//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: Ponies of two Worlds // by Golden Paw //------------------------------//         Ter say that things were all smiles n sunshine after that night, would have been a downright lie. Every life has some pain (Just had ma first foal and I can tell yer this much, it ain't easy) but there is right good times too. I reckon ya can't really have one without the other, otherwise ponies would never grow or learn to overcome their challenges. Like the fact that I got to hold ma first colt today n there ain't nothin like it in all of Equestria. That there is life, and yer make of it what yer put in.         Applejack was writing in her new journal. She wanted to have a record for her children to look back on. She wanted them to have the full chance to know her from their first days in this life. With her first born son in her fore hooves, she was contented as could be. ‘Little Star’ Oak lay there nestled against his mother's chest. She stroked his light brown coat, toyed with his short blond mane and admired his delicate pair of bat wings. His little ears were tufted just like a negasi too and his slitted turquoise eyes had looked on the world for a short while before he had fallen asleep.         It had been a busy day for the little pony along with his mother. Applejack was sitting up in the bed of her room in the Apple family home. Glancing out of the window, she watched Shadow Guard, Big Mac and little Applebloom working on the new buildings. With the family growing and the barracks at Canterlot being no place for a newborn, the ponies had been very busy putting up new accommodation on the farm.         Star Oak gave a tiny sigh, his little nose causing Applejack to beam with delight. Finally she managed to pull her eyes away from the new life clutched in her hooves and began to write some more. If yer had asked me what I would be doin a year ago I can tell yer it wasn't this. But for when you young'uns read this, know that I wouldn't have it any other way. Your pa is working with your aunt and uncle as I write this to build our new home and he is by far the bravest and best stallion in this land. (Well yer uncle Big Mac comes in a close second, but don't let him know I wrote that.)         What would I tell yer now, Star if could understand me? I would tell yer to be a good colt an make yer ma n pa proud of yer. (My that's right strange writing that down fer the first time) I don't know what this here world is gonna hold for yer all, you bein a pony from two very different worlds, but if yer take after yer Pa y’all will be a hard worker n keep yerself in good livin.         Applejack smiled so much at the next thought that she nearly dropped her pencil. Shadow had been placed in charge of the night shift of the Ponyville guard. It wasn't a hard job, but Shadow worked hard at it nevertheless. Applejack would have told him not to overwork himself, but she wasn’t the best example of that either. She had been bucking apples and mending broken fences right up until she was only days away from her due date.         She looked out the window again to see Fluttershy approaching the new building with its workers. She had been coming around a lot recently, probably something to do with the fact that Big Mac had finally plucking up the courage to ask her to dance during the wedding reception.         They had been taking long walks together and Applejack had a good feeling that the big guy was mustering the nerve ask Fluttershy an even bigger question. Applejack thought it would be really nice to have Fluttershy as sister in law and Big Mac had A.J’s full support if that's really what he wanted.         Little Star Oak stirred again, stretching his small hooves and wings. Applejack couldn't help but look down at his wonderful little face and feel her heart leap for joy, "Well y’all just the sweetest thing ever. I don't reckon I could have asked fer a better foal than you little guy." She gave her son a warm hug and the little brown negasi briefly opened his eyes and blinked up at her.         The door to her room opened and Shadow trotted in followed closely by Applebloom. "Applejack, you'll never believe it! I got ma cutie mark!" Applebloom cried in excitement. She’d had grown a lot in the past year and her eye level was nearly at Applejack's muzzle when she was standing.         "That's great sugar cube, but try n keep it down huh? He's had a long day and is sleepin," Applejack said in a happy but quiet manner. After a moment to check that Star Oak was still resting Applejack went on. "Go on then, yer better show me it then and tell me how yer got it," The new mother said in a kindly tone.         "Sorry sis, I was just so excited." Applebloom said in much lower tone, "I was helpin Shadow and Big Mac on the new house, they were both wonderin what would be the best way ter fit the roof on and I kinda thought about it fer a while and I could just see how it would all fit together right. A picture of the finished house just popped in ma head and it all made sense."         The not so small Applebloom glanced at her hooves and began to trace circles in on the floor in an absent minded way, "I kinda had some ideas about how to make it really good, um if yer don't mind me showin yer n Shadow."         After looking to each other for agreement, both adult ponies nodded their encouragement to the her, if this was Applebloom's special talent then they felt it was right to help her explore it to the fullest.         With their approval gotten Applebloom proudly presented her flank to her big sister. The image of an apple blossom behind a crossed hammer and wrench now adorned the young mare's side. "That's mighty fine Applebloom have yer told Granny yet?" A.J asked. "Not yet sis, goin ter do it now," With that she turned about and rushed out to tell Granny Smith the good news.         Shadow Guard watched his sister-in-law gallop off and then turned back to his wife with his eyes brimming with pride, "Big Mac went off with Fluttershy and you know the other news so I thought it best to come and see how you two were getting on."         He moved up quietly so as not to wake his son. Turned out it was too late and the little brown colt was looking around his new world with his slitted eyes. Star Oak focused on his parents and though he was too young to really understand who they were he felt the love and smiled happily while giving a little gurgle.         "He's the second most wonderful thing I have ever seen," Shadow cooed as he gave Applejack a hug. He smelt of sawdust and wood glue but Applejack didn't mind. It was the smell of hard work and love. The little foal reached out a pair of tiny hooves and Applejack lent forward to nuzzle them. "So that's it fer the day?" Applejack asked Shadow who nodded in reply.         "Yeah, I don't think we're gonna get any further on the house today. Though I think with Applebloom's new cutie mark maybe we should have her start planning the next stages. She seems to be brimming with ideas of what to do and how to do it," Shadow added. "Now though I think it's time for a bath, is there anything I can get you two before I do?" Shadow asked.         "Nah we're all good Shadow, y’all go get yourself cleaned up. I reckon yer will be ready in time fer what Granny is fixin up for us all," Applejack assured. Shadow leant forward and gave Applejack a kiss on the forehead and then one to his son before heading to the bathroom. Applejack picked up the pencil she had been writing with and added these new developments to the journal.         Well ain't this a turn up for the books it seems that Applebloom went and got her cutie mark too! Who would have reckoned that so many good things could come inter the world in such a short time. This day is sure gonna be one worth remembering so it's a good thing I started writin in this here journal. Well that's about all ma thoughts fer the day down so I’ll pick up ma pencil tomorrow. Until then goodnight journal.         Applejack rested back in the bed and brought little Star Oak up to her. She just lay there for a while, looking at the colt as his unfocused eyes moved from one thing in the room to another. Applejack had helped raise her little sister and so was under no illusions of what being a mother entailed.         This little bundle would no doubt be a real hoof full in time, sleepless nights and the crying of a foal were going to be heard in the Apple home once again. But right now, he was just so sweet and precious that Applejack was sure the colt was sent from heaven.         The little fella drifted off once more, having had his fill of excitement for one day and nuzzled up to his mother for warmth and comfort. Applejack looked out the window again and noted dusk was falling. before she closing her tired eyes and speaking quietly.         "Well Ma and Pa, I hope yer right proud of us all. We’re doin our best here and I sure know that I am happy right now." With that Applejack followed the example of her son. It had been a long day and she was tired. With a contented sigh she too drifted off into a deep sleep.         Sky Petal had tears in her eyes as she concluded the chapter that Applejack had written. She wasn't the only pony there who did. Star Oak and Evening Glade both felt a fresh surge of love for their parents. They felt closer to their mother than ever, having read the story of her and Shadow Guard coming together.         There was a tender moment as the three siblings embraced and then began to put the diaries safely into a box ready to be moved. "Well that explains a lot don't it?" Glade commented.         Star nodded in agreement. "I never thought ma could ever have been so scared as to  whether to say yes to pa, I can't think of her without him now."         "Sure glad I did yer lazy foals, otherwise I wouldn't have yer all sitting up there readin history books, when yer were meant to be clearing the place out," Applejack's voice carried up the ladder leading to the attic, she had sent them up to look for decorations. "Sorry ma," the three ponies called down in unison.         A.J poked her head up into the loft space and smiled widely. “Glad you three finally found them, however there was work to be done down stairs.” The Apple family were hosting a celebration at Sweet Apple Acres and Applejack needed all hooves at the ready. 'Tinker Track' had gotten his job back and Pinkie Pie had thrown a huge party to congratulate the him.         The three ponies saw their mother, more lined with age than the pictures found in her books, but still but as wonderful as ever. The now much older and wiser mare smiled again. They didn't know how long she had been at the bottom of the ladder listening. Their mother had a stern look on her face, but this soon melted as she watched her three children smiling back at her. "Aww come here y'all," A.J  held out her fore hooves and the three grown up children came over, hugging her with affection.         "I was plannin to read em to y’all when yer were older, but I guess yer beat me to em," Applejack closed her eyes and enjoyed the moment of warmth and happiness before leaning back and turning to look at her children. "Now that's done with maybe y'all can help me put up the buntin from that there box?"         Applejack pointed out the box she had been wanting from the start and Evening Glade pulled it over before handing it to her. A.J nodded in satisfaction and began to make her way down the ladder. The three ponies still up in the loft space smiled to each other, before following Applejack down to help.         "I reckon we should keep diaries too yer know, for our kids," Sky Petal suggested. Her two brothers nodded in agreement and with that they all went down to help with the party preparations. The End.