Chapter 1: Applejack Lost
Applejack was bucking down trees when the storm came. The whole day it was sunny, beautiful even. She woke up at 5, like every other day. She marched down to the orchard and began to harvest apples, just like every other day. Every so often, she would see Big Mac working on the other side of the orchard as well as Apple Bloom running around with the other Cutie Mark Crusaders. It was a beautiful day indeed.
Then, without warning, storm clouds began to roll in over Ponyville. Applejack looked up and cursed her luck. To make matters worse, Rainbow Dash zoomed in and quickly announced that it wasn't the pegasi, but clouds that had drifted from the Everfree. She quickly flew back to her post after delivering the news, leaving Applejack alone with her thoughts.
"Consarnit, ah'm gonna have to pick up my tempo, aren't I?" She sighed and got back to work, but with more haste. As she worked, the winds started to pick up. Her mane was blowing all over the place making it hard to see, but she just gritted her teeth and continued bucking.
By the time she was three fourths of the way done, it was raining. But it wasn't just rain, it was torrential. The ground beneath her became hazardous, she often found herself sinking to her knees. The wind too became dangerous. It was strong enough for the apple trees to whip their branches about, nearly wacking Applejack unconscious. But she continued her work, because her trees needed harvesting and she wasn't letting any Tartarus-damned storm blow away their livelihoods.
When she had collected all the apples that needed collecting that day, she continued still. Apples were strong, but even the sturdiest branches break, so Applejack reasoned that she needed to collect as many apples as possible before the unnatural storm blew away all the apples.
It was soon after that she heard her brother hollering her name. She growled and heaved her collection of apples onto her back and made way for the barn. It was then and only then did she realize it was a lost cause.
Applejack plowed her way through the danger, just wanting to be in a warm room with her friends. Then, without warning, the wind picked up. Surprised and off balance, Applejack found herself slipping down a muddy slope. She cried out, watching apples tumble from her back and land in the filth. She attempted to rescue them, but by bending down, her last remaining support shifted causing her to tumble forwards and further down the hill. She tried to call out for help but before she could, she fell into a river.
She paddled upwards, desperate for air, for safety. She broke through the water and gasped, hoping to pump oxygen into her lungs. But then, a wave washed over her, pushing her downwards. Her backlegs struggled against the current, her forelegs churning desperately. She was pushed under again. She felt her sense of direction go all over the place, then her head cracked open. She felt her consciousness start to slip. Then everything turned to black.
***
Days later, the storm subsided. Pegasi from all over Equestria flew over to help beat back the raging clouds. When it was all over, they collapsed from sheer exhaustion. It was after that Big Mac came rushing in, asking where Applejack was. And so, Ponyville mounted a search and rescue.
Rainbow Dash especially was adamant and frantic, despite how exhausted she was. She even kept on searching through the night and continued still even when her wings failed to hold her. It was only after somepony found the cyan pegasus collapsed in a bush, bawling her eyes out, did she stop looking.
The rest of Applejack's friends searched as well with fervent passion. Rarity becomes a right mess, not caring for her mane nor her pelt. Pinkie hasn't been seen with a poofy mane since the news. Fluttershy hasn't been seen, period. Twilight has been pulling all her favors, trying desperately to find something, anything. In the end, it was all pointless. Nothing came up. Applejack didn't come up.
But life moves on. Ponies move on. Ponyville officially declared Applejack as 'Missing' a month later. Despite the title, everypony knew what Mayor Mare actually meant with the declaration. A service was held and it was the biggest turnout in Ponyville history. Every single member of the Apple clan was there. The Princesses. Ponyville. Coloratura. Countless others that Applejack affected, directly or otherwise.
They say Equus cried for a week straight. Others say enough tears were shed to flood the world. Some even say they still see her walking the streets, tipping her stetson with a smile. Whatever the tale, it all held a single truth. Applejack, the farmer, the friend, the sister, an Element of Harmony, the pony, was gone.
***
It was night time. It was Manehatten. A single pony was walking through the streets in a daze. Her coat dull, her eyes drooping. The pony, nameless, thoughtless, formless. She stumbled around a corner, not unlike the drunkard on the otherside of the street.
She kept on walking, perhaps she'll know why after she reaches her destination, wherever that is. She passed signs that she could read, but not fully comprehend. She saw ponies, creatures like herself, yet she could not interact with them. She was like a ghost, a being not made for this world. Just existing to drift, unknown and incomprehensible.
Then she turned yet another corner. This time, she bumped into something. No. Not something. Someone. A pony. Two ponies.
"Darling, is that who I think it is?"
"Yeees…I think it is!"
"Dear, what are you doing out here? In the middle of the night no less?"
"What?" The nameless pony replied, confused. "Who are you?"
"Who are we!? Darling, did you hear that?"
"I did hear, honey. Well, you know how those peasants look at us, dear. They think we're all the same."
"Hmph!"
"My apologies for my wife. Now, what can we do for you?"
"I…I don't know. I don't know what I want."
"And you really don't know who we are?"
"No…Should I?"
"Hmmm. Well, let me introduce you. My name is Mosely Orange. My wife here, is Curezon Orange."
"Nice…nice to meet you?"
"The pleasure is ours, dear. Now, let us get you out of the streets. You must be famished."
"Yes…yes, I am. Thank you."
"Of course, dear."
Author's Note
Part of the Vishapocalypse of May 19
Valencia Orange made her way to the hors d'oeuvres table and perused the selection. She was somewhat disappointed to see that there wasn't any fruit. Just flowers on bread and the like. She hummed thoughtfully, but not too loud as to distract any other passerby's.
"I don't recommend the cheese, they have a particular flavor." Valencia looked up with surprise to see a slate gray mare with a kindly expression. Valencia had a brief recollection of a classical performance she saw a week ago.
"You're that cellist?" Valencia asked, almost hesitantly
"Octavia." She dipped her head slightly, bringing attention to her pink bowtie. "Pleasure to meet you...?"
"Valencia Orange. Niece to Mosey and Curezone Orange." The two stuck out their legs out and their knees briefly touched, as is appropriate for the setting. "Why do you say that?"
"Hmm?"
"The cheese. What is wrong with it?"
"Ah." Octavia chuckled. "This might be scandalous to say, but I've heard that these nobles," she gestured to the whole garden party, "only take food from certified producers. Of course, those certified producers only care about bits and not about their craft. Hence, the cheese tasting off."
"Oh." Valencia blinked. "You speak as if you're not one of these uh, nobles."
"I'm not." Octavia smiled with pride. "Despite my Manehattenite accent, I'm a pure Ponyvilian through and through. I even have a wife." She winked conspiratorially.
Valencia couldn't help but gasp and look around frantically. Then paused and looked back at the cellist with guilty eyes. "I'm uh...I apologize for that."
'Tcha, speak nothing of it. I'm used to it." Octavia amiable, almost amused, voice was soothing. "I wouldn't say that to most ponies, especially nobles, but I've got a different...sense about you."
"How so?"
"You remind me of an old friend. She had a farm, one of the best." Octavia stopped and sniffed a little. She even turned away slightly to hide her eyes. "Terribly sorry about that, it's been...a difficult month."
Valencia instinctively placed a comforting hoof on the cellist's shoulder. She flinched and Valencia drew back with shock. "Oh, sorry! I don't know what came over me." She hung her head in shame, both from upsetting a potential friend and from completely forgetting about her training.
"You have nothing to apologize for. You just startled me, that's all." This time it was Octavia who placed a hoof on Valencia's shoulder. "Truly."
"Well...alright." She opened her mouth to say something, but Octavia was looking at her anymore. Valencia followed her gaze to the entrance where two mares were seen. A white unicorn and an alicorn no less. From what her aunt told her, she believed that alicorn was the Princess of Friendship, though she couldn't rightfully place her name however. The unicorn took a bit longer to place, but when Valencia recognized her as Rarity, owner and designer for Rarity 4 U, she had to restrain herself from gushing about the dress she was wearing this evening.
"Ah, these are my friends. I invited them." Octavia explained casually, as if it was perfectly normal to be friends with those two. "It's their first time out since...since everything, I suppose." There was a pause. "Come! I'll introduce you to them, I'm sure they'll love you."
***
"Twilight, I'm not entirely fond of this idea." Rarity muttered under her breath as the two ascended the stairs that led up to garden party. Twilight sympathized, they've, as a collective, only recently reentered society, and it visibly showed as Rarity did the bare minimum for her appearance.
"Come on Rarity, you used to love this kind of stuff. It also wouldn't be fair, seeing as Octavia invited us."
Rarity sighed heavily. "I know, Twilight. Believe me, I know." They got to the top and the two took deep breaths. "Shall we, darling?"
"I suppose so."
Twilight walked in first, quickly followed by Rarity. They looked around, immediately spotting some familiar faces. Hoity Toity, Fancy Pants, Fleur de Lis. There were many unknown faces mixed in as well, wannabe nobles, more secluded nobles, or just unrecognizable. Rarity was the one who spotted Octavia who came trotting over with a big smile.
"Twilight, Rarity, pleased you could make it." The pony behind her however, was what stopped Twilight in her tracks. A hollow feeling of longing echoed back from it's ashes. "Twilight, Rarity, I want you to meet Valencia Orange of the Orange Household. Valencia, meet Princess Twilight Sparkle and Rarity of Rarity 4 U."
Rarity and Valencia exchanged pleasantries, but it was almost as if Twilight was caught in headlights. It couldn't be, but she was there, a ghost. Under the layers of makeup, pleasant charm, bouffant-like manestyle, frilly dress, even that orange cutie mark, it was her. It wasn't until Rarity nudged her a bit forcefully that she was able to snap out of her melancholy.
"You're being rude, Twilight." She whispered.
"Ah!" She shook her head. "Uh, terribly sorry about that. I thought I saw...something."
"Oh." App...Valencia chuckled politely, though a bit disheartened. "It's alright, though, if it's fine with you, may I ask what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Twilight had to smile at that, but one wouldn't call it a healthy one. "You could say that. Apologies, but if you'll excuse me..." She bowed once and bid a hasty exit. She naturally found herself gravitating to the other side of the garden, away from Valencia. It didn't occur to her until she accidentally bumped into Fancy Pants.
"Oh, sorry about that." Twilight stammered out.
"Ah, nothing to worry about, Your Highness. No harm, no foul." Fancy chuckled good naturedly. His wine glass was on the grass, but luckily none of the wine had fallen on either of their clothes. He hummed as he picke dit up again with his magic and proceeded to clean it off with a pocket hoofkerchief. "It is pleasant seeing you here tonight, I must say."
Twilight smiled a bit more warmly than the last one. "How many times do I have to tell you to not call me 'Your Highness'?"
"Till the day I die, Your Highness." He bowed graciously which made Twilight blush a little. "How may I help, as it appears you are in distress."
Twilight sighed heavily. "It's been...difficult."
"I can imagine."
"Yes, I suppose you can. Imagine, that is." Twilight pondered on a thought for a moment. "Say, Fancy Pants, you know much about the upper crust, wouldn't you say?"
"The upper crust or Mrs. Upper Crust?" He raised an eyebrow, a small hint of a smile playing his lips.
"You know perfectly what I mean."
"I jest." Fancy chuckled again. "To answer your question, yes. I pride myself on my knowledge. My knowledge has helped Princess Celestia in many pinches before, I'll have you know."
"Yes, I've heard. She's praised you on more than one occasion."
"I'm glad."
"Anyway, what can you tell me about that pony?" She felt rude by pointing at her with a wingtip, but she couldn't bring herself to say her name.
"Valencia Orange?" Twilight nodded mutely. "Hmmm. I see what you mean. Before you pointed it out, it wouldn't have occurred to me. Hmm. Well, I'll tell you what I know before we jump to speculation. Mosely and Curezon Orange both claim that Valencia is their niece. Valencia claims the same. They've supposedly been raising her for highborn life ever since her parents died. They've only introduced her to the upper crust, as you say, a mere moon ago. There hasn't been any physical evidence of such familial ties, but it's not uncommon. All we've got is the Oranges word. It sparked controversy amongst the inner circles, myself in many of them. In a nutshell, Your Highness, she's a mystery wrapped in a orange-shaped hearthswarming box."
"I see..." Twilight fell quiet. "Thank you, Fancy. You've been very helpful."
"My pleasure, Your Highness." Fancy left the silence stew for a minute before speaking again. "If I may be blunt, Your Highness. Worrying over this silently won't help matters. If you truly wish to know, there is a simple way and that is to ask. Any speculation won't lead to any satisfactory answers, merely theories. I trust your judgement, Your Highness."
"...Fancy, you really are kind and wise. Why doesn't Princess Celestia give you a higher position?"
"Then I wouldn't be of any use to you. My usefulness lies in my position. That and I don't think I would like it." Fancy chuckled again before moseying off.
Twilight watched him wander off for a moment before reaching a decision.
