Chapter 1: Bedtime tales and breakfast wails
Once upon a time in the mystical realm of Equestria.
The lands where full of life and magic. And living in these lands were equine great and small. All species had unique magic gifted to them by the realm. Unicorns with their spell casts, Pegasi with their wind crafts and Terrahoofs with mastery of the earth beneath them. With these powers in hoof, the many equines use their skill to usher in a time of peace and harmony.
But there was one group that this time was not kind too. Though their name was lost to time they are remembered as chaos ponies. Their magic was unpredictable, unnerving, unharmonious. Their kin were unloved and desired acceptance with the other species. Though time and time again they could not fit in. after many attempts of unity, some chaos ponies came up with a simple idea.
Instead of trying to please others with their way of life, how about they show how great chaos can be through a marvelous display. So, the chaos ponies when to work to create the perfect gift. It was decided they will make a chaotic creature with magic surpassing any that which has ever been seen in Equestria. They hope that its supreme power will awe any who look upon it to revel in how wonderful chaos is. But when their creation Discord was born, the chaos brought upon the land was not what the chaos ponies had envisioned.
Discord toyed with Equestria its laws abandon for his whims. Land quaked, sky dazzled, day and night had no meaning. And when all seemed at its lowest; it sank deeper. With the wall of reality weakened, outside entities from between realms descended upon the land. The dark beasts sow corruption all in their wake. Their void forms, snuffing out all attacks to them. Not even Discord could hold them back and so he fled towards his creators. Equestria fell into a darkness so thick that the unmoving sun could not penetrate the miasma below.
Hope seemed lost for all creatures. Except curiously for three species of ponies. Throughout their recent hardships, the unicorns, Pegasi, and Terrahoofs showed courage and determination. They learn to rely on each other, treat another with respect, and teach and grow with your comrades. Ironically in this darkest time, these ponies shine the brightest. And a fateful day will shower them in legend.
After a raid on one of the main camps of united ponies, they were forced to flee to the base of a great mountain. Cornered on all side by enemies one would think to give in to despair. But not one pony let it overtake them. Standing firm, the ponies were fully united in their will, minds connected, there goals completely in harmony. This act awakened a burst of magic within them. Their raw magic coalesced into their leader Aurora and in a benevolent light she transformed. With horn, wing, and legs beset with mighty magic the first Alicorn was born.
Bellowing with light, Aurora showered the land around her. Dispelling the taint of darkness and chaos towards the west. The power of the light was so great that when it impacted the void creatures, it filled their abyssal cores with substance. Transforming them corporeal and defeatable. The battle soon fell in the pony’s favor.
United under their new ascended leader, all foes were either vanquished or fled to the still corrupted lands. With the east now spared of darkness, Aurora created a barrier to prevent the approach of darkness once more. Now with the threat gone, the ponies embark to reunite all remaining species together. With the hope of embarking west to save the remainder of Equestria.
Then, crawling from beyond the barrier came the chaos ponies seeking refuge. Not seen since Discords reign, Aurora questioned their intention to prove their commitment to redemption. Sadly, the chaos ponies grew angry with their interrogations and boastfully proclaimed no wrongdoing on their part. They declared that the guilty party had already been punished. For when Discord reunited with them, they mercilessly ripped all the chaos from his heart and transformed his body into stone.
The tale horrified Aurora. Seeing that not only have the chaos ponies not admitted to their part in all of this, but had acted cruelly and cold to their own creation. So, with a heavy heart, Aurora denied sanctum in these reconquered lands. Angered by this outcome the chaos ponies lay bare a trap they had left. For in crossing the barrier, they had left a hole in it for monstrosities to crawl through.
Though the battle was quickly resolved it left a fear in the hearts of the ponies. For anypony who wishes to cross the barrier will evidently allow passage for hungry foes. Aurora with a heavy hoof commanded that a wall of stone and iron be built. Separating the lands in two forevermore and declared that the chaos ponies shall be remove from there land immediately.
Before their exile a chaos pony declared a warning, “You may send us away this day, but our hatred will remain for the next and the next and the next. We will never forget what you did this day. Are revenge will come one day when you least expect it.”
With that declaration the chaos ponies were never seen again. The ponies continued on with the decision and constructed a wall across the barrier. Finally after many battles a peace had somewhat returned to Equestria. A peace that continues on until this day.
“A peace that continues on until this day.”
The orange coated mare closed the storybook and sat it on the bed. The little foal under the covers shifted and spoke.
“Wow, was that all real mom?”
The mare chuckled. “Well, it is called the legend of Equestria. Legends tend to be a little more interpretable.”
The filly then looks her mother in the eyes. “But was it true?”
A sigh escaped the mother’s mouth. “Applejack, I don’t think you’ll like me reading you a history book to bed.”
“But why would you lie about the past. That seems silly.” Countered the small one.
The mother then moves her hoof to caress her child. “That’s what a story is sugarcube. A past that everypony knows is a lie. But filling that lie is a lesson that will teach each reader.”
Applejacks eyes lit up in understanding. “I get it, that book wasn’t lying. It just has a crummy lesson.”
A chortle sounded from the mother. “And what was the lesson?”
The filly instantly answered. “That you should give up on other ponies after they make a mistake.” She snorted. “Like I said, crummy lesson.”
A hopeful smile grew across the older pony’s face. “You would have defended the chaos ponies?”
AJ’s face grew worried. “Was that wrong? Am sorry mom I just don’t think sometimes.”
After her apology she was then embraced wholeheartedly. “No, no AJ. You’re not wrong. There isn’t any wrong or right way to feel about this. You just have such a big heart and I’m so proud of you for that.” The hug intensified. “I don’t want you to lose that heart, okay.” Applejack nodded into her mother’s chest. “Good, now it's high time this little one goes to bed.”
Being released AJ objected. “Just a little longer mom. I’m not going to see you till next week.”
“Even so, everypony needs their sleep.” The mum said while booping the others snout.
“Ok mum, just remember to write please.”
“Oh yes sugarcube, I will.” And with that she left for the door. At it she gives one final goodbye. “I love you Applejack.”
“Love you too mum.” The door to the room then closes.
Years later
Applejack woke up feeling jilted. Sheets haphazardly lay across her form. The pillow was somehow on the opposite side of the bed. AJ was a messy sleeper, but this was beyond overboard.
“Today’s just scaring me silly.” She thought aloud. Getting up from the mess she cleans herself up. She picks out two hair ties for her mane and tail respectfully. And gave herself a onceover.
“Orange coat check. Yellow mane check. Green eyes check. Cutie mark didn’t disappear last night check.” While that song and dance may have been silly. It did calm her down slightly. Today was the day after all.
She grabs a pre stuffed saddle bag acquired with all the necessities. A map of her route is tucked in hoofs reach for when she’ll eventually get lost. Lastly the “story” book her mum read to her that night is stashed in too.
“Nothing’s missing or damaged so no excuses AJ.” With a slap on the cheek to encourage her, she turns to the frame on her desk.
Shown was her eighth birthday. AJ surrounded by her family. Her cutie mark of three apples shone brightly by the flash of the camera. Her brother and farther on the edges trying to squeeze into frame. And her mother embracing her with all her life.
“See you soon mum.” And with that the room was left without its occupant.
Downstairs smelled of breakfast. Pancakes with syrup draped on them. All the family were seated savoring their sugary meals. This meal was special for it will be the last one they'll have together for a while. Nopony talked, just spending their precious seconds in silence.
That silence was cut with the loud gulp of the youngest breakfast being scarfed down. When all eyes move to her, she asked. “Can I go to?” The pin dropped.
“Applebloom, we talked about this!” Replied the young one’s mother. “There's no way you’re journeying that far on hoof!”
“But AJ’s going to hoof it. So why can’t I?”
“You’re a foal Bloom. No way somepony as young as you can make that trek.”
“But I ain't going to be alone. AJ’s mission is a big one so she’ll need all the help she can get.”
Not getting anywhere with this back and forth the mother turns to her betrothed. “Bright Mac, help me reason with her.”
The Stallion swallowed his food to reply. “I don’t know Buttercup. Once Applebloom gets her mind on something she doesn’t let go easy.”
“So, you’re agreeing with her then?”
“Am I?” (Note: this was said sincerely)
The table shook when a green wrinkled hoof stamped down on it. “Whether it’s right or wrong, it ain't our choice to make!” The lifted hoof then pointed across the table. “It’s hers!”
All eyes turned to Applejack still eating away. Simply not engaged with the conversation. In the middle of her bites, she spoke. “You’re not going Bloom.”
“But sis-”
“You’re not going!”
Applebloom shrank back and whispered. “I just want to meet her.”
With Applebloom looking blue, AJ reassured her. “If I do meet her, you’ll be the first one to know sis.”
“All right, (huff) just make sure to write me every week, ok?”
“You just better remember to take it out of Big Mac’s kindling first.” She then glanced at the aforementioned stallion. “His 'fan mail' clogs up our postal service.”
“He he he… yep.” The eligible bachelor had more than once alight a bill when disposing of his secret admirer’s messages.
“Welp, I’m finished eating. Let me wash these dishes and I’ll meet you all at the porch.” Picking up the plate, Applejack left before anypony can argue. While washing the plate she hears hoofsteps behind her.
“Can we talk?”
AJ slightly glances at the golden curls at the corner of her eye. “There's not much to talk about is there.”
“But I just need to tell you that-”
“You’re not going to change my mind, Butters.” The sound of the tap was the only sound in the washroom for a while.
“Am just scared.” Finally AJ looked back. “Scared that you don’t find her.” She then turns her head ashamed. “Scared that you will.” Looking back, she bore deep into AJ’s eyes. “But what I’m most scared of is the safety of my daughter.”
Eyes like daggers stared at each other. “For both of them.” Those eyes a mix of anger, love, and sorrow.
AJ growled in heated breaths. “I ain't your…. “Sigh.” She finally turns off the tap. “I need to do this. Like really need. I fear that if I don’t do this, I’ll have a hole in my heart that can never be filled.”
She fully turns to face towards the mother. “I would be a sad wreck around the farm. All of you will worry about me.” The stare increased. “Especially Applebloom.” Pear winced at that. AJ then walked pass her to the exit.
“Applejack.” She stopped in her tracks. “No matter what happens next. You're still family to me, ok.”
A pause then the other replied. “Just look after them for me.”
“I will.”
With the conversation ended, AJ got ready to leave her home.
The last goodbyes were quick. Just a hug and a farewell from each. Granny did weirdly comment that “It's ok to let the others know about her fear of trains.” Softly cackling afterward. But with a final wave at the gate, she was off on her own. She headed down the long dirt road towards Ponyville.
Each step towards her destination gave her even more assurance that this was right. And she knows if she was ever in doubt of this choice, all she had to do was look down at her sides.
At the cutie mark of an apple traveling into the great blue yonder.
End Chapter 1
Chapter 2: On the road to pink horizons
The road was the only constant thing along the path. Always dirty and dry, the scenery had long since changed from the farmland AJ knew. Steep hills doted the land with clumps of rock cluttered about them. Being a earth pony, she could sense the richness of magic in the ground.
She'd always wondered what life was like outside her hometown. If this is what it is like out here, then she would have journeyed out here ages ago. But Applejack disregarded that thought. She wasn't old enough for this long of a trek back then. Even now, she was having trouble. It had already been 3 days and her supplies were running dry. She'd underestimated the amount of food needed for the trip.
...or she was just a glutton when stressed.
"I may need to ration out the rest. I hope there's enough food to make it there." Speaking out loud like this kept AJ from being stir-crazy. Though talking to one's self could be seen as worse in a way.
Coming over the next hill, Applejack finally caught a glimpse of the legendary structure. Off in the distant west, obstructing the sunset was the great divide. The wall stood tall against its scenery. It was out of place, yet standing for so long that it seeped in the very land itself.
Looking upon it stirred a feeling in AJ that she was trying to hide. But seeing that monolith shoved it right in the open. Because it represented a separation between land, cultures, and ponies. And that opening can be filled with only one feeling.
Loneliness.
Applejack had never been alone for this long in her life. And she hated it. She expected to meet travelers and tradesponies along the way. But the road had been strangely absence of anypony. Did she take a wrong turn or completely pass up her destination.
Luckily, around the next turn a sight caught her attention. A wagon teeming with nick-nacks and memorabilia sat offroad ahead. Strangely the amount of stuff in it towered the wagon thrice over. Despite its mass, the stack seldom wavered or crumpled. Though it did jostle a little. In fact the whole wagon moved with its contents.
Coming closer, AJ could hear a sound coming from behind it. Though a little hesitant to approach, she stepped forward anyway. Eventually AJ could discern the sound to be a pony's voice.
"Come on, up up up. Just go up."
AJ then noticed another peculiar thing. Both wheels on its back weren't touching the ground. The wagon was in truth teetering on the edge of a steep cliff. Finally seeing the danger, Applejack galloped forward for an assist. Reaching the troubled vehicle, she grabbed ahold of its reins and announced. "Don't worry, I've got you!"
AJ poured magic into her back hoofs, magnetizing them to the earth. She then pulled with all her strength hoping to save whoever was on the other side. The struggle only lasted for a few seconds before the wagon jolted up at last. Although with no force pushing back, Applejack fell backwards. Her head landing forcefully onto the dirt. All the while chunks of dirt still sticking to her empowered hoofs.
"Ow..." Being knocked in the back of her head, AJ lay there eyes closed in pain.
"That stings like Tartarus."
"Hey, are you okay?"
"Gah!"
Opening her eyes in fright, AJ observed a mass of pink frills atop clear baby blue orbs observing her. It seems that wagon's owner had come over to thank her.
Silently, Without Applejack hearing her. Frankly, it freaked her out.
"Did you get tired after helping? Cause you were only helping for a few seconds. And I know that's bad and all but if you think about it, that's like a new record or something."
AJ realized the pink wagon owner was smiling during the whole speech. And now finished, was just staring down at her with that same smile, as silent as when she 'apparently' first entered.
"Um... no. I just hit the back of my head. It just stings a little right now." AJ then rolled over and pushed herself up. Though when she looked back at the pink stranger, her face had changed to a slight tinge of confusion.
"...That hurt you?" Now the confusion was mirrored.
"Well yeah, I probably didn't have the right form when pulling. Relied to much on magic, speaking of which." The dirt still stuck to her hoofs abruptly fell off her in a heap. The strangers eyes glanced up and down from AJ's hoof then face. Suddenly a look of realization dawned on her.
"Of course it hurt you. You're..." Suddenly stopping, the pink one then took on a nervous disposition.
"You're..... not..... wearing a hat! No wonder you got a booboo, silly." The cadence of her response was obviously suspicious. But for the life of her, AJ couldn't figure out what the other pony was trying to hide. So, in light of everything that just happen, Applejack decided to converse with the pink individual in a polite manner.
"All right then, I'm Applejack by the way." She lifted a hoof for a shake, which was immediately taken and shook viciously.
"Hi Applejack, I'm Pinkie Pie. A totally normal pink Terahoof out here in the middle of nowhere for no apparent reason." The strained smile Pinkie wore afterward did not inspire confidence in that statement.
"I didn't ask you why you're out here."
"Well now you don't have to ask now."
"Well then, I have something else to ask." AJ then pointed her hoof towards the wagon. "What's all that for?"
"Just some souvenirs from my travels. I manage to limit myself to one item per stop." AJ glanced up towards the forementioned trinkets.
"That's a lot of stops, you seem to have basically traveled all across Equestria."
"I hope so! The pamphlet I bought was very thorough."
"What pamphlet..?" When bringing her sights back to Pinkie, Applejack was taken aback by a substantial change. Pinkie nose deep in a pamphlet titled '7 wonders of the realm'. This was the second time that she had silently changed positions. Not to mention wherever she proclaimed it from.
The silence eventually clued in Pinkie to the dropped conversation. Pulling back from her reading, Pinkie's nervousness came back, and then some. But as the tension was rising, it was eventually cut off with a break in eye contact by Pinkie, her self looking deflated. Then with mutterings of "Not again" She crumpled her pamphlet and threw it into her pile.
"Look, its been fun, but I need to get going." Quickly ending the conversation, Pinkie then hitched herself onto her wagon and started off. "See yeah."
Applejack could sense the hollowness in that last statement. Pinkie was obviously running away from her. And from what AJ had seen, she had dodged a spell there. Pinkie's actions and behaviors were concerning. The gaps in knowledge, the silent movements.
And with the wagon out of the way, one more peculiarity reared its ugly head. The ground where she would have been pushing the wagon was steep. And not tumble down steep, but a cliff side with no where to stand on steep. This impossibility only strengthen the argument to stay away from that mare.
But that look on her face as she left, it told AJ what Pinkie was feeling. And it was something she was accustom with ever so recently. What AJ was going to do was probably a dumb move, but she couldn't let Pinkie wallow in that negativity alone.
Besides, they seem to be going in the same direction.
"Hold up Pinkie!" With that declaration, the caravan screeched to a halt. When Pinkie turn towards AJ, her eyes conveyed a slight terror at the situation.
"Look, I think we both know that I have a lot of questions . And I would like to know the answers to most of then." At that sentence, Pinkie looked ready to make a run for it.
"But I won't." And at that sentence, she came to a halt again.
"Call it naive or stupid, but I can't see you being some sort of dangerous trickster."
A reply came in a whisper. "You just met me."
"Like I said, stupid." AJ then started to approach the stunned Pinkie. "I seen to care more about the feelings of a complete stranger then to my own safety." Meeting Pinkie, Applejack put her hoof across her back in comfort.
"It's not hard to see that your too scared to open up. And you obviously want somepony to talk to. So lets make a promise. We'll walk together for as long as are paths intercross, then at the end we split up doing are own things. And during are time together we'll talk, get to know each other. But I will not comment or question anything you don't want to. And if everything works out, we will have some much needed fun together on the road. So what do you say?"
The speechless Pinkie's expression was unreadable. As such, AJ didn't know if her plead had worked. "If you need time to think, I don't mind to- gah!"
The bone crushing hug was not the response Applejack expected.
Her experience with bearhugs is high, with her father and brother giving them out constantly. So she should be at peek huggability. Yet Pinkie manage to squeeze all of the air out of her lungs and lift her up off her hoofs. The amount of strength from this small pink pony was staggering to say the least.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Finally Pinkie relented and put AJ down, who was gasping for breath.
"Gasp! is.... is that a yes to the.... promise cough."
"Of course I'll promise. In fact I'll Pinkie promise." She then leaned in and stage whispered. "Trademarked of course, to prevent unethical secret keeping."
The smile towards AJ was the brightest she'd ever seen. And in return she threw one back towards her. "Then that's what we'll do."
"Great, now repeat after me." Pinkie then used her hoofs to do a simple ritual while rhyming "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."
After copying what Pinkie had just done, Applejack smiled sweetly at Pinkie for the earnestness that she was treating a simple agreement to be. "Welp, looks like a deals a deal."
"Yep, now that promise can never be broken. Now and... Forever!"
Blinking at the sudden intensity, AJ reminded herself that her bed had been made and roll with it. "Now that that's out of the way, where are you headed? Our conversations are going to eat up time and I want to plan the journey ahead."
Pinkie answered instantly "Ponyville."
"Well that smooths things out. That's were I'm headed too."
"Ooooo road trip! I always wanted to have one of those when I was younger. But it was always 'Pinkie we have work, Pinkie it's nighttime, Pinkie this is the fifth time today you asked.' But now I get to go on one with my new best friend and..." Like last time, Pinkie stopped mid sentence abruptly. But this time it was more to do with embarrassment more then anything.
"Sorry, you probably don't want to be called that. Maybe best acquaintance will- "
"I don't mind."
"You don't?"
"I really don't. Being friends can be as easy as you make it to be. And that 'best' part, that just sweetens the deal, doesn't it?"
"Well in that case. Is there anything in the whole wide world I could do for you at this moment. Oh bestest of friends."
That was obvious from the outset. The thing Applejack craved from her whole being was on her mind during this whole debacle.
"Got anything sweet in there?"
"Do I!"
End chapter 2
