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I saw this comin'. Ah really thought that Rarity would end up like the rest of them. What did Starlight do to them all? It it just her fancy-shmancy magic?

"Ya'll can't force nopony to be friends," I said. "It just don't work like that."

The door shut.

"It's all over for us, Applejack." Twilight said. "You can't do anything to change it. They've changed."

"But, ah can!"

"No, Applejack. You'll become just like them, and I'll be the only one left."

It's so hard for me to sleep at night, they just don't get it. I thought we were going to get out of here, and get everyone's marks back. I never thought I would see this fateful day. This can't be the truth. I'm the Element of Honesty, and I can't lie to myself, and to my friends either.

Of course not, Applejack.

Hello, who said that?

Hello?

Ah well, I'm just goin' crazy.

"Good morning!"

"Ya'll," I said to my friends. "I wouldn't lie to ya. And I speak the truth when I say, you can't be happy when your equal."

"Oh, well." Starlight shut the door.

"Are ya'll gonna say anything, Twilight?"

"Nope."

She's acting like a horse raveled on a....ugh. I can't make my contryisms anymore. She's just actin' like Big Mac.

Oh, Big Mac! Apple Bloom! Granny Smith! Ah miss ya'll so much. I just want to run out of here, I want to see you again so badly, I hate this village, and Starlight too. I'm being honest with mah friends when I say, they've gone mad.

Are you really, Applejack?

Okay, I KNOW somepony just said that. Show yourself! I've got a knuckle sandwich with your name on it!

It's Starlight Glimmer, don't be afraid.

Where are you?

In my cottage. I'm in your head, I know telepathic magic.

Well, I won't fall for your tricks. No matter what you do, I'm staying with Twilight.

Be honest, Applejack. You will see the light. You are the Element of Honesty, you said it yourself.

Don't turn my element against me!

I am doing no such thing. You're lying to yourself, Applejack. You're free from your cutie mark now. And you will see your family again, once everything is done.

What do you mean?

Hello?

Come back!

I tried to tell Twilight what happened the next morning.

"She..spoke to me inside my head! What does this mean, Twilight?"

"Dunno."

"Twilight, talk to me. You've been silent for days. Ah know it's sad, but we're gonna get our marks back, you'll see."

"Nope."

"Twilight, please."

"Nope."

Ah, shoot. The one friend I have left barley talks to me. And I've got Starlight stalkin' me, too.

Where are you, Starlight?

I'm here. Have you finally decided to join us?

No way. Now, what's wrong with Twi?

She's going through the equalization.

It's looks like she's having a nightmare.

She just misses her friends. Perfectly natural during equalization.

You won't get away with this!

I was just trying to comfort you. You're lonely, aren't you? Twilight never talks to you anymore. I'm always here.

"Gah!" Twilight had awoken.

"You okay, Twilight?" I asked.

"Yeah, just another bad nightmare."

Starlight's voice ran through my mind.

I'm always here.

The next night had come.

Starlight?

Yes?

I'm scared.

About what?

About...being equal. It's just not right.

Now, Applejack, don't be afraid. I know it feels isolated without Twilight, so wouldn't it be much better to join your other friends?

I...uh...

I know you're confused.

Liar.

Would I lie to you?

Yes.

I know you only see the truth, Applejack. And, Twilight just doesn't want to be with you anymore. She's lost all hope.

No..it's not true!

You saw this from the start. I've seen how sad you are in there, seeing how happy everypony is out here. I know you want to be with them. YOU know you want to be with them.

I...

It's the truth.

It....

It is the truth.

I found it hard to believe, but I knew that Twilight just gave up on everything. She doesn't even speak to me anymore. And I've seen how happy they are out there. And I long to see my friends again.

Maybe being equal is for the better.

Yes it is, Applejack.

I'll be here for you every step of the way.

Thanks.

"Good morning! Did you finally accept our philosophy?"

Starlight looked,straight at me. I couldn't believe I was about to do this.

"Yes."

I looked over at Twilight. She was just staring, tears in her eyes. I felt terrible for doing this, but it felt right at the same time. It's for the better. I'll be happier here. I'm sorry.

"Congratulations, Applejack!" Starlight exclaimed. "You are now truly one of us, dear friend!" I smiled a bit. They were all cheering, for me.

I felt a lot less lonely now that I have more friends then I could have ever imagined. That reminds me, I need to see my old friends.

"Your mane looks fantastic!" Starlight said. My mane was put up into tidy pigtails. It was nice. My hat was gone, but I didn't need that anymore. Nopony would judge me, anyway.

"Thanks, I could get used to this."

"Oh, Applejack!" Rarity greeted me. "Welcome! I'm so happy you have joined us."

I felt a lot better now that my friends were with me. I had never seen them so happy. And I was happy with them.

"Ya'll are the best ponies I've ever met," I said, almost crying because I was overjoyed. "Thank you, Starlight Glimmer, I'm so very happy."

"You're welcome, Applejack."

"Hey, is Twilight alright? She seems mighty lonely in there."

Fluttershy smiled. "Don't worry, Applejack. She'll join us soon. Then we can all be happy together."

Yeah. Twilight was the only frowning face in the entire village, I felt so bad for her. I wanted her to join us.

I took a bite out of one of the muffins in front of me. They were certainly much better tasting than the ones we had when we first got here. My cutie mark started to glow. It felt...good.

My friends were all next to me, smiling. They were so happy. I wanted Twilight to join us, and be happy, too. And I couldn't wait.

Equality is happiness.

That's the only truth I need.