Prologue
“Long ago in the days of harmony, there were two princesses of Equestria. Princess Celestia; she rose the sun and brought the day. Then there was Princess Luna; she brings the beautiful night. However some ponies didn’t know about the crystal empire that was to the north, who was ruled by Princess Cadence. Then a fourth Princess was crowned, Princess Twilight Sparkle; the Princess of Friendship. After a year of peace and harmony across the land, a very dark presence arrived and thus begun Equestria’s downfall. While Princess Celestia disappear, in a final act to protect Equestria’s last hope. Princess Luna hid the Elements of Harmony, and cause Princess Twilight Sparkle, as well as her friends and assistant, to disappear along with them. After that, Equestria was cast into shadow and darkness. No pony knows what has happened to the Princess of the Night. Nor to the Princess of Friendship and her six friends. One thing is for sure, once the Princess of Friendship returns, Harmony-“
“Will be restores and the darkness shall be defeated!”
“Hey, mom was suppose to say it!”
“Now now my lovelies, calm yourselves. Now where was I? Right. Harmony shall defeat the darkness and peace will be restored. The End. Now, young ones, it’s time for bed.”
“Aww mom we do have to?”
“Yes my dear, come on, you’re all tucked in for the night.”
“Mom, where do you think the Princesses are?”
“I do not know, my love, but I should say that once they return, our lives will get better. All we can do now is wait and hope.”
“Where do you think the others are?”
“I do not know my love, this story is from a very long time ago. This story has been passed down for generations. All the way back to Big Macintosh. Your very great grandfather.”
“Wasn’t he the brother to one of the elements of Harmony, mom?”
“Yes he was dear, the bearer of the element of Honesty. Applejack. In fact, you look mighty close to her, darling.”
“Really mom? Do you think I could bear the element of honesty?”
“Maybe dear heart.”
“Awe why does she get to be one? I want to be an element bearer!”
“Okay which one would you like to be?”
“The element of loyalty! I’ve read all about the bearer! Rainbow Dash sounds so awesome!”
“You are so loyal, and you are so honest, you may have to be the next bearers. But that means a whole bunch more responsibility. Like more homework, earlier bedtime, earlier wake up time, more school-“
“Never mind I don’t want to be one!”
“Okay then, my lovely.”
“I still do! I’ll work so hard, I want to protect and save the world!”
“Okay then sweetie, maybe when you’re older, you still have some growing to do.”
“Okay, goodnight mom.”
“Night mom!”
“Goodnight dearest ones, pleasant dreams, and hold on to that hope.”
…
…
…
“At least…for now…Goodnight my darlings, and goodbye.”
“Are you Appletart?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Come with us, please.”
“Now? It’s so soon, I just put my children to bed. Will you please come back another time? When they’re old enough to take care of themselves? They’re still so young!”
“I’m afraid not. There is no time for you left, and you’re wasting mine! Now come along or we’ll take your children instead!”
“No! Please no. I’ll go willingly. Can you please tell me this? Will they have someone to look out for them?”
“Yes, the colt shows us promise about being a soldier.”
“And my daughter?”
“She’ll be put into the institute for fillies.”
“What about my farm? It still has use in growing food! My daughter should at least gain the farm when she’s old enough.”
“Very well, but she will still go to the institute.”
“Fine, but I don’t want her to be in there for long. Once she’s reaches the age 16, she gets the farm. And I want my son to have a chance to get the farm too. I do not wish for him to be a soldier, not unless he doesn’t want the farm too. Tell me. Who will raise my children while I’m gone?”
“Your mother, Apple Fact. Now let’s go Appletart.”
“I’m coming, I’m just worried.”
“I’m sorry it had to come to this, but we knew this would happen eventually. Due to your husband, Applefields, number came up. We try to keep the husband and wives together, however we had to wait a couple of years for you due to your foals. Just be glad we didn’t take you while they were still babies.”
…
“Hello Appletart.”
“Hello, Captain Yard.”
“It’s been awhile, sister.
“It has. How are you?”
“I am well...how are you?”
“As ready for this as I’ll ever be. I wish I could stay with them just a little bit longer.”
“Remind me of their names again?”
“My daughter is named Appleblossum. My son’s name is Applewood.”
“Appleblossum and Applewood huh? Those are perfect names for them.”
“Thank you.”
“If you wish, I could watch over them as well. Keep them out of trouble, and, if need be, give them a home as well. Just in case…”
“That would be wonderful. Since mother is getting up in her years, plus it would be nice for them to get to know their uncle.”
“Yes, and I would like to get to know them too. I wish we had more time together. It’s been so long since I left for the academy. To be honest I didn’t want to become a soldier, I just didn’t want you to end up…there.”
“I know, Apple Yard, and I thank you for that. Will you keep a closer eye on Appleblossum? I don’t want her to end up…there. Not like our sister.”
“She won’t. She won’t end up like…like…like Candy Apple. I promise you that! I will adopt her as my own if I have to!”
“Thank you for that brother, I’ll forever be grateful for that.”
…
“It’s time…I love you sis. I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too. Please keep them and yourself safe.”
“I will.”