Day 2: Applejack
Applejack woke up early, or rather earlier than she usually did. The sun hadn’t even started to lighten up her room as she flopped out of bed and onto her unsteady hooves. She’d had a full night’s sleep, but she still felt sore and weak. She growled to herself, if every day was going to be like yesterday then she needed to learn her magic as soon as possible. She remembered Twilight being able to use her magic with little effort. But, she reminded herself, Twilight had several years of practice and training whereas Applejack herself had only had her horn for a matter of a day.
She shook her head. That was the reason she was up as early as she was. She needed to practice her magic so that it would help around the farm. She opened the door, wincing as she heard it creak and she paused to listen. The house sounded quiet and she couldn’t hear any hooffalls throughout it. She crept out her door and closed it around her. Then, as quietly as she could, she crept down the stairs and into the kitchen, looking for something quick to eat so she could get to practicing as soon as possible.
She found two apples and she popped one into her mouth and ate it quickly. She trotted quietly to the door and, after placing the second apple in her hat and her hat on her head, she opened the door.
The predawn air washed over her, filling her nose with the scents of night. She walked outside and closed the door behind her. She moved out from under the porch and stared up at the sky.
Hundreds of stars glimmered down at her, shining their pinpoints of light on Equestria. Applejack stood there, reveling in the wonders of the night sky. She was stunned at the number of stars that shone down and she was filled with a enormous feeling of reverence for Princess Luna’s care of the sky. She turned to look at the setting moon, the bottom of it kissing the horizon, and she saw a shadow pass in front of it. That must be Princess Luna, returning home to change shifts with Princess Celestia.
Applejack smiled at the sight. Princess Luna was loved more than she knew. Applejack knew for a fact that there were many nights that Twilight stayed up, studying the stars.
A small blush crossed her cheeks as her mind wandered closer to that train of thought and she rubbed her cheeks, trying to get rid of it. She didn’t need those thoughts confusing her while she practiced her magic.
She turned to walk toward the barn when she was interrupted by the sound of hooffalls on the ground behind her. She turned around and, seeing Princess Luna standing there, knelt down into a bow.
“Please, dear Applejack, we do not wish for you to show us respect. It is enough that you spend time admiring our work,” Princess Luna stated, her voice calm and soft.
Applejack rose from her bow and smiled up at the Princess of the Night. “Not at all, Princess. Ah’m just enjoyin’ the night.”
“This pleases us,” Princess Luna smiled back at the orange farmer, “but tell us, what brings you to rise this early in the morning? We are not complaining, but rather we have noticed that many farmers do not rise before our sister raises the sun.”
“Well,” Applejack started to say, rubbing her forelegs together in embarrassment, “it’s because of-“
“Thou art a unicorn, a magic-user. Yes, we felt the change that occurred among the six Bearers. We suspected that this was a joke, but when we confronted Discord we could only get that this was to be a lesson to both all six of you and to one in particular.”
Applejack looked at her, confused, “Ah’m sorry, but Ah don’t quite follow.”
Princess Luna smiled. “Doth thou knowest which Elements we held when we fought Discord the first time?” Applejack shook her head, to be honest she hadn’t done much in the way of studying up on ancient history. Princess Luna just nodded, then continued, “our sister held the Elements of Generosity, Kindness, and Magic. We were in charge of the Elements of Loyalty, Laughter, and” --Princess Luna paused—“the Element of Honesty.”
She paused for a second to let this information sink in and Applejack stood there, trying to make sense of what she’d been told, when something clicked.
“Honesty,” she said slowly, her accent giving way to the method of speech she’d used in Manehatten, “if that’s true, then tell me the truth.” Princess Luna raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Who is the lesson intended for? Which one of us six is the ‘one in particular’?”
Princess Luna smiled widely, then leaned in so that her muzzle was inches from Applejack’s ear.
“The one in particular is the one for whom you have feelings,” she whispered.
Applejack jerked back and stared at Princess Luna in surprise. “What do you mean? Why does she need to learn this lesson?”
“There will come a time when you and your friends will have to say goodbye to her,” Princess Luna stated, her face serious. “At that time, she will embark on a journey that she must take without you five. We will be able to accompany her, and it would be our pleasure to guide her in that journey. But, if she does not learn this lesson and if the mark of your destiny, along with the marks of your friends destiny, do not become one, then this is the future you will have to face.”
Applejack stomped her hoof. “What do you mean, a journey that she will take without us, but that you’ll guide her on? What are you talking about?”
Princess Luna opened her wings and leapt into the air. She hung there for a second. “We are more than just the Princess of the Night. We have many titles and many duties, several of them pleasant while others are painful. We believe she will have the answer.” And with that, Princess Luna turned and soared away, back to Canterlot.
Applejack watched her go and she saw the slightest glint of light poke over the horizon as Princess Celestia raised the sun, beginning another day. She turned and headed for the barn, determined to get the hang of her magic by the end of today.
It took her the better part of an hour to get things into position and the floor clear of hay. She had a bale of hay placed in front of her and she growled at it. She’d spent a time or two trying to lift it, but each time she hadn’t been able to move it even a little.
She grunted and tried again. She reached inward, feeling her magic and the effect it had on her. She expanded her mind and felt weaves of magic floating on an unfelt breeze, almost like silk from a spider. It flowed around her and she could feel the slight touch of it on her horn. She refocused on the task before her and she flung her magic toward the bale of hay. Her brow furrowed as she glared at the bale, finally smiling as she saw it enveloped by her magic, glowing a soft orange.
That was the easy part, she’d done that before. Now came the hard part. She poured more magic into the bale of hay and willed it to float. In the back of her mind she heard somepony start to say her name, but she shook it off. She cried out in frustration as she thrust every bit of magic she could get her hooves on into the bale of hay, then let out a snort of frustration and slammed her hoof onto the ground as she watched the bale shoot straight up from the floor and crash through the barn roof, showering her with splinters.
“Consarnit!” she exclaimed, turning to the barn door to get another bale of hay when she jumped in surprise as a familiar form stood at the door, the morning sun glancing off her alabaster coat and making her seem like an angel.
“Rar-Rarity! Whatcha doin’ here this early in the mornin’?” she asked. As she looked at Rarity, she started to blush as she imagined what SHE would look like, ringed by the majesty of Celestia’s sun.
“Well, seeing as I don’t have a horn, I figured that you might be willing to give me a few lessons on how earth ponies live and function? I’m afraid I can’t do much work on my dresses if I don’t know how to work with just my hooves,” Rarity said, stepping into the dim barn. She glanced up at the hole in the barn roof and Applejack reddened slightly in embarrassment. Rarity merely smiled and continued, “It seems like you might need some help with your magic, am I right? Or did you mean to send that bale of hay sky high?”
Applejack rubbed the back of her head with a hoof and let out a nervous laugh. “Sorry, yah had ta see that. Ah’ve been tryin’ ta get the hang of this here magic, but it all ends up the same.”
“Why, dear Applejack, your problem isn’t with your determination or even your strength. It’s because you’re using too much at once,” Rarity said, stepping up next to her. Applejack stiffened in surprise at the contact.
Oh dear Celestia, is her coat this soft? Applejack thought, then she tried to refocus.
“Wh-what do ya mean ‘ah’m usin’ too much’?” Applejack stuttered out.
“Quite simple, magic is not something you just throw yourself into, unless you’re like our friend Twilight, who has an enormous font. Magic is something that you have to think about. It’s not about using as much power as you have, though that does affect the end result of a spell, but rather it’s knowing exactly how much energy needed to accomplish your task. Use too much and you risk burning through your font before you’ve accomplished half your tasks. Use too little and you don’t accomplish anything. Try it again,” Rarity looked around the barn, smiling as she spied a bucket, “lift that bucket off the floor.”
Applejack stepped away from her, smiling both outwardly and inwardly. She’d really have to—No, she shook herself mentally. Now was not the time to get distracted! “that’s all? Easy!” Applejack reached in, beckoning the currents of magic to aid her, and she grasped the bucket in question with her magic. She grunted with effort, then flung her magic at the bucket. She barely had time to open her eyes to see the bucket get shot up from the ground and bounce off a rafter like it’d been shot out of Pinkie’s party cannon.
Applejack panted for breathe and wiped off some of the sweat from her forehead. “See?” she said, looking at Rarity, “Ah told ya it was easy.”
“Well,” Rarity smiled, “any unicorn worth her horn could send a bucket shooting into the sky. But that’s not what you need to work on. You need to work on control. Now,” Rarity said as she raised her hoof until it was about a foot off the floor, “lift the bucket up to my hoof and no higher.”
Applejack nodded and closed her eyes, focusing on the fallen bucket and willing it to levitate again. She was so caught up in her task that she didn’t hear Rarity move closer to her until she felt her concentration break as something flick the top of her horn, sending a shock of pain down it. She yelped in surprise, glaring at Rarity.
“Now, what the hay’d ya do that for?” Applejack protested as she stumbled backward.
“You were using too much magic,” Rarity stated, stomping a hoof.
“But why’d ya go and flick mah horn? Ah didn’t realize it was so-“ Applejack trailed off, a slight blush on her cheeks. The pain had subsided, only to be replaced by a warm feeling, almost tingly sensation.
“Sensitive?” Rarity chuckled, “horns are, by nature. They have to be, else how could you know exactly how much magic you need for a spell?”
Applejack raised a hoof to her horn and started to rub it. In all reality, it felt really good and she had to hold in a moan as sparks flew off her horn.
“Now then, what do you know about magic?” Rarity asked, snapping Applejack back to reality. She blinked in surprise, then thought for a second.
“Well, Ah know that magic can do a lot. The ponies in larger cities use magic to help with cleaning up winter, and Celestia and Luna use their magic to move the sun and moon,” Applejack stated.
“Yes, this is all true, but what do you know about the use of magic?” Rarity asked.
Applejack sat back on her haunches and thought for a few minutes, then shook her head. “To be honest, Ah don’t know the first thing about it.”
Rarity nodded, “then let’s start at the beginning.” She cleared her throat, then began.
“What we call magic is merely the talent of utilizing the natural forces around us. The three pony races each have a tie to some part of those forces in our world. Pegasi have much better control over weather than even the most advanced unicorns do. Earth ponies can grow things in places nopony would think possible. And unicorns can tap into the latent magic to assist in bettering everyday life. Each race has a specific need and place in Equestria.
“Now most ponies can’t use much of the forces around us but there are a few, like Twilight for instance, who use magic almost effortlessly. They are able to use everyday spells without a single thought, like levitation or teleportation. This heightened talent allows these unicorns to delve into the very depths of magic, using the natural forces in ways most ponies can only dream. These ponies are the ones legends are made of. Starswirl the Bearded was one of them and it would not surprise me if I found out that our Twilight was descended from him.”
As Rarity talked, Applejack could feel a familiar feeling come on. It was roughly the same as when, well when she was being lectured to. It usually ended with her falling asleep. Applejack couldn’t afford for that to happen and so, as Rarity began again Applejack shoved a hoof in her mouth.
“Listen sugarcube. Ah appreciate all that ya do fur me, but do ya think we can stick with simple stuff, like helpin’ me control mah magic? Ah can learn about the theory later. Ah’m sure Twilight would enjoy somepony to talk to,” Applejack sighed, then pulled her hoof away from Rarity’s mouth.
Rarity thought for a second, then nodded. “Very well, Applejack. I realize that I was getting a little too explanatory. We’ll start simple then, just with control.” She stood up on her hind legs and brushed a few stray pieces of straw off Applejack’s horn with a hoof.
Applejack blushed as unwanted thoughts came to the forefront of her mind. Images of a certain unicorn this close, her body warm against her’s. Applejack shook her head and blinked as she tried to push those images away. Consarnit, she thought, Ah really got to do somethin’ about this.
“Alright, first thing I want you to do is reach out with your mind,” she said.
Applejack stood there, blank faced at her and Rarity sighed.
“Close your eyes,” she said and Applejack did just that, “now reach out with your mind. Feel the wind through your mane, the dirt beneath your hooves, the breath in your lungs. Now reach out your mind and you should feel something.”
“Ah feel the world, just different,” Applejack stated, her face scrunching up into a look of concentration. She felt the air around her and the wisps of magic flowing around and through her.
Rarity smiled, “good, the world looks differently from a mage’s point of view. You should be able to see the objects around you,” She paused and Applejack nodded. This was a whole new aspect of her magic, Applejack thought, “now, reach out with your magic and touch the bucket. Feel the wood, the weight, the dimensions of the bucket.”
“It feels,” Applejack struggled to find the words, “solid, but airy, like mist.”
“And now all you have to do is extend your magic over the bucket and lift it. Don’t strain yourself. It’s just like lifting it with your hoof or your mouth. Just use enough energy as you need,” Rarity stated. She turned and watched the bucket as it was enveloped by Applejack’s magic then rose, trembling, into the air until it stopped about three feet off the floor.
“Good job, Applejack!” and before either Applejack or Rarity knew what was going on, she had given Applejack a quick nuzzle on her neck. This consequentially caused Applejack’s concentration to slip and the bucket fell back to the ground with a thud, and Rarity just stood there stunned at what she’d done. She blinked a few times, then turned to the door.
“I’m sorry, Applejack. I don’t know what came over me!” and before Applejack could do anything, Rarity ran out of the barn door and down the lane.
Applejack watched Rarity run out the barn door and she stood there, stunned.
“What the hay just happened?” she asked herself.
Rarity had nuzzled her neck. That was a fact. But why? Normally only marefriends and coltfriends did that. But that was impossible, Rarity having a crush on her, wasn’t it?
Applejack shook her head, it had started to hurt from the exertion that she’d put it through with using her magic and now this. It didn’t make sense, Rarity having a crush on her. She was prim and proper and wore all that frou-frou stuff. Applejack was rugged, hardworking, and wore anything but frou-frou.
She let out a cry of frustration and decided to get to work. Working on the farm had always helped her clear her head and helped her think about what was important.
She hitched herself to the wagon, thankfully it was empty, Big Mac must have emptied it the night before after he’d brought her into her room. She noted that the wagon already contained a dozen or so baskets, ready to be filled with apples. Applejack smiled to herself, then glanced over at the bucket that she’d levitated. If she could levitate the full buckets of apples and dump them into the wagon, she could work a lot faster than she did yesterday.
She walked out of the barn, pulling the wagon behind her and heading for the small orchard she’d been working on yesterday.
Applejack had been working for a few hours now and had almost gotten the whole orchard harvested. She afforded herself a smile as she levitated another full bucket over to the wagon and dumped it, emptying out the apples. She turned around and saw that she only had a few trees left, then a thought crossed her mind.
What if she could levitate the apples off the trees? Then she wouldn’t even have to worry about the buckets or, she thought even deeper, even use the wagon. She could levitate all the apples off the trees and carry them into the barn, placing them in their barrels!
Applejack could feel her excitement bubble up and she grinned. She planted all four hooves firmly on the ground and focused on her magic. She reached out, feeling the bark of each tree, the leaves that surrounded each apple, the stem that held the apples to the branches, even the smallest ant that crawled along one of the branches. She grasped each apple with her magic and pulled.
She afforded herself a small smile as she heard the sound of snapping twigs and she opened her eyes as she looked around, hoping to see all the apples picked off the trees.
To her surprise and frustration, she was met with the sight of a single apple levitating before her nose. She snorted and stomped a hoof. Twilight had been able to levitate dozens, hundreds of apples off trees all at once, so why not her?
She plopped down on the ground to think, resting her chin in a hoof. As she looked out over the orchard, and even farther to the entire farm, her mind started to wander back to the conversation Princess Luna and her had had this morning.
“’The one in particular is the one for whom you have feelings’,” she whispered.
She wasn’t dumb by any stretch of the imagination, she hadn’t met anypony that was really, but it still boggled her mind what Princess Luna was talking about.
As she sat there, pondering, she heard a pop to one side. She’d been friends of Twilight long enough to know that it was the sound of somepony teleporting and she looked around.
“Discord!” she leapt to her hooves and slid into a fighting position.
“Oh come now, dear Applejack! There’s really no need to do anything of that sort,” Discord threw up his paws in surrender.
“What do ya want?” she demanded, “Ah’m busy workin’!”
Discord looked around and smiled, “I can see. How is it being a unicorn for a few days? I’m sure you’re finding it quite hard, what with you being used to an earth pony’s body. This new magic must be quite a change for you.”
“What do ya want?” Applejack growled through her teeth, anger apparent on her face.
“Oh come now! All I want to show you is what will happen if you continue on the path you’ve chosen.” Discord walked over to a small puddle and Applejack followed him, wary.
“What do ya mean, path Ah’ve chosen?” she asked, a bit curious.
Discord looked at her and smiled, “why that’s simple! And it’s not just you, it’s all five of you!”
Applejack looked at him, confused, “what do ya mean? Stop speakin’ in riddles! Princess Luna said that there is one that needs to learn this lesson, but what lesson is it?”
Discord waggled a finger, “now now, if I told you the lesson, you wouldn’t learn it. And Princess Luna is discussing this with you all now? That does bring an interesting player to the field.” He bent down and touched the surface of the puddle with a lion claw, then turned to look at her. “If you want to find out what the end result of your choice is, then just take a look.”
Applejack stood there, debating on whether she could trust him for a few seconds until she finally decided that if anything bad happened to her, then the rest of the girls could just stop him again. She stepped up to the edge of the pool, then dipped a hoof into it, sending ripples across the surface and distorting her image.
As soon as her hoof made contact with the water’s surface, a wave of dizziness washed over her and she slumped down on the ground, trying to make it go away. She closed her eyes for a second, willing her head to stop spinning when she found herself in another place.
She stood on a hill overlooking Sweet Apple Acres. She smiled as she saw the hundreds of apple trees spread out in front of her, rolling over the hills and down into valleys.
“Ah must be in the future,” she said to herself, “there’s no way we have this many apple trees, not the last time Ah counted.”
As she watched the farm below her, she noticed an orange earth pony walking through the trees. She galloped down the hill, hoping to find out when she was. She raced toward the earth pony and noticed that they wore a hat that was very close to her own. She smiled, glad that somepony had made a tradition of wearing her hat on the farm. As she got closer to the pony, she saw a splash of color on their flank and she recognized it as three apples, much like her own.She came around one final apple tree and stepped out several hooves in front of the pony if she hadn’t frozen from shock.
There, walking down the rows of apple trees was her. Applejack stood there, stunned at this sight. She was here, but she was also there. How was that possible? She didn’t know how far into the future she was, but it must have been quite a long time for all the apple trees to grow.
But, as she looked closer at herself, or rather her future self, she saw that they were identical. It seems she hadn’t aged a bit. Now Ah know Ah’m dreamin’, Applejack thought.
“Hey Applejack!” a familiar voice jerked her out of her thought process and she turned around to see Rainbow Dash dropping out of the sky and landing in front of her.
“Howdy, RD. Everypony else there?” the Applejack behind her asked and Rainbow nodded her head.
“Yep, they’re just waiting for you,” Rainbow said before shooting off into the sky.
“That pony, even after all these years she never slows down,” Future Applejack said, shaking her head. Then she picked up the pace, trotting toward the direction Rainbow Dash had flown. Applejack followed, her mind still a bit confused. Rainbow had looked the same, it was almost like she was seeing her just recently, but Discord had said that she would see the end result of their choice.
It didn’t take the two Applejacks long before they came to a clearing in the apple orchards. Applejack smiled as she saw Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash sitting there, chatting like old friends. Future Applejack walked over to the four mares and joined in the conversation while Applejack stood back and looked at the five mares.
They all looked just like they had in her time, but how far into the future was this? And where was Twilight? Did she move back to Canterlot to finish her studies under the Princess? Or did she join her brother and sister-in-law in the Crystal Kingdom?
“It’s hard to think it’s been so long,” Rarity said, her voice carrying over the clearing to pull Applejack out of her thoughts.
“I know, I really miss her,” Fluttershy whispered and the other three girls nodded.
“Yeah, she sure was fun to hang out with,” Rainbow added.
“I know, think of all the parties I threw for her!” Pinkie Pie smiled, and the other four grinned at her energy.
“Ah remember when she helped me with the harvest every apple buck season,” Future Applejack said, a wistful look on her face.
“I remember the first time she came to Ponyville, that was the bestest party ever!” Pinkie added.
“I remember making that beautiful dress for her to wear at the Grand Galloping Gala,” Rarity smiled.
“Oh, and I remember when she got me to climb that scary mountain and chase off that dragon that had been sleeping up there,” Fluttershy said, her voice holding a degree of pride.
“Yeah, I also remember wondering why she had you come,” Rainbow Dash said with a hint of sorrow.
“Oh, that’s ok Rainbow,” Fluttershy smiled at her, then whispered, almost too low for anypony to hear, “I was scared because he wasn’t from my group.”
“Your group?” Rarity asked, “whatever do you mean, darling?”
“Oh, um well, I’ll tell you later,” Fluttershy squeaked. Rarity nodded, then turned to Rainbow Dash.
“Go on, tell us one of your favorite memories of her,” she prodded.
Rainbow Dash blushed slightly and Applejack noticed that she held her wings a little closer to her body than she usually did.
“I remember when~~~” she trailed off, her blush deepening. She unfurled one of her wings and Applejack caught a glimpse of something gold close to her coat.
“Oh darling, of course that would be one of your favorite memories. I’m just sorry that you had to go through all that pain by yourself,” Rarity quickly stated, sorrow on her face.
“No,” Rainbow smiled, thought Applejack saw the small glint of a tear on her face as it caught the sun’s light, “it’s alright. She had a wonderful life and I’m glad that I was there to share a part of it with her.” She reached a hoof up and wiped her eyes, sniffling.
“Well, shall we finish this?” Rarity asked, looking from Rainbow to Applejack. They, along with Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy nodded. They all stood up and walked over to a large stone that was set into the ground several feet away from the group. Applejack could tell that there was something carved on it, but she was too far away to tell what it said.
“I’ll go first, if you all don’t mind,” Fluttershy said and the others nodded. She took a deep breath, then said, “well, time for my annual report. I’m doing well and the same goes for all my animals. Angel’s descendants are as chaotic as he was, thought I’m glad that I have Discord to help me. He really is a sweetheart and I’m sorry that you didn’t fully trust him in the end, but he misses you and he sends me with his apology for all the tricks that he played on you.”
Rainbow Dash was next. “Hey there. It’s time for this boring routine again,” she gave a small laugh, but it was hollow, “I’m still a part of the Wonderbolts, still captain. I don’t think I’ll slow down anytime soon. It makes it nicer when you’re as awesome as I am! But really, if it weren’t for you, we all would have joined you a long time ago,” a sniffle was heard from her, “I miss you so much. Our house is cold and empty. Spike left shortly after you died, though he comes back frequently to visit,” Rainbow’s shoulders started to shake and Rarity put a hoof around her to comfort her, “why did you have to die? Why couldn’t the Princesses save you? They had the power and the strength, but they couldn’t. You were too old when they discovered how to lengthen your life. It was trickier because of your tie with the Elements. I just don’t know—“ she trailed off and finally slumped to the ground as sobs racked her body, sending her tail into slight spasms and her mane to fall in front of her face.
Pinkie Pie looked at Rainbow Dash, then sighed and took her turn. “I guess I’ll go next. I’d like to say that I’m still the same, but things changed when you died. A part of me died with you. I’m still throwing parties at every occasion, but they’re just not the same. I miss having somepony to question my choices and ask me about my Pinkie Sense. I just had so much fun when you were alive and now it seems like a light has gone out. Don’t get me wrong, the party hasn’t ended, but it’s just calmed down a little. Princess Celestia has put me in charge of the Grand Galloping Gala. I’ve tried my best to liven it up a little, not like the first time I went, but just enough so that ponies actually want to go to it. Every time I visit the castle I make an effort to stop by your library tower and spend some time in there. I really miss you and I wish, I wish—“ she tried to say, but tears clogged her throat and she just hung her head.
“Alright, then I guess it’s my turn,” Rarity said, raising her head. “I’m doing alright. My shop has added another branch, this time in Appleoosa, specializing in country wear. I have to thank Applejack for the help in designing the clothes sold there. That makes the twenty-fifth store in the franchise. Each time I open one, I wish you were there. I always keep a spot open at each banquet I have, in your honor. I try to make several visits to the building they dedicated to you at Celestia’s Academy. It’s quite large, and holds a massive library, one that you would have loved. They’ve made dozens of advances, due to the work you did during your life, and they keep coming up with ways to make life better for all of Equestria, as well as the nations around us. We really do live in a wonderful world, I just wish you were still alive to see it,” Rarity sniffled, “what good is being the Element of Generosity if I couldn’t even do all that I could to stop this from happening?”
Future Applejack patted her shoulder then opened her mouth. “Howdy, sugarcube. It’s me, your favorite farmer. Ah’d like ta say that Ah’m doin’ well, but the truth is Ah miss you every day. Ah can’t quite focus fully on the farm, though Ah’m glad Ah’ve got mah brother’s descendants for that. Applebloom’s descendants have banded together and resurrected the Cutie Mark Crusaders, now incorporatin’ the whole of Ponyville, as well as several cities beyond. Ah suspect those branches were started on their various school trips.” Future Applejack took off her hat and rested it on her chest, “Ah miss ya, sugarcube. Ah never realized how much Ah would until ya weren’t there. It’s unbearable, the thought that ya’ll never be seen in the town or even at the side of the Princess. We all miss ya, the same with Cadence and the Princesses. We just wish we had more time with ya.”
After Future Applejack finished, the five mares just stood there for several minutes and Applejack heard Rainbow and Fluttershy sniffle every few seconds. The silence grew heavier until Rainbow Dash broke it.
“Have they had any success yet?” her voice was almost a whisper.
“They’re still trying several avenues,” Rarity replied, “though it’s hard because of the Elements.
“But they’re getting closer? Why haven’t they asked the Princesses?” Pinkie Pie asked, her mane deflating until it hung straight.
“They’ve asked the Princesses, but even they don’t know how to reverse the Elements’ Blessing,” Rarity stated.
“Is there any way for us, or rather the Elements, ta revert?” Future Applejack asked, but Rarity shook her head.
“Their focus is on severing our link with the Elements, but it’s hard. This is very old magic, older than Discord or even the Princesses. The few books I’ve found on the Elements state that they appeared about the same time as Princess Galaxia, but the accounts are sketchy at best,” she said, sorrow in her voice, “they’re trying their hardest, but many attempts just end in failure. They’ve never come across this before. Even the Amplification Rune Princess Celestia enscribed in the castle has little effect against the bond.”
“Well,” Future Applejack said, putting her hat back on her head, “there’s not much we can do about it. We’ll just keep on living until they find the solution. We’ve waited for five hundred years, we can wait a little longer.” Four heads nodded in sorrowful agreement, then they all turned and walked down the hill, away from the stone.
Applejack watched them go, then walked slowly up the hill. She felt like she’d stepped on holy ground and that her body refused to go faster than a slow walk. She focused on the stone as she walked closer and saw that it had been carved smooth out of a single block of stone with amethysts embedded in it. As she stepped closer, the inscription formed words and her breath caught in her throat as she came close enough to read it.
Here lies a great mare, the Archmage of Equestria
Twilight Sparkle
Beloved Friend, Daughter, Sister, Wife
May the stars’ light forever shine down on you
1994-2083
Applejack felt tears run down her cheeks, falling onto the cool stone of the now-identified headstone. Why had this happened? Why were they five still alive and Twilight dead? Rarity had said something about the Elements, did she mean the Elements of Harmony? But what did they have to do with this? Was it their bond with the Elements that kept them alive?
Applejack stood there for several minutes as her vision became blurred with tears. She wiped them away with a hoof, but they just kept coming. Finally she gave up and slumped to the ground, her head buried in her forelegs. Her breath came in sobs, tears flowing onto the ground and she felt herself slip into sorrowful sleep.
She woke up feeling warm and cozy, but the feeling of sorrow quickly overwhelmed her again. She tried to cry, to let it all out, but found that she had no tears left. She sat there for a few seconds before she heard something close by.
She sat up, the blanket of her bed falling off her, and looked around. She was in her bedroom and Discord sat in a chair at the end of her bed.
“Why?” she asked, “Why did you show me that?”
Discord sighed and lowered his head. “Because, whether you like it or not, I consider you all my friends. I do not like to see my friends cry and I see this path leading you to that very future.”
“But,” Applejack stated, “the Princesses can’t see the future, why can you?”
Discord smiled, “because I’m the god of chaos and that gives me an overwhelming understanding of the hundreds of futures that can happen. Many of my jokes are harmless because of the futures that more serious jokes would bring about. However,” he leaned forward in his chair, the epitome of seriousness, “this time there’s nothing more I can do.
The decision will fall on you five to make.
The correct choice or a big mistake.
If this future, you do not seek,
Then make the choice, do not be meek.
The time will come, it’s close at hand,
When the choice you make will affect the land.
Now make your choice, make it fast,
For soon your friendship will not last.”
“When will we need ta make this choice?” Applejack asked and Discord smiled.
“The preparations are almost complete,
The time to act, you soon will meet.
Gather together the six of you now,
Then come to the castle, you’ll find out how.”
Discord snapped his fingers and vanished in a flash of light, leaving Applejack to think about the day’s events. Finally it became too much for her and she slumped back down on her bed and drifted into restless sleep.
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Interesting. There seems to be something beyond the Princesses going on right now. (There is also a little more than light shipping)
2714495
Nope, never crossed my mind.
2718256
And what was it that you expected? And was that a good thing?
Alright, I just got done doing a large amount of editing on Day 2: Applejack. Took out a lot of the shipping and added a scene in. Hopefully this is more to everypony's liking. I know I had a lot more fun writing the edit than I did actually writing the chapter. That'll teach me to force things, or to listen to Applejack.
