//------------------------------// // December 21st (Winter Solstice) // Story: The Labors of Applejack // by Dreadnought //------------------------------// The Labors of Applejack Chapter Four: The Winter Moon Festival Applejack stood in her stall absentmindedly wiping a cider mug as she took stock of all the booths filling Town Square. Scores of stalls and tents crammed downtown, leaving only the narrowest of alleys for the thousands of ponies attending. Everything remotely connected with the winter solstice, and many things not, were on sale... telescopes, astronomical charts, themed shirts and hats, mooncakes, moon pies, pizza pies, butterbeer, funnel cakes, carrot dogs, and even a few out-of-place Summer Sun Celebration souvenirs. Competition was fierce among the vendors. Fortunately, her own booth was located on prime real estate directly across from the performance stage. Organizing the festival did have its advantages.... She spied a certain white unicorn among the crowd. “Rarity!” Hearing her name, the fashionista slowly made her way against the current of the festival-goers, but at last she staggered over to the farm pony and wearily leaned against the counter. Her normally immaculate appearance now looked quite disheveled and haggard, with stray strands poking from her mane and heavy bags below her eyes. “Hello Applejack,” she greeted, as if she had just run a marathon. “Rarity, it looks like ya been on a cattle drive through Ghastly Gorge,” observed Applejack. “I wish. I’ve been inundated with orders for the Winter Moon Festival. I didn’t know where to start. I don’t think I’ve ever sewn so many crescents in all my life. And the black,” she wailed, “ponies will think I’ve gone completely goth. And it couldn’t have come at a worst time. I’m trying to finish a number of gowns for New Year’s Eve parties. I don’t know how I’ll ever get them done.” “Well – uh – Ah’m glad you could come out ta the festival.” “I needed an escape darling. I’ve been locked in my shop for weeks. It’s enough to put me into an early grave!” She fell back into a conveniently placed fainting couch. “Well, how ’bout –” A colorful blur raced past Applejack. Shaking her head free from her daze, she looked about for the source. “Rainbow Dash –” “Shush! Not so loud!” ordered the pegasus, crouched under the table and wedged between two barrels of cider. Using a feigned whisper, Applejack reprimanded, “Y’all have ta come outta there if’n ya want cider.” “Cider? Ah don’t want cider!” Rarity cocked her head. “Did I hear that right? Did Rainbow Dash –” “Not so loud!” pleaded the pegasus. Applejack couldn’t figure it out. “What’s got ya’s tail so twisted?” “Rainbow Dash!” came a male voice. “Please, I’m not here!” implored the pegasus, pulling a basket of apples close to further conceal herself. Applejack and Rarity exchanged confused looks for just a moment, before the answer came walking up to the stand. “Well, hello ladies,” said Zephyr Breeze, casually brushing his stylized mane with his hoof. “Mister Breeze,” replied Rarity flatly. “Howdy Zephyr,” said Applejack. “How can we help ya?” “I really hate to break your hearts, but I’m in a serious relationship with Rainbow Dash. Unfortunately we’ve become seperated by the crowds. Have you seen her around here?” The two mares exchanged brief glances, Applejack silently directing Rarity to take this one. “I’m afraid Miss Dash isn’t here. Although I did see her heading towards the other side of Town Square. Perhaps you should check over there.” Zephyr smiled. “Thank you Rarity. I’ve got to go find my fillyfriend. She’s probably going mad over the fact that she’s lost me. After all,” he chuckled, “Rainbow Dash can’t keep her hooves off of me.” Suddenly a gagging noise could be heard. He glanced over at Applejack, who forced several coughs. Apparently satisfied, Zephyr turned and headed in the opposite direction. After he was out of sight, Rarity said, “The coast is clear darling.” “Whew, thanks Rarity,” said Rainbow Dash as she climbed out from under the table. “I can count on you. If it were up to Applejack, I’d be running for my life at this moment.” “Sugarcube, ya know Ah cain’t lie,” noted the farm pony. “One of these days, you’re going to find the fate of Equestria will depend on you lying.” “We're doomed,” Rarity deadpanned. “I go out to dinner with him once, to make my parents happy, and now he thinks we’re going to get married or something.” Rainbow Dash let out a long, frustrated sigh. “I’ll take that cider now,” she said to Applejack. “Well, y’all have to get in line. Rarity was here first.” “Oh, all right,” grumbled the pegasus. “Now Rarity, Ah was goin’ ta give ya a cider on the house. Of course, we also have hot chocolate –” “Hot chocolate! HOT CHOCOLATE!!!” Everypony looked to find Pinkie Pie suddenly in their midst. “Well, ’yup. We’ve got hot chocolate –” “Hot chocolate! Sugarcube Corner sells hot chocolate!” “Well, Ah reckon ya do. But there’s no reason why we both can’t. Ya seemed mighty stressed Pinkie, would you like one?” “Sure. I need ta check out the competit–” Pinkie slapped a hoof over her mouth. Applejack gave her friend an odd look, but decided to let it pass. “Well, what do ya want? Regular, white, or mint?” “White or mint? White or mint! You’ve got different flavors of hot chocolate!!!” she cried. Applejack glanced to the other two ponies, getting confirmations that Pinkie was acting strange, ever for her. “I’ll take a regular.” Applejack poured her friend a large steaming cup. “It’s on the house, sugarcube.” Pinkie grabbed the cup and took a long sip. “Mmm. This is good. Really good. Really, really good.” Horror flashed on her face. “Way better than ours!” She let out a blood-curtling scream before throwing the cup in the air and running away. “Well, that was... weird,” observed Rainbow Dash. “Yes, quite,” confirmed Rarity. “Well, Rares, would you like some cider?” “Yes.” “Regular or our special holiday spice variety?” “Regular or holiday spice!” came Pinkie’s cry from far, far away. “Uh, I’ll take a regular dear.” Applejack turned to pour her friend a mug. Abruptly her whole stand was being torn apart before her very eyes. “Fluttershy! What in Celestia’s name are ya doing?” In a yellow flash Applejack was seized by the formerly-timid pegasus. Fluttershy pulled the farm pony close, the two now muzzle to muzzle. Fire burning in her eyes, she demanded, “Where is it?” “Wh-Where’s what, sugarcube?” “The griffon’s tofu turkey.” “Uh – we don’t have one.” “You don’t have one!” “Well, the griffons aren’t here –” “Not here!” “Ah didn’t invite them.” “Why not!” “Well, Ah invited them ta the Fall Harvest Festival ’cause their ancestors were part of the first one. Didn’t think ta invite them to this one.” Fluttershy started hyperventilating, every muscle of her body now twitching. “Fluttershy, calm down,” said Rarity. “No! I’m going to get more of it if it’s the last thing I do!” she declared, before flying away in a huff. The three friends exchanged worried glances. “She really wants that tofu turkey,” observed Rarity. Applejack sighed. “Eeyup. Ever since the Fall Harvest Festival, she’s been pesterin’ me fer more. Cain’t figure it out. Everypony thought the tofu turkey dry. But whatever the griffons did, it was apparently addictive.” “Less talk, more cider,” ordered Rainbow Dash. Applejack poured Rarity a tall mug of cider, foam overflowing and dribbling down the side. Rarity took a large gulp. “Oh, that’s divine darling.” “Yeah, now where’s mine?” “Hold yer horseshoes Dash, Ah’ma – Twilight! How ya doin’ sugarcube?” A ragged looking Twilight approached the stall. Cough-cough. “I don’t feel so good.” “My word Twilight, are you alright?” asked Rarity. “I think I’ve come down with something.” “Yer been workin’ too hard,” noted Applejack. “Well – cough – I’ve been busy making sure all the decorations were authentic millennium-old reproductions. I wanted Princess – cough – Luna to fell right at home.” “Ah know ya wanted to make it perfect, but Ah think ya overdid it.” “So I had to pull a few all-nighters. Cough. It will be worth it to make Luna feel welcome.” “Ah guess.” “Can I get my cider now!” demanded Rainbow Dash. “Sure thin’ sugar–” “Rainbow Dash!” Rainbow’s eyes went wide. “Oh no!” She turned tail and streaked off in the opposite direction. Moments later Zephyr Breeze reentered the scene. “I couldn’t find Rainbow Dash on the other side of the Town Square.” “Oh, she went that way,” replied Twilight, pointing off in the direction Rainbow had flown. Rarity and Applejack face-hoofed. “Well, thank you Princess. I’d stay and chat, but my fillyfriend is desperately searching for me, and I don’t want to keep her waiting.” He flew off towards the rapidly fading rainbow-colored trail. “I never knew – cough – she had a coltfriend.” “Well,” explained Rarity, “they’re a couple in his mind only.” “Oh,” replied Twilight sheepishly before letting out a hacking cough. “Twi, Ah know ya want ta be here, but ya really need to go home and rest.” “But–” “Don’t give me no buts, ya need ta go home.” Rarity spoke up. “I must agree. You don’t look well. And Hearth’s Warming is only four days away. You don’t want to be sick for Hearth’s Warming, do you?” “No...” muttered Twilight. “Come dear, I’ll take you home.” The two ponies departed, leaving Applejack alone, but just for a moment. Several festival-goers strode up and ordered large mugs of cider, holiday spice edition. “Holiday spice!” cried a far off voice. * Princess Celestia stood upon the stage, addressing the crowd. “Thank you all for coming. It is nice to see so many ponies out here to celebrate the arrival of winter. So, let’s get this party started.” Her horn glowed, and the sun set behind the westerly horizon. Darkness fell across the land as Celestia slipped away unseen. Suddenly floodlights illuminated the stage and Philly Joel descended from on high to cheers fromt the crowd. “Good evening Ponyville! Before we raise the winter moon, let’s rock this town!” The crowd erupted into a deafening roar as she began signing her latest number-one hit. * After a pounding concert sure to go down in the annals of Equestrian history, Philly Joel departed the stage to shouts of “Encore!”, the crowd displeased they’d recived only two encores. But an instant hush fell upon the crowd as a regal alicorn stepped forth. “Citizens of Equestria!” addressed Princess Luna. “It pleases me to see so many of you out here for the Winter Moon Festival. Let us enjoy the season with friends and family this Hearth’s Warming. I declare winter has arrived!” Her horn lit up and a beautiful full moon rose above the horizon to cheers from the crowd.... After a few minutes, the crowds dispersed, ready to take in other activities offered by the festival. Princess Luna stood back, a content smile across her face. Rarely had she felt the adoration that her sister took for granted. Her sister, always outshining her. But not tonight. This was her night! Luna walked across the stage and descended the steps to ground level. Perhaps she should – A small brown and white colt dressed as a pirate approached her. “Princess Luna?” “Yes?” she asked. “We were hoping you might scare us tonight.” Luna noticed a large group of costumed foals standing a short distance behind the colt. “Surely thou must realize that Nightmare Night was weeks ago? Tonight we celbrate the winter solstice!” “But Nightmare Night is our favorite holiday. We really wanted you to scare us.” Luna looked at the pleading eyes of the colt, and then to the group, many of which where giving their very best puppy dog impressions. Knowing she could not disappoint the children, she sighed, “Very well....” * “You must understand Mayor Mare, every town wants grants and subsidies from the government,” explained Princess Celestia. “Yes, but very few towns experience the disasters that Ponyville does. We help the citizens with rebuilding. But the costs far exceed what the tax-base can sustain. We could really use some help from your government. Might I remind that you sent Princess Twilight to live among us. And though we love having her here, she is a magnet for mayhem and destruction.” “You must realize that not all of these distasters are due to Twilight’s presence in –” Ahhhhhhh!!!! Suddenly a pack of scared foals ran for their lives past the pair. Celestia turned and her heart stopped, shear terror coursing through her veins. Across the square stood Nightmare Moon, her wicked fanged smile glistening in the moonlight. The fallen alicorn cackled as the foals hid from her. “You can run, but you cannot hide from me!” Celestia knew she needed to protect her subjects from this menance. She drew forth all her power and channeled it into her horn, which crackled with such an enourmous amount of magical enegery. Reluctantly took aim squarely at this threat. Princess Luna’s smile vanished as her eyes grew wide in horror. “Wait Sister! It is not –” But it was too late. A blinding bolt of magical energy shot across the square, striking true. The explosion sent the dark alicorn high into the sky and past the outskirts of town, with a determined Celestia taking off in hot pursuit....