11 Months Later

Applejack used her hat to wipe the sweat from her brow as she looked around at Ponyville’s town square. The villagers were already hard at work preparing for this year’s Summer Sun Celebration, touching up faded paint and making small cosmetic repairs. She spotted Rainbow Dash giving the grand tour to their new arrival from Cloudsdale, a butter yellow pegasus with a mane of vibrant pink. She grinned as the rainbow-maned mare stepped just a little too close, allowing their wings to brush against each other. Dash had already told her how open her new friend was to the old ways. What was her name again? Flutter something? Her grin faded as she recalled the discussion she and Dash had had just the other night…

“I’m just sayin’ that if it comes to that, she’s as good a candidate as anypony else. She’s an outsider. She’s a virgin…”

“You can scratch that second bit off. Mac and I took care of that the other day.”

Applejack glared. “That was right foolish of you two. If we need somepony else, do you really want us to have to pick from our own?”

Dash snorted. “You sound pretty sure we’re gonna need another one. I thought all that from last year was supposed to…”

“It was.” Applejack snapped. “But it don’t hurt to be prepared.” She turned to walk away, but Dash muttered something under her breath. “Care to repeat that?”

Dash looked at her evenly. “I just said that maybe Twilight was right. Maybe we needed to offer up somepony… better.”

Applejack closed her eyes and took a deep, calming breath. She could still see the odd look in Rainbow Dash’s eyes when she’d said that, when she’d looked at her…

“Applejack?”

The earth pony looked up as a pegasus she hadn’t seen in a long time floated down and landed beside her. “About time you decided to pay us a visit.” She smiled and pulled the stallion close. “We’ve missed you.”

Flash Sentry returned the hug. “Sorry. Things have been crazy hectic in Canterlot lately.”

Applejack took in the insignia on his uniform and smiled. “More hectic than usual, Sergeant?”

“Very much so.” Flash dipped his head and lapped at the water in the fountain. “More and more ponies are getting fed up with the Saddle Arabia situation. A lot of parents are starting to wonder if losing their precious fillies and colts is really worth it.”

“And the Princess?”

“She’s making fewer and fewer public appearances. Ponies are starting to ask questions. They’re beginning to doubt.”

“And the True Faith?”

“Losing followers every day.”

Applejack chuckled. “Maybe we should send some more invitations for the Celebration this year.” She caught the look on his face and shook her head. “Actual invitations. But while we’re on the subject…”

“Nopony suspects a thing. The official story is that Shining Armor and Twilight Sparkle had a lapse in faith and fled, fearing Her wrath.” He looked sheepishly at his own reflection. “I’ve even heard a rumor that they ran off to be… together.”

Applejack had to laugh. The idea that two of Celestia’s most faithful were now being remembered for a sin they hadn’t even committed was perfectly ironic. What she wouldn’t give to see Twilight’s face, wherever she was now. Her laugh petered off when she saw Flash’s face. “What’s wrong?”

“Was it worth it?” He asked. “Were they worth it?”

Applejack put a hoof on his shoulder. “You really liked them, didn’t you?”

Flash Sentry shrugged. “Shining Armor was a hardass, but Twilight…” He sighed. “I really thought she was coming out of her shell.”

Applejack pressed her forehead to his. “It’s not always easy doing the will of the gods, Flash. Sometimes we have to give up the things we love the most.”

“Did it work, though?” Flash pulled away and looked around. “Did the gods…?”

Applejack just pointed a hoof towards a nearby opened window.

Flash looked over and saw Pinkie Pie cooing over a crib that held a tiny foal in swaddling clothes. The little filly’s coat was pure white, her mane sunshine yellow. “That’s…”

“Eeyup.” Applejack nodded. “We were all expecting a little prince, but Pinkie calls her ‘my little Surprise.’”

“Cute.” Flash’s eyes scanned up and saw the hand-carved mobile that spun over the filly’s head. Some pieces had been painted, but some still retained their original bone white. He shuddered as he briefly imagined his former boss’ fate, but quickly forced the thought away. “It might be better that she’s a filly. It’ll be easier to get her into the royal court.”

Applejack nodded and turned to leave.

“What about the orchards? Did that part work too?”

Applejack paused. “…Not as well as we’d hoped.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Applejack turned to face him and considered telling him the truth. “It just means... it means that they’re comin’ in a little slow this year. We still have plenty of time.” She kicked a pebble away and watched it bounce. “Plenty of time.” She murmured.

“Applejack, is there something you want to tell me?”

Applejack looked at her foal-hood friend, he who had told them of the perfect offerings and delivered them like gifts, and wondered; did she want to tell him? Did she want to tell him how even more trees were dying? Did she want to tell him about the creatures of the Everfree Forest suddenly growing new boldness and lurking in the village at night? Did she want to tell him how a half-starved Ursa Minor had staged a midnight raid and carried off Mr. Cake? Did she want to tell him how Rarity and Rainbow Dash and Cheerilee and so many others were now looking at her like all this was her fault? Should she tell him of the whispers she was already hearing that said that maybe last year the two sacrifices hadn’t been enough?

Could she tell him that the whispers claimed that perhaps this year… this year there would need to be three?

More than anything, did she really want to tell him about the packed suitcases? About the oiled and ready to roll wagon? About how a brother and sister were already planning on ensuring their own safety, not to mention that of their most precious joy?

She watched as Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle ran by, laughing and accompanied by a little orange pegasus. They were quickly followed by a hassled looking Rarity. The seamstress spared Applejack a smile…

…but Applejack swore there was something else there behind those blue eyes.

“Applejack?”

The farmer shook off her thoughts and smiled reassuringly. “Nope. Everythin’s fine. Honest apple.” Before he could respond, she pulled him close and whispered in his ear. “I really have missed you, sugarcube. Care to walk this lady home?” She slowly dragged her tongue across the lobe. “There’s a reward in it for you if you do.”

Flash shuddered pleasurably and offered the mare his foreleg. “Shall we?”

Applejack put aside her feelings of doubt and worry and took the offered appendage. Together, the two ponies trotted down the path towards Sweet Apple Acres.

As they left, everypony in the square stopped what they were doing and watched. Dozens and dozens of eyes observed the pair, but most watched the mare in particular. They watched until they were long gone, then returned to their work as though they’d never stopped. Preparations had to be completed, after all.

The sun would soon be setting in Ponyville.

THE END

Author's Note