//------------------------------// // ACT EIGHT: After The Wedding // Story: Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree, With Anypony Else But Me // by Stormbringer //------------------------------// The family and friends were gathering for the reception.  Twilight, Applejack and Apple Blossom sat at the head table.  Immediate family and friends with them. “Apple-Honey, My Love,” said Twilight holding AJ’s hoof, “I’ve never seen such a beautiful pony in all my life.  I nearly fainted when the doors opened and saw you and Apple Bloom there.” “Apple Blossom,” said Apple Bloom with a snicker.  AJ and Twilight smiled at their daughter. “My Dearest,” said Applejack, “when the doors opened, it was all Ah could do not to run an’ tackle ya to the ground an’ start the honeymoon early.  Ah’ve always secretly loved a pony in uniform.” The two kissed long.   There was food and dancing and generally having a good time.  Everypony thought how beautiful the couple looked together. For the first dance, the floor was cleared and Twilight and Applejack came to the center of the floor.  a beautiful love ballad was played.  Twilight could feel AJ trembling. “Twilight,” said Applejack as they danced, “Ah have never loved ya as much as Ah do now.  What Ah ever did to deserve ya is beyond me.” “Apple-Honey,” said Twilight, “I know what you’re saying because I feel the same.” They were interrupted with taps on the shoulder.  Big Mac and Night Light came to dance with their daughter/sister.   Spike, who wanted to keep as low of profile as he could, would dance with one of the CMC or would hang out with AJ and Twilight’s friends.  Diamond Tiara was teasing (good naturedly) that Apple Blossom was now copying her by wearing a tiara.  AB told her that she wasn’t going to wear it all the time like Diamond, but she might just make them all bow to her.  The laughing denoted she wasn’t serious.    Soon, the time approached for the couple to leave.  But before they did, Twilight had one last announcement.   “My family and friends,” called out Twilight, “before we leave, we wanted to give a present to our daughter and to her friends in thanks for their service today.” Apple Blossom’s  ears perked up. “My parents have graciously agreed to escort her, Spike and all her friends to…” Twilight paused. “A week in Horselando and Dizzyworld.”   Five fillies and a dragon went berserk cheering, laughing and hugging.  They rushed the newlyweds and thanked them over and over. “Just be good for your new grandparents an’ let us know how it went,” said AJ to Apple Blossom. “Ah will mama,” said Apple Blossom snickering.  “You an’ Twilight try to have fun without us.” Everypony was congratulating and wishing the couple well.  The princesses, who had tried to stay out of the spotlight, came forward. “Twilight, Applejack,” said Celestia. “We’ve never been as proud of the two of you as we are now.  I can see years of happiness ahead.  There will be trials and hard times.  But trust to love and you can never go wrong.” “Thank you Princess,” said the couple together. Celestia, Luna, Cadence as well as Twilight and Applejack’s immediate family hugged and kissed the couple.  Then they turned to leave, but before they reached the door, Apple Blossom brought two bouquets of flowers to the couple then she ran back to the crowd.  They cast their flowers over their shoulders and approached the doors to the sounds of cheering and applause’s. The doors opened to the sound of trumpet fanfare.   “Announcing the departure of the Princess of Friendship and the Princess Consort!” said a crier. There waiting was Princess Celestia’s personal carriage.  The couple boarded and the conveyance took off to Twilight’s tower.  Ponies through the streets of Canterlot bowed then waved and cheered the newlyweds.  Finally it stopped at the tower.  Even the guards congratulated the two as they left. “This is yours?” said  AJ in awe at the exterior. “No My Love,” said Twilight, “it’s ours.” They climbed the stair to the door.  Twilight produced a key and unlocked the door and opened it.  Suddenly, there was a purple aura around Applejack and she floated into the tower.  The door closed and Applejack settled to the floor. “I had to carry my bride across the threshold.” Said Twilight grinning. “Be careful,” said AJ, “yer a bride too, in spite of that sexy uniform.” Applejack and Twilight embraced and kissed their first kiss alone as a married couple. Their things had been delivered there earlier and they went to put them away. Applejack looked around, she’d never been here.  The large glass dome for observation, rows and rows of books and scientific instruments, many of which Applejack had no idea of their use, Applejack was in awe.  Up on a platform, with the sky above, was the sleeping quarters. “So do ya wanna do some sight seein’ or go see a movie?” teased AJ. “I have a better idea,” said Twilight.  Applejack’s eyes opened wide.   Before anything else was said, there was a flash and there with them was Discord.   “Am I here at a bad time?” Asked the Spirit of Chaos. “Yes!” said AJ and Twilight together. “But we’re sure you already knew that,” said Twilight slightly cross. “Sorry,” said Discord, “I didn’t want to spook ponies at the wedding or the reception, but I was there.   I just wanted to congratulate you both…   For real.”   Discord extended a paw and actually shook AJ and Twilight’s hoof. “Now I’ll leave you to whatever board games you were about to play,” he said as he winked and disappeared.   “Is he gone?” asked AJ. “He’d better be,” said Twilight looking around, “or its back to stone for him and this time he goes to the bottom of the sea!”   “Now where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?” asked Twilight.   AJ and Twilight threw themselves at each other and kissed wildly. There was an aura around the two and in a flash, they were no longer on the ground floor, but up on the sleeping loft. There was a very large bed, a bedside table had a bottle of Champaign chilling and a couple of Champaign flutes.  “Oh Faust, Twilight,” said AJ still embracing Twilight closely and kissing her deeply.  “Ah don’t know how Ah can get out of this here dress fast enough.” Mid-kiss, AJ noticed a purple glow through her eyelids, then the room was suddenly cooler. When they broke the kiss and she opened her eyes, she and Twilight were without clothing.    Twilight stretched and faked a yawn: “Well, are you ready to get some sleep?” “One moment,” said AJ who trotted down the stair.  Twilight looked puzzled until she saw AJ coming up the stair.  It was apparent that she’d packed her lasso.  “What’s that for?” “This Missy,” said AJ smiling, “is incase ya get cold hooves again an’ try to jump out of bed like a’fore. So get yer beautiful purple rump in the bed, NOW!” “Yes ma’am,” said Twilight grinning. “Can Ah take it that this is the special occasion we were waitin’ fer?” Twilight’s answer was a deep kiss and a hoof slowly working its way to AJ’s breasts then beyond.   It was hours later when the two decided to take a break and sat up sipping the Champaign.   “Oh, Apple-Honey,” said Twilight, tears starting to form in her eyes, “I’ve never had a pony make me so happy.  Yes the sex was fantastic, more than I ever imagined.  But to know that the mare of my dreams is truly, truly mine as I’m yours.  I don’t know what I ever did to deserve your love, but I swear by all we both hold dear, I’ll live my life, primarily, to make you happy.” “Ah never dreamed that the pony Ah introduced to my family when you first came to Ponyville would become part of that family.” “Was it worth the wait for you, My Dearest?” Asked Twilight kissing Applejack lightly. “Well worth the wait, Sugar Cube.” “So what do we have to look forward to now?”  Twilight asked with a twinkle in her eyes. “Nothin’,” said Applejack.  Then she viciously kissed Twilight.  “’Cept a lifetime of happiness together!” “My thoughts as well, Apple-Honey!”   Fin.