A brisk wind blows Applejack's hat away. She goes chasing after it and finds herself in another world.

A fanfic based on an artpiece by Zaponator

It started out as a normal day. The crusaders had a new idea for getting cutie marks, and then Apple Bloom borrowed Applejack's hat for something without asking.

Suddenly... it was no longer a normal day.

Nietzsche, I need sleep.

Apple Bloom always wanted to be like her big brother and sister, Macintosh and Applejack. Brave, strong, intelligent, honest, all that jazz. When they are about to take a two day trip to deliver cider to the town of Galloway, Apple Bloom takes the opportunity to tag along with them.

Needless to say, things go downhill from there. The last thing they want on their mind is the troll hiding under the bridge Granny Smith warned them about.

Mysterious portals to a “First World” are appearing all around Equestria. Even worse, there are unknown creatures coming through! When it’s discovered that these creatures are immune to unicorn spells, Twilight comes up with a bold idea to harness earth pony magic to combat the menace. Applejack must take the first steps on a new path she never expected, which just might be the biggest challenge she’s faced yet.

Inspired by JinYaranda/InkyBeaker’s artwork On the Run, used here with his permission.

Featured on Equestria Daily!
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This is pretty much my first work of fiction, so I greatly appreciate any and all feedback. Let me know what you think!

Might contain some incidental Dungeons & Dragons crossover elements, but not enough to warrant the tag, I think.
Rated Teen for mild violence and language.
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This story made FIMFiction's Hot box on 12/24/14 -- I never expected such a response! Thanks everyone!!
04/17/15 -- Wow, hot box again. Thanks guys!!
08/02/15 -- You guys are swell. :)
01/12/16 --

One day, Applejack was petrified by a cockatrice in the Everfree forest.
It was a long time before she was ever revived.

A story of moving through lives and the bonds forged in-between.

Was begun before the season four finale, so disregard anything in canon relating to Tirek. He does not exist in this story's timeline.

Thanks to Discord Kantus for prereading.

Now with a reading by Terminal Velocity. Click here to view.

Applejack is 200 years old, making her middle aged for the long lived earth ponies. Since her friend Twilight mysteriously vanished 160 years ago she's done her best to build a new life, working with Celestia's new students and the new Elements of Harmony to defend Equestria in the modern world... Now Twilight is back, and she has no clue what to do.

Making matters worse, a monster of a stallion named Slice is carving his way through the city of Ponyville, stealing dangerous magical artifacts. Can AJ lead her new team of heroes to victory with her old leader staring over her shoulder and reminding her of all she's lost?

She is Applejack, the element of honesty. The very manifestation of her element and the go-to pony for mostly anything that needs doing! Dependable, faithful, strong and honest to a fault. And yet....the farmer openly lies in front of both friends and family.

The real kicker here?

Applejack is completely unaware of it!

Princess Luna caused everypony in Ponyville to share a dream. That means that everyone could see each other's fantasy desires.

Big Mac had a secret, and now Applejack knows about it. She questions him.

(Contains spoilers of season 5 episode 13: "Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?". I recommend watching that first.)

Applejack is chosen as The Nightmare's new host.

It really isn't that big of a deal. Until it is.

While welcoming a foreign dignitary to Princess Twilight's Palace, Applejack refers to the single monarch as "Y'all." This, of course, causes the entire Kingdom of Equestria to explode into flames.

Okay, maybe not explode into flames, but it could happen... right? Just ask Twilight...

Meh.