//------------------------------//
// 9 Discord's Rules/Applejack? 
// Story: Ponies & Keyblades 
// by GoneGuy 
//------------------------------//

	Twilight had sent Spike back on the train to Ponyville, and the group of 7 ponies made their way to the castle's maze. 
"So the Elements of Harmony are in this maze?" Sora asked.
"Right." Twilight replied.
"No problem," Rainbow said, "A quick flyover will show me where they are."
As she took off, however, her wings disappeared! She fell to the ground.
"Hey! What's up with that?! Where are my wings?!"
Fluttershy looked at her own back, realizing her wings were gone as well.
Twilight and Rarity looked at one another, noticing that their horns were gone as well.
"It's the first rule of our game."
The group looked forward as Discord appeared.
"No flying, and no magic."
"What are you getting at, Discord? Give everypony their wings and horns back!" Sora yelled.
"Now, now. We're going to play a little game. Unfortunately, I can't take your Keyblade away from you. But I can take the others' powers away. As I said, rule Number 1: No flying and no magic. But I am still giving you the chance to find the elements and send me back from whence I came."
Growling slightly, Sora looked at him again.
"Any other rules?"
"Yes. Everypony has to play, or else the game is over, and I win."
"Alright. We'll play your little game." Twilight replied.
"Excellent."
The monster snapped his fingers, and new hedge walls erupted isolating each pony from the others.
"Oh no!!!" Fluttershy cried.
"Don't worry! We can all meet at the center and go from there!" Sora yelled.
Each pony took off.
---
Applejack ran as fast as she could, searching for the others at the maze's center. But as she turned the corner, she saw an apple. As she investigated, the apple rolled away, and she followed.
An entire garden of apple trees lay there right in front of her, with a beautiful lake of pure water sitting next to it.
Apples began to fall and then gather according to their color, forming creatures.
"What in tarnation?"
"We are the keepers of the grove." one of the apple-creatures said.
"You may ask us one question." another spoke.
"But be warned, the truth is not always easy to handle." the third added.
"Alright, Ah don't like this, and ah don't trust this Discord feller one bit, but what will happen after we finish this mission for the Princess?"
The creatures gathered around her.
"Take a look and see."
She looked into the water, and saw herself and her friends.
They were fighting, speaking of how they never wanted to see one another again.
"No.... our friendship.... over? That can't be true!"
One of the creatures looked her directly in her eyes.
"The truth does nothing but make your heart ache. Sometimes a lie is easier to take."
Something happened to her. She turned into a grayer version of herself.
Twilight saw a new path open ahead of her. Inside she saw a familiar face.
"Applejack! I thought I heard voices over this way. Who were you talking to?"
"I was talkin' to.... uh.... nopony!" she replied, "Come on, we better mosey on forward."
"Did Applejack just.... no. Applejack wouldn't lie!"