Victory Apple

The dawn of their final day was as peaceful as could be. Sunlight streamed over the quiet town, finding it no longer bustling with discussion about the new arrivals. They were sleeping peacefully in the inn, tired from the past few days of heated debate with the settlers. The only thing out of place in the freshly-named town was the wagon parked outside the sheriff's office, packed and ready for several days of travel.

Twilight had awoken before the sun. It was not the first time she'd beaten her old mentor to the punch, but it was not the time to patting herself on the back. Her sleeping friends were scattered around her, but her attention was still on the silver harness hanging from the wall. Their prisoner had been surprised to see them return with his leader, but his first true emotion was when he broke down into happy tears as she told him that they were done running.

Twilight wasn't sure what she could believe anymore. She didn't know if any of her friends were as secure in their faith anymore. For the past several days they had listened to the refugees, and it made Twilight's heart break to hear such stories. How could Celestia allow these things to go on unpunished? She knew that the right thing to do would be to get her side of the story, but the knot in Twilight's stomach told her that the Princess would dismiss such measures as necessary. There was nothing necessary about what Twilight had heard.

She could hear rustling in the other room and looked over to see Fey entering. “Good morning,” Twi bid, “Is she still asleep?”

Fey nodded. Twilight could see that she was anxious about something. It would be wrong to ask, but she just had to know:

“Do you think you're ready to take over the sheriff position?”

Fey was silent for a moment before replying, “You're asking me if I'm ready to let her go, aren't you?”

“That too, I suppose.”

Fey shook her had, casting a glance into the other room at Applejack in her bed. They had spent so much time together, and the day before they were completely inseparable. Their last day together, and it just wasn't enough.

“I have to be able to take her job, though,” Fey agreed, “I've already had my eye on a girl who I think could make for a good deputy, if somepony just gave her the chance.”

Twilight smiled, asking, “What did Applejack say?”

“She trusts me to make that decision,” Fey replied.

Rarity was beginning to stir, causing Fey to shrink back. She had been intentionally avoiding Rarity since they returned. Not an insignificant task, to be sure. Rarity normally got what she wanted.

But she didn't seem too interested in them this morning. After only a meek “good morning” she made her way into the bedroom to examine herself in the mirror. Once she was satisfied with her hair, the best she could do under the circumstances, she turned to leave only to stop and stare at the beds. Applejack was in hers, still sound asleep, but the other was occupied by Pinkie Pie, who had obviously been there all night. And did the blanket on AJ's bed look a bit disturbed? Rarity knew she was prone to tossing and turning in her sleep, as proven during their first slumber party with Twilight, but she couldn't shake the feeling that-

No. It didn't matter, she decided; only harm could come from prying further. Fey had probably slept on the floor once it became clear that Pinkie wouldn't give up the bed. Still, her eyes lingered on Applejack's bed for a moment longer. She couldn't help but wonder.

***

The sun had fully risen and was casting it's long shadows around the dusty town by the time the six were ready to leave, Winona resting on Fluttershy's back. Rainbow Dash, lamenting her inability to fly, was still looking over her scorched feathers with a mix of woe and rage. Rarity had protruded a large hat to not only hide her unsightly hair but to keep the sun out of her eyes as well. Pinkie and Twilight were helping Applejack herself get hitched up to the wagon.

“A little tighter than I remember it,” AJ grimaced as they secured the yoke. She turned to Fey and told her, “Ya look real good in that vest, sugarcube.”

Fey blushed slightly, insisting, “It's a little big. It was always meant for you, ya know.”

“You'll do it proud, I'm sure.”

Fey blushed harder and turned away for a moment, to embarrassed to even mutter out a “thank you”.

“Take care now,” AJ continued, “And choose yer battles wisely. It was smart of ya to try diplomacy instead of running right in an' fighting them hoof to hoof.”

“It was Pinkie's idea...”

“It was!?” Pinkie Pie exclaimed, looking shocked.

Applejack chuckled. “Nonetheless,” she said, reaching forward and stroking Fey's braided mane, “Y'all did wonderfully. Good luck to ya, Sheriff Lawless.”

Fey had to wipe away her tears as she entered the lonely office. They would visit, she promised herself, or at least Applejack would- once per year, when the workload at the farm reached its lowest point. But that day seem so far away right now.

Maybe for the better. She had a lot to do before this town was ready, and she wanted Applejack to be impressed by the progress they'd made when she returned. The newcomers would need some help settling in, and the town needed a little better management overall if it was to succeed. And it would be up to Fey Lawless and her soon-to-be deputy to make it all work out.

Fey grabbed a root beer off the shelf and popped off the lid, setting it down on the table. No mug, she was content to guzzle it straight from the bottle. As she settled onto a pillow, she thought about the girl she planned to deputize. Would the town trust a former bandit as their new deputy, and would the former bandits trust Fey if they didn't have that kind of representation?

Setting the bottle aside, she stood up to go deliver the offer, stopping only to look once at the fresh portrait hanging on the wall. It had been made the day before, of Applejack and herself sitting in front of their building. Applejack was still wearing her vest and badge, but had Fey wearing her stetson for the picture. In the background, the new letters of the building's sign seemed to sparkle. Victory Junction Sheriff's Office. Fey had to smile at the obvious choice the citizens had made in deciding a name for the town.

The portrait also had a title, written on a small plaque just beneath it:

Flawless Victory