//------------------------------//
// Honesty 
// Story: The Love of a Mother 
// by Ashen Heart 
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Darkness surrounds the group of mares walking along the trail, thick trees covering any light the moon would give up. Rocks scatter under the hooves of the five ponies, a constant reminder off the looming cliff edge. A rainbow maned mare hovering nearby those who were walking. Rarity comes up beside Twilight as best as she can brushing up against her slightly as they walk. 
“So, I’m aware the plan is to look for clues when we arrive at the castle, but what are the details of said plan? What if Nightmare Moon is hiding out there, or if we can’t find any information?” Rarity asks. 
“If Nightmare Moon is there then we will have to try to sneak around her for now, or we can try to find some information elsewhere, but we need that information if we hope to end this eternal night and bring Princess Celestia back,” Twilight responds. Up ahead, Twilight hears Rainbow talking to the rest of the group, waving her hands around in a spooky manner.
“Nopony knows. You know why?” 
“Rainbow, quit it,” Applejack chastises. Meanwhile, a purple wisp flies beside the cliff seeping into the edge itself, right in front of the group of mares.
“‘Cause everypony who’s ever come in has never come OUT!” Rainbow shouts at the end. Suddenly a crash is heard as the ground beneath the ponies crumbles. Four of the mares started to scream as they slid down the cliff edge. Instinctively, Fluttershy's wings expand to catch her from falling like her friends. In a flash, Rainbow hurriedly flies to try and catch her falling comrades.
“Fluttershy! Quick!” Rainbow calls back, trying to catch Rarity.
“Oh my goodness, oh my goodness,” Fluttershy panics as she flies over to catch Pinkie pie. Applejack, thinking quickly, grabs onto a hanging branch slowing her descent. Looking down she can see Twilight hanging off the edge screaming out for help. Considering her own safety for a moment, she decides to let go of the branch and slowly skid down to the edge Twilight hung from.
“Hold on! I’m a-comin’!” Applejack calls out, making it to the edge grabbing hold of Twilight.
“Applejack! What do I do?” Twilight exclaims, freaking out while her hind legs kick out trying to find any sort of purchase. Applejack looks at her friend panicking before catching a blue blur fly below her.
“Let go,” Applejack states resolutely.
“Are you crazy?” Twilight bites back in shock at her friend's statement.
“No I ain’t. I promise you’ll be safe.”
“That’s not true!”
“Now listen here. What I’m sayin’ to you is the honest truth. Let go, and you’ll be safe.” Applejack says firmly. Twilight looks up at Applejack with fear in her eyes. Seeing her friend's resolution, Twilight gives one final pleading look to her friend, praying to Princess Celestia for her safety, before letting go of her friend screaming all the while. She doesn’t fall for very long however as two ponies catch her and slowly bring her to the ground. Twilight feeling the ground beneath her hooves opens her eyes, and looks up at the two ponies hoovering beside her. Realization dawns on her as she stares at Applejack leaping down the side of the cliff, her friend knowing the whole time.
Everypony starts to walk ahead as Twilight lingers for a moment looking up at the cliff edge as if lost in thought. Applejack, noticing Twilight's odd behavior, encourages the others to go on ahead a little ways as she walks towards the pondering mare.
“Hey,” Applejack states simply, seeming to jerk Twilight from whatever was plaguing her mind.
“Hey,” Twilight responds.
“Are ya’ a’right there?” Applejack asks sitting beside Twilight. Looking up, Twilight hesitates as she considers if she should tell her about the memories that seem to hover in her mind. Looking back at the cliff edge and sighing, she looks back at the pony who saved her from that fall. 
“Honestly, I don’t know. It’s strange all these memories that feel foreign to me. It feels more like I’m watching somepony else’s life than that of my own. One moment I was sure about who I was, and my past, then the next the rugs pulled beneath my hooves as these memories opened up. I was the star student to Princess Celestia, daughter to Twilight Velvet and Night Light, sister to the captain of the Royal guard, and now..” Twilight pauses as she gathers her thoughts. “Now I’m not sure who I am.” 
Applejack sits quietly listening to her friend as she expresses her struggle. After a few moments pause to think it over Applejack says, 
“Ah can’t pretend to understand what yer goin’ through Twilight, but what I do know is that family is family. It may not feel like yer memories, but they are. It might not be what ya were looking for, but it’s the truth nonetheless. The sooner ya accept it, the easier movin’ forward will be for ya,” Applejack states putting a hoof on Twilights shoulder, trying to comfort her. Before Twilight can even have a chance to respond to Applejack's words, Rainbow comes flying towards them. 
“Come on, you guys! Everypony is waiting for you!” Rainbow exclaims, before flying off ahead. Applejack looks back at Twilight giving her a sympathetic smile.
“Let’s go, ‘fore she comes back again,” holding out a hoof to Twilight helping the mare back to her hooves.
“Yeah I suppose we should,” Twilight says back as she and Applejack start walking towards the other mares ahead of them.