There's an alicorn in the Mane Six. It's not Twilight Sparkle.
Applejack lives under the sword of Damocles. Her family, her friendships, and her happy life in Ponyville would come crashing down if anypony ever asked her one simple question: "Are you an alicorn?"
"Granny Smith!" Applejack shouted as she galloped into the kitchen. Luckily, the door hit nothing but the wall as she hastily shouldered the door out of the way. "No time to explain, where can I hide?"
The old green mare looked surprised, but held open the pantry door. "In here, then."
Applejack nodded, and quickly slipped into the tiny room, collapsing on the floor. Sweat coated her brow, and her trademark hat was nowhere to be seen; her mane and tail were an absolute mess. "Don't tell..."
Granny Smith shushed her, and pushed her back into a flour sack. "If you're hiding, don't talk." And with that, she closed the door and went back to the day's chores. The sound from the pantry slowed to a heavy pant, then stopped.
None to soon. The same door that had just been shouldered aside was knocked aside at least twenty percent faster by a pair of crashing pegasi hooves. "Applejack! Hey, Applejack!"
"Now, we've told you, Rainbow Dash - you don't fly through that door, you walk through, and you never slam it open. What if Applejack had been standing there?"
Applejack swallowed as she heard Rainbow Dash's hooves clatter on the ground. "Ye-yes, ma'am."
Applejack gave a worn smile. That bought her another five seconds as Rainbow Dash walked out the door, then trotted back in as fast as she could. "Granny Smith, have you seen Applejack? I need her help."
"Can't say I know where she is." And that was literally true; it was entirely possible Applejack had tunneled out of the pantry when Granny Smith wasn't paying attention. "Now, what's so important that you slammed our doors open for it?"
"There's this newcomer in Ponyville, and she's been all over the sky. As the local weathermare, I just need to make sure she knows the aerials, that's all."
"Well, that's all above us," Granny Smith joked, using an earth pony expression that dated back about two generations. "None of us know anything about any new pegasi in town."
Rainbow Dash gave a dejected little sigh. "Alright, but... well, if you see her, you'll tell her to talk with me, right?"
"I'll do that."
Applejack held her breath as she heard the fast trot out the door. The moment the last hoof had stepped onto the wooden porch, there was the telltale slam of the door and clattering of pots as Rainbow Dash's wake slammed the door shut behind her. But Applejack still jumped when the pantry door opened, revealing an annoyed Granny Smith.
"Now, why did I just go to all that trouble when she wasn't looking for you?"
"No... she was looking for me. She just didn't know it."
Big Mac gently pushed Applejack's door open with a hoof. In his teeth was clenched a familiar hat.
"Oh, thanks," Applejack said tiredly. There was still light outside, but she had already shut her curtains tight, and was laying on her bed alone in the dark. She waved a hoof, and he hung it on the appropriate hook.
"I found it over by the old riverbed." He sat, the light from the hall cast just beside where she slept. He didn't enter any further, but he wasn't about to go away, either.
"Yeah. About that. I... I had been spending some time there."
Her brother smiled softly. "'Letting your hair down' again?"
She gave an exasperated little sigh, and rolled onto her back. "Yes, I did it again! I can't exactly do it in the farm or in town, and I don't want to go too far, but... keeping up appearances is hard, alright? And it hurts if I go too long in this guise."
Big Macintosh too a step back. Hearing that it was painful was new information to him, and he had been helping keep his sister's secret for years now. He grimaced as he thought back; for all these years, he thought she was just being selfish, every time she had "gone out." There had even been strong words, once or twice. Big Macintosh couldn't quite look his sister in the eyes as he raised a broad hoof. "Well, Applejack... you know you can always count on me. If you ever need a distraction or an alibi, just ask, you hear?"
Applejack nodded softly, but turned away. It wasn't until she felt his great big hoof rest gently on her flank that she looked up, to see his kind smile upon her.
"You know you're not alone. You've got family, you know. And that will never change."
She shook her head. "I know. I just... I just don't want the family thinking I'm different or weird, is all." She sighed, and flopped her head on the bed, closing her eyes.
Especially Apple Bloom.
Rainbow Dash had ascended as high as she could, to the highest cloud in the sky - a tiny little patch of fog, just enough to properly sprawl out on. The first course of business, of course, to search the sky for that golden mare. Second - to make sure there were no eavesdroppers.
Because when she flopped back against the cloud, she let back a high-pitched squeal of delight.
That was totally awesome!
Rainbow Dash had noticed the tall alicorn flying around the old riverbed. Any pro athlete, like the Dash, could see that it wasn't your typical morning stretch; the alicorn (besides using golden magic to pluck some fruit mid-flight) was pulling serious turns, dissipating clouds with practiced bounces and sprinting from one tree to another, repeatedly. Rainbow Dash had tried to introduce herself - to fulfill her job duties, then give the alicorn some pointers on her form - but the alicorn had flown off, shocked.
And from then, the chase was on!
It wasn't a competition proper. It was just two mares, going all out for the pure sake and joy of going all out. They flew down the river bed, over the wild Everfree, through banks of clouds and up along a waterfall. Rainbow Dash had actually had to burst through that waterfall to keep up. It was such a wild stunt, one that would normally require weeks of practice to get just right - and the two of them had just spontaneously done it.
Rainbow Dash might be the top athlete in all Ponyville - but this newcomer might even be better than that!
She tried to recall the alicorn's cutie mark - three rubies? Relative of Rarity's? - and her face. They hadn't actually exchanged any words, nor did she get to look at her long; nothing but that beautiful tail and long, golden mane slashing back and forth from the pure speed. If she had had more red to her hair - and, of course, not been an alicorn - Rainbow Dash would have thought Ponyville had been visited by Spitfire. But not even seeing the Wonderbolts perform could have made her feel as wonderful as that race just was.
Rainbow Dash splayed her wings out against the cloud as she tried harder to imagine her face. But as she did so, her imagination went into overdrive - imagining not just what the visitor's face would look like, but what it would look like looking at her. Rainbow Dash swallowed at the way the alicorn smiled at her in her mind's eye.
Oh Celestia, am I really thinking this way about somepony?
The pegasus hadn't thought seriously about a relationship before - although there had been that one time with Caramel, and she still had that signed photo of Soarin framed in her living room. Unlike the one-night flings and passionate dreams of her past, when she thought of her mystery alicorn, she imagined something... cozier. Two athletes living together; together, they could be harder than steel in practice and in flight, yet soft and light as a feather at home.
Athletes take good care of themselves, right? So we'd take good care of each other, too, right?
Still turning the idea over in her head, Rainbow Dash closed her eyes - and suddenly, she imagined that golden alicorn on her bed. That really made her blush, especially imagining the way those huge wings splayed out, a telltale come-hither lilt to the eyes and to the feathers. Or the two of them wrestling for something, and that alicorn leaning in for a surprise kiss, using the surprise distraction to win the contest...
Oh Celestia, am I really thinking this way about another mare?
Rainbow Dash's eyes flew wide open. Of course, the alicorn had not appeared above her; only perfect blue sky in every direction. But she grinned anyways.
"Oh, I don't care!"
Rainbow Dash gave another giddy squeal, and did a tight little loop around the cloud, adding a roll so that her wings splayed out. The cloud broke up protesting the sudden pressure burst around it, creating a bright rainbow flash in the sky where the cloud had just been.
"By Celestia," Rainbow Dash shouted triumphantly, as if daring all of Equestria to hear her cry. "I'm going to find that golden alicorn! And I'm - I'm-"
just say it! - nopony can hear you - if only - it would be so awesome -
"I am telling you, Bon Bon - I've seen her before!"
Lyra's oldest friend and her marefriend just shared a look. Carrot Top and Bon Bon both knew their friend could go to extremes at times... well, at any time. Everything that made her a talented musician - passion, the ability to hyperfocus, the ability to connect unite disparate elements into a new cohesive whole - made her unsuited for almost anything else. Like, say, keeping her voice down in one of the nicer restaurants in Ponyville.
"Well, of course you have," Carrot Top started, unable to hide the worry from her voice. It was always hard to keep Lyra from the worst of her conspiracies. "She's Applejack. She's been tending that stall at the marketplace for years-"
"But that's just it! You two and I have been shopping there ever since we were little fillies, ever since Granny Smith got too old to walk into town all that much. Don't you remember how big she was?"
Bon Bon frowned. "Lyra, are you saying Applejack is fat?"
"No! I mean - she was an adult!" Lyra's hooves ran through her mane in frustration. "Come on. She's lived in Ponyville her whole life, right? Do you remember seeing her as a filly?"
Now it was Carrot Top's turn. "So... you're saying she's old?"
"No! I mean, yes! I mean, maybe," she sighed, taking another bite of her daffodil sandwich. She hardly noticed it disappear in her mouth, except when she had to swallow to continue talking. "But it's something other than that. She's up to something. And I'm going to find out what!"
Carrot Top and Lyra exchanged a look. "Lyra," her fillyfriend said tremulously, "I know you've been... perceptive before." Lyra had oddly exact dreams on the night of Nightmare Moon's return, and she was able to tell the parasprites were dangerous when the candy mare had brought a pair home to be their new pets. "But when have you ever been right about another pony?"
Carrot Top nodded. "I mean, I'm not a clone. And Bon Bon isn't plotting against the Equestrian throne-"
- Bon Bon thought nervously to her fillyhood, reading unfavored books and dreaming of becoming a senator in the nonexistent New Lunar Republic -
"-and more than, it's really mean to Applejack. What evidence do you have, anyways?"
"THAT'S IT!"
Both her friends looked at her surprised as she pounded the table.
"All I have to do is find some proof! Something that shows she's where she shouldn't be! Thanks!"
Giving both her friends a kiss in her excitement (and making both blush), Lyra threw bits onto the table as she ran off.
"And I know just where to find it!"
It was the middle of summer, and the trees didn't need much maintenance besides chasing off the occasional raven. ( Applejack was glad they couldn't talk. Her own half of the conversation generally had enough blue language for both sides, anyways. ) So after tending to the critters, Applejack spent most of her time on the old maintenance. Today's task was mending the fence at the edge of the farm; she had no idea who the scoundrel that broke it was, but imagined the scoundrel in question had a blue coat, a rainbow mane, and hadn't been looking where she was going. Dropping her saddlebags to the side, Applejack brought up the hammer and nails.
It had seemed easy enough, at first; any old nag can swing a hammer. But lifting the board back in place into the fencepost while trying to hold a hammer AND hold the nail, all on her lonesome, was a bit tougher. While trying to keep her muzzle under the board and look at the nail and make sure the nail hadn't slipped, Applejack swung. It would have driven a nail straight into a barn. But even being as good with her hooves and having as strong a back as she did, there was only so much she could do: She hadn't checked the angle of her swing quite right, and the hammer struck bone with a loud crack.
"Darn it!"
The hammer flung into the grass as she reared back, shaking her hoof and examining it for any chips or cracks. As she examined her hoof, feeling the flesh throb behind the bone, the hammer landed back on the grass in front of her.
"It's been dinnertime for two hours now, Applejack," called Granny Smith, that impish smile unmistakable on her weathered face, leaning on her old cane. "Now you better come eat something before I have to put it up or toss it out."
Applejack shook her head, and grinned a little. "I guess I could use a break," she admitted, walking gingerly on the forehoof. For once, they had to go at about the same pace. Granny Smith walked apace with her, looking her over.
"I know how much it hurts you. And I don't mean your hoof."
It took a moment for Applejack to catch on - Granny Smith mentioned it so rarely, it was easy to forget she knew - but the mare shook her head. "It's not so bad, really," Applejack said. "Big Mac's been helping me so much lately; I haven't had this many chances to drop my guise in years!"
"I'm not talking about that spell, Applejack," said Granny Smith, with a hint of smugness. "I'm talking about your lies. I know being a liar has to hurt you."
Applejack's surprised snort caught in her throat.
"How long have you been hiding the truth, Applejack? Holing up at the farm as seasons come and go, saying hello to new Apples, goodbye to old Apples, coming out to sell a bushel or two then high-tail it back to home to do this, that or another."
She shook her head. "It's not high-tailing it, it's coming home to take care of my responsiblities."
Granny Smith paused as she walked, turning to face Applejack. "There's a lot more of us here. And in the meantime, you've spent your life buried in work."
"Yeah, but that's just the thing. I never asked to be different. I was born an Apple, and that's all I've ever wanted to be - the loyalest, hardest-working, most dependable of ponies no matter where you go in Equestria. It's just an accident that I have wings and a horn, that's all."
"Alicorns don't come along as an accident. You are no accident. You don't get a new alicorn by hitching two alicorns together and making lots of little alicorn foals," Granny Smith teased. "They happen when life needs them. It's a duty, Applejack, and you can't hide from duty."
Granny Smith fixed an eye on Applejack, and gently jabbed her flank with her cane. "And an Apple, shirking her duties? What would Mom say?"
It was a low blow. Applejack's mother had passed on almost two generations ago; she had helped lower her mother's coffin into the earth. On that day, Granny Smith had already begun showing her age, but Applejack looked no older than she had twenty years before.
Applejack's voice was much more timid. "I'm not shirking anything. I could rule this nation with the best of them!" Better than most of those stuffed-shirt nobles that swaggered so proudly at the Gala, at least! "But - if I change, it's not just that I'll have to leave. Everything about home and family will be gone. Why, being related to me, the Apple family would be right proper nobility!" She laughed. "Can you imagine the Apple family holding a reunion in Canterlot?"
"Sure can't! But then again, you won't let it happen, now, will you?" The old mare's cane gently poked her once more. "What's the matter, Applejack? Are we not good enough for you to trust?"
Applejack took a step back. She had never heard Granny Smith talk like this before. "Now just wait a minute. Why are you bein' so cruel to me?"
Granny Smith sighed. "Because it will get you to listen. First: I'm getting old, Applejack. You never will, and you might not believe this, but I want to see my big sister happy. And these lies - they make you miserable. They have for the last sixty years, and they will for the next six thousand years if you let them."
"And second... Apple Bloom talked to me the other day. Asking for help with a boy."
Applejack blinked. "A... boy? Who was it?"
"Spike, but that's not the point. The point is that she came to ask me because she couldn't ask her mother about this. And I think she's old enough to know that bit of the truth, too; don't you?"
Applejack swallowed. She had lived so long with her little web of evasions and half-truths and embargoed information that everything had grown into one great big lie.
"You never play fair, do you?"
"Never have, never will," Granny Smith grinned. "What, do I have to wrassle you for it?"
Applejack cringed. "I'm not going to wrassle you, Granny Smith."
"That's probably for the best," Granny sighed, with an old smile. "After all, you know I'll just beat you."
"What? I can still whup Big Macintosh! Don't you think you're a little old to be making promises your hips can't keep?"
Granny Smith grinned, and tossed down her cane. "Old and wily beat young and pretty any day, little missy."
Applejack laughed. "Alright, you old maid, but I'm taking it easy on you-AUGH!" She never had a chance; the moment she had agreed to the fight, Granny Smith had snuck up behind Applejack and jumped onto the bigger mare's back. For a moment, the two Apples struggled, but the fight was already over; the old mare had got her hooves around her neck and was applying the secret Sweet Apple Chokehold.
"D'ya call uncle?"
"Never! I'll never c-"
Using her neck, Granny Smith maintained the lock while one forehoof rose up and gave Applejack the most diabolical punishment in the Apple playbook: the noogie.
"AAaaaahaha! Okay, okay! Uncle! Uncle!"
Granny grinned, and ground the base of her hoof over the sensitive part of Applejack's forehead, where the horn ought to be. "Eh? What's that? I can't quite hear you with these old ears..."
"Ackht! Not fair! UNCLE!"
With a laugh, Granny Smith let go, and rolled off onto the grass, laughing. It wasn't the short barks of giggles or the schadenfreude-laden howls Applejack was used to, but the deep laughter from the belly that they had shared as fillies. While still panting for breath, Applejack couldn't help but giggle with Granny Smith, and for a moment as they rolled in the grass laughing, it was like the last seventy years hadn't changed them at all. After they worked their mirth out, they both rested there (Applejack to catch her breath, Granny Smith to make sure all her legs were still there) for a moment, watching Luna decorate her sky with the myriad stars.
Granny Smith was the first to speak. "Promise me - you'll come clean. At least to Apple Bloom and a few friends."
"I... I promise, sis."
Granny Smith's grin softened, and gave a soft nuzzle to her older sister. "Good. Hopefully it's while I still have at least one good hip, or I might not win next time." That old smile that Applejack had grown up seeing on her little sister's face came back. "Now, let's get back. Your dinner might not even be cold yet."
Twilight Sparkle never had much attention in the library; normal clients don't spend time at the library, they go there to get something and check it out. But Lyra was never a normal client.
This time, instead of books about physics or magic or cooking (sweet merciful Celestia not cooking again), Lyra had sprawled out before the "local interest" shelves, two dozen books in her silver-green magic. Twilight Sparkle noticed, with some interest, that Lyra's method of reading was completely different from her own. Twilight Sparkle sat up before a book left lying in front of her, as if it was a fine work of art to hold in reverent admiration. By contrast, Lyra's wispy magic held the book up to her face and turned the pages with slender tendrils, playing the books like a dulcimer or fiddle, comparing similar facts in several books at once.
At least she hadn't demanded access to the maps yet...
"Is there anything I can help you with, Lyra?"
Lyra bit her lip. Twilight Sparkle was not known to be as forgiving of her flights of fancy as her fillyfriend was... but she was also the one mare who would have the knowledge readily indexed. "I've got a hunch about something. But I need proof to go on."
There was still a bit of hesitation to the librarian - but Lyra knew just how to play her. "Okay, then. What do you need to find this proof?"
"Do you have anything about the history of the Apple family in Ponyville?"
Twilight tilted her head. "That's... awfully specific. I don't have any books about them, and Ponyville hasn't had many books written about it. I'm writing a history, though, and I have some source materials in the almanac section..."
Together, the two unicorns pored through long-unopened books, yearbooks and almanacs and old postal records. (Several of the books had to be set aside for restoration work, the prospect of which always filled Twilight Sparkle with joy.)
Lyra gasped. "Here she is, in this yearbook. She's president of the Future Family Farm Fillies!"
Twilight shook her head, trotting to take a look. "That's just not possible. That club lost its Equestrian charter eighty years ago when it merged... with..."
Lyra and Twilight looked at each other simultaneously. "No way..."
Because there, captioned as the president of the long-defunct 4F club, sat a golden mare with a blond ponytail, a broad cowboy hat, three apples for a cutie mark - and most telling of all, two hooves were demurely hidden behind the other. A move that both of them had seen many times before as Applejack welcomed them to the farm.
Rainbow Dash didn't visit Rarity much. They saw each other a lot, of course, but it was a rare day that Rainbow Dash visited Carousel Boutique. But Rarity, of course, was ever the gracious host, and before she knew it, Rarity had got her dolled up and sat at the table for some spicy gazpacho - "Just the thing for a hot summer's day," Rarity had eagerly smiled, pouring a portion into two bowls.
I don't even know how she made a hat this fast.
After pausing to note that Rarity really was a half-decent cook, Rainbow Dash shook her head. "Look, Rarity. I really appreciate it, but I had some questions for you. Something that I know you're good at."
"Oh? Well, you flatter me, dear," Rarity said, obviously won. She could be so annoyingly sincere in her smugness, sometimes. "What can I help you with?"
"Well... how do you know you like somepony?"
"Oh. Oh." Rarity gave a light clap, and did her best to force her giddy giggle down, trying to seem composed. "Your first love? Who is he?"
"Uhm... she, actually." When that utterly failed to cause a reaction - Why was I expecting anything? This is Rarity - she continued, "And I don't know her name. But ... oh my gosh!"
Rarity smiled. "Well... how did you meet this mystery pony?"
"I saw her in the sky. She had these beautiful wings and huge mane, like shimmering gold - why are you smiling?"
"Oh, you should see yourself smiling, Rainbow Dash. Do continue."
"Heh." Rainbow Dash's blush reddened her cheeks, and she had to let herself grin from ear to ear before she could go on. "And - well, part of my duties as weather mare is to tell all new pegasi about the ambient currents. Civic safety, you know."
Rarity nodded. "And so you introduced yourself to her. What did you talk about?"
"That's just it! She flew off. And oh man, can she fly!" Rainbow Dash grinned. "We must have been flying for two hours together. It started as a chase, but then became - I don't know, more than that? We were egging each other on."
"Like when we go jogging?"
"Well, sort of, Rarity. You have a goal and I push you to meet it. But you don't exercise for performance, you exercise for fitness. But me and her - we were going all out. The only goal we had was more. Speed, control, power - we were at our limits."
"Ah. Another athlete."
"Yeah. And a good one!" Rainbow Dash sipped her tea. "But she finally lost me at Sweet Apple Acres."
"Well, I hope you find her," Rarity smiled, a hint of pride in her cheeks. "It sounds like you're smitten."
"Well, it won't be too hard to find her. I mean, how many alicorns can there be?"
Rainbow Dash couldn't see through the spray of tea that burst from Rarity's muzzle.
"... Rarity?"
"An alicorn? You saw an alicorn here, in Ponyville? That's..." Rarity wiped her lips delicately. "That's just not possible, Rainbow Dash."
"And why not?"
"Because there is no golden alicorn, Rainbow Dash. And I would know, because I know royalty."
Rarity took a small book from the shelf with her magic, and opened it up, setting it on the table before them. "This is the current line of succession to the throne of Equestria. All Equestrian nobility is measured by degree of relationship to one of the alicorns; blood ties stronger than marriage, and relationship to older alicorns automatically ranks you above relationships to younger unicorns. Now, look."
Rainbow Dash's eyes ran over the list of alicorns. There were about twenty mares and stallions in the list, in a highly abstract style but with each distinct. "Hey - where's Princess Luna?"
"Well, Princess Luna was believed lost at the time of this printing, but she's back, and she's technically second in the line of succession. But she has no living relatives - nopony wanted to claim membership in the House of Luna that after her banishment - so there's been no major upheavals since her return. But besides Luna, this line of succession shows every alicorn in Equestria."
"Is your marefriend in here?"
Rainbow Dash's eyes searched over the list. The youngest alicorn in the list, Princess Cadence, seemed the most like a regular pony, but as she went up the list they grew taller, more powerful, more stately, as if alicorns aged the other way around. Of the faces, only a few were familiar... and none of them were anything like the pony Rainbow Dash had spent an afternoon chasing.
"No- no! This makes no sense!"
"Rainbow- darling," Rarity said, her voice gentle. "Is it possible that - that you dreamt her? That, with no pegasus good enough for the great Rainbow Dash, your heart created the image of your perfect Princess?"
"NO! That makes less sense! I flew with her, Rarity! We flew for two hours, all around Ponyville and all over Equestria! I flew through a waterfall to keep up with her - and that's about as much fun as flying through a brick wall, let me tell you, Rarity." She sighed. "I... it couldn't..."
Rainbow Dash sighed, and sat back. Then again, she had dreamt about that golden alicorn, the night before. Sweet dreams, of dancing together at the Grand Galloping Gala, or flying over low-lying fog clouds, their wingtips tracing the edges of the fog bank or just casually brushing each other with primaries - the sort of intimate touch that can only be done in flight by pegasi in perfect unison. She had fallen hard.
Could it have been a dream?
Rarity's hoof rested on Rainbow's. "Well... let's assume that this line of succession, for whatever reason, is incomplete. It would be very bad news."
Rainbow Dash turned her head. Her ears would have perked, if it wasn't for the ridiculously frou-frou hat Rarity had put on her head. "Why is that?"
"Because a new alicorn never brings good news, Rainbow. New alicorns mean new nobility. And new nobility tears ponies up. Anypony within five degrees of connection, give or take, becomes a noble - which means every pony's life becomes torn apart by intrigue and politicking. I know, because I once chased it myself." She smiled wanly. "Every pony related to that alicorn would have their lives changed, forever, as they became better than everyone else. And there's no guarantee the current nobility would accept them."
Rainbow Dash shook her head. She hadn't even thought of nobility factoring into it. All she thought as she chased that alicorn -
was that it was the best day of my life - that she was so awesome - that I wanted to spend the rest of my life like that - being with her
- was that she was chasing one of the best athletes she had ever met.
"I... I don't want to be a princess. I just want to be with her. Is... is that possible?"
"Mmmmh." Rarity considered this question, then gave a small sigh of defeat. "Even if you didn't marry her, you would still be a royal consort, which would still put you into an interesting political position, Rainbow Dash. But to be honest, dear - I'm hoping she was just a dream. Because if she turned out to be real, and there was a new Royal House in the line? You would fall for her. And your heart would be shattered."
Rarity rested her spoon in her soup. She was too preoccupied by the ramifications - both for her friend, and for Equestria - to eat.
"Many things follow an alicorn through their lives. Glamor. Power. Intrigue. Beauty. Command. All wonderful things. But their romances are not genuine, as much as they are practical. An alicorn's relationships are the things that create and topple empires."
"An alicorn has no room in her life for love."
The following day, Applejack had just begun to savor the delicate perfection of a warm daffodil muffin when the doors slammed open.
"I know your secret, Applejack!"
The sounds of Sugarcube Corner came to a stop. Even Pinkie Pie was always unnerved whenever Lyra had one of her ideas.
Applejack, luckily, had her mouth full of food. It made her look silly, chewing with wide fast motions of her jaws, but it gave her enough time to bite back sufficiently specific denials. She swallowed, and asked: "Do what, now?"
"Actually... there's something I want to know, too." From behind Lyra came another unicorn, Twilight Sparkle. "Lyra came to me with a theory. We went to check it out - and so far, it holds up."
Carrot Top, who happened to be at Sugercube Corner to pick up some bakery grade flour, shot Twilight Sparkle a look. The purple unicorn gave an embarrassed grin, and a soft shrug. "I'm sorry, but it does..."
"And what proof we have!" From the green unicorn's saddlebags flew a dozen texts, carried in practiced unicorn magic: almanacs, yearbooks, and even a few pages from the book Twilight Sparkle had been working on. "Come on, Twilight. Start with your notes."
Twilight looked to Lyra, a bit peeved at being put on the spotlight - but nodded. Her own research was a part of this too, after all. "All the way back in the founding of Ponyville, there was a young gold mare that helped Granny Smith reproduce the magic behind zap apples."
"So? There were a lot of unicorns in Ponyville even then. Granny Smith didn't found Ponyville just out of her stubbornness, you know."
"There's more! I cooberated my sources," Lyra said smugly. "Ponyville High Yearbook, Edition IV. Here's this funny mare that's the president of the 4F club. Golden hair, three apple cutie mark, and this is a stunning hat she's wearing." Lyra fairly bonked Applejack in the face with the book, rubbing her nose in it before reading, "Says here her name is - oh, my stars! It says that the president of the 4F club is Applejack Apple!"
"S-so what?" said Applejack, taking a step back as Lyra stepped forwards. "Everypony here knows I was named for my grandmother..."
"Then there's this," Lyra said, as she pulled a scrollcase from her saddlebags. "Back when Mayor Mare ran for mayor the first time, she took pictures at all her campaign stops. Even put this one in a poster, because it made her look like the working pony's pony," she grinned smugly, as she unfurled the poster, whose stylized block Equestrian script framed the picture of Mayor Mare shaking hooves with a golden mare in a stetson hat, with the Apple family farm in the background. "And I spoke with the Mayor - she distinctly recalls this golden mare being a polite, sweet, and charming member of the Apple family."
Applejack tugged at the straps of her hat, and grinned nervously, as the ponies in Sugarcube Corner looked from the poster and back to her. "Well - that's a mighty coincidence, isn't it."
"There's more," Twilight Sparkle added. "I was able to find some Ponyville Free Press articles mentioning local events involving an 'Applejack'." Twilight levitated the scroll with the transcripts. "These all range in date from as recent as five years ago to as long ago as sixty years ago. I suspect there might have been others." She looked to Applejack, as her magic unrolled the scroll in front of her.
The golden earth mare was fairly sweating now. "Well - I don't rightly have a convenient explanation for all this..."
"Well, I DO!"
Lyra had slammed her hooves up onto the table, with the dozens of pieces of proof splayed before her. From there, she brought herself to a standing position, supporting herself with one leg as she cast an accusing hoof out.
"Together, we have hard physical proof and interviews, cooberated by the two of us, showing that 'Applejack' has spent her entire life in Ponyville! She never gets old! She never changes! By Celestia - she's been wearing that same hat since the founding of Ponyville! When Occam's razor swings, there is only one logical explanation!"
Applejack felt her throat go dry. She would have run, but her knees weren't obeying her brain. She had started to think of ways to tell people, but not like this...
"Applejack Apple: You're a time traveler!"
The pause lay in the air, oppressive and silent.
"I... I guess it time I came clean. You caught me." Applejack tugged her stetson tight around her head. "As a matter of fact, I do fly through time, Lyra..."
"You do? I mean, of course you do!" Lyra leaned in, eager to learn more. For once, she was right about something that wasn't the end of the world! "Why didn't you ever tell us? This is the most amazing thing in Ponyville's history!"
Struggling with her words, Applejack sighed. "It's just that... I'm not very good at it, you see." Her voice began cracking. "I only get ... through... twenty-four hours or so a day...!"
Applejack couldn't hold it anymore, and she began laughing. All the stress of the last few days burst out of her, like a balloon deflating, and she fell backwards. Even as her chair hit the floor, it only served to help her roll out of her chair, clutching her sides.
That belly laugh shattered the silence. The two dozen or so ponies in Sugarcube Corner began laughing, from the always-restrained polite laughs of Time Turner to the deep, nasally sniggers of Pinkie Pie's best belly laughs. Even Twilight Sparkle had to giggle a little. Only Lyra and Carrot Top weren't laughing.
Mr. Cake shouted over the crowd about the Time Traveller's Special (ten percent off of hot apple fritters, only good for the next twenty-four hours but any time traveller is welcome to come back whenever they want) - and Applejack only began laughing harder. Lyra took a step back - and, doing her best to hide from the crowd, slunk out the door. "Lyra!" Carrot Top shouted, as she trotted out to catch her friend.
Twilight Sparkle bit her lip, and looked back to Lyra before offering a hoof to Applejack. "I'm sorry, Applejack," she said, sighing. "I just got caught up in all the research we were doing and all that evidence we were gathering..." Twilight Sparkle grumbled. "I shouldn't have been so eager. I better go catch her and apologize to her..."
"No, no, it's okay." Applejack smiled, wiping a tear from her eye. "And... tell Lyra I'm sorry it came out like that - and tell her I promise I'll make it up to her," she promised, rolling over to stand up again. "I guess I can't keep my secrets forever..."
Back at the fence, Applejack looked over the horizon. The sun had nearly set, Luna had begun raising her moon, and she still had nearly fifty paces of fence to clear. There was no way it would all be done by sundown; she was going to be walking home in the dark.
Well, there was a way. But she didn't have to like it.
Looking all around her, Applejack made sure that nopony was watching. And then, carefully, she let her guise slip.
Celestia, from a family of unicorn bent, drew her magic from the sun; simply by existing, it brought light and heat and life, the greatest of magics given freely to all Equestrians, great or meek. Luna, originally of pegasus stock, drew her magic from the moon; flying unseen across the sky, or brightening the night into a more romantic shadow of the day, alternately ally of lovers and children, or of dreamers and skulkers. Applejack, however, had been born to earth ponies, and as such drew her power from the earth. The power of earth was both less powerful - being, for the most part, passive and unchanging, simply the canvas upon which life happened to cast itself upon - and more powerful, being omnipresent and intimately connected with nearly every living thing in Equestira.
As she lifted the restraints she forced upon herself, she felt that omnipresence welcome her once more. It was strange; its power was both surrounding her and filling her, both her armor and her sustenance. Every bone that compressed restored to its natural state; every artificial fold in her skin smoothed out, as it once more stretched over a proper alicorn's frame. The glamour that hid her wings and horn from sight dissipated, a moment before the powerful enchantment that made them intangible faded. And her mane and coat began to glint - without the glamour keeping them dull and mundane, they shone like the brightest copper and gold.
"I missed you, too, old girl," Applejack smiled. Unlike her two ruling kin who guided their orbs in their flight, Applejack did not act to control the earth; she, instead, allowed the earth to act through her. Embracing her true nature, for all the world, like being hugged from the inside out.
It was so tempting, to stay in her true body; but now was not the time for waxing romantic. She had a job to do. Applejack cast a simple detection spell, to see if anypony had followed her. When the spell disappated without a single alarm raised, she smiled and tilted her horn.
She hadn't used telekinesis this extensively in quite some time. But as she lifted every section of timber in her grip, it felt as natural as lifting it in her hooves. Unlike most unicorns, who used their telekinesis simply to 'grab' things, she used her ability to examine it. She let the timbers' mass 'weigh' on her grip, measuring its properties, mentally comparing it to other things in their vicinity. Far less dense than the nails she was lifting in her grip, but dense enough to not splinter, as long as she drove the nails there, there, and...
There!
Once she had all the timbers in place, she didn't hesitate; the nails flew in her mental grip like crossbow bolts, piercing each piece of wood twice at each end with near mathematical precision. Walking over, Applejack reared up and rested her hooves on the wood of each section. Not only did they feel sturdy, but they wobbled even less than the day they had been first installed.
"Heh. Still got it."
With a satisfied sigh, Applejack cast the old spells; hiding her wings and horn from sight and touch, dulling her colors from earthen metals to simply earthen, and - I hate this part - compressing her body into the frame of a large, but still normal-sized, earth mare. Stretching out to make sure everything had gone right, Applejack walked lazily back towards home.
Unfortunately, when she cast her spell to check to see if anypony was watching her, she had made a slight mistake: she hadn't thought to detect rabbits...
It was a dark and stormy night. (A corps of pegasi weather workers certainly beats central irrigation any day; rain at night was just more convenient.) At Sweet Apple Acres, their workday had come to end. Another would start bright and early tommorow; but even farmers get some rest at the end of the day.
Applejack didn't come into Apple Bloom's room much; she had her own schoolwork to do, if she could even be found at home at all these days. She was secretly glad her 'sister' was taking so readily to her new friends; seeing Apple Bloom coming out of her shell and open up had brightened up the old farmhouse considerably.
I just hope that what I have to say doesn't kill that smile...
"Blooms?"
"Oh, hey Applejack!" Apple Bloom looked up from her bed, where she lay reading.
"Heya, Blooms. Whatcha got there?"
Apple Bloom grinned, and held up the book. The hardcover binding was new, but the painstaking watercolor artwork, depicting a trio of fillies racing down a mountain road in a handmade contraption, was an iconic work of Equestrian pop art almost as old as Applejack herself.
"Soap Box Hero? Heh, I used to love those books as a filly myself."
"I know! I think I'm going to get the girls to try to get soap box derby cutie marks. I'll design it, Scootaloo can build it, then Sweetie Belle can drive it-"
Applejack grinned, and leaned against the bed as she listened to her improbable plans. Fans, fame, fortune, and the coveted cutie mark; Applejack had heard it several times before. At least this time, they've got a plan beyond 'run into a forest'.
"That sounds great, Blooms," Applejack grinned, leaning over to tousle her hair. "Just as long as you don't forget to muck the barn tomorrow."
"I won't," Apple Bloom promised, just a bit of sourness in her voice at the unnecessary 'reminder'. Then, she looked at Applejack warily. "Hey now... why are you being so lovey-dovey?"
"What? Can't I just come check in on my-" tell her "-little sister?"
"Normal sisters, maybe. But you only ever come up here to talk about chores."
Applejack grinned, lopsided. "Well... okay. There is something we have to talk about-"
Apple Bloom reared back in fear. "If it's about the cream cheese, I swear Twist told me it would be really easy to make and it was going to be so delicious but I didn't know that you can't use a whisk like a blender and I know you told me to be careful washing it but we really thought the lemon juice could-"
"Whoa, whoa! Slow down there, girl!"
Apple Boom froze, with her hooves over her head in mid-denial.
"No... this is something else. It's... about mom and dad."
Apple Bloom's heart leapt to her throat.
"M-mom? Dad?"
"Yeah... I think you're old enough to know the truth." Applejack got up, and sat on Apple Bloom's bed. She hadn't done that since the last time she had read to her 'sister' in the cradle.
"And... it has to do with why Dad's not around..."
you've known this day is coming for years
Applejack sighed. "... I'm sorry. It's still hard to talk about..." She shook her head. She was proud, but she didn't hide her tears.
you know she's old enough
Apple Bloom didn't know what to say. Her emotions had shut off, her heart being assaulted far too quickly by things she had spent most of her life not talking about. She didn't know she could be so detached as she lay a hoof over her sister's, comfortingly.
"... you don't have to say everything right away, sis. If... if you don't want to."
she deserves the whole story
Applejack shook her head, but couldn't open her eyes through her tears. "I- I really miss him..."
why can't you just spit it out, girl?!
Apple Bloom let much older sister lay her head in her lap, brushing her mane softly. "It's... it's okay, Applejack. We don't have to talk about this... if you're not ready."
For a moment, there was only two sisters on the bed; one crying her heart out, and one doing her best to hold her sister close and keep from sobbing herself. Finally, Applejack's own tears had dried, and she nuzzled up.
"I - I'm sorry it all came out like that." A wry little grin appeared. "I had spent so long on wondering if you were ready, I didn't think to wonder if I was ready..."
Apple Bloom managed to smile, and pulled her sister up into a hug. "It's okay, sis. When the time is right, you'll tell me."
Carted up somehow by her sister's strength, Applejack smiled and returned it tight. "Gee... sometime when I wasn't looking you became wise, Blooms." She had to laugh when the filly quickly turned her head to peek at her flank to see if she had got a wisdom cutie mark. With a smile, Applejack shook her mane out. "But... I really want to get this weight off my heart, soon. Can - can we talk about this tommorow?"
"Of course... I'll tell the girls something came up. I hope they don't get their cutie marks without me," she grinned.
Applejack gave her sister a hug, and slid out of the bed. "Well, I guess I better call it, then. We got a big day tommorow."
Applejack slid back under her covers, reluctantly. "I guess we do, huh."
With a sigh, Applejack clicked off the hallway light, and began walking to her own room. But it wasn't too long before something occurred to Applejack...
"Now wait just a minute! What was that about cream cheese?"
The forest really was beautiful that time of year. Spring's fussy awkwardness had passed, but the creaky age of autumn was still two months off. Summer, according to Applejack, was the most beautiful season of all.
And the thermals were going to be delicious.
Having a few hours off, Applejack had snuck down to the old riverbed. It was on the far edge of the Sweet Apple Acres property, so the entirety of the Apple farm was between her and Ponyville. It was about as private as she could get on short notice. And so, her masks fell.
Stretching her wings felt good, but she didn't fly; not at first. Simply not being squished inside her own skin was a pleasant enough sensation - anypony who thinks alicorns don't represent the best of earth ponies obviously has never seen one work thighs like these! - that she wasted the first hour simply rolling about, stretching out on the dusty riverbed and enjoying the beating of the sun on her wings.
You're an earth alicorn. You know perfectly well you don't need to spend all your time literally in touch with the earth.
I'm justifying this and you know it. Doesn't it feel good, though?
Eeyup...
After an hour's cat nap, however, she was getting antsy. She came out here to stretch, not to go to sleep! So, with a single beat of wings - a feat few mere pegasi could match - she sprung into the air and took off. It was the hard way to do it, of course, but powering into the air on her sheer muscle power meant she could really work those kinks out of her old wings. In a second, she was higher than all the clouds, seeing the beauty of Equestria laid out underneath her.
Rivers and railways split areas dotted by tidy little cities and towns, separated by broad forests and the occasional bog. From the perspective of an Earth pony, this view of Equestria was foreign; she rarely got used to it, filled with wonder with every flight. But there was one way that she truly enjoyed seeing Equestria...
"Going down!"
Tucking her hindhooves behind her, she splayed her wings, forehooves pushed far forwards to break the wind resistance as she allowed gravity to turn her. Freefall was wild, chaotic - and slow. This - this was a dive!
At that altitude, the height you're at isn't readily apparent. As she went faster and faster, her secondary feathers could apply less and less resistance to the air, while more and more air pressure was centered on her hooves. Unlike horizontal flying, where the world underneath you becomes a blur, a vertical dive seemd to be focusing in on one particular point. That old hill with the apple tree was coming in nice and clear every second, like tuning a microscope, and any second it was going to pass the point of focus - except, of course, that here the 'point of focus' meant diving into the ground and hey it's getting awfully close now-
And out!
As forcefully as she could, Applejack kicked off the pressure she had created before her forehooves. That was only good for a ten degree alteration; it was up to her wings to do the rest. Throwing them out, Applejack lurched her back, primary feathers staying into the airstream to maintain control as secondary feathers arched backwards, making her turn sharply, leaving a golden trail as she raced between treetops. With momentum being converted into lift, her speed dropped dramatically - it was merely ridiculously unsafe, as opposed to patently dangerous.
"YEEE-HAW!"
She had covered altitude, and the sheer reckless joy of speed; now it was time to put her agility to the paces. Marking out adjacent hilltops, the speed flattened out as she arched into a series of loops, circling around each tree a little tighter with every pass. She had to pedal hard with each turn to kick into the next; maybe she could--
On the horizon, a burst of light, in every color of the rainbow. Only one pony kicked up a rainbow flash like that as she flew - and it was getting closer.
That rainbow blaze followed followed her, ignoring every attempt Applejack made to lose it. Pure speed down the old riverbank. Agile twists and turns amid the trees of the Everfree. Not even the maze-like canyons left by the clouds could shake Rainbow Dash.
Captain of the weather team. Of course trying to lose her in the clouds was a bad call.
Speed, agility, intellect - every challenge that Applejack left for Rainbow Dash was being defeated. And she wasn't even able to rely on her incredible endurance; if anything, Rainbow Dash was enjoying it more the longer it went. There was only one thing Applejack had left, a dirty trick: raw power.
It was easy to get Rainbow Dash to fly along the riverbed - under the canopy of the trees over the river, it was a straight course, perfect for a chase. And the blue pegasus was gaining. All Applejack had to do was to trick Rainbow into keeping her eyes focused on her, and not on the sound of the falls ahead. She hardly even noticed as they flew over the lip of a picturesque waterfall.
I'm so very tired... oh, please let this work...
Applejack tucked her wings and sliced hard, looping back the way she came in a tight circle. She knew this waterfall from memory; being a waterfall in the most literal sense, it was open to the air. She could simply burst through. Rainbow Dash would hestitate; or, at worst, be knocked cold by the water, and she could use a Greater Parting spell to pluck her from the --
boom!
Impossibly, the much smaller pegasus burst through the waterfall right behind her - her forehooves that broke her wind resistance punched through it, the water bursting from the impact in every color of the rainbow: purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, red .... black? Each circle expanded, until the red filled her world, and the black circle in the center grew to encompass her, a patchwork parody of Rainbow Dash made wholly of teeth that tore and claws that ripped...
"Aaaaagh!"
Applejack screamed as her sudden kick bucked her off the bed.
It was the sixth night in a row that Applejack had had that dream, ever since the close encounter at the old riverbed. It had haunted her, and every time, the demon in black got closer to her, overwhelmed her just a little more. Rainbow Dash's eyes stared at her from behind those teeth every time she woke up. It had got bad enough that she had been avoiding her friend, for fear of seeing the beast behind her eyes.
Oh, what's that, Rainbow Dash? You want to know why I've been avoiding you? Well, you see, I've been having screaming fits waking up from nightmares of you every day for the past week! Funny, huh? It all began when you almost discovered my true nature out by the waterfall. You know, that seemingly impossible feat whose every detail is fixed in your memory that you've been bragging about for days? That was me! Strangest thing, too; I almost never recall my dreams...
Applejack sat bolt upright in realization. She never did recall her dreams. And yet, she was suffering from recurrent nightmares, the same images playing out in the same way, embellished yet getting all the basic details right. The nightmare seemed almost ... tailored to make her feel guilty.
Applejack's panicked heartbeat became the beat of a snare drum, as she snarled.
"Why, that low down no-good..."
Not even bothering to tie her hair up, Applejack trotted out as quietly as she could to not wake her family, then burst into a gallop into the night as soon as she had crossed the border of the farm. She knew just who was to blame, and it was time for a reckoning.
Spike looked at Twilight Sparkle with a grumble. He had been "taking" this letter for almost an hour, now, and it was very much past his bedtime. At this point, he was only going through the motions of writing so he wouldn't have to waste another quill...
"I've got it this time. 'Dear Princess Celestia'..."
Spike lifted his quill and moved it behind the paper, stifling a yawn.
"Today, I learned that I should trust my feelings. When my friends cast terrible aspersions on each other, I should trust my own feelings, rather than allow myself to doubt..."
The sight of Lyra's tear-soaked face filled her mind, next to Applejack's terrified face. And in a way, she was responsible for both, because she hadn't doubted.
"Aaaagh!"
Twilight Sparkle's purple magic lanced out and tore the scroll out of Spike's grip, tossing it into a corner with dozens of other balls of paper. Something else to add to the shopping list, assuming there was any paper left to write it on.
"I just don't get it. It ended, and the fight between Lyra and Applejack is over, but..."
"... but you didn't really learn anything because all you did was sit back and watch your friends fight," her assistant grumbled as he grabbed another scroll from the nearly empty stock.
"That's it!"
Twilight Sparkle rubbed her hooves together. "Spike, take a letter."
"Here we go again..."
"Dear Princess Celestia. Today, my research in the magic of friendship opened up a new avenue of research: Trust. Trust is like a living thing. It connects me to my friends, but it also connects my friends to each other. Today, I learned that these connections can be strained, but I do not feel satisfied that my understanding of them is complete. I hope that I can send a more formal report soon, on the ways that trust is created, nurtured, injured and broken." She knew Applejack had forgiven her, but she remembered how Lyra had stomped off and hoped her tangential friendship hadn't been broken. "This is a broad field, and I am hesitant to misstep, but my knowledge is, always, ever incomplete. I will report again soon on my continuing findings. Your faithful student - Twilight Sparkle."
Spike looked at Twilight disbelieving. "That's it?"
"Yep! I didn't learn anything, because all I did was learn I had not learned something to learn. So that's what I wrote! I hadn't learned but I learned what I hadn't learned so I wrote I had to learn what I hadn't learned." Twilight Sparkle almost bounced, where she caught a peek at the paper. "... and you didn't write it down, did you."
"I wasn't going to waste all that ink!" Spike irritably dipped the quill in ink once more, and lifted it to paper. "Once more from the top..."
With a frustrated sigh, Twilight Sparkle dictated her letter once more. This time, Spike sent it off in a puff of dragonfire.
"Are we done, Twilight?"
"You are done," she said, nudging Spike gently towards the stairs. "I'm going to talk with Fluttershy about this." Twilight Sparkle beamed, imagining "Her entire world operates on trust. If anypony can teach me about trust, it's her."
"... have fun with that. I'm going to bed."
Weather wasn't in her portfolio as an alicorn, but with all the anger she had to work out, Applejack had gotten awfully good at it as she flew. A knot of clouds followed in her incredible wake, turning dark from her anger. Arriving, she circled once so the clouds became a barrier as tall as the sky, built up into a swirling black storm.
Thunder pealed as she landed amongst the old cherry trees; the force was the shock the clouds needed to burst into rain. Winds howled and lightning glinted off the golden alicorn's body; her personal hurricane. She looked totally a mess - she was completely exposed in the center of a freak storm that would draw the attention of anyone for miles around - and she didn't care.
With a blaze of her horn, pegasus and unicorn magic met. Miles above her, clouds in her golden grip were ripped aside, clearing a path to let the full moon shine on her. Her snarl was low, but it was growing. An alicorn's voice could sound out through the whole of Equestria, if it suited them; but for this matter, Applejack didn't need the whole of Equestria to know. Only the moon's mistress, the princess of the night - the nightmare incarnate.
"I KNOW YOUR SCHEMES! I DEMAND AUDIENCE RIGHT NOW, PRINCESS LUNA!"
Applejack's chest heaved - she hadn't used the Royal Equestrian Voice in nearly forty years, and it took a lot out of her even when she was in practice. Just something else that low-down turncoat's done to hurt me. As she panted, she turned about, searching the sky for a response to her challenge.
In practice, when formally challenging another alicorn, the two were supposed to meet at a place where both their domains overlapped, so they were going to be on equal footing. But there were problems with that. First, being an earth alicorn meant she was always at her optimum. She was nowhere on Equestria she would be any worse, but she would never be much better, either. Luna, on the other hoof, was being challenged at the peak of her night under the light of a full moon; she was going to be at the height of her power, and far wiser in it applications.
And second, Applejack had spent her entire life running from any knowledge of alicorn history or customs, so she really had no idea what she was doing.
Applejack turned these facts over in her head as she watched the sky, growing more skittish. The thunderstorm arena she had shepherded was full of motion and flashes of light, just outside the corner of her eye. She shied rapidly, never knowing if the next dark smudge was the face of night's guardian, or another roil of clouds. Not for the first time in her life, Applejack wondered if her mouth had just got her into a situation she couldn't get out of.
Oh, boy. If this comes to blows, I'm going to be in a world of hurt...
The earth alicorn's summons were soon answered. The sound of Luna's flight was unmistakable; she had arrived without her customary guards, and the night sky seemed to trail behind her flight. Unlike Applejack's slams, the pegasus-born alicorn landed without a sound. The two alicorns were of a height, but the way Luna walked - on the tips of each hoof, wings splayed as if to take to the skies any moment - gave her height and presence Applejack couldn't summon.
"I, Princess Luna, hereby grant you your audience." The formality was forced; there was a hard edge to her voice. "Now, tell me, and tell me plain, stranger; what 'schemes' dost thou accuse me of?"
For a moment, Applejack was cowed, and she shied. She had seen and heard that tone of voice last when she was a filly from her own mother. But one thought of the nightmare that had plagued her brought back her anger, and Applejack looked Luna in the eye.
"All last week, I've been having the same dream. One terrible moment, brought back to haunt me." Applejack began to pace around the older princess. "And it's not just some memory. This dream was custom made into making me feel guilty. Guilty about my family, guilty about having time to myself, guilty about being born this way. Guilt's an ugly feeling to have to wake up to - then again, I suspect you would know."
Luna held back a growl, but said nothing.
"But to make matters worse - the nightmare is affecting me when I wake." Applejack ceased circling Luna and looked her in the eye. "It's taking the image of one of my dearest friends and making it horrible. It's bad enough that she almost knows my secret, but now I can't even look at her without-" she shuddered, from hooves to feathers, at the memory of claws bursting out from behind an equine face - "without recalling that. My own friends are being twisted against me!"
Applejack's wings flared, the earth daring the moon. "Now, I got to thinking: What magic can affect the mind of an alicorn? What has the power to twist us? And the answer: Another one of us." She held out an accusing hoof.
Luna snorted smugly. "Well, then, let me suppose; because thou art having a nightmare, thou thought to call on Nightmare Moon. Is that it?"
Applejack nodded, the extended hoof brought back to smack the ground. "That's exactly what I'm saying, turncoat. Just couldn't hold back, could you? Had to start practicing on-"
Luna cantered quickly up to Applejack, her voice unrestrained. "DO NOT PRESUME TO LECTURE ME!"
Somehow, in the short time they had been talking, Applejack had lost all control over the storm. The lightning flashed at Luna's cry, and the storm turned in a perfect funnel around them, the innate control of a much older alicorn having taken over.
"Thy summons was very foalish, I think," Luna said, her magic flaring, darkening her eyes. "Although thou looks't like one of us, thy knowledge of alicorn magic and our ways is... pedestrian. Full of falsehoods and errors and... and... old mare's tales!" Luna smiled wildly, as her horn flared into life, blazing in dark purple.
"And it betrays thee, pretender."
Applejack never had a chance, as the dark purple grip took hold of her hooves and wings. "H-hey! What're you doing-" In a second, she found herself being tugged upwards, the grips melding together into one as she was suspended by her own hooves, wings bound to her side. Applejack found herself hogtied and hoisted, now at Luna's fickle mercy.
"I know not what manner of counterfeit hides thy form, stranger," Luna smiled, as she willed Applejack's hooves to part - "But I will enjoy finding out."
Angel stalked, and grumbled. Despite his best attempts to suddenly develop the ability to talk, he still could not make the strange mouth-noises that his faithful servant preferred to use as communication. And this was the most important news he ever had for his servant - even more important than the time there was a burr in an embarassing place in the fur under his tail. Because if he could break the news that there was a secret alicorn in Ponyville, he was going to be rich. And that meant no more common Ponyville carrots for him!
I just have to convince her to look at that silly orange horse and ...oh... some pony magic thing. Note to self: Poke that orange pony thing with a stick to see if it changes back.
Angel was just about to start the game of charades again, when there came a knock on the door. Fluttershy ignored how important his news was and flitted over to the door to allow one of her friends in.
"That's some storm we're having," said the purple pony thing. "Rainbow Dash must really be working out."
Angel's servant agreed, and two of them began sitting at the couch. The purple one seemed hesitant, but Fluttershy was, as ever, kind and gentle in her tone, and the purple one's wild rants was soon replaced by simple questions.
Ugh. Talking talking talking. That's all those hoofed things do. Then again, since they don't have proper paws like us higher lifeforms, it only makes sense that they use their mouths all day. They shouldn't be called 'ponies', they should be called 'talkies.'
Angel got back to the matter at hand. At first, he tried acting out the scene, holding his small lapine form in the same awkward pose Applejack had gotten into. Then, he rose his tiny body all the way up into the air, ears held together in imitation of a unicorn's horn, before making the wavy paws right at where he had been 'holding' the 'fence'.
There is no possible way to interpret this other than an earth pony suddenly developing telekinesis!
The purple pony thing quirked an eyebrow at Angel, and made some sort of concerned noise. Fluttershy shooed Angel off with a wing before rudely continuing her conversation without him.
Seriously? Why would a rabbit ever make taffy, Fluttershy? That's what ponies are here for, silly!
Simple charades were getting him nowhere. He was going to have to bring out the big guns: props. Luckily, he had just the things he needed, in his food dish and somewhere in Fluttershy's old toy box....
Luna's face scrunched up. "Thy magic is... powerful. But no magic is insurmountable. But there must be some sort of- trick to it..."
"I've already explained this," Applejack sighed. "The best trick - is no trick at all. I look like an alicorn because I am one. Have been all my life, just like you. Now - could you please let me down? If your magic hasn't 'broken the spell' yet, you could at least let me stand right-side-up for a spell."
"I-" Luna shook her head, and sighed. "...very well." Luna resisted the temptation to unceremoniously drop her accuser to the floor, and broke her hold on Applejack one hoof at a time.
"Whew! Thank ye kindly," Applejack said, with only a hint of resentment in her voice, bringing herself up to sit. "Now, I-"
"I will ask the questions." Luna was still stern, but not overtly hostile. "First... if thou art an alicorn, whyfor dost thou not act the part? Why speak'st thou... so?"
"I've never held court or nothing." Applejack struck at the earth with a hoof in irritation. "I've got enough troubles in my life just trying to help my family. Never did learn my thee's and thou's - talking all fancy was before my time."
"Before your time," Luna mused. "So, where dost- erm, where do you fall in the royal line?"
Applejack pondered. "Well... I'd say twenty-eighth? Somewhere like that."
"But the twenty-eighth in the line is young Nephra."
"No, I was 'bout ten years old when she was born. The hospital about threw a parade to celebrate her birth. Me - mom and dad brought me into this world in the old pony way. They never made no fuss about it, so I didn't either."
"And your realm?"
Applejack tilted her head. "Realm?"
"Your sphere of influence."
"Well... I was born to earth ponies, so I guess that makes my realm the earth, doesn't it?"
"No. I mean... Astral? Elemental? Telluric? What are thy- your primaries and secondaries?"
Applejack raised her head, as if she had been asked why can't an apple talk. "Do... say what now?"
"You don't know." Applejack frowned to see Luna's lips begin to turn upwards. "You honestly don't know the first thing about the divine cycles?"
"Divine whats?"
"The ten incarnate charges? The Path of Apotheosis?"
Applejack frowned, and started to sweat. "...say what now?"
Luna frowned. "You know nothing about what an alicorn truly is, do you?"
"Like I said, I was born to earth ponies." Applejack shook her head. "Ma and Pa didn't know and I didn't ask."
Luna sighed. "Yes, you said that..." She shook her mane out, and Applejack finally noticed that Luna's wings had come down to rest against her flanks once more. "Now, the real question; how have you kept this a secret?"
"It's... it's not really a secret. I just don't tell anyone. If all they see is an earth pony, all they expect is an earth pony, and I don't have to cheat or use this... this curse."
"That's half an answer," Luna acquiesced. "But I asked you to speak plain. You know what I was asking you. How, in a world which loves its busybodies, did you escape sight of the queen busybody herself - Celestia?"
"Well... I didn't, really. She found me when I was young." Applejack grinned softly at the memory. "She offered to train me herself, but... I turned her down."
"The crown princess appears before you... and you turn her down?"
"Well, yeah. I didn't want to leave my Mom and Dad to see Canterlot and learn all that fancy magic and flying. I was born into the most loving family a girl could ever ask for, and we built one of the finest little towns anypony could be proud to be part of. I told Celestia I couldn't leave that."
"Just like that?"
"Just like that. Well... she caught me selling apple pies by the side of the road. She taught me the spells I use to hide myself today, and she bought a pie off of me. I still have the bits," Applejack smiled with pride. "My first-ever real sale. I'm still mighty-"
Being lost in memory, she never saw Luna charging towards her. Nor did she have any chance to understand - as Luna had her forehooves wrapped tight about Applejack, trapped in a tight hug. "Oh, sister- it is so good to meet you!"
"Bwah?"
Luna nuzzled up Applejack's neck affectionately, before leaning back to give a broad grin. "That memory - Celestia remembers that day well. She and I spoke about it many times, as I ... went through a second childhood." Luna swallowed, as if embarased. "Oh, forgive me, but... there are so few alicorns, and most of them so zealously guard their 'immortality' that they waste it in their ivory towers and crystal palaces. And I am - I am reborn," Luna said meekly, "Separated from my own time that I might as well have been born again. There was a time when I was not like this-"
"-you went evil and tried to take over Equestria. Then your sister banished you to the moon and you did it again when you came back."
Luna drew back. "You-knew? B-but..."
"Well, of course I knew, sugarcube," Applejack smiled, as she cast the spells that made her shrink. No hat on her head - this time it was safely at home - but a simple earth mare grinned up to Luna. "I was there - if you remember it."
The night princess backed up, gasping as she finally recognized her. "An alicorn is bearer of the Element of Honesty?"
"Well... I don't make much of either, but yeah, I am," Applejack smirked, as she resumed her usual form. "And, since we've not made formal introductions - my name's Applejack."
"Well, Applejack ... if that is case, I have some news you will not like. But first..." Luna drew a hoof backwards. "I do apologize for the... unnecessary roughness I showed towards you. There have been many to question me, and I can afford to back down to none of the accusations leveled against me."
"Shoot, I forgive ya," Applejack said, waving it off. "It's why I've gone through the trouble of hiding it for so long myself. I couldn't live my life like that."
Luna nodded. "Is that so."
"And... I apologize for being so crude and all. You didn't deserve an inch of what I said. About... about being a traitor."
Luna seemed to wilt softly, some of the twinkle in her hair and fur fading. "Thank you. Well... back to the matter before us. The other piece of news I have for you will be even worse, but not for you. But, first; you are plagued with dreams."
Applejack nodded.
"Well... I am no great mage, and dream magic is the realm of Oneiro, not myself. But from what I see... I can see no magic affecting your mind." Luna frowned. "Alicorn, or otherwise."
Applejack shook her head. "But... that just can't be..."
"True? Many things which are terrible are true, Applejack," Luna said, looking up to the skies. With an absent thought, she began to dismiss the thunderstorm arena, bringing the stars back into view. "And what you said true is earlier, Applejack: I have learned a thing or two about guilt. It is a disease of the soul, darkening and weakening everything it touches. It is what prompted my... rebellion. These dreams are vivid because the guilt is fresh and acute - but even when it is old and dull, that does not mean it has been cured; only allowed to fester." Luna turned to face Applejack again, her voice hard and serious. "Applejack, you will carry the weight of what you do for a long, long time. You must promise me that you will be honest in your choices, or the dreams you have now will only be the first of a great many to come."
"Yes, ma'am," Applejack agreed, a tint of worry to her voice.
Luna allowed herself to smile softly. "And as to the other news - I'm afraid I must ask you to close your eyes. For this I ... I cannot reveal to you with your eyes open."
The elder alicorn laughed as Applejack closed her eyes. "No, please - call me Luna. You are as much of a princess as I am, in every way that counts." She looked over Applejack, over the form of one of her saviors, of one of the youngest alicorns in Equestria who hid in the guise of a simple farmer. "Are you ready?"
"I-I am. But what's this abou-"
Applejack found one of Luna's hooves pulling her up tightly- the strength in Luna's limbs equally the equal of her own - and felt something against her lips. Her eyes flew open - and there, the mare she had accused had pressed her lips to hers. It wasn't a polite peck on the lips, but a lover's kiss, the kiss a new couple would share. Applejack didn't pull away in her shock, but broke away from Luna with a sputter. "What... wait... WHAT?"
Luna's smile was forlorn. "As I said... you cannot allow yourself to live with guilt. Or regret. If I had not at least confessed my feelings, Applejack - that would have been a dark seed in my heart."
Applejack frowned in confusion. "C-confess? Luna... what's going on?"
Luna looked back towards the distant glow of Canterlot on the horizon. "The House of Luna has been empty for many generations, now. Abandoned and lonely, with not even myself to fill its walls." Luna's smile waned. "I have had few companions save Celestia, even before my rebellion. So I have begun to search Equestria for those who I could... trust, heart and soul. In short, people who I would make part of my House and my life."
"You mean... marriage?"
"That is is one aspect, I suppose," Luna mused. "This past Nightmare Night, I found four kind souls who treated me as an equal and a friend, despite my station." Luna drew her hoof back in the sand. "But the wise, indefatigable unicorn is already being groomed for an invitation to House Celestia, unbeknownst to her. The pegasus who loves innocently and openly - I cannot make her bear the responsibility of my name on her lonesome; she already flies under a heavy enough load from her daughter. The earth male is hardly a colt - although I might extend the invitation if he matures into a stallion as noble as he showed me in the forest. And the earth mare, whose smile can make anyone feel like they are part of her family, like they have come home..." Luna's voice was almost a croak. "... it now seems she has her own House to tend to. And her own family to help her. All those I hoped to trust my heart to are denied to me."
Applejack stammered. Her heart went out to Luna, but a confession of love? "Now, listen, Luna, I..."
"Please... don't." Luna took a step back. "I... think I went too far. But thank you." Luna spread her wings wide. "We will speak again, of this I am certain... but please do not summon me again, lest it be dire. I... I need time to mourn what might have been."
Applejack shouted, but the moon princess was already above the dissipating clouds.
"So to sum it up, 'trust' is not a thing in and of itself, but an intangible quantity created by consistency, openness, and honesty. It's almost as abstract a concept as 'harmony', really, and there are many elements to trust as well." Fluttershy blushed. "Well, not Element elements, naturally."
"No, of course," Twilight Sparkle said, her pen working dutifully over a scroll. On her scroll, she had consolidated Fluttershy's speech into a terse outline, complete with an octagram in the center illustrating relations between the distinct points Fluttershy had made. "But this is fantastic, Fluttershy! You've really helped me study tonight." She grinned, and rolled up her scroll tightly, sliding it back into a metal case. "I'd like to talk more about this with you sometime. Have you studied philosophy?"
"Oh, no," Fluttershy flushed, her smile soft as she sipped at her tea. "I just find that working with animals gives me a certain perspective that many ponies lack. Many things are universal, even among animals, and it's easy to think of things in these terms. Helping animals is very rewarding."
Twilight Sparkle grinned. "Well, then. Maybe some days when the library's closed, I can come over and-"
The two were interrupted by the sound of a rabbit's foot stomping repeatedly. Both looked to see a frustrated Angel posting rampant with some foodstuffs. Between his ears, a carrot pointed perpendicular from his forehead; from his back, two leaves of lettuce were held so that each leaf sprung wide; and he pointed to an apple in front of him with a paw.
"Oh, how thoughtful!" Fluttershy leaned down and grabbed the carrot and lettuce with her lips.
"Thank you, Angel," Twilight Sparkle smiled, as she levitated the apple - "Huh. How did this jack get in here?" Twilight shrugged and plucked the toy from the apple, tossing it aside and taking a bite.
Angel looked as the two ponies ate his sure-fire alicorn disguise. Not even a guess! He groused wordlessly and turned, hiking his tiny cotton tail in the air as he stomped off. Unfortunately, a rabbit taking great care to slam every foot as hard as they can as they walk away is more comical than intimidating.
"... it can be weird, too, sometimes," Fluttershy admitted.
Rainbow Dash didn't like to be woken in the middle of the night. But some jobs never truly let you off the clock.
"Rainbow Dash! Rainbow!" Derpy's voice rang out, her hooves pounding against the door. The pounds kept coming as Rainbow sleepily glided down the stairwell (not even bothering to do much course correction, letting her hooves brush the banister on her way down). "It's an emergency!"
Rainbow Dash looked worse for wear, with her mane a disheveled mess and her tail little better. With a disgruntled sigh, Rainbow Dash groused, "What is it, Derpy..."
Derpy didn't give Rainbow Dash the chance to close the door. Quickly, she tugged on Rainbow's neck and pulled her out the door, facing her towards the darkened storm cloud on the horizon. "This popped up in just the last ten minutes..."
As soon as she saw the cloud, Rainbow Dash stopped struggling. Somehow, she wasn't tired anymore. "Ten minutes? With circular movement like that?" Rainbow Dash looked at Derpy. She wasn't weather patrol, but she was a public servant too. "That storm's bad enough that - that I might not be able to stop it. Maybe not even redirect it. You have to get every pegasi out of the sky and everyone into their storm cellars, fast."
"Can do, Rainbow Dash!" There was hardly even time to see Derpy leaving, kicking up some of the cloud that formed Rainbow Dash's home in her wake. At least Derpy had one thing going for her as mail mare: she knew the town like nobody's business. She'd probably already have a plan for getting the news out to everyone as fast as possible.
But now it was time for Rainbow Dash to fly into a hurricane, unprepared.
Even as she flew towards the storm cell, the clouds had begun to dissipate. Rainbow Dash breathed a deep sigh of relief, and throttled back to a more guarded glide, so she wouldn't build up as much static. Finally, she breached the eye of the storm itself-
just in time to see Luna lovingly kissing Rainbow Dash's golden alicorn.
Rainbow Dash couldn't breathe. She couldn't think. She could barely fly, and it was only instinct that landed her on one of the dense, dark clouds that made up the hurricane.
She wasn't flying with me. She was flying from me.
Danger and duty completely forgotten, Rainbow Dash collapsed, crying herself to sleep on the stormcloud.
What had been her realm alone, once, was hardly recognizable; too many hooves had laid their mark on what was once a land of shadows. Celestia herself had been the night's guardian for many centuries, bringing even the sleeping world to brilliant light. When the alicorn Oneiro, the great somniomancer, was born, Celestia had gladly bequeathed the duties of guarding the dream world to him. Between them, the world of dreams was neat and orderly, an endless expanse; each dreamer had their own tiny bubble within that expanse, and these tiny pocket realms rarely crossed. Dreams had beginnings and middles and ends, and rarely roused anything more than pleasant confusion in the morning. They were not the fantastic tapestries Luna had merried herself with, the epics tragedies and comedies that had inspired poets and playwrights. But that was long before the bad times had started.
Then again, that was how the bad times had started, wasn't it? Luna could recall the great solemnity she took in guarding the night, protecting Equestria from the creatures that wandered in dreams and the monsters that came when the stars shone. She saw to it that the moon was free of monsters, that the skies were clear and full of stars, and that the dreams of her protected people were vivid, if not always joyful. She did not merely keep the night, she curated it, and it would be perfect for her little ponies.
If it meant changing ponies with magic to have the ears of bats and the wings and claws of dragons, creating a corps to guard the night? Although they struck fear into the hearts of mundane ponies, the Night Guard she created were no monsters, but had mortal hearts and free will. They all swore allegiance to her before, during, and after their transformations; it was a feeling akin to love. They willingly pledged their lives to her, her nation, and her night; how could she say no to their devotion?
If that meant her guard taking ever more clandestine 'intelligence' activities as Celestia's world slept, investigating rumors and bringing them to the light of the moon? Eyes could be carefully cast aside. The rumors and tremors that these activities created were worth it - as she and Celestia well knew - for the monsters of the world did not always come wearing a monstrous mask. She knew what she needed to know, and she trusted absolutely those she gave the necessary power; what more could anypony ask of her?
If it meant that she herself forsake sleep, ever wandering the dream world as a stranger, forever a step aside from it? No matter. Another day gone without sleep meant nothing compared to keeping Equestria safe from the monsters that crept into the world from the land of dreams; even a thousand years later, she recalled vividly all the times she failed. She would be better. The world deserved her to be better.
If it meant defying her sister's decisions, pushing for ever stricter laws and ever harsher punishments for benign infractions? The ends required the means. The world of Equestria was as much hers as it was her sister's, and it would be good enough for all her little ponies, from the oldest nag to the newborn foal. If Celestia could not see the need, then she would prove the need with facts as clear as moonlight.
If it meant the night grew longer and longer, creeping in on the day from both sides? Well, what of it? Celestia was concerned with grace and reconciliation, where Luna was concerned with duty. How could Celestia not see the risks of rampant chaos in the world, when they had fought together to forge the first peace in this wilderness? Luna could bear the weight of the worlds on her wings, and keep them steady in their flight; if Celestia could not see that, she would have to be made to see.
And if it meant openly attempting to tear down an empire based on a forgiving sovereign, replacing it with a republic based on absolute law, did it matter that her sister's blood would spill?
Celestia, in her ever gentle grace, did not correct ponies when they spoke of the demon that plagued Luna. Historians and metaphysicists alike suspected some sort of monster from the unknowable land of dreams. It was unthinkable, the idea that a pony so noble and gentle, seemingly so open and pure of heart, could become terrible of her own free will. A millennium later, the descendants of these historians accepted at face value the solar princess's explanation of the Elements of Harmony purifying her. It was, as Celestia herself liked to say, a "flattering depiction of the truth."
In truth, the Elements of Harmony had nearly no effect, their colorful energies easily deflected by Nightmare Moon's dark power. As the ancient artifacts' power swirled around Luna, always threatening but never managing to pierce her armor, they had proven nearly effortless. For all the storm and fury that had raged through that old castle, the Elements had only been able to plant one thought into Nightmare Moon's head: that her sister, after all their wars, was still willing to forgive her.
But that thought was enough.
Breaking Luna's heart was an important step towards redemption. But there were many to follow.
Compared to the dreamscape of her time, Luna regarded sleep almost with disdain. Ponies in this time painted their own dreams, filling the land of sleep with all the colors of the rainbow and others besides. Many were nonsensical. Many were just downright obscene. But Oneiro merely was a custodian of the land of dreams, not its sovereign. He did not make demands of those who entered it; rather, he merely made sure it was safe to enter. He, himself, had suggested Luna sleep like mortal ponies did; ever gentle, Oneiro suggested it would help with her reconciliation.
With her nightmares, he had said without thinking. But then again, he had been born after her banishment. The young could be forgiven such impropriety.
As Luna sprawled out in her bed, she cast one eye on the moon. It was high in the sky, and would stay there until she woke to guide it to its resting place once more. All she had to do was rest her bones, for long enough, and her mind would come following along. Just close her eyes, and allow sleep to overtake her. Any minute now.
Mortal ponies made it look so easy...
The only thing that alerted Luna to the fact that she was, in fact, dreaming, was the fact that she could not control her focus. Details that didn't matter became extremely important, like the pattern of stitchwork on her quilt. Things that should have mattered, she couldn't recall, like why part of her bedroom was an armory. But save for that wall of weapons off to a side, Luna found her dreamscape looked exactly like the room she had fallen asleep in.
"Well. My dreams are certainly... mundane. Still, I suppose that given a proper medium, even the real world has its charms." Luna looked around, and sprawled out on here bed, giving a very un-royal stretch and yawn, forelegs spread far in front of her and tail hiked high into the air. Both swiftly found themselves properly brought back under her, however, as there came an unfamiliar knocking at the door.
"Yes, do come in," Luna groused. Not even in her dreams could she escape the drudgery of ruling a kingdom, it seemed.
The door creaked open hesitantly. "Hello, Princess Luna..."
Luna's ears perked forwards in surprise. "Is that you, Twilight Sparkle?"
"None other," the unicorn said, giving an awkward grin as she stepped in. The last time they had spoken, she had been wearing a silly Nightmare Night costume; but outside of it, the librarian had a sort of trim, demure stature. The sight of her made Luna's heart flutter just a little faster. After having shown the proper respect due her station, Twilight had dropped the formalities, almost prancing in. "I haven't been in Canterlot in a while, and it's been a while since we last wrote - how have you been, Luna?"
Luna laughed wryly. "Eternally busy, as my crown requires." But as soon as Twilight was within leaping distance, the princess's wings spread wide, and a single powerful push of her wings launched her out of bed to land immediately in front of the smaller unicorn. Her visitor reeled back at the sudden pounce, and Luna had to laugh. "Oh, forgive my excitement. It's been some time since I've had company that wasn't concerned with paperwork and these games we call a government. Please, tell me," Luna smiled, giving the unicorn a soft nuzzle, which was returned in kind. "You have come a long way - how have you been?"
"She's been doing marvelously."
From the hallway, Luna's sister stepped into the room. She looked down to Twilight Sparkle and nodded politely, which reminded Twilight Sparkle of just why she was here.
"Oh! Soon, I'm going to be moving to Canterlot to resume my studies! Well, not 'soon' for me, considering I'm still going to live in Ponyville for a few more years, but I'm sure that's relatively soon for you," Twilight giggled. "I'll be able to see everypony here a lot more. Even - even you, Luna," she beamed.
And so the stars grace the moon!
"Why... that is wonderful news!" Luna had to smile. Surely, living in the same city as the night princess would make a few moonlit trysts much easier to organize. "What do we owe the pleasure to?"
"I'm going to continue my studies in magic - old, powerful magic. Princess Celestia thinks I can find ways to make old magic new again," she giggled, trotting in place. "Bringing back old magic so a new generation can appreciate it! Isn't this great?"
"It's amazing," Luna smiled. However, she shot her sister a quizzical stare. Celestia stepped into the room carefully, standing next to her sister and whispering conspiratorially.
"I do have... ulterior motives."
Luna looked to Celestia, who was not returning the look. Rather, Celestia's eyes were watching Twilight as she bounced around the room like a schoolfilly. She was smiling but her lips were taut, and there were tears at the corner of her eyes. Luna answered sotto voce.
"Thoughts of filling these empty halls, I am sure?"
"Mmm." Celestia's smile warmed just a little, as she finally turned to meet her sister's gaze. "To start. She would be the delight of House Celestine, to be sure." Her eyes locked with Luna's, conspiratorially. "But for her, I'm thinking of something a little more... special." It didn't take the eyes of a princess to see Celestia's wings flutter at the thought.
"Oh sister -" Luna started, blushing. "You are in love?"
For as much as she loved keeping her façades, there was a certain level of trust Celestia shared with her sister. As Celestia's eyes met Luna's, her tears flowed just a little stronger, and Celestia nodded curtly.
Luna could feel her heart tearing apart, but she forced herself to smile. "Well, then..." She lifted her voice up high again, speaking with far more joy than she felt. "We wish you well in your studies, Twilight Sparkle."
Twilight smiled, and bowed down to Luna curtly. "I hope I can see you again soon, Princess."
"It will be-" and I'll know just which chambers of the castle you came from! "- nice to see you, too."
Well. A mare of her talents and values, despite any faults, was sure to be fought over by the nobility, Luna mused wryly. Destiny does seem to follow her around.
Luna rolled onto her back and sighed. Perhaps another dream would-
thunk
Luna immediately jumped out of bed, searching for the sound of the wet impact. Again, the surprisingly curious stitchwork drew her attention, and it took an effort of will as great as that of lifting the moon to pull her gaze away and head - outside, to the balcony?
An old grey mare rested on the balcony, tumbled in a heap. "M-Mail's here..."
Luna stepped up to her. She vaguely recognized her, beyond the fact that she was a mailmare...
"I can see that, but... are you well?"
The mailmare gave a little giggle and an upside down grin, her smile becoming bashful. "Oh, I'm just fine!" She groaned as she rolled back onto her hooves, looking into her saddlebags. "But as to your mail, I'm afraid it's a little banged up..."
"No, do not worry! I am just glad that you are alright." Luna offered her hoof to the mare as she magicked away the daily communiques and letters. "Equestria would be at a loss without her most diligent mailmare, Derpy Hooves."
Surprised, Derpy blinked, looking at Luna through narrowed eyes. "I've never ever told you my name before...." Her wings flew up in shock, and she tried to meet the royal gaze. "I-I'm not in trouble, am I, Princess?"
"Oh, no, quite the opposite," Luna smiled, doing her best to simply step closer and not prance around Derpy like a giddy filly. "As a matter of fact, we have met before. Do you remember the last Nightmare Night..."
Derpy looked at Luna, her eyes becoming distant and unfocused as she tried to remember. Then, she gasped. "You were that mare who found me and helped me!" Her smile grew at the memories. "You told me about how you endured so many hateful words, and helped me feel better about... well... everything that happened that night. I never knew it was... well..." Derpy giggled. "...you!"
"I remember it differently," Luna said, her wings resting at ease at her side, remembering the way she had landed on that cloud and found the mare there, sobbing into her paper bags. "I remember a pegasi who helped me find peace with myself, by telling me how she had found her own peace."
"Oh, no, no no," Derpy shook a hoof, drawing it back demurely and with and embarassed blush. "You definately were the one helping me, Princess."
Luna quirked an eyebrow. "And if you like, Miss Hooves, I can make it a royal decree that you were the most wonderful aide this past Nightmare Night."
The two looked each other in the eyes, both determined to be the one who had been helped the most, neither willing to back down. But after a minute, they began to crack. Seeing the other start to smile, they tried to hold back; but not even that lasted long, and they both burst out laughing together, like old friends. Luna had to lean against the doorframe to her balcony, and Derpy had to lean against Luna...
oh, that feels nicer than I thought it would
Luna look down, and gave a smile when Derpy Hooves looked back up. It was nice to have a subject treat her as an equal, and not as a subject of awe or terror. She didn't know how Celestia managed it so effortlessly.
Celestia...
An idea itched at the back of her brain. A terrible idea. A wonderful idea. An idea that would shock all the royals - but then again, was she not bound by her station and her history? Any move to reclaim her House would scandalize a nation, but it eventually would need to be rebuilt. But Derpy was a silly mundane pegasus, with no royal connections, no political aspirations, and no rational gain to bring to a relationship. Except... friendship.
"Miss Hooves... I have a favor to ask of you."
"Well, I'm glad to serve," Derpy grinned, and stood up straight. "How can the Equestrian Postal Service be of service, Princess?"
Luna smirked. "Well, if this was a job, I'd be glad to take your service. No, Miss Hooves; this I ask of you."
The little grey pegasus perked her ears, curious. "Me? But... I'm just a silly pony..."
"No, Miss Hooves. You are a very silly pony," Luna pointed out, gently nudging a shoulder with a hoof. "But... I think that's why I'm extending you this invitation." Luna's breath caught in her throat, and it almost came out as a whisper: "... will you come to the Spring Ball with me?"
Luna didn't think that Derpy's eyes could grow any wider. A smile began to lift her lips, and her wings started to splay out in excitement. But before the acceptance could leave her tongue, the grey mare wilted. The shine left her eyes, and her wings fell to her back, halfheartedly clasped to her sides in an attempt to be demure. "... I can't."
"You... you cannot?" Luna blinked, not understanding. "Whyever not? I am the Princess! Whatever would hold you from attending such a simple thing as a ball, my attendants would be more than capable of-"
"It's Dinky!"
Derpy started to tear up, but she had to keep talking or she would start crying even louder. "She's... she's my only daughter, and I have to take care of her. And even if I found someone to take care of her for a night and left her to her own devices, she..." Derpy's voice cracked, and she had to breathe deeply to catch enough breath to make the next few words come out. "...she's still afraid every time I come home late that I'll disappear like her father. I just couldn't do that to her, Princess."
Derpy splayed her wings, and halfheartedly took off, hovering at eye level with the Princess. "I really appreciate it, really I do, but... I can't..." It looked like she was having to consciously control each wing, bouncing up and down in awkward flaps. "And Ponyville's a long way away..." Finally, she broke eye contact, and let her head hang. "I should just go, shouldn't I."
Luna wanted to reach out to her, but it felt like her hooves were made of lead as the mailmare made her way back to Ponyville. She stayed there, watching as long as she could as she became a little grey speck on the horizon, flitting about like a bubble on the breeze, before she was gone. With a sigh, Luna plodded back inside, grousing. Once again, her attention fell to the needlework on her sheets, and even though she knew it to be the product of dream logic, she was grateful for anything that distracted her from thinking.
After a while - Luna wasn't certain if it was the same dream, or if she had drifted into another - there came a knocking at her door. Luna didn't move, and regarded the door with a baleful eye, as if her pure hate of whomever was knocking would keep it closed. I am a princess of Equestria. If I want to lie in bed all day, then that is my decree. After a moment, the knocking stopped, and Luna gave a wry smile. As well you should obey me, accursed portal!
After a few moments, the door opened anyways. "Luna? Are y'all alright in here...?"
At the sound of her accent, Luna's eyes flew open wide in surprise, and she did her best to sit up straight in her bed and look like she hadn't just spent the last few minutes moping like a heartbroken filly. "I - oh, yes, please, come in, come in!"
Applejack entered hesitantly, an awkward glance to her eyes to see Luna sprawled out over her own bed. "I don't mean to intrude if this's a bad time..."
"It is not a bad time, no. In fact... I think I could rather use the company. Please, make yourself at home, Applejack."
She nodded, and smiled, doffing her hat and resting it at a table by the entryway. "Thank ya kindly." Applejack looked about the airy bedroom suspiciously. "Although... just how 'at home' are we talking, here?"
Luna shared a conspiratorial smile. "This room is as private as can be had in this castle. Which sometimes feels like not much at all, but..."
"... but I s'pose for my purposes, it'll do." Luna, who never disguised herself as a mortal pony, watched Applejack's transformation with some interest; what seemed to be a heavyset mare was revealed to be one who was, quite literally, carrying more than a normal pony's mass in her. Bones stretched to a more natural length, her body flowing along them; the poise of her true nature becoming more evident with every moment, taking on the proportions of one of nature's chosen. Her horn and wings came into view almost casually - not as if they had been hidden, but as if one had simply never noticed them. And when Applejack reached back to untie her hair and tail, far more hair spilled out than seemed to have been tied up.
Applejack sighed happily, and gave a little stretch before she walked up to Luna. "You ought to try it someday," Applejack said casually, giving a grin; she might have become a golden alicorn, but the saunter and relaxed tone in her voice was pure farmgirl. "Hide the stick an' feathers, shrink a little, tie up your hair, an' pretty sure nopony will know it's you under there."
"I have considered as much," Luna smiled back. "And it does help when I plan... shenanigans. But I treasure being myself all the more."
Applejack seemed to wince at Luna's words. "Myself... yeah." Applejack shook her head. "That might work for you, but for me that's the entire problem..." Applejack looked to Luna. "Luna, I got a question for ya." She didn't wait for Luna to give her leave, as she sighed. "Just... how do you make a path? From who you are, to who you could be?"
Luna's eyebrow arched. "I am afraid I don't quite follow."
Applejack sighed, and let her head and wings hang limply down. "I've been keeping this secret so long. Used to think that... that it'd just go away. But it's going all wrong. I used to think about all the time with my family I'd miss. About abandoning the farm. Abandoning my family." Applejack looked out the window, at passing clouds. "But isn't it the other way, too? Ain't I abandoning the good I could be doing?"
Luna smiled gently, and impulsively leaned off the bed, her muzzle reaching down to quickly peck Applejack on the cheek. Applejack's head shot up with a blush, but she didn't look away.
Luna had to grin. "I can see you are taking my lesson to heart, my little pony." She looked out the window, as well. "You've acknowledged your guilt. You've articulated it. And you've already started to defuse it, just by naming it."
Applejack snorted in disbelief. "I've done what now?"
"You worry about doing the right thing. About telling the truth. All this weight on your head, I am surprised that you have not discovered the long-hidden Element of Remose." Applejack had to laugh at that joke, making Luna smile. "Yet - you are not that pony any more, are you? That moment is gone. You cannot call back the die once thrown-"
"Uhm... m'pretty sure I can, sugarcube." Applejack said, her horn glowing golden for a moment.
Luna stuck her tongue out. "Well, perhaps Applejack the Wag might. But Applejack, she who wields Honesty, would not." Applejack had to give a little grin.
"But... to finish the old quote. 'You cannot call back the die, once thrown. But you can take them up and cast again.' Everything changes us, Applejack. You need not feel guilt about what you have not done or could not have done or chose not to do. Mistakes were made. But they taught you. That mare is fixed in the past, and has done her job in teaching the mare I see before me."
Applejack nodded slowly, and went to speak, but closed her mouth. Luna smirked. "Yes - this is one lesson I have learned personally."
"Well... huh." Applejack sighed, and rested her head against the bed, leaning against it. "It doesn't make it any easier..."
Luna reached out with one hoof, tenatively, and stroked Applejack's mane affectionately. She was several centuries out of practice, but she was glad to see Applejack close her eyes.
"Those moments are gone, sister... But there are more moments to come."
Applejack leaned her head back against Luna's hoof, and nodded. "And I can make these moments my own..." She smiled to her self, the friendly grin she was known for returning to her face. "Just 'bout anything I want..." Standing up, she let her wings splay to either side. "And to hay with the past!" She reared up and shook her mane out, letting it blow in an ethereal breeze; when her hooves came down again, her demeanor was once more renewed, free of doubt and daring the world. "And I reckon I know just how to start it off..."
Luna looked up just in time to see her step forwards onto the her bed. It had been so long since anyone had even lain a hoof on her that she was completely frozen by shock when the earthborn alicorn's strong hooves tugged her up in a tight embrace - although her wings, at least, spread wide in surprise once Applejack's kiss met hers. Luna's heart raced; even if only in the land of dreams, it had been very long time since she had felt a gentle hoof on her.
"Applejack... are you sure...?" Her blush was almost as warm as sunlight, and Applejack nuzzled against it firmly before leaning back, giving Luna her trademark casual grin.
"Sure as I'm an Apple," Applejack nickered. "Thanks to you, Luna... I reckon I know just what I want." One hoof stroked Luna's mane affectionately.
"I... oh... I accept, Applejack," Luna sighed. "But I do admit, Applejack, it has been so long since I have known another, I am out of..."
She trailed off, as she looked at Applejack, staring out the balcony. She hadn't heard a word Luna had said. Stepping off the bed, Luna came to stand beside her, looking at her with concern.
"I missed all o' this," Applejack said quietly. "All this beauty laid out for me, everything good in Equestria... and I hid from it." She frowned.... and, gently, lifted into the air. "Well, no more.... no more hiding, ever. I'm done. I'll make it official, here and now:" Unsteadily, the golden alicorn flew out the window a short way, splaying her wings as drew in her breath; when she shouted, her voice shook the mountains:
"HEAR ME, EQUESTRIA! I, APPLEJACK, CLAIM MY BIRTHRIGHT AND PLACE IN THE SUCCESSION AS HEAD OF HOUSE APPLE!"
The echoes came back from the countryside and beyond - there would be no mistaking that sound was that of an alicorn. Applejack heaved from the effort, but despite the sheen of sweat on her brow, her grin was there. Luna stammered in shock, "I - but - you didn't have a House - what?"
"Nah. Never claimed it. Never thought I was going to. But I guess that was just foalish of me." Applejack hovered in midair - a bit unsteadily, both from being far out of practice and from holding back the urge to do a loop-de-loop. "It's funny. Spent near to a century paralyzed in fear of it... but now all o' Equestria knows, and I've never felt this free!"
"And only now do you claim it? No preparation, no legal support -" no asking if there's anypony in love with you- "- nothing at all? This is... this is madness!"
"Yeah. But what can I say?" Applejack sniggered. "You gotta be at least a little crazy if you get in line for the throne."
Luna blinked. It was crazy. Then again, if Luna was going to have her heart broken a third time this evening, she deserved to go crazy, too. The night princess brought herself up to her full height, and splayed her wings wide. "Well. Then, there's only one thing I can do..."
WIth that, Luna splayed her wings wide and submissively. "Applejack, of House Apple. I relinquish my House, and beg of you-" sliding her hooves forwards and burying her head between her legs, her nose almost touching the ground. "I humbly beg entrance into your house... as your consort."
Please, Applejack! You must know what I'm asking! I can't say just that I - that I am in l...!
Applejack looked down to Luna, and clucked her tongue softly. "I'm sorry you thought I meant to show you up, sugarcube," Applejack shook her head dismissively. "But I never meant to take your House from you - this weren't no usurpation," Applejack blinked, then giggled. "Did I just say 'usurpation'? Heh! Not a royal for five minutes and I'm already speaking all in fancy!"
Applejack turned in midair, but looked back. "I guess I should go. Got about a thousand noble titles to sort out. Gotta hunt down every last Apple and tell them they're now barons or duchesses or grandees or what have you." Applejack paused for a moment. "I've got to tell Granny Smith she's legally a princess now. She became a princess before Rarity did. That'll be interesting."
Luna reached out to Applejack, but the gold mare was already kicking off to fly away. "Thank ya kindly, Luna - I needed that to see clearly." Luna gasped weakly as that warm smile - the one she had fallen in love with - turned away from her, the third pony she loved to abandon her bedchamber in as many hours.
Luna wasn't cold. She wasn't ill. Yet as she climbed back into her bed, pulling her quilt up, she couldn't keep herself from shaking. A thousand years ago, she was the scourge of the world. A century ago, she was a horror story. A year ago, she was the belle of the ball. Now, she couldn't even admit she fancied somepony.
To her credit, she almost got the quilt over her head before she started screaming. Applejack had turned her down! Her! Luna had hoped to have found someone who could help her shoulder the weight of eternity - and instead had seen Applejack disappear into politics the same as any other alicorn. In the end, she was no different from any of the other alicorns; simple plotters and schemers and policy-makers. Luna let her dream logic run wild, her eyes tracing the patterns in the stitchwork and hating every single moment of it.
Outside, there was a sudden clopping - the thundering of tiny hooves powering on stubby legs.
"Pwincess?"
From outside her quilt, something prodded at her. "I heard scweaming, and I thought you were-"
"Oh, didst thou think to console me? There was an unnatural edge to her voice, and Luna brought the quilt up in her magic, revealing her body curled under the quilt - not coiled for sleep, but as if prepared to strike, her dark fur blending in with the darkening room.. "Didst though imagine that my heart would not be prepared for thy spite?" As she rose, her eyes flashed, first paler, then pulling back into slits; when she sneered, it revealed vicious fangs. "I will not be threatened by those who deck themselves in the images of those who have shown me - care-" Luna's voice cracked one last time, but that crack was joined by several others as her moon-forged armor surrounded her once more, her night coming to her aid. She reared up and looked down on the terrified colt.
"I AM PRINCESS LUNA - HEIR TO THE THRONE OF EQUESTRIA - AND YOU WILL NOT THREATEN ME! BEGONE, FOUL APPARITION!"
"Aaah! Nightmare Moon!" The terrified pinto colt immediately bolted, his hooves not quite gripping perfectly as he skidded back through the door her came in, down the hallway, and quite possibly all the way out of the castle.
Luna's chest heaved from the declaration, shielding her heart with hate and rage. She was in the mood to fight. She was in the mood to kill. And then she looked to the side, at the mirror in the center of her armory, and saw her old persona looking back. Wrathful, Luna reared back and bucked the mirror, shattering it into a thousand pieces -
With a start, Luna woke. Luna quickly took mental stock of her situation, just to be certain she had actually woken. The merger of armory and bedquarters was gone. There were no hooves rapping at her door. She could focus anywhere she wanted - and the stitchwork on her quilting had absolutely no interest to her. With a grumble, she kicked off the sheets and rolled out of the bed.
Passing a mirror (which was not the centerpiece of an armory), she looked absolutely nothing like an Heir to Equestria. Her lips were torn from where she had bit into her pillows, biting back screams. Her hair was a mess, looking less like it was floating in an ethereal breeze and more like it had had a run-in with an ethereal blender. Even her coat was mussed, arched in random peaks where she had struggled against her sheets. She looked herself in the eye, noting they had been crying, and sighed sourly. "So, this is the look of 'dream therapy.'"
Luna snorted, and shook her head. "Celestia can keep it. I'll keep to my own sort of therapy..." With that, her eyes grew dark as she gathered her magic, thinking of where she best worked out her stress, the world disappearing in a flash of moonlight.
"SUBJECT!"
The tiny pegasus squeaked, hardly a colt himself, as the Moon Princess appeared before her in an explosion of light and midnight air. All around her, ponies were stunned into silence, disbelieving that she would just appear like that...
"I DEMAND YOUR LARGEST TUB OF CHOCOLATE CONCRETE!" Luna groused, as she slid into her usual seat. "AND MAY THE COOKIES BE DOUBLED!"
"The usual, coming right up," the head waitress sighed, filling out the ticket. Luna may have been a regular, but she tended to scare the customers...
Apple Bloom sighed, regretting the experimentation of the day before. Cream cheese is a wonderful ingredient, but there are places it is just not meant to go, and the apple-pepper mix that she and the girls had mixed up together had been at least three of them.
Doing her best to ignore the gurgle in her gut, the stomach-ill filly climbed into bed. Another glass of water had done nothing to well her upset stomach, and she felt warmer than she had in a while. Her hindlegs scrabbled at the bed, and failed. That was odd; normally, she could catch the edge of the bed there, and she could just slide up into bed. The filly was hot enough, however, that just having her forelegs hooked up onto the edge of the bed felt comfortable enough, and she rest her head against the sheets.
Apple Bloom closed her eyes. It was comfortable enough, propped up over the edge of the bed. Why, even in the middle of the night, she was almost as warm as a summer's day...
She really had no business being there. The old riverbed wasn't particularly cool, so it wasn't good for relaxing; it didn't have any orchards near it, so it there wasn't any work to do. It was on the far side of the farm from the clubhouse, so her Crusader friends wouldn't look for her. Really, about the only thing that the old riverbed was good for was for being alone. But it was that sort of day, the kind of day where you just wandered and explored until you found something interesting; some time to herself just felt right.
The grounds here weren't tended or even plowed, just grazed upon occasionally by the Apple family's resident herd, leaving the wild grass shoulder-height to her sister - almost head-height to the young filly. As she wandered through the field by the old riverbed, her head bounced in and out of sight; up high when she stretched on the edge of her hooves to see where she was, then out of sight as she crawled forwards on her hooves, investigating the dirt and rocks and small critters that filled any field.
One particular one - a green anole that was notably older and larger than the other small field lizards - was particularly daring. The old lizard darted up to her and bared his fangless mouth, occasionally bouncing forwards on his tiny little legs, but bounded away when the little filly chased after him. Apple Bloom dived under the grass, doing her best to chase after the old lizard, keeping her head low to the ground to stay near him. When she lost him, she froze, listening to the whistling in the wind and the rustling of crickets in the grass. After a moment, the old lizard would pop his head out and bare his bare jaws back at her, and they would resume their chase.
The ground was starting to slope down now; she had to slide more than run in order to keep her hooves stable, having to bend down low. At this level she had to be aware of every tree, every rock. She could only barely make out the old lizard's tail whipping back and forth now; she had to put on a little more speed to catch up. Just a little more....
When her back knees hit the branch, she instinctively curled up, landing in a tumble. The grass cushioned her roll, the long stalks flattened as she rolled on her side; keeping her head covered with her hooves kept her from getting hurt too much. It didn't stop her from screaming, rising and falling as she rolled and landed in the middle of the old stream bed.
Before he disappeared for good, she swore she could see that old lizard laughing on the far bank.
The stream was shallow but clear, too fast to stagnate; the spring water smelled of sulfur and frogs and old rocks. It was warm from the sun, but Apple Bloom couldn't help but lie back; the stream's flow felt good against her slightly battered body, the warmth helping to heal bruises. Looking up at the canopy, Apple Bloom smiled. "I didn't know we had a place like this on the farm..."
"It's a favorite of mine, too."
With an undignified flop, Apple Bloom twisted about, trying to face the voice. Standing in the riverbank stood a tall earth mare, yellow and gold. She was facing away from Apple Bloom, settling down into the stream with a sigh.
"We used to go here all the time," the older pony sighed wistfully. She didn't look away from the stream, but sank her head almost into the water. "Just the three of us, wasting all afternoon when the chores were done... those were better days."
Apple Bloom looked up to the golden mare, straining to place her voice.
"Those days... ended, though. I wonder if you even remember. You were so little then..."
Apple Bloom blinked. This mare knew her, and looked so familiar, she couldn't help. And she spoke with that low slow drawl, like every word was important, the way everyone else in her family did. She gasped. "...mom?"
Downstream, the mare gave a small nod, and a content little sigh. Apple Bloom recognized the sound, from her earliest memories, of when her mother was watching over her. Even though she still was bruised up from her tumble downhill, she did her best to stand up. The old earth mare held up a hoof, and shook her head.
"I know you miss me, Apple Bloom... but that's what family is for. Your brother is strong. Your grandmother is smart. And Applejack..." The mare gave a little chuckle as she stood. "You could say I made her promise to take care of you until you were big and strong..."
"Mom..." Apple Bloom tried to walk towards her. "I haven't seen you in ages. Why are you all of a sudden comin' back now?"
The older mare didn't respond immediately. "I guess I've been here too long. I'm not supposed to peek into your dreams, but... I just had to. Just once." She began to walk upstream. "Forgive me, Apple Bloom. I just wanted to see if you were happy."
"Happy? Well, of course I'm happy," Apple Bloom stated in disbelief. "I've got Granny and Big Macintosh, and Miss Cherilee and Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle and Twist and my big sister Applejack! How could I not be happy?"
Pausing for a moment, the older mare nodded. "I certainly hope so." She resumed walking away, but her heart wasn't in it.
Apple Bloom's voice cracked. "Wait up! You can't leave yet - you just came back!" She didn't even notice the water starting to rise in the riverbank.
The mare stopped, as if stunned, and shook her head. "I've never left you, Apple Bloom; you know better than that, that family stays together. I've always been there to watch over you... and I always will." She tossed her head, and smiled, beginning to walk away.
"Wait!" Apple Boom gasped. "Turn around - please!" It seemed like the stream was a river now, and she was having to swim while her mother stood still. "I - I hardly remember what you look like..."
The golden mare sighed. It wasn't an annoyed sound; rather, it was resigned, perhaps a bit amused. "Well... I reckon I owe ya that much. Heh. So stubborn." There was a smile on her mother's lips as she turned her head; Apple Bloom fought against the current as she tried to make out details. "You remind me so much of your poppa..."
Apple Bloom came to on the floor, groaning. Down the hallway, the sound of Granny Smith's walker creaking down as fast as she could hobble, but Apple Bloom just rest her head on the floorboards. It was still really warm.
"Land sakes, girl!" Granny cried out, stopping her walker and gingerly setting herself down next to Apple Bloom. "You look like you just saw a ghost!"
Apple Bloom rubbed her head at where she had hit the ground; it was sore and didn't feel any different than the dream. "I - I think I did..."
The old nag's hoof rested atop her granddaughter's damp forehead, and she clucked softly. "Well, I don't know about ghosts, but I do know you're burning up. C'mere, young'n."
Granny Smith might be ten times her age, but she felt as strong as a foal compared to Apple Bloom. The old green mare lifted her granddaughter up into bed. When Granny pressed a cup up to her, she drank gingerly, blinking away some of the heat and heat.. "Now, you lie right there, and we'll get you taken care of, quick as a wink."
Apple Bloom wasn't sure how long she was gone. It felt like it was only moments later when Granny was there, a cold sponge pressed to her forehead and the window open to the cool night air. She coughed a little, but took the offered medicine. "Granny Smith... do you remember momma?"
The old mare paused, and looked to her. "Were you dreaming about that again...?"
Apple Bloom nodded, and sighed. "I almost saw her face this time." She sighed, and lay back, letting the sponge soak up the dampness on her head.
Granny Smith smiled. "Well, I'm sure you'll see her face soon." She gave a sly little grin as she sponged off a bit more of her granddaughter's forehead. "Why, I reckon you can ask Applejack about her. I think she remembers a lot more about her than little ol' me..."
Apple Bloom looked up, and gave a grin. "I think I'll do just that," the little filly giggled, before coughing. Granny Smith laid a gentle hoof on her back and rubbed as Apple Bloom cleared herself, kneading it loose. The rolling motion was soothing, and already being sore and warm from the fever, Apple Bloom was soon kneaded back to a warm sleep.
"She know more than you'd think," Granny Smith smiled... then sighed, sourly. "I just hope she finally gets 'round to telling you this time..."
It wasn't the first time Rainbow Dash had woken up in a tree. Not even the first time this week. But when Rainbow Dash woke up in a tree, she generally remembered doing it on purpose.
Beneath, the ground was still soggy from the unexpected rainstorm. The storm had been sudden and heavy, but not particularly powerful, which to an experienced weathermare just didn't make sense. Clouds of that size shouldn't have had the energy to storm, especially not in formation; there had to be something really powerful gathering all those clouds together. Something like a dragon, or Nightmare Moon, or something really close to that. Rainbow Dash wasn't quite sure; she was still really tired, and the moon was still high in the sky, so she couldn't have gotten much sleep at all.
And her eyes were sore. Reaching up a hoof, Rainbow Dash rubbed at the socket; they were still tender.
"Crying? Why was I crying..."
The branch was too gnarled to be a comfy bed but her wings fit too well astride it to feel like moving, so Rainbow Dash just wriggled, letting her wings flop limp to either side of the branch. As she lay there, tried to remember just how she had fallen asleep. She vaguely remembered her hooves full of dark, dry cloud, buried inside it; there was the sensation of the cloud falling under her weight. She hadn't felt too sleepy, though. The feeling of shock was still fairly fresh, and she frowned for a moment in thought.
"Wait a second..."
As the memory came out, Rainbow Dash shouted, sitting bolt upright on the tree branch.
"Aaaw, yeah! I SAW her!"
Rainbow Dash pumped her hooves into the air, one flap of her wings making her follow. "Take that, Rarity! I knew she was real!"
As she pedaled into the air, excitedly, Rainbow Dash looked around, vaguely recalling the old cherry field she had flown to. It had looked a lot nicer before the spiral clouds had formed, of course, but as she flew in, she saw the clear part in the middle of a low hill - there were still fairly fresh hoofprints. In her mostly-but-not-quite-awake state, she could almost see her gold alicorn standing there - and that alicorn was looking right at her.
It was the first time she had actually seen the alicorn's face! Rainbow Dash gasped and almost squealed as she recalled the mare of her dreams - it had been from far away, yes, but she actually saw her face! It took some concentration, but she was able to pull up the memory from before she fell asleep - and once she had the image in her head, she wouldn't let it go. She was, as any alicorn, beautiful; tall, strong, stately. Her face was noble, and stronger than any alicorn she had ever seen but Celestia. And her eyes were bright blue - and really beautiful when surprised, like when she was kissing...
... Luna.
Rainbow Dash blinked, and came to a stop in midair. She knew, somewhere in the back of her mind, they weren't actually standing there...
"Well... looks like this one has an interest in you," Luna smirked, looking over her shoulder at the hovering Rainbow Dash.
"Is that so?" The gold alicorn broke the kiss to look at Rainbow Dash, and gave a small smirk. For some reason, a posh Manehattan accent seemed to suit her. "I suppose fans are to be expected. Well then, my little fan," the gold alicorn smirked, stepping forwards to stand next to Luna. "Just what do you want?"
"I... I want to...?"
"Come on now. Out with it," Luna ordered impatiently. The golden alicorn snickered, and Rainbow Dash faltered in midair.
"I-I'd like..."
"Oh, how cute. She's tongue-tied," the golden alicorn smirked. With cold eyes still fixed on Rainbow Dash, she leaned in against Luna, giving an affectionate little nuzzle. "I think we might be too much for the poor dear."
"No, that's not it at all," Rainbow floundered. "I-"
"Are you going to start speaking sometime soon? Because I'm starting to get very bored of talking to you," the golden alicorn said, looking down at a hoof.
The pegasus ground her teeth, her wings stiff. "If you'd just let me finish already, all I'm asking is-"
Luna smirked. "A mad mare, shouting at the clouds, thinking she's good enough for a princess." Luna lofted her wings, and the golden alicorn matched her. "Let us leave her to her madness..."
"Oh don't you DARE!"
Rainbow darted into the dream-Luna's face, hitting her hooves together. "I - you - just be quiet. And you - Rainbow whirled. The golden alicorn quirked an eyebrow critically.
"I just - I just - aargh!" She threw her hooves up in frustration. "I'm just trying to ask you out, here! Now listen you-"
"Uhm... Dashie, who were you talking to?"
Rainbow Dash whirled and looked down to see Pinkie Pie, looking up with concern. Quickly, Rainbow Dash hid her hooves behind herself.
"I am totally awake. Yeppers, just a normal night. I'm just... practicing. Yeah," Rainbow Dash smirked, throwing a few punches out into the air in front of her. "Just gotta - just gotta work on my game, is all!"
Pinkie tilted her head at Rainbow's broad grin. If any pony in Ponyville knew a smile, it would be her - and that wasn't a smile at all. In fact, despite her grin, her friend seemed downright frowny.
"And does that normally involve flailing around and getting all muddy?"
Rainbow Dash looked over herself. It only now seemed to click that she had never actually taken off, or that her wings were caked with mud and sticks.
"Eheh- yeah, all the time! Because it's mud! And... it's hard to fly though, so it resists you... you know, resistance training," Rainbow shrugged. "You know, trying to fly through mud, it's hard to do and makes your wings... strong..."
Pinkie laid a hoof on Rainbow Dash, and gave a little frown. With just that look, Rainbow Dash sighed, and looked down. "Yeah, I'm not okay. I don't even know... am I awake right now?"
"Sorta, kinda, maybe." Pinkie shrugged. "But you're talking to me, so at least that's something! Have you sleeping okay, Dashie?"
"I don't know," Rainbow Dash signed. "There was the hurricane... and then there was Princess Luna, and her, and..." Rainbow Dash screwed up her face, then looked disgusted. "I guess... I had a nightmare. While awake. Can that even happen?"
Pinkie clucked her tongue sympathetically. "Oh, I've had those before, and they can be a real doozy." With her best 'I'm here for you' smile (not her favorite smile, only like her eighth or ninth best, but she was good at it), Pinkie wrapped a hoof around Rainbow Dash, helping her stand up on her own four hooves. "Let's get you somewhere warm and dry, Dashie. You can tell your Aunt Pinkie all about it."
Big Macintosh's hooves were propped up on the stove, watching carefully as oatmeal and apples bubbled away in a small pot. When he heard footsteps behind him, he gave a little smile. "'Morning, AJ."
Applejack froze in her footsteps, then sighed in frustration. She had stayed out so late it had turned into very early, instead; soon, everypony in the Apple household would be waking. "Morning," she groused, as she half-heartedly pulled herself into the Apple family kitchen. If she was about to get the third degree from her overprotective "big brother," she might as well enjoy some breakfast along with it.
Big Macintosh took the cinnamon shaker and gave a generous sprinkle over the oatmeal, trying to get it to taste. "Early start?"
"More like I had a late finish." Applejack said, and went about setting the four places at the breakfast table. She looked at Apple Bloom's usual place, and sighed. "Had a lot on my mind."
"Looks like it." The stallion took another stir of the oatmeal. His voice was kind, but there was a twinkle in his eye. "Out 'stretching' again?"
"Something like that." By reflex, Applejack bit back her words, but shook back her usual closed-lipped stance. The full truth - not only that she had summoned the heir to the throne of Equestria, but that she did so just to throw a tantrum over her bad dreams - was too silly to be credible. The believable parts of the truth would suffice. "You could say I was... getting some help with my nightmares."
Big Macintosh nodded, and gave breakfast one last stir. "Did it do ya any good?"
"I'm telling Apple Bloom this morning."
Not the answer to the question he asked, but maybe it was the answer she needed to give. His eyes met hers with concern as he brought the oatmeal over to the table. He rested the pot down on the tablecloth a moment, then asked. "About your wings?"
She gave a thankful little mutter as he poured her share, then shook her head. "About her father."
He paused, and gave a little snort. "Sure you're up to it, AJ...?"
"No. I'm 'bout as nervous as a chicken in a wolf's den," she laughed, then gave a little sigh. "But... I promised her I'd explain it, so I'll be okay."
"You know," Big Macintosh smiled, "You don't have to do it alone..."
"No. But I reckon I better," she smiled. "I mean... I've got to tell everyone, soon." Applejack gave Big Macintosh a thankful smile. "I know you miss him, too."
"Eeyup." His was quiet as he poured the three other bowls, knowing the scent would soon bring Granny Smith and Apple Bloom grumbling down the stairs. Applejack finished the rest of her breakfast in silence, mechanically lifting each spoonful; it was too hot and not sweet enough, but just going through the motions was comforting. One bite. Two. Another. She almost had the entire bowl eaten before she accidentally dug the spoon underneath the bowl, lifting it up and off the table, spilling onto the floor. She looked upon the mess and gave a disdainful snort.
"Look upon your royalty, Equestria, for here she is. Princess Applejack. Head of House Apple. Heir to the throne. Outsmarted by the common bowl of oatmeal."
Applejack heaved in order to give a deep sigh, but the sigh twisted in her mouth and became a deep throaty yawn that'd put a timberwolf's howl to shame.
"Land's sake, AJ - have you had any sleep tonight?"
"Well, I tried to. I got a little, before I woke up and went-"
The larger stallion's heavy muzzle insistently nudged into her side.
"Go to sleep, AJ. There will be oatmeal in the morning."
"But I still have to clean up after this mess-"
Big Mac looked at her, stern. He was almost a fifth her age, so she had no idea how he could so effortlessly stare her down.
"-yes, sir."
Applejack let herself stumble off the bench. She didn't have much time to fall, though, before her "brother" was holding her tight, both a supporting hoof and a tight hug. He gave a rare, warm smile down to her.
"Don't worry about things today, AJ. I'll take care of them. You just go on up and get some sleep, and get yourself square with Apple Bloom. I reckon gettin' life sorted is plenty enough work for one pony to handle."
Applejack looked up at Big Macintosh, and gave a nod. "Thanks." She gave a little smirk. "But even after I've told everypony, you better not start treating me all fancy."
He rolled his eyes. "I'll do my best." He smirked, and lowered himself to kowtow. "Now up to bed, your highness. Even a princess needs her forty winks."
"Don't push it, mister," Applejack sniggered, giving Big Macintosh a little push with her hoof. He snorted, but rose up, giving another insistent nudge against her flank until she had to take the first few steps out of the kitchen.
"I'm going, I'm going." She gave a little mutter as she eased up the stairs. "And... thank you."
"Good night," he called after her.
"'Night..."
Applejack looked to her bed. Then to the door. Then to the bed. She was as sore as a dog, yes, but a busy mare's biggest enemy is a cunning idea.
"Wonder if..."
She closed her eyes, and let her spells drop just enough to bring her horn back into view. It had been some time since she had lifted anything this heavy, but when her golden glow enveloped her dresser, it lifted as easily as the nails had just a few days ago. With concentration, she was able to move her dresser in front of the door and set it down, the boards underneath squeaking as soft as a churchmouse. Applejack nodded in satisfaction at her blocked door, and faced her bed, giving a broad yawn and falling limply into bed. With the door barricaded, she felt safe enough to let herself relax completely... including her horn.
With her form-concealing disguises instantly disrupted by the complete lack of will to maintain the spells, she did not so much land as she splashed onto the bed. Her longer, lither longer alicorn form stretched out along the sheets, and she gave a sigh. Rather than tightly hidden to her body, her wings were about as limp as the quilts she was lying atop. Not constantly watching over the horizon or casting spells to detect possible visitors; not wondering when she'd be able to next catch an hour to herself. Just... sleeping.
Maybe I'm just thinking about tellin' everypony 'cause I'm getting used to feeling this relaxed.
Applejack turned a nearly-closed eye to face the window. Through it, she could see the moon, large and full, and gave it a small smile. She wondered if the moon's princess was watching. If so, she'd be sure that Luna could see just how soundly, and she put on her widest smile.
"Thank ye kindly, Luna..."
She had planned to say more, just in case the moon princess was listening, but Applejack was already fast asleep.
It was cooler than summer, but the old riverbed still looked as clean as ever. This time, Applejack didn't bother to take into the air - she just rest along the bank and lay flat. She stretched her wings out to try to cover more of herself under them, and wriggled down into the earth, sighing.
Now this is how I should have been spending my spare time, Applejack cooed to herself. Maybe Rainbow wasn't wrong after all...
"Yoo-hoo!"
Applejack sat up with a start, turning around her. "That couldn't have been..."
A shadow passed over her, and Applejack looked up. Between her and the sun, Celestia was backpedaling with her wings, coming into a controlled landing.
"I hope you don't mind my intrusion," Celestia smiled. "But I'd like to talk to you, and this seemed like the most private way to get in touch."
"Out here in the back forty?" Applejack snorted. "A nice idea, but I'm pretty sure all the newspapers are now writing about how the Princess Herself flew from Canterlot to Ponyville unannounced..."
Celestia giggled quietly behind a hoof. "Oh, Applejack - if I had done that, I'm sure they'd be speculating for days," she laughed. "But no - I'm pretty sure they have no reporters in the land of dreams."
Celestia's smile only broadened as Applejack's face fell in realization; she did love the look on a dreamer's face in the moment they realize they're dreaming. Applejack looked up to Celestia, and tilted her head. "So... you're in my head?"
"By your leave only, of course," Celestia said curtly. With a stretch, the older mare came to kneel herself, sitting beside Applejack in the ruddy soil of the old riverbank.
"So... I take it this isn't Element business. Or the apple business, neither."
"No. And perhaps," Celestia nodded. "If you don't mind..."
"Naw. Fire away."
"Thank you." She gave a smile, and Applejack gawked. Celestia just might be the only pony in Equestria that can lie down in the mud and make it look like she's hosting a tea party.
"First, a little bird told me you are considering revealing your secret to your friends?"
"Eeyup," Applejack nodded. "Apple Bloom, first, though. But as soon as I find the time, all my friends will know. I'm sure they'll be discreet, but..." She shrugged. "It's been a long time in coming." Applejack fixed Celestia with a stare. "You tryin' to tell me not to?"
"Not at all, Applejack. In fact, I'm looking forwards to it. I think the idea of an alicorn, bucking the nobility and doing what is right just for herself will be... healthy." She gave a little grin. "It will be a little chaotic for a while, to be sure, but it's the sort of shake-up that I think Equestria could use."
"Well..." Applejack grinned awkwardly, and reached up to nervously fiddle with her hat; when she realized she wasn't wearing it, she rubbed at her neck. "I didn't mean to start a revolution..."
"Most revolutions that needed it didn't mean it. And most that were started but aren't needed don't last." Celestia reached out a hoof. "Just do what your heart tells you is right, dear. No matter what you decide, your family will love you, your friends will support you... and my offer of tutelage, as ever, remains open."
Applejack nodded. "I'll think about it. I reckon I might need to learn some of this, being a 'goddess' and all."
Celestia nodded. "I'm glad to hear that. However..." She sighed, and there was a harder edge to her voice. "While I do support you, Applejack... that's not why I came into your dreams tonight."
"Oh?" Applejack tilted her head. "Well... what is it, Celestia?"
"Please do not call me that."
Celestia's hoof was no longer resting atop Applejack's. The sun goddess's face turned just a little bit colder, and while she was still polite, she did nothing to hide the frown on her face.
"Applejack... I'd like to understand why you made my sister cry."
It had been years since Applejack had last slept in this late; where normally she raced the sun to the horizon, this day the sun had not only beat her to rising, but had left her behind entirely, impatiently racing to its noontime perch. Although she felt guilty for not having helped with the morning chores, it couldn't be helped at this point, and she took her time, stretching out as she woke, resting her head in her hooves. Applejack gave a warm little sigh as she stretched her wings -
Wings!
Applejack quickly panicked, jumping out of bed with a very undignified squeak, landing on all fours and ready to run. She whipped her head around suspiciously, looking about to see if anypony had been watching her sleep. Finding nopony right away, she regarded the window suspiciously - if the sun could have been seen, so too could just any pegasus have seen. Why, just regular weather patrols could have peeked in...
She gave a wry smile, and relaxed a little. Well, no time to worry about that. If they saw, then they saw. Heck, it might be better that way. That way they all can gossip and I can get back to...
Despite how well-rested she felt, Applejack's other secret weighed on her heart still, and she sighed.
Well... it's back to comin' clean to Apple Bloom, I guess.
Applejack sat at the edge of her bed, donning her usual disguise as she thought about it. The conversations from the last two nights had bolstered her heart; it had changed from a possibility to an inevitability thanks to Luna's caution, and from there to a necessity thanks to Celestia's help.
Still strange to think of myself being anything like them two, Applejack thought, as she lifted a brush automatically to brush her hair out. Tying it up, and putting on her old hat, she looked at herself in the mirror - an image of Applejack as her parents remembered her, back when Ponyville was just an inkling in their eye, a quiet town with a quiet farm on the edge.
Applejack looked at the mare in the mirror and on her bravest smile, doing her best to reassure herself. "Well... guess it can't be put off any longer. No reason to get all worked up, then.."
"I didn't mean to make her cry, Princess - honest. I didn't even know she... she had an interest. But... then she admitted to liking me, and before I could say two words in edgewise, she'd already flown off."
"I see." Celestia closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. "Her side of the story was much less... rational." She chuckled wryly. "What little I could get out of her, that is, whenever she was not throwing pillows at me and demanding I get out of her room."
"But I don't understand. She hardly even knew me, and she was askin' for my hoof..."
Celestia nodded slowly. "Luna's always been... capricious. She doesn't give in to doubt, and lives by her whims. Living in the present - such is her way with coping with immortality. But-" She smiled wistfully. "It's an improvement over duty and shame, at least..."
Rainbow Dash sighed, her breath making the water dimple as she watched. It was hard to focus on anything but what was right in front of her, but she put her all into it, and she was able to follow the
The pegasus was vaguely aware of a pink blur, especially when it pressed in against her with a brush or with hoofffulls of a lavender-y shampoo or a song bouncing forth from the blur's vicinity. However, the voice had stopped.
"Come on, Dashie. I can't help a frowny face if you're not trying! Now, I'll brush your tail out again, so go ahead! Have some fun!"
"I am, Pinkie, really," Rainbow Dash said, lifting a hoof and letting it fall into the water limply. "See? I'm splashing. Splash, splash, splash," the pegasus said, lifting her hoof up and letting it swirl the water. "I'm good at that."
Pinkie looked at Rainbow Dash, then her hoof, then back at Rainbow Dash. "Hmm..."
Rainbow Dash looked at Pinkie, disinterested; Pinkie looked at Rainbow Dash, hopefully. Then, Rainbow Dash shrugged and fell back down to her hooves, sinking into the water up to her nose. Pinkie shrugged and brushed the shampoo out through Rainbow Dash's mane, the undifferentiated rainbow mop breaking back into streaks of color as she brushed.
This is.. this is going all wrong. She should be feeling better. A nice hot bath should make everything better! And yet here she is being so mopey-dopey!
"Thanks, Pinks," Rainbow Dash sighed as she rose out of the tub. Pinkie was there in just a moment (with the extra super dooper floofy towels with the pompoms!), drying her out, but not. "Really, I appreciate it, but..."
"Buuut?" To Pinkie's sensibilities, that kind of 'but' should have been followed by "I'm done being a mopey Maurice now." Except, you know, as said by Rainbow Dash, so more awesome.
"... but I just want to go back to bed," Rainbow Dash sighed, giving Pinkie Pie a hopeful look. "Do you mind if I crash here tonight?"
"Ah, sure, Dashie," Pinkie quickly agreed. "But are you sure you don't want some dinner? Or some cupcakes? Or to talk about what's bugging you? Or some talks over some dinner cupcakes?"
"... nah, I'm fine, Pinks," Rainbow Dash said, as she climed up onto a nearby couch. "I just need to... rest my head..."
And with that, Rainbow Dash was out like a light. Pinkie Pie looked at Rainbow Dash, who was already snoring gently, and huffed.
That was not how it's supposed to go at all! I'm supposed to get her cleaned up, and she's supposed to start smiling and say 'Thank you, Pinkie,' and she's supposed to admit all that frowny stuff and I'm supposed to help her and she's supposed to start smiling again!
Of course, the first thing that came to Pinkie's mind was Maybe I should throw her a party. After all, there were few things in life that could not be solved by a sufficient amount of parties! But she quickly decided against that course of action as she imagined Rainbow Dash feebly gesturing towards a snack table while saying, "See? I'm partying. Party, party, party. I'm good at partying."
No... this called for for something bigger, more powerful, than a party. She needed to be able to focus Rainbow Dash like a laser and make her pay attention. Not a party - although maybe a small snack table would help - she needed to give Rainbow Dash an intervention until everything bad didn't seem bad anymore, and to fill her heart back up with joy so Rainbow Dash could go back to her usual awesome self.
Decided, Pinkie Pie slipped into her best supply-procuring trenchcoat (with pockets bigger on the inside) and slipped off into the night. Pinkie Pie was going to give her best friend Rainbow Dash the best joy-tervention ever. But even for a party expert like Pinkie, it would be a huge task. And she'd need the help of all her friends to do so.
"You get some rest, Dashie. I'm going to need get some help. And some great, big hats."
"Then - and I hope you don't mind me askin', princess - how do you deal with immortality?"
"Oh, that is simple," Celestia smiled. "I play pranks. A little mischief goes a long way in surviving hot summer days, or cold winter nights."
"...what."
"To be sure, that is not the only way. Reading. Plays. High cuisine. Touring Equestria. The occasional companion."
"Wait a minute - companion?" Applejack tilted her head. "Occasional?"
"Only the noblest and most discrete, I assure you," Celestia nodded, a smile playing on her lips.
"But - that's just... weird."
"I doubt you have any illusions, but I advise you, Applejack; the traditions of mortal relationships do not quite align with the realities of immortality," Celestia said. "After all, there will always be a day when they realize that you will outlive them. The noblest of them will be honest, and you can still make it work afterwards, but they will always come to resent you..."
The polite term the professors used was 'determined'. Yes, that's it; Twilight Sparkle was a very determined student. Circumspect was another word that was used; detail-oriented sometimes was voiced. Frustrating? Obsessive? Not words they would state out loud, outside the private company.
And yet, here she was. The development of Ponyville from an undeveloped field into a vibrant community was one that had never been written down formally, and Lyra's inquiry only rekindled her interest. Checking her checklist, she sorted the cards that would form the index, creating titles for each section in different colors of ink. The socialeconomic status of southwestern midland pre-Lunarian Equestria each in red. The Canterlot diaspora in orange. The founding of Ponyville in yellow, outlined in black because yellow ink is hard to read on white index cards. The expansion of the rail system in green. The Main Street Expansion in blue. And present day Ponyville in purple.
"There we go. Sorted chronologically and chromatically," Twilight grinned, as she moved onto the next entry in her checklist, "Create subheadings for each heading." Under the subheading checkbox, was a checkbox for each heading, to check once she had each subheading exactly right. To create subheadings, of course, required a review of the primary sources, which would require creating entirely new, independent subchecklists. After creating enough index cards for each checkbox, she'd have to check that she created enough index cards, and then tally up the total as she finally returned to the main checklist.
Twilight giggled in glee, and rubbed her hooves together. This was going to be exciting!
First things first, though: She had to reorganize all her sources. (Organization!) They were in complete disarray ever since Lyra had come to her with that crazy theory, and she had to put everything back. Almanacs were floated to the almanac shelf, minutes of meetings were slid back into dusty old crates, and postal records were neatly slid back into their binders. All her loose materials were sorted and checked, and checked in reverse order for accuracy. She was just about ready to continue with her preparations when she looked over one oversight - the impromptu binder she had thrown together when confronting (er, verifying research with) Applejack.
However, there was something odd when she looked at the documents. As she went to resort each note out, she started to see a trend in the pictures.
Huh. I don't recall seeing that pegasus before...
As she looked, she started to notice another trend - group shots of the Apple family with a pale-coated unicorn or pegasus, generally wearing a hat similar to Applejacks'. In the descriptions of the images, where available, the unicorn or pegasus was credited as an "out-of-town relative of the Apple family." The images spanned nearly a century of Ponyville history, but save for the wings and horn, the appearance was generally the same - especially the three-apple cutie mark.
Twilight believed in simple facts. She believed in science, in testing, in verifiability. But as she looked from ninety-year old agricultural records to sixty-year-old yearbooks to thirty-year-old newspaper clippings to ten-year-old photographs, Occam's Razor failed her, as what it left in its wake was too far-fetched to believe.
"Family is not the word I would use."
Hearing Celestia speak so coolly about the nobility was, to be frank, upsetting to Applejack. Granted, living her life subject to them, she had about as much love for the nobility as she had for the apple worm, but they were more than a tradition - they were an institution in Equestrian society. And even as much as she resented the nobility, she respected Celestia, the head of the nobility, as the pillar all Equestria drew strength from.
"Isn't that cold?"
"Perhaps. But distance is healthy. There are many out there who will not see you as Applejack, the honest, the farmer - but as Applejack, the twenty-eighth house. Their gifts will come with a ribbon attached, each designed to give you guilt if not outright obligate you to action."
Celestia shook her mane out softly, and opened her eyes again, looking Applejack in the eyes. "Then again, you have a unique perspective in this matter, don't you? Not only have you disguised yourself as a mortal, you have lived as one. And... it has been many millennia since I have seen my own parents. Perhaps, in this, you are wiser than I am."
"Sure's been a while since we last came out here..."
Applejack had to laugh as Apple Bloom ran over the path, the smaller filly almost rolling over the gravel path. It was still clear after all the years, but it hadn't been tended to, potholes dipping into it and tree roots rising above it. Eventually, everything else in this clear
"You said you were going to tell me the truth about Mom and Dad today."
"That's true," Applejack nodded slowly.
"Well, first, I've got some questions, Applejack," the little filly said. "The first thing is... whut were they like? I hardly remember 'em... at all..."
Applejack sighed. This was the hardest part. "Well, your dad... he was real strong, biggest stallion anyone's ever seen, and with a heart ten times that size," she smiled. "Apples are my job, but they were his passion... everything I ever learned about apples, your pa taught me."
"I know that much," Apple Bloom said, with only a bit of irritation. "Granny Smith's done told me all that. But what was he like?"
"Huh. Well, he was... well, I'd say he was real dour. Never liked to speak unless it was important, and when he did, he only said enough to make sure the important bits were out first - he didn't like wasting time, his or anyone else's."
"Doesn't sound like he was a lotta fun."
Applejack considered. "Not really. But he liked his puns, and he'd take his time settin' them up. When he had a good line, he'd take his time setting you up for it, days or even weeks - and then bam! Lay you out so hard you'd get a case of quiplash."
Apple Bloom giggled softly. "Doesn't seem all bad, then."
"He was a pretty good cook, too - insisted on making fresh bread every Sunday, and he loved making pies. We used to sell pies at the market, you know, he could keep a dozen pies goin' at once and pop them into the iron cart they'd all still be hot and fresh by the time he an' Big Mac had carted 'em down."
"Huh. Sounds nice," Apple Bloom agreed. "How come we don't sell pies no more?"
"Huh... well, we still do now and again, but never quite as many. Your pa was the best pieman any Apple did see. Without him, we just weren't as good, so we started makin' fritters and caramel apples instead."
"Aw. That's too bad. I bet they were good."
"That they were," Applejack grinned, rubbing Apple Bloom's hair. "But you were real little. Even a fritter would have been a challenge for ya."
Apple Bloom bushed away Applejack's hoof and smiled. "And momma? What do you remember about her?"
Applejack froze for just a moment - but it was long enough for the filly to notice. "What is it, AJ...?"
"Well... let's start this way," Applejack said, smiling softly. "Why don't you start with everythin' you remember about her, first, Blooms."
Apple Bloom smiled, and sighed. "I remember, she was... real pretty. Pretty big, too, not big like Big Macintosh big, but... real strong. Like nothing could ever stop her."
"That sounds about right," Applejack conceded with a little grin.
"I had a dream 'bout her... just last night, actually," Apple Bloom continued. "I saw her for a little bit, then..." Apple Bloom looked towards the top of the hill, and sighed. "... then she jus' left. She looked a lot like you, AJ, 'cept bigger. And more like gold than orange." Apple Bloom looked over her shoulder. "Do you remember momma at all?"
The older mare smiled softly, and gave a nod. "A little. You were the light of her life, you know - she used to say every day with you was a blessing."
Apple Bloom tilted her head, curious. "Yeah, moms do that... but what she was like?"
"Right to the point, heh?" Applejack smirked. "Well... if I had to describe your mom in one word... it was 'worried.'"
"Worried?"
"Eeyup. Worried about herself, worried about her husband, worried about the farm, worried about the future. Oh, she was pleasant, and she worked hard, but she was always paranoid all the time. I guess.. I guess you could say she kept a lot close to her chest."
"Ah." Apple Bloom giggled. "So he was boring, and she was crazy."
Applejack squinted at the smaller filly. "Hey. That's your ma and pa you're talking about there, Blooms. Show some respect."
Apple Bloom giggled a little, and shook it off. "Nah, I'm just jokin'. It's easier to remember them, a little." The smaller filly sighed. "But... that doesn't answer why they're gone."
"Well... it all started here, really," Applejack said as they rounded the crest of the hill. "Take a look at this..."
Apple Bloom climbed to look down the hill - and her eyes flew open wide. "Oh, wow..."
Before them, the forest opened up into a magnificent river valley, easily the size of Ponyville and Sweet Apple Acres together. It was a light forest, not as old and dense as the Everfree, but almost as untouched; there were only two signs of habitation. First, an abandoned gazebo set beside the river, having long since been bleached from the sun. Above the valley, an old railroad trestle crossed the valley, flowering vines having long since displaced much of the old wood, turning the rail bridge into a trellis.
"Oh my gosh! That's just-" Apple Bloom gaped, then grinned, jumping. "That's awesome! Oh, how long ago did they make this?"
"Near to a hundred years ago, now," Applejack smiled. She paused to carefully consider her phrasing - "And it was abandoned back when I was a filly," she said, watching as Apple Bloom almost bounced, heading down the path eagerly. Applejack had to pick up the pace to keep up with the younger filly.
"I can't believe that it's still standing, after all this time," Apple Bloom beamed, grinning like she had just won the six-legged race. "Oh wow - I don't see a bolt anywhere. Did they just slot everything together? Like a giant set of Linking Logs? That's amazing!" However, after a moment, Apple Bloom frowned, narrowing her eyes and turning back to face Applejack. "Now, wait just a minute. This is cool and all, but what's this got to do with Mom and Dad?"
Applejack smiled. "We used to go out here all the time, you see. That's basically how it all started."
"How whut all started?"
"I'm getting to that," Applejack stated with some frustration. "This is real tough, okay? So let me get 'round to it on my own time."
Apple Bloom cringed softly. "O-okay."
Although Applejack relented, she still stayed defensive. "I don't mean to snap, but... I've never told anypony about this..." She hung her head, and sighed. For a few minutes more, the two of them walked along the path in silence, coming closer to the center of the valley. As they came into the shadow of the train bridge and the path started upwards, Applejack finally spoke up again.
"It was peaceful and quiet that day, and we didn't have nothin' left to do, so we decided - just the three of us - we'd have a picnic right there, in the ol' right-of-way up there." Applejack pointed out the old bridge, right as it came to round the crest that opened out over the valley. It was all gravelly for draining the rain, so it never got overgrown, and there was always a nice breeze comin' up the valley so the train tracks made the perfect spot to dine."
Apple Bloom smiled gently. "Sounds just about perfect..." Then, her face fell, her eyes averted with a soft sigh. "I wish I could have been there."
Applejack chuckled. "You weren't no bigger than three apples in a blanket at that time. We left you with Big Mac and Granny Smith, although-" Applejack's voice cracked - "we had planned on taking you 'fore too long."
Apple Bloom nodded, and lifted her head, still somewhat subdued.
"Anyhow... this started like any other picnic, just the three of us. It had rained the day before so everything was clean still had a bit of dew to it, but our picnic spot was nice and dry." Applejack smiled. "I remember your father had baked some bread that day, so we had fresh bread to go with fresh apple butter. Just walking there smelled delicious."
"That sounds awesome," Apple Bloom agreed, finally giving herself a small grin.
Applejack nodded, taking a look up. She stopped moving - but she took a deep breath, and started talking again. "Well, your mother was in a particularly good mood that day. And - to be honest, your mom needed a break from bein' 'momma.' So she was bein' the silliest you ever did see, bouncin' around and goofing off. She decided to make that old bridge her 'stage' and started showin' off for us..."
Apple Bloom's eyes went wide, curious, bouncing on her hooves impatient. "And then whut, AJ?"
"And then, in the middle of one of her spins... her hoof hit a rail. And it must have been slick, because she... kept spinning with it, over the edge and off the-"
Applejack froze. She hadn't thought about it for years, but now, looking up to the rail bridge, she could see the moment again in almost perfect detail - including the surprised look on her face as she went over.
"Did... Did she..."
Applejack looked down at the river, then to Apple Bloom, and nodded shallowly.
"I... I figured as much." Apple Bloom looked up at the bridge - the dropoff was quick. Even a filly her age could do the math. "Did she scream? Did... Did it hurt?"
Applejack's mouth hung open. Of all the questions she was expecting, that wasn't on the list. "I... no. She just had this confused look, like she had only stumbled, then..." Applejack winced. "... no. It was fast. But... she was scared."
Apple Bloom nodded, finding herself back into the emotionless place she had found herself just the day before. She came over and wrapped her hooves around Applejack, and squeezed tight; the older mare leaned back against Apple Bloom and tried her best to keep the sniffles under control.
"I... I should have been there... I should have done somethin'. I shouldha... But I didn't..."
"I... I don't know, 'cause I wasn't there. But I think..." Apple Bloom gave another tight squeeze. "I think you did all you could."
"That's just it. I didn't," Applejack said. "I shoulda told her to stop goofin' around! And when she went close, I could have... I could have run to her, or ... I could have ..."
For a moment, they just rested there, in memoriam; neither was completely dry. "I was too scared to move," Applejack finally admitted.
"It's okay, Applejack. She forgives you. She's mighty proud of you, where she is, I just know it," Apple Bloom reassured, squeezing.
Applejack nodded, and sighed. "And... well, that was when your pa just... broke. He stayed around a few weeks more, but he was a broken stallion. Barely did any work, barely said anything, and he'd look at any random thing in the farm and just... close up. Near as we figure, he couldn't stop thinking of her. One day, we woke up and he was just gone..."
"He... he just left?"
"Near as we can figure," Applejack nodded, opening her eyes. "Don't know where he went... don't know if he's coming back. But we can only hope," she smiled, squeezing. "And, even after alla this time... I'd be grateful to see 'im again."
"Now, that doesn't seem right. He was family! He had no right to run an' just... leave us..."
Applejack turned, and gave the smaller filly a soft squeeze. "Well, Blooms, you gotta remember... Mac and I were quite a bit older. And he..." After a soft sigh, she continued. "Your pa was only related to us by marriage... he had his own blood to tend to him, over in Neighbraska. They could help him more'n... more than we could."
Apple Bloom sighed in defeat. "I s'pose that's true. But..." Suddenly, Apple Bloom squinted, and looked sideways to Applejack. "Waaaaait a minute..."
Applejack tilted her head in confusion as Apple Bloom cautiously pulled away from Applejack's hug. "What's up, Blooms?"
"Something just doesn't add up here..." The little filly got angrier. "You're not speaking right. You keep- You keep qualifying it. You're sayin', your ma. Your pa. That doesn't make any sense... unless..."
"Hold it!" Apple Bloom shouted. "Don't... don't go another step. You're not my sister, are you?"
For a brief moment, Applejack hesitated. Simply dropping her disguises - showing Apple Bloom the full truth, without any warning - crossed her mind. But instead, she sighed. Another later of half-lies peeled back, but more remained - more would always remain.
"I'm sorry I haven't been... completely honest with ya," Applejack started. "But I can promise ya, it was for good reason."
"Why? So you can trick me?" Apple Bloom rose back, taking a step up the hill and away from Applejack. "Was that story you told even real?"
"Of course it's real! Why would I make something like that up?"
"I dunno! Maybe you want... I dunno, maybe you want to steal Granny Smith's inheritance!"
Applejack paused, and tilted her head. "Seriously, Blooms?"
However, the Crusader spirit had risen in Apple Bloom, and she flailed. "Or-or maybe you're some evil impostor trying to steal the deed to Sweet Apple Acres land so you can bulldoze it all and build a series of strip malls an' chariot stadiums..."
"Apple Bloom, that is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard..."
"Oh, is it?" Apple Bloom took another step back, raising her voice. "Because you just told me my momma just... that she just danced off a bridge! I don't know what's more ridiculous! And 'sides," Apple Bloom said crossly, sticking out her tongue. "She was my momma, not yours. You're not even blood..."
"I am blood. Just not... quite so close," Applejack said, exasperated. "Technically, I'm..." Applejack paused to do some linguistic calculus. "Erm... I'm your great-aunt, I think..."
"My aunt? What a likely story," Apple Bloom sneered. "And I don't care how great you are..."
Applejack facehoofed at the misunderstanding, but didn't bother to correct it. "Well, so what, Blooms? Let's say I am some complete stranger from - from Prance. What changes?"
"What changes? Why, everything changes!"
"I don't think so," Applejack smirked, taking a step forwards. "I'll sleep in the bed close to the stairs, and you'll sleep in the room far from the stairs. I'll work the fields, you'll man the press. Granny will tend to the house, Big Mac will tend to the machinery, I'll sell apples, and you'll study in school. Just like always. Just like our family always has."
"I..." Apple Blooms' mouth hung open, and she paused for a moment - Applejack hanging on, hoping her 'sister' wasn't going to overreact any more. She tried not to sigh visible as Apple Bloom's face softened, and something approaching a smile lit on her features. "... I guess nothin'll change, really."
"There you go," Applejack smiled. "So... you not mad at me?"
"Not really, I guess," Apple Bloom said, sighing. She looked down to Applejack, and stepped down, carefully. "Sorry I got all mad about all that..."
"Nah, it's okay." She smiled, and gave a little grin. "I guess you don't have anything else world-shattering to tell me..."
Applejack's face froze.
"... AJ? Whut's up?"
Applejack laughed nervously, before shaking it off. "Well, I guess you can say I do have a secret or two," she admitted. "And one of 'em directly affects you, so... I'm gonna come clear with ya on that one, too."
"Huh?" Apple Bloom tilted her head. "Whatcha talkin' 'bout, Applejack?"
"Well... I promised your mother something, long ago."
"Whut kinda promise?"
"Well..." She smiled softly, and shook her head. "Really, I promised your mom and dad that, should ever something terrible happened... I'd stick around and take care of ya."
"Well, sure you'd do that. You're my sis-" Apple Bloom's eyes dawned in realization. "Wait. Then that means..."
Applejack chuckled quietly . "That makes me a bit more than a sister, sugarcube." She relaxed, and gave a smile. "Apple Bloom... I'm your godmother."
Apple Bloom's eyes flew open wide in surprise. "Godmother? That means..."
"That just means I made your mom 'n dad, a promise, and I'll try to live up to it."
Apple Bloom squeaked in surprise. "You mean you're my.... mom?"
Applejack shook her head quickly, although she couldn't quite hide her blush. "Naw - I'm just here for her," Applejack said quickly. "I wouldn't ever try to-"
A blur of red and yellow collided with Applejack, knocking the wind out of her, and they both went rolling down the hill. When they finally stopped, the filly was wrapped tight, her voice caught somewhere between laughing and crying and her heart not caring where.
"... Momma..."
With a smile, Applejack stroked down Apple Bloom's mane, and gave her goddaughter a tight hug. "Well... I reckon so, if you wanna get technical about it."
"The problem with the truth, Applejack, is that it is weak - at first. Ponies will think nothing of it when it is fresh, because it seems evident from that which came before - no matter how sudden. Yet as time goes on, the truth gains power - for good or ill."
Rarity generally took her sweet time getting out of bed in the morning - opening after noon was not unusual. But there is something about having a wide-eyed pronking pink pony in your bed looking into your eyes that inspires you to rapid waking. A little screaming, too, if truth be told. The pink pony screamed back, which certainly made certain she would not be getting back to sleep tonight.
"Pinkie Pie, whatever could be so important that you can't wait until... I don't know... after breakfast?"
"Rarity, you have to come quick - you're the only one that can help."
"Me?" Rarity waited a moment and caught her breath - hyperventilating wouldn't help her pronunciation at all. "Of course I'll help, dear, but whatever could I help you with?"
