Applejack’s eyes slowly cracked open. Her throat burned. Her head ached. It was pretty normal an awakening for her, of course, ever since that night. It would wear off-
And then she remembered, and she shot to her hooves. “Rainbow!” she called. She looked around, expecting to see her, but saw nopony. “Rainbow!”
But Rainbow was nowhere to be seen.
She spun in a circle, eagerly looking, and then caught sight of the masks that hung outside Zecora's hut. There! She had to be!
She sprinted over and burst inside to see Ledger Line, chest heaving, looking as pale as a sheet, pressing himself against the corner as tightly as he could, as if trying to force himself through the wall. She raised an eyebrow.
“You were right,” he whispered shakily. “I didn't want to see that.”
Applejack cocked her head. Strange. It almost looked like he was trying to get away from something on the ground, like a spider or…
A small squawk drew her attention. A red-tailed hawk stood in the middle of the room.
“She came in to get a drink; lost track of time,” Ledger Line said hoarsely. “Sun came up. I saw. I saw everything.”
Applejack’s breath came faster, a bit more ragged, as she looked at the hawk. “It… it didn't work.”
“It didn't work,” Ledger confirmed.
Zecora entered, carrying a teapot and three cups. She set them down on the table, and didn't quite meet Applejack's eyes. “Know that I am truly sorry / to have crushed your hopes and dreams so starry.”
Applejack beckoned numbly with her foreleg, and Rainbow Dash fluttered over and landed on Applejack’s head. She cocked her head, able to tell that something was wrong; but, having the mental capacity of a hawk, was unable to figure out specifically what.
Applejack spoke, her head bowed, her voice low. “It's alright, Zecora. We knew it was a long shot, anyway.”
“I knew it might fail, as bad as it sounds. / But still I feel as if I've let you down.”
“No, no; you… you did everything you could.” Applejack smiled wanly, then turned. “I'm… gonna go for a morning walk.” She slowly walked out the door, still carrying the hawk on her head.
“I feel so bad for them,” Ledger Line murmured as the door closed behind her.
Zecora looked down at her tea. “Although I feel guilt aplenty, / the chance of success was one in twenty. // But another punishment I have, in a sense.” Zecora stared blankly at nothing in particular. “I will have nightmares many years hence.”
Ledger Line puffed out his cheeks. “You and me both.”
* * *
Applejack didn’t return until much later, so much later that by the time she did, the tea had long since gone cold, and lunch was spread out.
Ledger Line started. “Applejack… how are you doing?”
“We're out of options,” Applejack said simply.
“So…?”
Applejack smiled darkly. “One way or another, this'll all end soon.”
Ledger Line looked down at his food as a conversation had forever ago wormed its way back into his mind. Maybe Zecora could talk some sense into Rainbow tonight.
* * *
Rainbow Dash spun the knife in her hooves. “I’m gonna do it,” she said.
“This… this is crazy,” Ledger Line insisted. “When? How?”
“Applejack found a newspaper on her walk yesterday. Turns out there’s a special Wonderbolts show going on tomorrow night for this festival thing up in Canterlot. I’ve got one chance, right now, and I’m going to take it.” She cracked a smile. “Twilight’s running it. She always was wondering how this curse thing would end. She was all-” here she messed with her mane, giving it a flat look, and put on a higher voice, “‘There are no such things as curses, Rainbow Dash! It's a transformation spell based on ancient magic I haven't studied yet but I'm sure has rules and laws just like all magic!’” She shook her head and chuckled. “Kinda fun that she’ll be there, I guess.”
“Aren't you friends?” Ledger Line asked. “Can’t she-?”
Rainbow shot that down immediately. “I'm a wanted criminal. I'm not going to put her in that situation. This one is on my own.” She slapped the bottom of her hoof with the flat of the blade resolutely. “Stratus Shine dies on the first day of the Sun and Moon Festival.”
* * *
Applejack was gone for most of that next day. She finally returned late in the evening, carrying with her a small bundle.
“Visited my family's apple orchard,” she explained, gently setting the bundle on the table. “Spent all day there, arguing with myself on whether or not to say goodbye.” She sighed. “Ended up deciding not to. I figured it was for the best. They've already known I'm gone, not gonna give them a flicker of hope and then leave again.”
Ledger Line wasn't sure what to think of that.
She took a seat at the table and pulled an apple out of the bundle. She stared at it. “Kinda wish I could've seen my apple orchard in the spring one last time.”
“Do you need to do this now?” Ledger wheedled.
Applejack snorted. “We might not get another chance. And besides, sometimes another pony just means that much to you.” She stood up. The cooling winter meant that the nights came much faster. “You mind if I leave these here for Rainbow?”
Zecora gestured with her head, giving permission. Applejack set the apples down, smiled wanly at them, and then turned to leave again.
As the door shut behind her, Ledger Line looked over at Zecora. “This just… all rubs me wrong.”
“Inevitable failure, regardless of magic? / I think the word you're seeking is ‘tragic’.”
“What can we do?”
Zecora sighed. “As much as it pains me so / I must respond ‘I do not know’.”