Epilogue: Days Of Fortune

***Days Of Fortune***

Her squeals and shrieks of laughter could be heard from the North Orchard to the horse pasture as the sun set on Sweet Apple Acres. They were unmistakeable. It was Sunshine Harvest who laughed as her mother hoisted her on top of the towering, brown stallion, Chief.

"Mommy! Mommy, look!" Sunshine squealed with delight. "I'm gonna ride! I'm gonna ride fast!"

Sunset Shimmer chuckled as she tightened the saddle around Chief's side. She then picked up the reins and handed them to her eager child.

"You sure are, Sunny..." Sunset said softly before clearing her throat. "Ehem! Now remember, Sunny, hold on tight to the reins. Slide your right hand down to steer Chief to the right, and do the same with your left hand to steer him left. Gently pull the reins back to your belly button to slow and stop Chief, and give hm a gently kick with your feet to get him moving."

"Ok, mommy!" Sunshine groaned impatiently.

Sunset smiled and kissed her daughter's cheek.

"I just want you to be safe, baby. This is your first ride, after all. Of course, I know for a fact Chief would never do anything to endanger you. Isn't that right, Chief?"

The stallion let out a long series of snorts and nickers.

"Oh, don't you give me that attitude, mister."

Chief replied with a loud whinny, making Sunshine laugh. Sunset walked to the front of the stallion so she could speak to him personally. She cupped his cheeks in her hands and kissed him on the lips, making Sunshine cringe.

"Don't go too fast..." Sunset whispered to him. "I mean... Give her a good run, but don't do anything reckless. Shes only five. She's not big enough for that sort of thing just yet."

Chief let out a snort, confirming to Sunset that he had understood her.

"Good... Now, get goin', ya' big stud..."

Just like Sunset had showed her, Sunshine gave her father a swift, but soft kick to his sides, and Chief took off. He galloped across the pasture at a leisurely pace. Sunshine yelled and cheered as the wind blew her golden hair around in every direction. Sunshine's heart felt weightless, and her body felt free. Her horn began to shine, quickly overtaking the fading light of the setting sun.

"Woooo!" She cried out, raising her fist.

Chief, encouraged by his daughter's pleased attitude, increased his speed. He began to gallop at a much faster pace.

"No, Chief... You need to slow down..." Sunset muttered.

Sunshine was having the time of her life, and Chief was thrilled to please her. He was galloping at full speed now, sprinting across the fields like a race horse. Sunshine raised her hands into the air as the last rays of the sun hit her face. The reins slipped from her grasp. Sunshine instantly lost her balance, and she fell. Chief didn't even realize his daughter had slipped until he heard the 'thud' several feet behind him.

"Oh, no..." Sunset gasped as she broke into a full sprint.

Sunshine sat up as she observed her body. She was bleeding in several places along her arms and legs, and her right ankle was twisted in a scary way. Sunshine began to cry. Now, her horn glowed a different color. Instead of the normal golden glow that radiated from her horn, she now glowed a dark red hue.

"Hey there, Sugarcube." A sweet voice said.

"M-Mommy!" Sunshine cried into Applejack's arms as the cowgirl lifted her up.

Applejack gave her a light chuckle as she brushed the dirt off of Sunshine's arms and legs.

"It's alright, Sunny..." Applejack said, giving Sunshine's new bruise a gentle kiss. "Mommy's here. Are ya' alright?"

Sunshine nodded until she put her weight in her right ankle. She winced in pain and violently shook her head. Applejack took a quick look at the ankle.

"Oh, that's nothin' but a little battle scar." Applejack said optimistically as she lifted Sunshine into her arms. "We can have Granny Smith take a look at it, and she'll fix ya' up faster than a jack rabbit in a coyote den."

Chief slowly approached them. He let out a low whinny, an apology to Sunshine. The little girl extended her arm and placed her hand on Chief's snout.

"You stupid stallion..." Sunset cursed as she arrived. "You were supposed to take it slow. You could have seriously hurt her!" She hissed.

"Honey, it's alright." Applejack said as she tried to calm her wife. "Sunshine's just got a few scrapes. That's all."

Sunset spun around to face Applejack. She was going to let the cowgirl have a piece of her angry, maternal mind, but Sunset caught her tongue at the last moment. Sunshine's horn was pulsing red now. She could sense all of the negativity in the air. Sunset let out a heaving sigh.

"Take her inside, and make sure Granny Smith puts ice on her ankle." Sunset said to Applejack, who nodded in reply. "You're gonna be alright, sweetie."

Sunset quickly kissed her daughter's cheek before letting Applejack carry her away. Sunset then turned on Chief, as soon as they were out of range.

"What in the hell happened out there?" She snarled.

Chief folded his ears down and nickered softly.

"You're sorry? Well, that's great, but you still put our daughter in danger! You could have really hurt her!"

Sunset sighed frustratingly as she rested her head against Chief's.

"I'm sorry I snapped..." Sunset muttered as she stroked the stallion's cheeks. "You just... need a little more self control around her. She's just a little girl. She's our little girl."

Chief whinnied sadly. Sunset knew he was truly sorry. Now, she felt bad for calling him 'stupid'. Then, she got an idea that would make them both feel much... better. Sunset smiled sweetly.

"Hey, how about we spend a little time in the stables? After a stunt like that, a naughty stud like you needs to be... punished..."

Chief whinnied unsurely as Sunset began leading him up the hill to the structure on the ridge.

"Oh, and if your a good boy..." She whispered into his ear. "... I'll let you put it in my butt..."

***TO BE CONTINUED???***