CRISIS: Equestria
Epilogue: Inauguration
Pewter stirred a large wooden spoon through the thick, creamy soup that sat in a pot over his kitchen stove. He did it with slow, deliberate movements to mix the ingredients but not lose the soup’s rich texture. Potatoes - real potatoes - floated through the mixture, along with real onions, real garlic, and honest-to-goodness herbs and spices. Pewter had gotten the recipe from a southern cookbook that he’d acquired recently, and he was hoping it was as good as he’d heard.
After a moment, he brought the spoon to his lips and gave his concoction a taste. “Mmm, perfect,” he said wistfully. The cookbook was a good investment after all.
With care, he moved the pot away from the fire so it would stay warm but not overcook while he waited to serve it. He then ducked into cabients and drawers to fetch utensils and accoutrements before heading into the dining room with two bowls and two spoons. Another trip brought a full kettle of tea and two empty cups, and another brought napkins and a tiny jar of honey - real honey - for the tea.
The door from the den opened with a loud creek. Pewter acknowledged it, calling out, “Dinner’s ready!”
Hoofsteps approached the dining room, and Tick Tock opened the door. Her mane was back to the length it had been before the “Incident”, though she now kept it tied in a ponytail. She wore a new vest, the same as her old one but fresh and clean.
Tick Tock sniffed the air, and a smile crept onto her face. “Cream of potato? Lovely. You used the cookbook I got you?” She eyed the teapot on the table. “And we have tea tonight? Oh, Pewter, you’re magnificent.” She trotted up to him and pecked him on the cheek. “Truly magnificent. I’ve been craving a cup for weeks.”
“The crops are growing pretty well so far,” Pewter said with a smile. “At this rate, I think we can start growing a full field within the next few months. Start slow with hardier crops, move on to the more delicate ones. Ordered a few farming books from Utopia, should help us get started on even the complicated stuff. Been thinking about if it might be feasible to start raising animals too so we don’t have to use imitation milk and eggs.”
“Life coming back to the north… never thought I’d live to see the day. Never thought anypony would live to see the day.” Tick Tock sighed wistfully. “Silver lining to all that happened, I suppose.”
Tick Tock took a seat while Pewter went to fetch the soup. He returned, served them both, and took his own seat. They began eating, sharing long looks across the table at one another as they ate. Eventually Tick Tock put her hoof on the table, and Pewter put her hoof on hers.
“I’m glad I have you, Pewter,” she said. “I still think about all that happened… and I know I never would’ve made it as far as I did without your help.”
“Oh, I was just doing my job as host of the checkpoint,” he said with a sly grin. “There was nothing special about what happened. I help anypony and everypony that comes through here, you know that.”
She gave him a sly grin back. “Really? Well… do you do this with everypony that comes through here?” She leaned up and kissed him full on the lips.
Pewter pulled away after a few seconds. “Well, there was this one mare, green coat, sexy voice, body like you wouldn’t believe.”
“Mhmm, you think my voice is sexy?”
“Oh, definitely. I could listen to it all night.”
“That can be arranged.”
The moment was interrupted when Tick Tock’s Timekeeper gave a loud beep. She narrowed her eyes and groaned. “Every bloody time.” She took it from her pocket, gave it a quick glance, and rolled her eyes. She gave Pewter an apologetic look. “Keep the soup warm, luv, I’ll be back in two shakes.”
“Two shakes? Not a very precise unit of measurement coming from you,” Pewter laughed.
“Yes, well, these new check-ins aren’t exactly like clockwork, ironic as that sounds, so precision’s not worth attempting. Wish me luck.”
Tick Tock left the dining room and headed back to the main den. A beaten-up old grandfather clock sat in the corner near the stairs, the clock itself no longer working. The resources she’d put together to get that out of New Pandemonium and into Pewter’s house were considerable, but at times like these it did well to be on good terms with the King and Queen of Hope’s Point. She opened the door and headed inside, where it opened up into its usual bigger-than-the-outside office space.
She took a seat in front of a computer screen, tapped a few buttons, and the device came to life. On it was a split-screen image - about half of the screen was taken up by a grumpy old unicorn stallion with a gray coat, mane, and beard but striking purple eyes. The other half was divided into two further halves, the top of which was taken up by Tick Tock’s own face that moved in time with her own movements, the bottom of which was taken up by the face of Time Turner.
“Tick Tock. Time Turner. Good to see you two still being punctual,” said the older stallion. “It’s time for your routine check-in. Let’s start off with-- Yes, Time Turner?”
Time Turner, whose hoof was raised to get attention, looked straight into the camera with conviction. “Sir, with all due respect, protocol dictates that in the event of anomalous events and possible catastrophic scenarios, the Chronomancers assigned to the event only have to report in for these check-ins for one year to monitor their progress in the follow-up process.”
“That is correct. And your concern is?”
“I do believe we have gone over the year mark by now, sir.”
The old stallion pulled up his own Timekeeper, looked it over, and shook his head. “Just slightly off the mark, my boy, by about one hour. You may want to have your Timekeeper recalibrated. This is our last check-in for the year - however, we are accounting for slight issues of time dilation as a result of a portal storm between Equestria-Lunaverse and Equestria-Turnabout. It’s affected a number of Timekeepers across the organization.”
Tick Tock checked her Timekeeper to see that hers had not been affected. Lucky - recalibrations were a pain in the neck.
“So, let’s begin then, shall we? Since you’re so eager to be done, Time Turner, let’s start with you. What is the final report on Equestria-IV’s progress following the Incident?”
Time Turner sighed. “All things considered, things are going quite well. After the Prime Incident, Equestria-IV began to accumulate more of the Prime essence into its foundation, faster than our original itinerary suggested. My final estimated growth rate projects a 300% increase in adaptation, though with the natural alterations and inaccuracies on account of non-Prime events.”
“An example, if you would?”
Time Turner shifted through some papers. “Let’s see… well, the most obvious one on record is in the ‘redemption arc’ of Discord. Prime data suggests that Equestria-IV encountered this event sooner and through significantly different circumstances, and, unlike the Prime, our Discord stayed true to his word with no regressions into villainous behavior at a later date. This is likely on account of my attempted rectification of the situation in the beginning stages of the Prime Incident. ”
“You mean those ‘replacements’ for the Elements of Harmony?” Tick Tock asked, familiar with the situation.
“Correct.” Time Turner lifted up a photo he’d taken of Discord on a rollercoaster. In the other seats were Trixie, Carrot Top, Cheerilee, Raindrops, Lyra Heartstrings, Derpy Hooves, and Derpy’s daughter Dinky. “Prime data suggests this result is categorically beneficial to our world’s security - for instance, the threat of Tirek in our world was dealt with in a matter of hours rather than over several days, as he did not have Discord as a temporary ally. The results of that incident otherwise proceeded as planned and we’re moving on to the next series of issues as they arrive.
“In addition, following the Incident, Princess Cadence and Shining Armor went on a much-deserved vacation - a second honeymoon according to those who know them best - and significantly moved up the timeline on the birth of Flurry Heart, who was born about two weeks ago. I don’t know how much of an effect this will have on things until we adapt Starlight Glimmer and Sunburst, though.”
The old unicorn nodded. “According to your projections, what are your next Prime adaptations scheduled?”
“We have just entered into the lull period appropriate for between-Age hiatus, and I’m expecting to begin adapting Fifth Age material within the coming year. Given the ordeals that our Twilight Sparkle and her friends went through, however, I am most eager to observe the next stage of adaptations and study the differences.”
“Any negative fallout from the Prime Incident as of yet?”
“None to report, sir. All evidence suggests a complete success in the clean-up as our world adjusts to the changes needed to adapt to Prime data. As an addendum to your previous question, as it is related, Equestria-IV did not develop a ‘highschool sub dimension’ during the lull between the Third and Forth Ages as Prime did. By all accounts, Equestria-IV will not integrate ‘Sunset Shimmer’ or her sub-dimension into its continuity, at least not in that context.”
“And why is that?”
“To be perfectly honest I have no real idea, but my best guess is that our Equestria became so alienated by dimensional travel that it rejected the entire concept of a sub-dimension within its own borders. Whether Sunset Shimmer is integrated or not, time will tell.”
“Interesting. Excellent news, Time Turner.” The old unicorn cleared his throat. “Tick Tock, your final report, if you would.”
Tick Tock pulled a huge binder out from under her desk and dropped it onto the desk with a loud thump. “Since the Prime Incident, Equestria-V has had some drastic changes to both its political and geographical landscapes, mostly reversals of former changes made to its foundation by the instigator of the Prime Incident, Silvertongue.”
She filtered through some papers, then pulled out a photograph she had taken near the Redridge Mountains. The volcanic activity had almost completely died down. “As an example, these mountains were once a range of perpetually-active volcanoes fueled by the magicks of Nihila and the northern Beacon. With neither of those fueling them unnaturally, they have died down. They’re possibly still active and dangerous, but certainly no longer a death trap.”
The old unicorn nodded. “Has your world integrated any new Prime continuities as a result of the Prime Incident?”
“We have yet to experience too many new adjustments to fit Prime data, but Equestria-V has always been only tangentially connected anyway. Our only major acceptances of Prime data this past year have been the very sudden emergence of the ‘seaponies’ from the deepest reaches of the central oceans, and ‘hippogriffs’ from the mountains near Zeb’ra’den. Unlike the Prime, they are separate races, but that’s neither here nor there.”
“Oh, you got those integrations already?” Time Turner said with a grin. “I’m not expecting them to arrive for another few years. Are they as interesting as they look?”
“I have an entire bleedin’ binder here that details the changes I’ve witnessed this year,” she said, indicating said binder, “and three-fourths of it are based on the ramifications of two new, as-yet-undiscovered kingdoms entering into my world’s political landscape so suddenly and at the same bloody time. Needless to say, it’s been a very interesting year.”
Time Turner hummed. “Any other Prime race additions? Yaks? Changelings?”
“As of yet, very little. No yaks or donkeys, and no signs of gryphons or dragons returning. As for changelings, I have no proof yet but my current data suggests that the rapid changes to the Gargantuan strain as a result of the northern Beacon’s deactivation may lead to them evolving into our world’s version of changelings. Just a theory, I’m afraid, and it’s become rather difficult to observe them in the wild anymore to try and further that idea. They’ve taken to hiding underground.”
“Has your world’s repairs been proceeding well?” asked the old stallion. “I understand that the Prime Incident laid waste to several key societies and individuals.”
“Like I said sir, it’s been a very interesting year. Harmonia has recovered, but nopony had seen her since the Prime Incident - the prevailing theory by those in power here is that she is overseeing the rebirth of life in the north. Repairs otherwise seem to be going smoothly, enough that I can resume my normal duties at least - Hope’s Point is emerging as a superpower on the world scene thanks to its location and they’ve been helpful in bringing things up to speed. I’ll need more time to assess that sort of data, though, since we’re talking hundreds of years of development that have been effectively destroyed. If you need me to continue reports--”
“No no, that won’t be necessary, Tick Tock. Complete your final report and send it in.” The old unicorn stroked his beard. “Keep up the good work, both of you. Though the Prime Incident certainly proved a disastrous affair, the two of you managed to keep things contained and did so without disrupting protocols too dramatically. As protocol dictates, both of you are entitled to one month’s all-expenses-paid leave, effectively immediately. Headquarters will monitor Void storms in your jurisdiction and assign agents to take over your duties in the meantime. If there’s nothing else?”
Time Turner and Tick Tock shook their heads and spoke in unison. “No sir.”
“Good. Enjoy your vacation, both of you. From what I’ve seen and heard, you’ve both earned it.”
With that, the old unicorn’s face vanished from the screen, which shifted to adjust; on Tick Tock’s end, only Time Turner was visible.
They both waited a moment, then let out sighs of relief. “Bloody hell, I thought we’d never get done,” Tick Tock groaned. “A vacation! Thank the stars, a vacation.”
“Don’t tell me you weren’t expecting it, Tick Tock,” Time Turner said with a grin. “You heard the Magister - it’s protocol.”
“Following protocol’s what made this whole mess so difficult to work with, so protocol can bite my arse,” Tick Tock huffed. “But yes, I was expecting it. I’ve already made plans for my vacation, as a matter of fact. How ‘bout you?”
Time Turner smiled and pulled out a ticket from his drawer. “Booked a cruise. VIP suite, full accomodations, all the extra activities, unlimited buffet, the works. My train to San Franciscolt leaves in the morning, and I’m already packed. We’re cruising through southern Equestria - tropical seas, lush beaches, beautiful mares: everything a stallion with the need to unwind could want. Some quality alone time at last, no mailponies around to hound me about bloody muffins.”
Tick Tock pursed her lips and nodded, impressed. “Very nice. Fancy.”
“You?”
Tick Tock picked out two tickets from her own drawer. “It’s no cruise, but Pewter and I are taking the New World Tour experience with all the trimmings. First through Hope’s Point to meet with the King and Queen, then to the southern continent to see the beaches, tour the countryside, and finish it off with a trip to Zeb’ra’den in time for the Winter Festival. Should be fun.”
“You and Pewter huh?” Time Turner gave her a coy grin. “I’m happy for you, Tick Tock. You should’ve done that a long time ago, I always said.”
“Better late than never. I can’t wait to show him the swimsuit I bought.”
“Have fun.”
“You too.”
Tick Tock flicked the screen and turned the picture off, then leaned back in her seat and sighed contentedly. She’d earned it.
***
Hope’s Point had changed dramatically in the past year, expanding far down the nearby cliffs to include an actual harbor at sea level. Accommodations were made for boats from the southern continent as they had never advanced to airship travel; the underwater deployment center had been repurposed as submersible access for visitors to the seapony city of Subnautica; the cliffside had been reconstructed from scratch for the new airship deployment ports and to accommodate hippogriffs visitors.
The city itself was still in the midst of repair, but progress was going smoothly, a benefit to most of the infrastructure being below ground. Helping the construction effort was the massive influx of new arrivals from New Pandemonium, as the overland trip to Hope’s Point had become more feasible than ever before. Not to mention aid from Utopia. The protective barrier had not been reconstructed - with New Pandemonium’s Air Force effectively crippled during their attack on Hope’s Point the year before, and with no voice of leadership in their military to hasten efforts to rebuild, Pandemonium was, essentially, powerless beyond its own borders.
King Lockwood scrutinized a row of screens from the royal throne room. There was no need to do it from a security perspective anymore, but it was still useful to monitor the comings-and-goings of the city ports if only to be aware of new situations. He wasn’t as intuitive as Blackburn was, but in the current political environment there wasn’t really any fear of danger anymore. Luckily, he wasn’t alone in his work - dozens of technicians sat before the screens as well, each with their own station, assisting their King and Queen in keeping the city running smoothly. Before long, Lockwood knew there would be no need to keep such a close eye on things at all.
Lockwood’s wounded eye had never recovered, but he kept the eyepatch as a matter of pride, refusing an implant. His status as King required a certain level of authority, and the eyepatches he wore nowadays certainly evoked it; the current patch was a roguish affair, black leather with silver trim and gold studs. His wing had also never healed, but he kept it wrapped under his royal attire, a black and blue silk jacket. The so-called “Flightless King” didn’t let these things bother him.
A unicorn mare entered the room and rushed straight up to Lockwood, a tablet held aloft in her magic. It was Shroud. “Your grace,” she said, “her royal highness is requesting that you come to your chambers. Urgently.”
Lockwood nodded. “Thank you, Shroud. Hold the fort for me while I’m gone, and keep me informed if anything happens.”
Shroud bowed. “Of course, your grace.”
As Lockwood left the throne room out into the palace proper, his personal bodyguard, an earth pony stallion with a black coat and gray mane, escorted him. Lockwood and his guard wound their way through the palace halls to the royal bedchambers.
One of the Queen’s personal guards, a zebra with her mane styled in braided locks, stood outside, and acknowledged Lockwood’s approach with a bow. “Your grace,” she said. Outside of Zeb’ra’den, and in the employ of Queen Blackburn, the zebra had no need for the cultural posturing of poetic meter.
Lockwood nodded in return. “Zyra. How are you this fine morning?”
“I am well, your grace.” She glanced at Lockwood’s bodyguard and nodded. “Gunpowder.”
The other guard nodded and smiled. “Zyra. You’re looking lovely as usual today.” Zyra didn’t seem to pay the compliment any heed.
Lockwood knocked on the door, a personal knock that was known only to the King, Queen, and their personal guards - a security measure, but not a serious one.
“Enter!” called Blackburn from the other side. Gunpowder opened the door for him and then remained outside.
The royal bedchambers were, in plain terms, fancy, lavishly decorated with purples, golds, and blues. The bed was large enough for ten ponies, but never held more than three at a time. Queen Blackburn rested on the bed dressed in elegant nightwear, having not changed out of it since the night before.
Blackburn’s other personal guard, a pegasus mare with red coat and silver mane, stood inside the chambers at attention. She saluted. “Your grace!”
“At ease, Firebug,” Lockwood said with a nod. “May I have a moment with my wife, please?”
“At once, your grace,” Firebug said with a bow. She left the room and closed the door behind her.
Also in the bed with Blackburn was a young foal, a pegasus filly with ash-gray coat and curly blue mane. The foal cooed and played with a toy airship that rattled as it shook. Lockwood smiled as Blackburn gave the foal some loving nuzzles. The filly noticed Lockwood standing there at the entrance to the room and smiled wide and squeaked happily.
“You called, hon?” Lockwood said. “Said it was urgent?”
Blackburn did not look at Lockwood when she spoke. “Wanted you to take a break. Come.” She tapped her wing on the bed next to her.
Lockwood climbed into bed beside Blackburn to coo at the little filly. “How’re my girls doing today?” he asked them both, giving the little foal a kiss on the forehead.
“Tired. Bluebolt fussy today.” She ran her hoof through the foal’s mane. “Dealt with it. New toy.”
“You spoil her.”
“As do you.” Blackburn gave Lockwood a kind look. “Deserves it. World brighter, will grow up never knowing pain we felt. Will lead city, no, world into better future.”
Lockwood nuzzled close to Blackburn. “The family wants to have a get-together this weekend, if you’re up for it. Shortcake would love to see Bluebolt again. She adores her new ‘granddaughter’.”
“Will make arrangements. Bluebolt enjoys attention.” She rose from the bed, wrapping the gown around her. “Take a break. Will oversee arrivals for three, no, four hours. Will break for lunch at noon. You and Bluebolt will join me.” She headed into the private washroom to clean up and get dressed.
“Of course.” The filly, Bluebolt, reached up and grasped Lockwood’s eyepatch, yanking it back and snapping it against his face. He winced; she laughed. “Why do I have the feeling I’m coming up on the wrong end of this deal?”
“Bright side,” Blackburn called from the washroom. “Could be raining.”
***
Snow swirled outside Zeb’ra’den as the fierce blizzard raged through the southern tundra. A rough winter loomed on the horizon for the zebras, the roughest they’d faced in hundreds of years. The outer walls of the city had been opened up to the lower castes to allow them shelter, but at the rate the snow was falling and looked to continue, there was already talk of possible food shortages and civil unrest. Utopia and Hope’s Point had offered aid, but the zebras’ pride only allowed them to accept so much.
More pressing than that was that the zebras had new neighbors: hippogriffs. Zebrakind had always had rocky relations with gryphons before this, and given their similarity it was a hot topic of debate on whether these new arrivals were to be trusted. The hippogriffs, to their benefit, did not share the lofty pretentiousness that gryphons had, so a possible alliance was starting to look possible. However, given the state of things in the capital after the fall of the Beacon, those talks were being pushed aside for the time being. Most talks thus far were of trade and diplomatic relations, little more than prodding curiosities.
None of that bothered Sir Zircon at the moment. He sat alone in the highest tower of the city, staring out into the snowstorm with a wistful, almost hopeful expression. He delicately worked a chisel across a small block of white crystal on the windowsill, carving out smooth shapes with practiced ease. The shape was undeniably equine, and with every cut he made, it gained more and more detail until it was not just equine, but shaped like a unicorn. It took some effort to chisel out the mane and tail, but he did so with expert precision until the glorious curls took shape.
When he was done, he lifted the little sculpture up and carried it over to an ornate display case. When he opened it, he was greeted by the sight of dozens more identically sculpted statues of different materials - marble, stone, wood, and more. He placed this newest one beside the others with a smile, then took a moment to admire his work. He then shut the case, grabbed his new sword - a smaller, more elegant blade than he’d once wielded - and donned his fur coat, then headed out the door. There was work to be done.
Zircon was greeted almost immediately by a younger zebra colt dressed in a heavy coat for too large for him. The colt carried no weapon, and his mane was tied back in a long tail that hung around his neck. He spoke with all the eagerness of a curious youth.
“Good morning, mine uncle.
How farest thee this day?”
Zircon gave his nephew a small, polite smile.
“Nephew Zomith, not much to say.”
He walked past his nephew and began down the stairs of the tower. Zomith followed behind.
“My dear nephew, I am surprised,
to see thee soon after sunrise.
What reason hast thee to come by?
On me, Zora wisheth to spy?”
Zomith paused for an instant, freezing in place, then returned to following Zircon.
“My mother only wishes,
To see if thou art well.
Few hath seenest thy face,
In quite a lengthy spell.
A month it has been, yes,
since mother saw you last.
But you hath taken meals,
so it cannot be a fast.”
Zircon snorted as he reached the bottom of the stairs and opened the door. They were in the city proper now, and dozens of other zebras wandered to and fro as they went about their days.
“My dearest nephew, I’m no fool.
Your purpose is more than a tool.
My sister wisheth thee to see,
If I still possess sanity.”
Zomith followed Zircon as his uncle made his way towards the city gates.
“No, mine uncle, not so,
It is not so dire.”
Zircon wheeled on his nephew, eyes narrowed.
“Then what plot doth she conspire?”
Zomith froze again, so Zircon continued.
“I knowest what my sister wants:
A bride for me, a wife to flaunt.
Dear nephew, tell your mother this:
Her fool ‘concern’, I do dismiss.
There cannot be a bride as right,
As the unicorn mare of white.”
“But uncle, ‘tisn’t right,
to remaineth alone,
To giveth all thy love,
And hath none of thine own.”
“Her heart is mine, as mine is hers,
Thing canst not be as they once were.
It is true, alone I must be,
But no zebra compares to she.”
Zircon huffed and turned back towards the city gates.
“I hath business to attend to,
Thou wilt leave now, dear nephew.”
Zomith made to interject, but Zircon had already started walking away. He shook his head and made back towards the city center.
***
Rainbow Dash glided slowly over Ponyville Square, overseeing the last preparations by the weather patrol before the beginning of the farmers’ market. Pegasi darted to and fro moving white clouds into aesthetically-pleasing positions, while breaking up darker clouds to eliminate any chance of rain. It was a brisk autumn day in Ponyville, so the air was crisp and cool, and Rainbow’s teams made sure there was a healthy breeze.
She swooped over town hall, noticing a large bunching of white clouds that hadn’t yet been distributed. She fluttered over to it and knocked her hoof on the side like a door. “Hello? Anypony in there?”
There was a sudden sound of surprise from inside, and seconds later, a pegasus mare opened the side of the cloud - also like a door. She was strawberry pink with a lime green mane, and she looked nervous as all get-out the moment she saw Rainbow glaring at her. “Oh! Rainbow Dash, hey, uh… what’s up? Can I help you with something?”
Rainbow narrowed her eyes. “Strawberry Swirl. Mind telling me what you’re doing here by town hall?”
“Oh, um… n-nothing, why?”
Rainbow gestured to the cloud formation. “You haven’t finished distributing your cloud pile yet. We’ve got less than thirty minutes before the farmers’ market gets into full swing.” Rainbow crossed her forelegs over her chest. “So, what’s the holdup?”
“Ah… er… I was just… waiting to make sure the rest of the black clouds were cleared out before I started moving these out, boss. Yep. Just being cautious.” She looked behind Rainbow to see that the sky was clear of said black clouds. “And look at that, they got it all done. I’d better get started on moving these clouds. Yup. As soon as you head off, I’ll get right on it.”
“Uh huh.” Rainbow tried to get a good look behind Strawberry, but the other mare shifted her weight to block Rainbow’s view. “Well, don’t take too long to get things situated. We’re shorthoofed already since Briarthorn took the day off again, so I don’t need the crew I do have slacking off. Got it?”
“Yes ma’am! Right away ma’am!” Strawberry said with a salute.
Rainbow gave Strawberry a skeptical glance, then flew off. Strawberry watched Rainbow leave, then let out a breath of relief.
“Is she gone?” asked Briarthorn, poking his head out the side of the cloud.
Strawberry rolled her eyes. “She’s gone. We’d, uh… better finish this after work. I don’t want either of us to get fired.”
Briarthorn shrugged and lazily slid out of the cloud, landing on the nearby roof with a dramatic flair. “Sure thing, berrybottom. Your place or mine?”
***
Applejack bucked her legs against an apple tree, knocking a full crop of apples into a ring of baskets at the base. A good crop this year, which Applejack was thankful for, as last year’s crop was not only smaller than usual but also of mixed quality - Discord’s magic may have ended eventually, but he’s still managed to ruin some of the earlier batches before things got fixed, and Applejack was absent for the majority of Applebuck Season. This tree was the last in this harvest, and Applejack hoped it would be enough to meet the quota.
Once the last of the apples had fallen, Applejack grabbed the baskets, slid them onto the long pole she’d brought along, and carried them back towards the farmhouse. Outside, Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom were setting up a batch of baskets into a large cart to take into town. Applejack set the last load down beside them, took off her hat, wiped her brow, and took a deep breath.
“And Applebuck Season is officially over!” she announced. “Soon as we get all this ta market, we’ll be set for winter.”
“Eyyup,” said Big Mac, loading another few bushels on the cart. “Good haul, too.”
Apple Bloom popped over to Applejack, bouncing excitedly. “Big sis! Can I go now? Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo are waitin’ fer me at the clubhouse--”
“Settle down, Apple Bloom,” Applejack said. She gave Apple Bloom a terse look. “Ya finish all yer chores?”
“Yep!”
“Finished all yer homework?”
“Yep!”
Applejack smiled. “Well, alright then, go on.”
“Yay!” Apple Bloom cheered as she bolted into the house, grabbed her backpack, and ran off towards town. She ran right past Flathoof as he was walking onto the farm from the same path. “HiFlathoofbyeFlathoof!”
Flathoof watched Apple Bloom practically fly down the road. “She’s excited today,” he said. He wore a simple red plaid vest.
Applejack turned to face him, gave him a smile. “Everythin’ all set fer the market festival?”
“Yup, got the permit cleared, stall’s all set up, signs posted. Just need some apples to sell and we’re good to go.” He walked past the cart, tipping his head to Big Macintosh. “Big Mac.”
“Flathoof,” Big Mac replied.
Applejack smirked as the two stood side-by-side for a brief moment. They really did look exactly alike - if you were a hundred yards away and forgot your glasses. Up close, right next to one another, they were similar, sure, but not exactly alike. Their coats were different shades of red, the manes different shades of yellow, and Big Mac was a good few inches taller and much more muscular. Applejack wondered why she’d ever thought otherwise.
Flathoof approached Applejack, gave her a small grin. “Glad to be part of this Applebuck Season. Y’know, I never pictured myself helping out on a farm. I know I say that a lot, but… I’m glad I can be of help.”
“And I’m glad ya could be here, Flathoof. Never would’ve expected a city boy to be so good at all this, but then, we never would’ve expected somepony like y’all ta come along. We got finished with this crop in record time, an’ we even got the stand set up on time for once.” She came up to him and helped straighten his vest. “An’ wit’ two good-lookin’ stallions helpin’ out wit’ sales, we’ll be sold out by sundown.”
“Ooh, trying to get home early?” Flathoof said with a sly smile. “What for?
Applejack slapped his chest teasingly. “Not in front of Big Mac, sugar.”
“I ain’t listenin’,” Big Mac said as he loaded the cart up onto his shoulders. “Ready to go?”
Applejack was about to speak when without warning, the wind picked up something fierce, shaking every last tree in Sweet Apple Acres, knocking Applejack’s hat clean off, and sending the farmhouse’s weathervane into a frenzy. The wind was soon accompanied by the sound of distant thunder and waves crashing on the beach.
Then, just as soon as it had come, the wind died down, and the distant thunder quietly petered out. The air went still again.
“The heck was that?” Flathoof asked, looking around to make sure nothing was damaged.
Applejack stared off into the distance where the wind had come from. She narrowed her eyes. “I know that sound.” She grabbed her hat from where it had rolled, then turned to Flathoof and Big Mac. “C’mon, we’re gonna go check it out.”
Flathoof nodded. “Roger that.”
“Eyyup,” Flathoof agreed.
***
As Applejack, Flathoof, and Big Macintosh followed the source of the wind, they arrived in a clearing just outside of Ponyville. Nopony else had arrived yet, as they were the closest to it and probably the only ones to notice. Applejack hadn’t known what to expect, but she certainly hadn’t been expecting to see six familiar faces approaching her.
“Well I’ll be…” Applejack muttered, removing her hat.
Starlight Shadow was the first to greet her. “Applejack! Excellent, my aim was accurate. I had hoped to arrive in close proximity to Sweet Apple Acres without disrupting anything. I do believe you are in the midst of ‘Applekicking Season’ or some such affair? Are we interrupting?”
Applejack noticed that Starlight and her sisters had changed since she’d seen them last. Notably, none of them wore clothes. It didn’t bother Applejack at all, and wouldn’t bother anypony else around here for that matter, but it was just odd to see since she’d never seen them without clothes on before. It was an odd observation.
Starlight hadn’t changed much, just tied her mane up into a neat bun. She hadn’t retaken a central position within the group, so things were still as they were before it seemed, with her not retaking a leadership role. She also seemed more relaxed and cordial than Applejack ever remembered her being.
Curaçao still had her graceful poise, and had traded in her old headband for a small black beret, which reminded Applejack of something Rarity wore when trying to be “classy”. She was also much more relaxed, even happy; it was surreal to Applejack, who only ever remembered her counterpart being dead serious nearly all the time.
Insipid, to Applejack’s surprise, had utterly destroyed her old look; she wore her mane and tail straight now, not in a poorly-done rip-off of Rarity’s style, and the color was now a neat platinum blonde. She apparently had been bathing regularly too, so her coat was a sleek charcoal gray.
Havocwing strayed further along the butch style than even Rainbow ever dared to tread, keeping her mane and tail very short. She’d also filed down her fang-like tooth to a normal appearance, giving her a surprisingly charming smile.
Grayscale had barely changed a bit, though her mane looked wilder than ever. She’d also ditched the metal boots that she used to wear, probably because without her powers they served no practical purpose. Applejack was sure she spotted a small smile on her face, too, though it was brief.
Red Velvet had let her mane grow out longer, but otherwise kept it in the same straight, parted style, looking like Pinkie Pie straight out of the pool. She’d also clearly put on a few pounds in her rear, not exactly in a bad way, but Applejack wasn’t one to judge if it was a good or bad thing/
“Good to see you, AJ,” Havocwing said, strutting up first and offering a hoof.
Applejack stared at Havocwing’s hoof for a second, then took it and shook with a smile. “Good ta see y’all too. What’re y’all doin’ here?”
“We’ve hit a breakthrough on our journey of self-discovery,” Grayscale replied. “Figured we’d drop by, let you guys know how it’s going since you’re the only ponies we can visit that would care about us.”
“It’s our whole ‘new life’ anniversary, y’know, and Pinkie promised us a party,” Velvet added, coming up beside Havocwing. Her eyes were positively glued to Big Mac. “Hey, stud. You must be Big Macintosh. AJ’s told us all about you.” She bit her lip and bat her eyelashes at him. “Big in all the right places, I hope--”
Curaçao coughed into her hoof. “Velvet, zis isn’t ze time for zat.”
“If it’s not any trouble, could we request that you escort us around Ponyville?” Starlight asked. “We wish to rendezvous with all of you, plan out the reunion ‘party’ as it were. There are many developments to discuss. Not just from us, I assume: we’d also like to hear how events have transpired here this past year.”
“It’ll be fun. Get to know each other better after all that’s happened. A little… private time?” Velvet added, waggling her eyebrows at Big Mac. The stallion was completely unfazed.
Applejack smirked, and shook her head in disbelief. “Y’know, I think we can arrange somethin’.” She turned to Big Mac and Flathoof. “Boys, you think y’all can handle the stand for the day while I show them ‘round?”
Flathoof nodded. “Sure thing, AJ.” He tapped Big Mac on the shoulder. “C’mon, big guy, we’ve got bits to make.”
“Eyyup,” Big Mac agreed. He nodded politely to the new arrivals. “Nice meetin’ ya.”
Velvet tilted her head in Big Mac’s direction as he walked off. “Later handsome!” She turned to Insipid. “Pinch me, sis, I’m in love.”
Insipid rolled her eyes. “Cha, only for, like, the fifth time this week? Keep a lid on it, huh?”
“I can’t help it! No matter what world we visit, AJ’s brother is always a total hunk.”
“Yeah, well, just try ‘n’ keep yerself under control, huh? Ya know that kinda behavior’s a lil’ off ‘round these parts.” Applejack took a breath. “Well, let’s get going’, then. Lots ta catch up on, I s’pose.” She gestured for them to follow and headed off towards town.
***
It was an hour or so before sundown, and eleven mares now walked through the streets of Ponyville, chatting excitedly among themselves about the prospects of a party, and of learning all about everything that had happened in the past year. Some stories here and there were shared while they walked and talked:
Applejack and Pinkie Pie had found out they were possibly cousins, though they had no confirmation as of yet; Rarity had participated in a fashion contest in Manehatten, though she forfeited after an act of sabotage from an opponent, though she’d made a new friend in the process; Rainbow had met the author of her favorite book series, Daring Do, and even appeared on the latest book’s cover when she helped said author - the real deal - in an adventure; Fluttershy had met a race of fairy-like ponies called Breezies and befriended their leader, even had the opportunity to briefly turn into one with Twilight’s help.
Starlight and her sisters, on the other hand, had decided to save the sharing of most - not all - of the details of their journey for the “party” they’d been promised by Pinkie, however, as they didn’t want to have to explain it again to Twilight Sparkle.
Speaking of which.
“Is… is this where Twilight lives?” Starlight asked as they approached the tree-shaped castle just outside of Ponyville. “I was under the impression that she made her abode in a tree that served a double-purpose as a library?”
“She does!” Pinkie said. “Look, see? It’s totally a tree! There’s the trunk, and the branches, and everything! And it’s got loads and loads of books inside, so technically it’s library! Sure, it’s not Ponyville library or anything - they’re rebuilding that - but Twilight’s happy to help when she can.”
“It’s a castle. Shaped like tree,” Havocwing said in disbelief. “Talk about a humble explanation. If I lived here you’d never hear me shut up about living in a freaking castle. Is she like a duchess or something?”
“With all the different worlds we’ve seen though, this still isn’t that surprising, not really. You’d be surprised what kind of little things are different here and there,” Grayscale noted. She turned to Starlight. “Remember that one world where Rarity and Applejack were dating?”
Applejack and Rarity froze in place, sharing awkward looks with another. “We were what?” they said in unison.
“Yeah, something about falling in love while traveling through the mountains to collect berries.” Grayscale shrugged. “I thought it was cute.”
Insipid sighed wistfully. “Like, major cute. And there was the one where, like, Rarity was dating Fluttershy, or something?”
Rarity’s eye twitched. “What?”
Fluttershy turned beat red. “Oh… um… b-but I--”
“Oh yeah, they said they started dating after Fluttershy accidentally became a supermodel or something?” Havocwing added. “Yeah, that one made me feel kinda uncomfortable. Too frilly, blech. Oh hey, how about the one where Rainbow was dating Applejack?”
Rainbow scoffed. “As if!” She looked at Applejack quickly. “No offense, AJ. You’re just not my type.”
“And you ain’t mine either, sugarcube,” Applejack scoffed. “Even if were inta mares, y’all’re too lazy ta get my heart all aflutter. I like myself a hard workin’ pony, like Flathoof.”
“Gee, thanks,” Rainbow said, rolling her eyes.
“If you think that’s weird, there’s one where you and Twilight are shacked up because you both like books or something,” Havocwing said with a smug grin. “I never knew you were an egghead, Rainbow Dork.”
“Bite me, shrimp,” Rainbow fired back.
Applejack’s jaw dropped. “What in the hay kinda places’re y’all visitin’?
“Indeed, are all the worlds you visited ones where we were dating each other?” Rarity asked incredulously. “The six of us are just friends, nothing more… excepting Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash, obviously.”
“Well, yeah, and even that isn’t canon,” Pinkie noted. “Remember? None of us are even supposed to be dating each other. I mean sure, that’s not gonna come between me and Dashie, no way no how, but you’re right in thinking it’s a little weird.” She turned to Starlight. “So spill: are we all dating one another in these alternate worlds, or what?”
“Not exactly, but that did seem to make up a disproportionate number of them,” Starlight said with confidence. “Given the Prime’s staggering ratio of mares to stallions it is only natural that it would be assumed there would also exist a higher ratio of lesbian relationships amongst the population. It’s simply a logical assumption.”
Rarity mulled it over, then nodded. “Hmm… I suppose so…”
“Hold on a minute,” Rainbow said, hooves in the air. “What about you guys? Did you visit any places where you’re all dating each other or something?”
“There truly are a myriad number of worlds out there, friends, and yet, in not a single other world did we visit where there were alternate versions of myself or my sisters,” Starlight noted. “I cannot decide if such a fact is concerning or not, though. So, suffice to say, no, we did visit any worlds where we witnessed alternate versions of ourselves ‘dating’.”
Curaçao held up a hoof. “Oh la la, non, zere is nozing like zat going on between us. We are sisters, non? It would be, ‘ow you say, ‘taboo’?”
“Yeah, Dash, I mean, like, duh,” Insipid snorted. “Cha. As if I would be into any of my sisters that way? Major. Unfresh. I’m not, like, a freak or something? I’m not even into mares and junk. For. Sure.”
Rainbow deflated. “Right. Right, yeah, sorry, I didn’t mean--”
“It is quite alright,” Curaçao said. “I do understand zee intent of your question zough: did we find amour in our travels? Well, n--”
“Yes! All of the yes! We totally visited the one were you were all dudes,” Velvet said with an ecstatic grin. “And yes, I absolutely did not want to leave. Man meat as far as the eye could see, like a veritable buffet of beefcake. AJ, don’t take this wrong, but you’re a total stud as a stallion.”
“I have no idea how to take that but wrong,” Applejack muttered. She turned to Rainbow. “Dangit, Rainbow, why’d ya have ta go ‘n’ ask that question for?”
Rainbow shrugged. “I dunno, I just thought it wasn’t fair that they know about all our love lives but we don’t know squat about theirs.”
“If you think that’s bad, Havoc was practically drooling all over Elusive the whole-- ow!” Velvet yelped as Havocwing smacked her in the back of the head. “Havoc!”
“Shut up, sis, geez!” Havocwing spat, embarrassed.
“Which one’s… Elusive?” Rarity asked.
Velvet chortled. “You, duh. Rarity and Elusive? Pretty obvious I think.”
Rarity stared at Havocwing for a good, long moment, while Havocwing tried not to meet her gaze and turned redder than usual. “This is… most odd. Let’s change the subject, shall we?”
“Sure. There was one where you were dating Prince Blueblood,” Grayscale added, pointing to Rarity. “He seemed like a decent guy. Got involved in all sorts of weird political games, though, dragged all of you through it. I think at one point you tried to solve the problem by having him marry Twilight because she was a noble or something?”
Rarity’s eye twitched. “I was… with Prince Blueblood? Please tell me you’re joking.”
“Not at all. Apparently he went through some sort of time loop kinda like Tick Tock did, and he became a better stallion out of the whole ordeal. Kinda neat, actually.”
“I, like, couldn’t follow a thing,” Insipid muttered. “Curie had it all figured out, though. She’s super smart.”
“Oui, and in anozer, everypony was bipedal,” Curaçao added. “Très étrange, zat one.”
“At any rate, we are getting ahead of ourselves,” Starlight said as she approached the door to Twilight’s tree castle and gave it a light knock. “At our current progression through various eventualities and odd circumstances, nothing could possibly surprise us.”
A moment later, the door creaked open. Princess Twilight, the alicorn Princess of Friendship, had answered it herself. “Yes? How can I-- oh! Well, this is a surprise, Starlight.”
“Indeed it is, Twilight. We hope we’re not barging--” Starlight finally got a good look at Twilight. She noticed the wings, it was hard not to. “--in.”
Twilight glanced down at the wings Starlight was staring at. “Oh! Those. Recent development. I became the Princess of Friendship a few months ago, a couple weeks after we came back actually, and--”
Starlight fainted.