//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: The Apple's Desire // by ZStrike37 //------------------------------// Applejack stood there for a moment, confused at what had just happened. Just a second ago, Pinkie Pie had been right where she was, but a blue flash took the pink pony away. She looked back over to where her mother was; she no longer saw Luna. Her mother had her mouth clenched in frustration as she stared at the spot where the moon princess had been restrained. Applejack walked slowly over to her mother. “Momma... is everythin' alright?” she asked quietly. Her mother was clearly upset. “They will come soon, I am sure of it. The pink one will surely tell the others, it is only a matter of time.” “But maybe we can talk this through to them! We can make them understand, can't we!? Twilight is close to Celestia, she could talk to her for us and...” Applejack stopped. Her head began pounding. She brought a hoof to vainly try and soothe the pain. “No. Celestia will not allow me to remain. I have dealt with Luna, Celestia will not be able to let that go. The other five ponies will certainly come as well, I'm certain.” “We... don't have ta hurt 'em, right?” This request from Applejack caught Chrysalis off guard. The Element of Honesty was making things difficult. The orange mare was still seeing her mother, that was certain. However, the bond with the other Elements was proving to be an obstacle. This was not something she couldn't handle, though. Chrysalis walked over to look into Applejack's eyes. It was still there. She gave her “daughter” a nuzzle and a warm smile. “Just leave everything to your mother, dear. I'll take care of everything so we can live in happiness.” The doubt that clouded over Applejack seemed to vanish with these words. A comforted grin emerged on AJ as she leaned in to her mother's side, eyes closed and feeling content. Her mother was going to take care of everything... take care of her. Everything was going to be fine. There was nothing to worry about so long as she was with her mother. “I love you, Applejack.” “Ah love you too, momma.” Chrysalis glanced toward Ponyville as Applejack spoke. Let them come she thought. She would defeat the other Element bearers. Celestia would fall shortly after. Then she would be able to reclaim what was rightfully hers. --- For a minute, Pinkie was not sure where she was. All she could see was her friend coming at her with angry-looking eyes... wanting to hurt her. She felt like she was buried in snow and unable to breathe. “Pinkie!” a familiar voice cried in surprise and worry. Twilight Sparkle was in front of her now, and she began to notice shelves of books around her. “Are you OK? What happened? How did you get here?” Warmth began to return as her mind began processing the environment. “Twilight? Twilight!” Pinkie exclaimed as she finally fully registered what was going on around her. She threw her hooves around Twilight in a tight embrace and began sobbing. “Twilight, something's the matter with Applejack! She... I saw... and then... her eyes... scared.” It was a jumble of words that Twilight had a hard time fully understanding. Pinkie never was one for making much sense, but this was more out of pure confusion and worry than just being silly. But Twilight didn't try to ask questions right now; her pink friend just needed some time to let her feelings out. About five minutes passed before Pinkie calmed down enough to be able to speak in complete sentences. “Twilight, something's wrong with Applejack. She's not herself right now. I had a Pinkie sense that told me one of my friend's was in danger and I felt like it was Applejack. When I got there to check on her, I saw Princess Luna tied to the ground by green, glowing things. It looked like she was trying to escape, but she was getting pulled into the ground and couldn't get loose. There was another mare there, too, that had a mean look in her eye. I tried to ask Applejack what was going on. Then the mare shouted that I couldn't tell the others something. And then,” Pinkie shivered a little bit as she kept speaking, “Applejack started running towards me. I could see it in her eyes... she wanted to hurt me.” Pinkie's tears started up once more, but she was able to keep talking despite her overwhelming sorrow at the words she had to speak. “I didn't know what to do. I just sat there. I was scared.” Twilight brought Pinkie into another hug to try and comfort her pink friend. More minutes passed as the two ponies simply sat there, the cries of one piercing the quietness of the library. Twilight didn't know what to say. What could she say after hearing that? One thing wasn't quite clear. That other mare Pinkie mentioned... who could that be? Without letting go, Twilight asked, “Pinkie, what did that other mare look like?” The crying earth pony didn't respond right away, but Twilight didn't press for a quick answer. Another minute went by before Pinkie finally did speak. “She was red, a little lighter red than Bic McIntosh. Her mane was slightly darker than Applejack's. Her mean-looking eyes were the same green as Applejack's though.” This information sounded just slightly familiar, but Twilight couldn't quite place it. “Twilight, I think I know who that pony is.” The two settled back down, Twilight eager to hear who Pinkie thought this mystery-mare was. “I've seen her in pictures in the Apple family home. I think she's... Applejack's mom.” Twilight's eyes widened at the realization. That's why that description sounded familiar. The feeling of realization did not last long, however, and soon gave way to confusion. “That can't be, Pinkie. Applejack's mother is... well, gone.” Pinkie looked down at the floor. Her eyes were still glistening from the recent cascade of tears. “I know. But, it looked just like her. One weird thing, though...” Twilight's ears perked up at the prospect of new information. “...Was that Applejack's eyes looked a bit different. They were a different shade of green, a little lighter I think.” The violet unicorn was at a loss for words. She didn't know what to say. She didn't know what to think. But one thing she did know was that Applejack was in need of help. “OK, Pinkie. Let's get going then.” The pink pony raised her head and looked at Twilight with a puzzled gaze. “What do you mean? Where are we going?” Twilight had a confident look about her. She seemed to know what needed to be done and this made Pinkie hopeful. “We're going to help our friend that needs us. We'll get to the bottom of what's going on and figure all this out. Let's get the others and then we'll head to Sweet Apple Acres to confront AJ.” As Pinkie got up, she noticed an absence from the library. “Hey, Twilight. Where's Spike at?” “Oh, he's at Rarity's helping her keep an eye on the crusaders. Sweetie Belle invited Scootaloo and Applebloom to spend the night at the boutique. I hope he doesn't mind watching those three by himself for a while, though.” While speaking, Twilight levitated a piece of parchment and quill over to a nearby stand and quickly scrawled something. “You mean, Rarity is going to come with us?” Pinkie asked in a hopeful tone. The pink pony and violet unicorn were leaving the library side by side, the latter keeping the now-rolled up parchment in her magical grasp. “Of course! We'll get Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, too. We're all going to see Applejack together.” These words of Twilight caused Pinkie to feel happiness. Together... it was a word the party-mare loved. The thought of all her friends together brought the warmth back to her. Pinkie had found her smile once more. --- It was not long until the five ponies found themselves at the entrances to Sweet Apple Acres. Pinkie had told them all of what she had experienced just an hour ago. Anxiety hung in the air as nopony knew what to expect or even what was going to be said. However, they were all steadfast in their determination to help their friend. The moon hung overhead, casting a ghostly glow over the farm as they slowly walked up the path through the orchard. The wind was quiet and still, screaming silence. Gentle, yet nervous hoofsteps were the only sounds to befall the peaceful scene. As she walked, Twilight hoped her letter had been received. Soon enough, the farmhouse came into view and now they all could clearly see the two ponies that seemed to be expecting them. They were Applejack and another mare. What Pinkie had said was indeed true. The mare did look exactly like the mare in the Apple family pictures. Twilight stepped forward to speak, but Rainbow had landed next to her to talk first and pointed an accusing hoof at Applejack. “Applejack, what is going on? When I came before you didn't want to talk and I thought it was fine then, but not anymore! I'm not leaving, none of us are leaving, until you start talking!” Twilight didn't feel the need to add anything else to the words her flying friend chose, so she, along with the others, waited for a response. Applejack did not speak, however, it was the other mare who spoke as she walked forward a little to meet the group. “I'm so happy to finally meet everypony.” The mare gave a short bow of her head before raising herself and looking at the group of ponies before her. “My daughter has told me much about you all.” “Stop this charade!” cried Rarity. “We know you are not who you claim you are. You are obviously an imposter.” A sly grin formed on the imposter's face. “Yeah!” shouted Pinkie. “Playing pretend isn't funny when it could really hurt the feelings of another. So you should quit pretending, you phony pony!” “Don't say that!” exclaimed Applejack, as she walked to her mother's side. "Quit talkin' about mah momma like that!" The group fell silent. Twilight was the next to speak. “But Applejack... that's just... not possible. Your mother is–” “Don't say it! It's not true!” The orange pony was furious at her friends now. She had begged her mother to give her friends a chance. Why couldn't they try to understand? Applejack felt her mother's warm nuzzle on the side of her face and her soft words in her ear. “I'm sorry, Applejack. They are acting just as I knew they would. They refuse to understand.” The farm pony lost her anger and gained a new expression of sorrow. Something was bugging Twilight this entire time. She could feel familiar magic about, but that wasn't all. Applejack's eyes... they were... different... but a little familiar. They were just like... Twilight looked at the facts and came to a very disturbing conclusion. It all made sense now: the strange behavior, the weird eyes, and the most important piece, the imposter was a pony that was dearly loved by another pony. “I understand what's going on now.” Twilight looked back at her friends with a grimace. “She's not a pony at all. She's a... changeling.” Her friends didn't know how to take this news. The clever unicorn looked back at the imposter. “If I'm not mistaken, you're Chrysalis, aren't you?” The imposter looked at Twilight with narrowed eyes and a wicked smile. The same terrible transformation that occurred earlier that night took place once again. Soon, the mare known as Brina Apple was replaced by the hideous Chrysalis. “Oh no, you've found me out! I guess I'll just admit defeat and leave now.” Her voice practically dripped with sarcasm before she began laughing as she slowly advanced on the five ponies. Applejack stayed behind, not even fazed slightly at the events occurring right before her eyes. Chrysalis stopped a few feet before the now-cowering group of ponies. “Tell me, Twilight Sparkle. Now that you've found me out, what exactly do you intend to do next?” Chrysalis waited, sincerely wanting to hear the foolishness Twilight would surely come up with. In truth, Twilight had no clue what to do next and spent the next moments stuttering. “Well... I... we... uh...” The looming figure of Chrysalis towering over her did not help her anxiety. She didn't know how to stop Chrysalis, not now anyway. Chrysalis cut off her last few mumbled words with a haughty, demeaning laugh. “So it seems as though you do not have a plan, after all.” Only slightly did Chrysalis's words feel of disappointment. A part of her had actually wanted to encounter some well-thought-out plan only to see it crumble and hopelessness take its hold on her enemies. It was then a brilliant white light flashed into being between the five ponies and Chrysalis. Blinded by this gleaming light, Chrysalis backed up and raised a hoof to shield her eyes. The light dissipated and in its place stood a regal, white alicorn, wings spread wide in all their magnificence. Celestia had come. “Twilight may not have a plan, but I do,” she spoke in a gentle, but commanding tone. Out of thin air, Celestia had materialized five golden necklaces and a grand tiara. Twilight marveled as she immediately recognized the Elements of Harmony. Four necklaces and the tiara floated over to the group of five ponies behind Celestia. Fluttershy bore the Element of Kindness, Rainbow Dash bore the Element of Loyalty, Pinkie Pie bore the Element of Laughter, Rarity bore the Element of Generosity, and Twilight was crowned by the Element of Magic. Only the Element of Honesty remained held by Celestia's magical hold. Chrysalis was quite irritated at this latest interruption. She feared the power of the Elements but she did not let her fear show. The Elements were a puzzling magic to her, but she knew that all the Elements must be united in order to work. Her scowl was replaced by a smirk. “Very frightening, Celestia. But I don't think Applejack will cooperate with you.” Chrysalis looked down at Applejack and the farm pony returned her gaze with a loving smile. It was Celestia's turn to let a smile show, a smile that irked Chrysalis. “It is a powerful charm spell you've placed on her. Since your attack on Canterlot, I've done much research in the area of enchantment spells and how to counter them.” Celestia's horn glowed a searing white as a ray of magic was directed right at Applejack. Worry etched into Chrysalis's composure. “Run!” she ordered to Applejack, but there was no time for the orange pony to move before she was struck by Celestia's magic. Applejack's head was spinning or maybe it was the world that was spinning, she wasn't sure. Her eyes were shut from the bright light that had appeared. Slowly, she opened them to look around. Everything was how she remembered it. Celestia was with her friends, who were all beaming at her. She walked forward a bit and was met with a golden necklace with an orange apple gemstone. It hovered in a white glow delicately before her, awaiting her to take it. She reached forward and held the necklace with her hoof as the sun-like magic left it. Thoughts raced in her head as she stared into the gemstone and looked at her small reflection within its face. She knew what she wanted to do. Chrysalis was now furious. She did not plan for Celestia to be able to break her enchantment. Her plans were not going to succeed now. The Elements were too powerful a magic to face, not to mention Celestia was here as well. Only two options presented themselves for her consideration. The first was to fight and more than likely fail. The second was to flee. She began to ready her magic to teleport into the forest where she could hide. Clang... clang... clang. The Element of Honesty lay at Celestia's hooves. The smiles that adorned the faces of Twilight, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow, and Celestia had all turned to looks of shock and disbelief. Applejack had thrown away her Element to the ground where it skidded to a halt in front of Celestia. All eyes turned from the fallen necklace to the orange mare as she turned around and slowly walked back to Chrysalis's side. “Leave me alone. Please, jus' go,” she whispered as she moved. These words were frail and held so little volume that a breeze would have overshadowed them. Fluttershy was the only pony who was able to find her voice. “A-applejack... wh-what do you...” Applejack was at Chrysalis's side and sat down, her back facing the others. She turned around just enough to glance at Fluttershy's large, timid eyes for only a second before looking away. “Why do y'all wanna take mah momma away from me so much? She makes me happy and Ah love her. So why...” Applejack was now speaking through sobs as droplets of tears began flowing like a river down her face. “WHY CAN'T AH BE HAPPY?!?” she cried so loudly it sent shivers up everypony's spine. This was no longer the Applejack her friends knew who was strong and confident. The orange mare that they all now saw was a scared and helpless pony who spoke words filled with sadness and regret. Chrysalis was unsure of the events that just transpired and what to make of them. But one thing was certain. She could feel the love Applejack felt for her, it was still there and even stronger than before. It radiated around her and greatly empowered her magic. The charm spell over Applejack had been erased by Celestia, but still... it didn't matter now! With a maniacal grin she looked towards her bewildered enemies. “Hahaha!” she cackled menacingly. “It seems you've failed again, Celestia. Let me thank you by imprisoning you and those other fools for all eternity!” Green magic rippled around Chrysalis's horn, pulsing with great power. Celestia was at a loss for what to do, but she knew that they had to leave. She couldn't get to Applejack, not now. The power she felt washing over her from Chrysalis was astounding and she could not stand against it. Two options presented themselves for her consideration. The first was to fight and definitely lose. The second was to flee. Option one was not considerable due to the fact the other ponies would also be in great danger. Option two was the only viable one. These deliberations did not even take a second for Celestia to process. Before Chrysalis could strike with her powerful magic, Celestia gripped herself and the other five ponies around her in a magical embrace and cast a teleportation spell. As her vision of the farm blurred, Fluttershy was still struck by what she saw. She wasn't sure if her voice could be heard, but still she cried out, “Aaaplejaaack!” She saw Applejack lay down on her stomach, covering her ears with her hooves and shivering. This was the last image Fluttershy could see before the world around her was thrown into a white void.