Chapter the First (and last)
When Applejack was just a little filly, she'd always been more than a little lost. The growing city of Canterlot, arguably one of the biggest growing places in all of Equestria, was busy and bustling. Ponies worked in the markets or on the streets, cleaning and cooking and farming and causing the growing city to thrive.
Applejack was born to Pear Butter and Bright Mac, two ponies who had run an apple and pear farm just outside of Canterlot. Applejack was their only filly, and had thus been left the farm. While she grew up, Applejack successfully managed to prove she was worthy of running the farm. She earned her cutie mark, three green apples, as a result. Applejack figured the green represented Pear Butter's side of the family, while the apples represented Bright Mac's side of the family.
She was always very lonely however. Applejack was the type of pony to blend in with the crowd, keeping her from making friends. She spent all her time at the farm, which was starting to fail with its sales. Admittedly, Applejack had stopped growing and selling pears, as she found it difficult to keep up with both sides of the farm, but what else could she have done?
One fateful day, Applejack had been out and about. She'd been going for a walk, hauling a basket full of apples, when she'd been spotted by two particular unicorns. One was definitely taller than the other, with slender, graceful legs, a shiny and clean white coat, and a nicely crushed and styled pink mane. The taller unicorn's horn was longer than most Applejack had seen, though it suited the unicorn. A golden sun cutie mark lay on the unicorn's slender flank, and Applejack couldn't help but feel that she recognized this unicorn somewhere.
The smaller unicorn was still taller than Applejack, though less so compared to the taller unicorn. She bore a light, purplish-blue coat, with a pastel blue mane curled around the unicorn's chin. This unicorn stood behind the taller unicorn, her stormy eyes clouded with some sort of emotion.
The blue unicorn' horn, while not at the same size as the taller unicorn's horn, was fitting of the blue unicorn's toned, yet slender figure, blending in. Had Applejack not been looking, she wouldn't have noticed anything about this unicorn that seemed out of the ordinary.
Taking a look at the unicorn's cutie mark, Applejack could see a crescent moon, similar to that which had hung over Canterlot's skies the night previously.
That was when Applejack realized who these unicorns were, and where she'd seen them; Celestia and Luna, Star Swirl's personal pupils. Applejack flushed under her coat, slightly embarrassed. She should have known these ponies were Star Swirl's pupils! Everypony knew that.
Well, except for maybe Applejack, who had proved herself to be one of the biggest idiots she knew.
"Heya! It's a pleasure to meet you." Applejack decided to speak, internally wincing at her attempt to hide her country accent.
See, growing up on an apple and pear farm, with only other country ponies to take care of you, is a bit of an issue, especially when peaking with the higher status ponies of Canterlot.
Well, not that Canterlot was very upper-class. Nowhere really was, to be entirely honest.
The taller unicorn, Celestia, chuckled slightly, her eyes closing in joy. "Applejack, is it?" The unicorn asked, surprising the earth pony. No one ever knew who Applejack was, let alone Celestia, arguably one of the most important ponies in Equestria!
Applejack could feel herself heat up even more, sure that she was bright red underneath her fur. "Yeah, I'm, I'm Applejack." Again, the earth pony flinched when she heard her voice, still trying to hide away her country accent. How was she supposed to make a good impression on Celestia if she were to speak normally. Nopony could ever understand her when she spoke with her accent, but Applejack still wasn't as good at squashing down her accent as she'd like to be.
"I see you already know who my sister and I are?" Celestia asked, and Applejack felt herself get even more flustered. Of course she knew! Everypony knew who Celestia and Luna were! (Applejack slightly less than others, however.)
"Yeah, I do know. Now, I, I don't mean to be rude, but might I ask why y'all are speakin' to me? I'm just a country pony. Surely there are much more important ponies y'all need to talk to, right?" Applejack gently took off her hat, using a hoof to sweep her mane from her face. The earth pony could hear her voice slipping back into its normal way of talking, her being flustered being her downfall.
Celestia just gently smiled at Applejack, her eyes closing slightly. "It's always fun to see the general public now and again. Star Swirl is a fantastic mentor, though he keeps Luna and me trapped with our studies a bit too much."
Applejack wasn't sure why, but she felt that wasn't the only reason for Celestia and Luna's interest in her specifically. She just had a feeling.
Applejack had noticed a lot of strange visits from the two unicorn sisters.
It had been a few months since she'd properly met them, and despite her farm being in a hard to find spot, Celestia and Luna had shown up multiple times. of course, Applejack treated them to tea and a slice of apple pie (her father's recipe!) while the two unicorns and one earth pony would chat, often about meaningless subjects.
Applejack would tell Celestia and Luna about her parents, while Celestia would complain about Star Swirl's teaching methods or homework she had to complete. Luna would then politely compliment Applejack's cooking and suggest her own improvements. It seemed to Applejack that Luna had a hidden talent in baking, since Luna's suggestions almost always made Applejack's cooking ten times better.
Jolting out of her thoughts, Applejack heard a knock on the front door, and the earth pony's face lit up, the orange mare almost dropping the pie she had been putting together. That would be Celestia and Luna, she figured. They were a little early, sure, but Applejack didn't mind. She was always happy to have them over.
As she approached the door, Applejack had to wonder what her status with Star Swirl's apprentices was. Were the friends? Acquaintances?
Applejack wasn't sure.
The earth pony was rather surprised when she saw a finely dressed pony standing at her door, a frown on his face. She could see his green eyes glitter, pastel blue coat glittering n the sunlight.
"What's the matter, Sir?" Applejack's earlier joy evaporated, a bad feeling starting to rise in her chest.
"You are Miss Applejack, aren't you?" The pegasus in front of her abruptly asked, his voice harsh and cold. Applejack could feel panic rising in her chest, an overwhelming sense that something isn't right flooding her senses.
"Yes, ah'm Applejack. how may ah be of service, Sir?" Applejack stood rigid in the doorway to the house, her mind flitting away from the pegasus in front of her. The paint on the doorframe was chipping... Applejack would need to repaint it soon enough.
Focusing back on the pegasus, she could see he had produced a clipboard and a quill sitting in front of him, Applejack eyeing the implements wearily. "Sir?"
"You've been evicted. Mr. Gold Coin needs you to sign here, and vacate the premises within the month." The pegasus put it bluntly, a cold look on his face.
Applejack could feel her ears flatten against her head, her eyes pricking with tears. Sounds started to fade out, replaced with some sort of static, and Applejack could feel her panic get even worse. Evicted.
Applejack wouldn't have a home anymore. Not that she did anyways, as the house really wasn't her home. Not since her parents had died.
"If y'all want me too, Ah'll leave now". Applejack could hear herself shaking, her voice slightly choked up. She wasn't sentimental towards the house, not at all! She just didn't like the idea of not having a home anymore. Of not having a roof over her head, or somewhere to cook her food. She didn't like the idea of leaving the place where her parents had raised, her, nor did she want to leave her only source of (minor) income; the orchard.
What choice did she have though?
Sure, she could protest, but she technically didn't own the land. Gold Coin did, Applejack and her parents having rented the land and farmhouse off Gold Coin.
Seeing the pegasus smirk, Applejack shakily took hold of the quill, seeing the top already caked in ink. Her signature on the parchment was shaky, though it got the job done. Applejack had agreed to vacate the premises.
"Now scram!" The pegasus leaned forwards, his tone turned aggressive.
Applejack pulled her hat tighter to her head, and fled the house she'd been raised in.
"There must be something we can do about this!"
Celestia looked up, the unicorn able to see the frustration on her little sister's face. She couldn't help but sigh slightly, wrapping her hoof around their earth pony friend. She wanted to help Applejack as much as Luna did, but they simply couldn't. Trust her when she says she'd asked Starswirl already, and when she said she'd researched Canterlot's patchy legal system.
There was nothing Celestia and Luna could really do, aside from asking Starswirl to let Applejack stay in the growing palace with Luna and Celestia, a request Celestia knew Luna had submitted.
"Luna, you know just as well as I can that we've done all we can," Celestia said, the unicorn able to see Luna's expressions turn from anger to disappointment. Her pink eyes met with Luna's blue, and Celestia could see the defeat.
The defeat she was so desperately trying to suppress.
Both of the unicorn sisters fell silent, Celestia able to tell from Applejack's breathing that the earth pony had managed to fall asleep, something Celestia was glad about. Applejack needed the rest; she'd had a long day, from what Celestia had heard.
"I want to help her, Tia. I want our friend to be happy."
Luna's voice broke the silence, and Celestia looked up. She signed slightly, looking down at the pale yellow earth pony she was holding in her hooves.
"I know you do, Luna. I want her to be happy too. Maybe less so than you." Celestia said, deciding to clarify her last point when she saw Luna's slightly confused look.
"I've seen the way you look at her, Luna. I'm not exactly blind." Celestia smiled slightly, the unicorn able to see her sister's cheeks flush slightly. Celestia smiled, almost grinning when she saw Luna's expression turn to that of confusion and worry.
"You won't tell anypony, right? I, Starswirl..." Luna said. Celestia nodded.
"I promise."
Celestia knew she had to keep this promise. Starswirl, who'd always been on the side of 'date within your own race', wouldn't approve, and he was the closest thing Celestia and Luna currently had to parents.
"I do think you two would be a good couple, however," Celestia smirked, seeing Luna flush again.
"Tia!"
Thankfully for Applejack (and Celestia's sanity), Starswirl agreed to let Applejack stay with them in the growing Canterlot castle. Celestia, Luna and Applejack all currently shared a room, Applejack joining the unicorn sisters who already shared a room.
Applejack hadn't been able to stop apologizing to Celestia and Luna and Starswirl for being a bother, Celestia and Luna easily waving it off. Celestia knew Starswirl would have seen Celestia and Luna's attachment to Applejack, because he seemed to accept her apology and told their earth pony friend that her presence was welcomed, something Celestia noted had made Luna overjoyed.
Shortly after, the three fell into a nice routine, each settling into their lives. Applejack often helped out in the kitchens while Celestia and Luna did their studies and duties; Starswirl had taught them how to raise the sun and moon, which was where the unicorn sisters had acquired their respective cutie marks.
One evening, Celestia and Luna had been called to Starswirl's study. At this point, Canterlot had been fully constructed, both the unicorn sisters and Applejack not being the naive young ponies they had been when they met. Starswirl had been reading over his notes, Celestia realizing this as she entered from the way he hurriedly put down his scroll.
"Starswirl?" Celestia's voice was gentle as she spoke, the unicorn hoping her words didn't display her nervousness as clear as she suspected they might. She could see Starswirl look up from where he'd put his scroll down, the elder unicorn approaching the two unicorn sisters.
"Celestia, Luna, it has come time." He said. "You have both proved yourselves to be capable at your jobs, and you've succeeded in your studies with me. It's come to the point where I am no longer able to teach you more, nor am I able to look after Equestria as well as I used to be."
Celestia had a feeling she knew where her mentor was going, but she didn't want to jump to any conclusions. That would be irresponsible of her, after all.
"Celestia, Luna, I wish to hand over my duties as the ruler of Equestria to you two. Celestia, you shall be known as Princess Celestia and rule over the daytime, rising and setting the sun at the beginning and the end of every day." Starswirl said. Celestia could see his horn light up, the silver aura surrounding Celestia. The unicorn was really startled by this, her eyes widening slightly. She could see Luna behind her, watching with wide eyes.
Before Celestia knew what was happening, she could feel something pricking at her side, and a bright yellowish light clouded Celestia's vision. She could hear a voice whispering faintly in her ears and she could feel the pricking in her sides get bigger; it was even slightly painful, if Celestia were to tell the truth.
When Celestia could feel the ground beneath her hooves, she blinked here eyes open and gasped slightly. Luna looked surprised too, and walked over. Where the pricking in her sides had been, Celestia could now feel a pair of wings, awkardly sitting on her sides.
"Luna, you'll now be known as Princess Luna, and will rule over the night time, rising and setting the moon at the beginning and end of each night." Starswirl said, turning his gaze to Celestia's little sister. She looked over at Luna, and saw that Luna had stumbled backwards. Celestia could now barely see her little sister, the blues and purples sirling around Luna as the unicorn was levetated into the air.
Curling her wings around her awkwardly, Celestia watched as a bright light sparked out around Luna, the unicorn being set down on the ground as Celestia had been. When the bright purple and blue lights faded, Celestia could see a similar pair of wings sitting on Luna's back. The two unicorn sisters looked back at Starswirl, and Celestia knew she felt slightly confused. Luna equally so, based on her expression.
Starswirl sighed. "I've been growing in age, you two. It's about time that I start to leave things to you two. You'll handle things wonderfully, I trust, and your friend, the earth pony, can help housekeep and accompany you two while you settle into your new roles." He explained.
Celestia looked at Luna, a doubtful look on her face, and Starswirl gently smuled at them. "Everything will be okay."
"Promise."
Applejack had been more than surprised when she'd seen 'Tia and Luna with wings.
They'd been quick to explain though, and Applejack had to say, the royal titles suited them. She could remember as well as the day she'd met them, how regal they'd been, and how they stood out amongst Canterlot's population. Even now, despite the huge boost in construction, progress and economy, they stood out amongst the crowd like an apple among pears.
The new titles matched their regal stature, and Applejack had never been more proud of her friends.
She had to admit though, she wasn't a fan of them being more absent. 'Tia rarely spoke to her anymore, and while Luna seemed to always find more time to talk to Applejack, it just wasn't the same. Not to mention how she kept catching Starswirl eyeing her. He now lived in a room attached to the library, as a sort of retirement room, and he kept her running constantly, demanding that X room would be cleaned, and that she make sure that certain dishes were cooked personally by her.
She'd esentially been turned into a housekeeper, and while she didn't mind, considering she'd always felt like she might need to earn her right to live in the castle, Starswirl was kinda freaking her out.
When he went missing, without a trace, alongside five other ponies, Applejack had no questions to ask Celestia and Luna.
Nothing really important had happened since Starswirl had gone missing. Sure, Celestia, her sister, and Applejack had gotten a bit older and wiser, but things had been peaceful. Applejack was the best helper around the castle that Celestia could ask for, and Luna was a wonderful co-ruler, dilligant in her duties and as guardian of the night.
That peace was broken the day that Celestia recieved news of a takeover.
The Crystal Empire, allies with Canterlot, were in trouble, a few of the crystal ponies stumbling into the palace, injured, saying only that someone named King Sombra had taken over. And by that point, Celestia found herself unable to deny them help. They needed her to come and vanquish this Sombra figure, and restore the Crystal Empire.
Bursting into Luna's room, Celestia was brisk and curt as she spoke. "There's been an emergancy, Luna. We need to prepare ourselves to fight."
Luna perked up, at full attention. "'Tia? Who are we fighting with?" Celestia didn't respond at first.
When Luna spoke her name again, Celestia said, "The Crystal Empire. Someone by the name of King Sombra has taken over, and we need to take him down. It'll likely just be us two. The cold of the north won't be easy to handle, and the Royal Guard has only just formed. They've barely recieved much, if any, training in proper combat."
Luna hesitated, before she nodded. "Then I'll prepare at once."
Celestia offered Luna a tense smile, before she turned to leave, freezing when she saw Applejack, a confused look on the orange mare's face. "'Tia? Luna? What'ch y'all doin'?"
Celestia knew she couldn't lie. Applejack had a knack for telling when she, or Luna, would tell a lie. Perhapse there was something special about her that just caused her to have that intuition. Perhapse Applejack just knew the sisters too well that she could tell. Either way, Applejack would figure it out eventually, so Celestia saw no harm in telling her.
"Preparing." Celestia said gravely. "The Crystal Empire has been taken over, and we need to protect them."
"I'm coming with you." Applejack's response was automatic, and Celestia could see Luna instantly freeze.
"Absolutely not." Luna spoke up before Celestia had a chance to. ""Tia and I can handle it. You can't."
Applejack frowned. "Y'all think I'm not strong enough, or good enough to help?!" She demanded.
Celestia shook her head. "That's not what Luna's saying. She just doesn't want you to get hurt."
Applejack scoffed. "I'm not some maiden, or damsel in distress. Let me help you."
Celestia never had been good at overcoming Applejack's stubbornness, and she knew Luna wasn't either.
Luna shot Celestia an alarmed look, but Celestia knew that they both knew that they would give in. Celestia sighed.
"Then come with me. I'll get you fitted for armour."
The wind howled, and Celestia shivered as she trotted to the peak of the cliff, her gaze settling over the Crystal Empire. She could see what those few Crystal Ponies had meant when they said it was corrupted. Not only had the ponies lost their shine, Celestia could see that the crystal itself, which made up the buildings and the centerpoint of the Empire, the castle, were duller. There were certain points which had black and red crystals jutting out of them, and Celestia had to say, there was just an overall bad look, and bad feel to the area now.
Looking to her side, she could see Luna was hunched over, her wings spread slightly, gaze intensely staring at the castle, while Applejack just looked determined, a frown on her face.
"The plan?" Celestia finally spoke up,
"To restore the heart, and beat that monster so hard, that he'll never want to see us again." Luna muttered, her voice low. Applejack just nodded, using a hoof to pull her had tightly onto her head, a frown on the earth pony's face.
A moment more of silence, and Applejack spoke. "When you're ready, I am."
And with that, Celestia begun her decent.
When Applejack entered the castle, her fur pricked, and she felt unnerved. It was dark. Dark enough that she could barely see Celestia beside her, despite the white alicorn standing right next to her, enough so that she could feel Celestia's wings brush against her side. There were whispers all around the place, and Applejack flinched when she heard hoofsteps.
Her own, and those of her companions, had been swallowed up by the darkness, making no sound, so these obviously belonged so someone else.
Someone sinister.
Before she knew what was happening, Celestia shrieked, and Luna let out a low grown, and Applejack felt herself thrown back against a wall. There was a scraping sound, and then a sharp, pointed crystal at her throat, Applejack having to tilt her head backwards to avoid being impailed.
"An earth pony amongst alicorns, hmmm?" Sombra's voice was low in her ear, and Applejack tried to cringe away from it, although the wall and crystal at her throat weren't helping her.
"Get away from her!" Luna shrieked, brandishing her sword. Sombra meerly looked at her, with a sinister smile on his face.
"What, don't want me to hurt your precious earth pony pet?" Sombra grinned. Applejack could see Celestia frown, Luna's muzzle scrunched up and an angry look on her face.
"She's not some pet! Now leave her alone." Sombra just smiled at Luna's words. Then, a red aura around his horn, and Applejack felt the crystal pierce her throat.
There was the sound of Magic, and Applejack was knocked to the side, and she was out like a light.
"Luna, whatever you do now, protect her. We need to get her to safety, and heal her." Celestias orders to Luna were pretty clear, and for once, Luna decided to follow them. She needed to keep her friend safe, and she was prepared to do whatever it took.
Sombra looked amused at Celestia and Luna's determination to keep Applejack safe, though Luna had very little care for that. Applejack was bleeding, and pretty badly, and the longer time went on, Luna using her magic to shove away some of the crystals and retrieve Applejack's limp body, the more her worries grew for the orange mare. Luna cared. A lot.
And this hurt her almost as much as the pained looks Celestia was giving her, had hurt Applejack.
As Luna backtracked, Celestia murmured a few words to Luna, telling her that Celestia could hold him off while Luna got Applejack somewhere safe, and tried to heal her, Luna blindly following these instructions. She retreated, staying within the castle walls but far enough away from the fighting, Luna putting up a barrier around the two mares so she could make an attempt to staunch the bleeding. She couldn't loose her friend.
Wouldn't lose her friend.
Luna's horn glowed, and her eyes were squeezed shut, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't do it. Luna couldn't do it. Her magic wasn't suited to life, or warmth, or healing. Luna was the princess of the moon, and as every unicorn or alicon's cutie mark did, it dictated what magic she could do successfully. Celestia may be able to heal, but Luna couldn't, because her magic was focused around the idea of the dark, and the moon, and hell, even death.
So really, Luna couldn't help her friend and crush. No matter how much she wanted to.
She only let down the barrier when Celestia arrived, slightly battered. When Luna heard Sombra laugh, she took it as her cue to get to the fighting, and let Celestia have a chance to heal and recover and help Applejack.
So Luna headed off, watching for only a moment as a golden glow surrounded Applejack and Celestia.
When Celestia had a chance to look over the wound that Sombra had left on Applejack, it seemed to have gotten worse. She didn't know how, but it was bad, and Celestia doubted she could really fix it.
Try as she might, it seemed too bad.
Well, there was one spell.
But Celestia didn't want to try and do that unless it was strictly necessary.
Unfortunately, it looked like Celestia would have to do it, and as much as she hated it, she didn't think she could do anything to save Applejack unless she performed this spell. Her usual healing spells weren't working, and with a jolt, she realised that it was a fatal wound. That was why her spells weren't working.
So closing her eyes, and letting her horn glow gold, Celestia casted the spell she didn't want to.
What was that spell though?
Well, to put it simply, it made Applejack near immortal. Similarly to how an Alicorn worked - from Celestia's research and experience, it was more difficult to die from wounds or sickness. They were a lot less susseptible to those things, and had a generally longer lifespan with slowed aging. There was always a small physical change too to show that much, and Celestia vaguely wondered what that would look like on Applejack.
Which meant if Applejack ever lost Celestia and Luna, and tried to make friends, she'd loose them too, and would outlive them. From what Celestia had read, it was almost seen as a curse on the bearer, and that was why Celestia hadn't wanted to cast it. But Luna would have been devistated, and Celestia owed this much to her friend.
So she casted the spell, and as Applejack's eyes fluttered open, a pink scar on her neck closing from where the wound had been, and Applejack gasping slightly as she awoke. Celestia watched as Applejack's cutie mark glowed slightly, the green hue turning to a red, and when Celestia helped Applejack to her hooves, Celestia noted that Applejack had grown slightly, now closer to Celestia and Luna's height then she had been before.
Neither of the pair said a word.
Then Applejack quietly turned to Celestia, her eyes showing some kind of wisdom that hadn't been there before.
"Come on." Applejack said.
"Let's help out Luna."
The fight was difficult. And they won.
But at what cost?
The wond blew through Applejack's mane, her hair tie going missing somewhere in the fight, probably when half her ponytail got cut off with a crystal of Sombra's. Her hooves ached, and they won, but what had they won at? The loss of the Empire? Because that was how they won. Celestia and Luna had to combine their power to bring about the fall of the Crystal Empire.
Since the only way King Sombra would fall, was if the Empire was taken down with him. And neither Luna nor Celestia would tell Applejack how long the empire would be gone for, but something told Applejack that she'd see the return of the Empire, and by extension, King Sombra. Logically, she wouldn't live that long.
But she just had a feeling.
And while the return to Canterlot was fast, it felt slow. And through the whole thing, Applejack felt like she could have done more. Like she could have helped, somehow, or that she could have somehow made it so the Empire could stay, while King Sombra was still banished. The unicorn had too much power over the three of them, and when Applejack had been knocked out, blacking after her neck had been stabbed into, she'd heard him.
His voice had echoed arround, and made promises that if she just joined him, she would do good. She would become the winner, and he would treat her well. Almost like he was trying to corrupt her, or something. She'd dreamed of his crystals enproaching her, and only when Celestia saved her did the golden light chase them away, and pull her back into the living world.
And Applejack would forever be grateful. The worst thing was that Sombra was right. They're barely won, and Applejack had saved the alicorn sisters multiple times, warning them of Sombra's approaching crystals or kicking and breaking them. And had she joined Sombra, he would have won. She could have the Empire at her hooves, but she'd have to live with that guilt. That she'd helped hurt her friends, and she couldn't do that. They were the only ones she had left.
And Applejack couldn't hurt them like that.
The next significant thing that happened was Discord, an abomination of animal parts who caused chaos and destruction. He laughed, and had fun, and eventually, Luna and Celestia and Applejack had to confront Discord.
And honestly, Applejack should have expected it when Discord made comments about the earth pony tagging along.
"Oh, look at you two! The princesses, here to save the day, hm?" Discord had cackled from atop his thrown. Applejack had growled, and then he'd looked at her, long and hard.
"And a pet? Honestly, as rulers I thought you would have been better then to keep an earth pony as a pet." Discord had huffed, and Applejack had tried to lunch at Discord. He clicked his fingers, and Applejack was yanked backwards, flushing under her fur and swearing when she saw that Discord had materialised a collar around her neck, a leash attached to it and tied around Luna's hoof, likely a poke at the 'pet' taunt he'd made.
"What the - ?!" Luna jolted backwards similarly, using her magic to pry the leash off her hoof, Discord taking it instead.
And that ended up with Applejack stuck by Discord's side for several days, while her friends figured out a fix for the Discord situation.
And figure out a fix for this, they did.
Luna and Celestia showed up a few days later, with six magical stones they called the Elements of Harmony, and after rescuing Applejack, the collar gone from her neck and the leash burnt to a crisp, Discord was turned to stone, the elements causing a rainbow beam to strike Discord down.
Canterlot had become somewhat more advanced by then. There had been a good gap between fighting King Sombra and Discord arriving, so Celestia and Luna decided to use Discord as a statue in the developing garden. The city was nice, and they were planning on a maze.
What the public didn't really know was that Celestia and Luna were actually planning to build their own castle. Guards were being hired, and Applejack was helping with the design, but it was going to be in a wild forest that had been named the Everfree forest. Celestia and Luna wanted the castle to be somewhat secluded which was why they were only taking the Elements, Applejack and a few guards with them to the castle. There was the Canterlot Palace, of course, for royal duties, but the castle was supposed to be more homely, and a place for the sisters and Applejack to relax at.
Discord would be left behind though.
Shortly after the damage from Discord had been repaired, The sisters and Applejack moved into their castle in the Everfree, and with them, a small group of earth ponies who wanted to establish their own town, which Applejack would later learn from a young mare named Granny Smith, was named Ponyville. Granny Smith was a cousin of Applejack's, part of distant family, though it never felt that way since Applejack hadn't spoken to her extended family since she'd been kicked off her parents farm and practically adopted into the royal family.
For that reason, and living so closeby, while Luna and Celestia would travel to and from Canterlot for certain jobs, Applejack would help around Ponyville, and befriend the ponies there. She would never truely reveal herself, as she felt scared to be recognised, but she would build, and help start an apple farm for Granny Smith, and she would never accept payment.
And things were fine.
things were happy.
And that was okay.
The conversation happened a little too late. A quiet discussion, with details that Luna would never tell anyone. It was just her and Applejack, late at night in their castle. the moon shone overhead, into the castle, and Applejack sat tucked close to Luna's side, Luna's wing wrapped around her back as they leaned together, watching the moon.
Celestia was asleep already, and Applejack should have been too after a long day of helping the residents of Ponyville, but this was comfortable, and neither of them wanted to end it.
Luna broke the silence.
"So, what is this?"
Applejack gave Luna a wide eyed look.
"This?"
Luna closed her eyes. "Yeah. What's this. Us. What do we want to call it?"
It was quiet again for a few moments.
"Marefriends?" Applejack suggested.
And Luna smiled.
"I think I'd like that."
Not even ten years later, tensions started raising between Luna and Celestia. Because the future stories were true. Luna's jelousy was growing, of how everyone but her marefriend would pay so much more attention to Celestia. She was reveered, and while Luna would dream walk, and solve nightmares, she was rarely recognised. Applejack felt a similar way, the earth pony telling Luna that much one night, but Applejack didn't mind.
"So what if I'm written out of history? I never wanted that much attention anyways. I'm just happy having you by my side, and your sister as a friend. That's all the reward I need, for helping with Sombra and Discord." Applejack had smiled, her eyes closed and a dreamy look on her face. Luna had given Applejack a gentle kiss, smiling slightly as she pulled away.
"I get that. It just annoys me, because I'm a recognised ruler too - but the general public doesn't recognise that."
They'd gone quiet.
"Well, you know you always have me. You can always rely on me, Luna. It's been nine years since we got together, and hundreds since we met. I'm not going to let that go to waste over a few worthless opinions."
They went quiet again.
"Do you know how you are still here? Many of your peers would have passed on by now, but your still here, and looking young as ever." Luna asked, and Applejack shrugged.
"I think Celestia did something when she saved me from Sombra. But I couldn't tell you what. I'm not complaining though. Because I still have you. And that's all that matters."
Tensions continued to rise, over aout seven years. But things came to a breaking point eventually. Applejack could only watch it happen. She could only watch, horrified by Celestia's side, as Luna was engulfed in a black energy, emerging different.
Darker.
And not the Luna that Applejack had grown to love. That wasn't Applejack's marefriend, not that this dark version seemed to care about Applejack's opinions. A hood tilting her chin up, Applejack staring into this bat-like mare's eyes, Celestia growling slightly.
"Get your hooves off her, Luna." Celestia said, and Luna scoffed.
"My name, is Nightmare Moon." Luna - well, Nightmare Moon said. "I will put my hooves on my marefriend if I so desire to, and you can't stop me." She grinned, her teeth sharp, and Applejack jolted away.
"Get away from her!" Celestia lunged at Nightmare Moon, Nightmare Moon jolting backwards and dragging Applejack with her.
"No." Nightmare Moon focused on Applejack, the moon high in the sky. "Just light the night will be forever, she's mine too. Tell my pathetic sister, Applejack. Tell her what you told me - that you'd never leave. That you'd never let me down. Unless you lied?"
Tears pricking in her eyes, Applejack stumbled backwards to Celestia's side.
"No! I didn't lie. I told Luna that she could rely on me. Not some monster using her name! You don't own me. No one owns me except for me, and I'm not going to let you use me." She choked out.
Before Nightmare Moon could reply, Celestia steped forwards slightly.
"Now back down, and bring the moon down, or I'll have to use the Elements. I don't want to do this, Nightmare Moon - Luna, whatever. I just want my sister back."
Nightmare Moon's eyes flared, and she took to the skies. Celestia followed.
And all Applejack could do was watch, with her wingless back, and her hornless head, and her magicless hooves that couldn't help.
When Celestia returned to the ground, the moon gone from the sky, the flash of a pony shaped shadow on the surface before it was lowered, there was a dark look in Celestia's eyes. And she spoke two words, that told Applejack all she needed to know.
"I'm sorry."
Things were fine with Applejack and Celestia after that. They moved back to Canterlot, Luna (well, Nightmare Moon) having destroyed part of the castle that had homed them for so long. And the walls of Canterlot felt empty, and made Applejack feel that way. It hurt her, knowing that Luna had tried to hurt them, and snapped under the pressure. But what more could she do? There wasn't exactly some fix all cure she could perform.
Time moved forwards, and so did Applejack and Celestia.
Contruction on Equestria was finished eventually. Well, the important parts that Applejack visited using Celestia's help. Spells to help her walk on the clouds in Cloudsdale as Applejacl accompanied Celestia on trips, or the streets of Ponyville, the polished roads of Canterlot, the trains, Manehattan, so many places that she'd watched grow as she grew. And while Applejack still didn't know how she was here, she wasn't complaining. She'd seen so much, with her friends by her side, and for that, she was grateful.
And like time marching forwards, Celestia recieving prophecys and writing them, or books being composed, so did new fillies and colts. Cadance, an orphan pegasus that had been adopted as Celestia's niece. Blueblood, as a nephew. Applejack liked the think she did a good job at babysitting and helping to raise the two children. She helped train Sunset Shimmer, Celestia's star pupil from when her school for talented fillies and colts were opened, and soothed Celestia when Sunset turned her back on Celestia and fled through a magical portal.
And time continued on.
Applejack watched the skies as someone achieved the impossible, a sonic rainboom. She got to meet Celestia's new star pupil, a filly who reminded her all too much of a really young Sunset Shimmer, who was named Twilight Sparkle. She got to meet Twilight's brother, Shining Armour, and helped Cadance babysit Twilight, teasing Cadance about how Shining Armour constantly tripped over his hooves for Cadance.
She got to watch as Cadance, Twilight and Shining Armour grew.
Though that changed when Celestia pulled her aside one day.
"I've recieved a prophecy. And I believe you're a part of it." Celestia had simply said, which prompted their discussion. In simple terms, Celestia was sending Applejack to pose as Granny Smith's youngest grandchild. She was to become friends with Twilight, and a few other growing fillies in Ponyville, because Celestia believed that Twilight, Applejack and a few others Applejack was yet to meet, would eventually save Equestria.
And what could Applejack do?
Turn down her longest friend?
She wouldn't dream of it.
And thus, Applejack travelled to Ponyville, and became the youngest member of the Apple Family once more, with a younger sister named Apple Bloom and an older brother named Big Mac. And Celestia stuck to her word. As the festival approached, Twilight was sent down to Ponyville to test things, around the same time of the Apple Family reunion which Applejack had to take part of, pretending she knew all these ponies. She officially met Twilight, Twilight's memories of Applejack as a foatsitter hazy or gone.
And Applejack had to make new friends while she was there. She met Pinkie Pie, who worked at the town's sweet shop. She met Fluttershy, the shy pegasus who lived on the edges of town. She met Rainbow Dash, who pranked the Ponyville residents and caused michief. She met Rarity, the boutique owner. She met all sorts of ponies.
And while sometimes Fluttershy, or Rainbow or Pinkie would annoy her, they were just kids! They hadn't seen what Applejack had seen, or experienced what she'd experienced. They didn't know. They'd barely experienced life. Not like the time Applejack had spent alive, helping to run the lands by Celestia and Luna's sides. The thousand years since Luna's banishment felt like barely anything.
These five didn't know any better.
So when Celestia's predictions came true, and Applejack's heart sank as Nightmare Moon returned, Applejack trying to hide away from her partner, she knew that she had to take care of these kids. Because if she was going with them to save Equestria, then someone would need to protect them from dangers that Applejack had faced before. Nightmare Moon was dangerous. Twilight, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rarity and Rainbow Dash would need protecting and help.
And Applejack was just the pony for the job.
Author's Note
Written over about a month, I've pulled together a backstory for a fic I may or may not write. I apologize for any spelling mistakes I've made, and my awful grammar. I ran it through several spell check programs to try and catch my mistakes, though I might have missed something!!
I also apologize for any possible out of character moments; I've rejoined the fandom recently, with the aspect of Season 9's ending, and I'm in the process of rewatching the show and piecing together Celestia and Luna's backstory ~~that I've most likely butchered~~.
Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read this!!