Silver Shoals. Day.
Celestia and Luna were just discharged from the hospital. Despite the injuries they suffered from their unpleasant encounter with Sapphire Butterfly, they were able to heal rather quickly though they still do not have their magic. Shortly after leaving the hospital, they returned to their abode, which is a small manor.
The two sisters prepared some tea and snacks. Then, they heard the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it.” Celestia went to the front door to greet the visitor.
Once she opened the door, she saw that the visitor is Applejack.
“Applejack! To what do we owe the pleasure?” Celestia was surprised by Applejack’s sudden visit.
“Howdy, Celestia. I was just in the neighborhood, so I thought I should stop by for a visit. I’m… sorry for what happened to you and Luna.”
“Well thank you for visiting. It’s always wonderful to see a friend. Would you like to join us for some tea and snacks? We love to have some company.”
“Thanks Celestia. I could use a break.”
Applejack accepted Celestia’s invitation and joined the two alicorn sisters in the backyard of their retirement home. Celestia poured three cups of tea and filled three small plates with snacks.
“So Applejack…” Celestia pondered about how to start the conversation. “I heard that you have been working hard on monster hunting missions. And… how are your brother and sister doing?”
“… To be honest… It hasn’t been easy ever since Granny Smith passed away. In fact, the actual reason I came here was because I just needed somepony to talk to.”
“I see that you have something weighing on your mind. Feel free to speak to us. We’ll listen.” Celestia assured Applejack.
“I’ve… been feeling lost. This war is nothing like we’ve ever experienced before. In the past, everypony can just go back to living their normal lives as usual once we defeated our foes. After our victory against Chrysalis, Cozy Glow, and Tirek over a year ago, I thought we could handle anything and peace would last for many years to come. Nopony could have predicted that hundreds of malevolent unicorns would declare war and threatened to destroy Equestria with monsters that numbered in the thousands. None of us were prepared for a war against a force like that. Aura Light even said that the worst of the dark unicorns, the Red Moon Generals, and the dark alicorn, Scarlet Night, are on a different level compared to our previous foes. If it wasn’t for Fairy Tail, Equestria would have been overwhelmed already. After the defeat of the Red Moon Generals Lower 2, 3, and 4, I was confident that everything will work out and we’ll all go back to living our happy normal lives once the war ends. Then the Lower 5 came along. With an elaborate plan, she was able to attack Ponyville. With some assistance, Starlight managed to drive the dark unicorn away, but not before the unthinkable happened. Granny Smith was killed in cold blood when she stood up to the Red Moon General.”
“It was a terrible tragedy indeed.” Luna spoke with great sympathy.
“I’ll never forget that moment, when I returned to Ponyville after escaping the trap in Klugetown and received the horrible news. My heart sank when I saw Granny Smith, completely lifeless. I remembered saying goodbye to her before leaving for Klugetown. I had no idea that it would be the last time I ever spoke to her. That night, Apple Bloom cried herself to sleep, and Big Mac did not say a word for three days.”
“Did Fairy Tail try to help you and your siblings in any way?” Celestia asked.
“After Granny Smith’s funeral, Natsu, Lucy, Gray, Wendy, and Erza did try to console us by sharing their own experiences with loss. But at the time, I was too angry to listen. I’m grateful to Natsu for destroying the Lower 5, but a part of me wished that I had a chance to confront the dark unicorn so I could ask her why Granny Smith had to die. However… after some thinking, I guess it wouldn’t do me any good. The enemy is capable of anything, even something as heinous as murder. And after a life is taken away, it can never be returned. So even if the war ends, Granny Smith will still be gone. That’s the truth that I have to accept, no matter how harsh it is.”
“What about your friends? Have you spoken with them recently?” Luna asked.
“The truth is… I have been more distant towards them. I did not want to worry them, so I tried to act strong. To cope with my grief, I have been going to the front lines, battling the enemy head-on. Just the other day at Galloping Gorge, I fought a dark unicorn. He was attacking members of the Apple Family living there. I was able to defeat him and prevent him from taking any lives.”
“You have done a noble thing.” Celestia complimented.
“But… I did not stop with just defeating him. With all my strength, I stomped on the dark unicorn’s head… over and over again. And I continued even after he lost consciousness. I finally stopped when his body completely crumbled away. After that, I realized that at that moment, I allowed my anger to take hold of me, and that really scared me.” Applejack then broke down crying. “If it wasn’t for the Order of Scarlet Night, I would have lived my whole life without knowing this kind of pain and anguish. I hate the dark unicorns! I hate them so much that I actually want to destroy them all! I know I sound horrible saying this, but it’s true!”
Celestia and Luna then gave Applejack a comforting hug.
“You’re not the only one suffering. Smolder lost her brother, and Silverstream and Dragon Lord Ember lost their fathers.” Luna said.
“I’m glad you opened up to us about this, and we’re here for you. Let it all out.” Celestia gently spoke.
Applejack continued crying in the sisters’ warm embrace.
“Applejack, the future remains uncertain. But never forget that you have friends and family who will be there for you. Always hold on to them and never let them go. And it’s fine that you hate the dark unicorns. They need to be stopped and they may be unforgivable, but fight to protect those they seek to harm. Fight for justice, not vengeance. That will make you better than the dark unicorns, and that will make your grandmother proud.” Celestia advised.
“Thanks for listening. I… feel a lot better now. It’s like a huge weight has been lifted.” Applejack said gratefully.
Applejack’s Aura bracelet then started ringing and she received a monster alert.
“I have to get going now. There’s a monster that needs to be dealt with. I greatly appreciated your time. Thank you.”
“Good luck, Applejack. Come visit us again sometime. And if it’s all right, please bring your friends with you.” Celestia said.
Applejack then took her leave.
“She didn’t get to drink the tea.” Luna said sadly.
Elsewhere at a remote town, a towering walking tree monster was wreaking havoc. A dark unicorn was sitting on top of the monster, using his magic to control the creature. The dark unicorn cackled as the town’s citizens were fleeing and screaming in terror.
The monster’s rampage was put to an end when Applejack attacked it with several large boulders. The boulders were launched at incredible speed and the wooden monster was blown apart by the impact of the boulders. One of the boulders also hit the dark unicorn and he was crushed underneath it.
“We’re saved!” The townsponies began cheering for Applejack.
“Hold on, it’s not over!” Applejack told them as she saw more monsters approaching the town.
This time, it was a flock of avian monsters and a large group of trolls wielding spiked clubs. Applejack steeled herself for a big fight.
Suddenly, storm clouds filled the sky and the flying monsters were dropping like flies as lightning struck them. The one responsible was none other than Rainbow Dash.
“Don’t worry AJ! Leave the skies to me!” Rainbow Dash said.
To Applejack’s surprise, Rarity and Fluttershy also arrived.
“Rainbow Dash… Rarity… and Fluttershy. You came?”
“Darling, you never have to fight alone.” Rarity said.
Happy to see her friends, Applejack accepted their help. Applejack slowed down the trolls by shattering the ground beneath them. Rarity attacked the monsters with constructs in the form of giant sewing needles while Fluttershy summoned a pack of ethereal wolves.
Meanwhile, far away from the town, there was another dark unicorn watching how everything went down.
“Four members of the Council of Friendship are here! This is my lucky day! I can…”
“Hey there!” Said a cheerful voice coming from right behind him.
The dark unicorn quickly turned his head around and saw Pinkie Pie aiming her party cannon right at his face.
“When did she-” The dark unicorn’s thoughts were cut off as he was blasted away.
Back at the town, all the attacking monsters have been eliminated.
“Hey everypony…” Applejack greeted her friends. “Thanks for helping out. I’m… sorry for being distant lately.”
“We’re friends, Applejack. No matter what happens, we always stick together.” Rainbow Dash assured.
“Then until the war ends, let’s defeat as many monsters and dark unicorns as possible, together.” Applejack replied before she and her friends had a group hug.
Applejack then turned her attention to the cheering townsponies, among them being a filly and her parents. Applejack smiled after seeing that a family’s happiness has been protected.
Ponyville. Evening.
After returning to Ponyville, the first thing Applejack did was visiting Granny Smith’s grave.
“Granny Smith… I’m sorry… I’m very sorry that I haven’t been visiting like I should have. It was… hard for me to accept that we can never be together anymore. But I’ll always be thinking of you. I will never forget all you’ve done for me, Big Mac, and Apple Bloom. No matter what, you will always be in our hearts. I love you. So, please… watch over us. And please tell ma and pa I said hi and we’re doing a-okay.”
Having paid her respects, Applejack then returned to her home at Sweet Apple Acres.
“I’m back!” Applejack called out to her brother and sister.
“Applejack!” Apple Bloom went to give her older sister a hug.
“Hey Applejack, dinner will be ready soon.” Sugar Belle said.
“Sounds good, I am getting hungry. Apple Bloom, want to play some board games after dinner? I would like to spend some time with my family.”
“Yes, I want to spend some time with you too.” Apple Bloom smiled.