Tempest Tossed

I give a nod, my heart in full perturb,
As Cadance fades. Beside me, Discord snorts.
"You think perturb's a noun? The word's a verb."

I drag my hooves ahead. "I'm leaking quarts,
I guess, if all my inner thoughts appear
Distinct enough to serve you field reports."

Awaiting some riposte, I strain to hear
In vain. I look, and Discord's face distends.
"You're more a cloud of dust," he says, "a smear,

"Prismatic blue and frayed around the ends."
A swallow snakes along his lanky throat.
"I blame my fear on you because we're friends!"

I'd say I'm fine but lack the wherewithal—
And then the ground is gone. I start to fall.

Extending wings, I find I fail to float,
The wind an utter darkness rushing through.
I gape my jaws to raise a warning note—

Except a solid something strokes my shoe
While color, light, and grassy scent expand,
A gentle breeze like none I ever knew.

A purple evening sky enfolds a land
Of greenest pastures, stretching off, away.
I wince as painful knees attempt to stand.

I see what Discord meant. My skin's astray,
A bluish mist between the ground and me.
Within my bones, I feel the breezes play.

Above, the gloaming shows a single star.
Behind, that perfect voice: "Well, there you are."

I try to turn, but swirling gassily,
My sense of self befuddles, spatters, spills,
Unbalances my shreds of sanity.

The sight before me grabs my heart and stills
My spirit's exodus. It's Applejack
Alive with wings and horn. She gives me chills.

"I always knew," she says, "you maniac,
That all yer fooling someday'd turn awry.
But alicorn me up? We're switching back!"

"We can't," I say. "A pony has to die.
Remaining here, I'll take your former spot.
You take my life and go. I'm sorry. Bye..."

She shakes her head. "You make a lousy saint.
And leave you here? I won't and can't and ain't."

Objections fill my throat, but AJ's not
The sort to pay attention. Muscles surge
Along her neck. "Relax. We gotta shot."

I'm asking, "Shot?" when golden lights emerge
From AJ's horn and sweep to wrap me tight.
She sucks a breath; her nose and I converge.

I make a noise that might resemble fright
As darkness washes round, and I'm within,
A part of AJ. Talk about delight!

I'm seeing out her eyes. I feel her skin.
"You ready?" comes her voice, and I concur.
My thoughts retrace my path, and we begin.

We pop and witness Discord swing an axe
Against the darkness, scarred with many whacks.