A Risk She is Willing to Take.

by CreativeCreatures

Rating: everyone
Tags: Discord, Slice of Life, Applejack, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, My Little Pony: A New Generation, Sunny Starscout, Argyle Starshine, Cozy Glow
Length: 5058

Someone must watch the stones...

She didn't ask for this. Why would she ask for this? Was it a test? A lesson? Why did it take so long..?

I do not own the art! Art made by Rodrigues404!

reworking the last two chapters

Published 2022-07-24 01:50:00 UTC
Last updated 2023-04-06 17:10:25 UTC

Why pick me?

Rain rippled through the cracked ceiling as a once beloved farmer sat at her now crumbled throne, the ruby remains of her cutie mark scattered along the floor in an ugly irony. Dust bugs and decay crept the walls like the changelings used to do eons ago. Bits of rock and musty air dotted the room as darkness sang lullabies of old battles Applejack fought with her friends. Friends, who were now standing still as stone upon their old thrones. Friends who died years ago.

Bits of the farmer's mane stuck together, hanging over her face and throne, dangling across the floor in an unkept overgrown mess. Her coat was no better, battered and speckled with spots clinging to dirt and uneven hair. The rain left an unwelcome friz on the mare's mane, but little motivation remained in the farmer to even try to fix it.

Applejack's emerald eyes had long since darkened by the years of isolation. Almost all bits of life were snuffed from the once vibrant green. Though the years continued and the world moved by, the farmer hung on to the slight hope that someone would find her. That didn't stop the hate however, the same burning hate glaring at the crystals her old idol held.
The old idol was decorated with moss and vines, all of which cracked its stone. Though nature was relentless to the statue, it did not seem to affect the 2 glowing gems engraved into the stone idol's chest. But, there was something missing: a hole where there used to live a 3rd crystal.
A large set of wings kept to the idols back, folded neatly without a single feather poking out. On top was a narrow, broken by age, horn sitting magnificently upon the ponies forehead. The pony known as Twilight Sparkle... The bringer and breaker of harmony. Honestly speaking though, Applejack couldn't blame Twilight. Seeing how desperate the poor mare was and the horrid situation the former friends were forced into, anyone would grab at straws! If only it could have gone another way. If only Applejack fought harder! If only doomsday never happened.

Applejack could remember the very day Twilight broke everything she and her friends worked so hard for. The former farmer remembered the day like it was yesterday even! Twilight had Applejack join her in a secret meeting within the library of the castle. She said stuff about holding friendship through the fall, how this civil war had to end, how someone had to stay behind…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The purple crystallized walls loomed around the farmer as she sat awkwardly in her pristine white throne, something she wished she didn't have. Twilight, in all her alicorn glory, sat across the table from Applejack. The princess kept tapping her hoofs on the stone in a panicky silence, only worsening Applejack's already frightful mood. A sickening silence filled the room fast as Applejack's confused mind raced.

“What's wrong, sugarcube?” AJ finally asked. Twilight's wings physically fluffed up in a panic. Whatever the conversation was going to be about was clearly going to be hard for Twilight. It was best for Applejack to keep her cool.

“Well… you see, Applejack. I have a plan to end this war.” Twilight started, gulping down her words in a panicked fashion. “I will take away magic.”

Silence. There was only silence after that. Everything Twilight stood for, everything the friends fought for… she was gonna take away? What about the elements of harmony? AJ wouldn't allow this, it was best to break it softly.

“You shouldn't do that sugar.” Applejack reacted bluntly. There goes keeping her cool. “I can't allow you to do that. After everything we do, we stand for, I can't allow this to happen.”

“Please AJ, let me finish-” Twilight started, sighed after she noticed an unhappy look.. Then continued. “It's the only thing we can do.”

“No, no it's not!” Applejack slammed one of her hoofs onto the table, “we fought tyrants, queens and even gods! What about when Chrysalis, Cozy and Tirek turned ponies against each other? Why is it so different now? As long as we stay toge-”

“That won't work this time!” Twilight hissed. Tears dripped from the princess’s eyes, “Listen, I already talked to the others about this and they agree. We will put the power into something. Ponies will just kill each other with their magic at this rate! This is a step we have to take to make a path to victory.”

“A step the ponies won't like.” AJ responded coldly, causing the already panicked Twilight to freeze. Applejack could see Twilight agreed. Maybe the farm mare was being to hard on h-

“A step I'm willing to take.” Oh no.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And a step she ultimately took. That very day she ‘blessed’ Applejack with being the caretaker of the very gems they shoved innocent ponies' powers into. Chaining the farmer to the castle and magic of the angered world. After this chaining the princess made it all to clear AJ wouldn’t be able to leave unless the gems were put together by a pony other than AJ herself. Apparently it was to protect the gems and Applejack, but the orange mare still had yet to find out how it served that purpose. Why she chose Applejack, a question the old farmer mare still asked to today. Possibly due to the farmer's disagreeing views, or maybe she just felt Applejack would handle it the best. Whatever the reason, it was too late to ask.

The day the powers were taken the angered ponies stormed the castle, brutally attacking the princess in a blind rage. Discord grabbed Fluttershy and fled into the 4th dimension as ponies screamed at Rainbow and Rarity. Pinkie was berated with insults by unhappy ponies, something that showed to physically and mentally break the pony in two. Applejack was cornered, shamed and attacked. Only after hours of screaming did the ponies finally leave, and one by one so did Applejack's old friends.
Applejack tried to follow Pinkie, knowing the party pony would take it all the worst, only to find she couldn't leave the castle due to her caretaker role. Pinkie reassured her she would be ok, leaving Applejack behind with false hope.

Around a week after the ‘accident’ Pinkie hung herself with her balloons due to the guilt of failing her 'purpose'. A year after that Rainbow fell from cloudsdale, unable to fly and splattered across the floor like a rotten pie. Rarity was found frozen to death by the yacks village two years after Rainbow's demise, who knew how long the poor mare was there. Twilight was murdered in the war. Fluttershy was never seen again. One by one they disappeared, one by one they left.

Discord came by every time one of the friends died, leaving a statue of the recent fallen friend. He would tell how they died and apologize, but he had nothing to apologize for. The last time he appeared he left the stature of Fluttershy, ignored Applejack's questions and left. She could only assume her friend was dead. It was only around a few weeks after Discord's last visit that the pegasus gem was taken, only adding insult to injury for Applejack's unwelcome situation.

That was all years ago, years Applejack stopped keeping track of. Now she just sat alone, hating the gems who tore the world apart, asking the mare who forced her into the prison why. Hating everything she herself stood for.

Applejack's hateful gaze landed on the two glowing gems formed to represent earth and unicorn kind. Oh, how the mare wanted to just shatter them, but she couldn't. She couldn't even touch them! Unable to leave the castle prison and forced to stare at the old memories unable to ever move on, Applejack was practically driven mad!
She had been alone for so long, the last pony to ever check on her being her sister's great grandchild. And even then, it was just to yell at her for ruining the poor fillies life! Guilt and anger boiled together growing into the very mare who sat on the throne today. But, she couldn't afford losing herself… no, She just didn't want to be alone anymore. She didn't like being useless! Maybe somepony would come, maybe somepony would find the long abandoned castle! Maybe…

Hoof-steps echoed the halls, approaching the throne room AJ sat in. Applejack froze, her ears darting around as she sat up in her seat. Was it somepony? Or was it just her mind? Her mind did tend to make fake noises recently to deal with the isolation… The mare decided to wait and find out.

A few painful minutes passed as a small filly stepped into the room. He had a light blue coat and a darker blue mane. Large glasses sat over his snout as his eyes darted around the room, not yet noticing Applejack. He had a large brown pouch upon his back, which he quickly pulled off and sat to rest upon the damp floor. Applejack watched in a frozen shock from her throne, seeing as he jumped onto the table and approached the two gems.

His little hoof raised up and touched the glowing gems as a sound of admiration and confusion was whispered. A single eyebrow of the farmers was raised as she slowly stood up, watching the dazed filly with a curious frown.

“It's rude to ignore ponies, y’know.” Applejack chuckled dryly, her voice spooking the filly from his daze. “Whatcha doin all the way out here?”

The filly quickly spun to meet the eyes of the long since worn mare, but that didn't seem to bother him. A wide smile grew on his face as his eyes practically sparkled. He began to mutter a few things before blurting out her name with an excited squeak. He spoke on how he read so much about her and her friends, how he looked up to them. How he wanted to be like them. Be like the mares who only worsened the problem.

Applejack's ears lowered as she listened to the filly talk, her warm smile growing strained. She raised her hoof in an attempt to say something, only for the filly to talk more. Every now and then she would say “sugar” or “sugarcube” as a way to try to butt in. After a few minutes she finally got a chance to talk.

“Sugarcube-” the filly quickly fell silent, staring at her with a huge smile. “May I please learn yer name?” the filly stuttered and giggled before finally speaking with an embarrassed look.

“Oh, I am very sorry! My name is Argyle Starshine!” the filly smiled again, “I came here to see if the gems were actually real! A-and they are- and you're alive! This is incredible!” incredible for some maybe. Applejack frowned as the filly kept talking, he clearly didn't just want to see the gems. He went on to talk about taking the gems and possibly reuniting the world.

“Sugar, these things are dangerous. They tore the species apart, they might just make things worse.” Applejack tried, the filly didn't listen.

“But what if it doesn't? What if we can fix everything!”

“We?” Applejack questioned, the filly nodded.

“We just need to find the third gem!” the filly was full of so much hope, could Applejack shatter that..? This was the first life she's seen after many years and he was leaving her already. But she couldn't just keep him here, and what if he was right..? She needed a way to make sure, but should she risk it? This might be the only chance left to save the pony kind.

Was there anything left to lose?

“Alright sugar, take the other two gems and return here when you find the third. We can find a way to bring back the ponies' magic together.” Applejack smiled, causing the filly to jump with a happy squeak. This was a chance she was willing to take, just like Twilight took all those years ago. But unlike Twilight, this time, the magic would be returned. The pony races would be together again, ponies would be happy again! All because of this little filly.

The filly left after around an hour of chatting. A chat the worn farmer was all too happy to oblige in. She trusted he would come back with the other gem, that they could find a solution together! He knew now she couldn’t leave, and he promised he would be back. so then she wouldn't be alone. Then she could leave the damn castle once the gems were all reunited! She could run under the leaves again! She just had to continue to hold out for a little while longer!

A little while longer.

…

He didn't come back.

Sunny Skies, Rainy Feilds

Even at a young age Sunny was surrounded by stories of heroins saving the world. Now she was one of them! An overflowing joy in the shining sunny sky, a dream that came true! The pony races were now once again together, her new friends living lives they could only dream of! Everything was perfect! Right?

Honestly, no. Something always got Sunny curious. Where did her dad get the gem of earth ponies? Why did he hide it from her?

Recently Sunny found an odd map tucked away under her fathers old bed, the reason all the questions came to light. It seemed the same as any other map, but a small red X crossed off a clearing in the everfree forest. He left a note beside it, saying that a secret sat there.

Her father died of mysterious means a long time ago, way before Sunny even learned to question what she knew. He always smiled, saying something about returning to a castle. He wanted to bring her. To show her… something. Maybe the X was where the old castle was?

There was a world to explore, and by Celestia's name Sunny was gonna explore it! Who knew what was out there? Who knew WHO was out there? Who knew what the map would bring her to? Where would this adventure bring her friends?

Was she finally gonna find out?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“AUGH!” a high pitched squeal spooked Sunny from her dazed thinking. Turning around quickly expecting danger the orange coated mare only found a close friend of hers hoof stuck in the mud. The over dramatic pegasus, Pipp Petals, wings flapped about in a panicked fashion as the pony let out annoyed wimpers. “Sunny! Why are we out here again?!”

“Because Sunny found a mysterious map in her house, remember?” Izzy quickly answered for her, “so she asked us to come along so, if it's dangerous, we can defeat it together!”

“I don't know if it would be more dangerous than these woods.” Zipp commented, landing beside an angry Hitch, “the leaves are too thick to go through, I can't see above the tree line.”

“Come on guys! Everything will be ok as long as we stick together!” Sunny smiled, causing her friends to loosen up a slight bit. Well, all but Hitch. He continued to have an angry look due to being dragged from his house at 3 in the morning. An understandable anger. “Look, we will be in and out quicker than you can say- woah…”

The group came to an abrupt stop, staring at a destroyed dusting town they have never seen before. The houses’ roofs almost caved in with wood shattering at the sides. Bits of dirt and debris lined the overgrown streets as old market places sat frozen in time. It was like walking into the past, the past of the heroes Sunny loved so much. The rest of the group gawked at the still beauty of the once populated town as Sunny let out a happy little squeak.
It was like her dreams were coming true! She could see the crystalline castle in the distance marking the town as it once was. The town called Ponyville.

Before Sunny even knew, her hooves were running to the town in pure excitement causing her friends to follow. Pipp, of course, took pictures of practically everything and began live streaming. Zipp flew around the buckled roofs peeking inside houses every now and then. Izzy practically ran ahead of the crew, smelling what she claimed to be old food. Even Hitch was getting in on the action! Before anypony even knew they had all separated to explore different parts of the town and thus leaving Sunny in front of the crystal castle of the once infamous Princess Twilight Sparkle.
It was an amazing spectacle of history which Sunny was so desperate to learn. It towered over her in regal elegance, keeping its royal glow through all those years. The main gates were cracked open practically begging Sunny to come inside which, of course, she gladly obliged.

The walls kept their purple sheen as spiderwebs and wood sprinkled the hallways. Once lit lanterns sat in the cold as the room's doors broke at the hinges, showing glimpses of the objects inside. It was amazing, a true blast from the past! Everything was preserved in their original places and hardly touched! It was just… wow!

The excitement continued until she reached a certain room. A throne room. Glowing crystals of memory dangled above the darkened room. Each let out a soft glow casting shadows over ponies sitting on thrones. One in particular was moving back and forth in a rocking motion, almost like it was scared. Was it a pony? A pony in need maybe? How long were they living here? Why weren't others helping? Sunny decided to ask.

There was nothing to lose in making a new friend, right?

Gaining the confidence to open the doors fully Sunny attempted a smile. The light shined into the room as the figure quickly ducked around their throne, almost too quick for Sunny to even notice. But, that wasn't something Sunny seemed to care about.
Eyes widening when glancing upon the pony statues, Sunny let out a breath. They were almost all there, Fluttershy, Rainbow, Pinkie, Rarity and Twilight! Sitting in stone upon their thrones, frozen in place.
The statue of Twilight seemed a little less for wear, bits of the stone having cracked almost like they were kicked. The chest had the worst of it, a large crack splitting around the stone causing the head to almost fall off. Whoever kicked it was strong, but holding back some strength for sure.

Entering the room more, Sunny approached the map in the center of the room. Everything seemed frozen, like she was seeing how the world used to look before the races separated. Towns she hardly even heard of dotted the map as it glitched.
Setting her hoof upon the map Sunny mumbled in admiration, this was the old room of the 6 friends’ thrones. Statues remained as a memorial for their kindness. Interestingly, all but one of the friends were there.

“Well I’ll be…” a raspy southern accent spoke from one of the shadowed corners of the room, “if you ain’t Sunny Starscout.'' The voice was low, almost sad. A secret desperate calling lacing each word like it would be their last. Sunny couldn't help but spin, trying to find the sound to no prevail.

“Who are you?” Sunny attempted, turning around the room in search. “Why are you here? Did you do something to Applejack's throne? How do you know who I am?”

“Applejack's throne? Like tarderis she deserved it. That mare was only good at being exploited.” Sunny's ears lowered as she moved to a defensive pose.

“That's not true, why would you say that?”

“How would you know what's true?” the voice snarled, only to compose itself soon after. “Sorry, sorry.. I didn't mean to be rude.” the voice grew clear as an orange hoof exited the darkness. “I know who you are because I sensed you connecting the pony race gems.”

“You sensed it…?”

“Of course I did.” another hoof left the darkness as a dirty wheat mane began to drag, “it's the guardians job after all.” Foggy emerald eyes shined, leaving the shadowy home from which they emerged. Sunny's ears practically dropped as the figure before her stepped into the light. A hero… no, a legend stood in complete misery.

“You.. you can't be..” Sunny stuttered, her voice growing high as her tongue itself wrapped from excitement.

“I can be.” Applejack mumbled, stepping around Sunny and plopping down on her old destroyed throne. “I see your dad finally stopped hiding?” the hardened southern accent darkened with anger.

“You knew my dad”, Sunny asked. The former farmer mare nodded. One of her heroes… knew her dad. Why didn't her father ever tell her? Was this truly real? Was Applejack alive? Was this the surprise?

“Ya, ah knew em. He kinda left me to rot here and never came back.. Like the others” stated the hero with a painfully cracked voice.

“Others…? By the others you don't mean-” Sunny fell silent, her life's goal suddenly coming into question. If her assumption was right, Applejack had been left in the castle for years alone because of her friends, But it couldn't have been that bad? She was a hero! An unmoving force! She seemed fine anyway! right?

“Ya, I mean them. Twilight wanted someone to stay behind ‘er somethin to protect the gems.” Sunny slowly smiled, causing the decrepit farmer to make a confused look. “You're happy about that? Ah mean, I guess? Ah wasn't the best of the group so it would mak-”

“No, you're so cool!” Sunny quickly cut the farmer off, “that's not what the smile was about- oh my i'm so sorry! I’m smiling because I bet there was a good reason!”

“I think I already implied the reason.” Applejack’s confused face scrunched up as she watched the mare before her. “Are y'all alright? You look like yer gonna blow.”

“Alright? I'm looking at one of my greatest heroes!” Sunny giggled, “and I’m walking the same hallowed halls my heroes used to walk all the time! Twilight lived here!”

“Ahm honored to be a hero ‘n all but I wanna know why you're here.” Applejack spoke carefully. “Ah, I think we are getting off topic.”

“Right, sorry, me and my friends came here to investigate a mark on a map my father used to have.”

“You brought your friends here?” AJ’s eyes grew relatively darker as an annoyed look crossed her face which she quickly covered behind a few blinks. Something wasn't right with the mare. It was like she was fighting something.

“Uhm, I’m sorry again but-” Sunny froze as Applejack suddenly began to leave the room, “wait- where are you going? Didn't you have any questions? I know I have more!” the hero simply nodded as if telling Sunny to follow.

“I'm sorry, ah just don't have long right now.”

Sunny gave a confused look.

"It’s amazing to have met you Sunny.”

“Hey you can't just leave-” AJ froze in place hearing the words. Sunny kept protesting. “Come with us.”

“Come with you…” the old mare muttered, some odd look crossing her eyes. Then, a small smile grew on her lips. Was she thankful? It was so hard to tell.

Maybe later Sunny will learn.

“I would like that.”

That friendship will always lead to pain.

Author's Note

Hi there! I wanna fill some things in. This story is supposed to end with a cliffhanger so that the reader can pick where it goes alike "Whats in the bottle". If you want, I will continue the story! If you have any ideas for future chapters please tell me.

A New You

Ponies raging hoofs echoed right outside the commonly avoided house. Its curtins kept shut as its door remained heavily locked, not like that was going to do anything though. The lingering feeling of a haunting hatred reeked the walls like a dirty black smoke. The only thing that was taken care of in the old house was the vast growing garden. Well, that and the constantly overflowing mailbox.

Inside wasn't much of a spectacle either. Shadows blessed the walls with a dusty exterior on almost anything it touched. Its overly organized interior did not match the hosts mental state at all.

Applejack's eyes opened as the door behind her slammed into the nearby wall. She knew well it was probably the mane 5, as they called themselves, back to ask for solutions towards another issue. They did that often. The group of five ponies would wake her up early in the morning complaining and asking for magical assistance. The poor mare was still getting used to having active magic herself! Let alone all the technology around the place! The farmer still didn't trust the black mirror she often found shoved into her hoof.

Ears twitched towards the voices who spoke over each other. AJ leaned out of her comfy chair and stared at the five. As predicted, they were complaining about another magical induced issue AJ knew practically nothing about. The only one who bothered a sympathetic look was Sunny as she quickly quieted her friends.

Taking a few steps forward as if witnessing a god for the first time, Sunny quickly bowed. A scoff left Applejack's lips as she jumped from her chair walking over.

“How many times do ah gotta tell ya, you don't need to bow.” AJ grunted, walking past the stunned Sunny. Quickly regaining her posture though Sunny let out an excited squeak.

“Right, sorry! We needed help with another issue if that's alright! Also how is it in town? Three week anniversary!” Sunny rambled rushing to AJs side as the old mare pushed the covers away from the nearby window. Scanning the outside, the farmer's ears lowered. Another example of more earth pony magic going haywire.

“It's the same thing everyday, sugarcube.” AJ mumbled, “and all I can suggest is let them explore it. Didn't ya learn this lesson already?” Sunny let out a sheepish smile as Hitch huffed.

“It's dangerous, don't you see all the buildings getting destroyed!? They can fall on ponies!” Unlike the others, Hitch was more willing to be himself and fight back against whatever Applejack said. Something the orange mare found refreshing.

“So what do you think? What are ya gonna do?” Applejack huffed, walking past Hitch and back to her old styled chair. Sunny's face squished into an awkward look as she eyed Applejack, almost looking hesitant to say what she wanted to say next. However curiosity always stood stronger than will for many ponies, and Sunny wasn't gonna change those statistics.

“With all due respect, do you ever leave this house? It's been three weeks and you just keep hiding away. We are worried about you.” For a second Sunny took the appearance of Twilight. For a second the group looked like Applejacks old friends. She hated it.
Turning her head from the group AJ only allowed a few mumbled words to leave her lips, words she herself didn't even hear well. The others took the hint though, quickly leaving the house knowing they overstayed their welcome. Well, all but Sunny. Of course.

“What's the reason why you're so distant? It's like you dont wanna talk to other ponies. Or help them…” Sunny slowly approached the chair, forcing Applejack to find the words.

“Sugar, it ain't that.” Applejack started licking her lips, having found them suddenly dry, and looked over. “It's that ah want ya ta find a solution yerself.” Luckily for Applejack, Sunny forgot about the first half of the question she intentionally asked. Finding it more favorable to think over AJs words.

“I don't understand.” Sunny grumbled before looking up, “you do care for them you just want me to solve it? Why?”

“Yer a smart pony, you tell me why.” was the only response Sunny got. An orange hoof pat upon a nearby chair as the new alicorn took the invitation.

“Did I do something wrong?” Sunny attempted.

“No.” was all she got. Applejack watched with patient eyes as the gears turned in the other mare's head.

“Do you want me to prove something?”

“Enope.”

“Do you want me to be something?” An unamused look came across the farmer's face.

“Enope.” came again.

“Do you want me to say-”

“Oh for Celestia's sake girl! I want you to be you!” Sunny froze, watching Applejack with unmoving eyes.

“You want me to be me..? What do you mean?” It was a simple question. A question that only once asked did Sunny understand what it ment. “You don't want me to solely rely on you?” that got a nod.

“You an yer friends are the new protectors of Equestria and that dont mean ya gotta do it the same way me and my friends did. Yer your own ponies and different ways work for different creatures. If ya only rely on outside help ya aint never gonna actually learn what ya need ta.” green eyes turned to the other pony, who in turn seemed lost in thought.

“Oh.” was all.

A comfortable silence soon followed.

“Applejack?” Sunny looked up, finally addressed the farmer by her name, “what about the windagos?”

“What about em?”

“Where did they go?” The sound of ponies running rampant was heard outside the windows.

“My theory,” the orange mare sat up, “is that they were made of magic. Once Twi removed a lot of that magic it must have gotten rid of em to.”

“Do you think they will be back?” an innocent sorrow crossed Sunny's face.

“Eyup.”

…

…

“Thank you.” shock crossed the farmer's face. It was a simple remark, something kind and filled with honesty. It struck an odd cord the farmer thought was long gone. Pain began to seep in wounds previously covered as the farmer twitched watching the door close.

But just as fast as it came, it left. A new feeling of hate crossed the veins as resentment grew. Why was she helping? She knew how this would end! She couldn't afford to make friends again, she couldn't afford to fall into the trap! Why did it hurt so much?

It hurt so much.