//------------------------------// // Epilouge // Story: Aperitif/Digestif // by Mr Merritt //------------------------------// No amount of pleading from the employees of Ponyville’s train station could convince the pink mare with the cotton candy mane to move from her spot on the train tracks. Despite her insistence that it was the best place to spot the express from Canterlot, the conductors expressed concern for her safety. It wasn’t until some of the other ponies gathered on the platform assured them she would move once the train arrived did they toss their hooves up in defeat and go about their duties. “Come on! What’s taking so long?” asked Rainbow Dash for what was the eighth time (and Twilight knew this for a fact, since she had counted every time her friend had done so) in the last half an hour. “Express train my hoof…I could fly from Canterlot faster than this…” “Dashie’s right.” quipped Pinkie Pie from the tracks. “I can’t see any trains coming at all…” “Um, that’s because you are looking in the wrong direction Pinkie…” murmured Fluttershy, who stood under a large banner that read Welcome Home. “Huh…maybe that’s why I couldn’t see Canterlot…” “Girls please” sighed Twilight Sparkle. “The Equestrian Railroad is one of the best in the world. Rarity and Peppermill will get here exactly when they are supposed to.” “Ah hope so…” sighed Applejack. She was flanked by Big Macintosh, Applebloom and even Granny Smith in her walker. The nervous energy coming off the family of farmers was palatable. They had missed their adopted kin very much, and were as anxious as any of the gathered crowd. “It ain’t been the same ‘round here since Peppermill went off with Rarity. Ah just hope everything is okay…” “Eeyup…” “Oh! Oh oh oh! I see it!” cried Pinkie jubilantly, bounding high in the air and waving frantically down the tracks. Sure enough, the call of the train’s whistle came to the ears of the gathered ponies soon followed by the rumble of the engine down the tracks. When Rainbow Dash had a clear shot, she launched herself off of the platform to grab Pinkie Pie in mid-jump to set her down with her friends. Soon the train and its cars pulled to a stop, and one of the conductors on-board called out. “Last stop, Ponyville!” A cheer went up from the crowd as ponies began to file off of the passenger car. Another cheer erupted upon seeing the familiar white unicorn step onto the platform. “Goodness, such a warm welcome. Maybe I should take these trips more often…” teased Rarity as Pinkie leapt at her to embrace her. Applejack anxiously tried to look beyond her glamorous friend, hoping to catch a glimpse of the grey colt she and her family had become attached to. Every second that ticked by that he didn`t appear was like a squeeze of the mare`s heart. She was about to ask Rarity what the deal was when she heard a familiar raspy voice from inside the carriage. “And make sure…not to overcook…the vegetables. You…would be amazed how…often ponies boil…carrots into mush. A little crunch…can make a world…of difference…” Peppermill finally stepped out of the train car and onto the platform. “Welcome home!!!” bellowed the crowd, the loudest cheers having an unmistakable Appaloosan twang to it. Peppermill gave a start at the noise, and then grinned as he found Applejack standing before him. “Welcome home, sugarcube.” beamed the mare. “Is everything ok?” Peppermill didn’t respond right away, which made Applejack squirm slightly in concern. Then the colt marched up to her, reached up with his forelegs and gave her as strong of a hug as he could manage. At first, Applejack seemed surprised at this show of affection. Then she seemed to melt ever so slightly, sheer joy radiating off of her. She gathered the colt in her own forelegs and squeezed him tightly, turning around so that the rest of the ponies could see. The sight brought an even louder cheer from the gathered crowd. “Thank you…” mouthed Applejack to Rarity, her green eyes glistening with tears. Rarity simply nodded, as Applebloom and the rest of the Apple clan crowded around, not about to be left out. And, when asked afterwards, Peppermill would tell any pony who asked that it was something he would never forget.