Stepping Stones

by yoshiXII

Reminisce

“I’m so, so sorry. Forgive me.”
Applejack ignored Rarity’s wails as she sat down on the edge like a child sits on a swing. She stared straight ahead, her body shaking with subsequent sobs. Her head rang while she noticed that her vision was blurry from tears and the throbbing pain. The world seemed a lot darker than before.
“I’m sorry, Applejack, but can you help me up first?”
Applejack stared at the white unicorn as if seeing her for the first time. She gazed appraisingly at Rarity before staring off in the distance yet again. “You want to know why Ah don’t tell lies Rarity?”
Rarity remained silent trying to judge Applejack’s expression. Looking down, she bit her lip.
“Ah used to be a liar,” Applejack continued, “Ah’d say that my room was clean jus’ to get to my friend’s house. They knew but they wouldn’t say a word. Since they never told me off, Ah was never ashamed. Ah always assumed that what Ah said were just harmless lies.
“Then Pa took me to a hill overlooking our fields. He brought with him a glass jar an’ a hose. He did the weirdest thing: he put a tree figurine inside the jar.
“’Now Applejack,’ he said, ‘imagine this is you.’ He held up the jar and Ah stared at the tree. ‘You’re a mighty tree jus’ waiting to bloom.’
“He put the hose up to the jar an’ squeezed a few drops. ‘Now these are your lies,’ he said. ‘Sometimes these lies can be helpful in a pinch. But even if they are helpful, they make you eager to continue.’
“Pa filled the jar ‘til it was full. He said, ‘Someday Applejack, your lies are gonna catch up to you. Ah know you are a good girl but these lies are gonna ruin you. Sooner or later, ponies are gonna have a hard time trustin’ you. Either get rid of the lies or they become your life. They ain’t harming anypony else, only you.’ He lifted the jar to show a drowned tree.
“He put a hoof on my shoulders. He whispered, ‘Don’t get me wrong, lies are amazin’. They can do much that the truth can’t do. But you have to realize those are the lies best kept to yourself. It ain’t good not to know the difference between an obvious lie an’ a cover-up. Lies can either be visions or monsters. It’s a double-edged sword an’ you’re gonna learn that it’s best not dealing with such things.’ With that he trotted back to the barn.
“At first, Ah thought Pa was off his rocker. What was he talkin’ ‘bout? My lies were harmless; they wouldn’t do any of that nonsense. But then it struck me. What if Ah was dishonorable because of the lies? What if Ah was only lying to myself in the process? What if my personality was different ‘cuz of that? Every time Ah thought ‘bout my lies, Ah found that it would’ve gone over much better if Ah had just told the truth. Instead, Ah was trapped in delusions.
“From that day on, Ah resolved to be honest for the rest of my life. Sure Ah must’ve seemed do-goody, but Ah couldn’t bear to be a liar. Ah knew Ah wasn’t. Ma an’ Pa were glad ‘bout that. Ah believe Ah was a better pony ‘cuz of that. Even if Ah didn’t know what was the truth or the lie, Ah tried my best.”
Applejack looked back at Rarity. “But what does it matter? They’re gone. Everything. My life might as well be over.” A fresh wave of tears blurred her vision.
Rarity glanced up. “I’m sorry, Applejack.”
Applejack remained silent. She stood up and turned around. Lowering her hind legs, she began using the bridge planks as a ladder. She climbed down the planks until she came to Rarity.
Reaching out with a hoof, Applejack asked, “Can you grab on?”
Rarity twisted around on the rope, trying to shift her weight to one side before crying out, “I can’t. It’s too slippery for me to hold on.”
“Well jus’ climb on the bridge.”
Rarity tested it with her hind hoof before it broke under her weight. She darted back onto the rope. Planks of wood kept breaking off until the next stable plank was above Rarity’s head. Muffled thuds resounded through the valley.
Applejack groaned as anger crept into her eyes. “Great. Now Ah know that my parents died and they couldn’t even save your life.”
Tears crept into Rarity’s eyes. “I’m sorry, Applejack. It seems I can’t do anything.”
“Spare me, Rares. Ah think we both know that it’d be best if you just let go.”
Rarity’s eyes widened. “No! We can still work something out.”
“It’s quicker this way. Trust me.”
Applejack descended even further until her hooves were on the last plank. “Let go!” she cried again.
“I’m sorry, Applejack, but I can’t.”
Applejack vented another frustrated groan. She kicked at Rarity’s right hoof grabbing the rope. Rarity retracted it with a yelp.
“Don’t do this, Applejack. Please don’t do this. This won’t bring back your parents.”
“Like Ah care. You have to let go.”
Rarity attempted to bring her hoof back to the rope. She was halfway there when Applejack delivered the final kick. Rarity yelled as cold air and rain passed her. Lightning flashed again as she looked up to see a deranged Applejack huffing with a satisfied expression on her face as she watched Rarity fall.
Soon, Rarity flew just like the rain. She closed her eyes.