//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 "Morning" // Story: Occasum Solis (A Nightmare's Aftershock) // by TheMareinTheMoon //------------------------------// Chapter 1 “Morning” The sun rose. It shone over everything, as it always had. Over every part of Equestria its beams pierced. Even over a small town... A small town that housed a bitter soul. The soul that never forgets. The last remaining element. Applejack’s sweat poured down in beads down the sides of her face. Being the pony she was, she was used to it, but it brought painful memories of the old days. when she still had her legs. Working finances for the farm in Appleoosa definitely didn’t come naturally. She missed being able to feel the strong wood of a tree, just before delivering a kick strong enough to cause the apples she loved so dearly to fall in her reach. but those days were over. It was Big Mac and Braeburn’s job now. She wheeled herself over to town hall to count the income for the day, as she had been doing for well over a month now. It was a hot for an Autumn day... Leaves filled the street, as well as the crowds of ponies and stallions going about their normal routines. How happy they seemed, Applejack thought. Slowly wheeling down that worn path through town, Applejack went about her own routine. She remembered. That grin... The one that haunted her dreams. It wouldn’t stop following her. It was Pinkamina’s last “prank” on her old friend... She remembered Twilight. Poor Twilight, who only wanted things to be the way they were... That night in the hospital when she... “Sis?” Came a familiar voice, “You don’t look so good...are you feelin’ alright?” Applejack turned to see her little sister walking by her side, looking up at her with genuine concern. She’d lost the innocence she once had. She still held the childlike affection that she had been known for, yet...she’d changed. The world around her had forced her to mature, and while it may have been for the better, Applejack still wished she had her innocent little sister by her side. “I’m fine, Applebloom” She responded almost emotionless. “Do you want me to push you?” Applebloom asked, eying her sister’s wheelchair sympathetically. “No, Applebloom, I’m fine...” She began rotating the wheels of her chair again, trying to get the memories out of her head, but they weren’t going anywhere. She had to get home, the money could wait. “AJ, town hall is that way...” “I’m not going to town hall.” Applejack replied, not stopping. “But...” “I’m going home, Applebloom” Applebloom just stopped. Watching as her sister continued to wheel herself home. She could see a tear rolling down her face. As Applejack neared home, she could see her brother, working in the fields by their temporary home that Braeburn had so gracefully supplied. She had told him everything. What happened to her friends, how she changed. What happened that night... He knew better than to talk to her at the time, so he just gave her a look of sorrow and continued his fieldwork. She slowly rolled down the long hallway she had grown used to, until finally reaching the room she shared with her sister. She couldn’t reach the light on the ceiling fan, so she just sat there in the dark. she was used to it. After a quick breath of air, she quickly rolled herself to her dresser, opening it slowly and after a bit of fumbling, retrieved the thick black binded book she held so closely. She ran her hoof across it’s cover, it was warm, as it always was. Applejack never questioned why, she knew better than to question what Princess Luna gave her. Or...gave Twilight. She wondered about this book. Had Luna given it to them for this purpose? Did she know Twilight would die? Or was this for Zecora, or her other friends... Or...Pinkie? The thought disgusted her. She pushed as far from her mind as possible, throwing the book across the room in a sudden burst of confusion and rage. Why was this happening? Why to her? Why, why why!? She put her head into her hooves to cry, but it just wouldn’t happen. Her eyes were already dry from night after night of doing the same thing. She tried to sleep, but she had nopony to lay her into bed, so she just lay there in her chair...waiting for fatigue to overcome her. It did. And again, the sun rose. “Wake up sis!” Came that familiar voice. Applejack woke up with a start, her eyes opening wide and trying hard to adjust to the light now filling the room. “Somepony’s making an announcement in the middle of town!” Applebloom yelled. “Somepony?” Applejack replied, “Somepony who?” “I don’t know, It looks like one of the princess’s guards.” Applejack froze. Hearing that name again... She’d hoped she’d escaped her sight, or that Celestia had forgotten about her. But now she knew that this must be about her. And she had no choice but to face it. She wondered what Celestia would do to her... Killing her wouldn’t be enough, she’d need to make an example of her. Applejack wasn’t afraid of death, anything had to be better than the “life” she was living now. But then she thought of her family. Would she hurt them too? She couldn’t take that chance, especially not with Applebloom. “Quick,” Applejack spoke, “Take me to him.” Applebloom nodded, quickly getting behind the wheelchair and pushing it down the hall and out the door. Applejack suddenly noticed the blanket resting on her legs. She knew her sister must have put it there while she slept, or perhaps Big Macintosh. Regardless, she held it close, as though it were her last lifeline as she was sentenced to doom. Everypony had gathered in a large circle at the center of town, making it hard for them to see, but Applejack didn't need to. She just needed to hear. “Celestia has ordered additional watch over this town,” Spoke a strong voice “Things should remain relatively the same. However, there is are now strict rules in place regarding the entry and exiting of this town, as well as a set curfew, which Celestia has yet to determine.” “Are there any reasons why the princess has decided to make these changes to Appleoosa?” Applejack knew that voice. Braeburn was defending his town again. “That is none of your concern.” The guard replied coldly. “None of my concern!?” Braeburn yelled back, aggravated “This is my town! I don’t care if it’s the princess’s orders, I have a right to know! We all do!” The crowd began nodding in agreement, turning their attention back towards the guard. “Now now...” Began the guard, nervously, “No need for that. We understand your demands and offer you an explanation.” “Go on.” Braeburn replied. “The Princess is looking for an object of great value to her.” Applejack already knew where this was going. “Take me home, Applebloom.” She whispered. “But, I wanna hear what he has to say! Shouldn't you?” “I already know what he’s going to say,” Applejack replied “Take me home...please.” Applebloom looked back at the crowd one last time before reluctantly turning the wheelchair around and heading home. Applejack clinging to her blanket far tighter than before.