For the Heart of an Earth Pony

by AJ

Rating: teen
Tags: Human, Romance, Adventure, Slice of Life
Length: 51518

For all Applejack lovers

*Sequel to "For the Love of an Earth Pony"* What happens when a human and a pony fall in love with each other and get married? It's been six months since since I, a human, married Applejack, an Earth pony, and just under six months since the grand adventure. We've been living peacefully at Sweet Apple Acres with the rest of her family. Our love has grown to incredible heights, and living with her has been nothing short of a dream come true. But family resentment and an old foe of Applejack's are against the good will of the adorable mare and I, and another adventure, even more threatening, may be on the way. *Rated Teen for some dark themes and mild human/pony content*

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2012-10-25 01:59:14 UTC

Adventure Time

Before my story begins, let me just tell you a little bit about myself for those who haven’t read my first testimony. My name’s AJ. I’m a human on the last part of my nineteenth year. It’s been about six months since I secretly married my most chaste spouse, the young country mare named Applejack, and a little less then six months since we blew our cover and returned from our unexpected grand adventure. With the rest of the Apple family, I have been living happily on Sweet Apple Acres since I moved in following our return. Applejack and I have become incredibly close, and life with the cute, friendly cowpony on Sweet Apple Acres has been nothing less then a dream come true. We haven’t been without external problems, such as Ponyville still getting used to our marriage, but I have everything I've ever wanted with Applejack’s heart. As a matter of fact, when I close my eyes, I see what you see in the picture attached with this testimony. I’m not afraid of anything as long as I am with her. I just hope it stays that way.

“Boy, howdy! Ah’ can’t wait to see yer reaction to yer first zap apple harvest. We gonna have quite a bumber crop of em’ this year,” said Applejack in her loving, sweet country accent. We had just finished a hard day’s work, and she and I were lying against a zap apple tree in the shade, and the rays of sun were faintly penetrating the leaves and shining through on her sherbet coat and blonde mane. It was an absolutely gorgeous day in Ponyville. The radiant colors in the orchard had always been so pleasing to me, especially matched with the heavenly blue sky and white clouds. Applejack, however, was the center of all of the beauty, with her cowpony hat and a pretty green bandana around her neck that was special to her because it was her father’s. Whether it be relaxing with her on days like this, working hard with her in the orchard, or just playing and having fun with her, I was in heaven.

“I can’t wait to see that blue ribbon around your neck after the Ponyville rodeo tomorrow. Unless, of course, they let me participate,” I said in obvious sarcasm, smiling at her.

“Hehe, you wouldn’t do as bad as ya think, sugarcube, just cause ya got a big heart,” she said, resting her head on my shoulder. Gosh, this day can’t get any better. These kind of serene moments with her made me feel like I could live forever. When she rested her head on me, there was so much magic and peace; there wasn’t a problem in the entire world.

“You know what I say? I say we go to the waterfall tomorrow after the rodeo, just you and me. We haven’t been there this month at all!” I said, and her eyes lit up with excitement. “The waterfall” refers to our secret spot. Way before she met me, Applejack found a beautiful waterfall with a swimming hole in the middle of the Everfree Forest. We had what you might say was our first “spark” when she took me there one time after we had been separated. It was also the spot of our secret wedding. We had been there a few times since our return, each one resulting in magical moments of fun and love.

“That’s a great idea, sugarcube! Hehe, you sure are cute when yer hair is all wet,” she said, bumping me with her shoulder and causing me to turn red.

“Oh, I’m cute? And this is coming from the one with the most adorable white freckles on her cheeks?” Applejack blushingly smiled and pulled her down hat over her face. My heart melted; I could tell she loved it.

“Oh come on now, don’t make me too soft fer the rodeo tomorrow.”

I couldn’t wait to watch her compete. She loved playing sports, and she was a great athlete, no doubt of which had something to do with her most admirable work ethic. She deserved to be a great athlete given how hard she worked day in and day out on this farm, but much more admirable then her athleticism and even her work ethic was her humility. That was one of the million things I loved the most about her. She didn’t seek to be loved as much as she sought to love.

“Did ah’ tell you mah’ Aunt and Uncle Orange are comin’ in to visit after the rodeo? They sure gonna be in fer a wonderful surprise.” Oh, right. That. They had sent a letter in the mail a week prior of their visit, congratulating Applejack on her marriage and excited to “meet the lucky stallion.”

“I can’t wait to meet em’,” I said, rather unenthusiastically. Applejack had also told me that they were kind of uptight, so that made me kind of nervous. Applejack started laughing, though, and just like that my uneasiness was gone. When she laughed, no matter what the situation was, you can bet I was smiling.

“Don’t you worry now, sugarcube. They love me and they trust me, so they’ll love you and trust you too,” she said. I sure hope so.

“Say sugarcube, who the hay is that?” I poked my head up at her and saw that she was squinting her eyes at something in the sky. I looked up, and barely visible in the sky under the branches were what appeared to be a pegasus pony flying fast directly at us. A little closer and we saw it was Cloudchaser, a mare with blueish purple skin and a blue and white mane. She descended swiftly, and we saw she had a look of horror. Oh no. Please don't ruin this moment between us. Applejack and I looked at each other nervously and stood up. Cloudchaser hit the ground with a thud about fifteen feet in front us. She tried to talk, but all we heard was panting and babbling. Applejack told her to calm down and take a deep breath, and words finally came out in between the heavy breathing.

“A-Applejack! AJ! R-runaway train! … headed s-straight for… Ponyville station!" Applejack stepped back as her mouth and eyes flew open in shock.

“W-what?”

“You mean like it’s gonna fly through the station without stopping?” I said.

“No, honey! The station’s bein’ repaired today! Anythin’ goes over it, it’ll crash!” said Applejack.

Relaxation time with Applejack had come crashing to and end. My heart started beating fast and my muscles twitching with anxiousness. A runaway train; that’s a big deal!

“Rainbow Dash is the only pegasus athletic enough and brave enough to stop it, but we can't find her!” said Cloudchaser.

I threw my hands through my hair; ohmygoshohmygosh, what do we do? My heart was pumping out of my chest and my legs felt like they were going to give out. Trains were extremely heavy and powerful things that could destroy a town like Ponyville if they crashed. Two minutes ago, I was in paradise with Applejack. Now I was paralyzed with fear as I pictured the runaway train crashing into helpless foals.

“East or west?” shouted Applejack to Cloudchaser, who pointed west. Applejack wasted no time and ran over to me and kneeled down for me to get on her back. “C’mon honey, it’s you and me!” My mind was spinning with so much anxiety and nervousness that I hesitated for a second. It certainly appeared she and I were going have to stop this thing ourselves if no one else would. I didn't know how to deal with this, but thank Celestia she did.

I hopped on her back and grabbed around her neck, and just like that, my next adventure with her had begun. She weaved through the trees in her orchard and bolted right up through the front gate to Sweet Apple Acres, running so fast that the wind in my face was causing my eyes to water. We came up to the group of buildings and houses that make Ponyville, and Applejack sprinted around them out into the open hills and fields that surrounded the western part of town. She let out a loud and majestic neigh as she galloped through the beautiful meadows away from town towards the tracks. She was so brave, graceful, and determined as she sprinted the both of us out toward that rampaging train that I couldn’t help but smile but for a moment at her epic display despite being in a very scary and serious situation. Go, baby. What a great adventure and bonding moment this would be if we pulled this off. I was proud to be on top of her, even as I breathed a million times a minute and held on to her neck for dear life. I lowered my eyebrows and licked my lips as I buckled down my mind, deeply inspired by her. Let’s do this, Applejack.

We came next to the train track leading into town, with the train not far in front of us. She started to run out the side to turn her angle so she could run along with it.

“Ok, we need to get into the engine and pull the break!” I shouted to her, and she seemingly nodded and galloped right over along side the train’s tender (the place where the fuel is kept) as it roared through the countryside. Steam came out from the side and was blowing right through us as she sprinted at unbelievable speeds to keep up with it. I had so much adrenaline pumping through my body I could barely even feel my heart as it pumped a hundreds of times a minute. If I fell, that was it for me. We were quickly running out of time, too. Ponyville was right in front of us. Both of us were now completely in mission mode as I anxiously waited to reach out to grab the side of the steam locomotive where I could enter the engineer’s cabin.

Applejack ran with the train as close as she could without getting us killed, until she we was right next to the stairs going up to the egineer's cabin. Barely able to think clearly in all the excitement and drama, I threw one arm around her neck and the other out towards the bar meant for climbing up into the cabin. I gripped it tightly, but the force of the train knocked me right off of Applejack’s back, leaving me hanging off the side of train with my legs in the air. I looked down at the moving ground in horror as I swung my other arm around to grab ahold of the bar. I gripped the side rail with both arms and pulled threw myself onto the steps leading to the cabin door. I went to run up them, expecting myself to handle the rest of the situation, but Applejack had other plans. She leapt up onto the speeding train and struggled with all of her might to get herself up as her hind legs dangled off the train. I reached down and grabbed her front legs and pulled with everything I had. She was a lot heavier then me, but the adrenaline and the plain fact that I wouldn’t let her fall gave me strength to pull her up onto the speeding train.

We ran to the center of the cabin where I looked out the window ahead and saw us closing in on Ponyville. There were tons of gauges and levers that neither of us understood as we desperately looked for the way to stop it.

“AH' THINK THAT'S THE BRAKE!” she yelled over the roar of the train, pointing to a red lever sticking out of the ground.

“YOU GET THE BRAKE, I'LL UNCOUPLE THE REST OF THE TRAIN!”

I ran back to the tender car reached down into the area where the coupling connected it to the locomotive. My thinking was less train, less crash; makes sense, right? I ran back up the center of the cabin where Applejack looked at me with great despair and crippling disappointment in herself. My heart was crushed as I saw that the red handle was snapped and unable to move. She told me later that she bucked it so hard it broke off. I looked up and saw something that gave me a tiny sliver of hope. There was a sharp curve in the tracks about one-hundred yards before they entered Ponyville.

“SPEED IT UP!” I shouted, and Applejack looked shocked.

“ARE YOU CRAZY?”

“NO, I’M NOT! SPEED IT UP AND IT WILL JUMP THE CURB!”

Applejack looked down at the speed lever and pushed it forward with her right hoof, looking back at me nervously. We ran over to the steps to get ready to jump the train. I looked deeply into her eyes as I was about to jump, unaware of what kind of physical condition we would turn out. She looked at me with great concern, then closed her eyes and looked down, then looked up again.

“HONEY, HOP ON MAH’ BACK!” she shouted.

“WHAT?” Everything was happening so fast I didn’t know what she meant.

“NO OFFENSE, BUT AH’ GOT MUCH STRONGER LEGS THEN YOU! HOP ON MAH’ BACK!” I looked at her for a moment, and then we hugged each other tightly but very briefly and I hopped on top of her back in a second. She took a step down and jumped right off the moving train right before it got too fast to jump. She landed on the ground and ran forward a few steps before we tumbled over in a cloud of dust. Not Rainbow Dash, not Daring-Do, not Big Macintosh, nor anypony else could’ve landed that jump the way she did. I landed flat on my back and she landed right on top of me, face down.

We both were dizzy and dazed at first, but once we could got it together we swung our heads in the direction of Ponyville. I looked on in desperate hope from an angle on the ground that was both sideways sideways and upside down. It was either going to work, and it was going to jump the tracks, or the locomotive was going to derail at the station and put a dent in Ponyville. If it didn’t work, I would’ve worsened the crash and maybe even the death toll by speeding it up. I hoped and prayed, with Applejack on top of me so that her belly was on mine.

The train approached the curb and started to lean off the tracks. It wasn’t completely off, and my heart stopped beating completely as it continued to thunder forward. Just before it reached the straightaway into the station only a hundred yards or so in front, the train leaned all the way off the tracks and plunged into the Earth, causing an explosion and sending a sea of dirt and smoke into the air as the force of the massive engine pushed its way forward through the ground towards the city, coming to a halt about twenty yards from the buildings on the edge of town.

Looking onward from an open field right outside of Ponyville, with Applejack laying face down on me, I let out a deep gasp and let my head fall back to the ground as Applejack lowered hers onto my chest. We were completely worn out, drenched in sweat, and covered in dust, not to mention still gasping for breath. After resting a moment, she lifted her head and stared lovingly at me with an exhausted but beautiful smile.

“We did it, sugarcube,” she said, her voice feeble but her spirit bright.

“You were incredible, Applejack,” I panted, smiling wide and reaching my arms around her. We hugged each other tightly in triumph as she closed her eyes lowered her mouth right onto mine for a gentle kiss. She tucked her back legs in by my sides so I couldn't get up.

“Whooo-eee. Ah’m plum-tuckered out. Ah’ think ah’ll just stay right here like this ‘till the rodeo tomorrow,” she said smiling.

“Oh no you don’t,” I said, putting my hand behind her ear and rubbing her sweet spot.

“Hey, stop! That tickles!” she said as she laughed and rolled off me until she laid right beside me. We turned our heads toward each other and smiled happily. It didn't matter that my body was sore; I was as happy as could be as I as laid there with my hero.

The Important Part

I opened my eyes and the outline of Applejack’s room came into view as I laid in bed beside her the next morning. It was still dark outside, and I turned over and saw Applejack sleeping peacefully, snoring and neighing as the covers went up and down from her breathing. After all the action and adventure we had the day before, it was no wonder she slept so soundly. She had galloped with me on her back through the meadows to the train like it was nothing. Then, she risked life and limb running beside the train so we could both climb on board to stop it. Then, to protect me, she had me get on her back while she jumped off of the speeding train. I mean, sure, I’ll give myself some credit; it was my idea to speed the train up so it would jump the curb. But everything I did was with and through her.

I couldn't help but smile as I looked on with affection at her as she was breathing deeply in and out; she even looked happy and loving when she was asleep. Even though I love her cowpony hat, I must say she looked really cute without it when she slept. I rested my hand on the top of her head and gently ran it over to her ear, which twitched upon being touched. I almost laughed, but I threw my hand over my mouth at the last second. I didn’t want to wake her up early while she was resting for the rodeo. I did want to do something for her since I was awake before her, but I wasn’t sure at first. Hmm, I bet she would go for some breakfast in bed!

I opened the door quietly with the tray of food in my hands and started to walk over to the side of the bed where she was sleeping. I was getting excited to see her reaction to waking up with breakfast already made for her, but I caught myself. Remember now, save all the tender moments for later. I don’t want to distract her from winning, she’s worked way too hard. I set the tray down right on her lap as she turned over on her back. She let out a big yawn/sigh and sat up in the bed as the light from the sunrise came in through the window and shined on her. She looked down at her plate and rubbed her widening eyes, then looked at me with a big smile.

“Aww shucks, sugarcube, it’s mah’ favorite! Two sunny-side up eggs, an apple fritter, and apple cider. Don’t mind if ah’ do,” she said, leaning her head down to the tray and devouring her food in about thirty seconds while I watched. When she finished, she lifted her head and looked at me with delightful gratification and reached out her arm out from the bed for me to give her a hug, which I was sorely tempted to accept. I smiled and managed to stand my ground.

“Oh no. No hugs until after the rodeo.”

“Is that so?” she said, looking at me with a friendly smirk. She threw the blankets off of herself, got out of bed, and walked right at me with a big grin, causing me to walk backwards.

“Hey, hey, come on! You’re supposed to be focused!” I laughed as she walked me right into the wall. I held my arms back and turned my head away as she reached her front leg around me and rested her head on my chest. Oh, who am I kidding? I stopped protesting and rested my arm around her; I couldn’t resist an innocent hug from her no matter what. I adored every second of this one.

“Why does it seem like I’m more nervous about this then you?” I said with a smile as she stepped back. She laughed and threw her hoof out at me.

“Yer so cute when you try an’ help me on somethin’ you ain’t never done,” she said, pointing to a wooden case on the wall that sported all of her blue ribbons from previous rodeos. She’s got a point.

“Yea, I guess you’re right,” I said, blushing and rubbing the back of my head with my hand. She walked over to the center of the room, laid down on her back, and began stretching out her legs. Gosh, I hope she's not too exhausted from yesterday. “How do you feel?”

“Eh, mah’ back is still a little sore from yesterday, but ah’ll be fine. You wanna see if you can loosen it up a bit?” she said, tilting her head up towards me from the ground. I walked over and knelt down beside her as she flipped over on her belly. I straightened out my hands and began chopping away systematically on her back. Some of the tight muscles started to soften out.

“Make sure you drink plenty of water. Oh, and make sure you use your legs on the haystack toss,” I said as I pounded away on her back. Applejack laughed and turned her head to the side.

“Don’t get too worked up, sugarcube. Jus' remember, it’s all in good fun!”

“I know, I know. I just think you deserve to win cause you work so hard all the time,” I said.

Applejack stood up, turned around, and gave me a loving smile that had more to it then simply gratitude. She knelt down in front of me and looked me in the eye deeply, apparently getting ready to say something. I waited for her words with wide eyes like a little child awaiting some much-sought advice from one of his parents.

“Ah’ know that, sugarcube. An’ ah’ appreciate all of yer support… Jus’ remember, the competition ain’t as important as the friendship.” I paused for a second and lost myself in her divine green eyes, then nodded innocently in understanding. You may not think this is very important advice, but it was to me. I loved and admired her so much, and the words she spoke had so much truth that pertained to me. She leaned in and gently touched her cheek against mine, which made my heart burst. Then she got up and headed for the door, not before playfully rubbing my hair with her hoof.

“Ah’m gonna go over there now and warm up. Ah’ll look for you in the stands, honey!” she said grinning and grabbing her hat off the wall hook as she trotted out the bedroom. I stood up and happily watched her all the way out of the room. I couldn't wait to go to that rodeo and watch her. Well, I’m not nervous anymore. That was until I remembered what came after the rodeo.

The Oranges

It was a wonderful feeling to really be part of the Apple family at the rodeo (held at the same place as “iron pony” competitions); I sat in the stands and cheered on Applejack with Apple Bloom, Big Mac, and Granny Smith. Ever since it was made public that Applejack and I were married, it seemed like some of the townsfolk (mostly young stallions) still resented me a little, but even they seemed to be smiling at me as I walked up into the stands with the Apple family. I'm guessing they were grateful of us the stopping of the train, otherwise I probably wouldn't have been getting looks like that from the likes of the young, single stallions.

Applejack won the blue ribbon on every single event, and after each one she would smile and wave to us. When she made eye contact with me, we would both blush with love, which made my heart flutter. It was such a thrill for me to see her most admirable strength and determination working in the orchards carry right over into her participation in sports. When somepony else made a good play, she was always the first one to congratulate them. She was such a good sport; you could see in her eyes and her smile that she was truly happy for that pony when they did something good. I loved her so much as I watched her from those stands.

When the last contestant finished the last event, the mayor of Ponyville pulled all of the contestants over to the front of the stands for the victory ceremony.  She pulled Applejack out in front of the pack and held her right hoof high in the air.

“And the collective winner of this year’s Ponyville rodeo is… Applejack!”

The crowd let out a cheer and confetti from Pinkie Pie’s party cannon started showering over everyone. I clapped my hands violently and smiled with adoration, while Big Macintosh, Granny Smith, and Apple Bloom cheered so loud that Applejack heard them over the rest of the crowd. I couldn’t help but laugh at what she must’ve been feeling. Oh man, she’s probably so embarrassed. It was almost too cute for me; her ears went down as she smiled and blushed looking up at her obnoxious family. She deserved all of it, even if she didn’t want it.

Fortunately, watching Applejack at the rodeo and walking home with her was enough to (almost) make me completely forget about the dreaded visit from Applejack’s Aunt and Uncle Orange, who were unaware of who, or more appropriately, what their niece had married.  Anyway, it was just the two of us at Sweet Apple Acres following the rodeo; the rest of the Apple family was in Ponyville doing their business. I heard Applejack turn the water from the shower off and grab the towell from the hook.

“Hey sugarcube, you need a shower?” she yelled from the bathroom.

“I’m good, honey! I took one this morning,” I yelled back. I was in the kitchen holding and nervously looking at a picture of the Oranges. They were both smiling very formally with a nighttime skyline of Manehattan in the background. Aunt Orange had a light yellow coat and an orange mane that was done in a really fancy style. She seemed to be wearing a lot of makeup, and she reminded me a lot more of Rarity then Applejack. I glanced over at Uncle Orange and let out a deep sigh, “Oh boy.” His green mane was combed and groomed so perfectly that I had never seen such a formal style on a stallion before. I’m to expect that this guy, who probably feels like her second father, is going to approve of his niece’s choice for a husband? Uncle Orange didn’t have any children, so that made Applejack even more like his daughter. They were so different from Applejack, who was gorgeous despite being so casual. She didn’t wear any makeup, she didn’t do hardly anything to her mane except the red ribbon on the end to keep it together, and she certainly didn’t wear any tail straighteners or anything like that, yet she was still one of the prettiest mares in the land. What if he doesn’t approve of me? If only he knew how much I love her.

Before I realized it, smiling Applejack turned the corner at the bottom of the stairs and galloped over to me in the kitchen. Despite being nervous, her presence still managed to relax me a little bit, and she looked pleasantly fresh after getting out of the shower. She trotted right up to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek that I really needed as I slid the picture away. I smiled nervously but sincerely at her as she reached her front leg around me for a hug.

“You ain’t still nervous are you?” she said, resting her head on me.

“Well, I think it would’ve been smart for us to send them a picture or something,” I said, resting my hand on the back of her head.

“Honey, they love me! The rest o’ this here family loves you and they won’t be any different,” she said, closing her eyes.

“Applejack, they’re high-class ponies. I mean, let’s face it, I doubt they’re gonna see me and go ‘oh look, she married a human! How quaint!’”

“Honey, please! Don’t be nervous. Ah’ promise it will be alright, ah’ll be with ya the whole time,” she said. I rested my head on hers and closed my eyes. The love from her heart was the only thing I approached for consolation, and the only thing I needed. I was still a little nervous, but at least I had her.

“Here they come! C'mere, sugarcube!” said Applejack, smiling and looking out the front window. I walked up to have a look as she ran out the door to go out and meet them. They were standing right at the bottom of the porch steps, and they looked so excited to see Applejack as she ran out and hugged them. My heart started beating really fast as I watched their reunion.

“Aunt Orange! Uncle Orange! It’s so nice to see ya’ll!” said Applejack, stepping back from the hug. Both of them were smiling wide and looking eagerly at her.

“So nice to see you, sweetheart. We’re still upset that you left our home in Manehattan all those years ago!” said Aunt Orange, her words perfectly articulated.

“It’s lovely to see you, my dear. Enough of this, where is he? Where is the finest stallion in all of Equestria? Where is the perfect groom for my beloved niece?” said Uncle Orange.  My heart dropped into my stomach at those words. I can’t do this. I’m outa here.

“You sure gonna love him! Come on out, honey!” said Applejack with a smile. I abandoned my position by the window and headed for the back door. Applejack ran in and blocked my exit.

“Come on, honey, it’ll be fine! Ah’ promise!” she said. I started laughing uncomfortably and went to walk around her.

“Uh, you know, I, uh, just remembered that some of the trees in the south field are looking a little dry, I’m gonna go out there and water them.”

“Oh no you don’t! Come on, sugarcube!” she said, moving to the side and blocking me again. I lost it and threw my hands up in desperation.

“Applejack, this is going to be a disaster! They’re waiting for a stallion to walk out there! They’re gonna be in for a surprise that they probably won’t like!"

“It’s alright, sugarcube, ah’m with you,” she said, lowering her head and using it to push me towards the door. The sweetness in her voice was the only thing that kept me from running back as she pushed my back with her head. Please don’t be disappointed. I took a gulp as I unwillingly moved toward the door. This is it!

Applejack pushed me right out the front door so that I landed directly in front of Aunt and Uncle Orange.  The wide, eager smiles on their faces vanished into shock as I stood before them scared stiff with a similar expression. Applejack ran out with a big smile.

“Aunt Orange, Uncle Orange, ah’d like you to meet mah’ husband AJ! He sure is a cutie!” she said, rubbing my hair with her hoof as I smiled terribly uncomfortable. It was the most awkward ten seconds of my entire life as we stood there in complete silence, with the two of them looking at me with wide eyes and open mouths and Applejack standing in between us. Say something already!

“Well, uh, it’s nice to see that Applejack has some well groomed relatives!” I said, rubbing the back of my head with my hand and forcing a smile. Apparently that wasn’t the right thing to say as Aunt and Uncle Orange looked even more shocked then before. I laughed and blushed most uncomfortably and groaned as I looked at the ground. Well, at least it can’t get any worse.

Dinner with the Fam

Just when I thought the day couldn’t get any more awkward, the four us – me, Applejack, Aunt Orange, and Uncle Orange – went out to eat in Ponyville that evening. It was at a restaurant/cottage located on the edge of the town near the grassy hills but still a part of the town itself and the streets of houses and shops. We ate outside, on a rectangular table, and I was faced with the nerve-racking task of sitting down directly across Uncle Orange, who could watch my every move. Applejack sat down to my right and Aunt Orange settled in to my left.

Typically, when you eat outside, it’s supposed to be casual. Our waiter, a cream-colored Earth pony stallion, was anything but casual; his mane and tail were both slicked in a fancy fashion, he had a red bow tie and a white dress shirt on his neck, and a serious look that you only see in high class service ponies. He walked up to our table and tilted his head. My nervousness hadn’t gone down the smallest bit since our awkward introduction only a few minutes before, and I was desperate and determined to impress the Oranges. I figured I should act like them and try to show good table etiquette. One thing I always loved about Applejack was her laid back attitude towards that sort of thing, so naturally, being married to her, I started picking up the same habits.

“Can I get you all something to drink?” said the waiter in a formal tone.

“I will have a sparkling water, thank you,” said Uncle Orange with eloquence.

“Spiced warm apple cider, thank you very much,” said Aunt Orange.

“Ah’ll take a lemonade,” said Applejack, smiling and seemingly more relaxed.

“I’ll have a root beer, thank you,” I said, articulating it as well as I could.

The waiter nodded his head and strutted back inside the restaurant-cottage, leaving the four of us by ourselves once again. Before the awkward silence could settle in again, Applejack spoke up with a friendly smile.

“So how’s life in Manehattan treatin’ ya’ll?” Aunt Orange actually smiled, which was a huge relief to me. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Uncle Orange staring sternly at me. Don’t make eye contact, don’t do anything stupid, and just listen and nod your head in interest when someone’s talking.

“Oh, it’s simply marvelous my dear, but it’s been so much more… showy since the new mayor took charge,” she said.

“New mayor?” said Applejack, squinting her eyes with curiosity. Before Aunt Orange could answer, our waiter returned and placed our drinks in front of us. My root beer came in a glass bottle, but since drinking the root beer out of the bottle was considered “uncouth” he placed a glass in front of me for pouring the root beer into. When all of our drinks were in front of us, our waiter once again casually tilted his head.

“Are you ready to order?” he said.

“I will have the house salad, thank you,” said Aunt Orange, smiling at her husband, who turned his head from me to the waitor.

“I will have the same, thank you very much,” he said.

“Ah’ reckon ah’ll have a daisy and daffodil sandwhich, some hay fries, and an apple turnover,” said Applejack. I couldn’t help but relax a little at her blatant informality, but that still didn’t let me off the hook.

“I will just have a small salad with cherry tomatoes, thank you,” I said. The waiter nodded his head and trotted back toward the cottage, leaving us alone once again. When I’m that nervous, there’s no point in getting a lot of food, especially in front of them. Applejack looked over and smiled at me, which managed to make me feel a little bit better. Then her pretty green eyes seemed to catch something behind me.

“Uh oh,” she said. I turned around, and little Apple Bloom was galloping down the street right towards our table with a big, friendly grin, oblivious to all of the awkwardness that was taking place. She ran right up to our table bright eyed and bushy tailed.

“Howdy Aunt and Uncle, nice to see you guys! Don’t mind if ah’ join ya’ll do ya?” she said, taking a seat between Applejack and Uncle Orange. Applejack started laughing nervously, as Aunt Orange chimed in.

“Apple Bloom, so lovely to see you, dear! You are just the cutest thing,” she said, and Uncle Orange smiled and nodded his head. Well, at least she got him to smile.

“Hey waiter, ah’ll have the same thing as mah’ big sis!” she called out to the server.

“Apple Bloom, there’s no way you can eat as much as what ah’ ordered. You’ll be as stuffed as a prize pig before it’s all gone,” said Applejack.

“Ah’ am not a baby! Ah’ can eat as much as you, you jus’ wait an’ see,” said the little one, which Applejack found quite irritating. Oh great, so much for her being a good thing. I poured my root beer into the glass, with the eyes of Uncle Orange watching my every move. The two of us were yet to say a word since we sat down.

“So, Applejack, tell us about your wedding. How was the turnout?” said Aunt Orange with a smile. At least she was trying to be friendly, even if she was uncomfortable. Our wedding? Anytime I recollected the wedding, I drifted off into dreamland. What a magical moment that was, and I unintentionally started staring at Applejack, picturing her in her wedding dress, reeking of feminine beauty with her mane done in curls and a crown of white roses around her head. Applejack blushed delightedly.

“Aw shoot, our wedding was nothin’ short of wonderful! Ain’t that right, honey?” she said, turning her head towards me with confidence. That means you.

“Oh! Sorry! Yes, our wedding was amazing! It was in a very special place, too,” I said, smiling and laughing nervously. “Uh, the turnout? Actually, we, uh –“

“Actually, he and mah’ big sis got hitched in secret, so there wasn’t any kind of turnout or nothin’,” said Apple Bloom, after which I buried my face in my hands. I just wanted it to end already and go spend some time alone with Applejack.

“Apple Bloom!” whispered Applejack in frustration.

“A secret wedding? Well, I wonder why you chose that path,” said Uncle Orange sarcastically, his first words of the evening. Aunt Orange was not amused by his comment, and she gave him a look of mild irritation, just as our waiter returned and began setting our plates in front of us. He set down my bowl of salad first, but I wouldn’t dare touch it until everyone else had their food.

“Boy howdy, ah’ sure am hungry. Don’t mind me,” chuckled Applejack, glancing at the Oranges and hesitating for a second before gently eating the food off her plate. Apple Bloom was much less gentle, and devoured the food on her plate. I picked up my fork and held it delicately by my thumb, my index finger, and my middle finger. I nervously stuck it through a piece of lettuce, slowly brought it up to my mouth, and took a bite, making sure my mouth was closed when I chewed.

“Applejack, dear, I’m so sorry if I sound like a bit of a control freak, but you wouldn’t mind if I gave you my opinion on names, would you?” said Aunt Orange, with an eager smile. Huh?

“Begging your pardon, Madame, but what exactly do you mean?” I said, taking a bite of lettuce and tomato.

“Why, possible names for the children, of course!” she said.

My eyes flew open in shock and I dropped my fork and grabbed my neck with both hands as I started choking on the lettuce and tomato. I bent over the side of the table and began coughing violently while beating my chest, finally managing to clear my windpipe and spit out my food. I sat up straight and found to my horror that everyone was looking at me in silence yet again. To say that her comment caught me off guard would be a bit of understatement.

“You alright, honey?” said Applejack with concern. Blushing deeply, I nodded my head and groaned sheepishly at the rest of the table. Children?? With Applejack??? Being cuddled by her was like the best thing in the world, but… children???

“I say darling, that is hardly something to be discussing at dinner,” said Uncle Orange, and Applejack’s friendly smile disappeared as Aunt Orange shot him a nasty look.

“Now jus’ what the hay do you mean by that, Uncle?” she said. He looked at her innocently and frightened as though he meant no harm. I could hear my heart rate increasing; this was not headed in a good direction, and I knew it. I thought maybe it was a foregone conclusion that this dinner would be a disaster, but I wasn’t ready to give up yet. I was willing to bear some more awkward moments if it meant the best for Applejack. The last thing I wanted was for me to be the reason she didn’t get along with her family, since all I wanted was for her to be happy.

“Hey, it’s ok honey, really,” I said.

“Sweetheart, that wasn’t directed at you,” he said to her. Oh no. Her eyes lit up with country mare rage, and she stood up from her spot on the table.

“You think ah’m not offended by somethin' directed at him? Really? C’mon, sugarcube, we’re outa here,” she said, standing up and trotting off in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres. Aunt Orange looked very angry with her husband, who had a look of disbelief. I buried my face in my hands and apologized, then took off after Applejack.

The Purest Heart

I felt absolutely terrible looking for Applejack after that ill-fated dinner with the Oranges. All I wanted was for her to be happy, and anything less meant total sadness for me. I felt partly responsible, too, because disasters like this one were to be expected when a human loves an Earth pony, since the rest of the family has to get over it. The only thing on my mind as I ran back to Sweet Apple Acres was finding my bride and comforting her as best I could.

The gorgeous blue sky and puffy clouds were quickly being replaced with dark storm clouds as I ran back to Sweet Apple Acres; a scheduled storm was about to take place that would last all night. I expected to run in the house and find Applejack in our room or on the porch, but when I opened the front door and called for her, there was no answer. Oh no. Please be in the bedroom. She wasn’t there, either, and I was getting scared as I bolted out the back door into the north field. I ran through the rows of trees as the sky turned completely black and the winds whipped the leaves from the trees all around me, as if to mock me that I couldn’t find her.

“APPLEJACK?” I yelled as I sprinted up the hill that overlooked the whole orchard. I thought if I went to the top, I could spot her laying under a tree or something, wherever she was. I looked through the trees with desperation over the entire orchard as a crack of thunder shook the land. The smell of rain, which I typically loved when I wasn’t crazily concerned about the well-being and safety of the one I loved, was now overpowering. I pulled my hands through my hair and started sucking in air for breath. Oh, gosh. What if she’s out there by herself with no one to comfort her? What if she’s in danger? Ok, calm down, calm down. She’s probably just at Twilight’s house or something, she'll be fine. A sliver of hope and relief came over me as I noticed something big, red, and white back towards the house; the barn. I wasted no time sprinting back down the hill and through the trees all the way to the barn, in desperate hope of finding Applejack there.

I opened the barn door and shut it behind me as the rain came down in buckets from the clouds. Just as I was about to look around for her, I remembered something. I opened the barn door and stuck my head out, letting the rain thoroughly soak my head and then shutting the door inside the barn again. I looked around the dark room, which only consisted of a hay-covered floor, and saw nothing. Before I could flip out with fear and anxiety, I noticed what appeared to be light from a candle coming from the loft. I took a deep breath and walked over to the ladder that leads to the higher part of the barn. I peered over the top, and I took a sigh of relief that didn’t last long. There she was, lying facedown in the hay with her tailed wrapped around so it was up toward her head. Her hat was a few feet away from her, and her front legs were covering her face. My heart cried out in agony as I saw that she was crying, and I could hear her sniffles and sobs from my spot on the ladder. I did this. I walked up and sat down right beside her and spoke softly.

“Hey, Applejack. … See what I did?” I said, smiling and pointing to my hair, which was dripping wet. She had always thought it was cute when my hair was wet, and I know it sounds stupid, but I loved doing the little things for her. She poked her sad face up from her front legs and managed a smile as she wiped away her tears.

“Awww, shoot, yer such a sweetheart,” she said, her sweet voice choking with sadness despite being very affectionate. She sat up and looked at me in a manner that indicated she was in desperate need of a hug, which happened to be what I desperately needed too. I just wanted my happy, friendly Applejack back.

“Applejack… I’m so sorry about that,” I said, covering my eyes with my hand. I felt responsible for the whole thing, for all of Applejack’s sadness, and I was on the verge of tearing up myself. Applejack quickly came to my defense, almost offended that I brought that up and desperately trying to let me know that she didn’t blame me at all.

“Oh, honey, that wasn’t yer fault! Besides, he ain’t the thing that's got me upset, he jus’ pushed me over the edge,” she said, closing her eyes and resting her head on my shoulder.

“What? That’s not what you’re upset about? What’s bothering you, Applejack?” I said. Applejack pulled her head off my shoulder and closed her eyes, once again wiping tears. She paused for a few seconds, as I waited desperately for her to tell me what was bothering her. It was making me so sad to her like this I couldn’t take it. Please, for the love of Celestia, stop crying. She opened her eyes and looked down at the ground. She was truly depressed about something.

“Today at the rodeo… after ah’ won the high jump event… Bon Bon mentioned to me that ah’… she said, ‘yer nothin’ special, Applejack.’ She said ah’ was everypony’s least favorite of the elements of harmony. She said ah’ was a useless pony, and that all ah’ll am to everyone, even mah' friends, is just a mare on a farm.”

I could not believe what I just heard. How could someone say that about you? She took a deep breath and shut her eyes again again, with more tears falling. I felt a tear running down my cheek as well, as she really took this comment personally. How did she hide this all day? It was worse then that. Apparently, she had felt that way about herself since before I even met her.

“Fluttershy’s the nice one… Rarity’s the glamorous one… Rainbow Dash is the cool, awesome one… Pinkie’s the funny one… Twilight’s the smart one… an ah’… ah’m just the one who works with apples,” she said, her voice trembling and choking on her own tears.

I looked at her for a moment with incomprehensible sadness. How? How could anyone say that about my beloved Applejack? Suddenly, I felt my blood boiling up inside me, and I clinched my fists with rage. How dare that selfish, preening mule say that about her! I stood up and snarled.

“Why, I oughta…”

All of my rage inside me left when I looked down at her and saw her face. She was still sitting on the ground, looking up at me with the saddest, most desperate, most heart-wrenching look I have ever seen in my entire life. My wrath turned to sadness as I looked deeply into her big, beautiful, teary green eyes. Rage is not gonna make her feel any better. I just couldn’t believe that she was told that, and that she seemed to feel that way. It was just the polar opposite of everything I thought about her. She was like everything I strived for put into one pony, and for someone to think that or say those things was an insult to me as much as it was to her, not to mention I couldn’t stand to see her upset, and would let myself be tortured to make her happy. Pity and compassion were flowing freely through my heart as I sat back down and looked her in the eye.

“Applejack… do you remember way back… when I came to Sweet Apple Acres to see you after being a way for a while, and you and me had the best day I had ever had in my entire my life?”

“Of course ah’ remember. Ah’ll never forget it, it was the best day of mah’ life too.”

“Do you wanna know why I went back to see you?”

“Why?”

Since we shared the element of honesty, she knew that I couldn’t lie to her, even though she also knew I wouldn’t.

“Because every single day I was gone, I thought about you,” I whispered. Her eyes lit up with affection, even though the tears were still flowing. “You have the purest heart of anyone I’ve ever met. It shines like gold, you’ve never so much as said a single bad word in your life. I look at you… and I see… the most beautiful creature in the entire world, but so much more then that, I see the friendliest, sweetest, most humble pony in all the land, one that I couldn't disrespect in any way if I tried,” I said, and she seemed to be taking in all of my words as she stared at me with an open mouth, and much deeper, stronger feelings in her eyes. She was finally starting to smile amidst all the sadness and crying. “I admire hard labor more then anything else in the world, and you work so hard and so passionately because you love your family… You’re my role model, my hero, my best friend…”

Before I could finish talking, she gave me a big hug that caused me to fall right back into the hay. It was the exact same way as when we jumped off the train; I was on my back, and she was laying on top of me so that her belly was on mine. I could feel magic and love gushing out of my heart as I smiled up at her.

“So are you feeling better now?” I said, but she wasn’t smiling, she was just staring as deeply and intensely as she ever has into my eyes. The smile faded on my face too, as I began to lose myself in her wonderful green eyes. This continued for a while, but then she closed her eyes and lowered her head slowly. Her mouth landed on mine softly, and for as long as a minute, I forgot that she was a pony and I was a human as I closed my eyes and kissed her back just as gently. She raised her head and smiled as wide as a mile, and all the sorrow and sadness in her eyes was gone, replaced with peace and happiness. There’s my Applejack.

“Ah’ love you so much, sugarcube. You make me feel so special! Yer the kindest, sweetest, cutest, pure-hearted husband a mare could ask for, and I wouldn’t trade nothin’ for ya,” she said, the sweet friendliness of her voice back and music to my ears. To hear her speak so highly of me was strange, because from my perspective I was so far from her and what she deserved, but it was also divine.

“I love you. Always have. Looks like we're stuck in here all night with that storm going on outside,” I said, laughing and smiling, staring into those eyes deeply yet again. The disaster dinner that took place just before seemed like ages ago; I was now so happy it wasn’t even funny, simply because she was. That was all I ever wanted, was for her to be happy. She tucked her legs in by my side so I couldn’t move, just like before, and even though she was heavier then me, it was still the most comfortable feeling in the world having her lay on top of me like that. She smiled and lowered her head again so that her eyes were only a few inches from mine.

“Yer stuck, but ah'm not,” she said, laughing and blushing. She closed her eyes and lowered her lips until they were locked with mine once again, except this time, I reached my arms around her neck and embraced her tightly as my heart spluttered.

Something Special

I was awake before I opened my eyes the next morning and the only sounds I could hear were the soft neighs coming from Applejack and the serene songs from the birds that were nesting inside the barn. I could feel the hay, which turned out to be a shockingly comfortable place to sleep, under my back and in my hair as I rubbed my eyes open. The sun was shining through the lone window on the side of the barn, and I took a deep breath and thought about the family dinner that had taken place the day before. I started to laugh as I recalled how awkward it was when Apple Bloom announced to the Oranges that we had married in secret. Well, that just was a disaster waiting to happen. I let out a deep sigh. I wish I could click with Uncle Orange for Applejack’s sake. If he only knew how much I loved her.

I never seriously thought that they would be perfectly fine with their niece marrying a human, but I hoped they would get past the initial shock/surprise and come around, which Aunt Orange seemed to do. I thought about what happened after dinner, which was how I ended up in the barn in the first place. I still just couldn’t believe that someone had the nerve to tell Applejack that she was nothing special, and that Applejack herself had always felt like she was nothing but an afterthought to the town of Ponyville. I felt the need to hit something or someone for giving her that vibe. As you probably know by now, I am prone to fits of rage, especially if Applejack is mistreated or in danger. She brought out the gentle, loving side of me when she was around me, but she also brought out the tough, protective side of me if I felt like she was threatened. I felt a lot better when I recalled how happy she was when I told her how special she was to me.

I looked up, and Applejack was lying perpendicular to me, but to my great delight, she was resting her head snuggly and innocently on my belly as she slept. Awwww. It was always one of my favorite things to sleep with my head on her in the same way, but to see it reversed was almost too cute. I took a minute and just admired her as she slept. The white freckles always got me, and she was just so pretty with that golden mane and sherbet coat. How could someone not adore your country charm, or your innocent heart, or your love for your family? If they don’t want to know or love you, then that’s their loss, because I think you’re the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me. I rested my hand on her head and let mine fall back as I stared up at the ceiling. I wonder what we should do today besides work. Call me crazy, but as I’ve mentioned before, I really enjoyed working the hard labor on the farm with her and her family, even if I couldn’t buck apple trees. Whatever we did before working, I was going to have a blast with the sweetest, most admirable wife a human or pony could ask for.

I laid there happily for a few more minutes with her head still resting peacefully on me, but I knew I had to wake her up or else she’d be mad at me for letting her sleep in so late. Besides, I couldn’t resist any longer; I picked up a piece of hay and gently touched it to her ear. When it started to twitch frantically, I pulled the hay back and held covered my mouth with my hand to prevent myself from laughing out loud. I touched it once more to her ear, and just as it started twitching again, Applejack sat up startled and looked around.

“Huh? What?” she said, as I fell back on the hay laughing hysterically. Applejack looked at me surprised for a moment, and then broke into laughter. “Why, you little whipper snapper!” she said. She ran over to me and put me in a headlock with her front leg and started rubbing my hair with her hoof. “Take that!” she said, as we both continued to laugh and giggle. She released me and fell back on the hay, where she tilted her head up at me with a big smile. I got up and brushed the hay off myself.

“Come on, let’s go get some breakfast at Sugarcube Corner,” I said, trying to be casual. I didn’t feel it was necessary to bring up the day before even though it ended joyfully; I wanted this day to continue on the same course and be a light-hearted one, full of fun and laughter and carefree like it always was when we were with each other.

“Oh, so ya’ll want a healthy breakfast today. Hehe, ah’m just kiddin’, that sounds like a mighty fine idea! ” she said, standing up and grabbing her hat from the hay. I walked over to the ladder that goes to the lower level of the barn and climbed down. I waited at the bottom and shot her a smile as she stepped down onto the lower level, but just as I was about to walk toward the door, I felt her pull me back with her front leg. I eagerly spun around to see what she needed, but she was just smiling at me. Just like the night before, there were strong feelings of love and appreciation in her eyes that made their way into my heart and gave me comfort and joy on the deepest level I have ever experienced.

“Hey, sugarcube… thanks fer makin’ me feel so much better last night. Ah’ll do somethin’ real special for ya, ah’ promise,” she said, which I thought was funny. Being around her was special; like a privilege. Whenever she played with me, whenever she did a simple act of kindness or taking care of her friends or family, whenever she worked in the orchards until she was sore; those were all special things to me.

“Aw, it’s nothing, Applejack. Come on now, let’s get some food; I know how country girls are. Besides, you’re already doing something special for me,” I said. Applejack laughed and hit me on the shoulder with her hoof.

“What am ah’ doin’ special for ya right now?” A gentle smile came across my face as I stared into her angelic eyes. I blushed; I was on a collision course for another tender moment with the Earth pony that I have a perpetual crush on.

“The way you’re looking at me now.”

She smiled at me even wider and her eyes sparkled, and as we happily stared at each other yet again, I think we realized that we needed each other. We didn’t even need to speak to understand what the other was thinking; it was as if we were telling all of our feelings for the other simply by looking each other in the eye. Her ears went down as she walked forward, another little emotion that always got me. She reached her front leg around for a hug, burying her head into my chest. I rested my head on her mane, which was more pleasant to the side of my face then a feathered pillow, and reached my arms around her neck and hugged her right back. My innocent little apple flower, I would do anything to make you happy. I could especially feel my heart joined to hers when we hugged, partly because I could feel her love, which seemed stronger then the sun. For me to be the source of comfort for the one whom I dream about even when she is right next to me was like special nourishment for the soul. We hugged even tighter, and time seemed to stop as magic flared up inside us.

The special moment came to an abrupt end when the barn doors flew open without any warning whatsoever and Apple Bloom trotted in with an envelope in her mouth. She caught us off guard, and we both stepped back from our hug quickly and laughed uncomfortably. To make matters worse, Rarity was standing behind her.

"Oh hey there Apple Bloom, whatcha got there? Hey Rarity," I said, pretending as though they saw nothing.

"Uh, g'morning sis! Howdy Rarity!" said Applejack, doing the same as me. Rarity gave us a smug smile and it was too sappy for Apple Bloom given the look her face. Well, that was bad timing.

A Second Chance

Well, once again the otherwise adorable Apple Bloom seemed to come in at the worst possible time. There was nothing worse then joyful, loving hug between Applejack and me cut short. Well, maybe a dinner with the Oranges, but you get the idea. Anyway, I was standing right next to Applejack in the middle of the barn, the both of us laughing and blushing nervously at both Apple Bloom and Rarity who were standing in the doorway. Apple Bloom rolled her eyes, and Rarity still had a smug smile, clearly enjoying every second of our discomfort. For pete’s sake, it was just a hug!

I’m not really sure why Applejack and I reacted the way we did when they walked in on us in the barn. The only activity between Applejack and I that I would really regret Apple Bloom walking in on was kissing on the mouth, which was only reserved for special moments. Maybe it was because Apple Bloom was her sister, and she was very young, but I’m not sure.

“I’m not… interrupting anything, am I?” said Rarity in her most lady-like tone, tilting her head and fluttering her eyelashes as the sun shined in behind her through the open barn doors.

“You ain’t interrupting nothin’, we was just havin’ a little moment is all,” said Applejack, smiling friendlily at me and bumping me on the shoulder with her hoof, and immediately I felt much better. Apple Bloom spat out the envelope and put her hoof in her mouth in a gagging fashion. Applejack saw this and leapt playfully onto her little sister and held her tightly in her arms as Apple Bloom giggled and struggled to free herself. She playfully rubbed Apple Bloom’s mane with her hoof, and both them were now laughing wildly. “Better get used to it sis, there’s plenty more where that came from!” It was liberating for me to know that my relationship with Applejack had no bad affects on their pristine sisterhood.

“Little moment, that’s all,” I said, gaining confidence and looking Rarity in the eye as my wife played with her little sister in the hay. “What brings the queen of fashion to Sweet Apple Acres?” I said. She threw her hoof out at me and raised her snout, still smiling complacently.

“Just a little moment indeed. Darling, I find that to be so… adorable!” said the regal white unicorn. I smiled and blushed again, but not because I was uncomfortable. I was actually starting to enjoy her teasing; I do not deny that my heart fluttered to hear someone speak of Applejack and me that way. Rarity walked forward until she was right in front of Applejack, who was standing up. “I’m here to see if you two would join me for a little breakfast?” Applejack shot us both a smile.

“Ah’d love to catch up with ya, Rarity. We was jus’ gonna go get a bite to eat ourselves,” she said, as my stomach made some noise. I hadn’t eaten anything since half of that salad I had with the Oranges the day before. “Sounds like yer hungrier than a blind hound in a meathouse, sugarcube! How ‘bout you, sis? Wanna come with us?”

“Are ya’ll gonna open yer letter, or what?” said Apple Bloom, pointing her hoof down at the envelope which was now laying on the ground. I reached down, picked up the letter, and then flipped it over to open it. My eyes went wide with fear when I saw whom it was from. Oh for the love of- not again!

“Who’s it from, sugarcube?” said Applejack, running behind me and looking over my shoulder and seeing the answer to her question for herself. “Well, that was mighty quick.” Rarity walked up and looked at us curiously.“It’s from mah’ Aunt and Uncle Orange,” said she said. Rarity raised a hoof in surprise.

“Oh darling, how did the, you know… dinner with them go yesterday?”

“Uh, we’ll tell ya later,” said Applejack, chuckling nervously.  I started to sweat as I tore open the letter with my fingers. I figured they must’ve just returned to Manehattan after the disaster of a dinner, giving them a lot of time to think things over with each other. As if family problems aren’t the last thing I want! Rarity and Apple Bloom made their way behind me as well, the latter jumping so she could see. Their presence certainly didn’t make it any more comfortable for me. I pulled out the letter and started at the top. The letter was written in fancy cursive, and the ink was a glittering bronze color.

“Dearest Applejack and AJ; we beg that you accept our humblest apologies for what happened yesterday. The both of us are committed to making it up to the both of you and we shall be neither content nor happy until we have earned your gracious forgiveness. At this time, we heartily extend to our precious niece and her spouse an invitation to celebrate your marriage by attending the Manehattan Moon Mingle as husband and wife. Should you accept, you will arrive on the morrow at our humble abode and we shall escort the two of you to the ball ourselves. Love from Aunt and Uncle Orange.“

“Humble what now?” said a confused Apple Bloom.

“Gracious forgiveness?” cried Applejack happily.

“The M-manehattan Moon M-mingle???” squealed Rarity with delight. I lowered the letter and stared into space.

“Something tells me Aunt Orange wrote most of this,” I said. I didn’t know what to make of that letter. I was hoping fiercely for some kind of apology letter, but an invitation to a fancy ball? That was not down my alley or Applejack's at all, and it was a lot for me to bite off all at once. I didn’t want to go to some high-class pony city where I would stick out like a sore thumb. I wasn’t a fan of the “sophisticated life.” Sure, I was born in the city, but I always felt like a country person at heart. I loved the sights and smells on the farm. I loved sports and competitions, working hard out in the apple trees, and most other things males my age loved. But most of all, of course, I loved Applejack, the country flower who made it all a dream come true.

“The Manehattan Moon Mingle??? Next to the Grand Galloping Gala, that’s like every high-class pony’s dream!” said Rarity. She was certainly excited, and she started to talk faster as her eyes sparkled with her own dreams. “Sure, Canterlot is the royal city and all, but Manehattan is the biggest city in Equestria, and the Manehattan Moon Mingle is once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! The glamour! The sophistication! You two will have a blast!” She was now squealing like a fangirl. Applejack looked like she was in the exact same place as me.

“Uh, that’s mighty nice o’ them, but c’mon Rarity, we ain’t goin',” she said, and Rarity gasped in disbelief. Applejack gave me a loving smile and wrapped her arm around me, which I delightedly returned. “Me and mah’ sugarcube here are farmers! We ain’t into that hoity-toity stuff; we get our hooves and hands dirty, and we don’ wear those fancy clothes but fer special occasions.” Darn tootin! What a charming thing to hear that was. I was becoming a real farmer; the same thing as my beloved Applejack. “Besides, ah’ ain’t puttin’ mah’ sugarcube in more awkward situations. He’s a human! He’s gonna get all kinds of looks he don’t wanna deal with.” Rarity looked offended.

“Applejack, you can’t possibly be serious! How could you two have a bad time if you’re with each other?” she pleaded. Applejack put her hoof on her chin and looked up in thought, than smiled.

“Well, ah’ suppose that’s true, but – “ before she could finish, Rarity cut her off.

“You two could provide a charming country touch to the ball!” she looked directly at me and put her hoof on my shoulder. “You were born in the city, you’ll have no problem fitting in! Besides, you want Applejack to maintain a healthy relationship with her aunt and uncle, don’t you? You could bond with Uncle Orange. Don’t tell me that wouldn’t mean the world to you, Applejack,” Well, she’s got me there. I still wasn’t one for dressing up. I could care less about I how I looked as long as I felt comfortable, even though I (apparently) was quite handsome for a human.

“Look, Rarity. I, uh, don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but I’m just not really into the whole dressing up and looking nice thing. Unless it’s… you know… for Applejack,” I said, placing my hand on Applejack’s head and giving her mane a little rub. Rarity’s eyes lit up for a moment, and then she went back to smiling smugly as she had been before when she first walked in. Apparently, I had given her a new avenue of hope for convincing us to go, and I had a bad feeling it was going to work. She fluttered her eyelashes again.

“Darlings, you dressed up for your wedding, didn’t you?” she said. Applejack and I turned our heads toward each other with guilty smiles. I thought Applejack was gorgeous without doing absolutely anything to herself, even after a long day of work. But that night, she entrusted her appearance to Princess Cadence, and she looked like a divine princess. “Let me make you something! I can have you looking so sharp for your Applejack that ponies will be stopping in the streets to admire you.” I raised my eyebrow in a manner that said ‘go on’. “Take a dragon, for instance,” she continued. “When somepony sees a dragon with handsome scales, regardless of whether they are a pony, human, whatever, do they not stop and say to themselves, ‘wow, that dragon is a handsome fellow!’  Now tell me, how would you feel if ponies were saying that about you with Applejack at your side?” she said. Oohh, I like the sound of that! I knew that Rarity was the best in her line of work, and if she could have me looking great for Applejack, I would be signing up for whatever it was. I felt Applejack’s arm around me again.

“Hold on now, Rarity, ah’ think he’s mighty cute right –“  Rarity cut her off mid sentence.

“And you, Applejack, you have this beautiful orange coat and this lovely yellow mane, truly ravishing feminine elegance! You just can’t keep it bottled up all the time, dear. Let me make you a dress and do your mane, and you will be the most radiantly beautiful mare at that entire ball. Think of how that will make him feel,” she said, pointing to me. Rarity knew exactly what she was doing; that certainly sounded wonderful to me. Applejack smiled slowly as her eyes went gentle with delight; she was clearly having the same reaction I was when Rarity said the same thing to me.

“Well, ah’ sure do wanna look good for mah’ sugarcube,” she said, as we turned and smiled at each other affectionately. It was plain to see were both being suaded into going. Spending a night at a dance party with Applejack was starting sound magnificent, even if it was a fancy one. It suddenly occurred to me that Rarity had no experience whatsoever with my kind when making outfits.

“Wait a second, you’ve never made a tux or suit for someone like me, how are you going to do it now?” I said. Rarity’s eyes and mouth dropped open as though I just deeply hurt her feelings.

“You poor thing, don’t you know who you’re talking to? I could make a stunning outfit for a full-grown dragon without tripping a hoof. Just give me your measurements,” she said. It had been a really long time since anyone asked me that.

“My measurements?  Jeez, I don’t know. If I had to guess, I’d say my waist and legs are both thirty-two maybe? But I honestly have no idea,” I said. Rarity’s eyes lit up again in excitement.

“Come over to my boutique after breakfast, I’ll take your measurements and have you both something absolutely fabulous by tomorrow morning,” she said. Applejack shook her head and looked at Rarity with concern.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, slow down. Ya’ll are gonna make the both of us stunning, original outfits in two shakes of a sheep’s tail? Ya’ll can fit that in yer schedule?” she said, and Rarity shook her hoof at her as though it was nothing.

“I’ve been having a slow week, it’s fine my dear. That’s why I’m here to see you guys!” she insisted. Applejack then turned to me with concern.

“Are you gonna be ok with all this, honey? Ah’ know it’s a little… weird fer you, being around mah’ high-class relatives. Ah’ don’t want ya’ll to be to uncomfortable,” she said. I wanted Applejack to get the love from her family that she deserved. Uncle Orange was her mother’s brother, and I knew it would mean a lot to Applejack if I could make things work with him, whether she wanted to admit that to me or not.

“I know,” I said, looking down.

“You’ll be the only human there,” she said. She was just making sure I knew.

“I know.”

“You sure you’ll be ok?” she said, one final check. I looked up in thought for a second. It may be all those things she said, but I was willing to endure to them if it meant the best for her. I paused for a second before I spoke, then I smiled.

“Come on, you know me. If you’re with me there, I’ll be fine.“  Applejack leaned in and rested her forehead against mine as Apple Bloom let out another cry of disgust. Rarity closed her eyes and squealed with delight as she galloped in place with excitement. “You’ve got yourself a deal, Rarity,” I said, reaching my hand out which she shook rather violently.

“Try not to make mine too… froufrou-y. You know how ah’ am with that,” said Applejack.

“Deal!” cried Rarity. Apple Bloom got behind us and attempted to push us toward the door with her two front hooves.

“Alright you guys, this is cute an’ all, but ah’m hungry,” she said.

“Rarity, why don’t you take her down to Sugarcube Corner, we'll be there in a minute,” I said.

“Come on, sweetie! We must not interfere with their ‘moment,’ with each other,” said Rarity, pushing Apple Bloom out the barn door and trotting off in the direction of downtown Ponyville. Applejack and I walked side by side up to the door and stood there for a minute, looking at the scenery. It was another gorgeous day in Ponyville, and the vibrant colors of the apple trees shined under the blue sky. I took a deep inhale of the fresh air and took in everything that just happened. It won’t be that bad. She’ll be with me, and it’ll be good for her and her family.

“So tell me, what would be some good talking material for when I’m bonding with Uncle Orange before the mingle? We’re so alike, I and him, it can’t be that hard,” I said with a chuckle, and Applejack giggled. It was time to be light-hearted and laid back, just how I loved it.

“Well, ah’ suppose ya could talk about how ya pick apples with yer hands, or ah’m sure he’d get a good laugh if ya tell him about how you fell face first into that mudhole last week!” she said, cracking up at her recollection of it. Applejack, Apple Bloom and I were playing a game of tag in the orchard, and I stepped on an apple right as I was running through a wet part of the ground, leaving me soaked from head to toe in mud and Applejack and Apple Bloom in tears of laughter. I’m never gonna hear the end of that one.

“Oh yea, I’m sure he’ll be able to relate to both of those things. I guess if worst comes to worst, I could bring up how you took me for an apple tree when you were sleeping,” I said, which caused playfully embarrassed Applejack to blush. At one point last month, I woke up in the middle of the night with the wind knocked out of me; she had kicked me in the stomach with her hind legs while she was dreaming that she was bucking apple trees. We have been laughing about it ever since.

“Gee whiz, ah’ll be hearin’ ‘bout that till the cows come home,” she said, as my stomach let out another grumble.  “There ya go! Talk about that horse of an appetite you got, always devourin’ everything ah’ make from fritters to pies,” she said, giving my stomach a few taps with her hoof. I started to laugh for what I was about to say.

“Wait, what was it you had last night? Hay fries, a daisy and daffodil sandwhich, and an apple turnover? What did I have again? Oh that’s right, I had a small salad.” I knew I was going to get something for that one, and I was right as Applejack gave me a friendly but strong shove with her hoof.

“Seriously, though, you gonna be alright with this?” she said. I walked back from where she had blasted me and smiled.

“Like I said, as long as you’re with me, I’ll be just fine.” .

“Aw shucks, c’mere you,” she said sweetly, and once again she wrapped a front leg around me and rested her head on my chest as I wrapped my arms around her neck. This time there was no one to interrupt us, and I think I forgot about being hungry as well as the Manehattan Moon Mingle itself as I rested my head sideways on hers and looked out into the orchard with mystical peace.

Dressing Up

“Well, what do you think?” said Rarity eagerly as she pushed me in front of the mirror in her boutique so I could get a good look at myself with the tuxedo she had made me for the Manehattan Moon Mingle. I wasn’t that enthusiastic up to this point, but nevertheless I took a good, long look at myself from head to toe. My mouth and eyes went wide open with shock. Even as a rustic when it comes to self-appearance, I found myself strongly admiring the dazzling suit she just made me. The jacket was made of a shining black fabric, complimented by a perfectly made white dress shirt on the inside, with a bow tie was as red as a rose on the front collar. Holy mackerel, Applejack is gonna love this. I smiled confidently and made some rather childish poses in front of the mirror. “Wait!” she cried, giving me an analytical look from top to bottom. “You need something to go with those light blue eyes. Hmmm… Ah ha!” The tip of her horn lit up and a handsome blue flower landed onto the right side of my chest where the pocket is.

“Well, what do you think of me now Uncle Orange?” I said with a laugh. I turned in the direction of the door to meet Applejack who was waiting outside, but I felt Rarity’s hoof on my shoulder pulling me back. She laughed as though I was plainly forgetting something.

“Darling, where in heaven’s name do you think you’re going?” she said. Wait, what?

“Um, to show Applejack?”

“Darling, you can’t go to the ball with your hair like that!” she said. I looked confusedly in the mirror and then back at her as though I didn’t know what she was talking about. I certainly thought the tux was enough, but apparently she was going into her super-particular, uptight fashion mode. As an apple farmer, and a male nonetheless, this much lavishness was a little beyond my comfort level, even if I was going to some fancy ball and trying to impress the high class Oranges. “Never fear, my dear, Rarity will do it for you. Wait right there,” she said, trotting over to one of her make-up stations. Oh for goodness- I let an annoyed sigh and looked up at the ceiling as I kept my feet in place. Rarity had done Applejack before me and I was dying to see how stunningly beautiful she was looking. Rarity wouldn’t let me in the room when she was doing Applejack, just like how Applejack was stuck outside now. It was some crazy idea that Rarity had; she claimed it would be the most romantic for us not to see each other until we were both completely finished.

The tip of her horn lit up again and she picked up a brush and a spray-can off the dresser with her magic before heading towards me with them I was quite excited to look “fabulous” as Rarity would say for Applejack, but I despised the process. It made me feel like some uptight pretty boy having a regal young unicorn mare trotting around me with all of her girly make-up toys.

Rarity was seemingly oblivious to my discomfort and loved every second of it. She gleefully galloped up to me and began rather painfully running the brush through my thick locks while spraying it with whatever was in her spray-can. Alright, let’s get this over with already. She made eye contact with me and giggled with delight as I rolled my eyes with annoyance.

“Oh my, you are looking absolutely fabulous! Applejack is going to be so thrilled,” she said, continuing her work. I looked down at the floor smiled gently with a blush at the thought of my pony wife. Human or not, I had overwhelmingly deep feelings for that country mare, and no matter how uncomfortable I was, my heart melted to hear something like that. “Sweetie, you are turning the most adorable shade of red! I swear, you and Applejack are the cutest couple ever.”

“Ok, ok, that’s enough,” I said. Of course, I wanted her to continue. I had a serious soft spot for hearing things like that about us. I pictured Applejack’s sweet, loving smile, the thought of which made me smile with great delight.

The violent stroking of the brush through my hair finally came to a halt, and Rarity levitated her instruments of fashion back to her dresser. Now she was searching through one of her drawers for something. Now what?

“Where is that color?” she said out loud to herself. I couldn’t see what she was going through even though I was trying to get a look from the spot where I was standing in the middle of her boutique. “Ah, here it is.” She turned around with her horn lit up and something floating a few feet in front of her, and she galloped toward me with a big smile. I gasped in horror when I saw that she was bringing make-up over. What???

“Whoa! No, no, no, ok, no. Absolutely not,” I said, as she put out her lower lip and gave me the puppy-face “please!” look. I was not moved, and I crossed my arms and turned my head away defiantly.

“Do you want to win the approval of your wife’s entire family or not?” she said, her voice full of young lady sass.

“Uh, yes! Yes I do, but for goodness sake, I don’t care how fancy they are, I refuse.”

“It looks natural, I promise! No one will be able to tell, and you will look even more handsome then you already are. I know exactly what you want, dear. You and Applejack share the element of honesty and you cannot tell me that you don’t want to look as cute as possible for her,” she said. Rarity is a smart girl, and she knows how to get what she wants. She knew that I wouldn’t be able to resist if she put it that way. I let out an exasperated gasp and rolled my eyes again in a most annoyed manner.

“Fine,” I grumbled. Rarity giggled with delight and began padding away at my face. I turned my head in protest to no avail, as she just used her magic to keep it right on me. She finished when I started coughing violently and walked away from her, swatting away at all the fine power that I was choking on.

I quit coughing when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror out of the corner of the eye. I stood up straight and faced the mirror. I’m not one to judge myself on looks, but one thing I did know was that never in my entire life have I ever looked sharper or more professional then the fellow in the mirror who was gazing back at me with just as much shock and surprise. My thick, dark hair was shining brilliantly in the light and flowed perfectly from one side to other, and I hate to admit it, but the make-up seemed to be a nice touch. The torturous process was finished, and now I was ready to present myself to Uncle Orange, but much more important to me, Applejack herself. I looked up and down with a smile and gave the guy the mirror my look of approval. “Nice outfit!”

Rarity ran up behind me with her eyes sparkling in admiration of her own creation.

“Well, what do you think? I told you I would have you looking magnificent!” I can’t say I was the least bit unhappy with her performance, especially if Applejack loved it, which I had a feeling she would. Even though Applejack is a stunningly gorgeous pony, we’ve only seen each other dressed up once, and that was on the night of our wedding. I did my best to look sharp that night, but I only did as well as I could, which was nothing compared to what Rarity was capable of. Nothing left now but to thank Rarity, go out and show Applejack, and head to Manehattan with my most admirable and most chaste spouse. I turned and faced Rarity with a sincere smile.

“Thanks, Rarity. I guess it’s all worth it if I can win their approval. You know… the Oranges, I mean.”

“Oh, come on, sweetie, I’m sure they will. Besides, what's the worst that could happen?,” she said, shrugging and throwing her hoof out at me. I stopped and thought for a moment about what might happen later that day/night. I had a lot of hope; there was seemingly a lot of sympathy in that letter they sent, regardless of whether they both actually wrote it or not. I just wanted to be the best husband I could possibly be for Applejack, the sweetest, kindest, most charming wife a human or pony could ask for. For me to be the husband that she deserved, I felt like I needed the approval of her whole family so that she could get the love from them that she so fiercely deserved. I took a deep sigh and looked down at the ground; despite the positive outlook, it was weighing heavily on me.

“I sure hope Applejack is happy in the end. That’s all I’ve ever wanted, is for her to be happy,” I said. Rarity was seemingly moved with compassion at these words, and she gave me a deep, consoling smile that friends are supposed to give.

“Darling, you and Applejack are adorable together. You make her so happy, sweetie! She loves you very much, believe me, she’s told me many times,” she said. I almost shed a tear at that moment as I turned and looked into Rarity’s eyes.  I already knew well, or should have, that this was true; but for some reason, to hear it from one of our friends was uplifting on a very high level. Just when it seemed like I couldn’t love, respect, or adore Applejack any more if I tried, my heart grew, and my deeply intense feelings and affection for her grew as well. I needed her. Having my heart united to hers was really was the best thing that ever happened to me, as we both got all of our life and nourishment from the other.

“Alright, I’m going out there to see her,” I said, walking towards the door. Rarity ran in front of me like a crazy pony, and her high-pitched voice screeched with protest. Enough of this, let’s get out of here. I was very excited to see how pretty she turned out, but I didn’t want to waste any time going to Manehattan. Even though it was almost a guarantee that Applejack and I would have at least somewhat of a good time given as long as we were with each other, I was still a bit nervous. I felt pressure to impress the Oranges, especially Uncle Orange. We’d both be out of our element at this ball, even if we were the most formidable guests. I was still a human and we both were still farmers attending a fancy ball (well, Applejack was a true farmer, and I was on my way to becoming one with her).

“No! Stand over there behind the curtain, I shall bring her in now,” she said demandingly, pointing her hoof in the direction of a stage-like area where the curtain was. Well, I can always go for a particularly romantic moment with Applejack. She told me later that this was the same place that they and their other four best friends (the elements of harmony) had take two of fashion show where they all showed off the spectacular dresses Rarity had made them for the Grand Galloping Gala.

I stood behind the curtain and waited as I heard the sound of hooves coming from two ponies approaching. After a few seconds without any noise, Rarity closed the blinds of the windows with her magic to block the sun’s light so there was nothing but darkness throughout her boutique. I heard the curtain open, and Rarity, who did her own special affects, partially opened the blinds so that the sun’s rays were shining directly on the both of us, but nothing else.

Only one other time have I ever seen anything so magnificently beautiful, and that was Applejack at our wedding. She stood before me, clothed in the sun’s rays, wearing a glorious dress that was color of the brilliant green of an apple tree. It was smoothly fitted across her entire body, and holding the dress together at different parts were glittering pins that looked exactly like red apples in the shape of hearts. She had the most incredibly gorgeous mane-style I had ever seen. Same as always, it’s golden blonde color was beautifully luminous in the light of the sun, but it was done in a way so that it flowed down freely over head above her eyes. On the side of her head and down her neck, her mane was done in beautiful curls that were similar but they seemed looser. To my wonderful delight, Rarity brought back a personal favorite of mine from the wedding; a crown of roses sat atop her head, each one a perfect red. I would’ve loved Applejack if she was the ugliest creature in Equestria, but there was no doubt in my mind that what stood before me was the above and beyond the polar opposite.

We walked forward slowly, as Rarity adjusted the blinds so that light followed each of us toward the other so we couldn’t lose sight. It was only now as I walked forward that I finally got a look at Applejack’s face. I finally smiled as I got a good look at the loving smile she had on her face. I found my eyes locked so that they couldn’t look anywhere but directly into hers. I didn’t need to see anything else, I could tell you the state of her heart simply by looking into her sacred green eyes. At first she was staring at all of me, with deep adoration. The word I loved her to call me the most was cute, and that was exactly the word I saw in her eyes as she looked on at me. It wasn’t long before she too had her eyes locked on mine, when we stopped right in front of each other, like our most special moments, we engaged in a staring contest of love where we told each other everything we felt about the other by remaining silent.

A gentle smile came over my face as I remembered everything I had thought about with Rarity a few moments ago, and how all I wanted was for her to be happy. My spirit rejoiced when I saw the happiness in her eyes as she looked at me. I rested the inside of my hand on her cheek and I laughed softly.

“I... I don’t know what to say,” I said. She just smiled and put her hoof on my mouth, without taking her eyes off me. This was a special moment, and given what happened with almost all special moments, I knew that she was about to kiss me on the mouth. Even after being married to her for six months and having kissed her before then, and despite how much I deeply enjoyed her kissing me, and despite the fact that our hearts were united to the other, there was still a very small part of me that objected to it that never objected when we hugged or snuggled. The only reason this tiny objection existed was simply because she was a pony, and I was not. This objection had gotten weaker and weaker as our love had grown, until it was almost gone when I kissed her while she was on top of me in the barn the other night. She was a different creature then me, but she was still a beautiful creature, one that I could not disrespect. I loved her and I needed her golden heart united to mine, and I think looking at her and seeing the same affection in her eyes was enough to destroy it completely at that moment.

When I talk about the pure heart of Applejack and how much I love her for it, I mean more than just she doesn’t say bad words, or that she’s a really nice pony. She has a pure heart in the sense that she’d never do anything for pleasure, only love. The only reason she would ever kiss me was because she loved me, and she wanted to show me that. I respected her purity too much to ever kiss her without her permission, so I just kept my eyes shut and my mouth half open. I won’t lie; I was really in hoping it would come so I could experience a first kiss without any objection whatsoever. Just when I thought it wasn’t going to come, I finally felt her lips touch mine, and the joy of my first kiss with my wife that had no guilt whatsoever had begun. The only words in my heart at that time for my most beloved country mare were I love you and I need you. What started out as the usual gentle kiss between the two of us became a little less gentle as I wrapped my arms around her neck again and squeezed tightly for a hug, and the joy of kissing the one to whom my heart truly belonged had never been stronger.

Manehattan

“Oh mah’ goodness gracious. C’mere, sugarcube, getta look at that.”

The train had just turned the last corner on the side of the mountain and was now on the straightaway that led right into the great city of Manehattan. I leaned over Applejack to get a good view out the window of the train, and there was the magnificent skyline just a few miles in front of us. The silhouettes of the skyscrapers were even more glorious given the sky behind them; the sun was setting, and the sky was brilliantly orange in the west and dark purple in the east. There were a few clouds over the city that were a beautiful shade of pink given the angle of the setting sun’s rays.

“Well, we ain’t on the farm any more, honey,” said Applejack with a nervous laugh. I gave her a quick chuckle in agreement, and when she turned her head back to look at the great city, both of our smiles faded as I took a deep gulp. We both awed at the undeniably gorgeous city, but we were still nervous. Applejack hadn’t been in a city like this since she ran away from the Oranges many years ago when she was just a little filly. I was nervous because I was about to be in a city filled with ponies, but more importantly, I had a second shot at getting the Oranges approval.  Ok, calm down, you can do this. Alright, time to run through the plan again. We go straight from the train station to the Oranges’ apartment, where we stay until it’s time to leave for the ball. Then we go to the ball, Applejack and I dance and have the usual magical time together, and then we go home on the late night express with the sleeper car and everything. Sounds simple, right? The plan itself may have been simple, but given the fact I wasn’t a pony, and the awkwardness that plagued us in our last meeting, I had no idea what to expect.

Up to that point, I had a wonderful train ride with Applejack. We sat in the very back of the passenger car (to avoid attention) in the left isle and laughed and talked the whole way there, without a care in the world. We played games, invented games, admired the countryside, teased each other, and clicked like peas in a pod the entire way there, but never once did we talk about the ball or the Oranges. It sure seemed like Rarity was right; if we were with each other, how could we not enjoy ourselves? It was just the usual peaceful time between husband and wife, human and pony, best friend and best friend. Applejack had an amazing ability to make me completely forget about anything bad whatsoever, but once I saw that skyline, I had to swallow the fact that we would soon be getting off the train and making our way through the crowded streets to the Orange’s apartment. For better or for worse, everyone on the train was pretty much silent at this point; they were too busy looking out the window in awe at the majestic view of the city, Applejack and I included.

The train went up elevated tracks as it moved into the city, and before we knew it, stone streets that were littered with ponies could be seen beneath us, with buildings as tall as the clouds all around us. There were coffee shops, teashops, restaurants, salt flocks, saloons, and all kinds of stores on every street corner. The first things I saw were billboards and huge posters on the sides of some of the buildings. The first one I noticed was a picture of the city skyline at night, and over the buildings in big white letters read the words, “The Manehattan Moon Mingle.” The first “o” in the word ”moon” was represented by (you guessed it) a full moon. Just under that in smaller letters, it read, “Tonight at nine-thirty at Manehattan Castle, hosted by the Mayor of Manehattan herself.”

I heard Applejack make a gagging noise of disgust, so I turned my head to see what she was looking at. It was a billboard that had picture of a light blue unicorn mare with a snow-white mane. She was giving everyone a very confident, almost cocky sly smile, and she had a large, purple pointy hat with stars on it. The words beneath her read “The Great and Powerful Trixie: Tomorrow Night at 8 at the Convention Center.” I wonder why she’s disgusted. The smile, maybe? That’s certainly not a very friendly, loving smile, not like the one Applejack always has.

I knew that we were far away from Sweet Apple Acres when I saw one stallion on the ground with a monocle that extended from his fancy suit. The mares of the city were all wearing glittery, flowing dresses with all kinds of different manes. One thing was certain; Applejack was going to be turning the head of every stallion with her incredible dress and unbelievably beautiful mane, coat, and everything else.

I was extremely nervous as we approached the train station in the middle of the city and I thought about all of the attention that I was about to get from the ponies of Manehattan. I was going to have a lot of pony eyes on me from every direction, and whether it would be good or bad remained to be seen. I certainly didn’t want to find out. Deep breaths, AJ, deep breaths. Don’t let Applejack see you nervous; it’ll just make her upset. I can’t make things work with the Oranges unless I calm down. That was the worst part. All I wanted was to win the approval of Applejack’s whole family so they could go back to being one again.

To calm myself, I did the only thing that could bring me peace in any difficult situation; I thought about Applejack. I glanced over at her as she looked out the window with mixed emotions at everything in the city, and an inevitable little smile came over my face. I love you so much. You… are just… the most amazing wife a human could ask for. I hadn’t forgot what she told me in the barn the other night, and I had something I was going to give her to make her feel better. I wanted it to be something timeless like the locket I gave her at our wedding. Something that would really let her know that she was anything but a useless, uninteresting mare on a farm to me, but rather the sweet-to-the-core, unbelievably charming, humble, and incredibly hard-working pony that she was. Don’t worry, you’ll find out what it is soon enough; just bear with me for this moment. I wasn’t going to give it to her yet; I was saving it for the best, most romantic moment possible.

The train came to a halt, and I put my hands on my knees and looked down with wide eyes, sucking in air and blowing it all out with an open mouth. Suddenly, I felt a strong hoof on the side of my face that turned my head until I was staring Applejack in the face, her big green eyes full of sentiment. She lowered her hoof and gave me a great big smile, and then she wrapped her arms/front legs around me and pulled me in against her for a hug. She certainly knows how to comfort me; even after all the time we’d been married, I still blushed deeply with delightful embarrassment everytime she held me lovingly against her soft, warm self.

“Don’t be nervous, sugarcube. Ah’ know we both belong back at the farm, but that don’t mean we can’t have a darn tootin’ good time here,” she said in her sweet, country girl voice. That was all I needed to give me the strength to walk off that train, but she’s such a sweetheart; she took it a step further. “Hey,” she whispered in my ear. “Make ya feel any better to know that ah’ love you, sugarcube?” she said, pulling her head back with a friendly smile. I looked surprised for a short second, then I laughed quickly but loudly. That was the funniest thing I’d heard in a long time. Those three words were the only words I needed to hear for the rest of my life.

“You have no idea,” I said, finding my usual deep consolation in her wonderful eyes. The smile faded on my face as I looked down at the floor of the train and took a deep, long breath. “Well, time to find out if Rarity is as good as we think she is.” Applejack let out a laugh that sounded like it was from a young filly version of herself (and I thought her usual laugh was adorable).

“Oh, ah’ wouldn’t worry bout that, honey. Yer cuter then a lamb drinkin’ out of a baby bottle!” she said. I stood up and reached my hand out help her out of the isle.

“It’s time I started acting like a gentleman. Come on,” I said teasingly with a warm smile. She happily reached out and grabbed my hand as I pulled her up into the isle. I didn’t take two steps forward when she lowered her head right under my arm and lifted it back when it was around her neck. Then we walked toward the door to get off of the train together. My heart was beating out of my chest as I looked out the windows of the right side of the train where the platform was and saw mares and stallions young and old walking across in big crowds. Well, here goes nothing.

I was exactly right about Applejack. The second she stepped down the stairs of that train, heads of ponies all around her were turning in her direction. She stepped right onto the platform and turned around and waited for me with a nervous smile as I stood behind the door at the top of the steps. One group of five young stallions who were all wearing the same black suit were walking along smiling and talking, until they saw Applejack; they stopped walking and stood right where they were with wide open mouths and eyes.

Stallions everywhere were stopping in the middle of the platform and staring blatantly at my wife. I saw one middle-aged stallion that was by himself crash right into a group of mares bowling-ball style because he couldn’t take his eyes off her. Two mares with glamorous dresses who were standing just to her whispered to each other in awe and admiration, while a group of mares to her right were looking at her with downright jealousy. As her husband, I knew full well that Applejack was looking downright beautiful, but even I wasn’t expecting a reaction of this magnitude. I took a deep breath and smiled back extremely nervously, ready or not for all the attention. Rarity’s analogy was repeating over and over in my head. Just like a dragon with handsome scales, that’s all you are to them. Rare, but handsome. I hope.

I gave my slick hair one quick touch, straightened my jacket, and slowly stepped down those steps with nothing fear and nervousness in my eyes, and an open mouth. Sure enough, heads were already turning towards me from every direction, just as they had with Applejack. Amidst the sounds of a thousand hooves on cement and all of the other noises that come from the big city, pony eyes that were big to begin with were huge as they pierced me from every direction. I could hear all kinds of voices from around me “Is that a human?” “Oh my gosh, look at that amazing tuxedo!” and I even heard one young mare say to her friend “I think he’s gorgeous.”

At first, I was terribly embarrassed as we walked toward the exit. I looked nervously to my left and saw ponies tapping their friends and looking over at me. I looked to my right and saw a group of young stallions looking directly at me with perpetuation; I couldn’t tell if they were just looking at me like that because I was a human, or because they were impressed with what Rarity had done with me, or a combination of both. Suddenly, I realized I was making direct eye contact with them. Do something! I did the only thing I could think of; I smiled and waved my hand at them, and to one of the biggest reliefs of my entire life, they friendlily smiled and waved right back. No way! She did it! Rarity did it! Applejack gave me a slight push and we smiled at each other in triumph. Confidence that I’ve never felt was suddenly surging through me as Applejack and I made our way out the great stone train station and into the stone streets of Manehattan, where the looks and gasps were still coming from all angles. Applejack and I looked at each other with love in happiness; the night was quickly falling into the hands of a couple of farmers in Manehattan, and suddenly, the Oranges were the last thing on my mind as we walked through the city toward their apartment.

As we approached one street corner, I noticed one group five or six stallions standing in front of a thriving fancy restaurant, staring at Applejack. I suddenly wanted to have some fun, so I leaned over and whispered in her ear.

“Hey, can you do me a favor and flutter your eyelashes when we pass this group of stallions up here on the left?” I said. Applejack put her hoof on her mouth as she giggled wildly. We walked right past the group of stallions and Applejack shot them a smile and did as I asked her, moving her eyelashes up and down at them. Each one of them turned a deep hue of red and smiled embarrassingly, and we both broke out in laughter as we passed them.

“Alright, now it’s yer turn. See that group o’ mares up there on the right? Smile and give ‘em a salute as ya walk by,” she said, trying to contain her laughter. I looked up and saw two young mares admiring my appearance, and I threw my hand over my eyes and smiled as wide as a mile as I pictured it. Applejack and I walked forward, giggling all the way; I don’t think either of us could have done this on any other day or in any other situation, and we certainly couldn’t do it by ourselves. I straightened my face out as we approached the two mares, and as I walked by, I shot them a friendly smile and raised my right hand to my forehead before throwing it towards them. The two of them looked at each other with squees of delight, then looked back at me and waved.

“Don’t ya’ll go gettin’ any ideas, this here’s mah’ husband!” yelled Applejack with a big grin. I couldn’t tell if she was serious or just playing, but either way, it didn’t matter. I felt like a six-year old child walking along with his schoolyard crush, and I was having as much fun as I’d had in a long time. We continued our walk to the Oranges as though we were on clouds, smiling at each other the whole way there.

When Applejack and I arrived at the Oranges apartment, the stars were brightly and beautifully shining above us, and I contemplated giving her the gift I was keeping, but I decided not to. It wasn’t quite romantic enough yet, even though we were having the time of our lives. Applejack was super special to me, and I wanted to give the gift at the most special time possible.

The Oranges’ lived in a very tall skyscraper, made of marble on the inside and outside. We pushed through the glass door and the city noise disappeared as we made our way through the lobby of the apartment, whose walls were decorated with magnificent paintings of different street intersections in the city. We made our way to the flight of round stairs that were on the left side of the building and walked up, pushing and shoving each other playfully all the way up. She stopped us when we got to the fifth floor; the richest ponies in the building did not live at the top of the apartments, but at the bottom. We made our way down the hall until we came to a door with a picture of Oranges on it. Applejack reached out her right hoof and pounded loudly on the door, then stepped back and gave me a big smile, and a quick hug with her left leg. I wasn’t uncomfortable at all anymore as we waited for the door to open, not after the experience we just had. My heart was overflowing with so much affection for my wife that I was too joyful to be nervous.

Aunt Orange opened the door with a huge, gracious smile on her face. They were having a party, and I could see lots of high-class ponies talking and mingling behind her as noise and music came out into the hall. Just like before, she had her mane done in a huge bun so that most of the hair on her neck was above her head. Her dress was dark orange but very frou-frou-y, and she had fine jewelry on a gold necklace across her neck. Before Applejack or I could say anything, she threw herself around her niece first, talking fast.

“Oh my goodness, Applejack, dear, thank you so much for the second chance! We are so sorry about what happened the other day, but we are so deeply grateful that you have honored our request!” she said, squeezing Applejack tightly.

“Howdy there, Aunt Orange! It ain’t no problem at all. We just, uh,” she said, laughing uncomfortably as the air was being squeezed out of her. Aunt Orange took a step back and gave us both another look of shock.

“Goodness, you are both absolutely stunning!” she said, moving back and fourth between Applejack and me. “You are one handsome fellow!” she said, reaching around me and giving me a very awkward hug. I looked over her at Applejack in mild shock, but I smiled when I saw that Applejack was giggling with delight. I looked down wrapped my arms around the bottom of her neck and squeezed about one eighth as tight as she was hugging me.

“Oh, sorry. You’ll have to excuse me. Every year we have this big party before the mingle, just to get everypony ready,” she said. Applejack and I laughed it off.

“No problem at all! Everyone likes a good party,” I said, smiling at her. Aunt Orange then looked at me as though she just remembered something.

“Oh, that reminds me, would you be up to meet my husband down at the Prancing Pony salt flock? That way you the guys can spend some time together, and the ladies can stay here and talk about all of our lady things,” she said, smiling smugly at Applejack. “Then we will of course meet back up with each other at the mingle,” she continued. I stopped and thought about it for a second. I was in a mood where I felt like I could talk to anyone, and even though I wasn’t really looking forward to something like that and would much rather spend time with Applejack. I knew that Applejack would be out of her element to stay here at this party; she didn’t know how to behave in front of those ponies, and I was worried that she might embarrass herself or something, so I wanted to be there if that happened to help her and comfort her. But on the other hand, it would mean a lot to her if I could rescue her relationship with her uncle by maintaining one with him myself, and she was a strong, charming, not to mention radiantly beautiful pony, regardless of how good (or bad) her manners were. I realized I had been silent for a good while, and Aunt Orange was still looking at me.

“Oh! Sorry! I, uh, I mean, yes of course I’ll do that. Just, uh, where exactly is that?” I said, rubbing the back of my neck with my hand. It’s not like I had any idea where the salt flocks in this city were.

“Oh, I’m so sorry about that, my dear, how silly of me! To get to the Prancing Pony, you just walk outside this apartment and turn right, and six blocks down, it will be on the corner of Hoofington Avenue to your left,” she said. I nodded in understanding, and then she piped up again. “Oh, and by the way, don’t be afraid of my husband, he’s just a little weird sometimes. If you want to get him to talk about something, just ask him about his glass vase that he bought in Canterlot, he paid a thousand bits for it and he won’t shut up about it!” she said, throwing her hoof out at Applejack and laughing. “Well come on inside, Applejack, darling. This divine beauty needs ponies to admire it!” she said, causing Applejack to turn a deep shade of red.

“Aw shucks, Aunt Orange, you don't need to get into that. Ah’ll be right in, just gimme one minute with mah’ sugarcube,” she said, turning to me with a warm smile.

“No problem! I know how couples are, just come on in when you’re ready,” said Aunt Orange, closing the door and leaving Applejack and me by myself in the hallway. Applejack walked right up to me and rested her head against my chest innocently. I can’t even begin to describe how warm and fuzzy I felt when she did that. Deeply in love with her, I placed my hand on her mane just as innocently and petted it without messing it up.

“You gonna be alright here? Just remember to eat the salad first,” I said teasingly, and Applejack laughed.

“Ah’ll be alright, as long as ah’ can just eat with mah’ mouth and not mah’ hooves,” she said, as we both chuckled again. “Ah’ really appreciate what yer doin’ sugarcube. Ah’ hope ya know how much ah’ love you. Jus’ don’t be nervous, please, it’ll be alright,” she said sweetly. She pulled her back and looked up at me with a friendly smile. “Oh, and try not to have too much fun without me,” she said, resting her head back where it was. That’s impossible. I was thinking of giving her the gift now since I wasn’t going to see her until the ball.

“Hey,” I whispered in her ear. “When am I gonna see you again?” Before she could answer, we heard Aunt Orange calling for her from the other side of the door. Applejack pulled her head away from me and looked back at the door before swinging back around.

“Tonight, at the ball. That’s too long for me, too,” she said, knowing exactly what I was thinking and wrapping her arm around me for one final hug. I agreed with her to the fullest extent, and I wrapped both of my arms around her neck and squeezed tightly. Give her the gift. Now. She pulled herself away from me and we got into another one of our soulgazing moments, which I loved so dearly as I got the chance to stare deeply into her eyes and admire her. We stared silently and lovingly for a long moment. Then she smiled and turned around to head inside. Give her the gift! You’re blowing it!

She took two steps away from me and put a hoof on the door before I finally stepped forward and tapped her on the shoulder. She spun around eagerly, and I made a point of smiling as deeply and lovingly at her as I could I as reached into my left pocket inside my jacket and pulled out a plain white cloth that was folded and carrying something inside. I grabbed her right hoof gently and brought it upward slowly. I looked back up at her and smiled one more time before letting the smile fade on my face as I looked into her eyes. I took my hand off of her hoof and stepped backward, and realizing that I timed it perfectly, I shot a huge, friendly smile at her that she deserved as I turned away and headed down the hallway.

When she opened up the folded cloth in her hoof, she found inside a picture of the two of us lying down against an apple tree, with one of my arms around her. We were both smiling wide and looking like extraordinarily content, but I picked the picture because I wanted her to see just how happy she made me. Underneath, I wrote with in black ink “You are the most interesting pony I have ever met, and you are and will always be my hero, my role model, and my best friend. Love, your sugarcube.” I know, I know, pet names are sappy. But sugarcube was different. That was her trade mark, and the most pleasant thing I’ve ever been referred to.

I walked down the hall, and just before I headed down the stairs, I looked back to see her reaction. Even though she was smiling at me with overwhelming happiness, she was crying. The strength and timeless of true love was shining in her eyes, which is all I had wanted her to know, was that I loved her, and that she was anything but just a mare on a farm to me.

I gave her one last smile as I went down the stairs, and then I sprinted across the lobby and through the glass doors out into the crowded streets of Manehattan, on my to the Prancing Pony. I was full of energy and life, and I closed my eyes and took a deep breath as I paced down the sidewalk, picturing the image attached with this testimony. I opened my eyes with content. Now I go bond with Unlce O, and this night is perfect. What could possibly go wrong?

The Stallion of Her Dreams

As if I wasn’t already the center of attention to the ponies of Manehattan who walked the streets past me, I probably looked downright crazy to all of them the way I was staring into space and swimming in my own imagination. As beautiful as Manehattan is at night, from the regal ponies to the lights and shops on every corner, the most beautiful thing I saw was a deeply affectionate and appreciative Applejack staring down at me from the sky in the beautiful dress that Rarity had made her. It was making my heart flutter enough knowing how happy she must’ve been with the way I left her at the Oranges apartment. I was so intensely in love with her and so overwhelmingly happy for us that I had finally won the approval of her whole family that I was barely in touch with my surroundings.

All I honestly cared about was seeing that she had the most wonderful life she could possibly have, with the most loyal and loving bridegroom that she deserved more then anything else (if you ask her, she would of course that she say didn’t deserve it, simply because she’s so modest, which if anything just made me love her that much more). It appeared as though we were on the verge of destroying the last obstacle that stood in the way of us living together in peace, harmony, happiness, and complete love for the rest of our lives, as human and pony, but more importantly, husband and wife. All I could do was entertain myself with thoughts and imaginations of how happy she was going to be when I met up with her at the mingle and told her how everything went perfect between her uncle and I. We did it, Applejack. Everything went fine; he’s completely fine with your decision to marry me, and he definitely still loves you.

My game of pretend was probably both childish and foolish to anyone else, but they were from the depths of heart and dreams, which I will never deny. I looked up and imagined her putting her hoof on her heart in deep appreciation and loving obligation. Awww shucks, sugarcube, you went through all of this jus’ for me?  I blushed deeply and looked down at the ground before smiling back up at her with delight. Come on Applejack, you should know by now that I’ll do anything if it means I can see you smile. Deeply touched with my simple answer, her eyes sparkled and the smile on her face widened. Honey, you are so special! Ah’ can’t wait to spend every lovin’ minute with you at that mingle-hoedown thingy!

I laughed and delighted at the thought of dancing with Applejack. Oh man, how is that going to work? It’ll be her hooves in my hands. She’s gonna have to twirl me, because I definitely can’t see myself twirling her very well. Either way, it sounded like so much fun, and I had no doubt that we would make it work somehow. Then we go back to Sweet Apple Acres where we belong, the most gorgeous place in Equestria, where the most wonderful family lives. With the sweetest, most lovable country mare who ever lived. In a state of ecstasy, I continued onward down the sidewalk and looked ahead for the salt flock known as the Prancing Pony.

I walked up my destination eagerly with bright eyes, and I wasn’t nervous in the slightest. Like every other shop and restaurant, the Prancing Pony was on the ground level of a very tall skyscraper. It had large glass windows, and through the windows I could see tables of ponies with dimly-lit chandeliers hanging down from the ceiling over them. Even though it wasn’t quite as crowded as some of the other places I saw on my way, it was still quite a congregation of lavish ponies. I walked through the front glass door and peered around for Uncle Orange, doing my best to ignore all of the eyes that were turning on me from the moment I stepped in. To my left was the bar where ponies got their salt and drinks. I ran my eyes across the entire place, stopping at every table where ponies were sitting. I checked every table twice, but there was no sign of Uncle Orange. I let out a sigh of disappointment; my confidence and mood took a small hit at his lack of being there, but nevertheless I stayed positive. I’m still in good shape! He’s probably just running a little late. This town is extremely busy and crowded anyway, and it’s easy to get delayed. I’ll just get a drink and wait for him.

I walked up to the shiny wooden bar and rested my hands on it. There were sitting cushions but no chairs, so I just stood there. The stallion tending the bar was a grey unicorn with a black tux, a black goatee, and a slick black mane that was combed flat. He hadn’t noticed me until I walked up, and as soon as he saw me, his eyes went from a very formal stare to a wide state of surprise. He gave me a good, long look from head to toe, then lowered his eyebrows as though my appearance had gained his approval.

“You look a little young for salt, I’ll need to see some ID,” he said in a low articulate manner. I couldn’t help but laugh; salt by itself was strictly a pony thing; I found it downright disgusting. Even if I did like it, Princess Celestia decreed that anyone under twenty-one years of age was not allowed to consume it in large quantities.

“That’s ok pal, I’ll just have an iced tea,” I said. No point in ordering my favorite beverage, apple cider; once you’ve had Apple family apple cider, there’s no use getting it when you go out since you’ll just be disappointed. He set my iced tea in front of me and I put my lips on the straw and started sucking away. I looked over my shoulder and gave one more quick scan from left to right for Uncle Orange. A group of young mares at a table close to where I was standing was watching me, and when I ran my eyes by them, they smiled. I smiled and waved back embarrassingly, constantly reminded of the fact that I was a rare treat for these ponies.

I let another sigh and took a big gulp of my drink. I wonder what he and I should talk about? I thought about what I discussed whenever I had conversations with colts or stallions back in Ponyville. Typically we just talked about sports, or certain things that were going on that day in town, or anything; we clicked just fine. Knowing that, I also knew that this was very different from the usual friendly conversation with a stallion/colt of Ponyville. I wonder if he follows the Wonderbolts? Seemed to me that both the rich and the poor of Equestria followed them, and I certainly enjoyed them. We could always talk about Applejack! That was the winner. I could talk about her forever. Simply thinking of her and picturing her friendly smile gave me another shot confidence and hope I needed, and I took another chug of tea and waited patiently and excitedly.

But one glass of iced tea without getting a tap on the shoulder suddenly became two. And soon enough, two became three. It wasn’t until my fourth glass that I felt somepony standing behind me. Upon sensing his presence, confidence shot up inside me again and I eagerly spun around with a smile. The smile quickly faded into a wide-eyed, open mouthed look of surprise and bewilderment. I stared face-to-face with a very large white Earth pony stallion with a long, dark blue mane looking at me with a professional but rather unwelcoming stare. He was wearing no clothes, no necklace, or anything like that. He was much older then me but clearly younger then Uncle Orange. Anyway, after a few rather awkward seconds, he finally lifted his head and spoke in a deep, professional manner with little emotion.

“Your presence is requested in the back.”

Huh? I looked him funny for a moment, then put my hand to my chin in thought. Well, this is a weird way to summon your nephew-in-law. But at least he’s here. I accepted and nodded my head at him with eager nervousness. He shot me a harmless smile and turned around, walking toward the back of the restaurant. I followed right behind him as he slowly weaved around the tables of ponies. We came to the back of the restaurant where the was a narrow hallway jetting out from the main wall of the restaurant. I didn’t really know what to think at this time, but I came to accept it. A private meeting? For goodness sake, I hope he doesn’t ask me a bunch of questions or something. Despite his weird methods, I gave him the complete benefit of the doubt and trusted that he meant me no ill will. He was, after all, Applejack's family, and that meant something to me.

I followed the large white stallion right up to a side door that was jetting out from the left side of the hall. He bumped open the door with his head and signaled for me to go in, with little emotion as though he was just doing his job. This was a big deal for me, confident or not. I took a deep breath, thought of Applejack, then walked in.  What in the name of all things cinnamon swirl (yes, I did get that from Applejack) is this? I looked around in complete bewilderment. This room was only about twenty-five feet wide and equally as long, and seemingly made of stone. There was nothing in it but a small square table in the dead center, with a wooden bowl of water on it. My side of the room was dimly lit with candles on the walls, and the other side wasn't lit at all; it was just a shadow. There was one window on the right side of the room, and apparently there was an alley or something on the other side of it because the only thing shining through was the light from the moon.

"Wow, and here I thought there was no such thing as a good-looking human," said the voice of what sounded like a young mare. I looked in front of me, completely dumbfounded and somewhat alarmed, and on the other side of the table hidden in the shadows were two big, purple pony eyes and the outline of a unicorn sitting on a cushion. I could see some features and emotions on her face, but that was about it. For whatever reason, I looked behind me at the door in confusion, then looked back at the mysterious mare in front of me. I was suddenly very uncomfortable, and my guard was on high.

"Who are you?" I said. Standing up straight, she let out a girly, high-pitched laugh as though I was ignorant of some obvious fact. I smiled uncomfortably and looked in either direction with me eyes. Um, am I missing something here?

"Oh, sweet pea! I'm an old friend of your wife, as well as Mr. Orange," she said. I took a sigh of relief and held my hand over my chest. Up until then, I didn't know what the hay was going on. One thing I did know was that a friend of Applejack is a friend of mine. "I just couldn't help myself; I wanted to meet the human who has such... adorable, deep feelings for a pony. I was hoping we could just have a little chat before you go out there and bond with your uncle," she said. I smiled at hearing those words and shrugged with a slight blush. I was never more pleased to be guilty as charged.

"The secret's out," I said warmly. I looked around the room again before settling back at her. "So how did a friend of Applejack's end up in a place like Manehattan?" The mysterious mare let out another girly laugh of amusement.

"I don't want to waste all of our time talking about me," she said, tilting her eyes up with a feminine smile. It sure seemed like she did want to talk about herself. "After a minor setback in Ponyville," she rolled her eyes and looked away as though as she had no interest in going into detail, "I took my magic talents here, and well, let's just say it didn't take long for me to become an overnight sensation." I was rather surprised by the blatant arrogance of her remark, but nevertheless, I tried to stay kind and respectful. She looked down and started laughing to herself before facing up again."But enough about me, I wanna know about you and her! Now forgive me, I completely understand if you don't want to answer this, but as a dear friend of Applejack's and a curious girl, I was just wondering, what do you and her do for fun?" she said with a very smug and eager smile. I looked up in thought and smiled with ridiculous happiness as I thought about everything I did with my special apple flower. Simply standing next to her was fun.

"Where do I begin?" I said with a wide grin, still staring up into space. It seemed like Applejack and I grew in love everyday. Obviously, I wasn't gonna tell her everything. I didn't really feel like telling her how nice it felt when she cuddled me, and I certainly wasn't going to tell her that we occasionally kissed on the mouth. "Jeez, we do just about everything together. We play in the orchard, go for walks and runs, go down to Sugarcube Corner for various treats, tell each other secrets. But I must admit that one thing I seem to love above everything else is just laying back against an apple tree after a hard day's work and resting my head against her," I said with an innocent smile. "Of course, running a farm is a lot of work, but then again, what is love if there's no work involved?" I couldn't see all of her emotions given her somewhat hidden position in the shadow, but it was almost as if she was rather uninterested (or for lack of a better word, unimpressed) with my response. She quickly covered it up by looking down and giggling again.

"I just have one question. What is it you love about her so much?"

As you hopefully by now, there are many things reasons why I love Applejack. Where I'm from, hard labor is frowned upon by pretty much everyone. The last thing anyone wants to do is hard, hands on work. When I first came to Ponyville and started working at Sweet Apple Acres, she was unlike anyone I had ever seen in this regard. She didn't complain or question her life at all. She accepted it without any complaint whatsoever, and she worked the farm until she was sore for the sole reason that she loved her family. I had never seen such unselfishness in my entire life. After all that, she's just a real sweetheart. Genuinely speaking, she's loyal to her friends, extremely dependable, super-friendly, sweet-to-the-core, plus she just has that country charm to her. She has a wonderfully pure heart and a fun-loving attitude toward everyone.

I was more then happy to think and talk about everything I loved about her, but I wasn't exactly planning on confessing everything to a complete stranger, even though it was much easier then confessing to a human. But there was something about the way she asked me that made the smile on my face get a little bit smaller. I couldn't tell if it was honest curiosity or more of a "why would anyone love Applejack?"

"What do you mean by that?" I said with a half smile. She walked forward into the light for the first time, and I immediately recognized her. What the-? It was none other Trixie, the pony whom Applejack made a disgusted gag about on the billboard. She did not have on her hat, and her cutie mark was a magic wand with a crescent moon going around it. Her mane was not as white as it appeared in the picture; it had faint streaks of light blue and grey. She stepped forward and thought for the right words, then smiled at me condescendingly.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is that of all the ponies a human could fall in love with, why would it be for a boring and uninteresting pony who lives on a farm and bucks apples all day?"

Well, as you can probably imagine, this changed the nature of the conversation. I couldn't believe what I just heard. I had to step back and let my mind absorb what was happening. She was just mocking me all that time. Ok, now I know why Applejack was disgusted. I had no idea what contact she actually had with her, but it occurred to me that based on her recollection of Ponyville that she must've stopped there and had a bad experience with her arrogance. She must've had a really bad experience with Applejack, otherwise she wouldn't be in here toying with me like this. I should've just walked out right then and there, I knew full well that she wasn't worth it. But I couldn't leave without defending my wife; I was getting sick and tired of her being disrespected for being a farmer and a hard worker. Given my little knowledge of who Trixie was, whatever I said to her wasn't going to be the best comeback I ever had. I walked up to the table and set my hands on it, and looking down, I laughed with disgust before turning back up at her.

"You know... it's a pity that I didn't get to see your show in Ponyville. You must've left on such a high note, with everypony adoring you like you wanted them to." Trixie leaned over the table so we were staring each other in the face.

"One thing I remember clearly is your wife pathetically challenging me like the rest of her friends. She trotted up to the stage and showed off her petty little roping skills, only to be humiliated by me tying her up like a stuck pig."

That one cut me deep. To picture my beloved Applejack in a state of humiliation after something Trixie had done was devastating to me. Her cruel smile only a foot in front my face, I stared at her angered beyond belief. I wanted to say something, but I just didn't know what to say; I didn't know her well enough. I pictured the loving, innocent smile of my wife. I missed her dearly already. All I wanted to do was go out, meet with her uncle, and have a wonderful time at the ball with her. I turned around and walked toward the door leaving Trixie at the table, because I figured that's what Applejack would have me do. I reached out with my right hand to open the door, but it wouldn't move it. It was locked. My heart rate and anxiety skyrocketed as I heard Trixie call out to me in a cruel but nice-sounding tone.

"Oh, I'm so sorry cutie, but your dear ol' Uncle Orangey isn't paying me to let you leave!"

I turned around slowly as a feeling of complete sadness and failure slammed me from every direction. I didn't want to believe it. It was just too devastating for me to comprehend. My mind, my thoughts, everything was extremely slowed. I had gone from a state of complete happiness and hope to a feeling of betrayal and desolation. How did it come to this? I looked at Trixie, and with my expression, I begged her to tell me that she was just playing a prank on me. No. No, no, no, please... for the love of Celestia... please be joking. Please... I beg you... tell me that isn't true. She just smiled back at me with delight. I fell to my knees and covered my face with my hands. Of all the emotions I have ever felt, the feeling of betrayal is one of the worst. To put your trust and faith in someone and then be let down is one of the hardest things to experience. I was too overcome with the grief that I didn't even feel my hands being tied around my back as Trixie's horn was lit up with magic. I'm so sorry, Applejack. I let you down.

"Oh, come on, you know that he hated you from the moment he saw you. After talking to you here, I don't blame him."

I shook my head; I had gotten over the initial state of shock and sadness, and my mind was clear again, but embers of rage were burning inside me. I stood up and did a little scoffing of my own.

"So what, you're gonna keep me locked in here for the whole night and taunt me? Is that it?" Trixie let out a high-pitched laugh as she covered her face with her hoof.

"Oh no! We - and especially I- have much bigger and more elaborate plans for Applejack."

My anger turned to utter horror at those words. My eyes were wide with fear and my breaths were deep and long. This is not happening. It can't be.

"If you do... anything to her... I swear to the royal sisters, I will... "

"Oh it's nothing like that. You see, your uncle is a firm believer that every mare needs a stallion, not a human. So he picked out a stallion to take your place!"

"Why are you doing this? What did we ever do to you?"

"Ten thousand bits is a lot of bits, but I'll admit there is also a little bit of a revenge factor. And the fact that he chose my brother to take your place, a handsome ladies stallion himself, who is under the delusion that your wife is the most attractive mare he's ever seen."

"You think she'll leave me just like that? You're insane. Both of you," I said, shaking my head with disgust. Trixie frowned.

"That is one area that I saw could become a problem," she said, still frowning, but then she flipped back to a most heartless grin. "Then I remembered how talented I am. I've made a love potion of my own to give to her."

I shook my head in horror with wide, desperate eyes. No, no, no, no. Not my Applejack. "She'll be getting it tonight at the ball. It's got everything she needs to be the best possible wife for my brother. Desperation, obsession, and maybe just the teeniest, tiniest bit of," she paused and smiled evilly to herself before looking back up at me, "lust."

"NOOOO!!!!!!!"

She didn't stop there. She just kept going as rage was building inside me to level that I myself feared. This was the worst possible fate for my little apple flower, who's purity shined like the sun. Trixie was going to destroy it. Even if there was a cure and she did come back at some point, she would be heart-broken forever. For the first time in six months, I felt true hatred as I looked back up at Trixie with what was probably a frightening expression.

"Think of it this way. She's just like any other animal on a farm. Her only real purpose is for breeding."

The top of the volcano blew off at those words. The embers that had burning quietly inside erupted to flames of pure rage. I let out a scream that shook the down the thunder, and it continued as I closed my eyes and ripped my arms in opposite directions. I could feel the blood in my arms pushing my veins out of my skin as I felt the rope weakening and tearing apart. I looked up at Trixie, who was backing into the wall with wide eyes of fear. When the rope snapped, I lunged forward as she let out a high pitched scream and closed her eyes. Just before I got to her, the tip of her horn lit up and I felt the strangest sensation throughout my whole body. Against my will, I hovered backward towards the wall until my back hit it with a thud. Trixie walked forward and apologized fearfully.

"Look, I was just kidding about the love potion, I took it too far, and I'm sorry. I just want to show you something, and I'll let you down if you promise not to do anything." I said nothing. I looked at her with deep rage as though she thought I was stupid. But I was unprepared for what she had to say next. "I can show you the kind of life Applejack would've had if she married a stallion."

All of my emotions collapsed and my rage nearly died at hearing this. She can do that? I was overcome with fearful curiosity. All I wanted was the best life possible for my Applejack, and I was almost certain that I provided her that. I knew the state of my own heart, which was that I loved Applejack with all of my heart and my strength. But I couldn't control what thought came next from inside. What if she would've been better off with a stallion? It was the most terrible thing I could ever imagine, if the one I loved so dearly would've been better off with someone other then me.

"I can show you... the truth." The cruelty in her voice was gone, replaced more with what seemed like a caring tone.

I was torn in many directions, and I didn't trust Trixie worth a hill of beans, but I was too curious to deny her. I cared about Applejack so much, and I just wanted what was best for her. So I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before nodding at her from my spot on against the wall. She lowered me back onto the ground and with a sweep of magic, the candles on the wall went out and the only thing lighting the room was the light from the moon and the pink magic that came from the tip of her horn. She walked me over to the table and dipped her horn into the bowl of water and began stirring it around. When she finished, she pulled her head upward and looked at me thoughtfully with what looked like caring pity.

Don't do this. What if the truth is that she's better off without me? I don't think I could bear that. I can't bear that. No, come on, there's no way that's the truth. She is best off with me. She has to be. I took the most dramatic and deep breath of my life and walked forward. I lowered my head so I could get a good gaze at the image in the water. The truth, which was either the happiest thing I ever dreamed of, or the worst nightmare I could ever imagine was about to be revealed to me.

I saw first the inside of the barn at Sweet Apple Acres. It was still the same, with the floor covered in hay and the walls as red as a rose. I saw Granny Smith, Big Macintosh, Apple Bloom, and both the Oranges standing in a circle around two ponies. They were all smiling, and they all looked like they were having a wonderful time together. But in the center I saw the most saddening sight I had ever laid eyes on, a sight that seemed to prevent any happiness from ever entering me again. My throat crumbled and my voice choked on the unbearable despair in my heart.

"A-Applejack?"

Sitting in the middle of the family of ponies was my wife, resting her head snugly and peacefully against a stallion who looked like a male version of Trixie. She looked so content with her life, and everyone, most notably the Oranges, was looking at them with adoration and love.

"Don't you think you've messed her life up enough?" I shuttered with the most heartbroken words I have ever spoke.

"I just... I just wanted her to be happy. That's all I've ever wanted."

"And now she will be. Oh, sweetie, you and I both know that when she was growing up, she dreamed of a stallion that could make her happy, not a human." I pulled out the last bit of any hope I had left, and I desperately pleaded for myself.

"But we've been through so much together! I've done so much for her."

"It's time you stopped thinking about yourself, AJ. She's a pony! You're a human. You were not meant for each other from the moment that you two were conceived."

"But... I-I love her." She took a deep breath and rested her hoof on my shoulder, giving me the most pitiful look I've ever been given.

"If you love her,  you'll do what's best for her. You'll let her go."

I looked back in the bowl for perhaps one last glimpse of the pony I loved more then life itself. I covered my mouth with my hand when I saw what she holding in her arms. In a most loving manner, she deeply adored and cradled a beautiful baby pony in her arms. It occurred to me at that moment that Applejack was the perfect mother. The truth was as clear as day in my heart, and that was that she had the most wonderful heart, and she would be the most wonderful mother a baby ever had. I closed my eyes and pictured the only thing that made me happy; a happy Applejack. The words that came forward from my heart were the words I never thought I'd say, and the ones that essentially ended all happiness in my life, and broke my heart. Applejack would be happiest without me.

I fell to my knees once more, and starting from my hands, the strangest sensation was moving up my body in the form of a dim light. I was turning grey. It didn't stop until my entire body was covered with the plain, depressing color that represented the state of my heart. Trixie lowered her head over me, gave me a good and long look, then smiled and walked out of the room.

"Lock the door. You can let him out in the morning."

Her words meant nothing to me. Nothing meant anything to me. The pain was too much to live with, but not enough to cause me to die. I fell onto the cold, stone floor and passed into unconsciousness from shear sadness. There was little hope that the rest of my life would be any different.

A Different Kind of Look

Howdy! This here's Applejack. Slow down, partner, I know ya'll probly think we're tossing you a crooked horseshoe having me write this one, so just bear with me; it's necessary so you know the details of what's going on. Now, I'm sorry if my grammar ain't the best, and I know I got a funny accent. But if ya'll been waiting to hear the inner dialog of the farm mare who's crazy for the human, here's your chance. I reckon I don't got to tell you much about myself, so I'll just get right to it for ya'll. Just remember to read in my voice this time!

Well shoot, come think of it, I ain't never been a great scene setter. I guess I was feeling more then a few things on my way to the Manehattan Moon thingy. Hehe, I'll be honest, there were times I felt like a pig in a henhouse when I was walking up to that big castle on the edge of town for the hoedown with all the fancy ponies and hitched couples around. If ya'll want reference, it was just like the Canterlot Castle. It sat on the edge of the city on a big hill, and boy, it was a beauty. There was classy ponies and dresses in front of us, behind us, sideways, you name it. I walked all the way from my family's apartment with Aunt Orange. We was side by side, admiring the beautiful show that was going on behind the castle. Why, there was bright lights, and pretty stars, and amazing fireworks. It was quite the romantic setting, and I was a little sad to be myself.

But as soon as I thought of meeting back up with that kind, cute little two-legger, I was giggling like a schoolfilly. I'm usually mighty uncomfortable in these girly dresses and sort, but knowing it was for my sugarcube made it fine and dandy. I  was getting so excited thinking of dancing with him I couldn't stand it. Aww shucks, ah' hope he ain't too embarrassed when he sees what ah' got in store for him. Ah' cant wait to spin him around and around. Come to think of embarrassed, ah' wonder how that sweetheart is holding up with mah' uncle? Please, please don't be nervous, sugarcube! I couldn't bear to think of him in some awkward spot he don't want to be in. But I must admit, he sure is adorable when he's nervous; that cute thing turns as red as a rose every single time I kiss him!

Wasn't long on our walk up to the castle before I let out a sigh; I missed him already. I just wanted to gallop in there and give him a big ol' hug with all the loving care I could muster. I was still the country girl I always been walking up there and being around all the city folk; but my heart was nothing short of the most loving sentiment I ever felt when he looked at me with those gentle blue eyes. I felt so special picturing his bright, friendly smile that my heart was dancing a jig as I glanced up at those stars. Ah' ain't never met no one like you, sugarcube. Yer makin' me cry just thinkin' bout you! Aside from having the heart of a little foal, he was just so nice and so gentle that I wanted to just fall back in the hay and cuddle that whipper snapper in my arms the whole night. I pulled out the picture of me and him and held it as tight as a lasso against my heart. I was right peaceful when I thought of what came next. Tomorrow, we'll be back at the farm where we belong, watching the sunset over the whole orchard together. You can rest can rest yer weary little head on me, and ah'll be yer country princess who loves you more then anything else in the world. I ain't never been surer about anything in my entire life; I loved that biped with all of my heart and more.

(Still Applejack! Just checkin in on ya!) We (me and my Aunt that is) was walking right up to the big castle gate and waiting in line to get in when all of my emotions and feelings packed their things took a trip south. I felt my heart cry out as though my sugarcube was lassoed in some terrible pickle. That can't be the truth! Not mah' sugarcube! Now I don't understand much about magic and that sort, but I did learn a lot about the magic of two creatures joined in love from my friend Cadence. When her husband was weak and in need of her care, she, uh, somehow- oh shoot, I don't know how to say this - somehow she let all the magic in her heart make it's way into his, like they were two in one. As soon as he felt her love, they straightened up and bucked the queen and her crowd to kingdom come. See now, I felt a similar connection to my sugarcube ever since we got married, and right then, I felt as though he was in a terrible state of sadness and despair, which was making me a nervous, miserable wreak myself. What's that? I'm just a simple ol' earth pony and can't do any kind of magic whatsoever? Well, I sure as sugar can't do spells and what have you, but that don't mean my heart don't have a little magic of it's own!

By this time, we was past the gate and walking right through the magnificent front hallway that leads out into the garden. There was fancy chandeliers and pretty pony paintings and sculptures and what have you, but none of it mattered. I wasn't sure where this feeling came from, but it was there, and it was downright horrible. Aunt Orange was pointing to dresses and ponies she knew and chatting up a storm, but I was suddenly so nervous I was shaking. I didn't know what to think! Slow down, Applejack, what if he's right out here in the garden with mah' uncle? I took a deep breath, but then I moaned in fear. But what if he's back in mane part o' the city and needs me right now? Oh no, what if something terrible happened to him? It be all mah' fault!

"Where's Uncle Orange? Where's mah' husband?" I said with haste and urgency as we entered the huge, pretty castle garden. It's just like the Canterlot Garden; there was grass, and flowers, and bushes, even a fancy schmancy orchestra. Hitched couples, stallions, and mares were all around me. But my uncle and my husband was no where in sight.

"Um, I don't know, they should be here right in here somewhere. What's wrong dear?"

"Ah've just got this awful feelin' that something terrible happened to 'em! Oh no, ah' should've never brought him here. Oh mah' goodness Aunt Orange, if somethin' happens to him ah'll never be able to live with mah'self for letting him down."

My AJ was always so gentle and kind, but when I was in trouble, he stopped at nothing to see me taken care of. Make matters worse, I was getting mighty uncomfortable with some of the looks I was getting. Aunt Orange put her arm around me to comfort me, but it was no use.

"Oh honey, I'm sure they're just running a little late! My husband knows this town like the back of his hoof, he'll get him here! I promise."

I sat down on the ground and hung my head. That was when I heard the worst possible voice for any broken-hearted mare and the fakest excited gasp my ears ever heard, with the cruelest nice tone to it.

"Applejack! Please tell me you remember me. Oh wait, sorry, everyone remembers me! I'm the great and powerful Trixie!" she said, throwing her hoof out at me like I was being silly. She was wearing a glittering white dress that was froufrou and fancy to the core, probly cost a fortune to anyone but her. Of all the words I would use to describe that strutting showmare, modest and kind are not any of them. "Why so gloom? Where's your date? I would think that a mare like you would have a loyal husband right beside her. Is he getting you drinks or something?" She was making me feel so much worse then I already was. Any other moment I would've given her a piece of my mind and my back leg right then and there, but I was too sad and too disappointed with myself to do anything about it. I just lowered my head sadly.

"Ah' got nothin' to say to you. Just leave me alone, please."

"Um, oh, ok. It looked like you already were alone, and I was just trying to cheer you up, but ok! I'm sure there's plenty of stallions here who would be glad for me to introduce them to you, if you improve your barn manners a little bit. Just say the magic word," she said, strutting off with a sly little smile. I swear, she ain't connected to the harmony. My mind was spinning in every which way. I hoped it was just a false protective sense on my part, or something like that. Maybe ah'm just bein' overprotective. Just as she walked away from us, I heard my Aunt Orange say the best words I had heard all night.

"There he is!" I turned around happier than a junebug on a tomato plant, but that lasted as long as one shake of a sheep's tail.

"Sugarcube!-?"

My Uncle Orange was walking up to us from the garden entrance. He was wearing a fancy suit and tie himself, and he had a big smile on face. My husband was not with him, and just like that, I was back to being sadder than a weeping willow in an ice storm. I was more then sad, I was scared, and I needed my sugarcube. My Uncle started talking to me in his low, hoity-toity accent like nothing was wrong at all.

"Hello darling, so nice to see you! Sweetheart, you look downright radiant," he said. I ran right up to him and put my hoof on him like the utterly frightened and desperate mare I was.

"Where's mah' husband????" He shrugged it off like it was nothing.

"Oh my dear, he'll be here. He had a few drinks at the bar, befriended a couple of colts his age, and well, you know how guys are! They're heading to the ball too, so I thought I'd just let him come with them."

His words were some of the most devastating I've ever heard. I looked at him in disbelief and big time sadness and despair I ain't never felt. The cute little human whom I loved more then anything was in trouble. I knew it! I could feel his pain in my heart, and I was more broken hearted right then and there than I ever been in my whole life. My aunt slapped my uncle on the cheek and stormed off. I knew what I had to do.

"Ah'm leavin'. Ah'm goin' out there and finding mah' husband," I said, but just as I went to trot away, my uncle pulled me back.

"Darling, your husband is doing just fine, I assure you. He'll be here very shortly. Besides, the guards aren't letting anyone out until the ball is over, for safety reasons. By order of the mayor."

I looked at him as though he had taken away the only thing that would ever make me happy again. For all I knew, maybe he had. I didn't know what to think no more. This was more then I could bite off. I felt like the worst wife who ever walked. There was no way my uncle could've done something to him, he's my family! But was he lying to me? Sure didn't sound like my husband. Where are you, my beloved bridegroom? Are you safe on yer way here? Why does mah' heart tell me yer in trouble? Ah'll ah' want is you here with me right now, ah' love you so much!

"Uncle.... are you tellin' me the honest truth? That doesn't sound like mah' husband at all."

"Yes, dear. I mean, really. Are you that surprised? After all, it is in his nature to be a bit of a loose cannon."

I couldn't believe my own ears. My sugarcube a loose cannon? He was messin' with the bull, and now it was time for him to get the horns. I ain't never been a real angry mare, but I was madder then a wet hen to hear that. I reckon I was making a scene in front of everypony around.

"You don't know mah' husband at all! He's the kindest, sweetest creature ah' ever met, and he loves me so much it's embarrassing! " He backed off all innocent like.

"Darling, I'm not saying that at all! I just think that maybe you would've... well, maybe you should've... I don't know how to put this. Maybe it's in your best interests... to... consider... other options."

I ain't never been more sad in my entire life. My voice was choking on betrayal and grief. There was nothing left in me. My eyes were swimming in my own tears.

"You think... you think ah' should've married a stallion?"

I knew right then and there what he thought. I saw the pity in his eyes. He didn't want to offend me, but it was as clear as a glass of water what he thought about my bridegroom.

"Darling... all I want is what's best for you. I promised your mother when she- well, you know- that I would see to it that you and your sister had the best life two sisters could ever have. You're just such a sweetheart, darling... I just... I just want you to be with the one who's right for you."

I looked at him like the desperate, heartbroken, lovesick mare I was. I just took deep breath after deep breath. Especially at the mention of my mother, who would've wanted me to be with the best husband I could ever judge to be with. She would've wanted her eldest daughter to be a happy mare. I ain't never been happier then I was when I was with my sugarcube, the cute little human who was so adorable in every little thing he did. Ah' thought... ah' thought he'd be happy fer me and mah' decision to marry the one ah' love. The one who loves me. Ah' thought marrying a human would be alright with them if they knew how much he cared about me. I was just an inconsolable country mare stuck at a place I sure as hay didn't belong. I needed my hubby, but he couldn't come to me because he needed me.

I collapsed right back onto the grass and laid my head in my arms. I wanted nothing more then my sugarcube in my loving arms, because I loved him so much. My uncle leaned down and put his hoof on my shoulder. He thought I was sad because he thought I realized he was right, and that I should've married a stallion. My sugarcube and I had been through so much together. All the happy, peaceful days at Sweet Apple Acres, where we laughed and played till the sun went down and beyond. We told each other secrets about our families and our upbringing, we went on our adventures together. But none of that mattered to him, because he was no pony. I laid there in the grass without nothing to say for a long moment of time, with just my uncle on my back. I thought a long time about my husband, and I came to one conclusion.

"Hey, Uncle, ah'm gonna tell you a little story," I sat up and looked him right in the eye. I was gonna give him the full scoop; every last bit of feeling and truth that came from my honest heart. I was suddenly even sadder as I examined my life up to that point. "Ever since ah' was born, even before mah' parents died... ah' been workin' the farm all my life. Ah' ain't never questioned it, Uncle. Not once. Ah' loved goin' out there and workin' the hard life if it meant ah' could help mah' family." My uncle shot me a little beam as I took a deep breath. "Ah'll ah've ever wanted was to be the most dependable friend and family member ah' could be. And between Big Mac, Granny Smith, Apple Bloom, as well as mah' best friends like Twilight and the other elements, ah' think ah've done just that, cause they certainly seem to be real fond o' what ah' done fer them."

"Of course they are, dear." I took another deep breath and swallowed my own grief.

"But the honest truth... and you know it... is that no else admires the farmer like the others. No one wants to be the farmer who works all day. Ah' ain't a fancy dress-maker, or a world class flier, or a freaky magic talent. Ah'm just an apple farmer, and that ain't never gonna change."

My uncle took a deep sigh; he was getting real sad listening to this. He knew I was right. Now let's get one thing straight, I ain't one to make ponies feel sorry for me. I don't even feel very sorry for myself, I still had a great life, and I knew it. But I couldn't stop what was coming out of my mouth, because that's what resided in my heart.

"Now Uncle, ah've gotten a lot of different looks from stallions in mah' days. Some of them see me as a loyal friend, some of them see me as just an apple farmer, and many of them look at me and see me fer one thing; you know what ah'm talkin' about, so don't make me say it. You know that ain't me." I thought long and hard about my husband when he first came to Ponyville. He was such a cutie; he was real nervous, but he was so nice. He just wanted to make friends, just like me. We didn't think we'd ever find the right one. I looked away from Uncle Orange and stared right at those pretty stars. For the first time in a long time, I felt the smallest bit of happiness coming back. My voice was probly real high and girly right then. "When he came to Sweet Apple Acres, he started looking at me in a way ah' ain't never been looked at. He looked at me with... respect... and admiration that ah' never felt from anyone outside mah' circle of friends. Ah' ain't never wanted anything for mah'self, Uncle... but when he looked at me with those soft blue eyes of his, there was so much... tenderness, and depth of feeling... ah' just... "

My little moment of joy was gone in a jiffy, and just like that, I was back to crying my eyes out. I looked up and thought of my sugarcube with the rest of the family back home. "You should see him with Apple Bloom, the way he plays with her and reads her stories and takes care of her. He's like the father she never had.... come to think of it, he would be an amazing fa-"

I was having the deepest feelings of love I ever had for him. I'm telling you the honest truth; my whole life, I thought of that only once, and that was before I met him. I figured I would only ever do something like that if I found someone real special, and boy howdy, I knew who that was right then. He was my sweetheart. He was a cutie on the inside and the outside. At that moment, I looked at those stars and came into the deepest realization I ever come into, and my eyes were tearing up with sadness and happiness.

"If ah' ever see him again, ah' hope one day ah' can work up the courage to ask him if he would be the most wonderful father of my..." I stuttered and smiled just a little, but then out of the corner of my eye, I saw Trixie watching me and enjoying every minute of my sorrow. I buried my face in my arms once more and cried my uncle a river. He was even crying a little bit too, and I think at that moment he finally realized who was best for me. But it didn't matter because I failed the one who was best for me. He was out there in a terrible state, and it was outta my selfishness that he was here in the first place. I buried my face in the grass and just kept crying like the little filly inside.

Saving AJ

Well howdy. This here's Applejack again. Shoot. I reckon I'll just pick up right where I left off. Ya'll remember where we left off? Manehattan Castle Garden. Stars twinkling, ponies mingling, nighttime hoe down, the whole haystack. Seemed like everypony was having a darn-tootin good time. Everypony cept me. My Uncle Orange was no longer beside me, hay if I know where he went. I was laying face down in the grass, with my face in my arms. I was the loneliest mare there ever was right then and there. Ya'll remember how sad I was last time I wrote my thingy on here? My beloved sugarcube needed me, I knew it in my heart. I needed him too. I was so overcome with shock and grief I didn't know what to think. I was crying my country heart out. How could ah' be so selfish? Does mah' uncle know more'n he's tellin'? Would mah' own family betray me like that? If there was anything I learned about love that night, it's that the more you love someone, the sadder you are when you let em down. Boy howdy, I was sadder than a weeping willow in an ice storm laying in that grass by myself.

All I could think about was all the wonderful days I'd spent on the farm with my sugarcube. All that did was make me cry even harder. All the games we played, all our long conversations in the orchard, all the secrets we told each other. When he rested his head on me after a long days work, I ain't never felt more loved in my entire life. He belonged to me. I was his country princess, and I felt right at home putting my head on his chest, but he cared about me more than anything else in the world. He put his little head on me when he needed comfort. I ain't never been that way for no one cept my sister before I met him. I didn't think I ever would be. Who would go to the apple farmer for their comfort? I loved him so much. Now I didn't know if I'd ever see him again.

I reached around with my hoof and took out the second most special thing I ever had from my dress. What I pulled out right then and there was the wedding gift from my sugarcube. Ya'll remember? It's the locket he gave me. He spent over half his savings on this tiny little thing. But that was just another thing that no one ever did for me before. Ya'll know me. Ya'll know Rarity's the glamour lover. But this was the most beautiful little thing I ever saw. I opened it up and saw the little picture of us together. I stared at my sugarcube in those gentle, loving blue eyes of his, all the while covering my mouth with my hoof. He looked so happy to be at my side. You pure, cute little whipper snapper. It don't matter to me that ah' got hooves and you got hands. At the bottom of that locket, he had some fancy cursive written in "you lasso my heart." I could hardly stand the sight of those words. They made me so happy, but the happier they made me, the sadder they made me. Oh, sugarcube! Ah' love you so much! How could ah' have let you down! I was the luckiest mare to have him as my husband. I loved him so much, all I ever wanted was to see that cutie happy. I knew well the honest truth, and that was being around me was the thing that made him happier than anyone else in the world. I loved every second I spent with him. We played and snuggled so much together back on the farm. Ain't nothing better for a country mare than snuggling with her cutie. My tears were still coming as free as the west wind. Only getting stronger, and I was only getting sadder. Ah' want nothing more than you at mah' side right now, honey. If ya'll come back, ah' promise ah' won't ever leave you like that again.

I thought about magic and all that sort. I remembered back on our wedding day, Princess Cadance shot some kind of fancy little heart into our wedding gifts for the other. Well, why not give it a try! I pressed that thing as hard as a rock in a drought against my heart. If I had any magic in me, maybe it could somehow get to my gift to my sugarcube. But I don't know how this stuff works! Ah'... am... so sorry, sugarcube! Ah'm so sorry! If somehow I get you outa this, can you ever forgive me?

Despite, all my sorrow, and as bad as it all looked, the next thing I heard in my heart calmed my very soul, I tell you. I love you. Always have. It was the kind, soft voice of my sugarcube. I looked up and pictured his young little face, blue eyes and dark mane, or hair as they call it, smiling brightly and with affection at me from the stars. You're my hero, Applejack. My role model, my best friend. And my hero. You could never disappoint me. I stood up and looked at him with more love and desperation than I ever have. Before long, his face disappeared back into those stars.

I looked back toward the castle, cept I wasn't the same sad, lonely, frozen little mare I was a just a moment ago. I felt my heart struck with a match and lit on fire, ready to stop at nothing to save him. My sugarcube. Ah'm his hero. Ah' am his wife, Applejack. The loyalest of friends and the most dependable of ponies. Am ah' gonna let some guard stop me from saving mah' husband? NO AH' AIN'T! Ah'm gonna save him, and we're gonna go back to the farm where we belong, and we gonna have the best o' times like we always had! Ah'll fight mah' way outa here if ah' have to.

I ain't no quitter, I just needed my sugarcube to remind me of that. With new life inside of me, I ran off toward the castle like a jackrabbit on hot coals. I trotted my legs and kicked up dust as I bolted through the fancy schmancy ponies who thought I was a crazy mess running like that. I didn't give a piece of hay. To my right I passed that strutting showmare Trixie, surrounded by stallions and loving all her attention. I ran back into the castle (just like the Canterlot Castle, chandeliers, big pillar thingys, tall ceiling, marble floor) and dodged my way through to the hallway I came in.

There was still a long single line of ponies coming in, but no one was going out. I could see the door, but there was five guard stallions standing right at the line, checking tickets and letting em through. I won't lie; I thought about taking em all on, but as strong as I am, I can't take five. I ran right up to one of them, a white Earth pony stallion, a youngin, not seen to many more days than myself. He was big, and he had armor like the royal guard.

"Ah' gotta get outa here, mah' husband is in trouble!" He looked at me all serious like.

"I'm sorry ma'am, but no one leaves while we're still letting ponies in. Otherwise, ponies could sneak in without tickets, yada yada. Those are the mayor's orders."

"When do ya'll stop lettin' ponies through?"

"Eh, in about half an hour, probably." Oh no you don't! I ain't waitin' no half hour! I hate playing this card on ponies, but I had to.

"Look here, now, sir. Ya'll know who ah' am? Ah'm the element of honesty." Now he looked at me all confused like and raised his eyebrow at his buddy.

"And that means what to us?"

"You know, the elements of harmony!"

"The elements of harmony, as in the elements of harmony in Canterlot?" He just rolled his eyes. "Yea, and I'm the mayor of Manehattan." I stomped my foot down, I ain't having none of this.

"Why of all the- what if ah' just walk through you right here and now?" I said, putting my snout on his and giving him some of my country sass. He stepped back rather angry.

"Then we'd have to arrest you."

My rage was quickly turning back to being scared, and I looked at him like a pup as I was going broken hearted again. Arrested? I think he saw the desperation in me, and he gave his buddy a smug little smile.

"Look sweetheart, we're not completely closed to making exceptions." Just like that, new life in me again!

"What do you mean by that?" I said, real quick and desperate.

"Well... we don't mind the occasional tip. We can make mistakes and let a pony or two slip through if they have a big enough one for us."

"Tip?? You mean like bits??" I said. He smiled and nodded his head. "How much are we talkin'?" He looked at his buddy as sly as a fox.

"Three hundred." I had no bits on me, but I knew who did; my Uncle Orange! He's one of the richest stallions at this hoe down, he's my ticket outa here! I just gotta go back and find him and I'm off to save my hubby!

"Ah'll be right back!"

I let out a loud neigh of my own and galloped right back out to the garden. I looked hard through all the ponies for a green mane and a yellow coat, and that hoity toity tuxedo of his. Ah' need you right now, Uncle! Redemption time fer you! I trotted over the grass and looked around as desperate as I'd ever been. I stopped from pony to pony, not spending more than a second at each one. I moaned in desperation. "Whereareyouwhereareyouwhereareyou?" I didn't see him no where! He couldn't have gone that far! He wasn't near the food, the orchestra, or nothing!

But then I saw an orange mane and a yellow coat standing near the orchestra and chatting with some rich looking mare, and just like that, my honest heart had another shot of hope. I galloped right up to her and threw my hoof on her shoulder.

"Aunt Orange! You seen Uncle Orange around?" She looked at me rather shocked like, and wanted to help I could tell.

"No, not since he was with you. What's the matter?" I wasted no time. I was panting like a dog, but boy howdy, I talked.

"Ah' need bits. How much ya got, Aunt?" She quickly reached her hoof into her dress pocket.

"This is all I have, one hundred bits, but I know my husband has a lot more. What do you need it for?"

"Ah' need to get outa here, the guards will let me out fer three hundred. You sure you ain't seen him no where else? Mah' husband is in danger, he needs me, and oh mah' goodness, ah' need him, Aunt Orange! Three hundred bits and ah'm outa here! We need to find him lickety split!" She was on my side. She looked ready to help.

"Well, come on, let's go look for him!"

"You're looking for Mr. Orange? I'd love to help you out." It was the voice of a young stallion, not much older than myself. We turned around; it was a stallion alright, cept he was a unicorn, and the kind of the stallion that would make Rarity fall over with delight just on looks. He had a light blue coat and a long, white mane that fell free. His cutie mark was something magical, but I couldn't see what exactly. He had a group of mare admirers behind him, but he seemed to want nothing of them. He was just staring at me with those purple eyes of his, smiling softly. Sure seemed like he fancied me. He was way to uptight for me. Nope, he was not my type at all, even if I wasn't already married to the only one whom my heart truly belonged. I didn't have time for meeting ponies, anyway! I missed my husband so bad, all I wanted was him safe and sound in my loving arms. I was so desperate for him I could hardly stand it.

Hooves and Hands

I laid face-down on the cold floor of the dark, empty room in the back of the salt flock called the Prancing Pony. Trixie had shattered my dreams. I had the best life I could possibly have with Applejack, and I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with her. Not even in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine the kind of life I had with her. We had done so much together. We fell in love, the human and the pony. We married in secret and became one with the element of honesty. We rescued Equestria from an evil unicorn. We saved Ponyville from a train disaster. We were the best of friends, and we did everything together. I belonged to her. But it didn't matter. None of it mattered. I would never see her again.

I was the most miserable creature on Earth. I was alone with all of my thoughts, my body cold and my heart broken. It was hard for me to think straight I was so sad. It felt like I would never be happy again. I felt hopelessness, despair, and depression on level that I didn't know was possible. It was so heavy on my mind and my soul that I could barely move my body. My heart was in a state of chaos that I can't describe. Lies were mixed with the truth, and truth was mixed with lies. But one truth remained completely in-tact, the most painful truth of all. I loved Applejack. I truly, deeply loved her, with everything I had. I had never dreamed of falling in love before I met her, much less with an Earth pony.

What was I supposed to do now? Where do I go? I can't go back to Sweet Apple Acres. I can't go back to my home. I would be laughed at by my entire family and called all kinds of names. I'm the sad, pathetic human who fell for her. I didn't care what other people thought at this point, all I wanted was for Applejack to have the best life she could possibly have, because that's what she deserved. And that wasn't me.

Amidst my state of chaos, my weakness, and all of my crying, I managed the strength to flip over on my back. I tilted my head so that I was staring out the window, where the light from the moon shone in on me dimly. I looked at the twinkling stars and thought very deeply, sighing to myself. How did I fall in love with her in the first place? I thought all the way back to when she let me work for her at Sweet Apple Acres. People where I'm from turned their backs and snuffed at hard work. But she didn't. She went out there everyday and worked incredibly hard for her family that she loved, and she never questioned it. She never complained or whined. She just smiled and kept being her friendly self that was incredibly charming to me. Then the two of us became friends. We started having the kind of fun that the littlest of foals have when they play together. I found that she had an adorable personality to go along with everything else. She was stronger yet sweeter than anyone I ever met, and I adored every second I spent with her. I cried even harder and cried out desperately with a voice that choking on grief. "I can't help myself! You're the cutest- ... the way you laugh, your sweet voice, your accent, your work ethic. The way you smile at me. Your eyes that give me more love than I've ever felt. Your loyalty to your friends and family, your humility and modesty, your innocence. "

It was her heart of gold. She didn't kiss me for her own pleasure. She kissed me, the human, because she loved me. I never met anyone like that before, and of the thousand things I admired about her, that was just another thing that made me care for her so deeply. On top of all that, she was the most beautiful creature I'd ever seen. She seemed to radiate light wherever she went. Her sherbet coat and blonde mane in the sun was like looking at the most glorious sunset you could ever imagine, except times ten. When I looked at her, I couldn't give her anything but respect and admiration, as well as my deepest feelings of pure affection for her purest heart. But those were feelings I could no longer share with her. I could no longer go to her for comfort or anything. I didn't deserve her.

I turned my head over and closed my eyes. Well, no more playing with Winona in the orchard. No more of Granny Smith's amazing stories or walks with Big Mactintosh. No more reading cute little Apple Bloom bed time stories, or playing with her. I took the deepest, saddest, most crushing sigh I've ever taken. No more anything with her sister. The last thought was like a claw that wrapped it's hand around my heart and my neck and began choking me so I could hardly breath. It was the heaviest thought I'd ever experienced. No more Applejack. I buried my face with my hands and sobbed. No more playing with her, or going to Sugarcube Corner with her and getting treats, or working with her in the orchard. No more telling her all of my secrets and feelings, no more listening to the wonderful things that came from her golden heart. No more staring into her heavenly green eyes. No more resting my head on her.

That was one of the most harrowing things to imagine. When we laid down together on the grass in the meadow, or when we leaned back against an apple tree after a fulfilling day of work, I would always lean my head against her strong, yet soft and smooth body and coat, and just like that, I was happier than I ever dreamed of being. I felt no greater consolation, no greater content, no greater love than we she cuddled me in her arms in the grass or against a tree as the sun went down. In the loving arms of my hero. But that was something I'd have to live without now. I'd have to get used to living without Applejack, if it was possible at all. The best feeling in the world was something I'd never experience again.

I felt no lower point in my entire life than I did right then. I felt like I was the verge of shutting down. I closed my eyes and pictured her adorable smiling face, the only thing that made me happy. Now she will be the most beloved mother of the luckiest foal who ever lived. The whole family approves, and Applejack gets the stallion she's always dreamed of. Everypony's happy. Except for me.

As as unbearably sad as I was, and with all the lies that were echoing throughout my heart, I heard a familiar voice from my heart that offered me the first bit of consolation I had got since Trixie left me as the miserable wreak I was. The sweetest voice I ever heard, from the one whom I went to for all of my nourishment. Part of her still lived inside of me, she had ever since our wedding. Ah' want nothing more than you at mah' side right now, honey. Ah' love you so much! Ah' ain't never met no one like you, sugarcube. It don't matter to me that ah' got hooves and you got hands.   Those words  were what I wanted to hear more than anything else in the world. They represented all of my dreams, all of my happiness and hope. They represented everything Trixie took away from me given back to me. Hooves and hands not mattering to her.

I looked out the window up at the shining stars and saw Applejack's smiling face looking down at me. It was a look that made me happy no what. To hear Applejack's voice in my heart telling me that she wanted nothing more than me at her side was the most wonderful truth there ever could be. Is that... is that the truth, Applejack? This time I heard the voice of the blue unicorn mare with the white mane, the most piercing, painful voice I ever heard. The voice that sent me into chaos in the first place. No, it's not true. She's better off with a stallion, and you know it. Just like that, I was dragged back down to the deepest depths of depression, with all of my hopes crushed yet again. I just... I just want what's best for her. I want her to be happy.

But then I heard the most wonderful, caring voice in the entire world again. I love you so much, sugarcube. I'm gonna be the saddest mare there ever was if you don't come back to me. My honest heart belongs to you. Ain't no one ever respected me like you did. I need you! I burst into tears yet again as my emotions took another full swing in the opposite direction. The one I loved but didn't deserve, the one I adored with all of my heart and soul, said she needed me. Are you telling the truth, Applejack?

No! She's not telling the truth! She's better off without you!

Sugarcube, getting married to you was the happiest day of my life, until everyday that came after that I spent with you. You are the kindest, cutest... oh my goodness, honey.  Ain't no one ever admired me like you do! I belong to you. I love you with all of heart, and I ain't spending the rest of my life with no one 'cept you.

I reached into my back pocket and pulled out something I kept with me at all times. It was my most prized possession. What I pulled out of my back pocket was nothing more than a white cloth. But this cloth was more special to me than any other thing I ever owned in my entire life, not even close. Instead of not being able to see it in the dark room, I could see it perfectly. It was glowing with light. It had seemed like an eternity since I looked at it. Given the chaos that was in my heart, I had almost forgotten what was on it. I covered my mouth with my hand as my heart melted to the floor. Sewed by Applejack herself, the pony who cared nothing for that kind of thing, was a brilliant silhouette of Applejack and me facing each other, with apple trees and a setting sun around us. At the top were green vines with red apples, and at the bottom was an apple in the shape of a heart. The middle of the heart read “AJ + AJ” with an arrow going through the apple. It was the second most beautiful thing I'd ever seen in my life.

Let me take you back to when Applejack and I got married. When an Earth pony gets married, since they don't have horns, instead of using rings the pony’s spouse brings an item, usually a trinket or a piece of special clothing, that the alicorn “blesses” and gives to the Earth pony to keep at all times. I never really understood what purpose it served when Princess Cadence bent her head forward and two small pink hearts shot out of her horn and into our items, causing them to temporarily glow. But just like it glowed then, it was glowing now. I looked at the silhouette of Applejack and gently ran my finger over it, looking at her figure with pure affection. Tomorrow, we'll be back at the farm where we belong, watching the sunset over the whole orchard together. You can rest can rest yer weary little head on me, and ah'll be yer country princess who loves you more then anything else in the world. I couldn't stand it. That represented my heaven of heavens. "Oh, Applejack!" I pressed the cloth against my heart, rays of magic surged through it, seemingly connected to the cloth.

I looked down, and the strangest thing was happening. I saw a bright light moving up my body from my feet towards my head. It was a strange sensation, just like before, but the under the light I had regained my color; the part of my body that the light swept over was no longer grey. I looked at the bright light in fear and yelled out as it came all the way up into my head.

I had a quick mild headache. Then my clear thinking came back to me. I looked around me like a different person. What just happened? It was all coming back to me so quick, and in a matter of seconds, I knew exactly what happened. I hit my hand on my forehead. Oh no. Trixie! The potion! The dance! My mind was a raging torrent. My heart was full of desperate love for her that could only be satisfied by her presence. All of my emotions and feelings for her were so deep that I was ready to do anything- and I mean anything- to save her. Applejack was in grave danger to becoming a slave to one who didn't love her and only wanted use her. If this happened, she would be broken hearted if she even came back. It was a fate worse than I had just been in, to think of her in a state of complete sadness and her purity broken by something that was not her doing.

"Applejack? APPLEJACK!!!!" I screamed into my confinement. I could picture Trixie's evil smile.  "NOOO! NOOOOO!" I had to get to the Manehattan Moon Mingle. I had to save her! I growled with ferocity as I stared the door down. I bent my knees and turned my shoulder towards it. In one more second, I was going to hit with everything I had and ignore the physical pain that would follow. Just as I started running towards it, there was a loud bang that sounded like a kick from pony hind legs. I pulled back as hard I could and slid forward a few feet. I leapt up to to the side of the door leaned against the wall, ready to jump on my ambusher. The door kicked open after several violent bucks, and when the pony responsible walked in, I couldn't believe my eyes. It was Uncle Orange.

Saving Applejack

I didn't have much time to think when Uncle Orange ran into the small room in the back of the salt flock in the middle of downtown Manehattan. My mind had to process everything so quickly; my anxiety levels were through the roof, I was nervous, I was scared, I was incredibly worried about Applejack, and I didn't know why he was here.

The light from the hallway formed a ray down the part of the room in front of the door, but the rest of the room was still in shadow. I had my back to the wall still, and for just a second, I looked at Uncle Orange without any movement - frozen where I was - as he looked around seemingly for me with great urgency and fear.

I was at first frozen with shock at his entry, but as he flipped his head around and saw me standing in the shadows, the dragon inside me woke up. The ferocious, protective side of me that is fueled entirely by love of Applejack. It didn't matter to me that he betrayed me. He betrayed Applejack. His own niece, who was deserving of all of his love and care to the fullest extent. The sweetest, strongest, most admirable niece there ever was, and he betrayed her. He sold her to a showmare's brother who neither loved nor respected her, a showmare who wants to see her as low as possible out of her own selfishness, simply because he didn't  approve of his niece having a human as a husband. He took her away from me. And now I didn't know if she would be ok or not.

I screamed in fury and jumped forward at him. He didn't move or fight back at all. He just stood there and waited for me to hit him, looking at me with great fear and sadness in his eyes, as though he completely accepted what I was about to do. I jumped upward and wrapped my arms around his neck and put him in a headlock. I had never really realized it until that point, but working at Sweet Apple Acres had made me strong. Strong but lean. I dragged him down the ground head and neck first, with the rest of his body toppling down after me. All of which took no more than a few seconds.

I swung around on top of him and put my hands on his throat, not so hard that he couldn't breathe, but so he couldn't move. I lowered my head so it was right above his, looking right into his eyes with hatred and wrath. I was breathing heavily, and maybe even growling. Kind, gentle, fun-loving AJ was nowhere to be seen. I don't like being this way. No, I hate being this way. But given the circumstances of what had happened, this state of rage and anger was inevitable for me.

After a few moments of continued heavy breathing and growling on my part as I half choked Uncle Orange, who was gasping for breath, I spoke.

"Just tell me one thing," I uttered. "Why? Why Applejack?" My voice was cracking and choking with anger. Those were some of the first words I'd ever said to him directly. Uncle Orange, his head turned in a way so that the side of his head was on the ground, gasped for another breath before responding, speaking intervals between breaths.

"I-I made the biggest... mistake... of my l-life... and I am so... sorry." I shook my head in disgust and tears fell from eyes. My heart so longed to see her, safely in my arms (and much more I in hers), but what if it was too late? I didn't know if there was still time to save her from Trixie's evil will or not. Applejack's family or not, I swear...

"Why are you here?" I snarled. He gasped again, and I could still see what seemed to be great sadness in his eyes only intensifying.

"There's... still... t-time... she hasn't... t-taken... the p-potion... y-yet..." I lowered my head even closer to his so I was yelling right in his ear.

"You left her alone with Trixie! Your own niece! HOW DARE YOU!" I said, pressing down even harder with my hands so he stopped breathing entirely. I softened my grip again as he continued to fight for breaths.

"S-she's n-no friend of Trixie's... I-I know that now. I-I t-tried to call it off, but T-Trixie wouldn't have it. She threatened to...  end m-my marriage." He took another long set of gasps as I softened my grip again to let him speak. "W-we have to save her w-while there's still time."

"Why should I trust you?" I said, though looking at his eyes my heart was beginning to tell me he was telling the truth.

"She's trying... d-desperately to get out... The guards won't let anyone leave until they stop letting people in... I paid them off to let me out... t-to come find you, and save my- " My grip on his throat loosened, and my rage towards him was finally dying down. My mind was still going every which way as I was still trying to wrap my mind fully around what was happening.

"Why Applejack??" I whispered again, one final time. I missed her so much that I could barely speak. I took my hands off him completely and fell on my back on the floor alongside him. With rears in his eyes, he ooked at me with a look that was desperately begging for pity and forgiveness.

"I know you do love her. I thought I did... but clearly I don't. and I took away the best thing s-she has because I was jealous and blind. She's crying her eyes out right now, son... because you're not beside her. You try telling this story to your sister's little girl... that you were so jealous and so judgmental that you took away her sunshine... see how she looks at you then. I can't apologize to her. Not until you're back with her where you belong."

I gave him a long, helpless stare. His words about Applejack crying because I was not beside her were enough to make my heart explode a thousand times. They were happy and comforting, yet unbearably saddening at the same time. I looked into his eyes and saw true regret, and maybe even love, if not for me, for Applejack. I looked away into space. My mind was swirling. Applejack (and probably with help from Princess Cadence's magic) saved me from a terrible fate of a corrupt, dishonest heart. But I didn't see how it would be any better if I failed to save Applejack from Trixie.

It was crunch time, but I was so overwhelmed at that particular moment, and so desperate for Applejack, and so upset with myself, that I continued laying on the ground, frozen in anxiety and fear. I stared out the window yet again at the endless sea of stars. I don't think I could do anything until I somehow found a way to focus on what I needed to do. It  was a lot for me to bite off all at once, knowing what had happened with Uncle Orange, my state of corruption, and Applejack's current state of danger that I just... I could hardly think straight. It was the most dramatic moment of my life, and my heart rate was actually slowing down.

The country mare. Not the country human that I was in a romance with, the country mare. My whole life with her was flashing before me. I was the human who went to Equestria, not wanting to ever get married or experience a myth known as romance. But the more time I spent with her, the more my feelings changed. I started blushing in a manner that I never have whenever she rubbed my hair with her mane in a friendly manner. Her laugh and smile, which was so sweet and kind to begin with, only became more wonderful. Every minute of work she completed for her family and every bit she sold only for the same cause became more and more admirable and respectful. Her country accent and manners only became more adorable. And every time we were together, I suddenly felt like I was in heaven itself.

Whenever she played with me and learned more about me and seemed to admire me, and how warm and fuzzy I felt. I felt when she let me rest my head on her. The mare with the heart that came to comfort me in all my troubles. The mare that worked the work no one else would, and never once complained. The mare that loved her family and friends more than herself. The mare that I longed to spend the rest of my life with, and would do anything for. A familiar thought came over me at that moment, as some of the deepest feelings of love for her came over to me, thinking about all her days as a farmer, a sister, and a wife. Oh Applejack, you're heart is so beautiful! You can't be with someone who will not love you, care for you, and respect you every day!

I couldn't let it happen. I couldn't let this evil fate take my wife. What have I done? Not my Applejack! Trixie's cruel smile appeared in my head yet again, and I began to cry out in fear again. Trixie, who would make her a slave. Applejack was my one true love, pony or human. I had to believe we could return to Sweet Apple Acres, and once again find myself lying in a field or against a tree with her, resting my head against her, my hero, and feeling her tender love for me, the human. All I wanted to do was love her and care for her, like I promised since we got married, and long before in my own heart.

"We've got to go back," I whispered.

I reached down and helped a recovering Uncle Orange off the floor. He got up and placed his hoof on my shoulder, and gave me a hopeful look. For the first time that night I felt bad for what I'd done to him, despite everything he had done.

"Will you take me to her?" I asked. At first he smiled, but then hardened back into the expression that I was used to, except this time, there was determination in him that I've only seen as strongly in one other pony, and that was in Applejack.

"We've got a party to crash."

Without wasting anytime, I jumped onto my uncle's back. I didn't know what to expect from him. Was he a soft, slow runner? I was about to find out. He raised his front legs as I scrambled to grab his mane and took off. His legs hit the ground with a thud, and he galloped incredibly fast out the door and down the hallway. Before I knew it, I was holding onto him for dear life as he weaved his way through the tables of ponies in the Prancing Pony. He headbutted his way out the front door and galloped right out into the streets of Manehattan, and once again I was surrounded by all of the things that come with the city, except now the wind was in my face and the ponies were like blurs as they stared at the human riding the pony to the Manehattan Castle.

Love So Alike

Howdy! It's me, Applejack again. Ya'll know what's happening, I reckon? I was right smack in the middle of the Manehattan Castle Garden, standing next to my Aunt Orange. It was the Manehattan Moon Hoedown thingy, and we was just getting ready to start looking for my Uncle Orange. Oh my goodness, it was crunch time, let me tell ya. We was looking for my uncle so we could get some bits and I could high tail it out of that mingle after my hubby. He was in trouble, I knew it full well, ain't been less sure of nothing in my life, cept that I needed him in my arms where he belonged. My cute little sugarcube. I was sadder and more desperate for his beautiful heart than I ever been. The kindest, sweetest, most adorable whipper snapper that I would go to Tartarus and back for. I was right disappointed in myself and unbelievably devastated for letting him alone. I was making it harder on myself, thinking about him every second. I can't do nothing to help myself! He's such a sweetheart, and I get so happy and fuzzy-like whenever I see the love and admiration in his gentle blue eyes. This pickle here was account of the fact that he ain't no pony. But why did that matter? It don't matter to me! But this wasn't about that no more. No, this was about me being the wife I should've been, and saving my most special somepony -er, someone - from whatever it was that was keeping his adorable little heart from being with me. I was gonna give it every last bit of strength I had, whether I be strong inside or not.

Just before we took off, the deep voice of a young stallion came from right behind us.

"You're looking for Mr. Orange? I'd love to help you out."

We turned around, and standing before us was a unicorn with a long white mane and a light blue coat, and big ol' purple eyes. Kinda hard for me to describe him, come think of it. There was a group of mares behind him looking at him like he was some kind of super-cute pretty boy; I sure as hay didn't see it. He was giving me a little smile.

"You seen mah' uncle??" I said, desperate.

"No, I haven't, I'm sorry. But if you would allow it, I would love to help you look for him," he said in a smooth voice that was kinda husky come think of it. Boy howdy, he couldn't take his eyes off me. Seemed like he fancied me, the way his eyes were drifting all up and down my body.

"Uh, eyes up here, honey," I said, with an uneasy laugh. Ah' hope this don't get weird! He seemed not offended or nothing by my answer, he just kept smiling at me like I was a prize crop harvest or something.

"I'm sorry, it's just... you look absolutely radiant," he said. I took a gulp and gave a nervous cackle.

"Um.. ah'm married..." I said. I was a litte bit- no, a might bit uneasy the way he was looking at me. I knew what he was interested in, and he didn't seem to react to me bein' a married mare at all! He just kept smiling at me. I shook my head before he got a chance to say something as I couldn't help but picture the smiling, helpless face of my human, making me even more desperate, knowing something that innocent and precious is in trouble. Come on now, ah' don't have time fer this! Ah' gotta save my sugarcube, startin' by findin' Uncle O!  "Alright! Aunt Orange, you go that way, ah'll go look 'round the food and sort, and you there can go that way," I said to my aunt and the unicorn stallion helping us out. Jus' as I took off running like a shot hound through a barn, I heard his voice behind me.

"Uh, wait! Don't you think you should drink something to give you some energy?"

I barely heard what he said, and I didn't think nothing of it. I was too worried, too desperate, and too lovesick to pay any more attention than a few seconds to anypony else. I galloped off toward the food tables running as fast as my farm legs woud take me. I looked every which way I could and turned my head as quick as a whip on my over there, looking for a yellow coat, green mane, and fancy tux. Ponies were like blurs as I ran by, blowing wind by them I was going so fast. It was just getting worse and worse. I couldn't find him! I ran through and through those ponies and stopped at every green mane or yellow coat I saw. Every second that I didn't find him was like a pitch fork stabbing away at my already broken heart. I was just getting more and more disappointed in myself, and more affectionate for the human I ever so loved with all of my honest heart and more.

My mind was spinning like a wheel. I couldn't help but think of him every second, and every second I just missed him more. Sights and visions of us working back on the farm and having the best times either of us ever had were going through my mind. My cute sweetheart working so admirably on the farm, smiling at me with that bright smile of his. Putting so much joy on the farm with his attitude. Every little thing he ever did was adorable! The way he laughed, the way he didn't care nothing bout himself. He was especially cute when he was nervous. Not like threatened nervous, nervous about impressing me. Ain't no one ever been nervous about impressing me before.

When he rested his cute hands on my mane, and blushed when I kissed him just to show him I loved him, I gave him all the love I could must with my hugs and kisses. I ain't never felt more at home than when I buried my pony face into his human chest and he wrapped his arms around me for a hug. But even if he didn't love me, I still would've had the biggest crush on him. He was just so... nice, so bright, so hardworking. He loved working that farm, just like I did. Cept he chose it. What a gorgeous soul he has. Ya'll are the most admirable, wonderful, cute... oh, sugarcube! Ah' ain't never dreamed of having a crush on someone like this! I missed all those things so much. I missed them so so much. I needed him with all of my heart. If he didn't make it through this, my life would be a broken shadow without him.

I took a quick breath near the crowd of ponies watching, looking around scared and desperate. That's when the worst pony possible showed up in my sight. Trixie was standing near me with two big ol' stallions at her side, they was staring at her like they was enchanted or something. She whispered something with a real sly look in one of their ears, and they looked all excited like they just won something. She saw me as I panted and caught my breath. Oh, no, please, fer Pete's sake, not her! She's just gonna make feel even worse!

I could only think of one thing- well, one human- and I didn't care about how many stallions she was with. That wasn't love. My sugarcube and I loved each other with a love so strong, love so alike, it was something I never dreamed of. I cared about getting my bits, paying off the guard, and getting the hay out there and rescuing my husband. I had thought about fighting them all off again, but I didn't know what to do. Do I risk fighting them and losing, getting arrested? Then I couldn't go to my hubby at all! But if I waited another fifteen minutes or so, I might lose the precious time! Either way, she was the last pony I wanted to see. I knew whatever she said was gonna make me even sadder and more heartbroken.

"Hey there, Applejack! Haven't found a stallion to dance with yet, I see. But I have a feeling you're gonna find a great stallion very soon. Anyway, I have a question for your dear old uncle, have you seen him around?"

"Leave me alone ah' say! Ah' can't find mah' uncle right now, anyways." She looked mighty surprised and for some reason, kind of angry.

"What?? What do you mean you can't find him??"

"Ah' mean what ah' said, ah' can't find him."

She took my words and stood there with an open mouth like she'd been double crossed, looking into space and thinking hard for a few seconds. This made no sense to me, but for some reason, she was getting madder than a wet hen. She growled, but then of all things, she hit her face with her hoof and started laughing a real high pitched, girly laugh. She sounded crazy, made no sense to me whatsoever. But now I was concerned and angry.

"What the hay do you have to do with mah' uncle?"

"It's nothing, some young mare just got really lucky," she said, smiling to herself. Ya'll better start making sense, or ah' swear, ah'll introduce you to Kicks MacGee. Before I could finish, I pictured the sweet face of my hubby again, and my heart cried out with desperation for him again. I didn't have time to stand around and listen to her, nor was she worth my time in a fight while my hubby was on the line.

"Ah' ain't got time fer this, ah' got... ah' got someone to save," I said, running away. I should've just given her a piece of my hind leg, but I didn't want to upset those stupid guards any more. I'm still just one pony. But as I took off, she called to me in a cruel voice. I wasn't prepared for it.

"Is it your date? Well, just remember, you are just an apple farmer, so if you failed him, it's not a big surprise."

I was right. She managed to somehow make me even more brokenhearted. I took that kind of thing so personally, it was so heavy on me. I felt so worthless. So uninteresting.  No, no, no, please, not that again!  My sugarcube loves me fer bein' a farmer. He loves mah' country heart, and no one else. My heart couldn't take much more sadness and despair, as well as blaming myself for everything. I was so in love with my sugarcube, he could've made it all better. But he was nowhere in sight. I ran back to find my aunt and that other stallion to see if they found him, but I doubted it. I started crying again as I ran back to our meeting spot, my heart longing for my human. Maybe ah' am just a useless farmer. Ah' couldn't even save him, my true love. Ah'm running around more helpless than an upside down turtle.

I cried harder and harder as I ran toward the center, but then I heard his voice again. His voice that was so kind and gentle, more beautiful and innocent sounding then any voice I ever did hear. I look at you… and I see… the most beautiful creature in the entire world, but so much more then that, I see the friendliest, sweetest, most humble pony in all the land, one that I couldn't disrespect in any way if I tried. Oh my goodness. I was having one of my freezing moments. I stopped running and looked up to the stars, pretending he was smiling at me. I loved him and admired him so much. His words from that night in the barn were more comforting to me than anything I ever heard. I admire hard labor more then anything else in the world, and you work so hard and so passionately because you love your family…

Sugarcube... ah' love you more than anything. Ah' love you.. so... so.. much. Ah' want nothing more than to snuggle with you and be at your side forever. Once again at that moment, a familiar thought popped into my head. Something I never got to tell him. Something I never thought about with anyone else in my entire life up to that point. The deepest feeling of love I ever had for him. It was the thought of him being the most wonderful father. The most wonderful father of my foal. It was the most peaceful thought I ever had, sharing my love with him through something as beautiful as a foal. I never been more sure of nothing in my whole life. He was my sweetheart, human or pony, and to see him holding a foal of mine would be my dream come true. This kind of thing was a big deal. It scared me a little even, I didn't know how he would react, or if I would ever work up the courage to ask him if I ever saw him again! Ain't no one ever respected me like you do, sugarcube. That's why it can only be you. But so much more than that, at that moment, I wanted to cuddle him. I wanted him to know just how much his country mare loved him, by snuggling him so innocent like. I wanted him to rest his little head on me.Two hearts, joined in one, comforting the other.

I felt a tap on my shoulder. I spun around real startled. It was that stallion again, the one who helped us look. The one was looking at me funny.

"Did you find him??" I said, eagerly. He bowed his head in disappointment, before lifting it back up and staring at me with a lot going on his head it seemed.

"I'm afraid not. But I will still you help you find him, I promise." he said, and his horn lit up, and two cups of some really pink drink hovering in front of us. "But if you will allow it, I think we'd be better off if we had some of this. This energy drink is supposed to be top notch."

Ride of a Lifetime

"GET OUT OF THE WAY!" I screamed at all kinds of ponies, mostly rich and lavish ones as Uncle Orange galloped through the noisy, crowded streets of Manehattan with me on his back. We had no time for games. There was so much at stake I could barely comprehend it. The human riding his uncle to his mare wife. What if we failed? How would I tell the Apple family? Where do we go from there? All I could think about was a heart-broken Applejack, who's pure heart had been shattered at the hands of a jealous, selfish unicorn. No! No! No! Applejack, I'm coming! I'm so sorry! I am so... so... sorry!

I couldn't help but blame all of her problems on me. The current crisis we were in existed because of one thing, and that was the fact that I was a human. But all of that was changing. Now it was me, Uncle Orange, and Applejack against Trixie. If we don't get to her before Trixie does, that means... "NOOOOO!" I cried again from Uncle Orange's back at the thought of such things, pulling out my hair with one hand and gripping his mane tightly with my other hand, struggling to stay on.

"Hold on!" he cried to me as he ran at full speed in the middle of street. Hold on? I looked in front of us, and we were coming to our first real obstacle of the night; a busy intersection with lines of carriages perpindicular to us, with ponies in front of us waiting their turn. This isn't a great time for me to explain this kind of thing, but it's rather odd how ponies travel in this city. The richest ponies ride in said carriages, but those carriages are also pulled by ponies. Other ponies take turns pulling and then riding their carriages. But either way, as Uncle Orange galloped down the city street in between the skyscrapers, there was no way around this one, only waiting. But Uncle Orange had other plans. He was heading right for the carriage in the middle of the intersection, not slowing down at all. The stallion pulling this particular carriage turned his head in fear as he saw my charging uncle headed straight for him.

"You're gonna jump over him??"

"We're not waiting!"

Without much choice, I wrapped my arms around his neck and squeezed tightly, shutting my eyes and burying my head on his mane. His back legs propelled the both of us high into the air, and I opened one of my eyes to see us floating right over the screaming stallion's back. Uncle hit the ground with a thud, and I felt my body weight shifting backward and I would've flown off if I didn't have such a strong grip on his mane. I looked behind me to see the stallion we leapt over looking at us in anger, but that meant nothing to us. I looked ahead, and in the corner of my eye, I saw in my own imagination a smiling Applejack at me in the stars, draped in her beautiful dress. "Applejack!" I cried desperately.  My anxiety was at a level I've never experienced. Picturing her gave me so much comfort and made my heart so warm, just as looking at her did, but now, it only made me more helpless and scared. This was either going to be the worst night of my life, or perhaps the best if we got to her before she drank the potion and all ended well.

Uncle Orange turned the corner onto another street violently, almost losing his balance as his hooves and legs slid and scrambled on the street pavement. Once again I found myself desperately reaching for his mane to hang on to, all the while trying to keep my balance so I didn't fall off. I was so scared the entire time, especially when I came close to falling off. I was very young, but I was growing up before my own eyes, and responding positively under pressure. A side of athleticism to stay on him on my part that I never knew existed was showing. It was probably determination to save and be with the apple farmer that I ever so loved. If we couldn't get to her, two hearts would be forever lost, not just one.

He raced along with me on his back, towards our destination; Manehattan Castle, where Applejack was a helpless sitting duck. As skyscrapers, restaurants, ponies, street lights, and other things that come from the city whizzed past me, I could see what appeared to be the edge of the city in front of me. The light from the moon dimly shined its light on what appeared to be grassy hills a few feet in front of me, but the castle was no where in sight. He was determined; and even after all he had done to me, I couldn't help but admire his churning legs and remorseful heart. I didn't feel it was in my place to encourage him, but this was an extraordinarily unexpected moment of bonding between the two of us. He was doing this for me, who he previously despised, and if only we got to Applejack. I could see myself hugging her so tightly and whispering in her ear; We won his approval, Applejack. We did it. He loves you so much, and so do I. But we weren't there yet.

"Are we close?" I yelled to him.

"We're almost t-there!" he panted back to me, not looking back. Kindness and appreciation was strong in me despite all he had done to me, and as scared as I was.

"I can't thank you enough for this," I yelled again over the noise of the city and the rushing wind from his running. He turned his head and gave a small, sad smile, as though he felt terrible but nonetheless found my words encouraging. He lowered his head as though ashamed with himself again, all the while galloping his legs back and fourth, then raised his head and began panting even harder, and seemingly running even faster.

We turned right on the corner of the last city block before the grass hills, the magnificent castle was a few thousand feet in front of us, just outside of the city and on top of a hill. It was gloriously lit and huge, with towers and a large front gate. It was at ten o'clock to my vision, while the great skyline of Manehattan was at two o'clock. Both were outlined by a majestic night sky of nothing but stars and the moon that shone right over the castle. He ran down the street and then faded left into the grass until we came to a stone path that led up to the castle. We were a few minutes away from the moment of truth. A few minutes away from unbearable sadness and failure, or the most joyous reunion of husband and wife there ever was.

I was helpless on his back as I stared up at the stars and thought about Applejack as deeply as I ever have. Here I was, the young human, madly in love with an Earth pony, and all of my fear that was getting out of control. All of which would end the second Applejack was safely in my arms. All of my memories with her were raging through my mind, as well as every quality that I loved about her. All of the days on the farm with her, all of the times we laid in the meadows and comforted each other, all the laughs and cute moments. I had to believe that I would once again rest my head on her body that was so soft, warm, and loving, and my life with her would go back to the way it was on Sweet Apple Acres, with nothing but love and happiness. She made so nervous to impress, but I felt so warm and fuzzy when she smiled at me. I felt like all was right in the world, and that there was no meaning to the fact that we were human and pony.

I didn't want to have all of these deep thoughts about her at this time, I wanted to be focused on saving her. But as I said before, I couldn't help myself, and it didn't help that there were no more ponies to dodge, no more leaps from Uncle Orange that threatened to throw me off, at least not while we ran up to the castle. I could hear her words from when we slept in the barn together, the night after the dinner with the Oranges. Ah’ love you so much, sugarcube. You make me feel so special! Yer the kindest, sweetest, cutest, pure-hearted husband a mare could ask for, and I wouldn’t trade nothin’ for you.

Her voice, and her country accent which was a big part of her speech, was the friendliest, sweetest music I had ever heard. It was just like her personality. I looked up to the stars again and involuntarily pictured her staring at me with a look that said "I will always love you, even if you can't save me." It was torture to me to picture her like that, knowing what fate could possibly lie ahead for her. I love you so much, Applejack. Mare or human, you are the most wonderful thing I have ever experienced in life. I want nothing more than to go back to Sweet Apple Acres and spend the rest of my life there with you, loving and caring for you with all of my heart, my mind, my soul, and my strength. I know I stand up straight, and I have hands and not hooves, but I promise you... I will never do anything to hurt you or disrespect you, you who have the purest, strongest, most beautiful and most respectable heart. And she did. If anything, I actually loved her more because she was an Earth pony, and not a pegasus or unicorn. She was the humblest of all, and she knew this and accepted it completely. I've never met a girl in my entire life that I could say something like that about except her.

But the deepest feeling of love I have ever had for her came over me as I once again stared into the endless abyss of stars that shined over the world of Equestria in which I lived. My heart and soul relaxed in a way that I can't describe. Not relaxed as in I was no longer worried, but my mind was drifting to a realm of thoughts I had never truly thought of, and it felt as though the love of Applejack was clearing but also slowing down my mind, which had been nothing but a raging torrent before now. I did have a few minutes as we approached the still somewhat distant castle where I couldn't do anything but helplessly wait.

I couldn't avoid it anymore. Visions of Applejack and I cuddling and hugging in the meadows, the barn, under a tree were flashing before me again, but I was only looking at Applejack with the strongest and deepest admiration and affection. I heard the words deep from in my heart saying something that was familiar, but this time in a different way, not with sadness. They were words that were as much a truth to me as 'water is wet.' Applejack... the most wonderful mother that any foal ever had.

These kind of thoughts are not something I take idly. This was a big deal to me. The thought of thinking of having children with Applejack was frightening to me, because that required something that perhaps disrespected her. I looked up at the sky with desperation and horror in my very young eyes. I can't disrespect you, Applejack. I can't! You have such a beautiful heart, I-I don't... I don't want to compromise it! I hated to admit it to myself at first, but at that moment, the feeling of being a dad to a foal that had Applejack as a mom was one of the most wonderful feelings that ever came over me. I love her so much. She would tell you that she is my mare, but no, I am her human. I belonged to her. My feelings for her were so strong that it made me happy to devote myself entirely to her, especially if it meant hard work or even suffering on my part. And after everyday, we would end our work, and spend time together, doing all sorts of things that you already know well. But best of all, she would allow me to rest my head on her, or wrap me in her loving arms, with all of our love pouring out of our hearts for the other. Never before has my heart been so soft as when she held me in her arms. The arms of my best friend. You're so pure, Applejack, I'm just... scared of disrespecting you.

I was crying. I'm not sure why, but I was. Another realization came over me. Foals are pure. If she... if she wanted a foal, then I wouldn't be compromising her purity, would I? Foals are wonderful things. I was no longer seeing the night sky or the castle, but my imagination was vividly imagining Applejack clothed in only the sun's rays. Sure, she was a pony, but human, pony, whatever, she was still a beautiful creature. The most beautiful creature I had ever seen. And at that moment, I came to a decision that I never fully comprehended or thought much of until then. I shared the element of honesty with her, I couldn't help but be honest with myself.  The deepest feeling of love I ever felt for her. If Applejack wanted to have a foal with me, then... then I would. I would, and I would be ... wonderfully happy to bear such a responsibility with her. But if and only if she wanted to. I love her too much to do anything like that unless she wanted one.

But after I came to wonderful terms with my heart, I was reminded of the simple fact that nothing was certain. We hadn't saved her yet, and I needed her, simply safe and sound, in my arms. Where do we go if I reach her, my most beloved country mare, and she's not enchanted? Do we leave after our most joyous and dramatic reunion, leaving Trixie free of justice? If we failed, she would be a slave to someone who didn't respect her, and the arrogant, cruel mare who was carrying this whole thing out would be triumphant. I felt my anxiety rising again to the same levels they were just a few moments ago, and my heart even more desperate for Applejack.

"Reach into my pocket on my chest and grab the tickets!"

The voice of my uncle thrusted me back into reality. I felt the wind in my face again, and I saw clearly the towering, regal castle where our fate would be decided only a few hundred yards in front us. I was suddenly so helplessly scared and desperate that my heart rate was beating as fast as it ever has in my entire life, and it felt like I was on the verge of having a heart attack. Uncle Orange whinnied again as we approached the gate, using up his final energy on this last stretch. Here I am, Applejack! Here we are! We're here! The moment had finally came. It felt like an eternity since I'd seen her, and she was only a small distance away from me. The moment of truth! I wrapped one arm around his neck and reached down with my other, feeling around for his pocket as we bounced up and down. I slid my fingers through the opening in his tux on his chest and pulled out two golden tickets.

Without a second glance, I looked back up and prepared myself as we approached the great wooden castle gate and burst through the open doors. The heads started turning. First was a narrow hallway, with a red carpet floor and fancy paintings on the walls and chandeliers on the ceilings. In front of us letting ponies in were six armored guard stallions, and when they saw us, their mouths dropped open with shock, along with the ponies they were letting in. I'm not sure what they were more surprised of; me, a human, or the charging stallion that I was riding on who was galloping like a pony possessed. I showed them the tickets as we ran closer, and flashed it to them as we ran by, and they barely acknowledged our tickets and continued staring at me, seemingly frozen. As soon as we made it through, I looked forward for any sign of Applejack.

Uncle Orange ran through the grand ballroom, which was huge, and supported by great stone pillars. There were all kinds of fancy ponies and music going on, but we turned the heads of everypony near us as we ran through to the garden.

"Where is she?" I yelled, looking around desperately for her through the crowd. It was quite noisy inside and outside, equally as crowded in both spots. As Uncle Orange galloped into the grass, the intensity heightened. From inside the crowd, which was genuinely too into the music and noise and mingling that was going on to notice us, the white stallion with the blue mane who escorted me to Trixie at the Prancing Pony appeared in front of us with two other stallions; one a grey unicorn with a black mane and the other white Earth pony with a blonde mane. They had hardened expressions on their faces, and their eyes; something about their eyes was strange. They looked as though they knew us, and were against what we were doing. Uncle Orange pulled back and slid forward on his hind legs, neighing and forcing me to once again grab for his mane. He stopped but a few feet in front of them.

"Holy cats, who are these guys??" I cried.

"They must be Trixie's studs!"

He began kicking his right front leg and snorting. He was getting ready to charge the three of them. The three of them crouched down, ready. Uncle charged forward, attempting to run right into them. He hit the stallion in the middle, the one who escorted me, with a thud, and I flew off his back forward past all of them, but I faceplanted into the ground.

I stood up in a heartbeat. Applejack, where are you? I got up to run, but not before the two stallions whom Uncle Orange was not fighting crouched down in front of me. Staring at me right beside myself was a butler stallion holding a trey of horderves. An aluminum trey. I grabbed it from him right as the stallion on the right charged me and swung it hard across his face, knocking him out. The other stallion stood still, afraid to charge me, before he suddenly smiled. That's when I was blindsided by yet another stallion, who tackled me to the ground.

I have not come all this way to be undone by two goons! I struggled with all of my will and all of my strength, but I couldn't free myself from their grip. I was helpless. More helpless and more desperate then I have ever been in my life. Suddnely at that moment, I truly believed I failed. I thought that was it. I thought I wouldn't be able to free myself, and that Applejack and I would never be together. But as I looked hopelessly upward through the crowd, a young mare moved out of the way, and through the ponies, about seventy-feet from me... there she was. I saw her for a brief moment, and my resistance stopped. She was facing away from me, and a blue unicorn stallion, Trixie's brother, whom I saw in the vision in the water bowl that Trixie had shown me, was standing right in front of her.

But then I saw him raising two glasses of a pink liquid for the two of them to drink, and she was backing up nervously. I couldn't believe my eyes. It hadn't happened yet. As my last hope, I looked up at the sky and closed my eyes, and I let out the loudest and most desperate call I have yelled in my entire life. I called for the mare I ever so needed and I loved with all of my heart. I gave perhaps my last bit of strength that I would ever have again. My voice cracked and choked as it scorched the ears of my captors.

"APPLEJACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The two stallions who were holding me down started panicking, not expecting this move on my part. The one on my right arm struggled to move his hoof to my mouth but in doing that he freed my right arm and I hit him with a right upper cut in the chin, knocking him off me.

"APPLEJACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

One of the stallions kicked me in the stomach with his front leg, knocking the wind of me, while the other one put his hoof on my mouth. Now both my body and my heart were in unbearable pain. I tried with all of my might to get up one last time, but I couldn't. But as I laid there on my back, helpless and hopeless, my dreams shattered, my heart broken beyond repair, there was suddenly a thunderous noise of running hooves as ponies in front of me rushed to get out of the way.

She had come for me at last. Applejack ran forward at us with a look of true rage in her eyes, the same rage that I had when Trixie insulted her in front of me. She galloped forward, the two stallions holding me down looked up in fear at her, and she crouched her legs, leapt forward at us, and tackled one of them to the ground with a strength and anger that I've never seen before. Then she got up and bucked the stallion in the face, leaving him on the ground lackadaisically. The other stallion got up off me and disappeared into the crowd, knowing he would lose, as Applejack ran after him for only a moment.

She turned around and ran back to me, laying down right beside me and putting her front legs on my stomach and laying her head on my chest. I felt all the happiness and all of the peace that I had felt before coming back to me. Weakened by physical pain, I felt my strength coming back to me. The tears of joy began flowing freely from both of us as I began staring into her emerald eyes, the gorgeous eyes that reflected all of her love onto me, and gave me more strength and happiness then I ever dreamed of.

"A-Applej-jack?" I said, with a weak voice and a gentle smile. I've never seen more love in her eyes than I did right then. To see her looking at me like that, with so much love and desperation that I shared with her, was for me to be in heaven of heavens. It was more than heaven. It was more than a dream come true. Her warm, soft body on top of mine again, with her beautiful heart pumping all kinds of magic into mine with every breath she took. My hopes and dreams were restored. She was safe. And I was with her again, after being separated for what seemed like an eternity. She was safe.

"I... love you," I said like a drunken man, given I was dizzy from all the hits I just took.

She looked at me and smiled. It was perfect. I didn't need anything more than what I had right then. My hero and my best friend wrapped with me in a loving hug, the most joyful reunion there ever was. My head fell back to the ground and I closed my eyes, breathing heavily, but softer with every inhale. We did it. She's safe. The words wrung throughout my head with triumph, and from the depths of my soul, I loved the mare on top of me with all of my heart, and just like that, true happiness had returned in me.

Until one familiar voice from a young mare that was untouched chimed in from a few feet in front of us, from a light blue unicorn mare with a white mane and a glamorous, sparkly white dress. A very, very angry mare who was against the adorable good will of my beloved apple farmer.

"Well, isn't that adorable. The human and the apple bucking mare, what a lovely couple you two make. Too bad that it won't last the night."

The Final Battle

"Well, isn't that adorable. The human and the apple bucking mare, what a lovely couple you two make. Too bad that it won't last the night."

We were lying in the grass in the middle of the Manehattan Castle Garden, which is surrounded by the castle's deepening walls. A growing crowd of lavish ponies was surrounding us and watching us silently, and Trixie was looking at us with jealous rage. It was the most joyful reunion there ever was when Applejack fought the stallions off me and laid down on top of me, burying her head into me. Up to this point, it had been, well, kind of a rough night for the both of us. The night that was supposed to be perfect turned out to be the saddest, most dramatic, and most powerfully moving night I ever experienced, with the deepest and most intense feelings of truly desperate love for Applejack, the country mare. It was filled with so many emotions and feelings, many of which were some of the saddest and most depressing I'd ever experienced.

There was a time when I was in a state of chaos and dishonesty, believing that Applejack and I could never be together because she was a pony and I a human, her Uncle eternally unhappy with me as her husband. There was another time where I thought I had lost her, and that she had become a slave to someone who would not give her the love, care, and respect that she deserved more than anyone else in the entire world. But when she laid down on top of me, and gave me all of the love that came from her most beautiful, most pure, and most admirable heart, all of the warmth that had once existed in my soul returned. But when she turned her head towards me on my chest and looked at me with her emerald eyes full of joyful tears at our reunion, I felt as though all of the problems and pain that I had experienced before had been washed away. The love of Applejack. The greatest treasure there ever was. But more than that, I didn't care that she was a pony. I loved her for who she was, a beautiful creature on the inside and out. A humble, honest, sweet, and strong mare, who fought like a warrior poet for the young, awkward human who loved her. After all we'd been through, not knowing if we'd return to each other as ourselves, we had.

But, as joyful as our reunion was, and the feeling of complete success and content that comes from snuggling with the one whom you are nervous and desperate to impress, the fear and uncertainty returned when Trixie uttered her threatening words. Reunited or not, Trixie was a unicorn, and she her plan had just been foiled, with Uncle Orange turning on her and me being returned to Applejack before she drank the potion. Applejack and I are incapable of any controlled external magic of our own, being human and Earth pony. Applejack, who suddenly looked angrier than I've ever seen her, stood up and pulled me off the ground with her hoof. We turned and faced her, and I wrapped my arms around her neck as she buried her face into my chest again. Protective rage was building inside me very quickly. The final battle was underway. The last moment of truth, that would finally determine our fate once and for all. The thought of losing Applejack, which was beyond terrible, beyond heart-shattering, had returned inside me just like that, because by this time I knew what Trixie was capable of. She growled again at us and kicked her right front leg.

"Nopony gets the best of the most gifted equine in all of Equestria," she said.

"Ah' don't believe this," snarled my wife. Her voice was cracking, choking on her disbelief. "Yer the one behind this? You... you put him in danger?" Trixie's anger eased, and instead she smiled with her eyebrows lowered, making her beam a cruel one.

"She sure is the one behind this. She locked me in a salt flock back in Manehattan, and she was going to have you take a love potion to fall for her brother, but your Uncle came back and freed me," I said. Applejack's anger briefly seized upon hearing what could have happened to her, and her eyes went open with horror and great sadness at the thought of such a thing. She pressed her head against me even harder and wrapped her front leg around me as I squeezed her even tighter in my arms, as tears began falling down her cheeks again. To see her upset anytime was terribly painful for me, and to see her this upset was like a dagger in my heart, but as sad as it made me to see her like that, for her to hug me even tighter for her own comfort was only igniting my heart that had such a deep compassion for her.

"Well, maybe you should've learned when I was in Ponyville to respect your superiors, and I would've never allowed such a thing."

"Why, ah' oughta-"

The growing crowd of ponies around us was now watching us with interest, completely unaware of everything, many of them whispering to themselves things such as "look at that handsome human and his stunning outfit" and "look at that gorgeous mare in with the green dress and blonde curls" and lastly "oh my gosh, is that the great and powerful Trixie?" Trixie picked up in on the whispers about her, and turned her head towards the crowd surprised, then smiled at us even more confidently.

"You see?" she said, laughing. "I'm a celebrity around here! Applejack already knew my talents, didn't you? Maybe now you will show the great and powerful Trixie a little bit more respect, like the great city of Manehattan." Applejack squeezed me tightly again and shook her head with disgust.

"It ain't mah' fault ya'll embarrassed yerself by talkin' game, then not bein' able to do a darn-tootin' thing against that ursa minor like ya said," she said. The smile faded on Trixie's face, slowly turning into absolute hatred and extreme anger.

"You miserable little brood mare. You don't deserve a husband! How could anybody, human or pony, fall in love with someone like you, when there's mares like me!" The disgusted look on Applejack's face was now disappearing, slowly turning into a heart-breakingly sad expression that seemed to reflect that she felt just like Trixie said. No, don't listen to her Applejack! She is such a strong pony, but she still has feelings! This kind of thing is devastating for her to hear, and anger I've never felt was building up inside me again. How dare you say that... "I conjure amazing magic and wow audiences with my gorgeous looks and moxy, you just... work on a farm! You work with apples! What a worthless pony."

"NO!" I screamed, and the ponies watching us went completely startled. I couldn't take it anymore. I released Applejack from my grip and took a step forward at Trixie. I took a deep breath after deep breath, wanting to calm myself to the point where I wasn't shouting. I stared right into Trixie's purple eyes, and she seemed appalled by response, looking at me disgustedly. I took a few more deep breaths, and spoke softly, but the crowd watching us was now silent enough that they could hear me as well. "Applejack is more admirable then you could ever be." Panting, I wiped my eyes once, and continued staring at Trixie, who was taking my words harshly. "She works harder for ten hours a day then you've ever worked in your entire life, and she works not for herself, but for her family. You don't know the meaning of love until you've worked as hard as she does!"

I took a few more deep breaths, as Trixie's anger seethed ever so slowly. I suddenly felt so much love for Applejack erupting inside me that I was starting to relax, and the rage in my voice began to disappear, replaced with what was more like desperation and admiration. "She's the kindest, sweetest, strongest pony that ever lived, and unlike you, she's loves everyone but herself..." I was starting to cry, and I switched my focus from a boiling Trixie to the stars. "You don't know what true happiness is until you've spent a day with her in the orchard, and she's shared all of her wonderful thoughts and dreams with you ... until you've made her laugh, which is the most beautiful... music... you've ever-"

I turned and faced Applejack, and the most gentle, loving smile started to come over me. She looked at me, and my heart began to melt as all of her sadness disappeared, and she slowly began to smile like the angel she was. And once again, there was so much love in her emerald eyes that all of my hopes and dreams were complete, as the greatest treasure of all was entering inside me from the way she looked at me. Of all the times for a romantic moment, this perhaps the most bizarre, but this was a wonderful romantic moment nonetheless, as all of my feelings were once again coming right out of my heart and through my mouth as I stared into her eyes with desperation. "She's honest. She's adorable. She's beautiful. When she smiles at you, it's as though... everything bad that ever happened to you... doesn't matter anymore."

I walked toward her, my feet moving very slowly, and my eyes still in a soul-lock with hers, comforting me and relaxing me with every second that passed. I was now staring at her so deeply that I wasn't even smiling anymore, and the smile on her face had disappeared as well, despite the overwhelming affection that was pouring from her eyes. Mare or human, I didn't care in the slightest.

"She is so... so... beautiful, but not in a disrespectful way. How could anyone be disrespectful to such a pure... spotless heart, that does nothing for pleasure, only love... "

I walked up to Applejack, was not making any noise despite the tears that flowed from her eyes like a river, and gently wrapped my arms around her, resting my head on the top of her head. I had forgotten how soft and pleasant her mane was to the cheek. I felt all of the muscles in my body collapse in the most relaxed way possible, and for a brief snuggle, all was right in the world, and I think I even heard a d'aw of approval from the crowd.

But suddenly, I felt the same bizzare sensation that I felt just a few hours earlier, and before I knew it, I was hovering in midair. Trixie's horn was lit with pink magic, and she was smiling in the same cruel way she was before.

"Applejack!" I cried in need. I looked down at her, who was looking at me as though she desperately needed me and was terribly sad, and started waving my arms around at her trying to grab for her, but it was no use. I had forgotten how powerless I was against unicorn magic, and how helpless I was to Trixie's horn. Just like that, our romantic moment had come crashing down again. I rose to about twenty feet in the air, watching Applejack all the way and pitifully scared, like a child in the dark. Applejack looked at Trixie in terrible rage and charged.

"Ah, ah, ah! Wouldn't want him to come crashing to the ground, would we?" she said, and Applejack reluctantly stopped just a few inches in front of her. Just like that, she looked back up at me in fear, as I looked down across the great sea of ponies.

"Please, just don't hurt him!" cried Applejack, and Trixie began giggling loudly.

"Maybe now you finally know who's in charge," she said, and her horn's light went out completely, and the strange sensation left me all at once, and I came crashing to the ground, landing on my legs, which gave out as soon as I hit the ground and sending a surge of pain up me, and I cried out helplessly and curled up on the ground. It wasn't a serious injury, only temporary, but it was terribly painful, and even more painful hearing the hurt sound in my wife's voice. The ponies watching, despite being uptight ( and seemingly oblivious to Trixie, who was enjoying herself terribly), let out noises of worry and alarm at my crash to the ground.

"No!" screamed Applejack, who laid beside me and threw her front legs over me again, as I struggled to catch my breath. Trixie cackled with delight. Applejack got up off of me and charged at Trixie, but once again, Trixie only laughed as her horn lit up and Applejack, a helpless Earth pony, lifted up off the ground and flung through the air and sailed right over me, hitting the ground with a thud just as I had. Unlike me, she did not cry out in pain, but the expression on her face told everyone that she was hurting. I mustered the strength to get up and fight through my own pain, which was much better now, and ran over to her and kneeled down beside her just as she had me a few moments ago. I rested my palm on her cheek, and she turned her face towards me with a weak smile that only made my heart burst even more. This was going no where in our favor, and once again, I strongly feared for our being together. We were no match for a merciless Trixie, who was mad enough to do terrible things to us.

"We have to get out of here! She's too powerful!" I said. Applejack's smile faded into fear at something behind me, and I turned around, and Trixie was walking towards us slowly, with hell in her eyes and a small smile.

"He is cute, isn't he?" she said, and Applejack cried out in horror, as I threw myself over her while still watching Trixie, with my back on Applejack and my arms spread around her to protect her. I was no longer angry. Just terribly and hopelessly frightened. My eyes and my mouth were wide open.

"I'm not going to do anything to her, don't worry," said Trixie, and her horn lit up and a small, fancy-looking bottle appeared out of one of her dress pockets. "But your sweetheart, on the other hand," she said, and her eyebrows lowered until her smile was almost demonic, "is about to have a new sweetheart."

"No," I whispered, shaking my head in horror. I was too scared to move. This was the most terrible fate imaginable. Applejack threw her arms around me, causing me to fall back on her, as I continued to look at Trixie in utter horror, who seemingly towered over us. Applejack stood up and threw herself in front of me, only to be thrown aside once again by Trixie's magic. She hit the ground with another thud, as I started backing up slowly in utter fear. Applejack cried out in desperation and ran after us again, and Trixie, annoyed, sent her flying back again. More tears, this time from fear and the feeling of failing Applejack, were falling from my eyes. I finally froze where I was, unable to move. I looked at Applejack more desperately than I ever have in my entire life, who was sobbing heartbrokenly from her spot on the ground.

Trixie walked forward and removed the cap to her little bottle, and smiled with delight, ready to strike. I closed my eyes and shut my mouth as tightly as I possibly could, and waited for a terrible sensation again, more sad, scared, and hopeless as I have ever been, even on this night. I love you, Applejack.

"TRIXIE! STOP!"

The crowd of ponies, which had been watching in horror, let out of gasp. It was not the voice of Applejack, nor the voice of anyone else I had ever heard. It was the angry voice of seemingly a middle-aged mare. I opened one eye, and Trixie threw her bottle back into her dress, and was now backing up gently with a nervous smile on her face. Without turning around to see her source of fear and my rescuer, I ran over to Applejack, who ran at me, and we embraced each other in the middle of the crowd of ponies. I rested my head on her mane again, which was just as soft as it was before. Applejack lifted her head, her eyes closed with a smile, and began gently rubbing her cheek against mine, causing me to blush like an embarrassed little boy.

I turned and faced Trixie, who was smiling nervously and innocently at a light brown middle-aged Earth pony mare with a red mane, wearing a suit and tie like a business pony would wear. She was surrounded by five armored guard stallions, two of which I recognized from the entrance. She had a very hardened expression on her face, and was looking at Trixie for answers.

"Why, Miss Mayor!" said Trixie, laughing very nervously. "How are you?" Miss Mayor?? As in the mayor of this city?

"What is going on, Trixie?" she said, with no nonsense in her tone. "Have you been terrorizing this poor creature?" she said, pointing to me.  "I saw him floating above the crowd! Were you doing that to him?"

"Yes," I said, looking at Trixie with controlled anger and squeezing Applejack tightly. Trixie trotted up to me as though nothing had just happened between us, and began laughing as though we were friends, and Applejack and I just stared at her with disgust.

"AJ, is it? Look, your uncle - he's a real fun guy, and see, he had this idea, we wanted to tell you this sooner, but this whole thing was just a big prank that he wanted to play on you guys, and see he asked me to-"

Before she could finish, I threw my arm across my body and gave her a strong backhand to the face, in front of the mayor and her guards. She looked away in pain with wide eyes of not rage nor fear, just shock, and then laughed it off again.

"Ok, well I deserved that," she said, laughing as Applejack and I held each other and began walking back towards where Uncle Orange had his showdown with the white stallion who escorted me back in Manehattan. Trixie ran up behind us and began talking again very fast. "Hey, guys, can we talk? AJ, you seem like a reasonable guy, cute guy, maybe you could... put in a good word to the mayor, and we can blow this whole thing off, ok?" she said, running in front of us and looking at Applejack. "Hey, Applejack, the lucky bride of this handsome creature, talk to him, huh? Give him some smoochy-" before she could finish, Applejack cut her off with a hoof to the chin, causing her to fall back and yelp in pain.

"Trixie has been terrorizing us all night," I said to the mayor, who looked sternly at Trixie for answers. Trixie threw her hooves up and smiled nervously and innocently again.

"Oh, it was all in good fun, there was no harm intended or anything like that," she said. Applejack and I stopped, and looked at her with severe annoyance, but emerging from the sea of ponies surrounding us, who were also looking at her with disgust, was the stallion who ran away from Applejack, except he had his eyes only on Trixie, as though she was a dream come true to him. He walked right up to her and lowered his head, as if to kiss her on the lips. It was as though he was completely oblivious to what was going on around him, only focusing on her dysfunctionally.

"What are you doing? Get off me," said Trixie angrily, using her magic to send him flailing helplessly away from her. The stallion who was fighting Uncle Orange suddenly walked past us, apparently not happy with what he just saw. He looked at Trixie enchantedly and went to put his arm around her neck.

"Get your filthy hooves off me," she said ferociously, lifting him up in midair and hurling him a few feet away with her magic. The mayor was watching with disgruntled curiosity.

"She's been giving love potion to stallions all night," I said, with Applejack's face safely on my chest. Trixie growled in rage at me and screamed with disgust.

"That's ridiculous. I can't help it I'm so... attractive!" she said, as the frist stallion she threw off of herself approached her again . The mayor was putting it all together and did not look happy at all.

"Ya'll can't tell me that looks like functional relationships," said Applejack. Trixie snarled.

"Trixie..." said the mayor, seething with anger. "How dare you make this kind of a scene at my mingle!" she said, and Trixie's face turned into complete and helpless fear. "Giving anypony a love potion is a very serious crime. I'm not even gonna-  arrest her," she ordered.

"What?"  cried Trixie, as the guards approached her and surrounded her. "You can't be serious! I'm Trixie! The great and powerful!" she screamed. Three of the guards were unicorns, and their horns lit up and began carrying her off in midair while the other two trotted along with them. They disappeared into the crowd, headed towards the castle entrance. "No! Noooo! Ahhhhhh!"

The Heart of an Earth Pony

In the center of a rather dumbfounded crowd in the middle of the Manehattan Castle Garden was Applejack and I, holding each other tightly and breathing heavily, reeling from our most epic adventure yet, watching the castle guards carry a screaming Trixie away. She faded from our vision and the sound of her temper tantrum disappeared, and the ponies that were watching us slowly began to disperse back into the mingle. I didn't even notice, but the music had stopped at some point during our showdown with Trixie. At that moment, the most wonderful feeling of all was suddenly making itself noticed; the warmth from Applejack's head on my chest and in my arms, safe and sound. The love of my life, the Earth pony with the purest, most beautiful country heart, was comforting me, as she always had before.

I shut my eyes and let my face fall gently onto the top of her mane, and without being pulled away by magic, it stayed there. The smell of roses from her crown and apples from her mane I inhaled with every breath holding her. The words from inside me were like the most triumphant victory bells that sounded over the plains of the country ending a great war. We did it. She's safe. She's not hurt. The incredibly evil fate that could've happened to either of us was over and done with. The most saddening, intense, dramatic moments of my life, all of which were for the heart of an Earth pony, were behind me. We weren't happy and cheerful; you don't get over what we had just been through just like that. But with every deep breath she and I took, her head on me and mine on hers, our desperate love for the other was slowly washing away all of the pain. As I felt her tears running down my chest, my own heart was spluttering with burning desire to make her feel as loved and as appreciated as I possibly could. I began rocking her back and fourth in my arms as I wept tears of joy and desperate need onto to the top of her head. I love you... so... so, much, Applejack.

"I am... so sorry about that," said the sympathetic voice of the mayor. Applejack and I lifted our heads and turned them toward her at the same time, with her still engaged in my arms. As badly I wanted to be alone with Applejack, especially given that I was still taking in and comprehending everything that just happened, her simple presence with me was sufficient. The mayor looked at us with great pity. Applejack and I took many deep breaths and pants, but we finally looked at each other and smiled.

"Aw shucks, Miss Mayor, it's all good and done with now," said Applejack. The stressed out mayor of Manehattan said nothing at first, only nodding her head and giving us a long look.

"Is there anything I can do for you two?" she said after a moment. Applejack and I thought about that question hard, and once again we turned to each other and met eyes. We knew right then that there was nothing she needed to do for us. We had everything we ever needed or wanted with the other, safe and sound. The state of my heart and my feelings were reflected with whatever was in her heavenly emerald eyes, and at that moment, I saw only love and happiness. Her freckles were still just as cute as they had always been, if not even more so now. We turned back towards the mayor together and gave her smiles of content.

"Ah' think we're just fine and dandy," said Applejack. To hear the affection and unthreatened tenderness back in her voice, the loveliest, sweetest voice in the world, was indescribable. The mayor managed a small, hearty but uncomfortable smile.

"Well, if you don't mind, there are a few things I need to do for myself." She cleared her throat turned and faced the shrinking crowd that surrounded us. "Alright, listen up ponies. This mingle is not over, you here me? I want the music back on and I want you all to go back to whatever you were doing," she barked, walking into the crowds of ponies in the direction the stage where an orchestra was.

Just like that, my moment with Applejack, alone and in the other's arms with no other cares in the world but each other, was over. Just as she walked away, and Applejack and I began squeezing each other even tighter, another stallion emerged from the sea of guests. Uncle Orange, who was bruised all over with his suit tattered and ripped, was limping out towards us. He looked terrible. He looked as though he was barely able to walk. It hit me at that moment; when I left him, he was in a showdown with Trixie's stallion, and by all indications, he lost. Badly. His eyes were filled with frightful anguish and desperation, looking all over for the two of us. When he saw us standing there, holding each other peacefully and staring at him in a concerned manner, all of the anguish in his eyes left, as though it was draining out of him, and his eyes brightened and he weakly smiled. Then, to our great disturbance, he closed his eyes and fell onto the ground with a thud. Applejack and I cried out with worry, and she galloped over to him as I ran right beside her. Applejack laid on her belly next to him and I knelt down next to her. He was still Applejack's family, and that meant something.

I'll admit, it was... a little awkward for me to be around him even now, athough having Applejack with me made it easier. I'm a human, and he's a stallion who resented me for being a human. This is the pony who wanted to replace me before the night started. He never spoke to me directly until he came into the dark room back in the Prancing Pony. Oh, and I almost forgot. Also not long before, I was strangling him to death. But he came before me, sorry for what he did. I could see it in his eyes, they were full of self-shame and deep regret. Then he begged for my forgiveness. Then he ran valiantly and determined with me on his back to save Applejack. I only wanted him to love his niece, who ever so deserved her uncle's love. What he did was more than enough to earn my respect.

"Uncle? Are... are you alright?" cried Applejack. He opened one eye and lifted his head towards us with a smile.

"I'm fine, darling," he said, his voice frail and quiet. "Don't worry about me, I'll be just fine. Just some bumps and bruises." His smile and attitude was able to get me to relax a little bit. "I'm sorry, Applejack," he said, changing his expression and looking at the two of us with sadness and shame. "To both of you. I'm sorry for being so jealous, and for keeping you two apart," he said, muttering the words in between breaths.

Applejack and I looked at each other with heavy hearts. No doubt about it, I had compassion for him, and it was saddening to see him like this. My happy, romantic moment with Applejack would have to wait, as my emotions perhaps took their last dip of the evening seeing him so physically and emotionally hurting.

"Oh! Uncle, it's alright! You got mah' sugarcube back to me safe n' sound, and that's... that's all that matters, isn't it, honey?" she said, smiling at me. I couldn't help but feel warm and fuzzy at every smile she gave me, and this one was no different. I inevitably blushed and smiled back.

"Your mother would be proud, Applejack. She'd be proud of everything you are, and I think she'd be proud of your husband."

Well, of all the things a rich, high class stallion can say to the human husband of his country niece who lives on a farm, that may be the most embarrassing. But nevertheless, I was able to get over it pretty quickly, as the thought of winning her uncle's approval brightened my eyes even more. He approves of me, which means... Applejack is happy! Applejack being happy. Long ago, my number one goal in life changed to exactly that. And now I could rejoice and entertain myself with thoughts that she might be thinking, and the happiness that would enter into her heart getting the approval from her uncle.

Applejack gave him a long, loving smile, that I couldn't help but think would give him the strength to stand up, and wrapped her arms around him for a hug. He began breathing slowly, staring straight ahead of him with a big smile on his face. She pulled herself back, and he weakly began shifting his legs underneath his body. He stood up slowly with hobbly legs, and looked at us with a little less shame in his eyes. He still felt bad, but he could relax now. Applejack was safe.

"Uh, ya sure ya wanna stand up yet, Uncle?" said his niece, standing up with me.

"I have a wife of my own to attend to, probably missed the whole thing," he said, laughing. "You two deserve to be left alone together."

And with that, he limped away into the wall of ponies, and I was left standing with the apple-bucking farm mare that I love and admire with every last bit of strength I have, under the stars in the Manehattan Castle Garden.

As we watched him walk away, Applejack turned and faced me, and once again, for the first time in what seemed like weeks, I saw her beauty plainly again. Her dress was still the brilliant green of an apple tree's leaf, fitted smoothly across her entire body. Her beautiful sherbet coat still shined, even under the stars. Her gorgeous blonde mane was done with curls (according to Rarity, it was the same way she wore her mane at Princess Cadence's wedding), and the crown of red roses was the heavenly final touch. She was truly a princess to me, and I was her undeserving husband.

She gazed right into my eyes with those enchanting lily-green ones she had, full of the deepest love and yearning I had ever seen in my life, and once again, I felt incomprehensible comfort and joy. Looking into those eyes, I felt so much in common with Spike the dragon. We both knew what it felt like to have never ending crushes on a pony, despite not being ponies ourselves. I would love Applejack with all of my heart, even if she hated me. But when she looked at me that way, I never felt loved like I did with anybody else. I've always tried to live my life caring for others, and not seeking to be cared for myself. But when she looked at me with those green eyes, the eyes of the most adorable mare there ever was, I can't deny how happy it made me. The treasure that is the love of Applejack is the greatest treasure of all.

"Howdy there, cutie," she said sweetly. Caught up looking in her eyes, her comment caught me off guard for a second and sent a string of warmth throughout my body, and I looked at her with wide eyes and an open mouth before smiling blushingly.

"Look who's talking," I muttered. Applejack ran up to me buried her head into me again, reaching around her right arm to make it even tighter, and I felt even warmer as I hugged her back. She pulled her head back and looked down at the ground sadly, with shame and guilt. What? Why are you sad? Seeing Applejack depressed is the quickest way to depress myself, and immediately I shared her sadness.

"Applejack, what's wrong?" I said, alarmed and desperate to cheer her up.

"Sugarcube, ah'... ah' wanna apologize," she said, and my mouth and eyes went wide open in wonder of what she could possibly be sorry about. "Ah'... am... so sorry, sugarcube, ah' shoulda never let your precious little head outa mah' sight. Ah' felt so terrible here without you, ah' thought... ah' thought ah' failed you, sugarcube! Ah' thought ah' failed the only one who ever cared about me the way you do. Ah' got such a crush on you sugarcube, ah' just... ah' felt like the worthless farm pony again."

I stepped forward and embraced her once more, wrapping my arms around her neck and hugging tightly. I sobbed tears of pure love and whispered into her ear.

"Don't ever apologize to me, Applejack. You are the last pony who should ever say sorry to me. I should be the one apologizing to you. Everything about you is so wonderful, I don't deserve you. Ever since I met you, you've done nothing but show me what true love and happiness is all about. Seeing you work the hard life in the orchard for everyone but yourself was one of the most loving... and most... admirable things I've ever - " I pulled her back and smiled deeply into her eyes, as her face was going from sadness into the most loving smile that cast it's spell of desperation on me. I looked at her for a long time, and pulled her back once more, rocking her back and fourth. She sobbed into my chest her tears of joy, and once again, I whispered the truth in her ears to make her feel better. "Every single day that I was gone, I thought about you."

Right at that moment, we heard the mayor call for the orchestra to start up again. She lifted her head up at me from her spot on my chest with bright eyes and killed me with cuteness. She pulled her head back and looked curiously up at the stage. Backing away from me, she looked desperately at me with great ambition.

"Can ya'll wait right here fer one second, hubby?" she said.

"Of course!"

Standing still, I watched her gallop all the way up to orchestra, and she began running around the ponies on the stage, who had their instruments, ranging from cello, to piano, to drums, and whispering in something in their ears. I had no idea what she was planning. Is she gonna sing to me?

She galloped back off the stage and down to me in the grass, giving me the same bright smile all the way back. I adored her with every trot she took back to me. She ran right back up to me stopped about three feet in front of me, looking at me as though she had something wonderful planned for me. Excitement was filling up inside me as the most beautiful piano melody began sounding from the stage, one of the most romantic tunes I've ever heard. I looked at Applejack, ready for whatever she had in mind. She walked up to me and reached her hoof out to me for me to grab it.

"Sugarcube," she said, her voice heavy with love, "do you wanna have a dance with me?"

Overcome with enchanted delight, I smiled and laughed in disbelief. Dancing with Applejack at the Manehattan Moon Mingle. Not only as human and mare, but as husband and wife. The words sounded throughout my head like the bells of heaven itself. Applejack... my wife. It was a dream come true. It didn't matter that I had never danced before in my entire life, not with a human, pony, or anything; I wasn't nervous or afraid in the slightest. Overwhelmingly in love with her, I reached my hand out at as the lovely singing voice of young mare sounded throughout the ball. The lyrics, although perhaps better for a day we'd already shared, were still as timeless and as true as the eternal love I have for the mare who lives on Sweet Apple Acres, and was anything but a useless farm pony.

Love is in bloom!

A beautiful bride,

A handsome groom!

Two hearts,

Becoming one!

A bond that cannot be undone!

Because love's in bloom!

A beautiful bride,

A handsome groom!

I said, love's in bloom!

You're starting a life,

And making room...

For us!

Your special day!

We celebrate now,

The pony way!

Your friends,

Are all right here!

Won't let

These moments disappear!

Because love's in bloom!

A beautiful bride,

A handsome groom!

I said, love's in bloom!

You're starting a life,

And making room...

For us...

(For us...)

For us!

In the grass of the Manehattan Castle Garden, we stepped side by side, cheek to cheek, hand to hoof. Throughout the entire song, we gave each other the deepest, happiest soul stares that two lovesick creatures could give. We only managed a few trips here and there between the two of us, and when we did trip, we managed to laugh. When she laughed- when Applejack laughed - not only was it the sweetest music my ears have ever heard, relaxing the depths of my soul, but all was right in the world.

When the song finished, she gave me the deepest, most loving stare yet, and with stars in her eyes, she began to move in slowly for a kiss, as we engaged in another romantic moment of staring. Amidst the time that flew by whenever I stared into the starry-eyed Earth pony, another romantic song came on, this one also perfectly describing my feelings for my most beloved wife. Her mouth stopped a few inches from mine, but at this moment, the fact that she was a pony was all but gone. All I could do was dream of my future life with her, and the burning love for her that erupted from my heart. I stared at her with stars in my eyes as well, pouring out all of my deepest feelings for her in the way that I looked at her. I was ready a kiss from her, a kiss that was born of true love and nothing else. Because that's the kind of pony she is. She is beautifully clean, and she does nothing for pleasure. That is one of the most admirable qualities of all about her, aside from all of her other unbelievably charming ones.

We continued rocking back and fourth with each other, her pony mouth getting a little closer to mine every minute. On the outside, we were terribly slow, but between the two of us, it was happening so fast. The night was suddenly peaceful, and the stars and moon twinkling above us, and not a family problem or selfish unicorn in sight. The land of Equestria was in perfect harmony with (most) of it's creatures as I swayed gently side to side with the mare to whom my whole heart belonged. And of course, the most beautiful creature of all was right in front of me. As I stared into her most sacred green eyes, her mouth only an inch from mine, I felt these words in my heart. I never dreamed of meeting you, Applejack, but you're so much better than any dream I ever had. I can't wait to go back to Sweet Apple Acres and spend the rest of my life with you on that farm, and whatever you want is my will.

As Applejack moved in for the kiss, I closed my eyes and prepared my heart for a surge of magic. I preferred to let her kiss me, out of respect for her purest heart. She only kissed me because she loved me, and for that, my love for her only grew to heights I never expect from myself in a million years.

The kiss didn't come right away, so I opened my eyes.

"Applejack?"

I looked down, and there she was, lying on her belly at my feet and looking up at me with the deepest and most desperate stare I'd ever been given. It looked as though she was about to propose to me, with the eyes of a puppy that could bend you to do anything. She looked at me for a long time, almost as if she was afraid of something, but strongly affectionate at the same time.

"Sugarcube... can ah' ask you something?" she said in one of her highest and most choked up voices I'd ever heard. Tears suddenly started flowing from her eyes as freely as they had all night. I was shocked. I just wanted to make Applejack happy, and with wide eyes of desperation, I knelt down on the ground, ready to accept whatever she asked of me. I could not deny her beautiful heart any request. My heart was pumping fast, suddenly ready to burst. I knew whatever this was must've been hard for her, and seeing her tears, although they were not tears of sadness, were like strings tugging at my heart. I placed my hand on her hoof and brought it up to my heart, almost teary eyed myself, and looked at her and waited for her question. Out of all that happened on this night, after all we'd been through, I just wanted Applejack to be happy! I wanted her to relax and be the most loved pony in Equestria. I needed her love, and giving her every last bit of mine was my only priority.

"Do you..." she looked down at the ground and wiped her eyes of her tears, before looking up at me with the happiest and most hopeful smile. "Do you... do you wanna have a foal with me?"

The most monumental question I have ever been asked, the question I thought so deeply and came to such wonderful terms with about moments before I arrived here, was placed before me from the mare - not the human, the mare- that I ever so loved with all of my heart and was so afraid of disrespecting. I was so shocked and overwhelmed with her question that I started panting and breathing hard, placing my hand my chest. Applejack looked at me with great desperation, eager for an answer. It was almost too much for me to comprehend at that moment. The thought of Applejack as a loving mother to a child that had me as a... as a dad! I ran my hands through my hair and looked back at her with tears.

"Sugarcube?? Are you ok?" I took a few more deep breaths and pants, and smiled at her. I gave her the happiest smile I ever have.

"Yes, Applejack. Yes! You would be.. the most wonderful mother.. that any foal... ever... - " I said choking on my own tears before the smile faded on my face as I stared down at the ground with wide eyes. The one thought I had before was back in my head front and center, and Applejack leaned down on the ground so her head was upside down and looking up at me where I was staring into the ground.

"What's wrong, sugarcube?" she said, pulling her head back up, and looking at me desperate for an answer. I took a few more deep breaths, and looked up at her like a child telling his dad something he hoped to take well.

"I thought that," I said, gulping and trying to find the strength to speak. Applejack wrapped her legs around me and pulled me into her chest.

"You can tell me, sugarcube," she whispered. I took a few more breaths, and moving from the ground to her eyes, I spoke quietly, only hoping she would understand me.

"I thought that ... if I looked at you like that, that I'd be disrespecting you, even though you're so beautiful. You just... you have such a beautiful heart, I didn't want to compromise, " I choked, as Applejack looked at me with tears and desperation. "But then I realized... I realized that you would be the best mom a kid ever had, and if you wanted one, then maybe I... maybe I wouldn't be compromising your beautiful heart." I said, as the happiest smile on Applejack's cutest face came over, and tears of joy flowed freely from her eyes. "I would love to have a -"

Before I could finish, on my knees, I could feel Applejack's mouth on my mouth as she moved in swiftly. My eyes went open with shock and I inevitably blushed again as the mare I longed to impress kissed me, and remained kissing me. Before long, my eyes closed, and the warmest feeling I've ever felt came over me as I kissed her back. It didn't matter that she was a pony anymore. She is my wife, and I love her eternally. Feeling her heart beat in turn with mine was like the most wonderful feeling I've ever felt, and for what seemed like a blessed eternity, she kept kissing me. The cares of this world were all but gone as she gave me all of her purest love through the form of a kiss, mare to human.

When she pulled her head back slowly, I found myself blushing with delight again. I looked down at the ground and laughed a little bit, but not before she jumped on top of me and wrapped her arms around me, pulling me back to the ground so her back was the ground and my back was snugly on her belly. Her ears were down. I always thought that was an adorable emotion of hers. She closed her eyes and smiled contently, as if to go to sleep, and wrapped her legs around me as well as her tail upward over me like a blanket. With my back to Applejack's belly, and safely in her loving arms, I have never felt more cuddled then I did right there, laying snugly against her warm, soft body. I looked up at the stars for a quick second before I closed my eyes in the arms of my hero, the mare who works on a farm. We snuggled as the best of friends. We snuggled as husband and wife. There in the grass we remained, enchantedly and forever in love.

The End.

Trixie

"Look, I'm sorry, Trixie, but I'm thinking... I think I'm gonna go ahead and call this whole thing off, ok?"

"What??"

"Well, I may have been a little bit... judgmental, and to be honest, I'm starting to deeply regret the whole thing."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Orangey! We made a deal! Don't be bashful, step up and take what's yours. It's what you wanted from the beginning, is it not?"

"Yes, well - you see, that was before I realized how much she... how much she really seems to love him, and well-"

"Um, I'm not about to tell my brother that his rightful mare is no longer available because her uncle decided to go all soft. Like I said; we made deal. There's no backing out now."

"Ponies make mistakes! Have second thoughts! I want what's best for my sister's little girl, and well... they actually are incredibly fond of one another, and she's never been one to misjudge character. I had a knee-jerk reaction at first, and I'm starting to regret it."

"Oh please, how could anyone love - er, what I meant to say is  - "

"You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you don't hardly care for her best interests at all!"

"!!! Are you suggesting that I don't want what's best for my dear, beloved friend Applejack??"

"Look, I'll pay you half for canceling, and - "

"Orange, Orange, Orange. I am soooo disappointed. I mean really, let's not forget who is who here. You're an Earth pony, and I'm the great and powerful Trixie. I'm a girl who gets what she wants. I want my bits, and I want my brother to be with your niece."

"Um, no."

"What did you just say to me?"

"It was nice working with you."

"Sweetie, I'm curious, how is your marriage going?"

"Excuse me?"

"Do you love your wife? Does she love you?"

"I don't see where you're going with-"

"I imagine it would be devastating to her if I accidentally slipped some of my elixir in your mouth as you walked by one of those young mares over there. Is that what you want? Hm?"

"I...I-I... no."

"That's what I thought. You'll see, it will work out wonderful in the end for Applejack, I promise. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some mingling to do of my own. See you around!"

Epilogue

*The following is a teaser and epilogue while the possibility of a sequel is toyed with. This is just a poem written for Applejack by AJ. It's cheezy, but nice, and it reflects the love she ought to be shown by this fanbase. *

Applejack, who is so pure, who inspires me to like a little kid at heart, are you aware of how much I missed you?

Applejack, who is so honest, whose truthfulness is incomparable to any other, do you know how much I wanna be like you?

Applejack, who is so humble, who is modest and kind in all her actions despite her superiority, do you realize how much I think about you?

Applejack, who is most hard working, whom every day toils more than the rest of the world and never once complains, but even takes joy in her work, has it occurred to you how much I admire you?

Applejack, who is so cute and fair, whose angelic beauty reflects your kind and clean soul, do you see how much I delight in you?

Applejack, who is most adored, who is sweet, strong, charming, and country to the core, do you know how much I love you?

My heart will always belong to you, my most beloved apple farmer. You and no other, forever.