> Buck Off
>  by TheOneBehindYou
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> To Know An Apple
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Alright Applejack, don't worry, you got this all under control.' sighed the orange mare as she trotted reluctantly to her destination, that being Fluttershy's cottage.

Now don't ask why she was doing this. If you tried, she'd probably just give a glare and shoot a hoof right to your skull, followed by a sudden rush of blood going to her cheeks. However that wasn't this case and she was very thankful for that.

"Hey Applejack, where you off to?" 

Well, so much for that prayer.

Gazing upward, the gal soon saw sight of Rainbow Dash, her more then hot headed -but still rather close- best friend. 

The cyan Pegasus did a few tricks as she swooped down to meet her earthy companion. A smile immediately enhancing her features as if what she just pulled was for the wonderbolts to see and to be quite frank, if that was what she was going for she wasted her time. Not even she was impressed but then again she didn't want to be seen out in the open either, especially by Rainbow.

So thinking about dare devil tricks were far from her mind.

Seeing that Applejack was less then talkative, Rainbow raised a brow quite curiously and spoke in a soft tone. "You ok? You seem dazed."

"Huh..?" Her face seemed to be looking in a completely different direction then Rainbow, fancy that.

Never the less, the Pegasus took the hint and shook her head, only to soon swoop herself right back in the sky.

"Well whatever, I'm late for cloud control as is, later AJ."

And like that, the visit turned shorter then the goodbye. She swore, it was like she was trying to beat a new record of her speed every day. She was a dot by the time her neck even glanced the way the rainbow flew off.

Show off.

"Darn it Rainbow, now I'm even more nervous..." She sighed as her head bowed, her hooves feeling heavier then they were mere minutes earlier. She was also pretty sure she could hear her heart thumping as well. I mean, what if she came back to spy on her and what she was doing? It was bad enough she even wanted to see the monster when she obviously should have been working.

Yet imagining his smile, caused her cheeks to falter to that deep red hue again and his chuckle alone made her spine tingle. It had to be a sin to feel that good around him of all pon- er... whatever his kind was... Draconequi? That's it.

Still, then again, she was going for a good reason right? She was going to get her hat back. The darn critter ran off with her hat before she could even shout a holler at him and mind you, she was quick on her feet when anypony messed with her orchard, let alone her prized hat.

So again, why was she so darn nervous about this visit!? All she was doing, was getting her hat back. That's it, nothing fancy, just getting her hat!

Looking up finally, she could see that Fluttershy's cottage was just up ahead, darn it all for her good memory about the place.

She gave a gulp as her brows arched in defiance for whatever would come her way through this door. Whatever happened, she was going to beat that Draconequus senseless and deman-

The sudden explosion from behind the cottage, brought more then a jump to AJ's feet as she wobbled her way out of her thoughts and into a full charge of her hooves. 

"What did that monster do now...!" She mumbled as she soon stopped dead in her tracks, seeing Fluttershy's old chicken pen completely destroyed. Oh he was going to pay for that, nopony messes with AppleJack's fri-

A squeak was heard in the bushes, followed by a laugh only she knew all too well. It seems she wasn't spotted yet but she could watch in curiousity first before making any assumptions. Which she was finding hard to do.

Looking up, she soon saw Discord lower himself down with a snicker and chuckle at Fluttershy's cowering. That just irritated Applejack even further.

"Oh come now Fluttershy~ That explosion was tame compared to what I could have really done! Beside's you needed a new pen, yes?" He held his talons out, stating so.

"Y-Yes, b-but you didn't need to do th-that."

Discord gave a roll of the eyes as if a part of him wanted to reach in and kill a part of himself for even hearing those words. Like the explosion truly was nothing compared to what he really could have done, which Applejack knew all too well of.

The thought of half her apple orchard being upside down and growing poison joke all over the field just brought that much more red to her cheeks then she needed. 

"Well well, if it isn't my favorite Apple~" 

That sounded way too close.

And yet with a slow turn of her eyes, there meeting her was his red orbs and soon she screamed as she fell back, seeming completely vulnerable and at the abomination's mercy. Which in turn, again, just made him laugh. In fact, he was having a riot.

She swore she WAS an apple at that moment, as her face was hardly the same color as her coat anymore.

"Oh dear..." Whispered a worried Fluttershy, surprisingly being the rescuer first before AJ as she trotted up next to her fallen friend. "I hope you're alright... You weren't too close to the explosion were you?"

"Nah, she was just being nosy~" Discord trailed with a sickeningly huge smile, as if proud of her for that.

Finally, she could respond though. "No I was not!" 

And with a kick of her hooves upward, she soon found herself back on her feet and glaring up at the constant smiling mix-matched creature. Leaving Fluttershy to cower at them both a bit before finding her voice again, even though it was rather meekly.

"C-Can we not fight? Please? Oh! I know! I can make you some tea. Would you like some?" She sounded desperate and rightfully so as Applejack looked ready to punch a new one unto the devious and cruel jokester. 

Yet Discord turned to his small companion and snickered. "Gladly."

+++

She swore, her glare could not pierce any harder at the calm, smirking Draconequus as he sipped his tea like a gentlemen, just mocking her for being so hostile and he so, ugh, reformed. 

She refused to believe he was, he never would be. He was Discord! The same creature that tore her from her friends with lies and deceit. The same abomination that caused Equestria into a state of panic and chaos! THE SAME-

"S-So um..." Fluttershy's hoof was tapping her lips as she tried to think of something to say to break this awkward tension. "H-How's the apple farm?"

The glare never faltered as she bluntly and harshly responded. "Fine."

"Oh, thats, good...?" She looked at Discord in defeat and he in response just waved his paw at her to leave, that he had it handled. However Fluttershy was not convinced and made a face at him before looking back at AJ worriedly.

Yet something seemed, off.

"Where's your hat?" Fluttershy was surprised she didn't notice it sooner.

... And then it all clicked.

With a gasp, Fluttershy placed both hooves now across her lips, as if whatever she was about to say was going to stir something she didn't want. So in this case, she decided that perhaps Discord was the only one to really resolve this, which she didn't want to do. 

So she frantically searched the room for the hat but knowing Discord, he probably stuffed it somewhere she couldn't find it. 

Yet that wouldn't stop her. Being the kind-hearted Pegasus she was, she stood up and with a polite "Excuse me." She trotted off to go looking for Applejack's prized possession. 

However, minutes upon minutes passed and still no sign of Fluttershy. This only caused the orange earth pony to narrow her gaze. 

She swore, her own glare probably could beat Fluttershy's stare at that moment.

Yet that cocky, son of a-

"So... Did you really come back for this?" His tail pulled out her hat at that instant, placing it upon his head as he spoke. "Or did you come to gaze upon my devilishly, handsome face?" He did a pose at that moment, stroking his chin and neck as if he was a model.

Yet she didn't give him the satisfaction of any response except for one word. "Hat."

To this, Discord chuckled and began twirling the hat in his talon. "I think you're lying~"

How dare he.

HOW DARE HE!

At this, the athletic mare trampled over the table and stomped up to the Draconequus, absolutely slamming her face into his with a growl. To this, the puppeteer of sorts was actually a bit surprised.

"You listen here you rat! You think you can just walk up to my orchard, mess with MY apples AND steal my hat all in the same day!? Do you think I'm stupid because I'm a farm pony!? Well you listen here, buster, I may be an earth pony but I'll buck you so hard..." Her hoof slammed into his chest. "I'll make you wish you were never born!"

Yet to her surprise, Discord soon smiled right as she spoke and once she was finished he whispered simply. "Kinky." He then licked her nose with his snake tongue after that retaliation and this caused Applejack's eyes to not only widen but her face to return to that dark red she had on earlier.

This caused a hoot for the old creature and he soon fell back laughing really hard. 

Yet Applejack was like a statue, unable to move or breathe for that matter. Yet she did finally lean back shyly and allow her ears to fall as she blushed. For some reason her mind would not stop the motion and thoughts that soon protruded her mind and she hated him for that.

Discord seeing this after his laughter died off, he gave a smile and stood back up, floating near her and whispering in her ear. "You know, you're really cute when you blush~"

And that was it. That was the one sentence that threw her off and after some mumbles and gasps, she in her desperation, conked him right in the forehead with her front hoof, which this surprisingly connected to the Draconequus and he slammed into the cottage.

Yet she took no time to hesitate, Applejack dashed for her hat, placed it on and ran off to her home at Sweet Apple Acres. The blush still present all the way to home.

As this all happened under a minute, Discord was chuckling as he rubbed his head, a worried Fluttershy running in from upstairs to check on the scene, only to gasp once more at the mess in her home. It wasn't like Applejack to do this, sure she could get hot-headed but never in her life would she let her anger get to her where she'd destroy her home... Then again, it could still have been Discord's doing.

So as she trotted up to the Draconequus, with curiosity and uncertainty, Discord then snickered once more.

"That mare, she's got quite the punch."

> No Work Today
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Applejack? Ya'll come on down here now, we got some nice hot apple pancakes for ya." A motherly voice, that Applejack knew all too well, that being of her Granny Smith, was trying to coax her on coming out of her room. She knew that she meant well and only wanted her granddaughter to feel better but she just couldn't face her, or anypony for that matter. 

Not after, that 

With her head burrowing into the pillows of her bed, she could only muffle a simple: "Go away!" Before planting her entire face back into the cushions. 

"Aww, now Applejack, you know we don't mind yer feelin's fer that fellar, erm, eh, what was his name again?" 

"Discord" Came the muffle of Applebloom, which if it wasn't for AJ's ear being perked up, she wouldn't have been able to hear her. It twitched in response at the abomination's name and she just moaned loudly, getting a sigh in response on the other side. 

She swore if she heard that name, one, more, time.

"Very well, but don't come cryin tah me when you gotta start workin' on an empty belly!"

Mother of Celestia! How did she forget!? 

Her head popped up as her pupil's dipped into dots as she soon jumped out of bed, only to stop and begin shaking in fear. She couldn't work today, she just couldn't! Apple seeds be stolen! She just didn't want to face the Apple Orchard and risk meeting Mr. Hi-I-Know-Everything-About-Your-Secrets!

So with a hasty look around her room, she began looking for something to help her stay in bed today. However, she knew fairly well that Granny Smith relied on the ol' hoof to the forehead trick and so she needed to make herself "sick" and fast!

"Uh, I-I can't work today!"

She blurted as she began running around the room as she moved every single item to find her salvation, anything to get out of this situation until- Ah-hah! The reading lamp on her desk! If she stayed close enough to the bulb with her forehead-

"Now Applejack, we all kno-"

Suddenly a fit of sneezes and coughs were heard from within the room as she begun working up her magic trick with the bulb, feasibly regretting this as the bulb was a tad more hot then she remembered it being. Then again she never thought she'd need to put her whole face in a minor version of Celestia's ra-

The door rattled. "Now what in tarnat-"

She had no time to hear what she had to say, so with a dash to her bed, she climbed into the covers. She just hoped that the heat was enough to make her goal complete.

Wait...

The lamp!? She forgot to turn it off!

Too late.

As soon as she even looked at it, Granny Smith came galloping in calmly and started raising a brow at her supposed sick foal. Applebloom, worriedly trotting small steps beside her.

"Alrighty, let me see how "sick" ye are." Doubt, seething in the old mare's voice.

As the orange mare expected, she was graced with the saggy, green hoof of her Grandma, sweating more from nervousness then any real kind of sickness she had harvested up before.

A perplexed and questioning look appeared on the wise mare's face as she pulled away her old hoof, giving another eye raise. "Applejack..." She warned now, causing the cowgirl to gulp.

"Yes, Granny Smith?" She gave out the sweetest grin she could muster. 

It looked like she was about to say something stern but the old wisdom of her Granny came back almost immediately, as if a secret joke was being played between herself, she even laughed to express so. "Hehehe, Alright, I'll let Big Mac work your shift, you just relax yourself."

Thank Celestia, it worked.

"Oh thank ya so much Granny-"

Yet Applebloom soon placed herself up on AJ's bed, giving those puppy eye's that she knew all too well to express. "I-Is Applejack gonna be ok Granny?" Her head turned to hear so from Granny's words. 

"Now ya'll don't worry about a thing." She gave a rub to the small filly's head, giving a wink. "Our AJ's the strongest mare in all of ponyville! Why, she'll be cured, lickety-split!" She pumped her hoof to the side, expressing more then enough energy for her age.

Oh for pete sakes, please just go away now. She was nervous as is already. "Y-Yeah! I'll be fine Applebloom! You worry too much." A nervous laugh soon following.

"There, see? Now, who want's some Apple pancakes?"

"Ah do!" The sadness soon being replaced with joy in mere seconds, couldn't help but make AJ laugh a bit. Her southern accent still filling up the room as she zoomed out.

With a chuckle, Granny Smith walked back towards the doorway before turning back to her granddaughter once more. "AJ, 

 Oh what now... 

"Yes, Granny?" She tried to look interested.

"Why is the Lamplight on?" Her snide smile, reaching her old saggy cheeks.

. . .

Her heart caught into her throat. "...Uhh-"

A wider smile was all she was met with before she could finish her sentence and soon the door closed, leaving Applejack alone with her thoughts. 

"...Now look what that creature made me do, he made me lie! I swear when I get my hands on that whatcha-ma-call-it I'm gonna-"

"You're going to what~"

...No...

Turning her head to the doorway, she saw the beyond pleasant smile of none other, than Discord. Who she swore, if he smiled any harder, he was going to break his own face. Shame actually, as she really wanted that to happen.

"How much did ya hear?" She whispered calmly.

"Just got here actually, why, was there more you wanted to spout from that, adorable little muzzle of yours? Ooo! Does it involve "bucking"?" He looked far to eager at that statement, making the cowgirl's face erupt in red, again.

"Get out." She whispered darkly.

"Excuse me~?"

"GET OUT" 

And with that, a flurry of cushions began pulverizing the Draconequus, punching him enough in the face, that he fell right out of the window. 
> How To Deal With An Unwanted Relationship
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Another page turned as her tired -if not bored- emerald eyes scanned the contents of "How to deal with an unwanted relationship". Funny, as she couldn't recall ever needing this book in the house, or how it got here for that matter. It was strange what you could find on the Apple Family's shelves. 

"If a mare or stallion decides to pressure you with unwanted attention, you must firmly grasp the situation and your surroundings. What is around you? What can you use to calmly excuse yourself away? This book will give you the confidence you need to find the courage to say 'No.'"

Hmm, now this looked interesting! She couldn't help but lean in closer.

"The first step is to..."

As a rasping knock came to the door, she now growled as she tried to dig her face ridiculously close to the book. "I'm busy!"

"Oh, ok, I'll just go...I didn't mean it I'm sorry..." The voice whispered behind the door, making it impossible for AJ to hear more, which obviously meant...

Great, just great.

She placed the book underneath the covers before turning back to the door. "Fluttershy, I know that's you, you can come in."

"But you said..." More words were heard but they were again too quiet, so now, she groaned.

"Ah can't hear you Fluttershy..."

With a small step of hooves as the door opened and closed, a weary looking pegasus walked in, already apologizing immediately but the orange pony just rolled her eyes. 

"Now what did I tell you about apologizin'?" She gave a calm smile, trying to reassure her friend but she babbled on anyways, of course.

"Well I just, you know, you're sick and I-"

She couldn't help but snap now. "Shy! I said, its fine." 

It was really, even though she hated lying through her teeth to an element bearer like herself no less, she was just glad th-

Suddenly applause was heard from absolutely nowhere, as a calmly dressed draconequus walked in with a suit and tie, his mane groomed in a sixties hair fashion statement, yet despite the appearance, he couldn't be bothered to wear any pants. No surprise of course, as he was naked most of the time.

He then opened his arms out wide to her as he exclaimed. "AJ I'm home!"

The applause became laughter once more from the hidden speakers and yet all that was running through the earth ponies mind was how many ways she could kill a draconequus, hiding her face and body underneath the covers with her hooves, glaring despite the small rose tint on her face. 

He waited for a response more or less, not from the laughter but from Applejack herself and he couldn't help but make a face as he snapped the charade away. "You could at LEAST say hello to me." 

Her eyes narrowed. "Not for you."

"Oh, so you're not suffering from lung cancer! Good to know~"

Fluttershy pouted up at Discord who soon became defensive, raising his arms up. "What! I was just trying to lighten the mood."

"Get him out of here." She warned now, giving Fluttershy the same look of not only desperation but anger.

To where Fluttershy realized, there was no calming the mare down before her, so she looked to Discord and spoke calmly. "Discord, could you p-"

"Don't even have to say it! I know when I'm not wanted!" He held his arm over his face dramatically as he walked out like a drama queen. "I'll just suffer without my beautiful Applejack to save my wounded soul!" His body then disappeared but then he peaked his head through the door to push it even more. "Alone."

A pause, then.

"With no on-"

"Discord!" Fluttershy's glare came into play, even though it had no effect on the draconequus. Yet it must have worked because he groaned and soon left. A mumble of "Fine fine..." being all that she could hear. 

A sincere face of worry crossed the pegasus' mare's features once more as she trotted up to Applejack. "I'm so sorry about Discord, he can be a real handful sometimes."

"I'll say." She responded sharply, her eyes looking away from the shy mare. She didn't need to show more on her face then needed.

"So uh, I heard you were sick... So I brought you some stuff to help you feel better." As she spoke, she turned to her side to show a pack on her, sliding it off to show the contents within. Personally, Applejack was happy with just her boring, stupid book on how to rid of bad relationships. 

"Aww, shy, there was no need t-"

Yet it didn't stop her.

"I got you some medicine for all sorts of symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness and stomach aches. I also brought you some books to read-" 

She couldn't help but hide her book just a bit more under her covers as she said that.

"-And I also brought you some of my best made honey from the bees harvest this year, so you can soothe any sore throat problems you may be ex- ...What are you looking at?"

Did she catch her!?

"N-Nothin'! Just thinking about work tomorrow."

"Oh no Applejack, you must rest as much as possible before you get back to work. Who knows what could happen if you kept working while sick! Why, that be just plain awful!"

"Awful, ye, right... Of course!" She then began coughing and sweating a bit from her nerves to express so. She did need more time to swallow all of these new feelings in after all. Wait, what feelings? She had none! That's what really mattered.

"Oh you poor dear." The shy mare's eyes beaming with the motherly eyes of Granny Smith's whenever Applebloom needed treatment. It almost made AJ look away in guilt, almost.

"Here, let me get you some medicine."

Great, now she needed to take some vile, gross, elixir for her totally fine throat. Ah well, she went into this lie, she needed to carry on with it. Even if she hated doing so. 

"If thing's get worse and you run out of supplies, me and Discord will make sure to get you a new batch as soon as possible!" 

Hah! Like she'd be sick for that long... She rolled her eyes just in time to see the pegasus shove the spoon to her throat, that was rather forceful for such a timid pony.

As she expected though, it tasted like acidic reproduced cherries, forcing her to close her eyes as she swallowed the vile treatment. Which all in all made it worse. 

"Yuck! Water.. I need water!" 

Yet as soon as she said that, a glass was handed to her via mouth by Fluttershy, quickly being grabbed in return to drink and sip away at. She swore she spilled some all over her blanket but she didn't care, she needed this down and quick.

"Oh dear, you got water everywhere, here, let me change the sheets."

'Wait. Oh, buck no!'

Yet she was too late, as soon as she yanked the sheets, out came flying the book she was using as her salvation from this whole ordeal. The sweat was really starting to pour now as she tried to grab for it but Fluttershy soon caught wind of the title just as she grabbed it.

"How to deal with an unwanted relationship?" She whispered under her breath, giving worry and uncertainty to the cowgirl mare. "Why would you need a book on that?"

"O-Oh well you know how Big Mac get's all the ladies! Heh, he just rallies them up like sheep and cattle!" She swung her hoof to express so but the doubt was too easy to read off her face. Yet Fluttershy, being the kind pony she was, had no heart to meddle in her best friend's issues, she didn't want to be a nuisance and instead forced a confused smile and nodded. A blush creeping on her face.

Still didn't explain why she was reading it though.

"Y-Yeah, I guess so?"

The grins they shared at that moment were beyond uncomfortable and awkward, so Fluttershy just placed the bag down and began walking out. "Well, I guess I'll leave you to your reading and I'll just leave you to getting better. Oh!" She then paced herself back to AJ's closet and pulled out a fresh blanket, placing it over her friend's body before returning once more to the door. 

"I hope you get better soon. if you need anything, just try and contact me or Discord as soon as possible." 

"Thanks, I'll remember that!" Another forced grin appeared, plastered on the orange mare's face.

"Well, I guess, I'll be going now..." The soft steps of her hooves guiding her awkwardly out, yet before she could properly exit herself out, she peaked her head in once more to see a sighing Applejack who went back on alert. "Are you sure you're ok?"

"Yeah, everything's just fine 'Shy, now you go on with yourself." 

Discord needs you more then I do.

Wait, where did that come from? Stupid, stupid buckin-!

"Well, alright, bye." And with that, a shut of the door was heard softly as the hooves of her friend left the room. A real sigh escaping the cowgirl this time as she slunked shyly into bed, her emerald pupil's leading back to the book by her side.

"Now even Fluttershy's onto me... Why is this happening to me?" She searched ahead of her bed for some answer and instead of receiving one, she could only grab her sheets and pull them back up her face, a red glow appearing once more.

___

"So..." Began the abomination known as Discord, floating alongside Fluttershy, a smile pushing through his lips. "'How to deal with an unwanted relationship' huh?"
> The Dream
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rustling was heard as the bed creaked with each flip of an orange hoof across the covers. Luna's moon emphasizing just what time it was; AJ could only hope that this uncomfortable hotness would soon end.

One hoof out of the bed.

One hoof in the bed.

One hoof out.

And you shake it all about!

She almost chuckled at that little joke but instead it made a certain face pop up, a very stupid, smart nosed, donkey -or was it pony- face.

The scowl stayed in place upon her features.

Heck, if she didn't know any better, she'd assume this was a fever, which she prayed to Celestia it wasn't because the last thing she needed was a kick in the rump from good ol' karma. 

Yet despite her best efforts, there was just no way to get comfortable in this one blanket. So with a huff, she decided it best to get out for a glass of water. 

Rumble.

And maybe get some food too she guessed.

Grabbing the covers with her teeth and giving a good ol' yank, she then placed her hind legs down first before placing all four hooves on the hard wood floor, giving a calm pace towards the door. 

With a quick -but quiet- trudge down the stairs, she soon found the kitchen around the corner. The earthy smell of Granny Smith's special soup still lingering in the air. Heh, she loved that smell, it always brought a smile across her face. 

It smelled almost as if it was made just a few minutes ago, even though it was hours. 

"Now that's what I should have, some good ol' soup. That'll have me feelin' better in no time."

...Right?

___

It was quiet as she stared down at the soup she prepared, not even the jingle of silverware against the bowl could stir the young cowgirl awake from her thoughts and worries. Even the taste of the soup seemed bland against her rather dry lips.

She just couldn't understand it! Why of all ponies in Equestria, did Discord fancy her? HER? There were plenty of ponies who had other attributes that were better then, well, good ol' farm buckin'. Besides, didn't he fancy magic and stuff? You'd think an Earth pony would be the last choice he'd go for.

Heck, even Celestia probably had a thing for him in the pa-

"AJ?"

HOLY HORSE APPLES!

She shouldn't have hid the way she did, cowering under the table as if she was caught doing the naughty. Then again, with how she felt for that -actually didn't feel for that- thing, she might as well have been doing it. 

...Why did she feel hot again?

Yet in the dark, was only a soft red glow of fur and light orange mane to match. Clearly Big Mac found her and caught her on the scene. 

Oh thank Celestia, no mismatched red eyes in sight. Heh, if she didn't know any better, she'd say she was plain obsessed with that Draconequus.

"Oh, Big Mac, I didn't think you'd be awake."

"...Neither did I." 

A light and awkward giggle reverberated the walls almost eerily as Big Mac began staring at her. She didn't really know what to do as his eyebrow raised the next, curious of what she was doing. He obviously didn't see what was so funny about the situation and it wasn't until it dawned on her, that he meant he didn't expect her up either. 

So with an awkward swallow of the remaining soup and saliva in her throat, she picked up her still quite full bowl of soup and placed it in the sink. "W-Well I'm stuffed, I best be going to bed."

Her brother wasn't believing it, almost as if he silently knew something was up, she hoped he wasn't going to stop her, right?

Yet he must have known once AJ had her mind set on something, there was no point in arguing so he just let out a simple: "Eeyup." And allowed her to leave in peace. Hooves charging up the stairs faster then a filly needing the bathroom, she locked the door to her room and immediately crawled back into bed, sighing at another encounter avoided. 

Sometimes it was good to be stubborn.

Although, looking around the room, she sighed. She had gone and trapped herself now, still hungry and thirsty. 

Well maybe if you'd actually just tell the truth and accept your feelings-

No! She was telling the truth! She didn't like that abomination, how could she? He was terrible! How could her friends be ok with him when she knew he had to be up to something!? He wasn't innocent! He was going to strike them when their backs would be turned. They'd see!

... However she knew just thinking about it wouldn't bring any of this to closure. 

So.

Guess it was time to try and go back to sleep again.

Yet the time of two-am wasn't exactly sitting well with her. She had a feeling she was going to have to drink some of Granny's secret waking medicine in the morning, ah well, wasn't the first time she drank the stuff. 

Here was to hoping for a goodnight's rest.

Rumble.

____

Somehow sleep did finally pick up to the orange mare and she was soon feeling the bliss of complete relaxation as her dreams took over.

She felt like she was floating on air until she literally opened her eyes and found herself doing as such, with a few bubbles floating around her with memories of her past. 

As odd as it all was, she could only smile as the first time she raced Rainbow Dash passed through her eyes in one bubble or hearing the happy, chirping sound of Pinkie Pie celebrating her birthday the next. 

It was all serene and quiet but for the happy memories passing idly by.

"...Excuse me but I don't think I asked for your opinion. Celestia"

Strange.

The cowgirl's ear twitched as she furrowed her brows at the familiar voice. Yet it was too far away a bubble for her to completely decipher. There was no need to go closer however as another one came from somewhere she couldn't see until she turned her head.

The voice grew louder.

"Hello? Is this thing on? Testing, one two three."

Ok, now she knew something was off.

She tried to move her legs to somehow swim through the invisible matter keeping her floating but she was stuck in place. 

Uh oh.

A dream she couldn't control meant... 

No, there was a way out of this, she was sure of it.

"Oh I've forgotten how grim you can be Celestia, its really quite boring"

That sounded way too close for comfort. It almost sounded like he was right there in front of her again, waiting for her to turn her head just to see his maniacal, sadistic grinning-

"Yes, I know, I can be rather terrifying..." A purr echoed the room now. 

Now AJ was getting scared. This was becoming less like a dream and more like a nightmare. Even the kind memories of her friends were becoming slowly red bubbles, popping as if they weren't even important. Yet she was more confused, did that voice somehow-

"I'm coming to get you~"

Oh Celestia help... She needed to get away! She neede-

Yet before she could even turn around in the jelly matter that kept her imprisoned in her once nostalgic land, she was now facing the scariest face in all of Equestria. A cruel, maniacal Discord, grinning and ready to devour her. 

"AJ~" It sang a horrible tune, mimicking her, she tried to respond justly with a strong and prideful face but she knew it was pointless, she was too deep in shock.

Was this really how she was going to die? In shock from a dream? No, that's silly, you can't die in dreams.

But if this was a dream, why didn't she wake up yet?

"When all the truth does is make your heart ache..."

"No please... s-stop." She found her voice finally, croaking it out but it did no good. 

"Sometimes a l-"

WHAM

With a loud pop, the cruel Discord of nightmares was gone to soon replace it with...

. . . Wait, what, just happened?

Suddenly, she was encased in some kind of smoke and as she was choking it out of her lungs. A distant figure off in the distance was on a -somehow- invisible road and pulled off a helmet from his head as he got off a... Whatever that three wheeled contraption was.

Wait, wasn't that?

"Woo! Boy let me tell you, you are one hard head to cut through!" Discord stated matter-factly, cleaning his ear with a talon as he approached her in a flash.

She couldn't tell if she was happy or angry to see him. Considering what she just faced, she was aiming for pissed.

"W-What in tarna- Discord!? What are you doing in my dream!?" She demanded. 

Giving a blank stare however, the mischievous spirit just waved it off with a response of: "Oh well, you know, just being a crazy lovable fanboy obsessing over his prey while taking pictures of you asleep at night while I make a cult about your hobbies and how amazing you are."

". . ." She was speechless.

Yet Discord could only keep up the facade so long until crying of laughter, making the orange mare more then flustered. She was about to kick his teeth in. 

Seeing as her face stayed sour, Discord's laughter soon caught note and stopped the act, returning back to normal as if nothing happened. "Actually to be truthful, you have chaos demons."

Wait, what? Chaos demons? Now she knew he was playing with her. 

Yet the discerning look was pushed away as he uttered. "No no no! I mean it! Honest! You see."

Suddenly a desk appeared underneath AJ, causing her to scream as she was stuck in place by the troubling cell of education. A college professor outfit soon befitting Discord as he plopped a giant board of confusing diagrams that didn't make a lick of sense. Yet he continued anyways; slamming some sort of stick at the board like it would make her pay attention more.

"This small horse, er, pony is your brain and this handsome, delicious guy right here is the all-powerful-amazingly-perfect-more-then-sunbutt Discord. When I make a pony the opposite of themselves, they become slightly traumatized."

Another diagram or two picked up speed and AJ's mind was more then just getting a headache.

"So sometimes when ponies get changed to normal~. They either suffer from three different outcomes. One, they go in denial for a few weeks that happened and pass it off as completely not true, returning to their boring peaceful lives with small hiccups here and there. Or they actually move on, which is very very rare. Two, They cry endlessly to their mommies about how mean I am and stay that way for eternity, never actually returning to normal OR... My personal favorite, Number three, you become completely infatuated by me because of a terrible plot twist by a terrible fanfiction author.

"What..." 

How.

What.

Who?

"What?" He smiled. "Oh sorry~ My mistake~" He then threw the board like a piece of paper and placed the real diagram down. "Or Number three, your mind becomes quarreled by both one and two, so I guess you could say, you're both cured and completely broken."

"W-Wait, so you're saying I'm still under your spell?" She swore a migraine was coming on.

"Hmm, in a small matter of terms. Yes." He then transformed into a Jedi and gave the most serious face he could muster. "You have learned well young skywalker."

"..."

The face the cowgirl mare was making, must have been rather hilarious. Either that or he was laughing at himself again. 

She didn't have time for this, she didn't need any of it. She was completely fine and was not under his ridiculous spell. 

"Sure you're not." 

Her hooves landed on the floor as she stopped dumbstruck by his response. Did he ju-

"Read your mind? Trust me, that's not all I can do schmoopy doopy bear~" He teased now, scratching underneath her chin with a clearly distended lion claw. Applejack was more then just a little disgusted and pulled away with a growl. 

"Well you can fix it right!?" If she ignored his antics, maybe he'd work faster after all.

"Hmmm. Now why should I do that~?" His tone mocking, playful.

Ugh, she didn't have time for this. Why couldn't she just wake up in her nice warm bed and get ready for work like she did every morn-

"Except when you played hooky." Discord butted in yet again, causing the orange mare to literally groan out loud in aggravation, hooves covering her head in defeat or just trying to poorly drown out his voice.

"Ah yes, denial, a sure sign you're still under my spell~ By the way, are those red bubbles of me whispering the best you can do? I've seen scarier dreams in a gardener's head."

"WHY WON'T YOU LEAVE ME ALONE!"

The yell quaked the very dream itself and that got the abomination's attention real quick. She swore he even looked a bit serious for just a split second but then soon recovered with an ever witty response. "Because this is my job 'dear'."

He sneered as he floated above her, twirling a piece of her blonde hair in his talons, looking deep in thought. She was pretty sure she froze once he touched it -let alone her for that matter- and the blush was becoming more and more present by the minute.

"This is what Celestia hired me to do first before anything else. To basically 'fix up' the mess I made." He landed next to her, using her rump as a way to lean himself, not even minding the rude intrusion. "Honestly I feel like you all deserve this"

She knew it. Her eyes hardened up at him with a cold glare now.

"...But because I enjoy my new stature and fun little companions to keep-"

She blinked.

"...I guess I have no real choice~" He now did a head-stand and just smiled. "So, to start the recovery, we shall begin with the first stage: Denial."

"Denial?" She repeated, yet the creature of mis-matched animal parts just grinned all the wider at her. 

Seeing that smile, she couldn't help but feel like she just got stuck in a mouse trap.
> Denial
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A scream and a thud rattled the Apple Family household as Applejack found herself falling to the hard wood floor. So much for a good night's rest.

How she got into this position though she had no idea, she assumed she was just very close to the edge of the bed when she was sleeping or something.

Actually, It took her a while to even realize she was home. She wasn't sure if she was still in her dreamland with Discord or actually, truly home in her room.

"Well layin' on the floor isn't going to answer that question." She murmured.

Yet as she to tried stabilize herself, her hooves just wouldn't cooperate and instead were wobbling. Strange. Did one day of no work really set off her balance that much? No way, she must have blown the wind out of herself from the fall. Still though, quite the fall to do that.

Yet, before she could stand, a knocking became apparent at her door.

"Applejack!? Are you ok!? Don't worry! I'm-a-comin'!"

Not small enough to be Applebloom's voice, not gruff to be Big Mac's. Granny?

Sure enough, with a burst down of the door, looking intent to kick some plot came Granny Smith. And boy did she look ready for a whoopin'.

She looked silly, what with her old cooking pot over her head, blinding her vision and a measly stick for protection. Applejack had an idea of what to expect from that git-up. 

Yet before she could speak up to let her Granny know it was just a dream, her mouth got connected with a saggy green hoof. Funny, she expected a stick. Either way it caused her to fall flat on her rump, losing her balance all over again.

"GIT OUTTA HERE YA VARMINTS, SKE-DADDLE OR YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO TASTE THE POWER OF OL' GRANNY SMITH! HI-YA!" 

A screeching battle cry went off, setting off many punches from the beyond merciless stick swinging around. She had to admit, she moved fast for an old mare. With the way she was kicking it almost made it look like she was flying. Wait, actually, she was pretty sure she was! And Rainbow Dash said earth mare's couldn't fly.

This would have been comical if she was just hitting air but each knock beside the head only made AJ see stars. That isn't to say the showgirl mare didn't try and stop her though with her teeth but she just couldn't connect with that gosh darn stick of hers. So instead she just kept on getting beat up. Maybe talking would knock her out of it?

"Gra-" She tried to protest but another hoof hit her right in the teeth. Ew.

"GRAN-" Now a knock to the noggin. 

"Granny Smith what are ya doing!?" A squeal came from the doorway, being from her younger sister Applebloom she reckoned. 

"Wha-Whazzit?" Granny Smith raised the pot off her head dumbfounded, giving just enough time for AJ to grab the stick she was still swinging around and give a good yank!

Yet Granny Smith still wasn't sure what happened and soon lost her balance as well, falling right on top of her Grand-daughter. She was heavier then she looked.

"Granny! Are ya tryin' to kill Applejack!?" The bickering continued from the little filly as she tried to push her Granny off her big sister. AJ had to admit, she was proud and very relieved by her sister's interruptive behavior. Still, she would need to teach her to knock first before entering some time.

"What in the hay is going on-" Big Mac stepped on the scene, only to stop like a scared cat stuck in the act of shredding the couch. Yet as hesitant as he was, Applebloom urged him on. "Come on Big Brother, help me lift Granny and Applejack!"

He didn't need to be told twice, he scurried in quickly to give a good push and despite the weight, it wasn't hard to get Granny Smith off with a strong colt like Big Mac. Soon in no time, Applebloom began helping Granny to her feet and Big Mac lifted AJ up. 

A few apologies and mutters whispered here and there, things were back to normal in a jiffy. 

"Sorry to trouble ya'll." AJ whispered the apology once more, ears flopping as she gazed away from her loving family. As if her startling them was her fault.

"Nothin' to worry about Applejack, I should be the one sorry, I came in here faster then a horse feather ready to kick some- Er well, that's not important. The matter is, you're safe." Granny changed the tune of it all calmly, giving a small hug to her grand-daughter that Applejack was happy to accept. 

Once the cuddle finished, Big Mac and Applebloom both smiled and walked out, continuing on with their life as they should, yet Granny Smith stayed put. This brought more then enough curiosity to AJ's features.

"So, ye ready to get back on the field? You seem much better today." Granny beamed, giving a good view of her dentures in that wide grin.

How could she say no to a face like that?

"Sure Granny! Just tell me what needs to be done and I'll be there lickety-split!" 

A small giggle was leaving the withered mare's lips as she responded just as happily. "Well that's great AJ! I'll be seein' ya downstairs for breakfast." A guide in her step soon following as she approached the door.

"The first step is denial."

Where did that come from? 

"Hu-Huh? Did you say something Granny?" AJ spoke up, eyebrows furrowing. 

Yet her apple relative only turned with confusion and raised a brow. "Say what?"

"Its funny you know, you being the element of honesty. Yet you lie more then even me!"

Wait, Discord, how?

Granny Smith's face became puzzling as she shrugged and began turning her tail back to the door. AJ swore, she needed to get that surgery for her back soon so she could move a bit faster.

"I know what you did yesterday you know~"

"Wh-What?" Now she was getting scared. Was this a part of the dream and she had forgotten a piece of it? And if so was it catching up to her? Why now was it affecting her when she had woken up thirty minutes ago?

But now her Granny was getting irritated and soon turned back to Applejack to confront what she was doing talking behind her back but seeing the scared expression instead softened her old features once more and instead showed worry in return. "AJ...?" Her tone soft and gentle. 

"You sure you're alright?"

"Sure am Granny! Just thought I'd let ya know I'm a horrible, stinking liar~"

Could she hear him? Oh Celestia please no. Applejack couldn't help but lower her head in defeat, trying to whisper the "chaos demon" -or whatever it was called- away. "No I'm not..." 

Hearing those words, Granny Smith walked up slowly and frowned. "AJ... You know you can always talk to me. Are you not feeling good again?"

"I said I'm fine!" Applejack snapped.

Flinching in surprise by her answer and actually a bit hurt, Granny Smith's ears begin dripping on their own accord and it tore Applejack's heart completely in two. Yet words weren't forming and instead were just sputters. "I- Granny- I didn't mean-" Great, now she had done it.

"I-Its ok AJ, I know I worry too much and its all bad for my heart because of it."

Another tear through the cowgirl's heart.

"But I just worry cuz I love ya, that's all." Granny's head was dipping rather close to the floor as she spoke. 

But soon warmth came between the two as a hug enveloped them and even though her Granny was shocked, she did slowly return the embrace smiling. 

A tear hit her green shoulder as Applejack began to cry, causing the old mare's heart to swell for her Grand-daughter she loved so deeply. 

"I'm so scared Granny." Her voice finally letting go but shaking and quivering. "I don't know what's happening to me."

Yet instead of worry, the smile stayed plastered on the wise mare's lips and she found herself hugging her even tighter. "Hey now little missy." She pulled back from her smiling even more. "No need for those water works."

Applejack sniffled as she tried to recompose herself but yet Granny Smith continued. 

"Heck, ya know what scares me?" She started.

Applejack went ahead and thought she'd play along. "What?" 

"Everything! I mean, why does magic exist? Who made the first pony? Why is Apple Pie so gosh darn delicious?"

AJ blinked away the last of her tears as she stared a bit in surprise but soon began giggling and before she knew it, she was laughing! 

Granny Smith then smirked all the more as she prattled on. "But AJ I want ya to know somethin." Her face then becoming a bit more stern, silencing her laughter. 

"It's ok to be scared." 

It was ok to be scared? Really? Could Applejack truly believe that? Disbelief was all over her face but her wise relative just finished herself. 

"And no matter what silly or serious thing gives you the willies, I'll always love ya because you're still my AJ."

Something in her heart was beginning to heal itself as she heard those words and a heart warming smile came upon Applejack's features as she couldn't help but cuddle her Granny once more. 

Was it really alright to tell them? Let them know what her dark secret was? Maybe she wasn't scared of Discord, maybe she was scared of somepony looking down on her for her own thoughts about the mischievous spirit. Well, no more hiding. She was going to tell everyone the truth. 

"Granny...?" She whispered, a slow "mhmm?" coming back from the saggy mare. "...Rattle everypony to the living room. I got something to tell."

____

Soon enough, everypony was indeed sitting down in the living room. Ready for whatever kind of announcement AJ had to spew out of her mouth. She could only gulp at the three eager, smiling faces before her as she entered.

'Just keep calm AJ, you got this...' An awkward grin was forced upon her cheeks as she sat down in front of her family. Yet seeing that Applebloom had her backpack on, she realized she didn't have much time left. Least the young filly was more excited about the "surprise announcement" then she was.

"I-I have a confession to make e-everypony." Stutters and broken voices spilled from her mouth and she could tell, that this was really hard for her. It even made Applebloom's bouncing stop into worry. This was impossible.

She was mucking this all up! What if they hated her? What if they laughed? 

Yet a serene, understanding smile from her Granny reminded her just how important this was and it gave her that one last kick of strength to find her true voice. 

"...I wanted to say how sorry I am that I've been lyin' to ya'll lately. Not only have I been lyin' but I have also been keepin' secrets and I really shouldn't do that. The truth is, I wasn't actually sick yesterday so I'm sorry Applebloom for worryin' ya."

A smile came back upon the filly as she responded with no remorse. "Oh that's ok sis, I do that all the time!" Oops, a glare from Granny Smith said another story and AJ found herself giggling but she continued anyways.

"The reason I'd been lyin' was because I didn't believe in what I was really feeling and I realize now that all lyin' does is make matters worse." She turned to Big Mac. "Sorry for makin' ya do my work Big Brother."

Yet a wave of his hoof said it was no big deal, AJ nodded in respect anyways.

"Now you're all probably wondering why I felt so weird and stuff lately, well, its because..."

Her heart was hammering so viciously, she swore she was having a heart attack just trying to speak!

"I-I think I l-like D-"

Just spit it out already!

"I THINK I LIKE DISCORD!" 

...

She didn't realize it but she had her eyes closed. She truly was scared about this confession! Yet why though? But as soon as she did open her eyes, she was met with the still smiling and cheerful eyes of her family and all they did in response was giggle. She found herself getting hot again for some reason.

"We know." They all said in unison.

...Wait, what!? Oh, yeah, heh, right... It wasn't exactly the biggest secret in the world. AJ couldn't help but begin laughing awkwardly.

But then again, why was it so hard to say it out loud?  

Stage one: Denial, complete.

That voice again, was that... Discord?

"We're so glad you finally admitted your real feelings about that Discord feller." Granny smith nodded proudly.

"Eeyup!" Even that word alone from Big Mac sounded ridiculously cheerful.

However Applebloom was more innocent and mischievous about the matter and began hopping around all excitedly. "Applejack likes Discord! Applejack likes Discord!" 

What was blushing? She was a tomato at that point.

But thankfully a clearing of the throat from Granny Smith silenced the yellow filly. The tone following didn't linger on Granny's next set of words. "Well then, I think its time for breakfast AJ, you got a big day ahead of ya."

So much relief washed over her as her pent up frustration about this entire ordeal was made just a bit easier to swallow. Applejack was so excited to get back to working on the farm again. "Anything you say Granny Smith!"

"And its time for little fillies to get to school." 

"Awww!" Applebloom whined.

Yet another glare from Granny made her run out faster then a cat. She was going to get a talking to enough as it is. 

"Oh and AJ." Granny began again, trotting into the kitchen. Applejack calmly following suit. 

"Yes Granny?"

"We're not the only ponies you should be apologizin' to. After breakfast, I want you to go to Fluttershy's. She's been worried sick about you!"

Her hooves slowed down to a halt as she realized what this meant and an eye twitch soon followed her.

Oh... Buck.
> The Truth
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

She couldn't even start working, no, she just had to go see Fluttershy straight away! No ifs, ands or buts about it! When Granny Smith tells you to do something, by gosh darn, you will do it. Still though, she'd have preferred hearing Twilight's obvious rant about how important it was to be honest with your friends, when she herself should know better then anypony else about honesty! 

Indeed, this was going to be a very slow walk. 

Yes, some ponies did float or walk by waving at her but she couldn't help but only mutter a few "Hiyas" and "Hellos" as she passed by. She had no time for chit chat. Not with a certain draconequus -still- on her mind. 

She wanted to ask so many questions and she knew she wasn't going to get many answers. The look of determination as she made herself closer to the cottage had fewer ponies even wave or look her way because of how fierce her gaze looked, piercing ahead. she knew one thing though, she was going to make sure she got those answers, by any means necessary.

I mean, first of all, why was it every time she tried to speak, she couldn't sass up or even think of something genuine to say? Let alone even find her two bits for that matter? Discord's fault, that's why. He was using some voodoo chaos magic on her and she wasn't going to let it keep happening. That's why she came prepared this time, with her lasso, in case thing's got a bit fuzzy or if he tried to escape.

"No more games Discord..." She grumbled, through the rope in her mouth, pacing until then galloping to the cottage.

She wasn't scared anymore, she was determined to put that varmint in his place. Or by Celestia herself, she'd eat her own hat!

"Applejack?"

She heard a voice somewhere, probably was just another villager. She didn't have time for this! She needed to- oh wait, there it is. 

She got here already? That was fast, maybe she should go back and make sure she didn't go to a clone of the house or something. Yeah, that had to be it. There was no way-

Slam. The door just collided with her face and the wall.

"Applejack!? Applejack!? Where are you! Discord said he saw you but I told him that was just not possible because you should be laying in bed resting becauseyour'esosickand- ...Applejack?" 

What voice was that? Don't know, don't care. Pain, everywhere. Can't see light.

Suddenly a glare of Celestia's sun and yellow, pinkness. 

"Oh my Gosh! Applejack! Are you ok?!" Squeaked the fluffy yellow cloud with a pink mane and tail. Wait, Pink mane and tail- Oh shoot! She really was here!

"Aym, gud, fluttershai-" She collided down to the ground, she could tell only because something grimy just hit her teeth and decided to curl in her mouth. Yuck.

"Here, hurry, let's get you inside! You look absolutely awful..." 

Suddenly she was being lifted and flown inside the cottage, oh sweet Celestia thank goodness. Wait, grime, spit it out.

"It's a good thing Discord was watching the window, who knows what other infections you could catch outside in your condition...!" Fluttershy was mumbling most of this, as she only still saw blurs going by while spitting out wretched, disgusting dirt in a can beside her. She'd have chosen the floor but even as dazed and hurt as she was, she still had some decency for her friend's home. Except for Rarity, because she always got a kick out of seeing her flip out.

Wait, Discord. He knew she was coming!?

Shaking herself out of her daze, she jumped down and tried to ready her lasso but then she realized something, it was gone! 

"Wait, what!? Where-"

"Looking for something my little 'sugar cube'~?" 

It only took one turn of her head to see that smug, obnoxious smile of Discord. "...You." She seethed, growling almost as she neared him, ready to pounce. "Nopony takes my lasso..."

"Also your hat, but I take that every time." He snickered, pointing up at his head where he couldn't help but tease her further. 

Her dizziness satiated, she now saw the brown object above his head and now her anger was just boiling. "You give that stuff back to me right now or you'll be SORRY!"

"Ooo, I'm shaking in my fuuuuur~" He purred. "What if I told you, I like it when you fight back~" 

"..." Stunned silence.

He winked.

She tried to find words, she really, honestly did. Yet all that came out was blathering and Discord was just snickering at her. 

"You know." He stated, suddenly dressing in a cowboy attire with a snap of his talons, his lion paw making the lasso fly up in the air with a twirl. "I always wanted to be a cowboy~"

"...Give it back." She felt her own gaze narrowing now, because this was going too far. 

Yet suddenly, she found herself squealing like a pig, almost quite literally with how he used her lasso to tie her up and pull her in like cattle itself. "And why should I do that, Darlin'?" His voice breaking a very stupid southern accent. She never sounded anything like that!

"Or I'll steal your bones for my daily sandwich." She snarled in return, pressing her muzzle against his smirking one.

"...Excuse me?"

Both heads turned to look at Fluttershy in surprise, somehow astonished she was there despite the residence they were at. 

"Can we not fight, please? You know, if that's ok... With you?"

How long had she been standing there? Neither one of them knew. Yet with that one plea, they immediately broke off of each other but Discord still kept the hat and lasso. While AJ just decided, he'd give em back eventually, or else he would be mincemeat. 

____

A small time later, thing's had died down and they were all able to assort themselves to some tea and biscuits. Of course, only after AJ painstakingly went through a million tests by Fluttershy to make sure she was 'cured'. Even though she had said so many times it wasn't a real illness. But with Fluttershy always worrying, she of course stated she was doing it 'just to make sure'. 

"Discord, can't you please give back Applejack's stuff...?" The shy mare was pleading with the God of chaos, much help that's going to be. If it didn't work for her, why would it work for-

"Oh fine dear, but only because you asked nicely~"

And with a snap of his fingers, all of AJ's belongings went back on her head and on her back.

"...I hate you." She dead-panned.

"Now Applejack, that's not nice, you say, I greatly dislike you." Discord stated, sounding exactly like Fluttershy as he turned to her. His eyebrows fluttering as he cupped his mis-matched hands together. 

Yet despite the words, Fluttershy was a bit shocked at how well he mimicked her voice but then again this was Discord. 

"While I do agree with Discord..." Fluttershy started, pouring some more tea for the two. "I'd advise we don't use my vocal chords... or something." She shyly looked away, still a bit perturbed by it.

"You're right my dear, everypony knows if you want to have the perfect voice, you use yours truly." He placed his talons on his heart, posing righteously.

Applejack felt another eye roll coming on. "Give me a break."

Discord suddenly appeared underneath Applejack, making her scream as she held for dear life around his neck so she wouldn't fall. Yet Discord only sipped his tea before asking. "So what pray tell, brings you here my dear~? I know it must be something to do with me. Since you're so infatuated with my good looks and all~"

Her face wasn't red, stop imagining that it was. It wasn't!

"In your dreams!" She felt herself bravely jump off his neck now, landing on all fours gracefully. She now turned to face him, pointing an accusing hoof. "Now you listen to me, you sniveling excuse of a varmint!"

Fluttershy gasped dramatically at that.

"I want answers!"

"Of what?" He now stated, being less random and a tad more serious but he was still smirking a bit.

Yet a choke of air was all that left him as he felt his neck being tightened by a rope of some kind and before Discord knew it, he was being pinned to the ground and trampled on by Applejack. Instead of being scared though, a flirtatious look came upon his features and he wiggled his eyebrows. AJ ignored it though, stomping her hoof in his chest, knocking the air out of him so he went back to being surprised. It was an improvement, she guessed.

"Listen here, I wanna know what the hay you freaking did to me last night!"

Fluttershy was starting to flush, so she was wondering or not if this was a conversation she was even allowed to listen to. 

"Well, I basically told you about your Chaos Demons and-"

"No! Not that! I'm talking about Granny Smith and hearing some weird voice, that sounded particularly close to yours!" 

"Oh, that, that's just a part of the healing process. It just scans how your handling your Chaos Demons. It also knows how to poke you in the right direction so you'll fix yourself, more or less. I can't always be around to baby sit you, you know." 

"But it made a fool out of me!" She growled, stomping her hoof in his air passage before pulling back up again once he started choking. 

"So what!? You can't expect this to be easy to rid of, do you?" He growled now, getting a bit irked by this whole situation.

I mean, she'd be angry sure, but full blown choking? That was a little extreme. Maybe he wasn't all that interested in a dominant mare... He'd prefer it better actu-

"But what do my feelings have to do with any of this!? You said it had something to do with my Chaos Demons or whatever the hay it is, so explain!"

Discord sighed now and snapped his fingers, sitting back down in his chair to sip some tea. He then snapped and reappeared underneath her, back in his normal position, confusing the two mares. "You see..." He started, waving his talons around. "You're confused because, more or less, you have feelings for my ultimate sexiness correct?" 

She growled. "Just keep going..."

"Well... Whenever I 'Discord' someone and they become corrupted with these Chaos Demon's after the whole 'yay harmony fixes everything' appeal, you'll become attracted to moi because of the 'chaos and disharmony' still lurking inside of you. Therefore, it is normal to have feelings for the Draconequus who created it, all ponies I've 'Discorded' have had this happen."

Wait, all of them?

Did...Did Fluttershy just blush?

Wait

Applejack blushed at this, not in embarrassment but in anger. She didn't like the sound of sharing him... And it scared her that she felt that way, at all. For Discord of all creatures. So, her feelings weren't genuine, they were just 'created' by this abomination. 

"..." Realizing this, she just now glared and spoke in a low whisper. "So everypony has felt this way...?"

"Well, more or less, yes."

"Who." She demanded.

"Trick Treat, Peachie Cakes, Tom Foolery, Hufflalumps and Woozles, you name it." He grinned now, so proud of his playboy legion of toys. And boy was Applejack's face red as a beet.

"..." Yet silence fell her as she stepped off of him and now calmly untied her lasso, walking up to the door. She stopped though, to whisper one last thing. "This is all your fault, you know that?"

She could feel tears stinging her eyes but the heart ache that was beating in her was more painful then anything, she had felt before. "If you hadn't done this 'Discordin' business, none of this would have happened."

Sensing her friend's upset words, Fluttershy tried to come over and hug her but Applejack gave her the cold shoulder, rubbing her off. She now turned to Discord, eyes red. "You did this to me..."

Fluttershy and Discord both tried to say something but Applejack had heard enough of it and had already dashed home. Leaving the door ajar.

She hoped Big Mac was ready for another hard day of labor, because with her heart as broken as it was, it be a miracle if she even ate anything for days.

Yet what she didn't know, nor anypony for that matter, was Pinkie Pie had been listening in on the entire conversation, following Applejack to Fluttershy's cottage and soon a plan would begin to unfold for the country mare.
> Broken
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

She felt horrible, simply destroyed. 

No matter how much coaxing her family tried to do, Applejack rarely found herself coming out.

Yet despite being out for a small while, nibbling on a meal or sipping some water or even going to the bathroom, she would just find herself moping back in her room. 

No one was to be allowed in, as Applejack couldn't stand to even look at anypony.

How many mares, let alone stallions, had been looking at Discord? What if Fluttershy was just a 'friend' to get closer? Were her friends even really her friends anymore? 

Not only that but what about her family? Was everything after her first encounter with the mismatched creature of chaos just an illusion and she was still bound by his treacherous spell? Playing a mind game?

Was Equestria truly back? Or was she living in a fantasy world?

Well she knew one thing, her heart wasn't being lied to anymore.

Each time one of the family member's tried to get her out, she would only lay silent. Tears drenching her face every few hours or so. 

Granny Smith knew, that there was no way to get her out, she tried everything! She tried speaking to her with the whole family about what was wrong. A trick about needing to do her duties as a farmer. A yell or two. Even Applebloom tried to coax her sister out by asking to play.

Yet no reply ever came.

So drastic times, called for drastic measures. She had to ask Applebloom to get her friends. She'd have done it herself but, her old hip wasn't like it used to be and Big Mac was busy doing double the load of work out on the farm. 

________________________________________________________________

A few hours passed and soon all the element bearers were outside of AJ's door, begging and pleading for her to come out. Yet Applejack would have none of it.

"I don't wanna hear it!" Least the farmer was responding now. 

"But AJ, please, we can't help, if you don't tell us what's wrong." Twilight calmly spoke, her eyes in protest to the barrier between her and the orange mare. Yet unknowing to the five outside, AJ was resting her back on the door, listening in. She hated being away from her friends but just looking at them now, scared her to pieces. She just couldn't bear what their expressions would be like. 

"I just can't tell you Twilight. I-" Her face buried itself into her hooves. Her voice quaking, breaking with ease into more cries. 

A look of worry crossed the others as they pondered on what to say next. In where, the Fashionista soon made a speech. 

"Darling, I assure you, no matter what it is, we, your friends, will always understand." Rarity's voice was soft, understanding. Applejack almost replied. Almost.

"Oh... This is all my fault." 

AJ's ears perked as well as the others did, turning to the shy Pegasus known as Fluttershy before them. 

"Why, darling, whatever do you mean? You didn't kno-"

"Yes I did. I was there Rarity. I saw what happened. Everything." 

Applejack had now tensed, scared of what Fluttershy would say. Her hooves pushing herself up now, off the floor, to turn at the wooden door. "Fluttershy, don't!"

The pleading cry only made Fluttershy feel worse, realizing now that perhaps she had to speak. Even if it meant trespassing her friends personal space. Oh, why did this have to happen to her?

"I'm sorry Applejack but its not fair to let your friends be in the dark..." 

Yet before Fluttershy could speak another word, Applejack slammed the door open, jumping to her friends hooves. "Don't! Please! I beg of you!" 

Seeing her disheveled fur and mane with blood-shot eyes, the girls all stepped back in fear at what they were seeing. 

It took a second before Applejack realized what she had done. Now she messed up. 

She screwed up, big time.

So, covering her face, she just cried again. "Please, don't look at me." 

Wincing and shaking, Fluttershy's eyes stared down at her broken friend in both fear and awe. The love she felt for Discord must have been far bigger then she imagined. 

She couldn't stand seeing the sight of her this way, she needed to hold her. So she did. In an instant, Fluttershy's wings enveloped around her destroyed friend and held her close. The cries only emitting a piercing scream of agony now that she felt warmth again after so many days, maybe even weeks. She clung to her, desperate for the affection.

Scared of how to react, only Pinkie Pie was the second to join in the hug, then a small delay before the rest huddled in. They stroked her mane and all patted her back, trying to shush, the usually strong-willed and stubborn orange mare to ease.

_______________________________________________

Once things were settled down, the group of mares now all rested respectfully on Applejack's floor, speaking to her gently about this whole situation. Needless to say, it took a few hyperventilated gasps and cries from the cow-mare to get her story out in full.

"I can barely sleep, eat or even drink anything without thinking about him..." She finished, AJ's gaze glowering at the floor as if it were to blame.

"Wow AJ, this must have been a real roller coaster for you." Twilight stated.

"Yeah! And not the good kind where you get really sick from screaming really hard from excitement!" Pinkie Pie countered, making the girls blink before shaking their heads from the statement. 

"Indeed, and here I thought I took heart breaks so seriously." Rarity giggled, nervously, as she knew how dramatic she could be. Her past with a certain stallion, making her blush in embarrassment.

"How can I know for sure, that I truly love him? That I'm not still... 'Discorded' or... This 'Chaos Demon' whatchamacallit." Applejack sighed, kicking the ground with her fore-hoof. 

"Well, to be honest, I don't get it." Rainbow Dash had finally said something, making the girls all turn to her in confusion.

"I mean, you're supposed to be interested in him because of some 'demon' or whatever, right? And you get this by being 'Discorded'. So, why do I not care for the guy?" Her gaze looked doubtful.

This caused the farmer to think. "Well, he said that sometimes it affects ponies and sometimes it doesn't. I'm one of them, I guess."

"Well, I never liked Discord that way. I mean, I don't think I do. Discord is, well, my friend." Fluttershy whispered now, only her reply was met with doubt by AJ.

"Yeah, sure, that's why you hang out with him every day, right?" Her inquiry highly sarcastic.

Fluttershy gave a few blinks in confusion before Pinkie Pie jumped in.

"Ooo Ooo! But I don't like Discord. Well I like Discord but I don't LIKE LIKE Discord. I mean, he's sorta cool. But you gotta remember!" She dashed up now, shaking the farmer dramatically, eyes piercing hers. "HE FORGOT THE WHIP CREAM!" She dropped AJ suddenly as she spoke. "And that is a sin, I cannot forgive." She held up her hoof as if in a promise. A Pinkie Promise, most likely. 

Shaking her head, AJ saw that Twilight had decided to put her two cents in again. She didn't bother sitting up, she was too tired to.

"But what if Discord is lying? He is the Spirit of Chaos AND Disharmony, you know."

Hearing these words, Applejack felt her face fall again and soon she covered it, feeling tears well up once more. "That's why I'm so scared... I don't know what I'm feeling anymore."

The girls all frowned now, watching her. 

"What if I'm not real? Maybe I'm just a joke."

"Now that's not the AJ I know." 

Applejack lowered her hooves, watching Rainbow Dash flutter above her, the expression on her features, fierce and determined before she landed on her stomach. "Where's the Applejack I know of? The one who never gives up? The one who kicks everybody's flank and takes names? The AJ who, no matter what, always knows just what to do?"

Rainbow Dash stepped back and held her fore-hoof out. In which AJ, still keeping solemn, grabbed and pulled herself up on the ground. 

"Trust me AJ, you're never a joke. If anyone's a walking joke, its Discord." 

Fluttershy made a face at Rainbow Dash, not particularly caring of her words, yet Applejack smiled a bit. She knew RD was just trying to help her feel better and well, her speech did help, at least a little. 

"Thanks Rainbow." She simply nodded her head to her before lending out her hoof as she did, where Rainbow Dash soon slammed her own hoof right into it, a calm but playful glare between the two as they knew what the symbolism behind the slam was. 

Twilight, smiling to see the two back on normal terms, just rolled her eyes and shook her head. "I know that look." She giggled.

"I must intervene here, I do apologize AJ dear." Rarity butted in, stepping between the two. Rainbow Dash shrugged and gave the two room, letting the white mare speak what was needed.

"AJ, I must say, I've seen many lovers in my day. Yet not one as strong as this. I never thought I'd say this, but, I doubt your feelings for Discord are false."

Rarity couldn't believe what she was saying and neither could Applejack. 

"How- How can you be so sure Rare'?" She replied with a hint of worry. 

"Remember, when I had said that I know how dramatic I can be?"

Before AJ could answer, the entire group said "Yes" in unison. Making Rarity jump and give a small cold glare to them. Applejack giggled. 

Seeing as how it made the apple farmer smile, Rarity decided to leave it at that and go on. "Ahem, anyways, trust me. I am a lady, I know how deep an affair can go and the constant tears and heart break you feel, can only be equaled to that of Discord."

Did... Did she hear her right? How in the hay was Discord suffering? And if he was? Good!

"What?" Applejack allowed herself to question.

"Yes, he has been a bit down, hasn't he girls?"

A silence befell the six mares before Rainbow Dash spoke once more.

"Yeah, come to think of it. He was sorta drooping today. He was still laughing and being, well, Discord but he was also being kind of... Um..."

"Clammed up?" Twilight spoke again.

"Yeah! Yeah, that's it." Rainbow Dash then blinked and gazed back down at Twilight. "You noticed too?"

"We all noticed." Rarity spoke up, looking to Fluttershy for some clarity. 

"Yes, Discord has been different. I tried to ask him what's wrong, but he won't tell me. I think I know why now." 

AJ was silent once more, Discord... Was upset? Was he feeling bad because of what he did to her? Did he actually feel... Guilty? Was that even possible for Discord?

"You see? A lady always sees these things. You're in love with Discord and he, as well, also returns the feelings." 

The orange mare's emerald eyes pierced Rarity's blue ones. "I don't care."

Everyone else flinched at that response, yet Rarity could only narrow her eyes. "Tell that to your heart." 

Tell that, to her... Heart? What was there to tell it? She wanted nothing to do with him!

I got to find him.

No! Refuse it! Leave him alone, its better this way!

I was so worked up about my own feelings, I never even considered his!

No! He's the God of Chaos and Disharmony. It's all a trick, a lie. You're his toy, his game. 

"..." AJ was quiet.

The silence was eerie, making it almost sound as if it was destroying the peace of its solitude meaning. Then, suddenly. "Hey I know!"

All eyes turned to Pinkie.

"Let's do a 'Coming Out' party!" 

Everyone was silent at that, questioning what exactly a 'Coming Out' party even was. Yet as some found out, they all had different definitions for 'Coming Out'. Despite the blushes on their faces, Pinkie Pie's stayed clean. 

"Um, Pinkie Pie, I don't think you know what that actually means-" Fluttershy spoke softly.

"Of course I know! Its a celebration to Applejack coming out of her room!" 

At this, suddenly they all sighed and laughed nervously in response, making Pinkie Pie raise a brow curiously. "What did you think I said?"

"Nevermind Pinkie. That sounds like a great idea." Twilight nodded.

"Uh, do I have to?" Applejack grinned sheepishly. 

"...So does this mean you're not coming out?" Pinkie Pie's hair began to lose its poofy feeling. In which AJ couldn't bare seeing her friend so upset, so she sighed and gave in. "Well, I have been needing a sho-" Suddenly she was being squeezed to death by the party pony's hooves in a hug.

"Oh my Gosh! I'm so excited! I've never done a 'Coming Out' party before! This is going to be so fun!" Pinkie Pie giggled.

Yet down in AJ's stomach, she felt a turn of nausea coming on, despite the encouraging smiles of her friends. "Yeah, hehe, fun..." She replied, scared for her future.
> Let's Be Honest
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

AJ knew fairly well, she wasn't exactly going to appreciate a whole celebration due to her falling in love with a creature that almost destroyed her own home town. If things were crazy before, they were just plain insane now.

Everywhere she walked in Ponyville, ponies waved and spoke with eagerness about her, ugh, 'Coming Out' party. Constantly asking: 

"Who is he? Or is it a she?"
"How long have you held it in?"
"Allons-y!" 

She wasn't sure about that last one, she assumed it was 'French' for, 'Hitched!' and she didn't have the heart to say otherwise to the Stallion. Least she decide to look like a fool of herself.

A groan was escaping her lips now as her head just felt like falling off from how low it was dropping. She just, didn't want to be here.

Yet low and behold, sure enough, Sugar Cube Corner was filled to the brim with music, candy and ponies galore.

All here to see AJ confess her love for her, ever so sweet, charming and completely sadistic boyfriend; Discord.

"Yee...Haw..." She lowly murmured, pulling her hat down her eyes to avoid any further humiliation. 

"Step right up! To the grand opening of my very first 'Coming Out' party! For my rootenest, tootenest friend-" 

No! Not the hat!

Ugh, too late. She grabbed it.

"-Applejack!" 

Suddenly before her, thousands of ponies were cheering and hollering with excitement at the door, happy to see the big part of the show. The humiliated cow-mare. 

"...Help." She could feel so many eyes on her. All there, waiting for her to respond. As if she needed to, like she had no choice. The smiles all becoming cruel and laughter-filled. She swore, she could even see Discord's own dark figure behind them, pointing and laughing straight at her.

The nausea building, her hooves buckling, her heart racing. 

"I-I-I-" She couldn't speak, she tried with all her might but nothing was coming out.

From the side, she could feel a weight on her as well as a voice, racking in her ear. "Say something! Everyone's staring!"

'You're really helping Pinkie Pie.' The snarky remark helped ease her senses but not by much and yet before AJ could even utter an apology, suddenly she was gone from the world of watching, eager eyes and now out in a grassy, open field.

Before her were clouds, yet she knew full well her hooves were in grass. A simple look down, indicated that while yes, she was standing on ground, she was also near a cliff. A rocky slope to be precise, leading straight down to a path of deadly jagged rocks and a crashing ocean. 

"A-Am I dreaming?" She took a step back to make sure she wouldn't fall down the watery death trap.

"Nah, you're just on drugs." A calm, coy voice spoke, making AJ actually smile a bit.

"Oh thank goodness, I was worried I was sleeping on the job." 

A laugh responded to her as her emerald gaze turned to see the 'royal' Draconequus himself, sitting right beside her.

Now normally she'd punch his face in, maybe even say a word or two about how many mares he'd seen. Yet she knew if she even uttered one thing or the other, he'd tease her, make her blush. For now, she was just happy to see that he was doing better.

"I could say the same for you." Discord's eyes narrowed as he spoke, making AJ's heart skip a beat.

"W-What? Oh!" As soon as she said that, Discord tapped his head, smirking. To remind her that yes, he could indeed read her mind. Best to have a blank canvas for now.

"That would be wise."

"Shut up." She sneered, kicking his arm playfully. "Now, take me back you turkey-faced horseshoe."

"I give you points on creativity but the insult misses by a landslide~" 

Making a small face, the orange mare found her eyes looking off to the glowing orb off in the distance. The sun, it seemed, was setting here in this foreign place. At least, she believed it was foreign. It could have also been just some place near Ponyville, it was hard to tell.

"Please, take a load off, no one will know~" Discord's tail flicked as he said that, his throat now reverberating a chuckle. Which AJ may or may not had blushed at.

"But, Pinkie P-"

"I said, no one will know~ Or did you not hear me?" He knocked his talon knuckles on her brain, making her flinch with a rather pissed expression. Yet Discord only laughed once more. "So, miss me?" He purred now, tickling her chin teasingly with the talons now.

"Oh? And you didn't?" AJ's smile was now the smarmy one, though Discord's face stayed calm.

"Always~" His tone was more then a bit dramatic, it pleaded 'cheesieness'. If that was even a word.

Applejack scoffed at that and just rolled her eyes, yet she kept her smile. 

So seeing as it was pointless to argue, she sat down, rather reluctantly. Yet as soon as her eyes looked back at the scarlet, crimson hue in the sky, she found herself easing a lot better.

"I figured you needed an escape." 

AJ almost jumped at that, her eyes only now searching his distant ones as he too, was now looking at the sunset rather calmly. Did she really hear him right?

"I can always repeat it." Discord's smile grew wider.

"Ugh, must you kill every moment you make?" It was true, when didn't he ruin an honest-to-goodness peaceful moment? Never.

"Honestly? I'm being rather serious, my darling little Applejack." He chuckled.

"I really doubt that." She dead-panned.

As she said that, a silence befell the two as they both now were watching the sun's gentle descent into the Earth's edge. Something AJ was about to end from the sheer irony that Discord was being quiet during this grand and alluring moment. The feeling of the waves, hitting the rocks below, giving a sensation of pure tranquility. It was heavenly, to say the least.

"I'm sorry." The spirit spoke quietly. AJ's ears now perking as she opened one of her eyes lazily to his side, not even noticing that she was beginning to fall asleep to the sounds before her. She wasn't sure how she was so easily able to sleep beside the Draconequus in the first place.

"What?" AJ confronted.

"What." Discord countered.

"..." AJ made a face now and raised a brow at the creature before she soon chuckled, pulling back her hat. "I know you said something."

"You're on drugs remember." He stated briefly, before grunting at a playful kick in his shoulder.

"Come on! I know you said what I think you said!" The cow-mare was practically glowing with laughter and Discord seemed to almost glow with a smile of his own.

"I didn't say what you think I said. What do you think I said, that you thought I said?" He laughed in return, making Applejack jump up and point a hoof, eyes determined and smirking widely.

"You know full well what you said! And I wanna hear it one more time!" She grinned to him, yet he just flipped his paw at her.

"Then you already heard enough times."

"No fair!" 

Her laughter continued as she climbed on the mix-matched creature, nuzzling her hoof down on his head yet before she could continue, she noticed his head became harder then usual. Looking down, she just saw a stool she was on.

"What the-?" Yet before she could ask what was happening, Discord appeared inches near her face, causing her to have a flush attack. "I-I-" He then softly touched her nose with his talon. 

"Boop."

And with that, she fell back down, screaming. Holding onto the stool for dear life, making the spirit burst into a heap of laughter, rolling on the floor. 

Pissed, AJ kicked the stool off with her powerful hind hooves and was ready to rush into Discord but as soon as she was close enough, he had grabbed her, causing her to scream.

"Put me do- AHH!" Suddenly a burst of laughter escaped forcibly out her throat as Discord laid a powerful tickle attack all over her body. 

"You'll never escape me~ I gotcha now~" His talons, claws and even tail tickling her all together in the mix.

She tried to escape as best she could and well, she did a grand job laughing to death and kicking his jaw and gut a few times with her bottom hooves. Discord tried to grab them but he kept 'unf'ing too much to find a steady grip.

It ended in the two, giggling in an exhaustive heap, looking at each other as if they were best friends for ages.

It only occurred to Applejack what she was doing was too late and soon found herself, looking either... Ashamed, embarrassed or just plain shy. She didn't know anymore what her heart was doing. She gave up a long time ago to figure that out.

"Apology accepted." She mumbled now, the Draconequus' ears now perking.

"Excuse me? Did I just hear Miss Stubborn actually say, 'apology accepted'?" He teased. Yet as soon as he said that with a smile, AJ found herself able to say something she was afraid of bringing up. Yet she knew she had to one day.

"...When you made me afraid of telling the truth, do you know how much it hurt me?" She whispered now, finding it hard to meet his mis-matched eyes.

Discord just stayed quiet and laid there, listening.

"It wasn't just because you made me feel like I wasn't a good enough friend or that you caused so many ponies to doubt me for almost a year when I came back to..." She found herself shaking now. How could she bring herself to say what she wanted? She was terrified.

By Discord's constant silence, she could tell he must have been scared too.

Good.

"You made me realize I was still lying about my own parents." 

...

Discord tried to speak but AJ had cut him off as she looked to him, tears drenching her face as they poured down in a hapless pool. "Every time I lied, I saw the truth about my parents. How they truly were gone from this world. That I could never see them again."

Discord's ears dropped now as his own red pupil's both actually widened. Completely distraught by Applejack's confession. Yet she wasn't finished. Not yet.

"When I told the truth, I thought I was helping folks. I thought that if I was honest, ponies would see their mistakes better, so that I could lie just a little bit longer to myself." Her teeth clenched as she began feeling her hyperventilation come back up again. 

"They'll come back. They're not gone... They'll just be away for a little while."

The abomination, truly feeling like one at that instant, tried to crawl over to hold AJ but soon she snapped and looked back up, growling.

"But they won't come back! Will they Discord!? They'll never-" 

Discord knew her truth, even if she herself was closed up to it. 

'When all the truth does, is make your heart ache... Sometimes a lie, is easier to take.'

She felt comatose, like her head was heavier then her own body. She wanted to lie down, she needed to-

"What have I done..." A small whisper approached her ears. AJ's distant eyes now opening to the world around her and feeling a rather warm sensation. 

Her face was buried in the chest of the Draconequus, his grip something fierce as he too, actually shook a bit holding her. 

"Applejack, I never meant for my dark magic to go that far. To me, it was just-" He went silent, realizing what his next words would be. Even AJ knew.

As Discord looked down at Applejack's slightly lifeless eyes from the massive tears that left her, he soon smiled warmly to her and cupped her cheek. This, caused the cow-mare to gasp before looking up at him, hopeful.

The sunset looked rather... Sweet behind him.

"They will come back." He spoke softly, making AJ's heart flutter.

"W-What. But y-you s-said-" AJ started stuttering again.

"In here." His talon pointed at her heart as he spoke next. "Your heart knows whats best Applejack. As cheesy as it sounds-" He chuckled now "-you always make the right choices."

"Just not the easiest ones." His smile went from ear to ear as he said that, AJ's eyes widening as she felt more tears leave her.

"Fear of the unknown is a dangerous thing. So take it from me." As he bent down to face her, his lips finally met with hers. Giving her not a seductive or sensual kiss but one of trust, faith and even hope.

As he kissed her, eyes closed. AJ could only blush and watch in shock and awe as his voice spoke in her mind.

'Find solace in the truth, for what's inside is all there is and will be. While lies will grow into not only fear but chaos.'

As he kissed her, suddenly AJ's vision had blurred and she had found herself disappearing from the soft earth soil below her and onto a hard, wooden floor. She didn't want to go, she wanted to stay. To speak to him longer.

Yet as soon as her vision saw treats and ponies galore, only one last sentence could be heard in her mind from Discord.

'Don't end up like me.'