The Preparations

(A/N, if anypony would like to help edit Aj’s lines that would be fantastic<3)

---The Crystal Mirror---

--The Preparations--
-The Messenger-

Applejack

I can never forget that day when I went back to my dimension. All I saw were 4 ponies staring at me with these big empty stares. “Where’s Twilight?” Rainbow questioned.

“Ok listen up y’all I don’t have long to explain this. Twi was kidnapped and she told me to run. I need to warn the princess we’re in great danger.” Everypony quickly nodded their heads and started to prepare for the journey back home. Rainbow volunteered to carry a still passed out Fluttershy and refused help for anyone. I reckon that she has a thing for Flutters. Ah well, I can’t be worrying bout other pony’s love lives. Not when I got armies to be preparing!

It felt like a good two hours before we found the exit to this darned forest. That aura thing had disappeared this time round, and the muddy thickness had gotten worse. The train was still docked at the barely noticeable station and the conductor was busy sleeping on a rocking chair outside. I really had to struggle to get that darned pony awake. After five minutes that pony hopped into the train and started to get it movin.

The train ride was long and painful. Nopony spoke to one another. They just stared at me to see if I would crack and tell em’ what’s going on. I wouldn’t say a dang word until I met the princess. Oh and the things I would tell that…that…bitch! Uh, I hate saying that word, it just doesn’t feel nice. But it sure as hell is honest.

When the train arrived at Canterlot I charged at Celestia’s home to give her a piece of my mind. Now I wouldn’t tell her all that I had to say, but she sure would get a mouth full. When I bucked open the doors Celestia was waitin’ for me. She had a might stern face on and asked me where Twi was. Oh I was going to enjoy telling her off.

Rainbow

Applejack was in a really pissy mood during the train ride. Like come on she wouldn’t even tell us about what happened to Twilight! I sighed and held Fluttershy in my arms, slowly stroking her beautiful pink mane. I looked at how peaceful she looked when she was asleep or well passed out, and I wondered if she would ever love me. It’s selfish of me really to think about Fluttershy and I when Twilight is missing. I just can’t help myself; somehow she always creeps into my mind. I can only wish in a perfect, alternate universe, she would love me. Speaking of which I really want to know what Applejack saw in that other dimension. I hope for Twilight’s sake that it isn’t a horrid brutal place. May Celestia be with her. When the train pulled to a sudden halt I knew we arrived in Canterlot. I almost didn’t notice Applejack rocket out of the train because Fluttershy peacefully woke up. She blinked her eyes three times before she looked at me. I tried to pull the most sincere face I could. She simply smiled back and hugged me. “Thanks Rainbow!” Fluttershy said with the softest and cutest voice I’ve ever heard
.
“No problem Flutters anytime” I said sweetly. I really cared for her and I just didn’t want to lose her. I mean even if she doesn’t want to be my some special somepony I’d do anything for her. I can’t express my feelings for her, I knew her ever since flight school. She was always my one special somepony. Every time I’m with her it’s like I feel something deep inside it warms my heart. Is this how love feels? I slowly stopped stroking her mane, put her on my back and carried her out of the train. Applejack was long gone by the time I exited the train. Rarity and Pinkie were waiting for us outside. The air was rather chilly and the sky was gray. I wonder if the weather ponies forgot to do their job. No that wasn’t it; they never forget to do it. That gate. It must have been when Applejack came back to this, I guess I’ll call it dimension, dimension something must have followed her.

We exchanged some small chit chat when we arrived at the Canterlot Castle. Fluttershy was the first to notice Applejack getting restrained by Celestia’s Royal Guards. “Yes Twilight was a favorite of mine but she didn’t pass the pop quiz” Celestia said in a powerful, princess like, tone. “She couldn’t return from The Great Darkness so she has failed as my student. The fact that you survived is unbelievable you petty farmer pony. Now take your friends and go, I do believe Twilight is still alive in The Great Darkness but for now I have an army to build with Luna. Today you’re lucky. Normally I would have you thrown in the dungeon for what you did today. But today isn’t a normal circumstance; I will need to alive and healthy if we’re going to with this war.” Celestia glanced over at Rarity, Pinkie, than Fluttershy and I. When I blinked my eyes shut, I opened them only to find myself back in Pony Ville. My Pony Ville.

-False Assumptions-

Applejack

I knew the princess was never up t’any good. What did she mean, “needed me”, for the war? I didn’t want any part of this “war” nonsense. I looked behind me to find that my friends had disappeared. Why is she keeping me here? Celestia just stared at me for what felt like an eternity then broke her gaze to call for her sister. “LUUUNA” she yelled. Luna came flying down.

“Dearest sister, what would be so important to call me here in the morning when I am most weak?” Luna said sincerely.
“I will explain later just get to the briefing room”. Luna nodded her head and flew off. Celestia then continued to stare at me, not saying a word. “You will be a strong part in this war. Don’t even think about dying.” she muttered. Without even a second blink I was teleported back to Pony Ville. That darn princess, what is she up too…
As I trotted back to Sweet Apple Acers, I spotted Fluttershy and decided to ask her what happened. As I neared her she looked as if she had seen a ghost! She glanced at me and charged off. What had I done know? She probably thought I threatened the princess. Oh brother this was gonna be a long day if everypony thinks I assaulted Celestia. “Fluttershy” I calmly spoke. “Come out please”. She peeked out of a small barrel.
“Y-y-you attacked her! You’ve gone mad Applejack!” Fluttershy quickly spat out.

“I simply wanted answers Flutters, Y’all know I’d never harm the princess” I tried to say super sincerely.

“I’m n-not sure I can believe you Applejack”

“Looks Flutters” I said these words slowly channelling my anger. “I never intended harm on the princess. Trust me or not I have important information. A war is coming. Please believe me Fluttershy; I need my friends for this”. Fluttershy stared at me with the darndest eyes.

“Only because you’re my friend, and you represent honesty, I believe you”. Fluttershy said in a slow respectful voice. I smirked and she suggested we gather everypony for a meeting at Twi’s tree house. At first everypony was scared to come near me fearing I would pounce on them at any given opportunity. We arrived at Twi’s place we all settled down. Rainbow was still not convinced about me. I wish we could of sat down at Twi’s place and I could have explained myself. Unfortunately I never got the chance. Twi’s place was locked down. Spike was sitting outside staring at the floor.

“What’s wrong sugar cube? I feared for the little dragon. He’s been alone for a few days now. Twilight’s gone and he is probably worried sick about her. And why is the poor thing locked outside of his home?

“Celestia. Hey Applejack, you would happen to know what happened to Twilight would you? I could hear it in his voice. He was having a tough time fighting back his tears. He was a strong little dragon. I remember when I lost my parents and I guess Twilight is his mom after all. I could feel the pain in my voice when I spoke again.

“Sorry sugar cube, can’t say I h-have”. Fluttershy could sense the pain slowly filling the air around us. If it wasn’t for her I might have broken down into tears. She gently approached me and patted me on the back while sharing a gentle smile with me. I sniffled a bit and glanced back to spike.

“What’d she do to the house?”

“She said it held some information on how to get Twilight back. She didn’t even look at me nor have the nerve to kick me out of my house. She had a freaking guard do it for her. I swear I wonder sometimes how she can really be a good princess.” Spike couldn’t hold the tears back much longer. He was breathing heavier and a small droplet of water fell from his face. I couldn’t hold my own either. I had started to lightly cry and slowly walked towards Spike and sat down next to him. I put my arm around him and held high tightly. We shared a small moment of sorrow before I stood and to get ready for my mission.

“Ok Spike, we’re breaking in, and we will get your ma back”.

-Tree House Discoveries-

Rainbow

I just watched as Spike and Applejack both sat that sat there crying. I felt bad myself but not enough to start crying. I know why Applejack is sad. I just know it’s about her parents. I was amazed that Fluttershy hadn’t started tearing up. She was being rather helpful. That’s what I loved about her, no matter what she was always so caring and peaceful. There I go again talking about my love for her. It’s like a tumor in my brain, you just can’t forget about it.

Applejack broke my chain of thought when she charged at the front entrance of the library. Everypony (and Spike) watched as the door crashed down and a hoof full of guards stared at us. Well heck, this couldn’t be any good. I think I should mention they were unicorns or else this next part won’t make sense. Books and tables started to fly through the air just whizzing past us. Applejack was the first to act, me following close behind. One of the guards noticed we weren’t holding back. He pulled out a knife. He flung the blade with extreme force, crashing into the wall behind me. He wasn’t done. While he used his magic to pull his knife out of the wall guard two had taken hold of a baseball bat. He was about to land a devastating hit on me but Applejack had bucked his face in. The bloody mess of pulp and flesh the used to be guard two’s face cracked against the floor. Guard one looked in shock. So did Fluttershy and the others. While everyone else was distracted I flew in and yanked guard one into the air.

Before he had time to react I flew high outside and dive bombed downwards. Almost fast enough to create a Sonic Rainboom, the velocity was tearing guard one’s skin off. Before coming in contact with land I let go of him. I immediately froze midair as I watched the guard fall. With a horrifying *CRACK* the guard’s body was mushed into one huge puddle. His neck was twisted and bleeding fast. Some of his bones, the ones that weren’t fully broken, ripped out of his skin. Rarity and Pinkie gasped in horror. They couldn’t believe the sight. Never in their life would they ever imagine Applejack and I killing royal guard ponies. To me this was different. Royal guards would never hold a knife to another pony. Celestia was also acting horribly strange. Too many weird things were happening around me. But now was no time to think. Two guards remained and Applejack needed me.

I flew back inside and saw Applejack pushed up against a wall. One of the guard ponies held a spear to her throat ready to kill her. I check my surroundings and found guard one’s knife still lodged into the wall. I gripped the knife with my teeth and ripped it out. Then at record breaking speed I charged at the guard with the spear. I saw guard four trying to block me. Guard three glanced away from Applejack to see me. If I screwed up here, Applejack is as good as dead.

I counted to three. One…two…three! I whipped the knife at guard three. He instantly dropped the spear and passed out cold. I spun around and drop kicked guard four. I ran over to Applejack and found out why she didn’t try to run or fight. A flesh type material strapped her hooves to the wall. I pulled them off with my teeth, leaving a taste of blood in my mouth.

With Applejack freed we looked around for guard four. He wasn’t were I had left him. Then Applejack and I froze when we heard it. Fluttershy had screamed louder that any normal person’s ear could have withstood. We ran outside to find guard number four, dead on the floor, with Fluttershy, standing on top of him. She had impaled him with one of guard one’s bones. Guard four had a small book in his hands. When we took a closer look we discovered it wasn’t a book, but a journal.

“Black War, The Dark Arrival – Celestia”

“Well I think we got what we came for. I guess this is a sample of what is soon to come. If anypony thinks they won’t be able to do what we did here today, step down. Oh and Spike you’re coming with us. We’re going to need all the help we can get if you want to save your ma.” Applejack spoke with the voice of a true commander. Nopony moved.
“Well then, this journal ain’t gonna read itself”.