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                      Embers of Hope                       
                      -by BaconTree-                       
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                   Love at First Glance                    
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Love at First Glance
Flarestrike’s rugged hoofs pounded the earth as he stormed up Appleridge Cliff, the largest hill in the Roundbottom foothills, leaving a deep hoofprint hissing with singed grass left behind by his burning hooves.  
His whole body was burning in fact, the horrible burden of the one he used to call mother. The very thought drove him even deeper into anger as he was reminded of the scar stretching from his cheek to his brow, burning across his left eye. “What a horrible night to be cursed.” The unicorn muttered aloud. He stopped atop the cliff, the thin grass that was swaying in the breeze now burning beneath his condemned body as he lay down to rest.
The thoughts of that horrible night invaded his head. All was well at first, learning and training in the arts of warfare under the watchful eye of his master, mother, the queen of the hive. Flarestrikes closed eyes squinted with the thought. I TRUSTED YOU! I THOUGHT YOU WERE MY REAL MOTHER! He remembered the entire incident as if it had happened recently. I never loved you, filthy creature! You may even be more than a freak I am! Queen Crysalis screeched at the colt, whose anger was growing with every tear that fell. The two charged. The Queens twisted horn slashed across Flarestrikes face. Blood poured from the wound, and he screamed. You thought you could defeat me? I taught you everything you kn…WHAT? Flarestrikes crying body was transforming, anger was pulsing through his small body, and his eyes lit up like fire on a dark night. You…Never…OWNED ME! Flarestrikes small body yelled, sending the surrounding changelings scurrying for cover. Even the Queen recoiled at the sight of a small colt being engulfed in flames. And then, he vanished.  
He opened his eyes, heart racing with those putrid memories. Ahead of him lay a magnificent Equestrian view, the small cottages of Ponyville on the horizon. He shoved the thoughts out of his head and smirked. “Of all the places to end up, I find myself in Ponyville,” Flarestrike chuckled. Then he thought, a small village where mother would not even think to look. He smiled. All he had to do was stay low and not make himself known by others.
As he gazed into his own fantasy, voices came from behind him. He quickly used the teleportation spell, one of few he knew, and was engulfed in flames only to re appear on an overhanging tree. Shielded by the dense foliage, Flarestrike suffered quietly as his scar spewed out embers, smoke, and blood the color of apples ready to be bucked.  
By using his magic, Flarestrike experienced the pain of the curse, and every time he used a spell or “Flared” as the result of anger, it led her closer to him. Mother of Celestia, that bitch will pay, Flarestrike winced, shuddering for a moment until the pain left almost as soon as it came. Under hoof, 3 ponies appeared, all of them young mares.  
“My word, this has been quite a hike, cant we please take a rest?” said a snow white unicorn with a shiny purple mane. “my hooves are going to get chapped!”   
“Quit your complaining Rarity! We’re almost to the summit anyway, all we have to do is hike down and get to Zecoras hut and you can sleep all you want.” Piped up another unicorn, this one magenta with a dual colored mane both purple and dark pink. “It is important I get Zecoras report to Princess Celestia quickly.”   
Flarestrike’s eyes widened, this mare KNOWS the Princess? His thought was quickly interrupted by the purple unicorns voice   
“Are you coming Applejack?”  
As he turned to face the direction the ponies came from, time began to slow down. Around the corner came a dark figure, but the form was obviously an earth pony. Then, just as if Celestia knew he was looking in the direction of the figure, the sun began to rise.  
The sun shadowed over Ponyville like a blanket. Leaving the village, the sun crept over a seemingly endless field of apple trees. The sun flashed over the cliff and onto Flarestrikes face, and onto the approaching figure.  
It all happened so slowly.  
The rays exposed a beautifully clean orange pelt that gave off more heat than the sun itself. The sun crept up the mare’s legs until the ray hit her flank, exposing her cutie mark: three apples more red than the very blood pooling on the leaves from his bleeding scar. Wind blew, rustling leaves and tossing the mare’s mane, a golden ponytail tied with a scarlet velvet ribbon, the same on her tail. Flarestrike’s eyes widened. The sun slowly crept up the figures neck, a muscular vessel of strength. The sun popped over the cliff side like a firecracker, blinding him as he sat in the tree, the bright light faded and revealed a beautiful mare with large, emerald green eyes that reflected the bright morning sun. Freckles covered the mare’s face, which was shaded as she winced at the light, covering her head with a cowboy hat…He had never seen anything like her before...she was the definition of beauty.   
The one they call Rarity spoke up. “Applejack darling, are you alright? That hat doesn’t seem to be helping you with this wretched sun.”  
Applejack…a wonderful name, Flarestrike thought. As he finished this thought, the mare spoke.  
“Sorry if I’m a ‘lil late sugarcubes, I couldn’t help but look at this wonderful view.”  
Her voice was that of an Angel, such a magnificent mare hidden away in this village. Flarestrike kept staring, for he could not stop. The purple one spoke.  
“That’s alright AJ, you want to keep moving to Zecoras?”  
Applejack thought for a moment.  
“Ta be honest with y’all, I’d rather stay here and enjoy the view. Hope ya don’t mind Twilight.”  
“That’s fine,” the purple one responded to the name, “you might as well go back to your farm when you’re ready, we may be a while.”  
“Sounds good ta me! Be safe now, wonchya?” The other ponies left. Flarestrike sat motionless only a few yards from the beautiful mare. She sat down on the Cliffside, looking at the rising sun over Ponyville, over the farm. The way the sun hit her face lit her up like a blaze, but leaving a mysterious silhouette that still seemed to brighten up.   
Flarestike suddenly felt a searing pain. Not from his scar, though blood was still dripping out, but rather from his heart, for he was experiencing a feeling new to him. He was experiencing desire for this mare. Suddenly drops of his blood plummeted from the leaf it was pooling on. The droplet tumbled in the air before landing on Applejacks hat with a plop. She noticed. Looking down , her eyes narrowed to confirm what she saw. Suddenly, she spun around.  
“Who’s there?” the mare exclaimed. For such a beautiful creature, her voice was loud and booming. Flare’s heart started to beat faster, his scar pumping out embers that singed the very skin they were emitted from. It was a miracle that the embers couldn’t be seen through the dense foliage. Despite this however, the mare seemed to look right through the leaves and, through the spaces between branches, the two ponies eyes met. Emerald green reflected off of his blood red eyes. The two were motionless.   
A sudden gust of wind blew off her hat, and when she turned to catch it Flarestrike saw his chance. There was a hiss in the air as he was once again engulfed in fire, and when Applejack turned around, all that remained of Flarestrike was a faintly glowing ember.  
Applejack sat in the breeze and thought. Who was that in the tree watching me? Applejack felt mixed emotions of concern, but also of the desire to find out who this figure was.  
At the same moment Flarestrike reappeared in the dense forest on the edge of Ponyville, leaving his limp body in a burnt patch on the ground. Bubbling blood poured from the condemned scar and once again he suffered in silence. Through dense summer leaves he could see village buildings towering above the trees, but despite the closeness to shelter he lay in the charred ground laying beneath his hooves, and fell into a deep sleep.
Flarestrike’s own thoughts resounded in his head as he lay unconscious from his teleportation spell. Who was this mare, and why haven’t I been able to stop thinking about her? The more he thought the less pain he felt, but was instead replaced by fantasies of the one they called Applejack. He could still remember those exact moments from when he first saw her. Her bleach-blonde hair, tied in a ponytail by a red velvet ribbon…if only he had the chance to talk to her. Flarestike cringed at the thought of this. He knew why he couldn’t do that…but still…the thought lingered.   
He suddenly awoke to the sound of ponies conversing in the streets just outside the forest. Through the trees Flarestrike could see a busy street bustling with ponies visiting stands selling various items. He sat up, looking out onto the street, marveling at all the ponies. All had happiness on their faces, without a care in the world. He admired that. As he surveyed the area he could not help the feeling of curiosity as to live amongst these peaceful ponies. Remind me of the days when I was just a colt, he thought. Sneaking to the back of a stand, Flarestrike grabbed a cloth sheet and tied it about himself, throwing the hood above his head. At first the hood sat awkwardly above his head, his horn poking up. But soon the heat given off from it burnt a hole straight through the robe, and the hood fell upon him, concealing his face entirely except for his scar. Hopefully no one will ask about it, he hoped, and he moved slowly out into the busy street.  
Flarestrike visited the stands, and though he had no money, the ponies of Ponyville were happy to give free samples to a new face. There were books, food, and the most amazing cupcakes he had ever tasted, made by a hyper little earth pony who called herself Pinkie Pie. Flarestrike chuckled when he realized he had an hour long conversation about a party of some sort, for himself in particular. Of course he wouldn’t go, he wished his presence in this town to be a brief one.  
Flarestrike made his way down the road when he saw a young filly selling apples. The filly had a yellow pelt with a thick red mane. Despite eating so much already, Flarestrike’s stomach growled. Apples would really hit the spot right about now, he thought as he trotted over to the stand.  
“Well hiya there!” the filly chirped. “I’m Applebloom, and this is my grandma, Grannysmith.”  
Flarestrike had barely noticed the old pony sitting back in a rocking chair, sleeping like a foal. “Hello there,” he said quietly, afraid to awaken the sleeper, “I see you have quite a collection of apples there. Mind if I have a few?”  
“A’course not mister! That’ll be 2 bits!”  
Flarestrike caught himself by surprise, he had no money what so ever.  
“Err…I don’t seem to have any money, im new here in town.”  
The sleeper then jumped, nearly knocking down both Applebloom and Flarestrike.  
“A NEW ONE ERE, YA SAY? Oh you don’t have to pay a bit sugar, just come on down to the farm! Its been a while since our last guest.”  
After Flarestrike regained what had just happened, he solemnly agreed. After all, he needed a place to stay for the night, for it was getting late and Flarestrike had been shopping all day.   
“It would be an honor to stay for the night miss Grannysmith.”  
The two earth ponies worked together to take down the apple stand as the night fell upon Equestria, and despite his offering to help, the stand was down and apart within minutes.  
The three ponies moved across the plains toward a farm illuminating against the background with the golden sun setting on the horizon. Arriving at the farm, Flarestrike embraced the warming building, not used to such beauties from his home.   
“Feel free to have a seat sunny” The elderly pony spat. Flarestrike couldn’t help but notice that Applebloom hadn’t taken an eye off of him since they left the market.  
“Applebloom, don’t ya know its impolite to stare?” a rather large red earth pony muttered quietly. He didn’t seem like the type of pony to speak a lot.  
“I don’t mind, I found it quite amusing” Flarestrike replied, trying his best at a smile.  
“Sorry big brother, if you don’t mind me asking sir, but what exactly are you?”  
Flarestrikes attempt at a smirk disappeared. “I wish I knew little one…”  
“We will wait for the introductions until supper, APPLEJACK! WE HAVE GUESTS, GIT ON DOWN ERE!” Flarestrike didn’t expect Grannysmith to have such a powerful voice, then again she never did cease to amaze him.  
Suddenly, Flarestrike remembered the name. He glanced to the stairs, time slowing down once again. Her orange pelt came first, stepping down the farm houses steps, the three apples on her cutie mark then appeared bouncing with the rest of her flank, Flarestrike felt embarrassed for staring so long. His attention was brought back when the mare flipped her golden mane, tied at the end with the same velvet cloth as before, her stunning shape illuminating as the glare of the moon shine through the window.  
Flarestrike realized what was happening and then felt his scar burning, holding a hoof to the wound so nopony would realize that embers were pouring instead of blood. His heart was aching with a truth:  
He was falling in love.  
Her eyes met his and they locked for a moment, the same that happened on top of Appleridge Cliff. She spoke this time to him,  
“Hello there stranger, I’m-“  
“Applejack,” he interrupted. The rest of the Apple family looked puzzled, but Applejack stayed calm.  
“I believe we’ve met.” She said, smiling. Flarestrike didn’t know what to do, so he replied.  
“My name is Flarestrike, I’m new here in town, your family has invited me over to stay for supper…I hope this is okay with you?” Applejack was flattered with such foreign manners in the stallion: how she knew that it was the same pony as on the ridge she did not know, all she could think about was the blood in his eyes and the painful scar on his face.  
“If y’all wouldn’t mind, the suppers getting cold.” The big pony muttered.  
“Of course, my apologies.” Flarestrike told the group as the family took seats at the table.
“Thank you very much for the meal miss Grannysmith, I’ve never had an apple pie that good before!” Flarestrike exclaimed happily, which wasn’t normal of him. “But I really should be getting home now.” And where exactly is that, you moron? Flarestrike thought to himself. Applebloom seemed to see right through him,  
“Do you even have a place to stay tonight mister?” the young filly piped.  
Flarestrike hesitated, the last thing he wanted was to inconvenience this family who barely knew who he was, and in the event Crysalis found him, he quickly shook the thought out of his head.  
“Well we do have a guest room available…do you need somewhere to stay?” asked the large stallion.  
Flarestrike excepted and was led to his room by Applebloom. After climbing into the covers, Applebloom wished him a good night.  
“Thanks for comin’ to our farm mister, its been a while since weve had guests.”  
Flarestrikes eyes began to flutter shut, and when he blinked he nearly threw up his heart  
Applebloom had been replaced by an ugly, tall alicorn, completely dark in color, save the mossy mane and insect like wings. It was his worst nightmare. His mother.  
I TOLD YOU THAT YOU WOULD NEVER ESCAPE! The figure screeched rushing at him, before the figure impacted him, Flarestrike screamed.   
He woke up.  
It was all just a dream, thank Celestia. An inconvenient truth struck him. He had to do something. His feelings for Applejack were to great at this point and if the bitch harmed her...he could never forgive himself. He knew what he had to do.  
Applejack woke up tiredly. Too much cider commanded her as she tiredly walked to the bathroom. Doing her business as usual, she returned to her bed, but stopped at the entrance to the next hallway. The guest room was the last door on the right. Curiosity kept luring her to his secret life…she approached the room. Opening the door a crack she peered inside.  
The bed was empty, and the window open, a breeze entering blowing he hair to one side. He just…left… she felt like crying. She shook away the sadness, looking out the window, she noticed a fire illuminating against the apple trees. Not caring for her coat, she stormed outside. He’s not getting away this easily.  
Applejack approached the camp fire to see Flarestrike lying down shivering, it was a quiet night, a cold night. Flarestrike spoke, scaring Applejack  
“You don’t have to sneak up on me like that you know…why are you here?”  
“Y’all need to start by telling me why you left. We would have all been worried sick!” Flarestrike sighed, knowing the Earth pony wouldn’t understand.  
“I just wanted to get some air, that’s all.” Applejack laughed.  
“For a pony that wants some air your over here shivering.”  
“I don’t feel the cold…I’ve embraced it…the loneliness, not belonging…hated…”  
Applejack froze…something was bothering him…  
“Do you mind if I sit with you, I’m a little cold myself.”  
“help yourself.” Flarestrike implied. Applejack approached the unicorn slowly, then sat a few feet from him. She was still curious about this stranger, looking onto his curled up body as he looked into the night breeze. The wind was picking up now, chilling her to the bone. Flarestrike noticed her, mostly because of the loud chattering of her teeth. Even in the bitterness of the cold she still held the upmost beauty of any creature in Equestria. The fire was dying out quickly, and soon the embers no longer illuminated her face. If only he knew of the feelings she had for him.  
A sudden gust of chilly wind blew out the fire, and now Flarestrike felt the cold air reach his bones. Looking over at Applejack, he noticed her eyes had shut, she was so cold..alone…scared.  
He couldn’t take it any longer.  
Flarestrike stood up and trotted over to her, and sat down with her spine to his gut, their pelts touching for the first time. Warmth swept over Applejacks body, rejuvenating her. As she looked up at him their eyes met. All surroundings seemed to die out as deep emerald eyes penetrated through Flarestrike. He hadn’t even realized the wind die out and clouds clear, revealing a dim glow illuminating their faces. Once again Flarestrike felt feelings for this mare, feelings of desire...  
Feelings of Love.  
He tried to break the silence, anything to make this experience any less akward.  
“You looked cold so I thought that I’d…”  
He was interrupted as Applejack reached her head up just enough to plant a kiss firmly on his lips, surprising him.  
He recoiled in confusion, but once he got a grasp on what was happening, he relaxed. He moved his head forward, closing his eyes and kissing her back. After several seconds she pulled away, a guilty look on her face.  
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to do that…it’s just…”  
Before she could finish, Flarestrike moved in for a second kiss, and she turned to face him, her belly touching his, in an effort to pull him closer, which in response Flarestrike wrapped a hoof around her waist and pulled her in, kissing her under the ivory moon.
Lying in the fields, the grass whistled in the cold night as the only two heat sources for a kilometer radiated. Their passion fueled their embrace, and the stallion and mare held each other for what seemed to be an eternity. Until an idea arose from the orange mare. She had a hesitant moment before getting up from Flarestrike’s warmth. It was like leaving the comfort of one’s bed when they know that there is a cold world outside their door. The idea Applejack had, however, was worth stepping outside for. A knowing smile appeared on her face. “Hey now, c’mon…I don’t think I’ve shown you my room.” She led the way over the dark hill, and she faded out of the radius of Flarestrike’s light. He attempted to catch up, yelling, “Applejack, wait up!” He began to run, chasing the lovely mare throughout the hollow. Trees appeared seemingly out of nowhere, jumping from the darkness. Flarestrike attempted to keep up. “Applejack!” Flarestrike watched in horror as the love of his life escaped from his sight through the foggy wood. He kicked at the stones on the mossy earth below him. His fury lit up the night, causing the reach of light to dilate. But the mare was nowhere in that light. “I let her get away,” he bellowed into the dreary twilight. A voice came from nowhere, “You let her get away…” Flarestrike’s ears perked. The scowl returned to his face. Mother. Her face appeared in a tree. “Miss me? I bet you did, Flarestrike. What did I tell you about running amok with the common fillies?” Flarestrike gave into Mother’s baited reply. It was obvious she had a comeback for whatever Flarestrike said, but he felt his voice was needed to be heard. He projected, to the tree, “She’s not a common filly. She is the perfect mare. The one I need in my own life, not just to fulfill some BLASPHEMIC PROPHECY! And I need to find her to tell her so!” Mother feigned an evil chuckle. She was without a response for a bit, but she finally replied. “Don’t you see she is running from you? If you need her so much, why do you let her run? Why do you stand and talk to trees? You always were foolish, but the lack of willpower…tsk, tsk my student.” Flarestrike began to trot, taking on a head of steam as the trees laughed at him. His light that emanated from him revealed more trees, and he evaded them. The forest seemed to have no end. The trees, mocked him as he ran on and on, pursuing his love. He noticed a light, not his own, but a latern light swinging from outside. It must be the one on the Sweet Apple Acres’ barn. He raced towards it, thrashing like a beast to accelerate. His breath became audible, but he didn’t care. He pressed onwards, endangering his own health. The last of the trees scorned him, “You will never fulfill the prophecy! And when you don’t, she and Equestria will fall.” He burst through the growth with a war cry, and he pummeled on forward. He braked hard in front of the barn, but he used it as a protective wall to soften the damage. He leaned against the façade, panting and attempting to figure out what’s going on. As he ran the scenarios through his head, he saw Applejack emerging from the woods at a decent gallop. She smiled and ran towards Flarestrike, pouncing on to him. She panted, “Whooooo-wheeeee! Y’sure know how to run for a stallion as big as you! And ya beat me to the Acres.” She was a bit lightheaded from the run, but Flarestrike was pumped with fear and hatred from the forest encounter. He concealed it quickly, covering it with a “I suppose I did.” He began to think of Mother again until Applejack kissed him on the cheek. She eyed him mischievously. “Lemme show ya my room, ‘winner’.” Flarestrike returned to his normal, lovestruck status. “Lead me, dear Applejack. But I get to open the door for you first.”
As promised, Flarestrike held each door that came open for her. She said “Thank ya,” each time until the last door to her room. “Oh, fer Pete’s sake. I can open a few doors mahself. Don’t need y’all hanging around to do that for me.” Flarestrike condescendingly grinned, “Applejack, when I am around, you need not lift a hoof.” She squeaked a giggle under her breath. Flarestrike heard it, but he allowed Applejack to open her bedroom door. Everything in that room smelt of hickory and the farm itself, with a sweet unknown aroma. Flarestrike only needed another sniff to determine it. Apples. Applejack hung her cowgirl hat on the rack, which was adorned with paintings of apples. She took a few steps forward before realizing Flarestrike was awkwardly hanging around in the doorway. She turned, confused, “What in the hay are you doin’?” Flarestrike stated, “I am never allowed inside a mare’s room without their explicit permission.” Applejack lied down on her bed, decorated with a green quilt sewn with, what else, apples. She eyed him with those emerald eyes that got his heart beating. “Ah. Well then, I hereby give you ‘explicit permission’ to come in to mah room. And, I give ya ‘explicit permission’ to stay as long as you’d like.” She made a motion for her bed, rubbing her hoof in long figure eights. Flarestrike felt welcome. And in time to fit in a bit more embracing.
As soon as Flarestrike had situated himself onto the other side of the bed, Applejack layed her head down on his front hooves so that his hooves cradled the long, blonde ponytail. “Hey, mister, I’ve got some more questions for you.” Flarestrike got the hint. “Fire away,” he said. Applejack rolled herself so she was right-side up again. She smiled the radiant smile. She ran her hooves on the length of his arm that tingled to the bone. “How’d a big, strong unicorn like yerself end up in Ponyville?” Flarestrike thought about telling the truth. But what did the truth make him? A monster? Or a hero? He cut corners. “It’s quite a long story. I’m not sure you would want to hear it out in its entirety.” Applejack extended her hoof to his face, silencing him. She smiled the devilish smile that made his heart soar into overdrive. “Well, we’ve got plenty of time to hear it.” She lowered her hoof down from his square snout, down his chin, onto his chest, and down, down, down…
Flarestrike knew where this was headed. He flipped himself onto Applejack, and she was taken by surprise by his sudden change of character. He went from being a stiff, moral-stickler to a real romantic. What could have brought this change? He had Applejack nearly pinned, and he was able to read her mind. Not part of his unicorn powers, but by reading the look on her face and knowing what he must do. He leaned in on the smiling farmer filly, and said in a hushed voice, “You really know how to change a stallion, Applejack.” He took his hoof and ran it down the side of her beautiful face and onto her ribcage. Her heart was in overdrive as well. She was just as anxious as he was. She looked at Flarestrike with captivated eyes. He purred, “I was a foreigner, a lost sovereign on a journey for himself. And I found you. You and your family saved me. But you know only one part of me. A side in which I’ve shown you. My power for good, the glory, the praise, the etiquette. All included. But you, Applejack,” he said, leaning in ever closer. Applejack pursed her lips for a kiss, and Flarestrike accepted. It had cut into his speech, but he was too excited. That’s when Applejack wrapped her mighty apple-bucking legs around his waist and away they went. They rolled on the bed, crossing lips, igniting flames, becoming one heart. They kissed so passionately that sometimes they’d take small intervals for breathing, but even during those intervals the other party wanted more and brought them back. They had made their way to the center of the bed. Only kissing had occurred, but it felt like a lifetime together. And it was beautiful. Flarestrike was lost in her eyes. He smiled, “Mind sitting up for a second?” Applejack silently obliged, her mane a bit ruffled from the rolling. Flarestrike reached around the back of her head, picking up from where he had left off. “But you, Applejack. You and you alone are about to discover my dark side. Not everything I do is dignified and civilized, y’know? I do tend to have an…aggressive standpoint on things I’m passionate about.” Applejack leaned in, her whole face glowing. Everything else but that bed disappeared. “An’ you’re saying you’re passionate about little ol’ me?” He leaned in closer. No kiss this time. Applejack knew he was building up for a climax. He had such a way with words. “More than just that, Applejack. If I may, I’d like to show you how I feel about you.” He grabbed exactly what he was searching for. Applejack asked the last question she’d ever ask that night to him: “How?” Flarestrike, on cue, pulled the velvet red ribbon out of her mane and a cascade of blonde tumbled over her shoulders. He set aside the ribbon on the bedside stand. He leaned over to her right ear, which was tingling with nerves. Every fiber of his being went into his answer. The darkness from his dying heart boosted the power in his voice as he whispered, “With the animal you can make me become.”
He pressed his face into Applejack’s, pinning her to her bed. His eyes lit as they watched Applejack take the full brunt of his kiss. Almost cringing from the power. But he was not done yet. Applejack’s legs swung instinctively around him, which would have submitted him to another onslaught of kisses. But he was much beyond that. With minimal effort, the monster swung her legs off his waist and kept them down with his knees. She was immobilized, but she had a blissful, adrenaline-filled emotion on her beautiful face. Darkness crept out of Flarestrike’s voice, making him seem darker. “Open those beautiful eyes, Applejack. As this is the power I am capable of!” She shrieked with delight as she looked at Flarestrike. He was the same stallion who had to ask to go inside her room. How could this be? She didn’t care. Everything was as she had dreamt it would be. And now, the climax. The finale. She spread her virgin legs, revealing the pink flesh that awaited a strong stallion to penetrate. She clenched Flarestrike’s back as best she could with her sweaty hooves. “No mercy,” she screamed. “Hit me with all ya got!” With gusto, he thrust his penis into her, taking great satisfaction on the first strike. She winced, but seemed all the more excited in seeing pleasure in the pain. “Yes, more,” she demanded, “more!” Flarestrike didn’t need an invitation. He continuously pounded the mare’s insides while keeping her body completely still, restrained by his massive force. She begged for more, more. It was glorious, wild, exciting, everything magazines made it out to be. Beautiful, orchestrated, pleasurable, nothing else could emulate this feel. With all her power, she swapped her hand position to his buttocks, begging him to ride her harder. He complied, thrusting his massive unicorn shaft inside her. She began to orgasm. “Yes, yes, yes!” Flarestrike was on the biggest high of all. The darkness fueled him to go deeper, faster, stronger, harder. He did not slow or lose steam. He continued to pound away at Applejack’s tight, virgin innards. The power from the darkness was beginning to hurt Flarestrike. He felt like he was on a treadmill on full speed and could not lower the speed. The darkness only wanted to go deeper, faster, stronger, harder. Inside his head, he cried, “Stop! That’s enough, you’ll hurt her!” But the darkness pounded away. Applejack was oblivious, still pushing on Flarestrike’s buttocks to push more force into each brutal blow. Flarestrike bargained tirelessly. “Please, I beg of you! Leave her be!” Finally, he ejaculated into her, the flow of semen oozing out the tip of his unicorn shaft. She was panting, breathless. Sweat formed on her face as a thin streak of blood trailed from the once untouched flesh that he was faced with about 30 minutes ago. The darkness relinquished control of him, and he returned to normal. He worriedly looked over the body he and the darkness had ravaged. “It was foolish of me to summon the darkness at a time like this!” he said to himself. “Applejack! Please! Are you okay?! I didn’t mean to hurt you or n-“ Applejack’s frantic eyes opened, “I’m better than O-KAY! I feel like a brand new mare!” She kissed Flarestrike under his neck. “You weren’t so bad yourself! Err, I mean, if’n you’ve done this before.” Flarestrike looked at his hooves. “It wasn’t me who had done this before.”
At this point in time the two ponies were tired, and with heavy eyes Applejack fell onto the bed curlying up and shutting her eyes followed by Flarestrike, who curled up right next to her. Before he could udder a goodnight, AJ as deep into slumber, leaving Flarestrike the only conscious soul in a house filled with sleeping ponies. He turned his attention to his love, lying on the soft bed, the pillow giving her bed mane, a clear representation of how tired she truly was. He gazed over her, only being able to make out her body because of the complete darkness, despite this she was still beautiful. He was now feeling tired, and lay his head down next to hers, nuzzling the back of her neck with his snout, kissing her next to her ear, he spoke quietly.  
“Applejack, the events that happened tonight meant the world to me…if only you could now of my true orgins…but…but…” a tear streamed from his scared eye, he wanted desperately to be honest with her. “…its not safe to tell you Applejack…and I want so desperately to be honest with you, just like you have been honest with me in the time weve known each other…honesty being something I have been deprived of for so long…” all of this was happening to him to quickly. First mother abandoning him from The Hive, followed by all of those years on his own…and stumbling into a town that greeted him…and this mare… tears were now streaming from his eyes, evaporating everytime thy touched his searing wound. He was sputtering now.  
“what I want to say is…Applejack….I…” he knew what he wanted to say, and he knew it was meant to be. He took one last long look at her and closed his eyes, pooling the tears in his eyes.  
“I Love You”  
His heart was bursting, feeling relief of letting her know, but the dark incentive deep inside him having it’s own plans.  
Fool! A raspy voice that sounded like a combination of his mothers and his own. Their was a buzzing deep inside his brain, hurting him further as his scar screamed hatred at him. But none of this mattered, because he knew he words were true, and nothing could change that.  
AJ stirred, and the pain stopped. Flarestrike was focusing on her now, even the crickets silenced for this moment.  
Her mouth open letting out a muffled and sleepy voice,  
“I Love You Too”

//-------------------------------------------------------//
                        I Need You                         
//-------------------------------------------------------//
I Need You
The emotion inside of Flarestrike was unmatched in that moment, nothing else could have made this more perfect. Tears of joy were streaming from his face, occasionally falling onto the sleeping ponies pelt, and quickly drying up in the presence of his warmth.   
However  
Something deep inside him was disagreeing with him  
NO! the voice was clearer now. You have disobeyed my orders, and for this you shall pay!  
Wind swept through the wind chilling even him, his eyes widened as the windows opened with a loud thud. He looked worriedly down at his partner  
Sleeping like an angel.  
Peering outside he could see nothing but darkness and the steady, yet eerie wind blowing into his face, whispering to him  
Now you BOTH will pay  
He ignored these warnings, mother could never touch him and he knew that. Flarestrike yawned now, it was very early in the morning now and he hadn’t had much sleep in a long time. He shut his eyes to go to sleep when a voice once again filled his head
Bed so soon honey? We wouldn’t want anything bad to happen while your…dreaming…would we? Her voice sounded like poison to him  
You leave her out of this you bitch! He spat back, his thoughts flaring in his head, burning the scar of his.  
He knew damn well why he couldn’t go to sleep. She could influence him and…It…could control him.  
But he was so tired, Flarestrike fought back on his drowsy eyes, biting his hoof now and again to stay awake. But his consciousness was fading, and he soon shut his eyes and fell deep into sleep.  
Sweet dreams, my son…and…don’t let the bed bugs bite.
Flarestrike fell with a painful thud onto a cold floor. His head was spinning, heart beating, ribs aching and he couldn’t even stand up right. Opening his eyes, he could see what seemed to be a dark cave enveloped in a dim green light that hurt his eyes. Somehow this all seemed…familiar. When his ears stopped ringing he could hear an insect like buzzing from underfoot, standing up he noticed what he was surrounded by a horde of squirming, buzzing Changlings.  
“FUCK!” he screamed with anger, as the entire legion charged atop him. Anger and rage quickly filled his ringing head as he released a flaming typhoon from his burning horn. Thousands of charred bodies flew every which way as the energy hit the swarm head on, but they kept coming regardless. He released more energy, and his eyes glowed a fiery gold  
No…no… his thoughts were interrupted by another being inside of him, releasing an inner demon, laying dormant for ages  
YES! The creature screamed, and his scar streached another inch down his eyes, blood and fire bursting from the reopened wound. Flarestrike tried to scream in pain, but nothing came out. The demon was now in control, his body shut down as he heard mother let out a diabolical laugh and the swarm of Changlings swept over him like a wave, then held him like a vice grip as the Queen closed in on him.  
“You truly thought you could avoid me for ever my little friend? I thought I trained you not to be so foolish!”  
“LET GO OF ME YOU DISGUISTING BITCH!” his voice was not even his anymore, after speaking he shuddered that such a noise had come from his mouth. His head stirred, the demon punishing him for talking back.  
“Now you and that little mare of yours will burn! Along with the rest of your little town! And after that, all of EQUESTRIA!”  
Flarestrike shook with anger, his eyes were flaring and his scar was bubling warm blood. He wanted to hit this monster with all his might, and just like that the demon left, unleashing his fury. Flarestrike screamed as he though about killing the insect he called his mother when he heard Applejack scream, and he was instantly brought back to reality.
The orange mare sat in the corner, with a long burn from her foreleg. Flarestrike awoke, with blood pouring from his scar onto the apple quilt as he gazed in horror as Applejack cradled her wound, a burning gash bubling with blood.  
“A….Applejack…are you-“  
“GIT AWAY FROM ME YA MONSTER!” she screeched, tears streaming from her eyes, “GIT OUTA MAH HOUSE!”  
He stood there for a second until he realized what had happened and bolted out left in a flash of bright light, reappearing in the tree clearing where he had sat with Applejack just a few hours before.   
______________________  
The sky was brightening up now, though the sun had not shown its face just yet, but Celestia was most likely preparing for the event.   
How could all of this get out of hand so quickly? What had even happened to Applejack? Too many thoughts were running through Flarestrikes’ head as he walked down the market street where he had first met Applebloom. He couldn’t even begin to think about what she may tell them. He thought harder into the nightmare he had. He must have burnt her by accident in his struggle within his own mind. He cursed under his breath. He knew this was all the doing of his mother, but the thought knowing that it was only a matter of time before she wrecked her havoc was not of concern to him.  
He had just let the love of his life fall out of his hands, wisped away by a simple mistake. He thought back to earlier, when he had met her. On the cliff side, her pelt glowing in the setting sun.   
Flarestrike tried to pull himself back into reality. It was now apparent to him that not a single soul was awake in the town. Turning around he even noticed that the lights in the house on Sweet Apple Acres were off, implying that all was still peaceful. Lets just hope to keep it that way. Flarstrike sat himself down on a park bench and looked into a small puddle being formed beneath his face. He suddenly realized that this puddle was not rain water, or even water at all. The steady dripping from his bleeding scar was staining the ground red, but still reflecting like a mirror in the rising sun. He was lost, alone, heartbroken, and now crying blood. He tried to laugh at the thought but couldn’t udder a chuckle. Instead he let out a childish sob and dug his head into his forelegs, letting the blood stain his pelt.  
Suddenly a strange but farmiliar force was in him. A voice tryin to speak to him.  
What wrong my little colt, did you have your heart broken? Oh wait…for that to happen you need to have one to begin with! Flarestrike had no time for these games. Her presense was just a bother at this point, nothing else mattered to him. How ever the voice didn’t like that too much.  
LISTEN TO ME WHEN IM SPEAKING YOU BRAT!  
Flarestrikes brain ached as the voice burrowed in to his memories, until it found something.  
The night he and Applejack made love.  
You…Did…NOT! The voice was shrieking now. Thunder crashed overhead as Celestias rising sun was covered by a dark cloud.  
Flarestrike shoved Crysalis out of his head, for he knew what was going on.  
She was coming.
Applejack jumped as the wind ripped open the windows and doors all throughout the house. She even heard Applebloom yelp in fear from across the hall. As she tried to stand a searing pain in her flank.  
“Oh yea…almost forgot.” Her mind began to retrace the thoughts of Flarestrike, but she shook them off hatefully. She had more important things to worry about right now, like this hell of a hurricane that just seemed to show up. Running out the front door, she looked down onto Ponyville, almost everpony was awake now, running every which was to clear things off the street or boarding up their doors.  
The storm was fierce now, but something wasn’t right. She felt a connection with this storm…like the storm hated her. A vicious gust of wind aimed right for her blew her hat off of her head as the rest of the Apple family headed to the cellar. She tries to grap it but misses, and is caught by surprise by a figure behind her.
Applejack turns to a panicked Flarestrike, who gripped her leather cowgirl hat in his mouth. The two are motionless for a moment, looking into each tohers eyes like they did all those times before, but both knowing this time it was different. He stepped towards her with determination, but she pressed on.  
"Get away from mah family!" Applejack screams into the torrent. Flarestrike tries to reason with her, but he can't speak because the hat is in his mouth. Before he can do anything she reaches the Apple Cellar and gets in quickly. Laying the hat down Flarestrike tries to yank open the door, but to no avail.  
“Applejack! Theres something I need to tell you!” His horn glows a fiery orange as the door creaks open, reveiling a scared Apple family guarded by one wild-eyed Applejack.  
"Applejack, please! Equestria needs you! I NEED YOU!" in response the a gust of wind blows past, trying to pull him up into the air befoe he wraps a hoof around the door hinge. Looking back he gasps as a dark vortex screams over head, covering Ponyville. He turns his attention back to Applejack, still the more important being in this situation as well as any other.  
"Are ya crazy?!" She screams back to him, struggling to keep her voice louder than the whipping winds all around.  
"I'm not crazy, Applejack..." he stopped, choking from deja vu. That night, that beautiful night was when he had given the dark power full reign of his body.  
" But you know only one part of me. A side in which I’ve shown you. My power for good, the glory, the praise, the etiquette. All included. But you, Applejack," he leaned forward, flexing to keep the storm from yanking him away. Applejack shrank back in disgust.   
"Go away!" she proclaimed. Flarestrike gulped on air, making out the last words he could. With all his might, he continued.   
"But you, Applejack...you have yet to discover the dark side. It's power grows deeper! I have to protect you, and I need for you to realize that I love you more than life itself!" The wind howled, and Flarestrike's grip loosened. He bolstered himself as best as possible, buffeted by airborne debris.   
"If I may, I need to show you what you can make me, Applejack!"   
Applejack angrily stamped her hoof down. "What's that?! An ANIMAL?!" Flarestrike's grip was on its last stand. His eyes were glowing. The darkness was consuming him. He closed his eyes to keep himself from looking at her.  
"NO," he screamed,  
"A GOD!"
He was ripped away from the cellar and sucked into the eye of the tornado. His body was ripped back and forth, tossing him around like a ragdoll as Applejack watched from below in horror. He ignored all this pain, for he knew this would be the last time he dealt with Crysalis.  
“This has gone on long enough mom!” he bellowed, keeping his eyes shut. One glance and the dark prophecy would be complete, and everything he held dear would be slain. Mother's dark influence beckoned.  
Open your eyes, Flarestrike! Give yourself to the power!   
A flash of Applejack struck his mind. It was the same image Flarestrike saw when she was walking with her friends.   
"No."   
Another flash of Applejack, upon first discovering Sweet Apple Acres. Her kindness for a stranger.   
"NO."   
Then it was memories. "Howdy there, stranger." "We do have a guest bedroom open." The thought was thunderous.   
"NO."  
He could feel the winds die down as Mother's confused voice shot out, What are you doing?! IMPUDENT FOAL! Some forced caused his eyes to open, and light of evil shone through them. But he kept processing bits of Applejack.   
"NO."  
Images turned to experiences. Under the trees, in the bedroom, his mistake.  
"NO! IT'S MY RESPONSIBILITY! I TAKE THE FALL!" He attempted to shut his eyes, but the force was too powerful. He thought harder. How she felt. Her heart's beat. Her honesty.   
Applejack.   
"I'd die for you."  
His eyes shot open, glowing a devilish red as his mind filled with thoughts of agony, all thanks to mother. He turned into the vortex of blackness and sin and shot a plume of flames at the epicenter. Mother's voice wept in pain, but Flarestrike did not fall for her pity trap. He powered on, thinking about the helpless orange mare with the red ribbons.  
"I love you."  
The voice was not his own, though quiet he could hear it ringing through his head like a bell. It was sincere, he knew it. She was the element of honesty. With passion, he poured out his godly might into the cyclone, and the winds died down. He felt his heart on the precipice of explosion, rocketing faster than when he was with Applejack. The winds died down, and all became still once again. "The family is safe. That is my mission. For you, my love, anything." His heart stopped. And he was set ablaze.  
She gasped in horror as his body melted away while plummeting to the ground. The dull body pounded the ground with a thunk and several cracks, his bones splitting from the impact before all that was left was ash.  
Tears streamed from Applejacks face.  
“no….no….FLARESTRIKE!” She screamed  
______________
There was no funeral. Not that anyone was going to go anyway. Flarestrike had no friends in Ponyville. There was nothing to bury. Instead a monument placed in a nearby apple tree clearing in Sweet Apple Acres, completely untouched except for a camp fire from when two ponies slept on the hill the night before.  
Applejack tried her hardest not to look out the window. To see the undertaker pounding on the stone monolith into the ground where they had slept together the night before.  
When he told her that he loved her.   
There was nothing left she could do. She had sat at that window all day, not daring to look out it. Afraid of what might happen. She could no longer take it, and looked off to the side, staring right at the stone structure. The undertaker had left, and once again he was alone. The tears came slowly at first, but then she began to sob and the tears pooled on the table. She did not care, no one else was home. She must have sat and cried for hours, because finally the tears dried up. She could see the Pegasus flying in the sky above, cleaning up any left over clouds from that unnatural storm. The last of her sobs expired as she sniffled and wiped away any tears still left on her face. She stared at the rock without uddering a word.   
This isn’t happening she tried telling herself. The sun was falling now, and she could spot a small flame that had been placed atop the structure in honor of Flarestrikes specialty. The process of the sun setting and darkness rising seemed to be sped up, mostly because Applejack had nothing else to do but sit. The stars were shining above when the wind picked up. It was late no, no weather patrol to clean anything up. A small gust easily put the candle out. She was stunned by this…what should she do? Something spoke out to her, a friendly, loving voice inside her head.  
Go see him.  
“But I…I can’t” she told herself. There was a pause before another gust blew the back door open, leading right up the hill and towards the grave. She took a deep breath and stepped out into the dark.  
She was at the grave now, a large stone pillar that had been engraved with his cutey mark, an orange fire ball. Pretty basic for such an amazing pony Applejack though.  
Her hoof extended outward and she touch the engraving, it was smooth but tough, like the body she had once sought out for warmth. The rain began to fall, as did her tears. She sobbed and spoke to the pillar with gleaming emerald eyes.  
“Flarestrike you can’t leave me…you complete me. I never had feelings for somepony like I have for you…please..come back…” her eyes shut and tears burt from her lids.  
“I Love You Flarestrike…And I Need You.” She sobbed and looked at the ground, rain becoming heavy on her pelt as she collapsed. Her heart was aching, feeling like it was being torn out of her chest. She spoke the words again.  
“I Love You, And I Need You.”  
Stil nothing. The pain increased before she was crying out mercy, the image of him filled her head over and over again, knowing that she would never see him again. She closed her eyes and began to slip into unconsciousness while tears streamed from her face. One last time she repeated the words.  
“I…Love…You…And…I…..Need……..You.”   
The rain stopped. And she opened her eyes, still lying on the ground. Instead of a stone pillar, 4 tan forelegs were plated on the ground, looking up the moon lit up the unicorns face. Applejacks eyes gleamed  
“I Never Left.” He replied.
Special thanks to Whambulance  
For being there and understanding me after all these years.  
Thanks Bro