last one was an Earth Pony. After making sure of this, and gathering some basic info by chatting with other Apples, I decided my time would be better spent elsewhere, so (after grabbing and eating three apple fritters) I approached Applejack.

"I think I'm done, Applejack. I didn't really need all that much money, but it was real nice to get acquainted with your family"

Applejack nodded, "Ah was watching you for a while, and unless ya slowed a whole lot while Ah wasn't lookin', you worked like a bear the entire time," She pulled about a dozen shiny, brass coins out of a pouch, and placed them in my hoof, "Ah reckon you earned this. Don't look like you got any pockets to hole 'em in, so ya might have to carry them the whole way to whatever you're lookin' to get"

As I began to walk away, she called out to me once more, "You're welcome at the apple farm any time, Recumen!"

After I was out of sight, I placed the coins in my mouth and swallowed them. I could recover them at any time.

And with that, I left Sweet Apple Acres with less time and more questions then I had entered with. I decided to head back to the town library, and see what I could find about this Nightmare Moon legend.

***

"How you doing?"

I was startled by a voice behind me. Although I had passed several ponies at this point, none had spoken thus far. Behind me was a pink mare with a pink, fluffy mane.

Name: Pinkie Pie

Race: Earth Pony

Age: 2.06 * 10^8 half lives of carbon-15

Intelligence: 787.5 Rellings

Language: Equestrian

Basic Abilities: ERROR

She continued speaking, "I haven't seen you around here before! You must be new! Not only am I exited about this huuuge party coming up, I'm exited that you're here to enjoy it too!"

"Excuse me, who—" My inquiry of her name was interrupted by her continued monologue

"I'm Pinkie Pie. I'm going to throw you the most awesome 'welcome to Ponyville' party ever!" She paused, "Oh yeah. What's your name?"

"I'm Recumen. Do you always—"

"That's a really cool name! Can I call you 'Rekie'?"

"Can I call you 'Pinkie'?" I countered

She gave out a bubbly laugh, "Silly! Everypony already calls me Pinkie! Nice try, though. See you at the surprise party!"

Not wanting to lose time to a party, I called after her, "Wouldn't it not be a surprise if you threw it today? Wouldn't it be better if you had the party later so I didn't know it was coming?"

She though for a moment, "True. On the other hand, it has to be before the Summer Sun Celebration, or it'll be anticlimactic. Therefore, you'd be expecting it tomorrow. Unless I actually threw it today, but you'd see that coming now..." She stood for a few moments considering the conundrum I had given her, "I'm going to have to think about it. You're tricky, Rekie! But I'll think of something. I always do!"

The way she said that last sentence was slightly creepy, and I found myself relieved to be done with the conversation. When I turned, I found myself facing a yellow mare with an orange mane, who had presumably been watching the whole conversation.

Name: Carrot Top

Race: Earth Pony

Age: 3.57 * 10^8 half lives of carbon-15

Intelligence: 1059.4 Rellings

Language: Equestrian

Basic Abilities: Naturecraft

"Sorry about that. Pinkie Pie always gets exited before a big celebration, and with the thousandth Summer Sun Celebration happening here, it seems like she's going to explode. Probably a bit late for this, but avoiding her would probably be the best thing for your sanity right now"

She left then, leaving me even more frustrated and confused than before.

***

I found it. After three hours of searching through the library, I managed to find a historically worded account of what happened to Nightmare Moon. Because of Occam's razor, I knew that at least part of the legend had to be true. The text only really stated what Fluttershy had said about the legend, but there was one crucial line included:

The elder sister harnessed the most powerful magic known to ponydom: the Elements of Harmony. Using the magic of the Elements of Harmony, she defeated her younger sister, and banished her permanently in the moon.

Despite the word 'permanently' being obviously misused here, it seemed the best piece of information I had gotten thusfar. There were some other interesting notes, such as the 'stars aiding in her escape' which was completely possible, but irrelevant, unless I could, in a single day, build a weapon that could fire ten miles into the air with perfect accuracy.

It took another two hours to find the next piece to the puzzle: The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide. Not having gotten enough sleep the last night, and knowing I would need every scrap of mental energy in the morning, I decided to sleep in the study that night, and read the book in the morning.

The security was very low in the library, and mostly relied on visitor honesty to leave after closing time. I hid behind a desk with a lot of drawers, until everyone left. At that point, I found a comfortable spot to lay down and sleep for the night.

I dreampt of fire falling from the sky.