Celestia and the others waited patiently by the train station. Applejack is the one who really worried about what might happen, she was pacing around in front of them about... okay, to be honest, she's doing that just after the rangers left.
"Princess Celestia?" Twilight asked looking up to her former mentor, "They haven't give any report?"
"Not yet Twilight," Celestia said still looking at the sky.
"Don't worry about them," Luna chimed in, "They will be fine."
Twilight didn't respond, instead she looked down to the ground once more. Her friends too begin to worry. They were gone about an hour or so but they didn't give them any signal to tell them that they're still all right.
"Easy now Applejack," Rarity said as she slowly walk to the orange pony, "I doubt that Daniel would've..." She cleared her throat before continue, "Gone. He is a strong person and as far as I know, nothing could've stopped him. Nothing." She put a hoof to Applejack's shoulder to assure her that everything will be fine. Well, not everything.
They heard the sound of train approaching to them. Their ears are all perked up when they heard it.
"They're back!" Pinkie shouted as she pointing a hoof to an incoming train. Then, a chopper that they recognise as the little bird flying towards them. As soon as the train stopped, the little bird landed beside the train slowly.
"Where are the others?" Rainbow asked when Zano and Johnson came out from the chopper.
"They're on their way here," Zano smiles, "And another thing, we manage to take Daniel back." They could saw the ponies eyes are brighten up as they heard the news.
"I bet Sombra is now even more furious than ever," Johnson chuckles.
Just then, they heard a loud noise, more like an explosion, followed by the sound that is heard like screeching metal.
Starlight gasp when she looked to the sky to their left. "Everyone! Look!" She pointed. All of them turned their gaze to the direction that she's talking about.
Seconds later, they heard a voice from Jerry and Chase's walkie, "Mayday, mayday! This is Dagger Two-One! We are going down, I repeat we are going-"
Their eyes widened as they saw the Blackhawk spinning out of control with smoke coming out from it's machine and hit the ground... hard.
"Holy shit!" Jerry exclaimed.
"What are you waiting for?!" Sunset shrieked as she began to gallop to the crash site.
"Come on! We gotta go help 'em!" Twilight shouted following Sunset. All of them quickly rushed to the crash site.
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The Blackhawk wobbling in the air as if it struggle itself to get back home safely. Carl and his copilot tried their best to maintain control of the helicopter. However, the result is useless. The engines taking a lot of damage and the rotor system didn't work quite well. More black smoke coming out from the engine, as if it's overheated inside.
"Oh shit!" Carl exclaimed as he now losing control of the chopper. Seconds later, the engine blows up, causing the helicopter to spin around uncontrollable.
"What the bloody hell is that?!" Forbes screamed.
"The engine's blown up!" Chase exclaimed.
"WE'RE GOING DOWN!" His copilot shrieks. He's now holding tightly the cyclic to gain control of the chopper but to no avail. The sky and the ground just spins on their sight. "BRACE YOURSELF!"
"HANG ON!" Forbes shouts holding to his the edge of his seat tightly as if his life depends on it while Jerry did the same. Chase on the other hand is trying to hold Daniel and his seat at the same time while Daniel is holding Silver tightly in his grasp.
"Mayday, mayday! This is Dagger Two-One! We are going down, I repeat we are going-" The helicopter crashes. All of their visions are blacked out.
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Daniel slowly awake to his consciousness. His memory is pretty fuzzy. He tried his best to remember what had happened to him before. His memories start to flooding back to him, and Daniel already feel the pain returning to his body. He opens his eyes, only to be shut it closed again because of a bright light. He moaned and groaned as he tried to move his body. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fingers into a fist and lightly punch the metal rail on the side of what he assumed is a bed. Must be in a hospital... wait, again?!
"He's awake!" He heard a familiar tomboyish voice. The pony who always wanted to hang out with him.
"Really?!" That's the voice belongs to the Princess of Friendship.
"Ah can't believe it!" Now that is the voice he come to know and love. The farm pony.
Daniel slowly opened his eyes and blinked several times. His vision is still blurry but he manages to clear it. He moaned again when he tried to talk cause his throat is extremely dry, and hurts whenever he try to do anything other than moan.
"Oh Celestia, yer awake!" Applejack runs over to the side of his bed, and looks at him with those beautiful emerald green eyes of hers. She sobs on his bed sheets. All of her friends follow behind her with equal amounts of worry in their eyes. Applejack seems the most beaten up however, as she breaks into a full on sob within seconds of seeing him awake. Despite Daniel's body protesting and screaming out in pain, he slowly raise his arm and placed his hand on top of her head, feeling her silk-like hair.
"I'm... fine..." He manage to croak out. Daniel manage to look to the left, and notice a glass of water on the stand next to him. "Water..." Twilight looks up, and notices the water next to him. She uses her magic to levitate it over to him, and makes it hover in front of his lips. He takes a sip of the liquid, and immediately his throat feels like new. Still somewhat sore, but at least now he can talk clearly.
"Oh Daniel we're so worried about you!" Rainbow says, her eyes are watering. Daniel looked at all of them, all of the Elements are in the room. But there aren't any rangers.
"Where are the others?" Daniel asked to them.
Twilight lowered her head and her ears flattened, "They didn't go to well. Jerry is in critical condition and the rest are still in treatment," she then lift her head to see Daniel straight in the eyes, "It must be him right?"
Daniel puts on confused look, "What? Who's him?"
"The unicorn," Sunset chimed in, "He is the one who did it right?"
It needs about a minute for Daniel to understand what they're saying, until his eyes widened, "Wait, hold on a minute. He didn't do it! The chopper's engine blows up on its own, that's what made us fall. It's not Silver who did it. In fact, he is the one who saving me back in the castle. If it weren't for him maybe I won't be here right now."
The ponies confused about what he said but then, they lowered her head. Except for Applejack who is still sobbing in his arm.
"Sorry Daniel," Starlight started, "We didn't know."
Daniel let out a big sigh as he stares at the ceiling, "Where is he?"
"He's..." Twilight hesitated to answer.
"Where is he?" Daniel asked again but now looking at her straight in the eye.
"He's with the Princesses," Rainbow quickly spoke, "We saw him follow the princesses with them as we arrived." Daniel's eyes widened and he immediately tried to get up from his bed.
"Sugarcube!" Applejack panicked, "Don't move! Ya ain't fully recover yet!"
Daniel didn't listen to her. Instead he uses all of his strength to get up and meet the Princesses. But to no avail, he cried out in pain and quickly sinks his head onto the pillow. He clenched his fist once more as he trying to settle down from the pain.
"Easy there darling," Rarity spoke, "Don't try to hurt yourself."
"We're really sorry Dann," Twilight said walking slowly to the side of the bed, "We really didn't know, I'll tell Princess Celestia right away and make sure nothing happen to him."
Just as she said that, the door knocked several times before a royal voice speaks, "May I come in?"
Everyone perked up at the voice. "Come in!" Starlight said. Just then, the doorknob enveloped by a golden aura and the door slides open. Then, the Royal Sisters step in with Silver behind them.
"Afternoon Staff Sergeant," Celestia spoke with warm tone.
Daniel just smile and nodded, but his gaze quickly focus on Silver. The grey unicorn is just standing between the two sisters, a smile plastered on his face. Daniel looked to Celestia and Luna, confused.
"Do not worry young man," Luna started, "We just ask him a few questions and we need to thank him for saving you from Sombra."
Daniel looked to Applejack, who is now looking at him with a warm smile but her eyes are totally bloodshot.
"No need to thank me Princess," Silver said, getting everyone's attention, "Instead I wish to thank you for trusting me. And I should thank him that day for giving me another chance. Well, maybe I wouldn't be here if I hadn't take that chance at all." Silver then walked to the bed side and put a hoof to Daniel's shoulder. "I owe you one my friend."
"Same here," Daniel chuckles as he turned his head to Silver. The unicorn then turn his eyes towards the two sisters.
"Why did you trust me though?" He asked.
"Well," Celestia started, "Before Twilight and her friends were at the crash site, me and my sister saw you dragging Daniel out of the helicopter."
"We thought that you might want to hurt him more," Luna chimed in, "Instead, you ran back inside and pull out the rest of the rangers. That's when we saw that you were not a hostile anymore." Luna smiled at Silver. "So, we just wanted to ask some information from him." Silver smiled back to her.
Daniel then glance at his watch, 11:34. Great. How long was I unconscious? When he was in his deep thoughts, he felt his eyes were heavy. He tried to fight back but to no avail. "Hey guys," he speaks limply, "I think I'm gonna get some rest now. It's been a long day for me."
"Okay sugarcube," Applejack said smiling at him, "Wanna get something else before you rest?"
Daniel shook his head slightly, "Nah, I think I'm fine." Still caressing Applejack's soft mane, slumber slowly took control of his whole body until he closed his eyes and breathing steadily.
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Two days later...
Day 10 - 09:56
Sgt. Daniel Nicholas
1st Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment
Ponyville, Equestria
After a couple of days laying in the hospital, Daniel is finally fully recover and ready to go on his daily routine again. Meanwhile, Jerry still had to remain in the hospital because of his 'not so good' condition; just like the doctor said. Grabbing all of his equipment, Daniel walked out of the hospital with Applejack on his side. She's always been there when he rests, heck, she took care of him like her own family. Never for once leave his side except if the visiting hours is over.
"Thanks for taking care of me all the time Applejack," Daniel said as he sit on one of the benches that lined the road to the hospital. Applejack sit right next to him and leaned her head on his shoulder.
"No problem sugar," she said as she nuzzles his neck, "Like Ah said right? Ah will always be there for ya."
"Wait, I haven't thought about it. How's the Blackhawk by the way."
"Don't worry 'bout it. The unicorns had all of it fixed up, with a little help from Twilight of course."
Daniel chuckles and wrap his arm around Applejack. She let out a blissful sigh and nuzzles Daniel even more. "Speaking of Twilight, let's head to her," Daniel says smiling at her, "Yesterday she told me that she wanted me to visit at her castle, for answering some questions."
Applejack chuckles, "That princess sure is curious about your world ain't her?"
"Yeah, but we got plenty of rangers here. Why she didn't ask them?"
"Ah think she's more prefer ya to answer it. She always talked about how nice yer when ya with us."
Daniel shrugged, "Meh, I'm just trying to be friendly as possible." With that, they got up from the bench and proceed their way to the Princess of Friendship.
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"Twilight!" Daniel called her as he open the main door and let Applejack in. Just then, they heard hoofsteps trotted to them and reveals the purple alicorn from the throne room.
"Daniel!" She shouted and run then leapt to Daniel. Wrapping her hoofs around Daniel's neck and nuzzles under his chin. "You feeling better?"
"Better than ever," Daniel trying to balance himself as he hugged her back, "Say, what do you want to know about Earth?"
"A lot!" She said beaming. She jumped off Daniel and gestured him to follow. The young sergeant and Applejack walks into the throne room and there's Sunset, Starlight, and Rainbow Dash sit around the table while chatting to one another. They stopped as they saw Daniel walked in.
"Hey bro!" Rainbow said as she hover to Daniel and sticks out a hoof.
"Hello to you too RD," Daniel said as he balled his hand into a light fist and tapped it against the hoof.
"Hey Dann," Starlight smiled, "Feeling better?"
"If it weren't for you guys I would've dead by now," Daniel chuckles. He took a seat next to Rainbow and Applejack sit on his other side. "Wait, where are the others?" Daniel asked.
"Fluttershy is in her cottage right now with Zano," Twilight replied, "Pinkie is baking cakes for the village in Sugarcube Corner while Rarity is working on your shirt."
Daniel nodded and take off his helmet, "Alright Twi, ask me anything."
Twilight clapped her hooves together, making herself adorable at that time and quickly levitate many scroll with the quill and ink. Suddenly, Spike came into the throne room and took a seat next to Twilight. "Spike? What are you doing here?" She asked.
"I'm just bored," the little dragon replied, "Besides, I haven't get to know him better, he looked to Daniel, "I'm just curious about his world is all."
Daniel chuckles, "Well Spike, if you wanna know more don't hesitate to ask me."
"You know I won't."
Again, Cadance suddenly appear with Flurry. She smiled when she saw Daniel and immediately trotted to him. "Hey there guardian," she says as she wrap her hoof around him from his back, "You feeling better?"
Same question, different day. "Yeah," he simply replied. Flurry then stretch her hoofs again and Daniel quickly grab her in his grasp. She immediately hums in delight and wrap her hooves around his neck while nuzzling under his chin. "Is she waiting for me?" Daniel smiled.
"Every day," Cadance replied, "She wishes you were home."
Home. The thought of it makes him sick on the inside. When well they get back home? Sure he promised Finn to not leave this world for the rest of his fucking life but their world is at war too. He can't just stay here and do nothing while his friends back on Earth are struggling to win the war.
Twilight clear her throat, getting everyone's attention.
"Oh right," Sunset chuckles, "I think she's eager for the information Dann."
"Let it all out," he says still hugging the filly alicorn. Cadance stood behind him.
"Okay," Twilight started, "First of all, I just want to know..." She sounded hesitate at first but shakes her thought away, "Why did humans start killing one another? I mean, it's just such a cruel act, not even the most evil ponies did such a thing here." She asked.
Daniel frowned and the ponies notice this. This was terrible. Why did these ponies care so much? It was his species that did it, not theirs. "What do you care? If you hate it why ask?" Twilight withdrew, but still used her eyes to plead for an answer. He turned away while trying to ignore her. Shit, please not those eyes! He looked back, Twilight still looked at him that way. He took a deep breath and sigh in defeat. "The less you know about killing and war the better. It's..."
Twilight put a sympathetic face, "It's what?" She asked with a kind tone.
Daniel looked into her eyes. The deep colours of purple stared into his soul, as though she could tell it hurt him to think about the scenes that he had observed. "It... it's horrible... you get so many hard feelings from it... the pictures are enough to wanna make you vomit..." He said as he shook his head.
Applejack put a hoof on his shoulder to get his attention. "If y'all hate it so much, why do you keep doin' it?" She asked. Daniel looked at the mare with sadness in his eyes, wishing that they didn't care so much.
"Because we have to. There are bad men in our world, who get pleasure out of seeing people suffer. They fight to please their dark interests, and just kill. We fight to stop them, and save those that would die if we hadn't. But even killing them makes you feel bad." He explained.
"Why?" Spike and Sunset asked simultaneously.
"Because even bad people fall in love and get married. You don't know if they had a wife who was hoping they would come back, a son who he had promised to spend time with when he got back... some don't even want to fight, they're just forced to so they can save their families from being killed. The only thing that makes it easier is knowing that you're fighting for a good cause. But even that fails to calm you sometimes." He collapsed himself to the chair and looked at the ceiling. Still caressing Flurry's soft mane. "Damn, I miss you Red." A single tear ran down his cheek. He thought about the event when he lost two of his best friends that always be there when he didn't have the confidence to do so. Twilight and the others looked at the sergeant with sad eyes.
"What else?" Daniel suddenly asked as he wipe away his tear.
"Well, have you tried being friends with those... terrorists?" Twilight asked. "Princess Celestia, taught us that the magic of friendship can do anything!"
"In your world, maybe. The leader of Saudi Arabia tried to appease..." He thought for a second. "Who is the wanted again? Oh yeah, Mustafa Ammar. They tried to appease Mustafa Ammar before the war started. But he just ended up stabbing him in his bloody back. All he recognizes is his religion power, so it's up to us to stop him before the war could spread globally." He paused for a moment. "Anything else?"
"I got one," Rainbow said enthusiastically.
"Go on," Daniel turned his head to her.
"It's been up on my mind lately," the rainbow maned pegasus started, "I don't know you humans can fly. I thought that without your wings you can't fly at all."
Daniel chuckles, "Just because you don't have wings, doesn't mean you can't soar. Our world is not like yours, and we don't have magic."
"You don't have magic in your world?" Sunset asked.
Daniel shook his head, "No, we don’t; nor can we fly or do anything as extraordinary naturally. But, I guess not having such special natural gifts is what makes us so advanced. We don’t have that luxury, so we strive to do better and adapt, to become great at something or everything, and build and create things that allow us to do the seemingly impossible."
"Like those helicopters!" Applejack said.
"Yeah, but we have a better one than that. We got airplanes."
"Airplanes?" Twilight asked.
"Yep, an airplane or aeroplane, informally plane is a powered, wing-fixed aircraft that is propelled forward by thrust from a jet engine, propeller or rocket engine. Airplanes come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and wing configurations. The broad spectrum of uses for airplanes includes recreation, transportation of goods and people, military, and research. Most airplanes are flown by a pilot on board the aircraft, but some are designed to be remotely, or computer-controlled such as drones," he then looked to Rainbow, "Dash, I still remember you showed me those stunts you've been practicing on the day when I arrived here."
"Yeah, pretty awesome didn't it," she replied with a smirk, "But wait, what do you mean by that?"
Daniel returned the smirk and looked at the others, "We also have huge and mind bogglingly fast jet engine fitted fighter planes that rival even the fastest flyer in Equestria, but that’s not all…"
Rainbow jumped up so fast that Daniel can’t even register that she moved.
"How can that not be all?!" She almost screams, equal parts excitement and disbelief in her scratchy voice. Daniel examines the room and notice that all of the ponies' jaws slowly dropped.
Daniel just smirk to them and pointed up at the ceiling. "Guys... tell me, what is beyond the sky?"
All of the ponies scrunched their face up in confusion. "Um, space?" Twilight said, "But why does th-!" She blinks and looked at Daniel. The ponies then realized what will happen next.
"You're not serious are you?" Cadance said interested with the topic.
The ranger nodded with a smile. "That however is another lesson, care to hear?"
Twilight plastered a big smile on her face and she quickly readied herself to write whatever she could find it important. Well, all of it seems important to her.
Rainbow however, puffs her cheeks out in annoyance. "You’re going to turn me into an egghead at this rate." All of the room laughs at her respond.
"Where to begin…" Daniel looked up at the ceiling, "Ah! Let me tell you about Sputnik…"
Two hours later, after rambling on and on about shits back on Earth...
"And that's, how we could land our feet to the moon," Daniel said, ending the story. The ponies eyes widened and beaming with excitement.
"Wow," Starlight's jaw dropped, "I can't imagine how you, humans did that."
"Yeah," Spike added.
"One more thing," Rainbow said again.
"And what is it?" Daniel replied.
"What's a PTSD? I've been curious about it at the first time. It seems to have a huge effect on you." The ponies stared at Daniel, waiting for his answer. Daniel took a deep breath before he spoke.
"PTSD is a Posttraumatic stress disorder. It is a mental disorder that can develop after a person is exposed to a traumatic event. Symptoms may include disturbing thoughts, feelings, or dreams related to the events, mental or physical distress to trauma-related cues, attempts to avoid trauma-related cues, alterations in how a person thinks and feels, and an increase in the fight-or-flight response. These symptoms last for more than a month after the event. Young children are less likely to show distress, but instead may express their memories through play. A person with PTSD is at a higher risk for suicide and intentional self-harm." Daniel then felt a hoof resting on his shoulder. He turned to see Applejack was looking him with concern yet loving look on her face.
"If ya ever had a problem with that, we're always here with ya. We'll be ready ta help ya sugar." She then nuzzles his neck.
Daniel chuckles and glance at his watch, 12:39. Wow, so much for talking. And how in the big blue potato is this watch still working? He notice that Flurry is sleeping on his shoulder. He chuckles and slowly and carefully give back Flurry to Cadance, trying not to wake her up. They heard the main door open and a few seconds later, a ranger walks in to the room.
"Chase?" Daniel asked, "Feeling alright already?"
"Magic," Chase replied with a smirk, "You know this world kid."
"No doubt about it."
Just then, the main door flew open the second time and the visitor quickly ran to the room. Giving way to Pinkie Pie who is now standing at the entrance of the throne room and vibrating like a jackhammer.
Twilight her friends immediately sought cover, hiding under the table that stood in the middle of the room, while Sunset, Cadance, Chase and Daniel were just standing there looking confused.
"What is it Pinkie?!" Twilight asked anxiously, "Twitchy Tail? Curly Mane? Flabby Hoof? All three together?!"
Pinkie stopped vibrating and started sniffing around like a dog. "No, my Party Sense tells me that somepony isn’t celebrating their birthday!" She answered, growing more agitated towards the end of the statement.
Twilight and her friends looked at each other. All of them seemed to silently note that they all knew each other’s birthdays, so they would have celebrated them. All, but two…
Slowly, everyone in the room turned their heads towards Chase and Daniel, giving them expectant looks. Chase eyes widened and looked at Daniel, who is looking straight to the ground while clenching his fist and gritted his teeth.
"Oh shit," he said out loud, "Dann, calm down." He was about to put a hand on his friend's shoulder, but Daniel quickly slapped his hand away. "Dann." Chase tried to talk some sense to the young ranger.
"Yeah, I'm eighteen now. Surprise?" Daniel shot back with a harsh tone. He narrowed his eyes to Chase.
"Niel," Chase started, "You know it wasn't your fault."
"What do you know?!" Daniel's tone began to rise. The ponies were taken aback by his respond. "If it wasn't because of my birthday, they wouldn't be dead right now!"
"Daniel, listen to me. None of that is your fault. Your family... and you just happened to be there when the attack started."
Daniel then grabbed Chase's collar and pinned him against the crystal wall. "You think none of that is not my fault?! I never celebrate my birthday again. Not since my family died on the very same day! And yeah, you think it wasn't my fault. But it still feels like I would celebrating their deaths! Not just that, but Red and McConnell died on the same goddamn day too! I hate my fucking life!" Daniel half screamed as his face was inches away to Chase's. Just then, his mind flashes and he saw the explosion. He groaned and release the grip while holding his head.
"Oh shit, Daniel?" Chase helped Daniel to balance himself. Daniel's mind flashes again and he saw his brother was shot by the terrorist. He fell to his knees, still holding his head.
"Sugarcube?" Applejack get off from her seat and immediately gallop towards Chase and Daniel. The ponies soon circling the ranger with worried looks on their faces. Daniel tried his best to control himself, and surprisingly, he did. He controlled his breathing and held his chest. After regain control of his body, he slowly rise onto his feet.
"Dude you better stop thinking about that," Chase said as he helped his friend. Daniel shoots a glare at him and immediately walked away, slamming the door loud enough to make them jumped.
"Can we do something?" Twilight break the silence, "I hate to see him suffer like this."
"Yeah," Starlight said, "I can't imagine him to be suffering all day like that."
"The best way is you guys don't celebrate his birthday," Chase replied with crossed arms.
"But at least we do that to show him that we care," Sunset said.
"I know but you see how he reacts?" Chase said, "When he is in the control of his mind, we can't do anything about it. If he doesn't want to celebrate his birthday then so be it."
"Ah'll go talk to him," Applejack said. Before anyone could respond, she quickly gallop through the door and chase Daniel.
"Hope she can take it," Chase ran a hand through his hair.
"Applejack can handle this," Twilight said, assuring him.
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Daniel walked through the woods, alone with his thoughts, trying to let the fiery autumn leaves take his mind off the terrible memory. It's funny though, the world who is in the edge of chaos can still reveal this beautiful scenery. He put his hands in his pockets and slowly walked through the dirt path, taking a deep breath of the fresh air and let it all out.
"Sugarcube, what in the hay are ya doin' mopin' out here all by yer lonesome?” Applejack's voice came up from the road behind him.
“How did you know I was here?” Daniel turned around as he spoke. She didn't answer. Instead, she looked at him knowingly as her eyes met his. Daniel quickly averted his gaze, unable to look into Applejack's strong green eyes. She could see straight through him, past the facades and the walls, down into his core. There was no hiding his feelings from her.
"Ah know, Dann. Must be hard carryin' all that baggage by yerself."
"Don't." Daniel was getting defensive; angry.
"Ah'm only tryin' ta help, Daniel. Ya don't need ta be-"
"I don't need help Applejack," Daniel cut her off, "I just... I just need to be left alone.” Her pain at his words was visible on her face. Daniel was pushing her away, because he was scared. Scared of loss.
"Consarn it, Daniel!" Her hoof came down hard on the dirt path. "Why're ya bein' so buckin' difficult?" Her voice began to quake slightly. "Ah'm yer special somepony, aren't Ah? Yer supposed ta be able ta confide in me..." Daniel's heart sank with every word.
“I can't," he tried his best to keep a confident tone, "You may thought that today is the best day for me. To be honest, I was thinking about that too, today I must've be happy, but I don't. Today is the anniversary of the day I lost my family, Applejack." Applejack looked at him, her gaze softening as she listened before a new resolve came over her face.
"Sugarcube, Ah understand yer hurtin', but ya can't think like that. Yer past is not today Dann. It wasn't yer fault they're gone in the first place. Did ya ever think that yer family wanted ta see ya like this? Always blaming yerself for their deaths? They knew that that wasn't any of yer fault sugar, and ya knew it too. It's yer faith ta be like this, but ya need to stay strong. Fer yer own sake... and us."
Daniel walked to the side of the road and sank to the ground, his back against the trunk of one of the great oak trees. He ran his hand through his hair. Applejack soon followed him, she placed her hoof to one of his hand, which lay open on the dusty ground. Daniel closed his fingers around it while she spoke, "Ah love ya, Daniel. Ain't nothin' you, or anypony else can do about it, so you best just pick yer head up and- wha?"
She stumbled over her words in surprise as Daniel pulled her in close to him. Her gold mane looked aflame under the bright afternoon sun filtering through the orange and red leaves above them.
"I love you too, Applejack." Daniel ran his hand through her soft mane, his heart light and at ease having the orange pony resting against him under the oak. The words, the moment, everything felt right. They fell asleep under the great oaks, awaking to the brisk night breeze and making their way back to Ponyville together, Daniel's mind clear again thanks to Applejack.
"Know what, I won't mind for a little party," Daniel said as he glance at his watch, 18:56.
"Ya'll like it hon," she replied while nuzzling into his palm.
As they arrived at Ponyville, they went over to the Sugarcube Corner and ask Pinkie for the party. Daniel opened the door and gestured Applejack to come in. They both walked in but it's dark inside. Daniel was about to closed the door, he heard an explosion. A huge one, maybe like C4 or claymore for him. He turned around, to see the entire room had been redecorated with balloons, streamers, and confetti. There's a banner says, 'Happy Birthday Daniel!'. Daniel couldn't help but smile at this. He was instantly entangled in a tight group hug by the Elements, the Crusaders, even the three other princesses and being bombarded with a thousand congratulations. Even the rangers themselves. Thus, he had the most peculiar birthday party he'd ever been to, because everyone was celebrating. The whole town was in that house. God knows how they all fit in. Pinkie then pulled him outside and there's a massive cake in front of the house.
"Wait," Daniel confused, "How... nevermind."
"Blow the candles and make a wish Danny!" Pinkie exclaimed with excitement, "Come on!" Daniel closed his eyes and makes his own wish. After a few seconds later, he blow all the candles. Everyone instantly cheered up and Pinkie sliced the cake and gave it to everyone. Just as Daniel was about to take the first bite, a bright light came out from the sky above them, he crouched and hugged Pinkie tight; who is next to him at that moment. Celestia immediately forms a shield around all of them. The rangers then could heard a jet engine. Wait, jet engine? Daniel looked up, and what he sees, shocked and astounded him. There's an F-16C Fighting Falcon spiraling out of control and crashed right in the entrance to Everfree Forest.
"Is that what I think it is?!" One of the ranger screamed.
Daniel immediately took an action and pulled out his Deagle. "Forbes, Chase, on me! The rest stay here! Princess, open the barrier!" Forbes and Chase nodded and just as they were about to leave, Daniel was stopped by a hoof that was resting on his thigh. He looked down and see the Elements along with Spike standing next to him.
"Let us come," Twilight said. The young ranger hesitant at first, but nods anyway.
"Alright, but stay behind us okay? Don't do anything stupid." With that, all of them rushed to the crash site to see the jet fighter. Hopefully it's pilot is okay.