The Apple's Desire

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 7
Chapter 6

Chapter 1

It had only been a couple months since Twilight's brother, Shining Armor, had his wedding with Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, or simply Princess Cadance. Since that time, all had been quiet and Twilight and her friends were definitely enjoying the time of peace. Spike had thrown his bachelor party for Shining, but Twilight was never able to get her brother to tell her what had happened. Since nopony had really informed Spike what a bachelor party was, he had apparently taken quite an interesting guess, or so Shining had told her, but that was all he would say. The sneaky dragon wouldn't tell; it was either because he was too embarrassed or maybe even too pleased with himself, who knows?

Twilight awoke as the sun was peeking in through the window in her bedroom. Her eyes opened and shut a few times before she fully registered she was awake and gave a long yawn. Loud snoring could still be heard a few feet from her bed. Apparently, her number-one assistant was still lost in his dreams. Slowly, the unicorn crawled out of her bed and precisely rearranged the sheets so that each side of her bed was covered equally with her magic showing off her perfectionist tendencies.

“Another beautiful day eh, Spike?” she quietly asked the snoozing dragon who remained, most assuredly, asleep. Twilight chuckled. “Go ahead and take all the sleeping time you need, Spike. I'll get started on today's big task. You can join in whenever you decide you've had enough rubies to eat in your dream.” She magically fluffed Spike's pillow and placed his cover back over him.

The unicorn scholar eagerly headed downstairs, which was being watched over by her number-two assistant. “Owlowiscious, did you have a pleasant night?” she asked as she looked over to the window where the owl kept his vigilant watch. He twisted his head around completely from looking outside at the sunrise, meeting Twilight's gaze and gave his usual response. “Well, I'm glad. Go ahead and get some rest then. I've got some work to do. It is time for my monthly reorganization of the entire Library. I can't wait!” Twilight squealed at the task with delight, clapping her hooves together a few times. She gingerly trotted into her kitchen for a quick, simple breakfast of toast spread with apple jam. Hey, nopony wants to start working on an empty stomach!

Oh yes, she could feel it. Today was going to be great. She came out of the kitchen and into the main room of the library, marveling at all the books that were around her. For a few moments, she sat there drinking in the expanse of written words and complex formulas that surrounded her. Violet light surrounded the vast amount of tomes causing them to lift from their slumber and gently fall into what could be called an orderly mess, encircling the mare in their wisdom and comfort. Twilight glanced around the array of books and brought a hoof to her chin. “Hmm, now how should I go about sorting and rearranging this time? Last time, I organized by genre. The time before that it was alphabetical by title. Maybe I should try alphabetical by author? No no no. Perhaps by personal favoritism? Yeah right! How could anypony possibly choose between classics like The Relationship between Levitation and Magnetism and Starswhirl's Study of Spellcraft! Celestia knows I couldn't.”

She was in no hurry. As far as Twilight could remember from her schedule, she didn't have any activities with her friends planned for the day, except later tonight for a party with her friends at Sugarcube Corner. It was Tank's birthday according to Fluttershy and Pinkie was itching for any reason to throw a party. While thinking of what crazy antics Pinkie would come up with for this party, Twilight let out a gasp of sudden enlightenment.

“That's it! I'll sort by author and then genre, followed by title! It'll be simple and efficient.”

There came a knock-knock at Fluttershy's cottage door. “I wonder who that could be,” the pegasus mused aloud as she finished putting leaves of lettuce and slices of carrots into Angel's bowl for his lunch. Opening the door, Fluttershy was taken aback slightly by the glowing smile of a pink earth pony that shined brightly into her eyes.

“Oh hello, Pinkie. How are you today?”

“Hiya, Fluttershy. Doing super fantast-a-rific! I hope you're still planning on coming to Tank's birthday party this evening. I've already put up all the decorations.” Pinkie's head turned up as she looked at nothing in particular as she began to wonder out loud. “Although I suppose I could put up even more. A party can't have TOO many decorations, can it? Pfft, no! What a silly thought!” Pinkie looked back to Fluttershy who, used to this by now, simply sat there, smiling and waiting patiently for Pinkie to refocus. “Oh yeah! I needed to ask you something about tortoises. Do they like punch? Gummy loves punch, but only the special flavor I make for him.”

Lest she get wrapped up into another one of Pinkie's long-winded tales, Fluttershy quickly spoke, “Uh, punch? Well, I'm not so sure. I never gave him any punch while he was living with me. But as long as there's not too much sugar, I don't think it will be a problem.”

Pinkie seemed to cower a bit at the mention of 'not too much sugar'. She recovered a few seconds after some heavy breathing. “Whew. Yeah, ok. Huh, weird. I've never heard those words used like that before! 'Not too much sugflpthplbb'.” Pinkie blew a bit of a raspberry at the end. “I can't even finish that sentence! Oh well, I guess I'll just have to make another batch of punch with not... too... much... sssshhhhhhhuuuuuhhhhhhhflpthplbb.” Another raspberry. “Oh darn, I thought if I spaced it out I could say it! Oh well! See ya later tonight, Fluttershy!” Pinkie gave a bit of a salute to the yellow pegasus.

“Bye, Pinkie. Yes, I can't wait for the party tonight. I think Tank will be very happy that you went to all this trouble for him.” With this, Pinkie turned and began her usual bounce-hopping back into town, her face lit up with a happy smile that radiated its own light. Fluttershy closed the door and felt a tap on her hind leg. She looked down to see Angel holding his bowl. “What is it, Angel?” Angel went through a series of gestures, motioning to the bowl, his mouth, and finally his stomach. “Oh, you'd like seconds? Of course you can have more.” As Fluttershy filled Angel's bowl once again with the delectable veggies, she wondered about what she should get Tank for his birthday. When Tank moved in with Rainbow in her home in the clouds, Fluttershy had already given her everything she would need to take care of him.

“Hmm, what would be something that Tank or Rainbow Dash could use?” While she was thinking, she looked out her window. A quick figure seemed to flash by in but a mere instant. Her first instinct was to shut the curtain and hide behind her couch, but the thought of her animal friends being in the slightest danger mustered her courage. She made a loud gulp, getting the attention of Angel who had now gotten his fill. Fluttershy timidly walked over the window and opened it, peeking outside. “H-hello?” She looked around but saw nothing except the sun shining down on the green fields around her cottage. The wind lightly blew through her mane and she brought her head back inside. Before closing the window, Angel hopped up and took a look outside for himself. He looked back at Fluttershy with a flat expression on his face, crossing his paws. “Yes, I suppose it was just my imagination.” Angel's look didn't change. “I know. I shouldn't get so worked up over something I'm not even sure is there.” At this, Angel smiled as he hopped onto Fluttershy's back and gave her neck a warm, bunny-hug. Fluttershy couldn't help but giggle a little as she found herself smiling, all worries receded. “Come on, Angel. I have an idea that I think will work as a present for Tank.” The white bunny rested on her back as she gently flew upstairs.

Rainbow Dash flew quickly to her next destination. The large, library-tree came into view and she landed just in front of the front door, setting the large, rolled-up rug on the ground next to her. She lifted her hoof and gave a few rhythmic raps. It was Spike who opened the door. He looked up and was clearly excited to see her. “Rainbow Dash! Oh thank goodness you're here. Please tell me you need my help to deal with something important!” He brought his claws together in a pleading manner, looking up at Rainbow with wide, hopeful eyes.

“Uh, sorry, Spike, not today. I'll let ya know, though.” Dash spoke in a quizzical tone. Spike's head fell with a defeated gaze filling his eyes as if the pegasus had just told him gemstones were illegal in Ponyville now. “Everything OK, Spike?”

The tiny dragon-assistant let out a long sigh and looked back up at Rainbow with a sad stare. In a hushed, secretive voice he whispered, “It's just that today is Twilight's day of completely reorganizing the library.” As he finished, he opened the door wider so Rainbow could see the horror that lay within. The interior looked like a library Discord would have loved. In the middle of the room, a worn-looking unicorn was locked in a battle of wills with a single book that levitated in a violet cloud in front of her face.

Twilight let out a loud, annoyed, and frustrated growl as she threw her hooves into the air, her eyes staring daggers at the ceiling. “Which is it?!? From Swords to Stars by Olivia Goodmare, how do I categorize you!?” She turned her head down to resume her fierce glare at the book she was levitating. “Under 'G' for Goodmare, but she has other books, too, so now I have to sort you by genre, but that's the problem! You contain completely exaggerated story elements and not-real locations set in the Pre-Classical Era of knights and peasants, so you should be considered fiction. However, you also include other locations and notable figures and events that have been documented as historically correct and accurate, meaning you are also non-fiction! But then, you have the nerve to start talking about space exploration and encountering other lifeforms in your later chapters, going into the genre of science-fiction! Ahh!!” Twilight continued to rant and rave over these same points over and over again. At the door, Rainbow could only just stare at what her friend was going on about. The cyan pony looked down at Spike, now fully understanding what he was asking for, a reason to leave and let Twilight be alone for a little bit.

Rainbow leaned her head down to quietly speak to Spike. “Is she always this bad when reorganizing?” She could only guess how Spike put up with it, given how long he's been with Twilight.

“Nah, this isn't the worst I've seen it. Not by far. It's just annoying because she'll call me over, ask me a question, I'll give an answer, she'll tell me I'm wrong and explain why I'm wrong, send me away to do something else, wait ten minutes, and call me back over to ask another question to which she'll tell me I'm wrong again.” he answered in a similarly hushed voice.

“Spike! Come here, I need to ask you a question!” Twilight called out without taking her eyes off the book. Spike gave out a long groan.

“Here, Spike, let me lend you a hoof here,” Rainbow said as she walked past the little dragon hoping that she could help.

Rainbow approached the crazed unicorn who was muttering something under her breath. “Heya, Twilight! What's up?” she casually asked, hoping Twilight wouldn't freak out on her as well.

Twilight dropped the book and sheepishly looked up at the new pony in the room. “Rainbow Dash! Uh, hi. Sorry about the library being a mess. I'm just trying to reorganize everything is all.” She gave her friend a guilty smile.

“No worries, Twilight. I came by because I wanted to know if you could help me out with some of your fancy magic.”

The once-delirious unicorn was coming back to her senses. “Of course. I'll help if I can. What do you need help with?” Rainbow gestured for Twilight to follow her outside. The two ponies passed Spike, who took this time to quickly run into the kitchen as if he hadn't had the opportunity to eat lunch, which given by the roaring of his stomach, he likely hadn't. Right before she exited the library, Twilight gave another menacing look at the book she had dropped, as if to tell it that she would be back for it shortly. The book gave no response to her challenge. The rolled-up rug Rainbow had left was still there, lying on the ground.

“I need your help with this.” Twilight looked at the rug, confused, and was about to ask some questions, but Rainbow had anticipated this and continued before Twilight could say anything. “Not with the rug, exactly. But it's going to be my present for Tank. I wanted to know if you could enchant this rug with that cloud-walking spell so it could stay in my house on the bottom floor. But it's not really for me, or anything. It's just that Tank and I have to be careful about how long he can stay in the air at my place before he needs his propeller recharged. I'm always worried that it might fizzle out or something mid-flight and he'll fall. But, I figured if there was something that could catch him, like this rug that won't fall beneath the clouds, I wouldn't have to worry! I just spread it out over the entire floor and bam!” Rainbow struck the ground with her hoof for dramatic effect. “Problem solved.”

“Oh, OK! I understand what you mean. That is a good idea! Just let me think for a second. Casting the spell on ponies was only mildly challenging, but casting it on an inanimate object shouldn't prove difficult at all.” Twilight closed her eyes and concentrated for a few moments before her horn glowed and the rug was enveloped in a violet aura. The magical mare opened her eyes as the spell finished it's casting. “There! Taken care of. Easy.”

“Wow, so that's it, huh?"

“Yep. That's it. Well, for now, anyway.” Rainbow gave her a confused expression. “Just once every two weeks, I'll need to recharge the spell, it won't last forever. So either you can bring it back down here, or, maybe even easier would be for me to come up there. I'll just need a helping hoof actually getting up there, or I guess a helping wing actually.”

“Heh, no problem, Twilight. Thanks, this is awesome! Oh, and by the way. About your, um, categorization issue. What if you just filed it under 'multiple' for multiple genres?” Rainbow gave Twilight an uneasy smile, not sure how this suggestion would be taken. The bookworm sat for a second, staring at the pegasus athlete.

Suddenly, the faithful student exploded with delight. “That's brilliant, Rainbow! Just create a new category for books with a multitude of genres! Of course, why didn't I see it!!” She began laughing and her flying friend soon joined her. After about a minute of laughing at this oversight, Twilight composed herself. “Thanks, you saved me a lot of grief.”

“Don't mention it. I may not be an egghead like you, Twilight, but I always have awesome ideas.” Rainbow closed her eyes and smiled in triumph. She opened her eyes and looked to her friend. “Anyway, I gotta get this back home and hide it so Tank doesn't find it. I'll catch ya later tonight at the party! Thanks again, Twilight!”

“Always happy to help a friend. See you later tonight.” They both hugged for a few moments before the light-blue pegasus grabbed her gift and soared back into the sky. Twilight headed back inside, closing the door behind her. “Now, where was it? Ah yes. From Swords to Stars, prepare to be categorized!” Her dragon companion came out of the kitchen and resumed his task of helping Twilight. Together they made short work of the remaining books.

Applejack approached Carousel Boutique with her present for the upcoming party secured to her back. Rarity would sometimes be more than fashionably late to a party if she had a hard time deciding what she would wear. AJ gave a couple quick knocks at the door.

Rarity opened the door looking just slightly worn out and her hair just barely hinted at the smallest amount of being disheveled. “Oh, hello, Applejack. Please, do come in.” Rarity motioned Applejack into her shop. “So why is it you've stopped by, can I help you with anything?”

“Ya OK there, Rarity? Ya look just a tiny bit ragged, sugarcube.” It was now that the country mare got a look at the mess of the place.

The designer pony turned her head away and brought a hoof up to cover her face. “Oh, I know! It's awful, isn't it? I've been spending most of the day trying to figure out what I should wear for the party this evening, but I just cannot for the life of me find that one special outfit that simply screams 'Me, Rarity! I'm the fabulous dress you're looking for!'.”

“Rarity, it's just a birthday party for Tank. Ya don't really need to show up in somethin' all that fancy,” Applejack remarked, rolling her eyes at her friend's fondness for dramatics.

“But that's where you're wrong, dear Applejack. It's been so long since we've all been together for a special event and I need to look glamorous for it!” The two mares had walked up the stairs into Rarity's room. The white unicorn went over to her open closet looking through it, probably for the 15th time that day.

“What do ya mean, 'it's been so long'? We all got together for lunch just a few days ago,” Applejack stated with a hint of impatience in her voice.

Rarity gave a sigh as though she were telling her sister an obvious truth. “Yes, but that was a public social event. This, however, is a private social event and demands a bit more flair.” Rarity emphasized that word with a wave of her hoof and a large smile on her face.

“Well, Ah hope you haven't forgotten to get the lil' critter a present.”

The fashionista stopped for a moment and turned to face the orange earth pony, with a guilty gaze. “Uh, well, you see, not yet. I've been awfully busy as 'twere. So, no, I don't have a present, but rest assured, that I will definitely figure something out.” Rarity gave a bit of a haughty laugh and resumed looking through her extensive wardrobe, pulling dresses out, examining them, and putting them back in.

Applejack planted a hoof to her forehead. “Rarity, the party is for Tank!” The dress-maker didn't seem to hear the farmer's words. “Sheesh! Jus'... wear somethin' green!” This advice in what to wear certainly got the unicorn's attention and she turned to look at her friend with a shocked expression.

“Applejack...” Rarity continued to stare at the farm pony, who looked back with a confused expression. “That is a marvelous idea! After all, green is the color of the turtle and–”

“Tortoise,” corrected Applejack.

“Yes, yes, the tortoise. Green is his color so why not wear an outfit that compliments the color of the guest of honor! Let's see," she muttered as she began mulling over the situation as she knew it. "He is a combination of dark and light greens so perhaps if I were to mimic that same style... oh, oh, IDEA!” Were Applejack to say anything, it wouldn't have mattered. The country pony knew all too well that look in the white mare's eyes and could tell that she was lost to the rest of the world. Rarity found a small notebook and pen and began sketching out designs with renewed vigor.

Applejack was not about to stick around in case a model was needed. She began to back up to the stairs leading down. “Well, I can see ya have everything under control here, Rarity, so I'll be lettin' myself out. Jus' don't be too late to the party, ya hear! It's in two hours.”

“Mhmm,” was the only response AJ got before she headed downstairs and out of the shop, relieved she was able to escape in time.

“Well, I might as well go see if Pinkie needs any help finishing up decorations for the party.” Applejack smiled and laughed a bit as she headed for Sugarcube Corner. “Tonight's gonna be mighty fine, I can feel it!” Feel... yes, she could feel something. She slowed down slightly and looked around, but only saw a few other ponies going about their business. Nothing out of the ordinary. “Huh, weird.”

The party was a great success. Everypony had a good time. Tank enjoyed his own batch of Pinkie's reduced-sugar punch. After cake was eaten (the party pony even went so far as to make reduced-sugar cake for the tortoise) presents were given for unwrapping. The ponies wrapped the presents in a way that all Tank had to do was give a slight pull on a string and the whole present would unwrap. Fluttershy gave Tank a pair of earmuffs and scarf if it ever got cold up in Rainbow's cloud-house. Twilight gave Rainbow a book, of course, called Understanding Reptiles: The Tortoise in case the rainbow-maned pony needed a reference guide to learn anything she wanted to know about her pet. Applejack had gotten some of the tastiest apples she could find and cut them up into small, bite-size pieces for Tank to easily eat. Rarity, who was wearing a dark green gown with a black trim and light green blouse, had put together a gift basket for Tank, which included a file for his feet, polish for his shell, and some oils that were supposed to help get rid of wrinkles. Pinkie's gift was a huge box, but within was an object way smaller that what the box would indicate. It was a tiny, white orb, barely a centimeter in diameter.

Rainbow was the one to ask what everypony had been wondering. “Pinkie, what in the hay is that!?”

“It's a night light silly! I figured it must get pretty dark in his shell at night,” Pinkie explained with a grin on her face and a 'duh!' expression in her eyes. “So that's when I thought it would be a super-neato present!”

Rarity stepped forward with an unsure look in her eyes. “Pinkie, dear, I'm not sure...” but she stopped. They all looked down as Tank had already taken the white orb into his shell, which was now emitting a soft yellow glow from inside, as if a candle were lit within. The light went out and the tortoise emerged from his shell, a smile slowly forming on his face as he did so. “N-never mind.”

Rainbow didn't have her present there, but assured Tank he'd get it when they went back home after the party. There was dancing, singing, and of course pin-the-tail-on-the-pony, which, once again, Pinkie emerged victorious. Time passed as the friends all laughed and had a great time. Eventually, the party came to an end and everypony said their goodbyes, shared hugs, and thanked their illustrious party-friend for proving once more why she was the master of all shindigs.

When Twilight got back to the library, she found her legs feeling like jell-o and she longed for the soft comfort of a bed that seemed so far away at the moment. Right as she closed the door behind her, Spike came in from the kitchen, munching on a shard of amethyst. “Hey, Twilight. Have a good time at the party?”

“I did, thanks. The party was just as enjoyable as I thought it would be. It always is when Pinkie Pie is involved. I still think you should have come with me," she playfully teased her number-one assistant, recalling his earlier decision of staying home.

“Nah. You girls get together and I just feel out of place. I'm fine with just hanging here with Owlowiscious. By the way, a letter from the Princess came for you just a little while ago, I left it on your bed to read. As I thought, you look pretty tired and I figured you'd want to go to bed when you got back.” Spike crossed his arms and held his head high as his prediction was right on the nose.

“Thanks, Spike. I'm going to go up and read it now, then I'm turning in for the night.” Twilight gave a yawn as she began climbing the stairs leading to the sanctuary of her beloved bed. She eagerly imagined those warm sheets wrapping around her and nestling her deep within their comfort and solace.

“Yeah, I'll be up for some shuteye, too, as soon as I finish this.” He took a bite out of the shard and watched as as the exhausted unicorn went out of sight into the bedroom above. “Or maybe as soon as I finish two more,” he murmured deviously as he scampered back into the kitchen.

Twilight found the letter, just as Spike said, on her bed. She levitated it up out of the way as she laid down on the bed, getting swallowed in the sheets she had missed dearly. She magically loosed the binding of the parchment, smiling at the sound of it unfurling.

To my most faithful student, Twilight:

First and foremost I must insist that you do not reveal this letter nor it's contents to anypony, not even your friends...

The moon was now well over the horizon as Applejack trotted back up the winding road of Sweet Apple Acres. She had a great time and was ready to get some sleep quick so she would be able to get up early enough to get her work done. The crickets chirped their song as farm-pony strode in rhythm. A breeze rustled the leaves and shook the loose dirt around her hooves as she made her way through the orchard and up to her house. Right as she was about to open the front door, she felt something. There it was again, that feeling. Applejack stayed her hoof and looked around. “Now what is it?” she wondered out loud. This was different than that first time. The first time, she looked around and saw nopony suspicious. This time was different. There was a shadow of a pony between some trees further off in the distance and it was...looking at her. “Who in blazes could that be?” the orange pony whispered to nopony as she squinted, but it was no use with no sun out. She trotted out towards the stranger, head held high, ready to find out who this pony was. She drew nearer and spoke loud enough so she was sure the pony could hear the words. “Hey, you there! Whatcha doin' on Apple family property this late at night? Ya lost or somethin?”

No response came and Applejack picked up her pace to meet the stranger. Probably some no-good thief lookin' to get a few free samples! she thought to herself as she came closer and closer to the pony. It was a mare, that much was obvious by now. The mare was definitely facing Applejack as the annoyed pony drew near and was not even poised to run away. In fact, the mare sat down as Applejack approached.

“Are ya gonna tell me who ya are or what?” demanded Applejack. The shadow of a nearby tree covered the mare so Applejack couldn't get a good idea of how she looked, but AJ didn't dare get any closer. The feeling she had now felt like an earthquake in her stomach. Her vision blurred ever so slightly.

The mare tilted her head slightly and warmly smiled at the apple farmer, unnerving her a bit. “Why, Applejack, don't you recognize me?”

Chapter 2

Her eyes shot open and she was unsure where she was for a minute. Looking around, she calmed down. She was in her room, wrapped snugly in the sheets of her bed. Of course she was. Why would she not be? She was sleeping and this was the place she had always slept. The sun had not yet come up and the remnants of Luna's night still filled the room with a calming darkness. Her head ached slightly, as if she had bumped it against the wall one too many times or had heard another lecture about gravity from Twilight. She brought her hooves up to her face and rubbed her eyes.

“Still the same room so what's the problem?” Applejack mused to herself. She heaved a heavy sigh and got out of bed. She didn't bother making the covers as she thought she might come back soon to rest for a while longer. Her door creaked as she opened it and slipped down the hallway, crept quietly down the stairs, and went into the kitchen. Even if it was dark, she knew the entire house perfectly. Nopony else was awake yet, not even Big Mac. In the kitchen, she filled the sink with cold water and splashed her face a few times. She still felt a bit uneasy. “Maybe Ah'll jus' go on ahead and get started on the farm chores fer today. Workin' always relaxes me a bit.” The cowpony went back upstairs, folded the sheets on her bed, and put on her trademark stetson before heading outside to begin the day. A smile grew on her face as she imagined what a pony like Rarity might say given the idea of manual labor actually being relaxing for somepony.

Stepping outside into the cool air was refreshing. Applejack simply stood in the breeze for a few moments, feeling the soft ground beneath her hooves and her mane being tossed lightly about by the early morning wind. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, slowly letting it back out. The orange mare did prefer daylight to moonlight, but the scent of earth that had basked in the moon's glow had a soothing effect. “Now that's what the doctor ordered. Ah feel better already!” She opened her eyes and began her mental checklist of what she needed to get done. Her gaze was slowly drawn over to an area of trees further off. Just looking in that area gave her a strange feeling in her stomach and head. She shook her head feverishly. “Come on now, Applejack. You've got work to do, missy,” she told herself in a scolding tone. After standing still for another few, uneasy seconds, she shook her her head around again and she set off on her tasks, not letting herself think too much. She worked just as hard as she always had, but now she was trying to use the work to forget about the feelings running through her mind, but they just would not go away.

For a few hours the night before, Twilight had simply laid in her bed, thinking. The letter was vague, but still troublesome. Problems in Canterlot... watch for strange activities... these thoughts floated around her mind as she mercilessly contemplated what exactly Celestia was talking about. Eventually she did fall asleep; words from the letter snaked around her hissing all sorts of bizarre ideas and schemes as a result of her paranoia. Indeed, her dreams were quite troubling that night, keeping her from a truly restful and fulfilling sleep.

She awoke to the dull sunlight that was able to shine through the cloudy skies. A slight groan escaped her as her mind struggled to fully escape the vivid dreamland she was caught in. “The pegasi really have a knack for picking the appropriate weather to match my mood” she whispered to herself. As usual, she got out of bed and made her sheets. She slowly went downstairs, but was unsure what she going to do today. Her body was on auto-pilot while her mind wrestled with the letter and it's meaning. She didn't even notice that she was sitting at the table in her kitchen, nor did she notice that Spike had placed a bowl of oat-flakes in front of her.

“Good afternoon, Twilight. Glad to see you're up, finally,” chimed Spike, bringing Twilight back to reality.

“Huh? Oh, yes. Thanks for the bowl... wait. Afternoon?!” Twilight was shocked. She had slept in? She didn't even think to check the time.

“Yep, it's the afternoon alright. I know how you sleep in when you have a bad night, so I didn't want to wake you,” Spike said with a hopeful tint in his voice that she would not be mad at him. Twilight just smiled at him gave the dragon a hug with one of her hooves, pulling him in to her side tightly. He sighed in relief. “Did you have a bad dream? I had a bad dream. The world around me was filled with Rarity's! They were all asking me out on a date and I had NO idea who to say 'yes' to!”

Twilight laughed. Suddenly, everything seemed like it was going to be fine. All the worry Twilight had had just melted away as she began to eat her cereal. She looked down at Spike, who was obviously glad he had helped her feel better. “Spike, have I ever told you how great you are?”

“Eh, you could stand to say it more often,” he joked to her. They both started laughing. Twilight was glad for Spike. He always knew how to cheer her up. She was thankful he didn't ask about what it was that had gotten her down. It would just make her start thinking about it again and she didn't want that. Twilight finished her breakfast, or more appropriately lunch, as Spike continued to regale her with some of his previous “nightmares”. The unicorn simply listened, thankful for this time. Right now, this time right now, there were no worries, nothing she needed to concern herself with at this moment. Then a knock came at the door and broke Twilight's hope that this blissful time, where nothing mattered except her and Spike, would last a long while. Twilight and Spike both got up and went to see who it was. The door was opened and there stood Rarity.

Spike's eyes were glued to her perfect, vibrant eyes. A smile etched its way onto his mouth. His heartbeat increased as he heard her angelic voice. “Greetings Twilight. I was wondering if... AHH!” she screamed as her eyes became like those of a young pony staring at a manticore.

Both Twilight and Spike asked in unison, “Rarity! What's wrong!?” They wondered what terrible thing Rarity had just seen or heard.

Rarity had clasped her hooves to her mouth in fear and only moved them slightly so that she could speak, though her words were shaky. “Twi-twilight. It's horrible! Terrifying! Absolutely awful!” Her words dripped in horror. Twilight and Spike leaned in in anticipation, concern covering their faces with what Rarity was scared of.

Rarity pointed one of her shaking hooves to indicate something behind them. They both turned and saw... nothing? There was nothing there that hadn't been there just a few minutes ago. Twilight turned her head back to face the quivering Rarity while Spike continued to search for the monster that must certainly be there. Twilight simply gave Rarity a raised eyebrow, but was still concerned. “What is it, Rarity? I don't see anything.”

“It's... it's... YOUR MANE, DEAR!” Rarity had levitated a mirror, as if she instinctively knew where one was within Twilight's home, and held it in front of the violet mare's face so she could see. Indeed, her mane did look terrible, even by Twilight's not-as-sophisticated-as-Rarity's tastes. “This is the worst case of 'bed-head' that I've ever seen! It's simply dreadful!” Rarity emphasized this by covering her eyes with one of her hooves, leaning back slightly.

Twilight was glad for a couple of things. First, it was nothing too serious. Spike calmed down. Also, this was nothing that would be considered 'strange'... well, for Rarity anyway. “Oh, yeah. I just woke up about 15 minutes ago and I didn't even think about checking on my mane.” Twilight giggled a little. Rarity was not amused.

Twilight found herself being pulled out of the house by Rarity's magic. “Come, Twilight. We're going back to my place and I'm going to fix this... this... this disaster! No offense,” Rarity said as she gave Twilight a bit of an apologetic smile.

“None taken. But before we go, what did you come to the library for?” Twilight asked. Rarity and her were now standing outside the library door. Spike was still staring hearts at Rarity and walked out as Twilight was dragged beside him.

Rarity, now back on track, remembered her original purpose. “Ah yes. I have a client that is asking for a dress that resembles the works of a popular fashionista from a few decades ago. I believe her name was Vintage Runway. I don't think I have anything on her work, though, and so I thought you might have a book or two detailing some of her lines.”

“Well, you came to the right place. Spike, while I get my disaster-of-a-mane fixed, why don't you find what Rarity's looking for?” Twilight looked down at Spike and nudged him a bit when he didn't respond right away.

Spike was about to protest staying behind, and away from his beloved, but Rarity sealed his fate. “Spike! You'd do that for me? Oh, my little Spikey-wikey! You are simply wonderful!” Rarity leaned in and gave a nuzzle. Spike didn't stand a chance. He dashed into the library without a word more. Rarity simply chuckled and looked back to Twilight. “Now then. Let us go and get you fixed up!” Rarity and Twilight began walking toward the Carousel Boutique.

Back in the library, Spike was a bit upset. “Books on dresses? Fine. Vintage Runway? OK.” Normally, this wouldn't be a problem. He looked around. “Now I just need to figure out how in Equestria I'm going to find the books I need in Twilight's new 'organized' layout. This is going to be great.” Spike gave a grunt, spewing small puffs of smoke from his nostrils.

Rainbow Dash was taking a well-deserved nap on one of the lower clouds near the middle of Ponyville. Hey, all those clouds didn't move over Ponyville by themselves! It was a good nap until...

“Ahhh!” Rainbow was awoken by three screams of familiar-sounding, young fillies followed by a loud crash. She looked down and saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders in a pile with their wagon and Scootaloo's scooter, splattered with paint all around a small tree. Rainbow glided down to make sure they weren't hurt too badly.

“Nice crash. You three OK?” The three young ponies shook their heads to reorient themselves and gave sheepish looks at Rainbow Dash.

Scootaloo was the first to get up and spoke up. “Hey there, Rainbow Dash. Yeah, I think we're all good here.” She helped her two friends to their hooves.

Applebloom was rubbing her head with a hoof covered in purple paint, spreading the paint over her mane. Sweetie Belle just had a worried look on her face, probably thinking about what her sister would say if she saw her, not just covered in paint, but in paint colors that clashed as well.

Rainbow chuckled a bit and sat down, relieved that everything was fine. “So what was today's plan to get Cutie Marks? I don't think being crash dummies is what you three are destined to be good at.” Rainbow laughed a bit and caused the crusaders to blush slightly. “Hey don't worry! If there's anypony that would get her cutie mark in crashing into things, it would have been me. Trust me, I've face-planted in the dirt more times than all three of you put together.” This caused Scootaloo to smile and in turn, made Rainbow smile as well.

“It was my turn to pick what we'd try today,” answered Sweetie. “I thought we could try being Cutie Mark Crusader Artists! One of the magazines my sister keeps that talks about snooty stuff said that art depicting motion was popular right now.”

Applebloom continued, “So we figured we'd try paintin' somethin' while Scootaloo drove us around in the wagon. But Scoots kept tryin' to both drive AND paint at the same time! That's when this happened,” she said as she waved a hoof indicating the mess.

Scootaloo glared over at Applebloom. “Hey! I'm not gonna miss out on my chance to earn my cutie mark!”

Applebloom returned the glare. They were both in each others faces. “Well maybe ya ought ta try gettin' yer cutie mark in lookin'-where-yer-goin'!” Sweetie Belle looked a bit worried at the conflict. Rainbow was about to step in to try and mediate, but didn't need to. Applebloom and Scootaloo both cracked smiles and started giggling at each others failed attempt to keep a straight face. Sweetie and Rainbow joined in the laughter.

Rainbow straightened up. “OK you three. I think you all should head over to Rarity's to get cleaned up.” She noticed Sweetie's worried look. “Rarity might be just a little bit upset. But paint is hard to get out of coats and manes and there's nopony more qualified for taking care of coats and manes than Rarity.” She glanced at Applebloom. “I'll take this stuff up to the farm. Big Mac will get this wagon and scooter fixed back up in no time. I'll let him and AJ know what happened and that you're fine, too, Applebloom.”

“Ah don't think you should talk to mah sis right now,” Applebloom said as she hung her head and got a sad look in her eyes. The other two crusaders looked confused, as did Rainbow Dash.

“Why? Is she alright?” Rainbow asked. Applebloom seemed pretty upset.

Applebloom looked up into Rainbow's face. “That's what I wanted to know. Before I went to be with Sweetie and Scoots, Ah saw her layin' down on the sofa in the livin' room. She didn't seem like her usual self. So I asked her if she was OK. She told me she was, but she really didn't look it so I asked if she was really OK. She... got mad at me.” Applebloom's eyes misted slightly. “She yelled that she was fine and to leave her alone and then she ran outa the house. Ah tried to follow her, but she's way too fast for me to keep up with. Outside, Ah saw her runnin' to some further off part of the farm. Ah didn't go after her, Ah thought maybe she jus' needed to be alone for lil' bit.”

Rainbow got a bit irritated. “OK, you three go ahead to Rarity's. I'll check up on AJ. Maybe she's calmed down a bit. And Applebloom...” Rainbow put on a smile, “AJ may have been mad, but I'm sure it was not at you. I know that once she's calmed down, the first thing she'll want to do is apologize to you. So don't get down, OK, kiddo?” Applebloom found a smile to replace her frown and nodded. The three crusaders headed in the direction of Rarity's place and Rainbow started to get all the papers, brushes, paints, and broken parts of the scooter into the wagon which was still somewhat intact. She looked off towards the distance where Sweet Apple Acres was. This was most definitely, not awesome.

The sun was about halfway through it's descent as Applejack was pacing back and forth in a far off part of the farm. She'll come... she'll be here she kept thinking to herself. There was a gentle breeze as Applejack turned around for the hundredth time, but stopped as she saw who she was waiting for approaching.

Applejack was speechless until the mare was a few feet before her. “Y-yer here. Ah knew you'd come!” AJ couldn't contain the happiness that flooded her. A huge grin found its way onto her face.

The remaining sunlight shone through the now-scattered clouds and grand rays of yellow and orange danced around the beautiful mare and Applejack. The mare's coat was radiant, a fiery but soft crimson. Her mane and tail were strawberry blonde. Her face held deep, emerald-like eyes. “Of course I came, Applejack. I said I would.” Applejack seemed relieved but there was something else on her mind it seemed. “What's the matter? You seem troubled.”

Applejack shifted nervously. “It's Applebloom. She was worried 'bout me. She asked me if Ah was doin' OK but Ah got angry with her, yelled at her, and ran off over here. Ah guess I was a bit mad that Ah couldn't tell her 'bout... well, you. Why? Why can't Ah tell her!? Why can't Ah tell anypony?? Ah want to so much!”

“No, you cannot do that, Applejack. They are all loyal to Celestia and they would tell her about me. And she would come for me... to take me away again.” The mare's words were simple, but hit Applejack hard all the same.

Applejack stuttered. “A-again? What do you mean, again?”

The mare let loose a sigh. “I didn't want to have to tell you this because I'm afraid how you will react. But I see that you desire the truth. Very well, I will tell you...”

...

Applejack couldn't believe what she had just heard. “It can't be. That can't be the truth!” she screamed as though she was being pierced with a knife.

The mare placed a hoof on Applejack's shoulder. “I'm afraid so. I'm sorry I had to tell you.”

“Ah jus' can't... it's jus' hard to hear.” Applejack was shaking. Tears were falling down her face as she faced the truth of what she had just been told. Her head hurt but her heart hurt worse. Feelings of being lied to, betrayed, and used sunk in.

The mare came closer to Applejack and pulled her into a tight embrace. “Shh, there there. It's going to be alright. I'm not going to leave you again, I promise.” Her words were soft and warm. Applejack's hooves reached around the back of the mare and she enveloped herself in the hug. “I love you, Applejack.”

Applejack was shivering as though she were freezing and let out a soft whimper. “Ah love you too, momma.”

Chapter 3

It was a bright day at Sweet Apple Acres. The season was nearing the time for the zap apple harvest. Zap apples were a rare fruit, special to Sweet Apple Acres. In all the years that zap apples had been harvested, there was never a bad apple and ponies from all over Equestria wanted a taste. Those sales helped the Apple family immensely each and every year. Following Granny Smith's bizarre, but effective approach to making zap-apple jam, a pony could only expect the pinnacle of taste. Harvesting time was only a few days away for the Apple family. It was supposed to be easy; it was supposed to be a good time for the family

Big Mac had gone out with Granny Smith to get all the things she would need. He wasn't ashamed of his granny's strange ways or odd behavior. She was his grandmother and that's all he needed to know to love her. Sure, some ponies would tease him, but he never showed any signs of the mocking get to him. But should anypony mock his grandmother, he'd give them a look that would make wendigos shiver.

Her father was at the house, looking after just a three-month old Applebloom. Her mother took her out into the area of the farm where the zap-apple harvest would take place. It was a memorable day. The land was quiet and the wind was still. The shining sun itself seemed to watch over the two as they made their way towards the edge of the Everfree Forest. They talked. They laughed. They even sang an old family song together. Then they were surrounded by strange trees unlike any others. They were zap-apple trees and Applejack couldn't help but smile broadly at the sight of them. Together, they walked around the trees and inspected them. Her mother shared her own stories of the harvesting time, giving advice and general good ideas to go about handling the delicate and sensitive fruit.

As they began to head back, a savage cry was heard behind them. A vicious timber wolf had leapt out of hiding and headed towards the surprised young Applejack, fangs gleaming with hungry saliva, eyes so mad that they seemed to freeze her in place. A strong mare was there to protect her, though. The timber wolf was shoved aside by a powerful kick from her mother, sending it sprawling to the ground only to quickly shift back to its feet as it charged again. Her mother turned for but a split second, telling her to run back to the house and get to safety. Applejack had only ran a few moments before turning back to her mother and the beast. They were locked in an exchange of hooves and claws.

Her mother was quite nimble and strong. She was able to land heavy blows on the monster. Applejack was more than relieved when the creature seemed to give up and crawl its way back into forest. She saw her mother panting, sweating, bruised, and cut. She gave Applejack a happy glance. That was when it happened. Another timber wolf had jumped out of seemingly nowhere. It had sunk it's teeth into her left hind leg. Applejack was terrified as she saw her mother continue to fight bravely in an effort to protect her. She was off balance and couldn't be as quick with her injury. Fear was gripping Applejack tightly, threatening to suffocate her. Her mother was on the ground, looking at her with pleading eyes. Applejack could not hear her, but she saw the word... run. Applejack didn't know what to do, so she did. She turned and ran with tears falling from her eyes and terror in her heart. It was then she heard what she remembers most about that day, an ear-splitting scream of agony. She looked back and saw her mother being dragged into the forest, deep into the place of bad dreams, false hopes, and unnatural sounds. Applejack continued running. She burst in through the door of her home crying and telling her father what had happened. He set his hat on her head and told her he'd be back with her mother soon. Soon never came.

That was the memory Applejack hated having but never wanted to give up. It was what had caused nightmares and countless hours of shedding tears. After that event had happened, Celestia had conjured a magical barrier spell around the Apple family's zap-apple trees that would prevent creatures of the Everfree Forest from getting too close to that area again. She had never guessed there was anymore to the story beyond that. But her mother had come back and revealed the rest of the story to her.

Within the forest, the timber wolf had dragged her to a small clearing. She was conscious the entire time, but had very little strength to do anything but continue breathing. Then a pony came that she didn't expect. Celestia walked into the clearing with a hard look on her face, staring down at the crippled mare. The bleeding pony didn't have the energy to speak, but her look probably gave away her questions.

“I'm sorry this has to happen, Brina. I thought you should get an apology face-to-face. It's the least you deserve for what must happen. A terrible event is going to occur in the near future and I need to be ready for it. I need ponies to awaken as bearers of an ancient power that I once wielded long ago. Your daughter, Applejack, is to become an Element of Harmony. However, first she must awaken and form a bond with the others. I had thought that seeing you in such distress and danger would suffice. Needless to say, it did not. So I must find another method to awaken her and I think I know now how to do that.”

She couldn't believe Princess Celestia had done this. Celestia sent the timber wolves to attack just so Applejack can become some holder of a great power? Celestia had put her child in danger just so Applejack could possibly face an evil monster one day? She mustered all of her strength to speak. “You're a monster.”

Celestia gave a sigh. “Perhaps. But it must be done. If desperation was not enough of a catalyst, then perhaps grief will be.” Celestia gave a long look down at the bleeding mare, holding her face just as devoid of sympathy or sorrow as she had arrived. Celestia turned from the mare and left the clearing, almost soundlessly. The timber wolves were gathering around, ready for what was going to come next. But it wasn't what the mare had thought at all. A stallion burst forth from the brush and in a style of pure savagery and rage began fighting the number of timber wolves that had gathered. He told her to escape, to find some way to live. Seeing him had given her some strength as she she was able to get up and began to limp away. Where would she go, though? She couldn't go back, Celestia would find out and only more bad things would happen. So she simply left for anywhere. Sounds of the fighting between her husband and the timber wolves eventually halted and she knew the outcome, there was only one. But she had survived thanks to the sacrifice of him. She eventually found a remote, cold, but livable place of the forest where beasts were few. She learned how to hide. She was able to grow a small garden that could keep her nourished, albeit barely.

Eventually, so much time had passed she began to forget the faces of her family. That scared her and she knew then what to do. She needed to see her family again, but she couldn't risk revealing herself to all of them. She knew she could trust one, though. Applejack and her had always been very close. Celestia be damned, she was going to see her daughter again.

It was a feeling she didn't get very often. “Shaky right fore leg, tingling back, left-eye twitch, and both ears flopping?” This Pinkie sense was rare. It meant that something was wrong with one of her friends... something really, really wrong. Pinkie didn't like this combo and dreaded the very few times it ever happened. “Who is it? Who's in trouble?” she wondered out loud to nopony in particular. She was outside near a tree that had splotches of paint over it. The once-plain tree seemed to emit a happy glow from the numerous smiley faces that now adorned it's bark. Now she stood in place, alert. Almost as if two hooves had grabbed her head, she looked towards Sweet Apple Acres.

Not very often would this Pinkie sense come around. But when it did, she would gladly go to any length to see the problem resolved and her friends smiling again. Although, Pinkie was not sure what the problem was exactly. It didn't matter, though. Applejack needed her help with something or other. She left her spot and began uneasily striding toward the farm, unsure of what to expect under the night sky.

This was without a doubt, a two-pony job. Rarity had just finished with Twilight's disaster-of-a-mane when the three Cutie Mark Crusaders came in covered in paint, led by Sweetie Belle. Sweetie spoke up before Rarity could protest. “Rarity, I know what you're going to say and I'm sorry for tracking paint in, but, well, we need some help getting cleaned up... please?” Sweetie closed her eyes and clenched her teeth, sure that a scolding would be coming.

“Sweetie Belle! You're hurt! Oh dear, oh dear you all are covered in scrapes and bruises!” Rarity exclaimed. Sweetie was not expecting Rarity to be this forgiving this quickly. Her confusion was fairly obvious and Rarity could guess exactly what she was thinking. “Now, yes, I am a bit upset that you are tracking in paint, clashing colors no less, but I am most worried about you, Sweetie Belle.” Rarity looked over at Twilight who let out a relieved sigh that Rarity was not angry at the mess that was being dragged into her home. “Twilight, I can't do this alone. There are three young fillies here that require aid. Would you be so kind as to assist me?”

Twilight gave a smile at Rarity. “Of course! How could I turn down a request from somepony who was able to turn that monster-mane back to normal.” Twilight chuckled a bit as she ran a hoof through her now non-disastrous mane.

During the cleaning process, the crusaders talked about their day's events leading up to that point. Scootaloo got a bit ahead of herself, however. “...So she offered to take all the paint, the broken wagon, and my busted scooter to Applebloom's house so Big Mac could fix it and tell him and her sister about the crash. But then Applebloom said she shouldn't talk to Applejack 'cuz she's been acting–hey!” Scootaloo complained as Applebloom jabbed her in the side with a hoof.

“Scoots, ya don't need ta go into all of that,” Applebloom said softly.

Rarity and Twilight exchanged confused looks. But Twilight was more than confused. She was worried about what that meant exactly. Strange activities. Did that count as strange? She needed to know for sure. “Applebloom, not to pry or anything, but is something the matter with Applejack?”

Applebloom let out a frustrated sigh. “I'm sure it's nothin'. Rainbow Dash said she'd calm her down. But... I guess it can't hurt to let y'all know either since ya are her friends. She's jus' been actin' a bit strange lately, like she's real worried or upset. I tried askin' her if she was fine, but she got mad at me and ran outa the house. Rainbow told me she wasn't mad at me, but somethin' else. I jus' hope she's alright.” Applebloom's eyes enlarged at the thought of her sister not being her usual self. Two sets of hooves wrapped around her as the two other crusaders brought her into a group hug which put a smile back on her face.

Twilight was now between two options. Applejack could certainly just be having a bad day, it happens to everypony once in a while. Then again... what if something really was wrong and she didn't report it?

There came a knock at the door of the boutique. Rarity could easily see Twilight was in the middle of some thought-intensive debate with herself. She left the crusaders to dry themselves off and went downstairs to answer the door. Spike was holding two books with a bit of an unhappy look on his face, probably from searching the library top to bottom looking for these books. His look immediately lightened considerably as she opened the door. Rarity couldn't help but giggle at the sudden change in his expression.

“Hi, Rarity! I found the books you needed, no problem. I even dusted them off for you,” Spike spoke with a hint of gallantry as though he were rescuing her from a terrible monster. This caused Rarity to giggle once again.

“My hero!” She took the books out of his claws in an aura of her own magic and bent down to give a little peck on his cheek. “Thank you, Spike. I really do appreciate it.”

“My pleasure, Rarity! Is there anything else I can do for you?” he spoke, hopeful he could have another chance to prove himself to her, to impress her with his devotion.

“I don't believe so, Spike, though I truly do appreciate the offer and will certainly come find you should something come up.” Spike looked a bit saddened by this and Rarity thought of something that would cheer him up. “Actually, there is something you can do for me, if you think you're up to it?” At this, Spike showed determination in his stance, ready to take on any challenge set before him. “Watch over Twilight and make sure she doesn't get that disaster-of-a-mane again, won't you? It was quite time consuming to right that wrong and I don't have that time to spare again. I'm counting on you, Spike.” She gave him a wink and that was all he needed.

He gave a salute. “You can count on me, Rarity. Say no more. Consider it done.” He turned to leave and head back to the library to set up anti-awful-mane procedures.

“Spike! Wait a second!” called Twilight as she rushed downstairs. She joined the two of them and turned to Rarity. “Rarity, do you have a quill, some ink, and a piece of parchment I could use?”

“I believe so, yes. Just one second.” Rarity went looking around for the requested materials.

Twilight turned her attention to Spike. “Spike, I need you to take a letter.” Given the time of day it was, the letter would be sent to Princess Luna and not Celestia. Friendship reports could wait until it was daytime, when Celestia was awake. Should something happen during the night that required immediate notification, however, any letter would be sent to Luna to receive and take care of the issue. Twilight was certain that Celestia and Luna both knew about... whatever it was that was going on. She just hoped this was a false alarm.

Applejack and her mother were closer to the house than usual. It was nighttime and the inhabitants of the house were asleep. Earlier in the day, right as the sun was setting, Rainbow Dash had come up to the farm dragging a wagon filled with a mess no doubt caused by three little fillies. Rainbow had wanted to talk to her, but she was not in a talking mood. The young flier had tried to get some information, but Applejack just told her, “It's family business.” Rainbow wanted to stay longer and told the farm pony that she should apologize to Applebloom. The earth pony already knew that, but now was not the time. She looked at Rainbow, gave her a stern, hard look that signified she wanted Rainbow to leave and she would leave. Letting loose a defeated sigh, the pegasus assured her friend that should she want to talk, all her friends were there for her and left flying through the sky, out of sight.

Applejack walked close to her mother, reveling in the warmth she emitted. It had been so long since she felt as happy, as safe, as she did now. Her mother's crimson coat was just as soft as she had remembered it being. Suddenly, her mother stood still and looked upward at the night sky. Without turning her head away from the stars above, she said, “Applejack, leave. Now.”

“What? What's wrong, momma?” Applejack was visibly worried. What was going on? What was wrong?

“Do as your mother tells you. Go into the barn over there and do not come out until I come and get you.” It was a mother's command, one that a child does not refuse no matter how irritating or confusing it might be. Applejack did as she was told, though reluctantly. She didn't want to leave her mother if she didn't have to.

Seconds passed before a large pony had landed from the sky, giving a hard look at Brina. It was Princess Luna and she did not look amused. “So, it is you it seems. I was not sure who I would encounter here, but I could feel your presence as I drew near to Ponyville.” She spoke evenly as though she were greeting somepony unimportant enough to know their name, but important enough to merit an audience.

Brina did not seem worried at all, however. “Ah, Princess Luna. I am glad to finally meet you face-to-face. Such a shame we were not formally introduced during my last visit to Canterlot.”

A sly smirk curled it's way onto Brina as she noticed the scowl that Luna was attempting to hide, but to no avail. Luna lowered her head, but kept her eyes locked on her enemy and flared her wings. “Do not think that because I was not there that I do not know the events that transpired. My sister was very thorough in her discussion with me about that incident. She instructed me to learn about your kind's magic. Doing so, I can see through your pathetic ruse. You failed once, and I shall ensure that you fail again, Chrysalis.”

A terrifying transformation took place. Brina's crimson coat darkened to pitch black. Her blonde mane grew long and ragged turning into a shade of turquoise. A black, misshapen horn appeared on her forehead. Her body grew taller. Emerald eyes turned black. She grinned as she was able to now look down on Luna. “Apparently Celestia left out certain details in her recount of my attack on Canterlot. Did she not inform you that I was able to defeat her?”

For the first time since their meeting, Luna gave off a confident smile. “My sister did indeed tell me of that part. However, between the two of the us, I was always the better fighter.”

As Luna began to charge, she disappeared in a flash of blue light. Chrysalis was surprised and caught off guard when Luna appeared right in front of her. Her shoulder rammed harshly into Chrysalis's chest, knocking the wind out of the changeling and throwing her back. Luna took this opening and let loose a dark blue magical ray at her foe. Chrysalis took to the air to dodge and aimed a green beam of power straight at Luna. A shield spell was enough to protect the princess and she flew up in the air, straight at Chrysalis, both hooves outstretched.

Chrysalis charged at Luna and each of their hooves connected with the others. For a few moments they both struggled to push the other back in the air. Chrysalis teleported to the ground. Luna hung in the air for second to re-balance herself from the loss of Chrysalis's opposing force. A rope-like strand of green magic tied itself around Luna's left hind hoof and it threw her to the ground with enough force, Luna could not stop herself from falling into the dirt.

Chrysalis looked to where Luna fell, ready to defend from any direction with a shield spell.

“What in tarnation...” a low, male voice uttered from the nearby house's door. Chrysalis glanced over with irritation as she saw Big Mac and Granny Smith standing in the door in complete disbelief.

Chrysalis didn't have time for this. With a thought, green flames erupted from the floorboards and surrounded the two troublesome ponies, dragging them with screams into the ground. She smiled, glad that the distraction had been taken care of. She turned her attention back to her engagement with Luna. All she saw was a dark blue beam of magic hurtling right at her. She had no time to get out of the way or conjure a shield.

The force of the blast knocked her down, dazing her. She looked up in pain and saw Luna standing over her. Luna's shadow seemed to hold her still. The princess of the night looked a little worn, but she was smiling in triumph. Nothing needed to be said except for two words. “You lose.” Chrysalis did not know what to do and was scared as to what would happen next.

She certainly did not expect a lasso to rope itself around Luna's neck and pull her away, down to the ground. But she immediately knew what was happening. She cloaked herself in green and dawned the appearance of Brina Apple once again.

Luna was so surprised at what had happened, she didn't know how to react. She had been pulled off of Chrysalis by a rope. Who else was around? She looked over her should as she got back on her hooves and saw Applejack racing towards her. What was she doing?

Luna coughed. Being yanked back by a rope around one's neck certainly hurt. “Applejack, what– ”

“Leave mah momma alone!” Applejack yelled at the top of her lungs. She got right next to Luna. The farm pony turned and threw both hind hooves into Luna's side. There were two forces Applejack used. There was the force she used to buck trees. Then there was the force she used when trying to break trees. This force was the latter. Luna was more than winded, she actually felt a rib break as she fell to the ground. A normal pony would probably have to be hospitalized after such a blow.

This was all Chrysalis needed. She got to her hooves and her eyes glowed green as she cast a spell. Strands of green flame erupted from the ground and wrapped around Luna's hooves, torso, and neck. Applejack didn't seem bothered by this at all. Only one thing was on her mind. Luna had tried to take away her mother, nothing else mattered. Chrysalis snickered at the princess. “This spell is a bit different than the other. It's much more potent, though it takes all of my concentration. You'll find you cannot escape with brute strength and it renders you unable to teleport yourself away.” This did not keep Luna from trying, however.

Indeed, Luna did slow the process down, but she could not escape, despite her efforts. She struggled against the ropes of green flame that were dragging her down beneath the ground to take her to wherever Chrysalis had decided to keep her. But she would not quit resisting. Her body was about halfway below the surface now.

“Applejack... what's going on?” cried a frightened voice nearby. The two ponies and changeling-in-disguise looked over to see Pinkie Pie who was still with shock and fear at what she was seeing.

Chrysalis was tired of these interruptions. “Applejack, she can't tell the others!” That was all Applejack needed to hear. She charged at Pinkie, completely willing to take her friend down. Luna was able to see what was happening and concentrated as much as she could. Her horn glowed and cast the spell.

Pinkie could only look on in confused terror as her friend charged right at her with a horrifying look in her eyes. The pink pony was scared stiff and unable to move. But Applejack never reached her. A midnight blue aura circled around Pinkie and she was gone in a flash of light. Luna, now satisfied that she had accomplished something that had meaning, no longer resisted against the pulling. Quickly, she was taken beneath the ground before Chrysalis could say anything. At least in some small manner, she had won.

Chapter 4

Applejack stood there for a moment, confused at what had just happened. Just a second ago, Pinkie Pie had been right where she was, but a blue flash took the pink pony away. She looked back over to where her mother was; she no longer saw Luna. Her mother had her mouth clenched in frustration as she stared at the spot where the moon princess had been restrained. Applejack walked slowly over to her mother. “Momma... is everythin' alright?” she asked quietly.

Her mother was clearly upset. “They will come soon, I am sure of it. The pink one will surely tell the others, it is only a matter of time.”

“But maybe we can talk this through to them! We can make them understand, can't we!? Twilight is close to Celestia, she could talk to her for us and...” Applejack stopped. Her head began pounding. She brought a hoof to vainly try and soothe the pain.

“No. Celestia will not allow me to remain. I have dealt with Luna, Celestia will not be able to let that go. The other five ponies will certainly come as well, I'm certain.”

“We... don't have ta hurt 'em, right?” This request from Applejack caught Chrysalis off guard. The Element of Honesty was making things difficult. The orange mare was still seeing her mother, that was certain. However, the bond with the other Elements was proving to be an obstacle. This was not something she couldn't handle, though.

Chrysalis walked over to look into Applejack's eyes. It was still there. She gave her “daughter” a nuzzle and a warm smile. “Just leave everything to your mother, dear. I'll take care of everything so we can live in happiness.”

The doubt that clouded over Applejack seemed to vanish with these words. A comforted grin emerged on AJ as she leaned in to her mother's side, eyes closed and feeling content. Her mother was going to take care of everything... take care of her. Everything was going to be fine. There was nothing to worry about so long as she was with her mother.

“I love you, Applejack.”

“Ah love you too, momma.” Chrysalis glanced toward Ponyville as Applejack spoke. Let them come she thought. She would defeat the other Element bearers. Celestia would fall shortly after. Then she would be able to reclaim what was rightfully hers.

For a minute, Pinkie was not sure where she was. All she could see was her friend coming at her with angry-looking eyes... wanting to hurt her. She felt like she was buried in snow and unable to breathe.

“Pinkie!” a familiar voice cried in surprise and worry. Twilight Sparkle was in front of her now, and she began to notice shelves of books around her. “Are you OK? What happened? How did you get here?” Warmth began to return as her mind began processing the environment.

“Twilight? Twilight!” Pinkie exclaimed as she finally fully registered what was going on around her. She threw her hooves around Twilight in a tight embrace and began sobbing. “Twilight, something's the matter with Applejack! She... I saw... and then... her eyes... scared.” It was a jumble of words that Twilight had a hard time fully understanding. Pinkie never was one for making much sense, but this was more out of pure confusion and worry than just being silly. But Twilight didn't try to ask questions right now; her pink friend just needed some time to let her feelings out.

About five minutes passed before Pinkie calmed down enough to be able to speak in complete sentences. “Twilight, something's wrong with Applejack. She's not herself right now. I had a Pinkie sense that told me one of my friend's was in danger and I felt like it was Applejack. When I got there to check on her, I saw Princess Luna tied to the ground by green, glowing things. It looked like she was trying to escape, but she was getting pulled into the ground and couldn't get loose. There was another mare there, too, that had a mean look in her eye. I tried to ask Applejack what was going on. Then the mare shouted that I couldn't tell the others something. And then,” Pinkie shivered a little bit as she kept speaking, “Applejack started running towards me. I could see it in her eyes... she wanted to hurt me.” Pinkie's tears started up once more, but she was able to keep talking despite her overwhelming sorrow at the words she had to speak. “I didn't know what to do. I just sat there. I was scared.” Twilight brought Pinkie into another hug to try and comfort her pink friend.

More minutes passed as the two ponies simply sat there, the cries of one piercing the quietness of the library. Twilight didn't know what to say. What could she say after hearing that? One thing wasn't quite clear. That other mare Pinkie mentioned... who could that be? Without letting go, Twilight asked, “Pinkie, what did that other mare look like?” The crying earth pony didn't respond right away, but Twilight didn't press for a quick answer.

Another minute went by before Pinkie finally did speak. “She was red, a little lighter red than Bic McIntosh. Her mane was slightly darker than Applejack's. Her mean-looking eyes were the same green as Applejack's though.” This information sounded just slightly familiar, but Twilight couldn't quite place it. “Twilight, I think I know who that pony is.” The two settled back down, Twilight eager to hear who Pinkie thought this mystery-mare was. “I've seen her in pictures in the Apple family home. I think she's... Applejack's mom.”

Twilight's eyes widened at the realization. That's why that description sounded familiar. The feeling of realization did not last long, however, and soon gave way to confusion. “That can't be, Pinkie. Applejack's mother is... well, gone.”

Pinkie looked down at the floor. Her eyes were still glistening from the recent cascade of tears. “I know. But, it looked just like her. One weird thing, though...” Twilight's ears perked up at the prospect of new information. “...Was that Applejack's eyes looked a bit different. They were a different shade of green, a little lighter I think.”

The violet unicorn was at a loss for words. She didn't know what to say. She didn't know what to think. But one thing she did know was that Applejack was in need of help. “OK, Pinkie. Let's get going then.”

The pink pony raised her head and looked at Twilight with a puzzled gaze. “What do you mean? Where are we going?”

Twilight had a confident look about her. She seemed to know what needed to be done and this made Pinkie hopeful. “We're going to help our friend that needs us. We'll get to the bottom of what's going on and figure all this out. Let's get the others and then we'll head to Sweet Apple Acres to confront AJ.”

As Pinkie got up, she noticed an absence from the library. “Hey, Twilight. Where's Spike at?”

“Oh, he's at Rarity's helping her keep an eye on the crusaders. Sweetie Belle invited Scootaloo and Applebloom to spend the night at the boutique. I hope he doesn't mind watching those three by himself for a while, though.” While speaking, Twilight levitated a piece of parchment and quill over to a nearby stand and quickly scrawled something.

“You mean, Rarity is going to come with us?” Pinkie asked in a hopeful tone. The pink pony and violet unicorn were leaving the library side by side, the latter keeping the now-rolled up parchment in her magical grasp.

“Of course! We'll get Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, too. We're all going to see Applejack together.” These words of Twilight caused Pinkie to feel happiness. Together... it was a word the party-mare loved. The thought of all her friends together brought the warmth back to her. Pinkie had found her smile once more.

It was not long until the five ponies found themselves at the entrances to Sweet Apple Acres. Pinkie had told them all of what she had experienced just an hour ago. Anxiety hung in the air as nopony knew what to expect or even what was going to be said. However, they were all steadfast in their determination to help their friend.

The moon hung overhead, casting a ghostly glow over the farm as they slowly walked up the path through the orchard. The wind was quiet and still, screaming silence. Gentle, yet nervous hoofsteps were the only sounds to befall the peaceful scene. As she walked, Twilight hoped her letter had been received. Soon enough, the farmhouse came into view and now they all could clearly see the two ponies that seemed to be expecting them. They were Applejack and another mare. What Pinkie had said was indeed true. The mare did look exactly like the mare in the Apple family pictures.

Twilight stepped forward to speak, but Rainbow had landed next to her to talk first and pointed an accusing hoof at Applejack. “Applejack, what is going on? When I came before you didn't want to talk and I thought it was fine then, but not anymore! I'm not leaving, none of us are leaving, until you start talking!” Twilight didn't feel the need to add anything else to the words her flying friend chose, so she, along with the others, waited for a response.

Applejack did not speak, however, it was the other mare who spoke as she walked forward a little to meet the group. “I'm so happy to finally meet everypony.” The mare gave a short bow of her head before raising herself and looking at the group of ponies before her. “My daughter has told me much about you all.”

“Stop this charade!” cried Rarity. “We know you are not who you claim you are. You are obviously an imposter.” A sly grin formed on the imposter's face.

“Yeah!” shouted Pinkie. “Playing pretend isn't funny when it could really hurt the feelings of another. So you should quit pretending, you phony pony!”

“Don't say that!” exclaimed Applejack, as she walked to her mother's side. "Quit talkin' about mah momma like that!"

The group fell silent. Twilight was the next to speak. “But Applejack... that's just... not possible. Your mother is–”

“Don't say it! It's not true!” The orange pony was furious at her friends now. She had begged her mother to give her friends a chance. Why couldn't they try to understand?

Applejack felt her mother's warm nuzzle on the side of her face and her soft words in her ear. “I'm sorry, Applejack. They are acting just as I knew they would. They refuse to understand.” The farm pony lost her anger and gained a new expression of sorrow.

Something was bugging Twilight this entire time. She could feel familiar magic about, but that wasn't all. Applejack's eyes... they were... different... but a little familiar. They were just like... Twilight looked at the facts and came to a very disturbing conclusion. It all made sense now: the strange behavior, the weird eyes, and the most important piece, the imposter was a pony that was dearly loved by another pony.

“I understand what's going on now.” Twilight looked back at her friends with a grimace. “She's not a pony at all. She's a... changeling.” Her friends didn't know how to take this news. The clever unicorn looked back at the imposter. “If I'm not mistaken, you're Chrysalis, aren't you?”

The imposter looked at Twilight with narrowed eyes and a wicked smile. The same terrible transformation that occurred earlier that night took place once again. Soon, the mare known as Brina Apple was replaced by the hideous Chrysalis. “Oh no, you've found me out! I guess I'll just admit defeat and leave now.” Her voice practically dripped with sarcasm before she began laughing as she slowly advanced on the five ponies. Applejack stayed behind, not even fazed slightly at the events occurring right before her eyes. Chrysalis stopped a few feet before the now-cowering group of ponies. “Tell me, Twilight Sparkle. Now that you've found me out, what exactly do you intend to do next?” Chrysalis waited, sincerely wanting to hear the foolishness Twilight would surely come up with.

In truth, Twilight had no clue what to do next and spent the next moments stuttering. “Well... I... we... uh...” The looming figure of Chrysalis towering over her did not help her anxiety. She didn't know how to stop Chrysalis, not now anyway.

Chrysalis cut off her last few mumbled words with a haughty, demeaning laugh. “So it seems as though you do not have a plan, after all.” Only slightly did Chrysalis's words feel of disappointment. A part of her had actually wanted to encounter some well-thought-out plan only to see it crumble and hopelessness take its hold on her enemies.

It was then a brilliant white light flashed into being between the five ponies and Chrysalis. Blinded by this gleaming light, Chrysalis backed up and raised a hoof to shield her eyes. The light dissipated and in its place stood a regal, white alicorn, wings spread wide in all their magnificence.

Celestia had come. “Twilight may not have a plan, but I do,” she spoke in a gentle, but commanding tone. Out of thin air, Celestia had materialized five golden necklaces and a grand tiara. Twilight marveled as she immediately recognized the Elements of Harmony. Four necklaces and the tiara floated over to the group of five ponies behind Celestia. Fluttershy bore the Element of Kindness, Rainbow Dash bore the Element of Loyalty, Pinkie Pie bore the Element of Laughter, Rarity bore the Element of Generosity, and Twilight was crowned by the Element of Magic. Only the Element of Honesty remained held by Celestia's magical hold.

Chrysalis was quite irritated at this latest interruption. She feared the power of the Elements but she did not let her fear show. The Elements were a puzzling magic to her, but she knew that all the Elements must be united in order to work. Her scowl was replaced by a smirk. “Very frightening, Celestia. But I don't think Applejack will cooperate with you.” Chrysalis looked down at Applejack and the farm pony returned her gaze with a loving smile.

It was Celestia's turn to let a smile show, a smile that irked Chrysalis. “It is a powerful charm spell you've placed on her. Since your attack on Canterlot, I've done much research in the area of enchantment spells and how to counter them.” Celestia's horn glowed a searing white as a ray of magic was directed right at Applejack.

Worry etched into Chrysalis's composure. “Run!” she ordered to Applejack, but there was no time for the orange pony to move before she was struck by Celestia's magic.

Applejack's head was spinning or maybe it was the world that was spinning, she wasn't sure. Her eyes were shut from the bright light that had appeared. Slowly, she opened them to look around. Everything was how she remembered it. Celestia was with her friends, who were all beaming at her. She walked forward a bit and was met with a golden necklace with an orange apple gemstone. It hovered in a white glow delicately before her, awaiting her to take it. She reached forward and held the necklace with her hoof as the sun-like magic left it. Thoughts raced in her head as she stared into the gemstone and looked at her small reflection within its face. She knew what she wanted to do.

Chrysalis was now furious. She did not plan for Celestia to be able to break her enchantment. Her plans were not going to succeed now. The Elements were too powerful a magic to face, not to mention Celestia was here as well. Only two options presented themselves for her consideration. The first was to fight and more than likely fail. The second was to flee. She began to ready her magic to teleport into the forest where she could hide.

Clang... clang... clang.

The Element of Honesty lay at Celestia's hooves. The smiles that adorned the faces of Twilight, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow, and Celestia had all turned to looks of shock and disbelief. Applejack had thrown away her Element to the ground where it skidded to a halt in front of Celestia. All eyes turned from the fallen necklace to the orange mare as she turned around and slowly walked back to Chrysalis's side. “Leave me alone. Please, jus' go,” she whispered as she moved. These words were frail and held so little volume that a breeze would have overshadowed them.

Fluttershy was the only pony who was able to find her voice. “A-applejack... wh-what do you...”

Applejack was at Chrysalis's side and sat down, her back facing the others. She turned around just enough to glance at Fluttershy's large, timid eyes for only a second before looking away. “Why do y'all wanna take mah momma away from me so much? She makes me happy and Ah love her. So why...” Applejack was now speaking through sobs as droplets of tears began flowing like a river down her face. “WHY CAN'T AH BE HAPPY?!?” she cried so loudly it sent shivers up everypony's spine. This was no longer the Applejack her friends knew who was strong and confident. The orange mare that they all now saw was a scared and helpless pony who spoke words filled with sadness and regret.

Chrysalis was unsure of the events that just transpired and what to make of them. But one thing was certain. She could feel the love Applejack felt for her, it was still there and even stronger than before. It radiated around her and greatly empowered her magic. The charm spell over Applejack had been erased by Celestia, but still... it didn't matter now! With a maniacal grin she looked towards her bewildered enemies. “Hahaha!” she cackled menacingly. “It seems you've failed again, Celestia. Let me thank you by imprisoning you and those other fools for all eternity!” Green magic rippled around Chrysalis's horn, pulsing with great power.

Celestia was at a loss for what to do, but she knew that they had to leave. She couldn't get to Applejack, not now. The power she felt washing over her from Chrysalis was astounding and she could not stand against it. Two options presented themselves for her consideration. The first was to fight and definitely lose. The second was to flee. Option one was not considerable due to the fact the other ponies would also be in great danger. Option two was the only viable one. These deliberations did not even take a second for Celestia to process.

Before Chrysalis could strike with her powerful magic, Celestia gripped herself and the other five ponies around her in a magical embrace and cast a teleportation spell.

As her vision of the farm blurred, Fluttershy was still struck by what she saw. She wasn't sure if her voice could be heard, but still she cried out, “Aaaplejaaack!” She saw Applejack lay down on her stomach, covering her ears with her hooves and shivering. This was the last image Fluttershy could see before the world around her was thrown into a white void.

Chapter 5

Chrysalis merely glared at the spot where her enemies had stood mere moments ago. The wind swirled around her in a frenzy of frustration. She had been so close to complete victory only to have Celestia intervene. A glimmer of gold caught her eye in the rolling dust of the earth. A necklace with an orange gem shaped like an apple. It was not a magic she tried to understand; it was beyond her and she hated it. She took her eyes away to gaze down at the orange mare, shaking on the ground next to her. The situation had changed, although it was still in her favor.

Applejack uncovered her ears slowly, though she kept her eyes fiercely closed. “Are they gone, momma?” she quietly spoke, stuttering with each word.

With a hint of uncertainty in her words, Chrysalis responded, “Yes. They are gone for now.” She was unsure what to do at the moment. Her charm spell had definitely been broken and Applejack certainly saw her true form as a changeling.

Applejack got to her hooves and opened her eyes. A smile formed on her face as she saw the mare next to her. That crimson coat, blonde mane, and those deep green eyes greeted Applejack. Her mother was still there, right next to her, alive and well. Nothing else mattered. The recent happenings played through her mind over and over, yet she paid them no heed. She felt a certain warmth within her heart, a feeling that had long been buried. The trees may wither, her friends may vanish, and even Equestria might fall. But it didn't matter. She was finally happy.

Chrysalis met her stare. Each pair of eyes seemed to peer deeply into the other. One pair shined with fondness; the other glinted with curiosity. The enchantment she had placed was gone. However, something else was there in its place. Whatever magic this was, it was unfamiliar to Chrysalis. What she did know, is that Applejack chose her and so her advantage had not changed. As long as she Applejack, the Elements were of no concern. Only Celestia was left to challenge her now and that would soon change. Chrysalis closed her eyes in contemplation as Applejack leaned over and rested against her side. She pondered the various locations Celestia could have run off to with those five other ponies. Celestia would take them away from Ponyville, away from her. It would be somewhere Celestia would feel safe—well, as safe as possible. Canterlot was the obvious choice and most likely. A sly smirk curled onto Chrysalis' face, brimming with the irony of where the end would begin for Celestia and the rest of the land. “Applejack, dear. Go inside and get some sleep. Your mother has some work to do.”

Applejack gave a smile and a nod at her mother before slowly walking towards the Apple homestead. Chrysalis pondered what to do with her. She could just leave Applejack here, but one of those other ponies might come back to try something. That was unacceptable. She needed to keep a close eye on her. Applejack would just have to come with her to Canterlot. That's where everything would become complete. Celestia would not let Canterlot fall; she'd have to stay and defend the capital city as long as she could. The other five ponies would surely be with their beloved princess. Celestia would know she would need all the help she could get. And with those nuisances out of the way, Canterlot would be hers, followed shortly by Equestria. Finally, she would regain what she had lost... a kingdom and subjects to rule.

The wind cracked with a shattering explosion as a group of ponies blinked onto a rocky outcropping near the gate entrance to the capitol. The princess did not look down at the other ponies around her as she simply walked to the edge and sat down, peering into the endless sky above with a stoic mask. Twilight, Rarity, Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie looked around to their new surroundings as they all registered what had happened.

Rainbow Dash was the first to find her words. She launched a few feet into the air with agitation covering her entire face. “That no-good, rotten, stinking changeling! She's in for a world of hurt! I'm going to buck a new hole right in her face!”

“Please do calm down, Rainbow. Letting our feelings interfere with our judgement is not going to help anypony,” Rarity said as she ran a hoof through her mane to make sure it was still in perfect condition. “Now that we know more about the situation, we'll need some time to come up with our next move.”

Dash landed in front of Rarity with a cocky grin that was all too familiar to everypony who knew the athletic pegasus. “Next move? I already got our next move figured out. We need to get Applejack away from Chrysalis. Simple.”

“And what makes you think it shall be so easy, hm? Applejack did not seem too willing to cooperate with us a few minutes ago.”

Rainbow rolled her eyes. “That's why we need to get her away from that changeling trickster. Obviously, Chrysalis is messing with AJ's head.”

Twilight was not as sure as Dash seemed to be. A thought had crossed her mind, but it was not a pleasant one. There was a question she needed to ask the princess, but was afraid of the answer. She took a few steps towards Celestia who became like stone, save for her flowing mane and tail. “Excuse me, Princess. I wanted to ask...”

“The answer is yes, Twilight.” There was no movement from the princess as she spoke. “I did, indeed, break the chains enclosing Applejack's mind. She acted freely.”

This response garnered the attention of the others, surprise being shared equally among them. Dash grimaced and threw a glare at the back of Celestia's head. “No way! I don't believe that for a second. If she wasn't hypnotized or whatever, she wouldn't have done what she did back there.”

“Rainbow... I think the princess is right.” Fluttershy was staring intently at the ground as she uttered words that her pegasus friend most certainly did not want to hear.

Dash threw her hooves up to the sky in frustration, agitation seeping from her voice. “Fluttershy, listen to what you're saying. It doesn't make any sense. Why in Equestria would you think Applejack would willingly betray us? She still thinks that ugly changeling is her mother. Isn't that proof enough that she's not right in the head?” Dash could not believe that the others did not see her point. Wasn't it so obvious?

Fluttershy seemed to sink further into her mane than should have been possible. “I'm sorry, but... I saw it. She didn't have the same look like Twilight's brother did. It was really her. I don't know why, but she–ˮ

“She abandoned us...” trailed a soft, cracked voice. Eyes turned to a mare covered in a lifeless pink. Her mane and tail had gone completely limp and hung around a face that silently screamed in sadness. Drop after drop fell from her cheeks. Pinkie had felt sad on her family's rock farm. She felt lonely and scared when she thought her friends didn't want her around anymore. Now was a feeling of abandonment that struck her to her soul. She had known Applejack for a long time, longer than the others. It was more than painful. As two friends grow closer and closer, the more hurtful it is when that tie is severed.

“Pinkie...” Twilight said as she put her hoof on Pinkie's shoulder. “We'll find a way to bring Applejack back.” She put on her best reassuring smile. “I Pinkie-pr–ˮ

“Don't say it, Twilight,” Pinkie barely whispered. “Please don't say it.” Never had Twilight seen one of her friends so torn, so defeated. Pinkie laid down on her side, letting Twilight's hoof slip away. “You shouldn't make promises you can't keep.” Lost eyes looked on into nothingness.

Silence hung in the air. Nopony knew what to do or say. Only the soft rhythm of Dash's wings could be heard among the group.

Hoofsteps echoed as Twilight walked over and sat next to Celestia. “Princess, what do we do?” It was the question on everypony's mind. When Celestia had arrived at the farm with the Elements, everything seemed like it was going to turn out just fine. Minutes had passed since then and now there was no more feeling of imminent victory.

Celestia looked down from the bleak sky to her pupil. She held her mask. “I do not know, Twilight. I truly do not know what to do.”

Twilight's fears found new heights. Spending years with Celestia, Twilight understood her quite well, maybe even more than Celestia wished. She saw the smallest hint of fear flicker within her teacher's gaze. Everything fell into place. Now, more than before, Twilight felt afraid for what trials lie ahead.

Rainbow was lost in the light breeze she made with her wings. She kept seeing Applejack turning her back to her friends over and over. At the same time, it was unbelievable. Dash wasn't even sure herself if it had really happened. But it kept playing in her head on a loop. Applejack wouldn't forsake her Element of Harmony, but she did. Applejack wouldn't betray her friends, but she did. Nothing made sense. As she floated around aimlessly, she couldn't keep the terrible feeling of betrayal out of her head or her heart.

Rarity would not work herself up like the others. One, it was not good to worry too much because the stress would cause wrinkles. And two, it would serve little purpose. Perhaps easier than the others, Rarity had accepted what happened. It was true that all of Applejack's friends knew about her parents, but Rarity did more than just know it. She understood it. Being raised with such a family-focused lifestyle must have made the prospect of once again having a mother more than enticing. If only Applejack could settle her feelings and think things through. She let out a sigh laced with pity.

Fluttershy's mind raced as to what she could do to ease the pain of her friends. Nothing came to mind. Her eyes rested on Pinkie. Seeing one of her friends like this was unbearable. She looked up to see Dash drifting idly around, eyes closed and head hung low. Is loyalty hit harder by betrayal? She found Rarity simply sitting still, her gaze transfixed on the horizon towards Ponyville. Fluttershy could only guess Rarity's thoughts; she had never been easy to figure out, not often letting her true feelings show. There were no comforting words the yellow pegasus could think of, no method of returning everything back to normal. Could Applejack feel the misery that plagued them? She hoped so.

Applejack was slumping as she moved, her head bobbing with each step she took as she tried to hold up the lead weights that were her eyelids. She bid her mother goodnight and walked into her house, heading to her room. The thought of the house without Big Mac, Applebloom, or Granny Smith blinked in her mind. She paid it no heed and shut it out. She reached the top of the stairs. Another thought of throwing away that golden necklace popped into her head. Once more, she shut it out. She was at the door to her room. A third thought wormed its way into her mind of turning away from her friends. All she did was choose to be happy with her mother... that was all. She shook her head to rid herself of that last thought. Her bed was before her, offering comforting sleep that would take away her troubles. As she closed her eyes and prepared to plop down and let sweet dreams come, a quick sting shot through her causing her to wince, with a crashing sound like a door being shattered. A plethora of feelings swirled inside her stabbing her heart thousands of times. She felt them all: fear, betrayal, loathing, pity, and abandonment. These feelings were not so easily brushed aside.

Laying down on the bed took longer and more effort than it should have. The simple motion to lay down took more out of her than the Running of the Leaves. She needed sleep. Her mother had told her she would take care of everything and Applejack believed her. Soon, she and her mother would be happy again, just like when Applejack was a small filly. Her breathing became less erratic and her eyes closed. A strange feeling encompassed her. It felt like voices were arguing in her head now...

“Is it really worth it? You can't honestly think that what yer doin' is right, can ya?” Applejack heard this voice and found she was staring at herself through an open doorway that led out to a shining orchard. A broken chain link dragged in the dirt on one end with the other end attached to an iron ring that adorned this other Applejack's neck. “Well? Answer me!”

This didn't faze Applejack in the least. “Ah'm done with hurting. All Ah want is a chance to be happy with my momma again!” She glared at her other self. “It's not fair what happened. You jus' don't understand.” Despite it being bright outside the doorway, the windows inside let in a somber gleam, the rays of a setting sun strewn about the living room which held the remains of a broken door.

Her other self just stood there in disbelief, in that too-bright outside. “You can't be serious! Ya think Ah don't hurt, too? Ya think Ah don't wish every night and day that she was still here? Don't be tellin' me Ah don't understand, little missy.”

Applejack shrank back slightly under the scrutiny of her other self. She backed up into a set of hooves. A smile formed on her face when she looked up at the loving mother that was now with her. “See? See?!” she shouted wildly at the other her. “She's here, right here. Finally, Ah have a momma again. She'll take care of me. Ah don't have to be alone anymore.” She nestled up next to her mother, nuzzling her mother's side.

The other Applejack wore a nasty snarl with a deadly stare aimed right at Chrysalis inside the house. “Leave that filly alone. Get outa here. Yer not welcome.” If Chrysalis had heard the other Applejack, she gave no sign. Chrysalis merely stood there, meeting her gaze with a menacing smile. The other Applejack extended her front-right hoof to the doorway which was met with a solid, shimmering veil of transparent water.

Applejack became more than upset at her other self. She leapt in front of her mother as if to defend her. “No! She's not leavin' me. Ah won't let her go again!”

A sad look crossed the other Applejack as she looked down at the misguided filly, setting her hoof back on the ground. “Jus' let me in there and Ah promise everythin' will be back to normal. We can't just abandon our friends or everypony else.” An idea crossed the other Applejack's mind. She remembered something that might help. “Remember where to look? In yer heart." The other Applejack pointed a hoof at Chrysalis. "Ya know she's not–”

“Ah said no! Ya jus' want to take my momma away from me. Like everypony else. My momma makes me happy. But nopony wants my momma to stay. So that means nopony wants me to be happy,” Applejack spoke between sobs as she began to cry. “Ah don't understand. Why can't Ah be happy? Is that really so wrong? If my friends want me to be sad, then they're no friends of mine. The same goes for all the other ponies, too. It's all my fault she went away in the first place! Ah'm not gonna let you ruin this!”

A thunderous boom stopped the other Applejack from responding as a new door exploded into existence, separating the orchard from the inside of the house. Tears were falling from her face as Applejack raced upstairs to her room in a heat of anger and sadness as fast as her little filly legs could carry her.

She buried her face in her pillow. Nopony understood. It was all her fault her mother went away. And now her mother was back. No more would she have to feel alone or feel the burden of all her responsibilities that weighed so heavily on her since she was young. Her foalhood was cut short because she had to become an adult sooner than others. Big Mac only knew how to work the farm. That left Applejack with being not only a worker with her brother, but big sis/mother to Applebloom, caretaker of Granny Smith, not to mention manager of all the business of Sweet Apple Acres. They all depended on her, needed her strength so much that she had none left for herself. All that didn't matter anymore. She could finally go back to the days when she was happy, when she had a mother to take care of her and tell her everything was going to be alright.

Amidst her sobbing, she felt a hoof brush through her mane in a gentle manner, trying to brush out her worries. Applejack looked up and saw her mother with a caring smile on her face. For a moment much shorter than a second, her mother's form twisted into something sinister-looking, but before Applejack could register it, her mother was back to normal. Applejack met her mother's loving eyes with a smile of her own and sat up. “Ah love you, momma”

“I love you too, Applejack.” Applejack reeled back slightly in shock and confusion. These words were not spoken by her mother. She followed her mother's stern gaze behind her and saw... her mother?

“Wha-what? Who...how...” she stuttered, looking back and forth between the two mares who were both her mother.

The second mother spoke up again. “It's OK, Applejack. Let's talk somewhere else, hm? Remember where I told you to look?” She cocked her head and raised an eyebrow at Applejack expectantly.

Applejack set confusion to the side for just a second as she remembered. She glanced at the first mother who remained quiet, shooting an icy look to the other. Looking down her bed in thought, she answered, “My heart, right?”

She didn't notice the room dissolving around her. It happened much too quickly. When she did look up, rolling green hills surrounded her. All around, apple-trees big and small littered the landscape. A great sun above shined down wrapping the grove in which she rested in its warm embrace. Around the sun was a small ring of clear, blue sky. Beyond the ring, a sea of gray clouds swirled, casting shadows in the vast orchard that encircled this sunlit clearing. Applejack was half covered in cool shade from the swaying branches above. Her eyes no longer covered in tears, she was in awe of everything she saw. She found herself laying on her stomach as if she'd been laying there forever, the green grass tickling her legs as each blade danced in the wild wind. Next to her was the mare she had been reunited with recently. Only this time, she looked more... real.

Applejack was more than puzzled. “What's goin' on?”

Her mother smiled softly, enjoying the scene as she turned to face Applejack. She spoke calmly with a small trace of disappointment. “I was afraid that you had forgotten, Applejack. But that's OK. Remember the song I used to sing to you when you had trouble sleeping? I think it will help you.”

The sun seemed to shine even brighter as her mother began to sing. Applejack had completely forgotten the loveliness of her mother's voice. As she sung, the words floated along the wind currents and spread throughout the clearing and even into the sky.

Our sun has passed over the sky
The soft, glowing moon hangs above
Peace, serenity, and harmony
Are what dreams are made of

They will watch over you
The stars in the night sky
Close your weary eyes my dear
And hear my sweet lullaby

Let the calm rest take you away
To a magical, far-off land
Where troubles are few
And beauty shines so grand

When you awake in the morn
Worry not, I will be right here
So take heart my young child
Know there is nothing to fear

Always keep in mind
In times both dark and bleak
That feeling deep in your heart
Is what you must seek

It is there that you will find
The warmth of my smile
You will remember that I have
Been with you all the while

Do not believe it is
Love that you lack
For mine is eternal
Dear sweet Applejack

The ring of sky glowed in brilliant light as it grew outward, vanquishing the dark clouds. All around Applejack, sunlight rained down further and further. She looked in all directions as the hills glowed a more captivating green. The earth beneath her hooves felt warm and damp with her cascading tears of happiness. The world brightened as new-found light washed over the fields, the trees, and even Applejack, driving away all the shadows as the song came to an end. Her mother's love truly made her heart a beautiful place.

Chapter 7

Nopony had expected what had happened, least of all Chrysalis, apparent by her bewildered expression. Applejack opened her eyes and looked to each of her friends with a smile that tried its best to show them her sincerity.

Chrysalis glowered at Applejack. “What?! You refuse me?” The words seethed out, dripping with malice. Applejack turned to her with a strong gaze that held no trace of love. Chrysalis looked into Applejack's eyes and found that a change had occurred. No more was there that strange look that held its place within those orbs of green. A sense of peace permeated outward.

“Ah'm done with ya. No more. It's over.” Applejack spoke in a rigid tone, indicating her seriousness at the situation.

An outraged shriek echoed throughout the hall as Chrysalis took to the air, looming over them all. Bitterness and antipathy became an aura which completely enveloped her. Her twisted horn shined a bright green in reaction to the tides of anger within her. “You insignificant, pathetic, little wretch! How dare you cross me! I will not allow you stop me when victory is still mine to take!” she roared violently.

A ray of magic erupted from her horn as it made a beeline for the group of five mares. The group was dazed by a bright flash as a white, transparent barrier shielded the group from the changeling's wrath. Celestia's horn glowed just as intensely as Chrysalis's. The princess and former-queen locked gazes. “I will not let you have your way any longer!” declared Celestia.

Chrysalis halted her attack. “You think you can stop me, Celestia? I am done playing games with you and these fools! No more will I attempt at simple imprisonment. While I would have delighted watching you decay from your failure, I am through wasting my efforts. I will wipe you out of existence!” This would finish it. No more holding anything back for some unanticipated distraction. Tendrils of green magic lashed outwards from her horn, tearing apart the wind around her. The ornate hall danced in a gleam of radiant power. A torrential gale swept around the changeling, engulfing her in its fury. The tapestries hanging on the wall flailed in wild abandon.

Celestia was not going down without a fight. She took to the air... or she would have if the wind around her wings would cooperate and carry her. Teleporting would be a bad idea given how volatile Chrysalis's magic had become. Flying into a lightning storm is foolhardy and teleporting into a magical one is the same. She loosed a bolt of powerful magic aimed for Chrysalis. The air around the changeling tore the pathetic excuse for an attack asunder before it got anywhere near its intended target.

Chrysalis growled a low chuckle filled with mockery. “I will not be stopped. You cannot defeat me, Celestia. Feel free to run.”

It was not an option to run. Celestia could not leave. Those who resided in the castle would be lost with it and she could not grab them all in a teleportation without knowing where they were exactly.

“Why that–oof!” Rainbow couldn't finish. She had tried to fly, but as with Celestia, the wind would not lend itself to her use and she flopped on the ground after a modest leap. Getting back to all fours, she shook her head and looked at the others. “What do we do?”

Rarity looked clueless. Fluttershy looked petrified, mouth agape. Pinkie didn't even seem concerned at what was happening; she looked like she was conflicted with something else that was on her mind.

Twilight looked fearful, even more so after witnessing Celestia's futile attempt to stop Chrysalis. “I... I don't know. There's nothing we can do. Princess Celestia has to stop her... somehow.” Twilight gave the floor a dejected look.

“Well shoot, it ain't like the princess is alone here.” Applejack looked to her friends who turned to look back at her. She reached up and lifted her hat to grab something. She smiled sheepishly as her friends' eyes widened. A golden necklace with an orange apple-shaped gem rested in her hoof. “Twilight, if ya don't mind...” Nothing more needed to be said. Twilight nodded and in a flash of her own violet light, a brown chest with golden markings appeared that contained the other elements. In another flash, the chest lay on the ground, empty. Rainbow Dash wore the Element of Loyalty, Fluttershy wore the Element of Kindness, Rarity wore the Element of Generosity, Pinkie wore the Element of Laughter, and Twilight was crowned with her Element of Magic. Applejack grinned as she found herself wearing her own Element of Honesty once again. The six mares glowed in rhythm as the elements began to empower.

“I think not!” Chrysalis was not going to wait any longer. She unleashed all the power she had accumulated from feeding on Applejack's love. An explosive green wave screamed as it dove for the six ponies. The beam of of magic slowed, however, from an opposing force. Celestia had placed herself between the attack and the element bearers, mustering all of her magical might to stem Chrysalis's attack for as long as she could. “Curse you, Celestia!” These words were her last. The sun princess had delayed her long enough. A rainbow-colored light discharged from the six Elements of Harmony and charged for the changeling monster, intertwining with Celestia's magic. The two forces pushed back Chrysalis's attack and swallowed her in a maw of Harmonic splendor. She cried out as she was swept back, crashing through a window, and banished toward the horizon in a manner not unfamiliar to her.

“Is there... somthin' ya wanted to talk to me about, Princess?” Applejack was quite nervous. It had been not long since Chrysalis had been defeated. Before she and her friends could talk much, however, Celestia had interrupted and asked the others to wait in the throne room while she talked with Applejack. Celestia led her up a winding staircase and out onto this balcony that overlooked a side of Canterlot, with a magnificent view of the Everfree Forest. They reached the edge of the balcony and sat down, but said nothing. Applejack waited for Celestia to say something, but the sun princess remained quiet.

Applejack hung her head low, thinking what Celestia was contemplating. My punishment of course she thought. Knowing the princess was going to enact some kind of punishment wasn't the worst part, it was the waiting for it that really got to her.

“Applejack.” Applejack snapped her head up to look at the sun princess, who had not turned her head in the slightest. “There are some instances that I can ignore, that do not require disciplinary action. I am sure you understand that your actions do not merit such a lenient response.” A pause hung in the air. Celestia took her gaze from the horizon to glance down at Applejack with an expectant look.

“Oh, uh, yes, Ah understand.” Applejack gave a heavy sigh. “Ah understand completely.”

“Then please explain to me what happened.” Applejack wore a confused look. Celestia returned her gaze back to the forest that seemed so far away. “At your farm, when I broke Chrysalis's enchantment on you, you remained at her side. But that is not all. The enchantment was rather weak, much weaker than what I was expecting. I had at first attributed this to the idea that you were resisting it and fighting to break free. Yet that was not the case. It felt as though you allowed yourself to become her pawn. So please, explain.”

Applejack gulped a little. She was afraid this question would come up. But she couldn't lie about it, it wasn't her style. “Ah suppose you're right, Princess. Ah did let myself get caught up in her spell. It was mighty strange, though. Maybe it had somethin' to do with my bond with the element, like ya said, Ah dunno.” Celestia looked back down at her with a curious expression. “The spell she put on me didn't work. Well, at least it didn't work how Ah think it should have worked. But it did somethin'. Ah don't know how exactly to explain, but here goes. It kind of tore my head in two sides. One side was most of me, the hard-workin' me that loves her friends, loyal to you and Equestria, and holds the Element of Honesty.” Applejack's expression saddened. “The other side was a part of me that I hadn't really been able to get rid of. It was a scared little filly who blamed herself for the loss of her momma. She jus' wanted to get back what she lost and be a daughter who was loved again.” Applejack shook her head a little and put away her frown. “Anyway, the little filly saw a chance to have her momma back again, so she used Chrysalis's magic as a means to try and live a happy lie and escape a sad reality. But split apart or not, that was still me. It was still my doin'.”

“I see.” Celestia took this in and gave it some thought.

Wing-beats could be heard in the distance, getting closer. Both Applejack and Celestia looked upwards to glimpse the arriving pony. Celestia gave a joyful smile. Applejack smiled too, but was a bit nervous as the pony landed.

“I am happy to see all is well. In truth, I was unsure of what the outcome would be.” Luna looked a little worn out. Despite her posture and composure in her voice, it was evident she was exhausted.

“Sister, so good to see you. Although you look like you have not rested for some time. Tell me, where did Chrysalis keep you imprisoned?” Celestia inquired.

Luna appeared slightly abashed at the reminder of being imprisoned. After clearing her throat, she spoke, “She held me in the dungeon of the old castle in the Everfree Forest. It seems she has a twisted sense of humor. Her binds kept me awake as well as weak. But I was not alone.” She glanced down toward Applejack with little emotion. “Two others kept me company, though no words could be spoken due to the magic shackles that bound us all.”

“Wait, two others?” Applejack pondered for a moment before arriving at the troubling conclusion. “Ya mean Granny Smith and Big Mac!? Are they OK? Are they–”

“Both are fine, have no fear for their well-being. The magic bindings vanished when, I assume, you defeated Chrysalis and her power had weakened significantly. I personally teleported them both to your farmstead. I was rather magically drained myself after that, hence why I chose to fly here.”

Relief poured onto Applejack's face. “Thank ya so much, Princess. And also–”

“Sister, I will be retiring to my chambers now,” Luna spoke to Celestia. “I would be most grateful if you handled the moon and stars tonight.”

“Yes, of course. I understand. It will be no trouble.” Celestia and Luna gave short bows to one another.

“Princess Luna, Ah'm real–” Luna had taken off towards her room without giving a second to Applejack. The orange mare looked hurt and looked down in remorse.

Celestia gave a moment's thought to Luna's actions before gently smiling. Not being forgiven... nor even a chance to apologize. A fair punishment. “Applejack.” Applejack's head raised to look at Celestia. “I have considered your punishment and have arrived at a suitable one for you.”

Applejack closed her eyes and braced for whatever may come. Exile? Dungeon? I deserve whatever it is.

“Your punishment... is to forgive yourself”

Applejack's eyes opened slowly as she quizzically stared at Celestia. “For-forgive myself? Beggin' yer pardon, Princess, but what do you mean exactly?”

“It is hard to mete out punishments when they are called for. I do not enjoy it, but sometimes it is necessary. Yet, simply sending you to the dungeon, for instance, would do little to rectify the problem that caused the situation in the first place. You blame yourself for your mother's death, do you not?”

She could hear the screams of panic coming from her mother. Over her shoulder, those timber wolves were dragging her mother away. Applejack shuddered from the terrible memory. “Yes, Ah do. She needed me. But Ah didn't try to help. Ah ran away 'cuz I was scared and didn't know what to do. Ah should have gone back to help her. Ah should have tried somethin', anythin'! But Ah didn't.” Applejack felt a familiar pain pierce into her. “It was my fault. Ah abandoned her.”

“And that is why your punishment will not be easy. It will be difficult, true, but I believe that should you conquer that guilt, then this situation can be avoided in the future and that is the best punishment I can think of, one that will prevent future tragedies.” Celestia truly hoped Applejack understood. “You may go now. Your friends are waiting for you, Applejack.”

Applejack nodded and bowed to the princess before taking her leave and finding her way back down to where her friends were waiting. “All set to go,” she stated nonchalantly. Without more words, the group headed out of the castle, exited the gates of a still-deserted looking Canterlot, and began the trek back to Ponyville. Nopony was sure of what to talk about. They traveled in silence and soon the yellow sun bore an orange glow as it neared the edge of the horizon.

On the outskirts of Ponyville, Rarity couldn't stand the silence any longer. “OK, that's it. I've enough.” Everypony stopped and turned to face her, each holding a befuddled look. “It's obvious we can't just ignore what has happened and only trying to do so is just going to make things worse. So let us just talk now while we are all together.” She sighed as she looked over to Applejack, though with hesitation. “We know that you... what I mean to say is... Princess Celestia thought that... some help, please!” Rarity angrily turned to the others, begging for somepony to say what she was wanting to but couldn't.

“Um, did you really know what you were doing?” spoke up Fluttershy. Eyes focused on her and she shrunk back slightly.

Just like with Celestia, Applejack was afraid this would pop up. “Yes, Ah did. Explainin' would sound like an excuse. Just know that Ah was fully aware of what Ah was doin'.”

“Liar!” Rainbow exclaimed. “There's no way you were really you. I'm not buying it!”

Applejack wasn't about to let Dash defend her. “No, Dash. Ah was really me. Ah knew exactly what Ah was doin' the whole time.”

“No! Stop lying! Just... stop! Quit lying to us like that! You... you liar!” Before Applejack could say anything, Dash had bolted into the air and out of sight, thunder rumbling from her speedy departure.

“Sorry Ah let ya down, Rainbow,” AJ whispered to herself quietly.

“It's OK, Applejack. She'll come around, I'm sure of it.” Applejack looked over to Fluttershy with a smile, but it quickly faded. Fluttershy wore a kind smile, but AJ could see right through it. Fluttershy had no feelings of forgiveness for Applejack at the moment, but her kindness forced a smile on her face. “Um, well, I better get going. The animals need me and I have a lot of catching up to do. Bye girls.” They muttered their farewells to the timid pegasus as she walked away towards her cottage full of creatures that depended on her.

“Applejack, I'm... not sure what to say really.” Twilight took a few steps toward the farm pony. “I have some thinking to do about this, but I can safely say one thing.” Applejack was delighted to see a genuine smile at last. “I'm glad you're back.” The two of them shared a brief hug and Twilight began walking to her library.

“I suppose, I'm in a state similar to Twilight.” Rarity spoke softly, yet sincerely. “It will be hard for things to return to the way they were, but that is life, is it not? However, I think that with enough time, all things can be forgiven.”

“Thanks, Rarity. Ah appreciate it.” Applejack and Rarity exchanged a few waves as Rarity headed off to her home and her sister.

“Applejack.” Applejack turned to face Pinkie. Since being back together as a group, Pinkie had returned to her usual-looking self, poofy mane and all. “This is going to sound weird. But I'm a little scared.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow at her pink friend. “Scared? Why are ya scared, Pinkie?”

“Because you're my friend. And I want to forgive you, I really do! But, something's wrong. Some feeling I have won't let me forgive you and that scares me.” Pinkie looked like she usually did, but her voice was layered with distress and unease. Her eyes held back fearful tears that wanted everything to go back to the way it was.

Applejack pulled Pinkie into a tight hug, as tight as she could muster. “And Ah won't ask ya to, Pinkie. Ah'll do whatever it takes to earn your forgiveness. Ah'm gonna work real hard on repairin' everythin' so we can all be happy again. Ah don't want ya to be sad. Because you're my friend, too.” The two ponies held the embrace for a little while, letting each other's feelings soak in.

After bidding each other goodnight, they went their separate ways. Applejack walked through the gates of the farm and headed up the path towards her house and her bed. Her brother was helping Granny Smith with some cleaning in the kitchen, but she didn't stop in to say anything. She was tired. But she was not so lucky to make it to her bed without an obstacle.

“Hey, sis!” Apple Bloom jumped happily around her older sister as they headed upstairs. “Yer not gonna believe this, but Ah was over at Sweetie's, right? But Rarity has to leave or somethin' and so now it's just Spike there. We were havin' lots of fun, but then Spike gets a letter from THE PRINCESS! Can ya believe it!? Ah knew he got letters from her an' all, but it was still real neat. But he didn't tell us what it said, guess it was real important or somethin'. 'Course, the three of us wouldn't let slide. If the princess needed somethin', we thought we might be able to help. So Scoots started... Applejack, ya OK?” They were in AJ's room and Applejack just flopped down on her bed.

“First, Apple Bloom, Ah'm real sorry Ah got mad at ya a while back. Wasn't right of me. Second, ya can tell me the rest in the mornin'. Ah'm bushed now, so Ah'd really appreciate it if ya would let me get some sleep now.”

“Oh, yeah, OK, got it.” Apple Bloom gave her sister a hug. Before heading out the door, she said, “Thanks, sis. Glad to know yer alright.” She closed the door with a soft creak.

Applejack turned onto her back and looked up at the ceiling. She breathed in deeply, smelling the familiarity of her room. The soft covers cradled her with tenderness as the room around glinted with a setting sun from the windows. It wasn't going to be easy to get things back to normal, or at least as close to normal as possible. She would need to talk a bit with Big Mac and Granny Smith about what had happened and to make sure they were OK. Forgive myself. It seemed simple enough, but she knew it would be anything but. To get started on this, she'd need the help of somepony special. It was a good thing she knew where to look.

Chapter 6

Without Luna, Celestia had to once more bear the burden of moon and sun. She had taken Twilight and her four friends to the castle to rest. Although, rest did not come easily. The princess left them to attend to her official duties. Twilight meekly questioned her mentor, stating that she should alert the guard of a possible attack. Celestia brushed these concerns aside, telling Twilight that if Chrysalis did come, then it was her duty as princess to protect Canterlot as she would be the only one to have the ability to stand up to the threat.

The five ponies from Ponyville went through a rough night. They barely talked to each other. What was there to talk about anyway? Dash spent the night tossing and turning in her bed. The others fared no better in their pursuit of some sleep.

“Augh! I can't sleep!” Dash called out loudly. “Hey, anypony else asleep?” Various murmurs from the others confirmed that nopony was able to sleep. “Yeah, me neither. Just can't get all that junk outa my head. I keep thinking on what's gonna come next.” Dash threw off the bed covers and began pacing around her bed. The night had gone and the room was filled with the faintest glimmer of a sun that had yet to show itself. “I just want something to do. Waiting just isn't my style.”

Twilight tossed her covers aside and stood near Dash as she paced around her bed. “I know, Rainbow. But Princess Celestia will think of something, I'm sure.” Twilight put on a smile to suggest her confidence in the matter.

Rainbow stopped pacing and gave Twilight a heated stare. “The princess, huh? If she's so great, why did this even happen in the first place?”

The smile dropped from Twilight's face as she shot an indignant look at her pegasus friend. “You can't be serious?”

“I can be, and I am! She let that loser changeling into Canterlot once before. Now, she let her in again to Ponyville! Last time I checked, Princess Celestia is the co-ruler of Equestria and I'm pretty sure that includes Ponyville. So why can't our princess prevent these things from happening in the first place?”

“Come on, Rainbow. You can't expect the princess to know everything.” Twilight could understand what Rainbow was saying, but she knew it wasn't that easy. Years with the princess had revealed to Twilight that Celestia is just as fallible as any other pony. However, Celestia had to maintain an air of perfection for the sake of her subjects. The thought that Princess Celestia was omnipotent gave her subjects a sense of security and peace of mind. She could not show weakness, such is the burden of leadership.

“Well why not? She always acts like she knows everything about everypony.”

“You mean like how you act like your the greatest flier ever but can still mess up now and again?”

“I... but...” Dash looked like she was about to shout, but caught herself and just sighed heavily. “You're right, Twilight. I'm just looking for somepony to blame because I feel useless.”

“It's alright, Rainbow Dash. Even if the princess can't think of something to do, we will.” Fluttershy had joined the pair near Dash's bed. “Being angry won't help anypony.” Her soft smile soothed the spirits of Dash and Twilight, as if her words were spoken to a shooting star, raising the hope that the wish would come true.

“Of course we'll think of something,” piped in Rarity. Her mane and tail still expertly styled despite the lack of rest. She truly was a natural beauty. “I will not let such disrespect against a friend of mine go without reciprocation.” Dash gave Rarity a confused look to which Rarity let out a quick chuckle. “What I mean is that we will beat the stuffing out of that changeling loser!”

Rarity's choice of words brought smiles and even laughter to the four ponies. They yelped in surprise as they found themselves brought close together by a pair of pink hooves. Pinkie wore a small grin with glinting eyes that had found hope. Her mane was still rather straight and limp, but a few curls formed around her eyes. The five ponies stood there in silence, enjoying the group hug. In unison, they looked to the window to meet the cresting sun as it rose over the horizon. Warm sunshine snaked into the room and joined them in their embrace.

It seemed the moment was not to last forever as the ponies broke from their tight hug. Rarity coughed quietly to get the attention of her friends. “Fluttershy, Pinkie, would you two be dears and go down to the dining room to get us a table for breakfast? I'm afraid that because I do not have all of my essential tools with me at the moment, I will need the aid of Twilight and Rainbow Dash to make myself look presentable.”

“Say what? Make you look presentable? Come on, Rarity, you don't need me or Twilight to help, do you?” an aggravated Dash asked. Rainbow hated being up so early and on top of that, she was really getting hungry now that the word “breakfast” had been spoken. Twilight looked just as befuddled as Dash was annoyed, but raised her head slightly as understanding dawned on her.

“But Rainbow, I have no products here to help me. And you have absolutely no idea what can go wrong in the blink of eye! I absolutely need your lightning reflexes to catch any mistakes. Please?” Rarity's eyes grew to the size of dinner plates and her lips were contorted into a pleading pout. “Please please ple–”

“OK! Fine! Let's just get this over with then, OK, Twilight?” Twilight nodded to Dash.

Fluttershy seemed a bit confused as well. Pinkie just looked glad that there was no fighting. Fluttershy spoke up for her and Pinkie. “Um, sure, Rarity. Let's go Pinkie.” The yellow pegasus and pink earth-pony quietly left the room.

Twilight looked at Rarity with an amused grin. “Help you look presentable? That was the best you could come up with?”

Rarity appeared taken aback. “Oh, I was not joking, Twilight. There certainly are some things you and Rainbow could do to help me with my mane. However, you are correct in your assumption that I desired to speak to you two alone.”

Dash broke in between the two unicorns. “Wait a minute. You just wanted to talk to me and Twi', Rarity? Why? What's up?”

“Is it about... AJ?” Twilight quietly asked. Rarity's downcast look gave her the answer.

“Yes, it is.” Rarity spoke slowly, choosing her words carefully. “We know Chrysalis is an enemy. But what will we do if we encounter Applejack? I'm not sure exactly of what would need to be done. I was worried that Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie would be too sentimental to discuss this.”

Rainbow spoke up. “What makes you think AJ will show up with Chrysalis? I mean, yeah, obviously Chrysalis is going to make the next move since she thinks she has the advantage.”

Twilight brought a hoof to her chin in thought as she sat down. “Well, Applejack is Chrysalis' advantage. I imagine that Chrysalis would want to keep an eye on her at all times. So when Chrysalis shows up, I bet she'll have Applejack right there at her side. Plus, it would certainly be a good psychological ploy against us.”

“But when we meet, what shall we do? What can we do?” Rarity asked. She brought her gaze to the side and cleared her throat. “I suppose what I'm really getting at is this. Do we still consider Applejack a friend?”

The three ponies exchanged uncertain looks, each afraid of what the answer may be. Thick silence hung in the heavy air.

“Yes.” Dash announced. Rarity and Twilight let out held-in breathes of air and dawned relieved smiles. “We don't know for sure what Applejack was thinking. Maybe something else was wrong with her. Until we figure everything out, as far as I'm concerned, she's still a friend.” The two unicorns beamed at their pegasus friend.

“You are absolutely right, Rainbow Dash. Let us not jump to conclusions without getting our facts straight,” Rarity chimed in a cheerful tone. She was truly glad that Dash and Twilight still saw Applejack as a friend as she did. “Now, we mustn't keep Fluttershy and Pinkie waiting.”

“Yes, let's head down. I'm starting to get hungry myself.” Twilight chuckled. Rainbow and her began to walk towards the door before they were stopped by a noise.

“Ahem,” Rarity half coughed, getting the attention of her two friends. “Aren't you both forgetting something? Something important?” Rarity shot them an accusatory glance, nodding a few times at the adjoining washroom.

“Oh, I suppose we did.” Twilight gave a half-hearted laugh as she ruffled her mane slightly with waves of her right foreleg. Twilight and Rarity walked into the washroom followed shortly by a rather unamused Rainbow Dash.

“I was totally hoping she'd forget,” Dash muttered under her breath. She steeled herself for the most depressingly boring and mundane task she'd ever had to face in her life.

The moment was soon to come. At last, Chrysalis would reclaim what had been taken from her unjustly. It was true that she had failed in her attack on Canterlot. However, that defeat did not merit her subjects casting her aside, labeling her as a failure. Only a small hoof-full remained loyal and followed her out of her kingdom. The only way to earn back her kingdom, to earn back the respect and adoration of all changelings would be to correct her mistake and conquer Canterlot. With Canterlot under control, the rest of Equestria would be foal's play. Her empire would grow under her watchful eye and before her would be a vast legion of loyal subjects that submitted themselves to her will.

She stood tall, bathed in a regal composure and absolute resolve. Her eyes pierce the horizon, fixated on the city nestled in the comfort of stone. In that city, in every location thriving with Equestrian citizens were thoughts of happiness and content. This day would see all that change. Her rule would cement the end of a reign that had overstayed its welcome. Soon, the legions of changelings that she left back in the kingdom that once she called her own, would learn again the reason she was meant to be queen. It was her right.

A shuffling noise shook her from her thoughts and she turned her side to see the source. Applejack had apparently stumbled slightly and was adjusting her hat. As the young mare came to her side, Chrysalis wondered what she would do with this strange pony once she had attained her victory. These thoughts had crossed her mind before, but now she could not help but feel as though she had already succeeded. A venomous smile crept onto her face as she contemplated what would be satisfying a choice: allowing Applejack to stay at her side as a constant reminder to Celestia of her failure, or perhaps releasing Applejack to Celestia and those other ponies and enjoy the inevitable conflict. A dark laugh escaped her, bringing Applejack's attention to her.

“Ya alright, momma?” she queried.

“Yes, I am. Merely thinking of what is to come is all. Let us go, my daughter. Let us off and build a world for us to be happy together.” Applejack nodded and looked out to Canterlot with emotionless regard. Together in a green shine, they vanished off the farm.

Mere moments had passed before they found themselves before a grand gate that threatened to drown them in its shadow. The entrance was closed with heavy doors the size of two apple-trees stacked on top of one another. On the left door was a depiction of Celestia, wings out, head held high with the shining sun behind her. Adjacent was a door that looked in much better condition than its neighbor, not being adorned with a horde of cracks and weathered edges. It bore Luna in a similar pose with a crescent moon behind her.

“Huh, that's weird. I thought there'd be guards here or somethin'.” Applejack walked forward to meet the gate, glancing around to confirm the presence of nopony.

Chrysalis looked around as well before resting her gaze upon the gate and showing an eager smile. “It seems that Celestia is expecting us. How rude to leave the gate closed, though.” Her twisted horn illuminated for a second, casting the doors in a faint, green hue. The massive gate groaned in agony is it was wrenched from its resting position. Each door opened begrudgingly, sweeping aside the rocks and dirt clumps in its path. Chrysalis smiled even more menacingly if that was even possible. Normally, ponies would be hustling about their daily routines of talking, bartering, and arguing. The scene before the humble farm pony and would-be-queen was barren of activity. Only shadows crept around the corners of the shops and stalls; wind was the only motion upon the well-traveled roads. She knew Celestia would be expecting her, but she did not think Celestia would issue an order that everypony stay indoors. Still, Chrysalis would have liked Celestia to keep her guards about. It would be more entertaining taking Canterlot if there was more resistance than the princess.

That was not the case, however. Quietly, yet with moderate pace, the two went about the town, traversing the ways that lead all the way up to the entrance of the castle itself. Again were they met with closed doors. Chrysalis paused for a moment to look back on the ground that she and Applejack had covered. True, she could have simply teleported both of them into the throne room of the castle, where she knew Celestia was waiting. But walking through the city that would soon be hers and taking in every detail felt much more appealing.

With another trivial amount of magic, she freed the double doors from their barring position. Inside the castle was just as magnificent as she remembered. The floor was pristine and gleamed brilliantly from the sunlight that streamed in from the great windows that overlooked the hall. Tapestries each telling a grand tale hung upon the walls.

Together, Chrysalis and Applejack walked down the plush carpet leading to the throne. Upon the throne sat Princess Celestia, glaring at Chrysalis. Paying the sun princess no heed, Chrysalis continued her sweep of the room with her eyes, marveling at all that would be hers in a matter of minutes. When the pair were still a few meters short of the throne, they stopped and Chrysalis gave Celestia the attention that she had been waiting for.

Neither spoke at first, simply gauging one another in a battle of wills that raged in silence, with neither diminishing in the slightest. At last, Celestia decided she should break the silent bout. “I suppose we both knew this morning where this would end. I shall extend to you one chance to leave peacefully. Of course, I am well aware that you will likely will not, but I felt obligated to at least offer the opportunity.”

Chrysalis chortled in glee. “No, I don't think I will take that offer, as tempting it may be. Yet I will also make an offer. Your subjects will listen to you. Declare that I am to be their new ruler, that Equestria is now mine. Do this, and I will allow your time in imprisonment to be spent with your sister.”

Celestia's hard glare did not shake as she gave her response. “No.”

“Then it seems you are correct in your assumption of us both knowing how this is going to end. I will defeat you and take Equestria as my new kingdom.” Her horn glowed a terrible green. Celestia did not move an inch as her horn took on its own aura of magic building up. Both shielded their eyes for a second as an alien magic burst forth between them in a violet shroud.

“Not if we can help it!” Twilight announced. The horns of both Chrysalis and Celestia died down slightly. Celestia let out a sigh of annoyance, yet cheerfulness at the same time. She had told Twilight and the others to stay away from this encounter. However, in her heart, she knew Twilight would still come and bring her friends along as well. Twilight and her friends were between Celestia and Chrysalis and their eyes darted back and forth from Chrysalis to Applejack. Fluttershy was somewhat hiding behind Twilight and Rainbow Dash, peeking out with eye as the other was shielded by her mane. Pinkie was beside Dash but not did appear as though she really wanted to be there at all.

Chrysalis was beyond annoyed and shot a disgusting look at Celestia. “Hoping to use fillies to win your battles, Celestia? Pathetic, truly.”

“Hi kettle. My name's pot. Nice to meetcha,” Rainbow antagonized.

The changeling regained her composure and looked at the five ponies before with indifference when an idea caused a twinkle in eye that disturbed Twilight and the others. “Oh, Applejack.” She turned to her side to see Applejack looking coldly at the five ponies that used to be her friends. “Will you take care of your friends for me?”

Applejack said nothing as she slowly strode forward until she was right in front of Twilight. Looking into Twilight's eyes, she raised her right foreleg.

Applejack got up from her bed and went back downstairs. When she awoke, she was in her room alone. Down in the living room was her mother who was simply standing there. As Applejack drew near, her mother turned to her, bent her head down, and gave her a soft nuzzle on Applejack's cheek. There was love in that gesture just as there was love in her mother's smile. Yet despite knowing this, Applejack could feel no affection. It was still a gloomy dusk within the house. However, the door slowly opened on its own accord.

She looked over and saw the other Applejack standing before the doorway. Outside was just as bright as she remembered. The sun lit up the whole orchard and the apple's swayed in the trees basking in the golden light. It seemed that the other Applejack had gotten rid of that iron ring around her neck. Now in it's place, was a necklace that held an orange gem of her family's namesake.

Still, Applejack was hesitant. “Ah... Ah don't wanna lose her... not again.”

The other Applejack gave her a sympathetic smile. “Sugarcube, Ah think ya oughta take another look at that mare. Take a really good look.”

She did. She looked hard at her mother. Before her eyes, her mother's face and coat began to melt away. What once had been a warm and caring face, was now a black and twisted figure that overshadowed her. There was no love in this creature's eyes.

This hideous thing did not move or make a sound as it vanished in a cloud of murky mist when a pair of hooves dove through its chest. The other Applejack had just bucked away the thing that she had called her mother.

Applejack looked up into the eyes of the other Applejack. “Ah'm... Ah'm sorry! Ah just wanted my momma back!” She began to tear up before feeling a hoof on her shoulder from her other self.

The other Applejack looked down at her with forgiveness in her eyes and a smile on her face. “Ah know ya did. Heck, Ah know I do. We both miss her a lot. And when ya really saw her on the farm that day, ya fooled yerself that she came back to ya. Ya wanted it to be true so badly that ya shut me out so Ah couldn't take her away from ya.”

The room began to brighten as the gloomy strands of sunlight began to intensify into a yellow shine. Applejack smiled at her other self. “Ah saw her, ya know. The real her.”

The other Applejack gave a bit of a laugh. “Yeah, Ah know ya did, cuz Ah saw her, too. She's always been with us. Ya jus' gotta remember where ta look.” Other Applejack finished that sentence with a wink.

Applejack's smile widened and she threw her hooves around her other self. At the same time, she felt a pair of hooves from a young filly wrap around her neck. She looked down and the filly was gone. The sun finally got up to the levels of brightness that swept across the orchard outside. For the first time in a long while, Applejack felt at peace.

“Will you take care of your friends for me?” Chrysalis had asked her.

She walked forward in silence until she was face to face with her friend, Twilight Sparkle. She brought up her right foreleg. Her head turned up towards the ceiling with a look of contemplation upon her face. “Hmm,” she loudly hummed as she tapped her chin a few times with her raised hoof. Setting her hoof back down and closing her eyes, she replied, “Nah.”