Deep into the night, Applejack dug in her nightstand, pulling out the small, orange Geode. It felt so light in her hands, yet so heavy as she put it around her neck. By the time she looked up, there was another figure, sitting at the edge of her bed. Partly translucent, the figure glowed with an etheral light, small sparkles floating away from her.
"I'd forgotten you did that," Applejack muttered.
Harmony, bearing Sunset's face, met Applejack's gaze. "Does it bother you?" she asked.
"Nope," Applejack said, sitting down on the bedside. It creaked—unlike Harmony, she actually had weight.
At least, unless she chose otherwise.
They sat in silence for a minute. Harmony didn't move—even her hair was still.
"I'll go first," Applejack said. "I know why you did what you did. You knew me, nor Discord, would listen to ya if you asked us not to attack the ponies. So you had to go to extremes. I was...dammit to hell." She ran a hand through her hair. "I was as stubborn back then as I am now. Once you petrified Discord, I'd never have listend to you. And without you, I'd have stayed holed up in Everfree, killin' most anything that came by. I needed...to know. The value of life."
Harmony stayed silent a moment, before answering. "I'm sorry that I choose to do what I did. I should have found some other way to handle it, or let you know in advance, before the Princesses petrified Discord. And I'm sorry that you suffered like you did."
"Why..."
Harmony opened her mouth...but paused, letting Applejack finish her question.
"Why do they die so fast?"
Harmony looked away. "That's not the right way to think of it."
Applejack blinked, staring at her.
"They live their lives. We live ours. Immortal lives." She clasped her hands in front of her chest. "We don't die. They do. But we can meet them...over and over again, we can meet the best and the greatest. The kindest and the wisest. We can get to know them all. That is the proper way to think about it."
"Hmm."
"Is that all you have to say?"
Applejack shrugged. "I dunno. I'm kinda locked in place for right now. It'll take some time before I can move too far away from Everfree and Sweet Apple Acres, but...maybe you have a point. It's not about how many of them die. It's about how many of them...we can befriend."
"That's...how I've always thought of it, anyway."
"Have you ever found it funny," Applejack began, "that Discord almost always takes the same form, but you almost never take the same one twice?"
"Harmony and Chaos are not opposite," she said. "Take Pinkie Pie. She is a wonderful, harmonious pony. Few can get along with as many people as her. Yet, she is chaotic and spontaneous, as well."
Applejack's mouth quirked up. "Yeah, that's right. 'Cept, of course, that she's not a pony here."
Harmony stiffened, then smiled. "Yes, I...suppose I haven't spent much time over here."
"You're..." Applejack cleared her throat. "You're welcome to spend time whenever you like."
Harmony stared at her, then smiled. "Thank you. Sisters?" She extended her arms.
Applejack threw her arms around her, squeezing her tightly. "Sisters," she agreed.
The doors to Sugarcube Corner opened. The Rainbooms looked up, from their pastries, as Applejack walked into the diner.
The store was closed today, leaving Applejack plenty of privacy to talk to her friends.
"I'm mighty sorry about the way I acted," she said, nearing the table. "I was angry, and sad, and lashing out. I shouldn't have taken it out on you."
All her friends began talking at once, moving over to hug her.
"Cake time!" Pinkie shouted, dropping a massive platter from...somewhere...on the table.
"Have you had that in your hair since last night?" Sunset asked.
Applejack sat down at the table, hands clasped together. "I'm...gonna be out of town for a bit," she admitted.
Silence fell.
"I thought you couldn't get too far away," Rainbow said.
"Yes and no. I'm more or less bound to Everfree and Sweet Apple Acres, but either Everfree works," she said. "And...if nearly drownin' all my friends in lava taught me anything, it's that I should get a hold of this. It's been a long time since I used these powers, and...I don't want to hurt anyone. So, I'll be practicing out of town."
"Oh," Fluttershy said. "That's okay. Whatever's best for you, we'll all do our best to help you."
The rest of the Rainbooms nodded.
Applejack smiled. "Thanks bunches, girls."
"How long are you gonna be gone?" Rainbow asked. "You'll be back in time for band practice, right?"
"I'll stop by for that, but I was gonna be gone for a week or two. Maybe more." She shrugged. "I don't want to hurt you. You're my friends, so...I want to make sure I'm at my best with this."
"It's alright, darling," Rarity said soothingly. "Fluttershy's right. We're willing to do whatever it takes to help you."
"Thanks, girls." She opened up her arms, bracing herself the for the group hug. Her friends piled on top of her, squeezing tightly, as they said various kind words and encouragements.
"When were you leaving?" Sunset asked as they broke apart.
"Today," Applejack replied. "If you need me, ask Harmony." She tapped her Geode. "She can relay anythin' back to me."
"Um, can she hear us through these things?" Rainbow asked cautiously, holding up hers.
"More or less. She's not omniscient, though, so she'll only hear ya if you're calling her," Applejack said. "Don't worry, she wouldn't invade privacy like that."
Sunset gave her an elbow to the ribs, and a sly smile.
"Ha ha," Applejack muttered. "Yeah, I already said I was sorry, Sunset. Several times, if I recall."
Sunset laughed. "It's alright, I just couldn't resist. Anyway, if you're going to be gone a while, why not we have just a little more fun?" She pointed at Pinkie's cake. "Enjoy it while it lasts?"
Applejack smiled. "Absolutely."