Chapter Twelve: Ill Thoughts
~BlackRoseRaven
Applejack shook her head moodily as she sat back at one of the large tables of a quiet tavern, some soft, sad song playing on the jukebox in the corner: most of the tables here were full up, as was the bar, but no one was playing pool, no one was throwing darts... it had the air of a funeral about the place, and the sad music wasn't helping matters much.
She sighed a little, reaching up and pushing her hat back before grimacing when Rainbow reached up and gently brushed her bangs out of her eyes, the earth pony mare shoving at him a bit and muttering: “Don't do that, hon.”
“Come on, AJ, cheer up.” Rainbow said supportively, and he wrapped a foreleg around her, squeezing her gently around the shoulder as he smiled a bit at her. “Want me to get you another whiskey?”
“Nah. I feel bad and the booze is just making me feel worse. Damn, feel like a damn fool, running my damn mouth again...” AJ slammed her hoof down against the table, making it rattle with a grimace before she looked up with a sigh across at Big Mac, the red pony gazing at her calmly as he sat with a small half-glass of ale in front of him. “What do you think, big brother? Why am I getting like this?”
Big Mac only shrugged a bit, however, and Applejack nodded slowly after a moment, looking down with a grimace. “You're right, of course. I already know why and what I gotta do, and for one thing I gotta apologize to Pinkie Pie. Maybe even that damn bitch Pinkamena, but... I dunno, apologizing to her might just make her angrier at us, what do you think, Dashie?”
Rainbow Dash snorted at this, flexing a wing that was wrapped in bandages and smelled faintly of lavender from the salve he'd rubbed over it. “Dude, she almost tore my wing off and broke one of my ribs. The scary thing is that I know if she'd wanted to, she could have easily ripped something in there that doesn't heal... you know, like. By ripping the entire thing off. I think the best thing to do is just count ourselves lucky with her. But we... we should talk to Pinkie, yeah. And Twilight, too.”
“I... yeah. Yeah, you're right, I know y'are. But I am real worried about her, too... her, and Celestia, and I guess Luna and Scrivener.” Applejack halted, looking down thoughtfully before she shook her head and grimaced a bit. “I mean, she laid some heavy stuff down on the town while we were gone, didn't she? Ponyville's all in a ruckus over it... rumors and... sayin' things like they ain't gonna rebuild Canterlot, but some dark castle nearby, for demons and Luna and I don't wanna think about what she and her so-called husband are gonna get up to in there...”
“Temper.” Big Mac said quietly, and AJ blushed awkwardly as she looked up, the broad-chested stallion looking over at her calmly. “You'd think those bruises Pinkamena gave you would be reminder enough.”
“Shut up, big brother.” Applejack smiled faintly despite herself, though, reaching up and touching her black eye before she sighed and said grudgingly: “You got a point though. I keep... I keep thinking of the past and getting everything mixed up. I keep making assumptions based on everything we'd seen and forgetting how everything's different, even if it's all the same. I thought of last time Pinkamena pissed me off and I creamed her crop, but I forgot that she wanted me to way back then... what seems like yesterday, but is really years and years ago. I thought it'd go the same way... and then all of a sudden I'm getting slapped around like a pinata in a room full of foals with anger problems.”
She halted, looking down into her glass, and then she sighed and picked this up, sipping it slowly before slamming it down and nodding moodily. “Yeah, still, though, ain't right what I said. I let my anger get the better of me... let the memories get the better of me. I know I'm bein' unfair in a way... I think of... what Luna did in the past. How we all died... how you died, Rainbow, and she brought you back like a...” She closed her eyes, shivering for a moment. “And Twilight is just throwing herself at Luna's hooves again in spite of the fact Scrivener's somehow become one of those horrible, horrible monsters, and Luna's... gone darker. I ain't saying that I've passed judgment on her yet, that she don't got no chance to explain herself or make reason why she... you know. Is the way she is. I don't wanna think of her as an enemy, or an enemy to Equestria. But even Celestia is... you know.”
Rainbow sighed a little as Big Mac looked up quietly, then he shook his head slowly and looked back down, and AJ gritted her teeth as she pushed her hooves against the tabletop, saying pleadingly: “I know what this sounds like! But I got... I got this awful feeling, don't you get it? You look in their eyes and that ain't the same Scrivener and Luna we knew, one of 'em's a monster and the other... might just be worse somehow. Rumor has it she killed Odin, who would have been like family to her... I don't like to associate myself with people who kill their own family, no matter how near or far they are.”
“What about Sol Seraph?” asked Rainbow Dash after a moment, glancing up, and Applejack grimaced a bit. “Fluttershy killed her.”
“That's different. Sol Seraph weren't no one's family... she was just a monster.” Applejack muttered, shaking her head slowly. “Rainbow, how can you trust somepony that might have caused the deaths and torture of all those zebras out there? Somepony who says 'I'm trying to make up for all my mistakes by saving all the ponies I can,' and then we find out ponies across Equestria are dying from the same stuff as happened to Zecora's people... and worse, Luna just seems to be interested in dragging Twilight Sparkle out to stud with her? She brought demons and monsters across from Equestria... hell, she's still got Velites working for her, sleeping in the woods and waiting to help with that damned castle of hers! And Celestia's so determined not to be the bad guy to Luna this time around she supports every little thing her little sister does...”
“Change a few words there and it sounds like Celestia and Luna are just trying to take care of their family. It's been less than a week, AJ, that we've all been back. Give them time.” Big Mac said quietly, leaning forwards and nodding slowly, and Applejack lowered her head a bit as she rubbed at her face again. “I'm worried myself, sure. But I want to wait and see with a clear head what's gonna happen first.”
“Yeah, I... I know you're right. It ain't like they're about to burn down Ponyville... they're just... disagreeable to me right now. And maybe it's just because of the damn nightmares and all the death and...” Applejack shuddered a bit, dropping her elbows on the table and resting her face against her hooves as Rainbow rubbed her back soothingly, before she asked in a mumble: “So Apple Bloom is okay?”
“'Course she is. She and her friends are sleepin' over at Fluttershy's. Funny thing... she's got the Phooka out there helpin' her with chores. Damnedest thing I ever did see.” Big Mac shrugged and smiled a little despite himself, but AJ only gave him a surly look from beneath the brim of her hat. “Come on now, ain't nothing wrong with that.”
Applejack only grunted a little, and then she sighed and jerked her head to Rainbow Dash, saying tiredly as the two slipped out of the booth seat: “Well, I think me and Dashie are gonna head off and try to be responsible and mature and all that. Lemme get you some money...”
“Nah, I got enough. All our money comes from and goes to the same place anyway, the big jar in the kitchen.” Big Mac replied quietly, and Applejack smiled a little before she leaned in and kissed his cheek, and Big Mac smiled despite himself in return as he reached up and adjusted the yoke around his neck.
She nodded once, then turned and gestured to Dash, and he nodded before they headed for the door of the tavern, Rainbow giving a wave to the bartender before they pushed out into the evening streets of Ponyville. Lamps glimmered quietly, seeming almost pallid beneath the stars and the looming moon overhead, and Applejack looked up at this with a bit of a frown before she shook her head slowly as she and Rainbow Dash made their way out onto the dusty road.
They passed a few ponies, a few Nibelung, and a few other things that Applejack didn't want to have the names for, much less look at. Demons, a Nightmare or two, other entities of darkness that stood fearlessly beneath the bullied lights of the lamps... and Applejack shook her head in distaste as they passed by a dark, smoky horse that was staring through the window of a house, the mare unable to stop herself from saying darkly: “Ain't polite to peek.”
“Oh? We are unfamiliar with the etiquette of this society. It is very fascinating... there is so much energy here...” the Nightmare replied in a murmur, glancing over its shoulder and staring with fascination as Rainbow Dash winced back a bit and Applejack only glared in return. “Your emotions feed us. We have no need to prey on your kind when there is such a gathering like this... this is so much more... enjoyable.”
“Come on, Dashie, let's keep going.” The earth pony shook her head slowly, turning with a grimace, and Rainbow followed awkwardly through the streets as the female muttered: “I think more and more Zecora was right... and you saw how there were still signs of those things around her camp, I don't think Luna can control them half as well as she likes...”
The Pegasus didn't reply, staying silent as they continued onwards before he closed his eyes, bowing his head and muttering reluctantly: “Okay, AJ, look. The only thing that really bothers me right now about the whole Luna and Scrivy issue is... is that castle. Seeing the zebras hurt... and god, I feel sorry for them... but today, Zecora seemed more interested in bringing Celestia along to try and sway her opinion rather than let her heal her people...”
“Yeah, but think about it, Dash. What's a bigger problem... zebras who we were mostly able to help treat ourselves with those salves and potions, or Celestia still defending her sister even if Luna's started to revert back into Nightmare Moon? You wanna imagine what it would be like to have Nightmare Moon and a Tyrant Wyrm running loose in Equestria with Celestia deciding to be a doormat to her sister?” Applejack pointed out, and Rainbow grimaced at this. “And Celestia did go about healing the zebras, it ain't like Zecora lured her out on false pretenses or nothing.”
Rainbow nodded slowly, and then Applejack murmured: “And I am glad we weren't here for Luna's little... impromptu speech, I dunno what I would have said or done but it would have been ugly, and I know I would've regretted it. Got all those ponies and Nibelung together, then said... she was recruitin' workers, she was looking to have 'good people' she could 'reward' if they promised to help her with that project... a big, crazy castle for demons and monsters. She says they'll all stay in there, but I don't trust that. It sounds to me like she just wants some sick playground for herself and Scrivener and their little cottage in the forest ain't gonna cut it anymore.”
The Pegasus grimaced at this, muttering: “The thing that gets me is that they aren't going to rebuild Canterlot. Not until this castle is built anyway, and she said it could be a year or longer before it's done. Canterlot is the symbol of pony unity, was... the throne, the capitol, the everything. Knowing that it's just being left there, abandoned and rotting...”
Applejack nodded slowly, and then she sighed a little, muttering: “But, like Big Mac said, focus on the now and... try and give 'em all some... consideration. I don't like it at all but I do know Big Mac's got a good head on his shoulders. And we shouldn't talk about this. We're half-drunk, half-stupid, and worst of all, we gotta make an apology, and ain't neither of us are any good at that.”
“I think I'm three-quarters drunk. You should be the one to apologize.” Rainbow said finally, and Applejack grumbled and elbowed him as they continued onwards through the darkened streets to Sugar Cube Corners, looking quietly at the dark building. It was strangely gloomy and desolate, the chairs and tables in front of it cleaned up and repaired and neatly pushed close to the building, the door closed tight, no lights on in any of the empty windows.
“This is creepy. Let's go.” Rainbow said finally, and then she winced when Applejack approached the door and knocked twice, the Pegasus grimacing a little. “Oh come on, AJ! Nopony's home.... or worse, Pinkamena is hiding in the dark in there and she's going to spring out and try to make us both into dinner. 'Pony' is probably her favorite snack!”
“Well, guess you don't have to worry, then, unless she's in the mood for a side of chicken, too.” Applejack muttered, and Rainbow's jaw dropped at this before he grumbled under his breath and glared sulkily at AJ's back. The mare knocked firmly again, then waited... and then finally sighed and relented when there was no answer, looking over her shoulder at Rainbow before she made a face as if she'd bitten into a lemon as she said finally: “Library.”
“Oh. Oh come on, no way. We've already made enough of a mess as it is... maybe... maybe they're at Fluttershy's? Let's go there instead. Or even better, let's go home!” Rainbow pleaded, but Applejack snorted and shook her head, straightening with a grumble.
“No can do, Rainbow. We gotta make up for what happened, and that's that.” Applejack replied after a moment, shaking her head briskly even as she made a face herself. “I don't like it any more than you do but... come on. At least this time I think I can keep my head about me.”
The Pegasus sighed a little, nodding and mumbling: “And I guess if Pinkamena's there, she won't kill us in front of everypony... probably. Alright, AJ, let's go.”
The stallion turned, falling into step with the mare as they made their way down the road... and then Applejack smiled a little, glancing towards the Pegasus as she said finally: “Really scared of her, aren't you?”
“You... you shut up.” Rainbow said finally, and Applejack laughed and shook her head before Rainbow glanced awkwardly down. “No, I... it's not just that, AJ. I wish it was. I feel bad for her, every time I look at her. Not pity, I mean, so much as... she's got it really rough and I know that none of us do a lot to really... help her, you know? We look at Pinkamena and Pinkie Pie and well...”
“Yeah. I know what you mean. I called her just a half-demon myself, didn't I? But she is more than that, and she is a friend, too.” Applejack said quietly, shaking her head slowly. “She probably knows what family is just as much as me, if not more.”
Then she paused and glared at Rainbow, who only winced and rose a hoof, halting for a moment. “Hey, I didn't say anything! I'm getting better at not making bad jokes at bad times, really, seriously. The whole 'dying' thing really helped with that, too.” He paused, then added mildly: “Of course, that just makes me wonder if I get smarter every time I die. That would be cool.”
“Only if you can come back to life too, you big idiot.” Applejack smacked him gently, then she sighed and leaned in to kiss his cheek gently, Rainbow smiling despite himself as she said quietly: “Don't you go dying on me now. Them Nibelung ain't gonna be around forever to help do the harvest and tend to the crops, and to be honest, the sooner they're gone, the better. I don't need no one else but us working all those acres, feels awful getting up in the morning and having so little to do 'cause the dwarves are already up and at it.”
“Yeah, who knew they were actually good at working and stuff? When we fought them they were always kinda dumb.” Rainbow smiled despite himself, though, as they crossed into the town square towards the library. Light was streaming through the windows, and there was a faint hum of music coming from inside, letting them know that somepony was here, at least... and the Pegasus hesitated before he looked awkwardly at Applejack as she almost glared at the door, head raised high and breathing hard. “Uh. AJ. Chill. We're here to apologize, not... you know. Scare them into thinking we're going to start another fight.”
“I know, I know, I just...” Applejack winced a little, then closed her eyes, thinking of Big Mac, of her little sister, of her family and friends... and the last image that surfaced in her mind was the picture of her deceased parents. The glass was pockmarked, the frame warped with age, but the picture still clear... and it, like many other small but important objects, sat back at her home, on the mantel above the fireplace.
She softened at this, looking at the ground silently, and Rainbow looked at her before she turned her head slowly to gaze at him, saying quietly: “I just... understood something, Rainbow. No matter what, we do owe Luna... a little benefit of the doubt, a little thanks. 'Cause I was thinking of that picture at home and it's damn foolish but how... how did that get to be there? There's only one way. Luna and Scrivy would've had to bring it with them, across the... worlds or whatever. They went out of their way to give us a little something extra to wake up to. I ain't saying I understand them or I'm on their side or nothing, just that... I agree with Big Mac.”
“Here's hoping Pinkamena doesn't kill us, then.” Rainbow said mildly, and Applejack rolled her eyes before the mare turned and knocked firmly twice on the door, the Pegasus grimacing a bit as he stepped up beside his wife and muttered: “You owe me so big if we die tonight. Even if I do get smarter.”
“You need all the brains you can get.” Applejack grumbled in response, and Rainbow huffed a bit before they both smiled awkwardly when the door opened and Twilight looked out at them with a start of surprise, and then winced a little, clearing her throat.
For a few moments, they just looked at each other, and then Applejack smiled faintly and said finally: “Twilight, listen, is... Pinkie here? I wanna apologize to you both... I treated you both... unfairly. You're both good ponies and... I just wanted to say that I'm sorry.”
“I...” Twilight looked awkwardly over her shoulder, and Applejack tilted her head slowly, glancing past the violet mare before she winced a bit at the sight of Luna sitting in the room beyond, laughing as she nestled up with Scrivener, the dark-coated pony animatedly talking to her older sister.
Celestia was smiling and nodding benevolently, and Applejack thought she could see the others there as well: she heard Pinkie's distinct voice, she thought she saw a glimpse of Rarity, and then her eyes widened as three familiar foals raced by, which meant... “You're... havin' a get-together, I see.”
“Would you two like to come in and join us?” Twilight asked finally, glancing over her shoulder embarrassedly before she hurriedly returned her eyes to Applejack, saying quickly: “It was just that... well, the Pink Twins showed up and Rarity and Spike decided to stay around and we ran into Fluttershy taking the fillies for a walk and they wanted to come and play with Scarlet Sage so Discombobulation brought her from Luna's cottage and-”
“I see, no, no. It's fine. It'd be awkward.” Applejack said finally, unable to stop a bit of the hurt from leaking into her voice as she stepped slowly backwards with a frown, and Rainbow Dash looked dumbly at Twilight before the earth pony mare shook her head almost violently when Twilight began to open her mouth. “No, we understand and we're tuckered anyway, long day, helping the zebras and... all that. We're... just gonna head back to the ranch.”
“Wait. Please...” Twilight said quietly, stepping forwards and looking pleadingly between the two, but Rainbow only turned his head away with a grunt and Applejack sighed as she looked moodily up. “Look, okay. We've all... made mistakes. But come inside. We honestly didn't mean to... cut you two out of this. You're my friends, right? We've been friends for a long time. You're always welcome here and... I appreciate you apologizing, but it's not... necessary. I know that... you're worried about me. I know that you're worried about... Luna. But come in. See for yourselves.”
Applejack grimaced in distaste, trading a look with Rainbow, who sighed and muttered: “I dunno... I feel pretty lame. Like when the Wonderbolts used to schedule parties and not tell me. That sucked a lot.”
“Yeah, but this was an honest mistake, Rainbow. Neither I nor Luna would ever do that to you. None of us here would... we're all friends.” Twilight said quietly, and then she smiled a little turning and pushing the door open as she called awkwardly: “Rainbow Dash and Applejack are here!”
“Oh, subtle, Twilight, real subtle.” Rainbow muttered, and then he forced an awkward grin as he stepped forwards and into the room as all eyes turned to them, Applejack blushing a bit as she hurried in as well before the violet mare closed the door behind them and trotted quickly over towards a closet to fetch several more pillows. “Uh. Hi guys?”
“Quickly, everyone. Pretend as if absolutely nothing is wrong by remaining perfectly silent and staring nervously at the floor.” Discombobulation said dryly, flicking one wrist moodily as he sat back with his other hand resting on his aquarium, and half the ponies in the room glared at him before the Draconequus sniffed disdainfully in the awkward quiet. “Well, you got it half right, silly ponies. Nice try, though.”
“I'm glad you showed up, sis.” Apple Bloom called finally, and then the filly ran over with Scootaloo on one side, Sweetie Belle and Scarlet Sage on the other, the four fillies smiling up at Rainbow Dash and Applejack before Apple Bloom asked eagerly over her shoulder: “So is it story time yet?”
“Oh please no.” Scrivener groaned and rubbed at his face with one claw, dropping his head forwards as Luna smiled, even as her eyes lingered towards Applejack and Rainbow Dash as the two nervously strode forwards and joined the circle. They sat between Fluttershy and Twilight... and then the winged unicorn winced when Pinkamena half-dragged her rudely aside, switching spots so she could drop down on her haunches next to Rainbow Dash with a baleful grin.
Rainbow swallowed thickly as Pinkie Pie and Rarity headed out of the room towards the kitchens, mumbling something about fetching snacks as Spike began to get up... then winced at the dark look Pinkamena shot him, sitting back down as the fillies bounced through the center of the room before Celestia said gently: “I actually agree with the girls. Brother, sister... I would dearly love to hear one of your stories about how you survived what happened to you both. I think it would be good for us all.”
Applejack shuffled a bit as Luna nodded thoughtfully and Twilight smiled approvingly, nodding as she glanced with thankfulness towards Celestia, but the ivory winged unicorn only continued to smile as the four fillies nodded rapidly. Then, as Scrivener began to open his mouth, there was a loud thud followed by a weak whimper, but by the time anypony looked towards Rainbow Dash, the Pegasus had turned almost white as he hugged himself and Pinkamena was calmly, innocently looking down at her hoof.
“Are we even?” Rainbow asked in a strangled voice, and Pinkamena only grunted in response before the Pegasus wheezed loudly and dropped forwards, mumbling: “There is no way you're only half-demon.”
“And there's no way you're even half-stallion.” retorted Pinkamena, and Rainbow groaned and rolled his eyes, shaking his mane out as Applejack glared past her husband at the dull-pink pony, who only grinned widely. “Hey, don't think I don't got your number too, babe. Just wait until I get me some payback.”
“Cutie Mark Crusaders, charge!” Apple Bloom shouted suddenly, and Pinkamena looked dumbly down at the four foals before the group ran into her, and ponies stared as she was tackled to the ground by the four fillies, flailing and yelling furiously as they jumped on her and wrestled her to the floor. “We'll show you to pick on our uncle!”
“Get them off me!” Pinkamena snarled and flailed at them, but Luna was only laughing and Scrivener grinned despite himself as Twilight gaped incredulously: not simply at the sheer bravery of the foals, but that Pinkamena had turned beet-red and wasn't attempting to throw any of the fillies across the room. “Get off me or I'm going to break your heads open and drain the pathetic goop you excuses for snot have for brains!”
“Get her, pin her, tickle her!” Apple Bloom ordered, and Pinkamena squawked before shoving Sweetie Belle and Scarlet Sage firmly off her to either side... although for the half-demon, it was a surprisingly-gentle move before Scootaloo ran up her body and into her face, knocking her flat on her back. A moment later, Apple Bloom jumped on Pinkamena's stomach, making her wheeze before the other foals redoubled their attacks on the half-demon.
Applejack was gaping, Rainbow Dash was laying on the floor looking as awed as if his dreams were coming true in front of his eyes, Luna and Scrivener and now Discombobulation were all laughing; everypony stared with amazement as Pinkamena scrambled onto her stomach and tried to crawl away, only for the foals to redouble their attacks on her before Pinkie Pie ran gleefully forwards and leapt on top of her twin sister, knocking the wind out of her as she gave a horrible curse of frustration before gagging when the foals began to tickle her, shouting furiously: “I'll kill you a-a-all!”
She squirmed wildly... then giggled even as she ground her teeth together loudly, fidgeting and flailing her limbs as the foals laughed as their hooves raced against Pinkamena's body and Pinkie Pie gave a bright smile down at her sister, hugging her around the neck even as she kept her pinned down with her weight before Pinkamena finally gave in, laughing despite the deep flush in her gray cheeks as she spat: “You win! Y-You win! Just stop it, y-y-you win, okay?”
Apple Bloom and the other foals traded looks, then backed away... and Pinkamena grumbled as her laughter died down to wheezes before she shoved herself suddenly up and flipped Pinkie Pie off her back to send her crashing to the ground on her own spine. The others winced, but Pinkie only bounced once against the ground before she looked cheerfully back at her sister, saying brightly: “See? It's not so bad!”
“Please die.” Pinkamena muttered, spinning around grouchily and glaring towards the others... and then she blushed and looked down in dumb surprise when Scarlet Sage happily hopped up in front of her and curled against her, and the half-demon sighed with a mutter as the other foals cheered before running happily to the ponies they each adored: Apple Bloom to Applejack, Scootaloo to Rainbow Dash, who was still looking as delighted as a foal himself, and Sweetie Belle to Rarity.
Applejack couldn't help but smile after a moment as Discombobulation leaned back, looking pointedly towards the half-demon as he said kindly: “On the bright side, Pinkamena, none of us can have a lower opinion of you than we do already.”
“Then I'm glad we have the same amount of respect for each other.” Pinkamena retorted grouchily, and then she grumbled moodily when Pinkie Pie bounced up beside her and leaned against her with a bright smile, wrapping a forelimb around her body and dropping her head against her dark twin's shoulder. “Can't you all just drop dead?”
“And where would be the fun in that?” Rainbow smiled a bit, then he winked to Scootaloo as he leaned down a bit, and the orange Pegasus gave him a bright grin before she bounced around and clambered up onto his back, sitting proudly on Rainbow's shoulders as he sat up with a laugh and tossed his messy multicolored mane.
Pinkamena grumbled, and then Luna finally looked up warmly, eyes roving back and forth around the room as she said easily: “Now that we have that distraction out of the way, perhaps my husband and I shall regale thee with a story, assuming thou all still wish to hear one.”
There were a few nods around the room, Celestia smiling warmly towards her sister as Fluttershy nodded, then blushed and slipped across the circle with a murmur of unnecessary apology so she could sit down beside Pinkamena. Scarlet Sage smiled at this, slipping a little away from the half-demon so she could curl comfortably between the two, and Fluttershy slipped closer towards the gray-pink pony and her twin as she reached our and gently stroked a hoof along Scarlet Sage's back.
Twilight gazed towards Luna and Scrivener almost reverently as Rarity and Spike rested together and Discombobulation patted his aquarium, the Draconequus saying mildly: “Much like anyone involved in politics, I'm happy to listen to any story as long as it doesn't involve me. Just keep the children in mind, Scrivener Blooms... I mean the metaphorical children, not the literal ones. Foals, after all, discuss all topics maturely and seriously: it's adults who usually act like immature, gossipy little fillies. Especially the ones in this room.”
“Some of us like to think those days are behind us.” Rarity said gently as Pinkie Pie nodded thoughtfully and Applejack simply looked sourly towards the Draconequus. “Besides, if I may dare to say, you're the one who seems to enjoy instigating such tawdry things.”
“Well, yes, but that should be expected: I'm not just a chaos entity from Ginnungagap, I spend most of my time with either Twilight Sparkle or Scrivener Blooms, and both those mares are absolutely undignified and awful creatures.” Discombobulation replied seriously, and then he glanced meditatively towards Scrivy. “And don't even get me started on Luna. He's the worst of them all.”
“I'm a poet and a storyteller. It's what we do.” Scrivener replied mildly, only smiling in return before he shook his head and glanced towards Luna. The winged unicorn gave him a wry look in return as their eyes met, and thoughts and images passed between them, almost tangible as Luna's ephemeral locks swirled backwards, then settled slowly, and the male grunted and nodded thoughtfully. “Alright.”
He turned his eyes towards the crowd, sitting up and cracking his back absently before smiling as he began in a calm voice, without needing to either ask nor wait: “Let me tell you about the Black Wolves of Hell... the fearsome Skoll, Hati, Garm... and most terrible of all, awful Fenrir, Alpha of the pack. Let me tell you how we escaped them while saving souls in old Equestria... but how they followed us into reality here, and the battles that followed.”
Scrivener spoke with a practiced eloquence, Luna sitting back and smiling warmly, letting him tell the entire story as the others listened closely. Only Celestia and Luna seemed unsurprised by the strength of Scrivener's voice as he talked, for once not stumbling over his own words, not quiet in the background but taking full control of his audience as he presented the tale and let his emotions filter through his words.
He told them of the hardships of returning to North Neigh, how it had been a physical and mental war. He told them of entering the Black Baroque, and encountering Fenrir. He told them of bringing the eclipse to halt the beast, but how it and its brethren had shattered the moon and they had been forced to flee... and how they had turned fast retreat into hard march back to the Bifrost, to open the way to Looking Glass World with countless Pales in tow.
He told them of crossing the Bifrost, and the world that waited beyond. He told them of Odin, spoke of the once-god as a hero without bias, and even Luna nodded slowly despite the fact that all present had heard how Odin had died at Luna's horn. He told them about when they had next tried to open the path back to corrupted Equestria, the wolves had torn across the bridge through pure luck or foul plan, seeking either sustenance or brutal, animal vengeance. He told them how he, Luna, and Odin had taken on the wolves: each challenging one beast, forced to let Garm charge onwards to be slowed down by Nibelung forces at Ponyville.
Scrivener had paused for only a moment here, then continued the story quietly, describing what he knew: that Odin had managed to take down Hati using traps and blessed oil, and how the then-earth-pony himself had bested Skoll... with the high-priced help of the echo of Valthrudnir that had lodged itself in his mind, turning the battle into a grisly game. And he told of Luna's battle as if he'd experienced it himself, as the dark-coated winged unicorn only blushed and half-curled herself against her husband, her black pearl swaying quietly around her neck as he described her exploits in stunning detail.
And lastly, he spoke of the battle against Garm, how even wounded and exhausted, Luna had dragged herself to help the Nibelung defend Ponyville against the creature, drowning it in holy oil and incinerating the terrible monstrosity before it could do too much damage to the village they had fought so hard to rebuild and protect. He spoke of the bravery of the Nibelung as well, how they battled and died to help protect what they had built out of pride and unity more than pure self-preservation.
“And that's why now, outside Ponyville, there's the fountain and statue of Garm... just as the statues of the other three Black Wolves rest at certain important points across Equestria, but I won't ruin the surprise as to where they are quite yet.” Scrivener smiled despite himself, and then he winked down at Apple Bloom as she looked fawningly up from beside her big sister. “Maybe you and the Crusaders can figure it out though. They aren't very far.”
“Dude I'll totally come with you guys for that.” Rainbow added with a grin, looking back and forth from Apple Bloom to Scootaloo, and Applejack gave him a smile and an amused look. “What?”
“You're just tryin' to find another way to shirk workin' on the farm, that's what.” Applejack replied, but she sounded entertained all the same as she shook her head slowly before glancing awkwardly towards Luna and Scrivener, murmuring: “And I guess that's another thanks we all owe you, ain't it? If those things had gotten any further, well... we wouldn't be here, would we?”
“Nay, we would have stopped them one way or the other, fear not. And 'twas not all altruism... there was much selfishness in my revenge against Fenrir.” Luna replied softly, smiling a little as she shook her head a bit and sat up beside Scrivener, leaning against him. The winged unicorn seemed more relaxed, however... as did her sister, and many of the others in the room even as the fillies all seemed to be gaining their second wind, bouncing a little after the excitement of the story.
“You're too modest, sister. And Scrivener, you still have the same voice as all those years ago, when I first heard you giving a reading... if anything, the confidence and strength of your speech has only improved.” Celestia said gently, and the male smiled awkwardly and rubbed at his face with a claw as Twilight gazed warmly towards him.
“Yeah, I mean. Usually you're the one sitting and mumbling and you know, not really talking. I didn't know you could talk like that.” Rainbow added curiously, glancing over at him before he grunted when Scootaloo hopped off his shoulders to run over and join Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scarlet Sage. “Hey, we ain't goin' to find those statues tonight, guys, it's getting late.”
Fluttershy nodded a bit at this, gazing towards the fillies and saying gently: “Yes, girls. Scootaloo, I'll walk back home with you... of course, if you like, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scarlet Sage, you can walk with us and I'll take you all back home as well. But since your family's here...”
Apple Bloom glanced curiously at Applejack, who nodded once, and then the filly smiled warmly as she turned her eyes to Fluttershy, replying: “Nah, I'll come with you! What about you two?”
“Can I, can I?” Sweetie Belle asked Rarity quickly, and the unicorn nodded with a soft smile before she bounced on her hooves and nodded happily. “Okay, great! And then can I spend the night with you at the boutique?”
“Yes, yes, of course, dear, as long as you stop by our parents' and let them know. And as long as you don't mind Spike being there, too.” Rarity reached out and gently touched the dragon's arm, and he blushed a little even as he smiled. Rarity smiled back, then shot Sweetie Belle a surly look when she stuck her tongue out and wrinkled up her face with a sound of disgust. “Oh, one day you'll-”
But Sweetie Belle only hurried quickly off, and Rarity sighed a little and shook her head as Luna smiled to Scarlet Sage, saying kindly: “Go ahead, daughter. I shall have Atrus fetch thee and bring thee back to our cottage, how does that sound?”
“I wish I had a giant demon bodyguard.” Scootaloo said wryly, and then she squeaked when Pinkamena wrapped a foreleg around her throat and hefted her into the air, grinning widely at her and showing off her sharp teeth. “Maybe not!”
“Lemon Drop!” Pinkie Pie complained, and Pinkamena sighed and dropped the filly with a grumble, Scootaloo wincing and running towards the door with the other fillies as Fluttershy climbed to her hooves and followed with a shake of her head and a quiet laugh. “Why you gotta be so mean sometimes?”
“Why you gotta be so... you.” Pinkamena grumbled in return, cracking her neck loudly, and then she made a face when Scarlet Sage hugged her leg for a moment before the half-demon shook the filly off with a mutter. “Stop that.”
“See you later!” Scarlet Sage called to the ponies with a smile, and the other fillies gave their own chorus of 'goodnights' and 'goodbyes' as Fluttershy looked over them fondly from the door, then pushed it open to let them out, following them fearlessly into the dark night.
Twilight looked softly after the Pegasus as she left before Rarity and Spike rose, the unicorn saying kindly: “Thank you all for the wonderful evening, but we had best be on our way, too. We need to set the guest room up for Sweetie and I'm sure she'll want to stay up a little and well... I think I'd like that.”
“Your babies are going to look like me.” Discombobulation said thoughtfully, and Rarity and Spike both stared at the Draconequus as Rainbow Dash covered his mouth to suppress his giggles and Pinkamena threw her head back and laughed. Then the chimerical creature smiled pleasantly, raising a hand and twiddling his fingers. “Food for thought. Just remember, that all ponies are equal, but some are more equal than others.”
With that, Discombobulation snapped his fingers and vanished from the spot, only to reappear a moment later inside his aquarium in a folding chair, pointedly ignoring them all as he read a newspaper. Luna rolled her eyes, but Pinkie's own went wide as she leapt forwards, peering down into it and giggling a little before wincing when Pinkamena dragged her backwards and said flatly: “Go get your stuff together and then let's get out of here, too. I'm tired of everyone's faces.”
Pinkie grumbled a bit, but nodded before she bounced towards the kitchen, halting just long enough to trade hugs with Spike and Rarity as the two made their way towards the door. Goodbyes were exchanged, and Twilight smiled warmly after the two even as a faint sadness lingered in her eye: the realization again that Spike was growing up, and wouldn't be around forever.
Celestia quietly excused herself to the back room, and Luna and Scrivener traded awkward smiles with Applejack and Rainbow Dash before they followed her, the dark-coated winged unicorn mumbling something about summoning Atrus. Twilight blushed a bit as she picked up Discombobulation's aquarium and hurried towards the side of the room, and Applejack hesitated as she looked towards the winged unicorn before Pinkie Pie came out the kitchen and smiled at her dark twin as Pinkamena looked up moodily from where she was sitting. “Ready?”
“Wait, you two.” Applejack said finally, and the Pink Twins looked towards her before the goldenrod earth pony stepped forwards and took off her hat with an awkward smile, saying quietly: “Pinkie, listen. I... I wanted to apologize to you. I went way outta line with something and I know that I... I've been more than a little unpleasant to y'all when I got no right or reason to be. Things are weird right now and I know we all got our struggles to adjust to, but... none of that gives me the right to treat such a good friend so bad, especially when she knows probably better than I do how to treat a pony right. And that goes for you too, Pinkamena. You're both better ponies than me, and I'm sorry for what I said.”
“It's already forgotten.” Pinkie Pie replied with a smile, looking warmly across at Applejack before she added quietly: “I was real glad to see you here with us, too, that we all got to spend time like this. Even Celestia and Luna and Scrivener Blooms. That... it was special tonight.”
“It was.” Rainbow agreed, smiling and then wincing when Pinkamena glared at him. “No hard feelings, right?”
“Screw you, Dash. But if it'll make you stop your sissy whimpering, no hard feelings.” the dull-pink pony grumbled, and Rainbow grinned a bit before the dull-pink pony added moodily: “Do me a favor, though, and start acting like a stallion instead of a little filly. It's kind of annoying what a pansy you are.”
“I think you just live to make me miserable.” Rainbow grumbled, and Pinkamena shrugged a bit before she walked forwards and rose a hoof with a slight smile behind her waterfall of a mane, and the Pegasus looked surprised... but then smiled despite himself and lightly bumped his own hoof against hers, saying finally: “This better not be some elaborate mind game.”
“Life is nothing but an elaborate mind game. Come on, sissy, let's go.” Pinkamena said over her shoulder, and Pinkie Pie smiled and nodded, waving quickly to Twilight before she and her sister made their way to the door, one striding slowly and moodily along and the other bouncing in short, cheerful hops.
The door swung back shut, leaving the three alone: Discombobulation, after all, was ignoring the whole world from his aquarium as Twilight strode carefully towards the two, sitting across from them and smiling a little as they looked back at her. Applejack laughed a little as she put her hat on her head, then she shook her head and murmured: “Dash and I should head on back to the farm in a moment. Big Mac is getting soused in the tavern tonight and all... probably won't be back at the farm himself until the sun's on the rise. Weird, this world... ain't Celestia moving the sun, nor Luna, is it?”
“Not right now, anyway. The Strange Ones have a magical machine that does it... have you seen them yet? I only just met them today.” Twilight said softly, and Applejack frowned and cocked her head curiously. “I'll take that as a no. They're... well. They're strange. Not bad people or anything, just very... different from us.”
Applejack nodded thoughtfully, glancing at the Pegasus, but Rainbow only grunted and shrugged. “Don't look at me, I spend all my time with you. Zecora didn't mention any Strange Ones to us either, though...” He halted and cleared his throat as he realized that this was an awkward subject, but Twilight only smiled a little and gestured for him to finish. “Sorry. But no, the only thing she mentioned was that dragons are a lot meaner around here.”
“Well, the ponies died out a long time ago in this world from the research I've done, and the tribes themselves never managed to make peace between each other, let alone other races.” Twilight replied quietly, and Applejack and Rainbow Dash both frowned at this as Twilight smiled a little. “That's why this world is empty but... there's ruins of places like Canterlot, and apparently a few other cities. The tribes tried to come together, but something... drove them back apart before Canterlot was even completed. There's scraps of histories that both Luna and the Nibelung Artificers shared with me about it: how the tribes divided, and then... died out.”
“Damn. That's not pleasant to think about...” Rainbow Dash muttered, and then he grinned a little over at Applejack, nudging her lightly. “Not that I can't see how you earth ponies wouldn't lose without us Pegasi backing you up...”
“Oh shut it, Rainbow. 'Sides, what can a Pegasus do that a unicorn can't?” Applejack glanced towards Twilight, who blushed awkwardly as her wings ruffled a bit before the goldenrod mare laughed a little. “And then there's you winged unicorns, too... but say, wouldn't there have been... I dunno, other winged unicorns in this world?”
“There would have. In fact, the layers of reality reflect each other, even when actions in the present diverge, it's very fascinating...” Twilight began, then she blushed a bit when both of the ponies stared at her dumbly. “I mean, it's like... Scrivy and Luna, they call this Looking Glass World because... it's a reflection of the world we apparently all... stem from. It's all complicated, but... part of the reason we're here is to protect that anchor world, from attack from... awful things.”
“Like Tyrant Wyrms. Like that... Valthrudnir fella.” Applejack said slowly, and Twilight nodded slowly before the earth pony mare frowned and shook her head, saying quietly: “Wait, that implies... something pretty bad.”
“Yeah, it sounds like you guys think there's other stuff out there. Other bad stuff. Ignominious-bad. Blood Seer-bad. Black Wolf-bad.” Rainbow added quietly, and Twilight nodded again, making the Pegasus grumble. “Oh great. So next time I die, I want a monument. A big statue of me, and it should be made with... what's the fanciest metal we got?”
Twilight sighed a little at this, and then she said gently: “Look, try not to worry about it right now. Right now, our main goal is to get our lives back in order, that's all, get this Equestria running again. Among other things, that means finding leaders for the territories that are going to be set up, to make the nation easier to manage... but this isn't anything anypony has to really worry about right now.”
She halted, then smiled a little, asking quietly: “Are you going out to Zecora's again tomorrow? I'd like to maybe come with you. Help out the zebras a little...”
“I think so. That'd be swell Twilight.” Applejack nodded firmly, and then she smiled over at Rainbow Dash as he grunted in agreement. “I'll come by in the morning, then we can head over to Zecora's hut. How's that sound?”
“Sounds good.” Twilight replied softly, and the ponies traded smiles and nods before Rainbow and AJ turned, heading for the door. Twilight opened it with a flick of her horn for them as she followed them to the doorway, smiling warmly and calling easily: “I'll see you tomorrow! Have a good night, huh?”
“We plan on it!” Rainbow grinned over his shoulder with a wink, and Applejack laughed and shook her head as she nudged him playfully as the two walked into the night, starlight streaming down from above and the moon lighting their path. The night had become comfortable for them as they made their way through the square and onto the familiar dusty road before the Pegasus said softly: “Feels weird, huh?”
Applejack grunted at this, looking awkwardly down as they continued on in silence before she said softly: “I feel dumb, Dashie. Like I been way too bullheaded about this whole thing and like... you know, I went and forgot who my friends really were. I went layin' blame at the doorsteps of ponies who might not have deserved it, and yet...”
She hesitated, then looked apprehensively towards Rainbow, but when the Pegasus only gazed back at her lovingly, without judgment, she said slowly: “I respect Scrivener and Luna more after hearin' their stories. I'm more willing to give 'em a chance. But at the same time... I got this bad, bad feeling in my gut. Did you see Luna's eyes? Did you see the way...”
She fell silent, and the Pegasus smiled a little, saying teasingly: “What, you jealous of 'em? Sure, they're not exactly the most polite couple out there, the way Luna was all curled up with him and... well... okay, okay, don't give me that look. It wasn't like... like it was before, I know. They've always been all touchy and usually Scrivener tried to keep Luna away but this time...”
“She was starin' at him almost the whole time when she wasn't looking at Twilight or glaring at us... clinging to him, and he was sitting there... petting her every now and then. Sure ain't the way we treat each other.” Applejack paused, then glared at the Pegasus when he flapped his wings to fly low in the air beside her, raising a hoof with a questioning look at her. “You even do it once, mister, and I'll kick you to the moon.”
“Nice choice of words.” Rainbow said before he could stop himself, and Applejack gave him a flat look before the Pegasus hesitated, then said awkwardly: “And okay, so. It looks like at some point, Luna and Scrivener decided to apparently switch roles in their relationship and are a little uh... visible about it. But hey, we all still poked lots of fun at each other and he didn't seem... you know, evil.
“Look, I know what you mean, I'm not saying I don't. But Spike and Rarity were comfortable enough with them, too, and I think that says a lot... they aren't exactly the kind of people to sit in the jaws of evil and all. Neither is Fluttershy... hell, she trusts them enough to bring all the foals there, and you saw how Luna is with those kids.” Rainbow continued firmly, but it sounded more and more like he was trying to reassure himself before he grimaced and dropped out of the air with a curse, halting and rubbing at his bandaged wing as Applejack turned towards him with a look of concern. “No, it's... fine. Guess I do gotta take the night off after all.”
He halted, then looked up at the night sky, the two standing silently in the middle of the road for a few moments before they both glanced to the side as a dark shadow whispered past... and then Applejack closed her eyes, murmuring: “But even excusing the fact she sent a demon out to look after her daughter... I got this awful feeling. It ain't that I think they don't wanna do good, but more and more, I'm scared of what they'd be willing to do... and thinking of what Twilight said, what are we really here for, why were we really brought back...”
Rainbow Dash remained silent, and the two walked the rest of the way in quiet back to the farm. The short while they were awake after that was muted, as too many thoughts spilled through their minds as Applejack helped changed the dressing on her husband's wing, then sat with him quietly in the den, kissing his forehead softly as they held each other on the couch in a room lit dimly only by the faint glow of a shaded lamp.
There was a knock at the door, and Applejack sighed in relief as she heard it open, striding across the room towards the hall as Apple Bloom bounced in with a happy smile. She patted her lightly on the head as she passed on her way towards Rainbow Dash, then the goldenrod mare continued to where Fluttershy was standing at the door, opening her mouth to greet her with a smile... and freezing up as she saw the Pegasus was accompanied by two Phooka who were standing a few feet away, just off the porch and away from the light.
She stood dumbly in the doorway as Fluttershy looked at her awkwardly, then said finally: “Sorry I was so long. Atrus came to pick up Scarlet Sage as I was making my way out here. They were going to accompany me, but then N... oh, I'm sorry, I'm not supposed to say their names.”
She smiled over her shoulder at the Phooka, and one of them nodded quickly and seriously as Applejack stared at her with disbelief, then asked stupidly: “You can speak to them?”
“Oh, yes. It's not hard... they're not like wild animals or the old, domesticated breeds in Equestria. They're a lot more like people... even if they're also very... very natural.” She smiled again, adding hesitantly: “They make me feel confident. And talking with them isn't hard. I just look into their eyes, and I can understand them-”
“You let them hypnotize you?” Applejack asked with disbelief, and then she winced and lowered her gaze quickly away from the emerald, burning eyes of the Phooka as she muttered: “Fluttershy, look, why don't you come on inside and your... friends can go home, and I'll have Big Mac walk you home later? Hell, you can even spend the night, Rainbow and I can just sleep down here on the couch.”
“Applejack, honestly, it's okay. They're very nice. They aren't mean to me, they don't think I'm odd for being so quiet, they're affectionate and like to spend time with me... and unlike the animals, they talk back. They converse, and show me beautiful things.” Fluttershy replied softly, looking over her shoulder at the Phooka before she shook her head and smiled a little. “They're troublemakers, too, but like foals are: they like mischief, but nothing that hurts anypony. They're not being harried or excited by forces of evil in this world like in old Equestria. Besides, I promised them a treat for being so good to me.”
Applejack shuddered at this, looking up with a grimace at the Pegasus, and Fluttershy blushed deeply, looking embarrassed as she lowered her head before the earth pony sighed a little. Even though her stomach was twisting into knots and she was worried as hell, she forced herself to calm down, to think of what the others had said and she had promised herself, and she mumbled finally: “Well... if you're sure.”
“I am. Thank you.” Fluttershy added quickly, looking relieved before she said kindly: “I'll be glad to look after Apple Bloom tomorrow while you're gone...”
“No, that's okay. She's gonna help Big Mac out, I think... Nibelung might do everything else but they're like little babies when it comes to fixing the compost. Amazing how greasy pig-wolves can whine so damn much about a little dirt and smell.” Applejack nodded a bit, and Fluttershy nodded back with an awkward smile before the earth pony mare stepped slowly backwards, meeting the Pegasus's eyes and saying finally: “Take care of yourself, Fluttershy, okay? And... have a good night.”
“You too, AJ.” Fluttershy replied quietly, nodding to the earth pony and giving a smile, even her eyes were now a little clouded with concern... and as Applejack slowly closed the door, she couldn't help but smile faintly to herself... her, bein' concerned for me...
Applejack hesitated, then leaned up to look out the window of the door, brushing back the cloth curtain, and she watched as Fluttershy calmly strode off into the darkness, a Phooka on either side of her. One of them was almost touching her, it was walking so closely by the Pegasus... and Applejack gritted her teeth before she drew away from the window and headed back to the den, forcing herself to calm down as she found Apple Bloom bouncing back and forth as she rambled: “-is so lucky! I mean, gosh, don't you wish you had a friend like that?”
Rainbow snorted in amusement, then replied mildly: “Kid, look at Pinkamena. I bet she'd beat Atrus into the ground with one hoof behind her back, so as it so happens I do got a friend like that.”
“But Pinkamena's always beating you up.” Apple Bloom said curiously, cocking her head, and even in her sour mood, Applejack couldn't help but grin a little at the blush that spread over Rainbow Dash's cheeks. “That's why I had to defend you, Uncle Dashie.”
“Oh, no, hey now, you... shut up.” Rainbow Dash said finally, and Applejack laughed as Apple Bloom grinned, the Pegasus grumbling and crossing his forelegs as he said flatly: “You kids know how lucky you are that apparently Pinkamena has a heart, maybe even a soul, hidden beneath all the... razorblades and blood and poison and... death?”
“Oh, she ain't that bad, Uncle Dash, she's just a little... squirrely.” Apple Bloom said finally, and Rainbow Dash grunted at this, looking moodily at the filly before she shook her head with a smile. “I knew she wouldn't hurt us, anyway. Well, ain't no surprise she wouldn't hurt Scarlet Sage, shouldn't be no surprise to you, either.”
Rainbow grunted at this thought, nodding a little before Applejack interrupted gently: “Okay, enough of this talk for now, you can go back to humiliatin' my husband tomorrow, Apple Bloom. For now, though, you need to get off to bed and I think we do ourselves. Been a long day, and I need you to help out big brother tomorrow.”
“Aww, but I thought I was gonna get to hang out with the Cutie Mark Crusaders some more, or at least that me and Rainbow was gonna go out and find those statues!” Apple Bloom complained, and Rainbow frowned curiously over his shoulder at Applejack.
The mare only smiled, however, saying quietly: “You got a whole lifetime to do that, sis, don't you forget about that now. We gotta get ourselves back used to actually working though at some point though, don't we? And Big Mac is gonna need at least a little help with the chores tomorrow, and me and Rainbow gotta go out to Zecora's again anyway to help the zebras.”
“Well... okay, yeah. I get your point.” Apple Bloom nodded a little, smiling despite still looking disappointed, and then she smiled a bit more and closed her eyes when AJ reached forwards and ruffled her mane firmly. “Okay. But before the end of the week we get to go looking for those statues, right?”
“I'll even go with you fellas, I'd like to see 'em for myself.” Applejack promised, and Apple Bloom smiled warmly up at her sister, nodding firmly. “Now come on, let's get you to bed.”
It didn't take long for the ponies to prepare for sleep... and although normally she didn't bother, that night Applejack locked the front and back doors after making sure the spare key was in its usual hiding place under the deck for Big Mac. Then she headed upstairs and found Rainbow waiting for her in bed... but they only shared a kiss, and then curled themselves together, both needing the comfort of each other's embrace.
They slept... and as Applejack tossed and turned that night, strange dreams invaded her mind, a mix of memory and fantasy, reassurance and fear. They slithered through her mind, as she saw Luna, glowing with energy and drenched in blood, her teeth like blades as the dead rose in front of her to face a horrible monster and grinning, puppeted corpses, and among the dead Luna's magic rudely yanked out of their rest was Rainbow Dash...
And then the dream changed, and the dead were bowing as Luna grew and warped, her mane like blue fire, her eyes glowing and animal as she looked over her shoulder... and as moonlight bathed the Tyrant Wyrm, shining down from the sickly ivory sphere in the sky, she realized it was Scrivener Blooms as Nightmare Moon murmured over her shoulder, striding towards this beast without fear: “Your Elements of Harmony, your pathetic toys, can't stop me now...”
Applejack shivered, staring helplessly, as Celestia strode out of the darkness, thick reins hanging from her neck and muzzle and blinders half-concealing her eyes as she bowed to the two among the puppeted dead. And then Pinkamena rose up from the ranks, grinning and covered in blood, heavy, ugly armor over her body as she said coldly: “I'm just biding my time for payback, and I think you know that. I'm just pretending to get along with everypony... but one day...”
She laughed, and Applejack shook her head violently before she stared as Twilight crawled up out of the muck and mire in front of the audience of the undead, out of some gaping hole in the dark, muddy earth... and then she hauled herself slowly, painstakingly forwards despite the thorny brambles wrapped around her and the blood and mire dripping off her as Nightmare Moon and the Tyrant Wyrm both coldly looked down at her, the violet mare's voice whispering through the night air: “Oh, I'd do anything for you both... in fact, I'm bringing you both a gift... a gift perfect for you two... I'm giving you my friends, because I don't need them anymore, I just need you...”
Twilight gently grasped Nightmare Moon's hoof in both her own, leaning forwards to kiss it as Applejack looked back and forth with horror as Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity and Spike walked by, and the Tyrant Wyrm grinned and its jaws began to open as the four heedlessly made their way into the crowd of the dead, not listening as Applejack screamed for them to stop-
The mare snapped awake with a shout, sitting up and gasping in bed, sweat rolling down her body as she shivered violently and stared mindlessly back and forth at the room around her, Rainbow Dash stirring weakly on the bed beside her... and then, slowly, Applejack clenched her eyes shut as she whispered: “I'm not gonna let that happen. I ain't gonna let that happen, no matter what...”
And in the darkness, she shivered as she stared out into the seemingly-endless night.