Epilogue

There were a lot of apologies the next day. Everypony seemed sheepish about the whole thing. Applejack decided to check on her friends starting with Twilight. As she made her way there she ran into Lyra and Bon-Bon

"We just wanted to say thanks for stopping us." Lyra began.

"We don't know what came over us, but we were about to betray everything our relationship is." Bon-Bon continued.

"Sorry for chasing you..."

"No problem ya didn't know." Applejack replied.

The two left and Applejack finished walking to Twilight's. Twilight was by the door as if she'd been expecting her. There was silence as the two thought over what had happened. Applejack attempted to speak but Twilight interrupted.

"I'm so sorry Applejack. We're friends who trust each other and I betrayed that trust. That's something a friend should never do."

"Twilight ya weren't yerself. It's not yer fault. Speaking of what's Starlight doing?"

"Writing an apology letter to every pony in town. Followed by a ten page essay on magic and what precautions to take when trying to make a counter spell." Twilight said firmly. "She needs to understand the dangers of what she did."

"Yeah... well I've gotta check on the others." Applejack finished.

"Let me know if there's anything you need."

With a nod Applejack left. She walked towards the boutique receiving numerous apologies on her way. Eventually she entered the building. Rarity looked nervous. Applejack guessed she was embarrassed about the way she had acted.

"Applejack now darling don't take this the wrong way but I just don't like you that way and I'm sorry I acted like I did."

Applejack was confused, why exactly would she take that wrong way? It took her a few moments to realize Rarity was worried she liked her and that saying these words would break her heart.

Rolling her eyes Applejack replied, "Rarity it's fine I'm not into you either."

Rarity looked relieved. " Regardless I must apologize for my behavior yesterday."

"It's fine nothing happened so we're good."

"Be that as it may I made you something to make up for it."

Applejack shook her head. "You didn't have to."

"But I wanted to." With those words Rarity pulled out her gift. It was a water bottle holder with a strap. It was green with a red apple pattern on it."I figured you'd want something practical and you do work in the orchard a lot so you need to stay hydrated "

Applejack was amazed. "It's great! You've gotten a lot better at practical gifts."

"I hope that makes up for it."

"It more than makes up for it. Anyway I've gotta make sure the others are okay."

With a that Applejack headed towards the schoolhouse. Cheerlie had worried her yesterday. It was on the way that Rainbow flew to her.

"I just wanna say I think your a great friend and rival. There's nopony I'd rather race with. You push me to be better and I couldn't ask for more, but I don't think you're dateable." Rainbow said.

With a smirk Applejack replied. " Don't worry I don' think yer dateable either."

"Good I was worried- wait what do you I'm not dateable?"

"Exactly what I said." Applejack continued to walk to the schoolhouse. Behind her she could hear Rainbow yell. "There are plenty of ponies who would love to date me!" With a chuckle Applejack made her way to the schoolhouse.

Cheerlie was at her desk grading papers in silence. Applejack wasn't sure where to begin. Of all the ponies who had approached her Cheerlie had seemed most aware of what she was doing. Deciding it would be best to greet her first, Applejack cleared her throat.

Cheerliee jumped having been completely absorbed in her work. When she saw who it was she looked relieved if a bit sheepish. "Applejack I've been meaning to apologize. That was very unprofessional of me. The worst part is that I knew it was and I still did it."

Applejack shook her head. "Honestly you seemed less affected than everypony else."

"I have a theory on that actually. Do you remember when your brother and I were under that love poison?"

How could she forget? Big Mac still had the occasional night terror about it. "I'm still sorry 'bout that."

"It's in the past and you had nothing to do with it anyway. I was thinking maybe 'love' magic gets less effective the more it's used on somepony. So since I'd been through something similar I was able to resist It better this time."

"That makes sense. Maybe next time you'll be able ta resist completely." Applejack joked attempting to lighten the mood.

"I'm hoping there won't be a next time. " Cheerlie smiled.

"No promises ya live in Ponyville after all."

"There are days when I wonder why. Then I look at my students and remember."

"Now there's a nice thought ta end the conversation."

"Yes, Applejack remember -." Cheerliee started.

"Parents teacher conference is next Thursday at 11 o'clock I know." Applejack finished.

"Good to see this hasn't effected your pragmatism." Cheerliee snarked.

With that Applejack headed towards Sugar Cube Corner. As she approached she was surprised to see a line long enough it went out the door. Not wanting to push through the crowd Applejack went in the kitchen entrance. She was friends with Pinkie so it was fine. As she entered she saw what the fuss was about. An enormous cake filled the room and Pinkie was giving customers pieces in exchange for bits.

"Applejack!" Pinkie exclaimed, continuing her work. "I was wondering when you'd stop by! I'm sorry for being so creepy. I dunno what came over me! Anyway when I snapped out of it I was in the middle of baking this cake! So of course I had to finish it. The Cakes are making a huge profit too! So that all worked out!"

It took Applejack a moment to register Pinkie's words. When she did she smiled. "I'm glad it worked out for you." Something was niggling at her brain though...

"Yep! Thanks to your quick thinking!" Pinkie replied now doing her job without looking. Oddly enough she was still doing everything right.

Applejack finally realized what it was. "Pinkie ya don't seem too worried about yer actions." Everpony else had seemed embarrassed by the way they acted.

"Of course not silly! I really do like you and I'd totally marry you if you asked! I mean we're already best friends. and being married is like being extra best friends! "

Applejack blinked. It often surprised her how childish Pinkie was. "Uh, thanks, I think?"

"Although I probably shouldn't have locked you in my room, so I guess I'm sorry about that too."

"Well I'll let ya get back ta work." Applejack smiled."

"Sure thing!" Pinkie yelled as she left.

Applejack started as she turned. Maud had been standing just outside the door.

"Hey Applejack." Maud said flatly.

"Hi, Maud." Applejack replied.

"About what I said yesterday. I don't know why I thought you were more interesting than rocks. It seems weird now."

Applejack smirked. "That's okay Maud I understand. "

"Thank you, sorry for the misunderstanding. Now if you'll excuse me I need to get back to my rocks."

Applejack nodded as Maud left. She had one more pony to check on and it was the one she was most worried about. As she walked to Fluttershy's she tried to figure out what to say. Of her friends she felt Fluttershy would have the worst reaction. Maybe she was worried for nothing.

She knocked on the door. "Fluttershy it's me!" The silence that followed did nothing to alleviate her fears, "I just came ta see if you were alright." No reply followed. "I mean after yesterday I thought-"

"Go away. " A meek voice interrupted.

"Not until I know yer okay!" Applejack replied stubbornly.

"I'll be okay... just leave." Fluttershy said shakily.

Applejack had not wanted to intrude if she didn't have to but it was pretty clear Fluttershy needed help. "Fluttershy so help me if ya don't open this door I'll buck it down and come in anyway."

Silence, then the sound of the door being unlocked. Fluttershy stood in the doorway looking as though she was trying to disappear into her hair. Her face was wet and it was obvious she'd been crying. Applejack let herself in looking Fluttershy in the eyes.

"Sugarcube how are ya-"

"I'm sorry!" Fluttershy cut her off. "I did something terrible, I tried to take advantage of you. I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't want to see me ever again!" These words followed by more tears.

"Of course I want to see you. We're best friends!" Applejack said firmly.

"You mean you don't hate me?" Fluttershy whispered.

"Sugarcube I could never hate you." Applejack comforted.

Fluttershy did not respond, she wouldn't even look her in the eye. Applejack put a hoof on both shoulders making Fluttershy look her in the eyes. "What happened was not yer fault. You were under a spell. Yer actions were not yer own. I'm still yer friend."

With these words Fluttershy collapsed into Applejack crying into her shoulder. Applejack made soothing circles across her back. She had considered heading home after this and bucking some apples to relieve stress. That could wait, right now her friend needed her.

Author's Note

Just tying up loose ends. The epilogue is so tonally different it didn't make sense to include it in the overall story and it's long enough to stand on its own.