//------------------------------// // Well, I wished I was a turtle dove. // Story: Outlet. // by Reptilicus //------------------------------// The brown and pink steam train bore its way across the icy prairie, leaving twin trails of coal smoke and white steam as it rode. Winter was just starting to peek its head through the autumn weather, leaving the scrub brushes and shrubs tinkling with small bright specks of ice forming on their leaves. The few small ponds and villages that passed by in the morning were all calm and still. It was much too early for most ponies to be up, many comfortably wrapped in blankets. The quiet chugs of the train and howls of the wind were the few sounds that passed from the landscape, through the window, and into the interior of the traincars. Rarity sat in her berth, staring out the window, her cheeks still wet with tears. Despite her panicked attempts at calling the police, there had been no sign of her friend. When she had finally come home from the gallery, her hotel room was empty. There had been no-one inside it for quite some time. From street to street she had wandered, carrying a canvas on her back featuring two ponies sitting on a hill. Whenever she had passed a crowd, she took time to ask them if they had seen an orange mare, resembling that of the one in the image. But none had seen her. Eventually Rarity had given up on her search. She gathered her things and hopped on the late-night train to Poneville, unsure of what to do. She wondered now where Applejack was. Was she in Manehattan still? Had she gotten lost? Had she tried to run home? Would Rarity have to beg Twilight to use some form of tracking spell so they could find the farm pony? And what to do once they'd found her? Assuming she was still alive and well. What could be said that would even begin to fix this situation? There didn't seem to be enough words in existence to clarify just how mournful the unicorn felt. Even the beautiful tundra, in it's early morning serenity, inspired nothing but cold emptiness in her heart. She felt empty. Grief, loneliness, and the recovery from the shock earlier had left her hollow. She stared out the window with a solemn blank expression. Every few minutes she would drum up the strength to take a bite out of the toast that sat on the platter to her side, or take a small sip from the cold tea that at one time had been steaming hot. She ate and drank out of necessity, feeling neither hunger or thirst in her sadness. Her thoughts focused entirely on the wonder of where her friend was, as she continued to lean against the glass window. Watching the world pass by as the wind howled and Celestia's star slowly crept into the sky, doing its level best to warm the cold landscape with it's love. ************************************************************* Twilight Sparkle stood on the deck of the train station, pacing nervously. Back and forth, back and forth, she walked, mumbling to herself and occasionally swishing her dark purple tail. Her brow furrowed in worry and heavy thought. A few feet away Fluttershy sat on a bench, looking sad and dejected. Both ponies were worried and filled with questions, the likes of which wouldn't be answered until the train finally arrived, bearing their friend and some news. There was a worn edge to the old peeling wood of the platform where Twilight's hooves had walked over it countless times. Fluttershy glanced down at these, wondering just how many times Twilight had paced since the two of them had arrived. "Twilight?" Fluttershy asked, her voice scarcely above a whisper. "Yes, Fluttershy?" Twilight continued her circular path, not even glancing up. "Well...um....I think maybe you should sit down for at least a little while." "I don't really feel like sitting, Fluttershy." "Yes I know....but.....it's not good for you to be so stressed out." "I'm not stressed out!" "Yes you are. But it's ok! I just think you know.....Celestia might be upset with me if I don't follow up on my promise." "UGH!" Twilight groaned, remembering how her mentor had asked her friends to swear an oath not to let the bookish unicorn get herself riled into a tizzy again. Lest she once again endanger others with her magic in a fit of stressed crazyness. "Plus think of your blood pressure! Or all the energy that you could be saving for later. You might need it!" "Fine." Twilight grumbled, plopping down onto the old red bench next to Fluttershy. "Happy now?" "Oh yes! Thank you, Twilight. I know if you sit for a while you'll feel better, soon. I just know it." Fluttershy attempted a half-hearted smile at the grumbling unicorn. But it was to no avail. She too, was stressed out and worried. She bit her lip, trying to think of a way to alleviate the situation. "You know.....Twilight. I'm very worried as well. You don't need to be upset. Are you upset at me?" "No, Fluttershy I'm just really aggravated at how LONG THIS TRAIN IS TAKING!" Twilight shouted, suddenly seeing a small curl of smoke rise up over the horizon, signaling the arrival of the FriendShip Express IV, the main train that came to Ponyville. "Oh thank Celestia. FINALLY!" Twilight shouted as she hopped off the chair and strode up to the edge of the platform. "I really hope Rarity is on this one." Fluttershy squeaked as she cautiously stood up on the platform, too afraid to get as close to the track as Twilight was. With a loud whistle and a blinding cloud of steam, the train screeched to a stop. It's old worn iron wheels grinding loudly as it wobbled on the track, finally coming to rest at the platform. With a loud hiss, an enormous column of smoke exploded out the smokestack, followed by a guttural click as the latches opened causing the doors on the traincars to slide noisily off their hinges. A few ponies made their way out, large briefcases and rucksacks clenched in their teeth. After a minute a small white unicorn with a curled purple mane finally loped out of a doorway, looking quite depressed as she glanced over at her two friends. "Oh, Rarity I'm glad your safe!" Twilight called as she marched up to her friend. "Good morning, Rarity!" Fluttershy whispered as she came up from behind Twilight. Rarity gave them both a dry grin and nod before looking down at the floor, the joy quickly erasing from her face. Fluttershy glanced at Twilight who took a deep breath before stepping forward, stomping her small hoof into the floor in what she hoped would seem a very authoritative stance. "Rarity, we need to talk." Twilight said in a stern tone. "Applejack came into town on foot a few hours ago. She looked awful and she was covered in dirt and dust that was stuck to her face like she'd been weeping. She looked like something horrible had happened. Now she's not talking to any of us and shut herself away on the farm. What the hay happened in Manehattan? Why aren't you with her?" "We're very worried." Fluttershy softly cooed, giving Rarity an affectionate nudge with her forehead. "About both of you." Rarity sniffed a bit before raising her head, looking into the sky, lost in thought. She turned to her two friends. "Girls I'm not sure how to put this but....." Rarity bit her lip a bit as she stared at the floor. "....I really hurt Applejack. I tried to organize a little family reunion for her but I......just....got in over my head. I didn't realize her Manehattan family were such....awful abusive fiends. Some of the worst individuals I've ever had the misfortune of being in contact with. I was a fool and Applejack paid the price. I'm going to try....to speak with her....but....." Rarity trailed off, feeling tears form. She quickly wiped her eyes. "I'm not sure she'll ever forgive me." Rarity whispered as she looked at Twilight and Fluttershy. "I may have just broken the Elements of Harmony. I'm....so sorry." "Rarity if you need help....with Applejack." Twilight began. "You can always call on the rest of us." "We'd do anything to help you two be friends again." Fluttershy said with a small nod. "Whatever it takes so we can all be together again." "Thank you, girls." Rarity croaked, wiping her nose with a lace kerchief. "But I fear this is the kind of thing I can't solve with mere words. I'm not sure what to do." *************************************************************************** Rarity winced as she quietly trotted up the dirt path to the farmland. There in the distance was Sweet Apple Acres, beautiful as ever. And at the gate stood something she had expected, but simultaneously dreaded: Big Macintosh. The massive stallion, who towered over everyone else in town, was stoically standing behind the small wooden door of the fence, an expression on his face that could curdle milk. Next to him sat the small green form of Granny Smith, who looked sad and older than ever. Rarity could sense the hostility as she approached. They knew what had happened, she could tell from the way they watched her come up the road. It took all of her willpower to keep walking, to push herself forward as their combined gazes sent soundwaves of guilt across the road. She stood before her observers, trembling. "I'm sorry." "I don't rightly blame ya, Miss Rarity." Big Mac said with a small grimace. "I know ya wouldn't purposely try to hurt my little sister. I know you two are real fond of each other." Granny Smith turned to her grandson and gave him a small nod of approval. Big Mac glanced briefly at her before turning back to Rarity, his expression hardening. "But then again...." he began, his booming voice growing louder. "How could you do that? How could you not ask first?" "Big Mac...." Granny Smith whispered urgently. "I didn't know!" Rarity yelped. "I didn't know they were so awful!" "Are you just not a good judge of character then!?" Big Mac bellowed, losing his temper. "Big Mac!" Granny Smith whispered again, much more harshly. "They seemed nice at first. They told me they loved her!" Rarity squeaked, coming close to tears again. "Course they did! They'd say anything to get more money from her! Did they tell ya how they locked Applejack in her room for days at a time cause they were humiliated of havin' her in the house?!" "Big Mac!" Granny Smith shouted, trying desperately to get his attention. "Did they tell ya how they took half of daddy's inheritance? Did they tell ya how they forgot to feed Applejack sometimes? How they burned the letters she tried to send to us?! How they didn't care when she managed to jump out a window and got away!?" "BIG MAC!" "Did they tell ya how the police found Applejack bleedin' in an alley with rats gnawin' on her wounds? After near a whole month of her going missin'? Did they tell ya how after she got back from the hospital with all them stitches, they locked her in her room again!? How they pretended the accident was her fault!? How they didn't even want to call her their niece anymore?!" "MACINTOSH. GO INSIDE NOW!" Granny Smith screeched. With a snort of anger, Macintosh turned away. He trotted angrily up to the farm, slamming the door shut behind him as he was entered the home. Rarity had her kerchief to her face, trying to hide behind it. She couldn't bear to look up at them. Granny Smith sighed quietly, pulling Rarity into a comforting hug. After a moment, Rarity hugged back, unsure of what to say. "He's jes'......upset yeh know." Granny whispered. "Always tryin' ta' protect his baby sister. Doesn't realize she's all grown up. Makin' her own decisions." The old green nag broke the hug, taking Rarity's hooves in her own wrinkled ones. "Listen, honey. I don't know...the details o' what happen'd in the city. I don't need to know 'em. Don't wanna know 'em. But I ain't seen Applejack like this since.....that day." Granny Smith looked up at the sky for a moment, swallowing hard before looking back down at Rarity. "She needs her friends right now. She needs love right now and mine ain't workin'. She needs you more than ever. Go on." Rarity passed through the gate, quietly thanking Granny with a small nod before trotting out into the green. It seemed such a shame that such a beautiful chilly day was being marred by such an event. Rarity began to pass by the gardens, the cabbages all covered in wax paper to shield them from the cold night air, now covered in the warm morning dew. She made her way into the orchard, surrounded by apple trees. A small dark shadow seemed to be passing across the ground, making its way toward her. All at once Rarity found herself being accosted by what seemed to be a million feathers, a whirl of color, and a pair of glaring but beautiful red eyes. "Stop right there, buster!" came the sharp cry of Rainbow Dash. "You're not allowed near Applejack anymore!" Rarity pursed her lips as she tried to extract herself from the angry flapping wings. "Oh for goodness sake, Dash!" Rainbow Dash grabbed a twig from the closest apple tree and scratched a crude line into the dirt between herself and Rarity, quickly tossing the twig away and staring with a challenging expression. "This line is the barricade. You aren't allowed to cross it." Rarity folded her arms and frowned. "She's my friend too, Dash. I can see her if I like." "Some friend you are!" "I was misled, Dash. And I let my excitement cloud my judgement, now let me through!" Rarity tried to get around the cyan pegasus, who immediately blocked her path each time. Finally Dash pressed her forehead against Rarity's and flapped her wings, shoving them both farther from the unicorn's destination. "I said NO!" Dash shouted, landing on the ground and flaring her wings as if she was going to pounce. "I need to apologize!" "You need to get away from here before you mess her up anymore!" "Dash I realize you've never been in this sort of situation before....." "Don't you start!" "....but Applejack doesn't need your protection." "Yeah well....um....she doesn't need you finding more relatives! Or something!" Dash spluttered, hoping her shot back at Rarity sounded in any way clever. "She trusted you, Rarity!" "She didn't tell me about them." "Oh." Dash's anger deflated a bit. "I thought she had." "Why would you think that?" "Well...." Dash sat on her haunches, rubbing her arm nervously. "She came to me asking like....how to be more open with you. Or something. She wanted to trust you with her secrets I think. I thought you guys were getting along great." "I tried, Dash. I tried to find out what was making her so....uncomfortable. But she wouldn't tell me and I kept backing off thinking I was going to offend her. I wish I didn't. now. I wish I'd just let her stay here in town." "A pretty jerky thing to do." Dash growled. "I didn't know." Rarity hissed, feeling her temper rise. "You don't see me trying to reunite Pinkie with her weird old mom and dad." "What you and Pinkie have is very different." Rarity corrected in a very matter-of-fact tone. Dash was up on her hooves again, her rainbow hair bristling. "How is it different?" "Applejack and I...our relationship is well...more mature." Rarity said with a small nod. "Is that so!?" Dash leered, clearly getting madder by the moment. "And what....PRAY TELL...do you two princesses do all day?" "We discuss trivial and humorous matters while engaging in productive recreational activity." "So you just joke around and have fun, right." Dash replied, her sneer becoming a wicked smile. "What do you think me n' Pinkie do all day?" Rarity opened her mouth to speak, unable to come up with a real rebuttal. She shook her head as she realized how much time she was wasting standing in the orchard arguing with Dash. "I don't have time for this, Rainbow." Rarity said as she stood back up and tried to shove her way around the pegasus again. "I need to at least try to fix this." "I said NO!" Dash shouted, pushing Rarity backwards. "Rainbow Dash stoppit!" came a high pitched somewhat squeaky voice. Both mares turned in the direction of the sound to see Pinkie Pie skipping her way through the apple trees. She hopped over and immediately latched onto Dash, pulling the pegasus away from the etched line in the dirt. When she felt she had dragged her friend a sufficient distance, she walked around in front, giving her a somewhat upset pout. "Look at her, Dashie! Can't you see you're making her sad! Stop being a big meanie and let Rarity in!" Pinkie gave Dash a small angry prod in the shoulder. "You know and I know that she'd never hurt AJ on purpose. So quit it!" Any emotions Dash was feeling were soon replaced by a sheepish expression as she gazed at the ground, unable to look into Pinkie's innocent blue eyes as they scolded her silently. "Yeah....I know. M'sorry." "You don't need to apologize, Dash." Rarity said gently. "I'm the one who screwed up." Pinkie gave Dash a gentle nuzzle with her snout before prancing over to Rarity. "I'm sorry, Rarity. Dash gets kinda....." Pinkie rolled her eyes. "I know, dear." Rarity replied. "She's the Element of Loyalty after all. I would be more surprised if she wasn't so overprotective of her friends." "What happened, Rarity? Why's AJ all mopey dopey and not talking to anyone? I haven't seen her like this since that time when one of the cows fell off a cliff. And even then she wasn't this sad!" "I stuck my nose into affairs that were not mine, Pinkie. And well....a lot of awful things happened. I need to know where she is so I can speak with her." "Well AJ is over that way!" Pinkie chirped, pointing one of her bright pink hooves out into the orchard. "She's hurtin', Rarity. She's hurtin' real bad." Dash muttered, still staring at the ground. "Thank you." Rarity said, giving Pinkie a polite nod and noticing for the first time that there was a small blue feather tucked behind her ear, in much the same way one would tuck a pencil there. "Oh, well that's very pretty. Dash's I assume?" "Mmm Hmm! She gave it to me as a present." Pinkie wagged her tail joyously as Dash's face went red as a beet. "What's that?" Rarity asked, glancing upward, noticing for the first time a small dark stain in the sky above the tree line. It curled and dissipated almost like..... "...is that smoke?" Rarity asked, suddenly feeling a twinge of fear. "Oh....." Pinkie's face suddenly went very serious as her squeak faded into a solemn whisper. "Granny Smith didn't tell you about that part...." ********************************************************** Rarity galloped through the forest of trees until she saw a few rays of sunlight peeping in, causing her to increase her speed. She reached a clearing past the orchard where one of the old barns stood, having not been used in some time. There was a hole, a large pit, dug into the earth, with a small pile of muddy spades and trowels resting a few feet away, glistening in the light. At the center of the pit sat a darkened kindled mass, smouldering. Even through the smoke and embers, the wooden frames and bits of canvas could be seen. The smell of lunt and burning botanical pigments filled the air, causing Rarity to slow to a crawl as she cautiously approached the fire pit. Nearest to the edge of the clearing, near the edge of the pit was a pile of burlap cloth, concealing some sort of lumpy object. Rarity swallowed as she approached, making her way around the hole. There Applejack lay on the edge of the pit, wrapped in burlap sheets, staring into the fire. Her eyelids were swollen, and her eyes in general looked tired, large dark bags of skin under them. Her hair was a messy bundle of blonde strings, waving delicately in the wind. She was motionless as Rarity approached, and made no notice of her friend. Rarity sat as quietly next to Applejack as she could, trying her best not to disturb the peace. Several minutes passed as neither spoke. Rarity cleared her throat as quietly as she could, feeling her nasal passages dry out in the heat from the smouldering paintings. She licked her dry lips, deciding that if she didn't speak now, she may never work up the courage to do so. "Applejack?" There was a small rustle of movement under the burlap, which was enough to acknowledge the presence. Rarity continued. "Applejack did you....run all the way back home?" There was the quietest of small grunts, almost inaudible from under the sheets. Rarity sighed. "You're really remarkable, you know." She was met with silence again. "I remember when we first decided to try this idea. We were sitting in that little cafe, eating eggplant fritters. You were so defensive when I wanted to talk about you. So shy to let me see your inner beauty. You were so frightened at the idea of letting me see that side of you. Your gentle side. I remember I promised you.....I swore..... I wouldn't let you get hurt or embarrassed." Rarity lifted her foreleg, delicately placing her hoof on Applejack's still form. "I didn't keep my promise to you. I'm not sure what I can say to you now." There was still no sound. Rarity extracted her hoof, slouching forward slightly. "I wish you had trusted me but I never let you try to trust me. I spent too much time being....me and not a friend. And I wish I had thought ahead. I wish I had realized right at the start of the trip that bringing you was going to end badly. I wish I had paid more attention. I wish I was like you and followed my instincts. There's so many things I wish I had done better, to protect you and your art. But I didn't and you suffered for it." Rarity turned back towards the fire, watching as small bits of burning canvas bobbed up through the hot smoke, turning into ash in the cold air as the smoke continued to churn upwards. "I know you didn't want me to come here. I know you don't want to see me ever again. I don't blame you. I'm not here to ask forgiveness. I just want you to know that....I...." Rarity sniffed as she felt hot liquid forming in her eyes. There was a quiet rustle as the bundle of burlap lurched upward from Applejack sitting upright. "It's ok." came a very rough and dry southern drawl. "I forgave ya on my run." "Hmm?" "I already forgave ya hours ago, Rare." Applejack rasped, still nearly invisible under all the sheets. "Wasn't right of me to yell at ya like that. And rip up that gift ya made for me." "Don't you DARE apologize!" Rarity shouted. "This is my fault. I should have talked with your family. Or talked with you. You did nothing wrong other than wanting to be left alone and I couldn't even do that. I couldn't just leave you alone and I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Applejack!" "What happened to your hoof?" Applejack asked, the tip of her muzzle just barely showing from under the sheets. "Oh that. I may have...well....done something rather barbaric." "You?" "I sort of struck your Uncle in the mouth. And your Aunt. Several times actually...um....I sort of chipped my hoof." The burlap sheets fell away as Applejack shook her head, turning towards Rarity for the first time. Her face was still dirty, dark brown streaks on her cheeks from where dirt and tears had intermingled. "You of all ponies....got in a fight?" "I wouldn't really call it a fight, it was somewhat one-sided." Rarity whispered, unable to look into Applejack's eyes. A pair of orange hooves slowly reached down to grab Rarity's arm, as Applejack furrowed her brow to study the chipped cloven hoof of the unicorn. "Well shoot, Rare. Y'all ruined your perfect foot." Applejack said with a sad voice. Her face cracked into a small grin as she looked up. "What else did you ruin?" "Your Uncle's teeth. And your Aunt's eye. I'm sorry, Applejack!" Rarity coughed as she tried to fight back tears. "That's the best thing I ever heard." Rarity looked up to stare right into Applejack's green eyes. Despite the mess and dirt and grief, there was a warmth in those eyes. A warmth that made them both feel so comfortable to be near each other. Applejack let go of the hoof, her expression saddening as she turned back toward the fire. "My insides hurt." "I know." Applejack went back to watching the embers as Rarity gave her friend a quick once-over. The orange farm pony looked like she'd been through a nightmare. And in a way, she had. Mud and dirt were caked onto her coat, with scratches and scars all over her legs. Rarity felt her heart break and she took it all in. Her beautiful friend had become this mess, and like everything else in the last few days, it was all Rarity's fault. She could feel a lump in her throat forming as she looked away. "Hey, Rare." "Yes?" "What happened after I left?" "Oh!" Rarity nibbled at the strap on her side, extracting a large heaving saddlebag. She placed it on the ground between herself and Applejack, nudging it closer to the farm pony with her muzzle. "Well, the stir you caused actually made your art more popular." "That so?" "There's about 30 platinum bits in this bag. And more in my luggage at home. You and your family are technically millionaires now." "And if it wasn't for you, we'd still have nothin'...." Rarity turned to see Applejack was shivering, large tears forming in her eyes that fell, clearing some of the dirt from her face. Applejack turned toward Rarity, her jaw quivering. "Thanks, Rarity." "Don't thank me. It wasn't worth it." Rarity whispered. "It wasn't worth seeing you like this. Seeing what I've done to you." "I'm fine." "Stop saying that, Applejack." "Alright." "And stop agreeing with me!" "What do you want me to say?" "You should be upset with me! Angry! After everything that's happened and you're still treating me like I'm anything but scum in comparison to you. Like I've done anything worthy of your forgiveness!" "I can't hate ya, Rare. I love you too much. I mean yeah, some bad stuff happened. But alotta good stuff happened too. I don't wanna forget this chapter of my life." "Then why are you burning your paintings?" "Felt right to me. Time for a clean slate, I think. Something new." "You really are the most dependable of ponies." Rarity said quietly, admiring her friend. "Yeah, I guess I am." Applejack replied as she pulled the burlap sheets around her shoulders. For a moment Rarity sat just watching her friend. What a curious individual she was. Unable to hold a grudge, even after all this. Even after what seemed like something so unforgivable. Rarity frowned and looked at the earth between her hooves. "I wish.....there was something I could do to make this situation better." she whispered. "Well, actually Rarity. There something you could do for me maybe." Applejack said, her voice growing very quiet, trembling slightly. "What can I do?" "Could ya....hold me.....like you did in Canterlot? I liked that." Applejack's voice broke as she started to weep again, her whole body shaking as she sobbed loudly. Rarity scooted over and put her arms around her friend, holding her close. The two sat next to the pit until the substances within finally burned away. The memories could never be burned away, not even the bad ones. The ones that hurt the most. The ones that made you sick to your stomach. They'd always be there. But the reminders could be removed. The triggers that brought those thoughts up. They would be wiped away. A clean slate. It was time for something new, something pleasant. The two sat in the embrace for hours, unable to move or speak for fear of ruining the moment. When noon finally came and the air became too humid and uncomfortable they departed from the clearing. Rarity made it a particular point to take Applejack to her house to clean her up. It was a very quiet affair as she rinsed her friend off, pulling the dust and dirt and leaves from her tattered mane. Cleaning her wounds and trying to get the humble farm pony looking her best again. When they were done, they carried the rest of the money to Granny Smith and Big Mac, whom despite their initial discomfort, were glad to see that Applejack's talent had allowed them so many blessings. It would be many weeks before Big Mac would ever forgive Rarity. And many months until Applejack could find it in herself to paint again. But in that time the two would travel. Sometimes with their friends, sometimes just the two of them. But right now, in this moment, they were simply glad to be in each others company. As they walked from Sweet Apple Acres, giving a small casual wave to Granny Smith, the four ponies decided now that the time for grief had ended, it was time for something fun. And so, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie found themselves walking side by side down the streets of Ponyville looking for a place to have lunch. Later they'd be joined by Fluttershy and Twilight Sparkle, the six friends sitting at one of the outside tables at the Spot Hitter Cafe. What would begin as awkward conversation about the events that had transpired over the last few days, would soon give way to laughter and the kind of high tempo conversation the six casually enjoyed as they ate. Things would always feel a bit different, but in a way things felt a bit better as well. Through all the tragedy and sadness, their bonds of friendship had remained unbroken. In some matters, becoming stronger. Applejack and Rarity would find in each other a confidant. Someone to share the good times and bad. Someone to share secrets with, and grow old with. To relish in each others achievements, and comfort each other in times of grief. Whenever someone referred to a period of time as "the good old days" the two knew that the good days had never ended, and so long as they had each other, the good times never would. ******************************************************************* "Aww! Well aren't you just precious!" Scratch cooed at the tiny filly with the giant hairbow that sat before her. "Is your big sister around?" "Are you missus Scratch?" Applebloom asked, tilting her head to the side. "And missus Octavia?" "You hear that Octy? We're famous!" "Applejack really likes yer music! I do too! And so does Big Mac! Granny doesn't though, she says it sounds like a phone booth being hit with a calculator and a hammer all at the same time!" the small filly jumped up and down happily. "I'd agree with the grandmother." Octavia replied, trying her best not to laugh as Scratch's face went from joyful to unamused. The two were led around to the back of the farm. All around were employed ponies working. Some farmed, some were building, some were digging trenches. All wearing overalls that had a red apple stitched to the chest. Octavia and Scratch looked around in wonder at all the vegetables and fruit that seemed to be exploding around them as they followed the little filly. Apple trees, orange trees, pear trees, eggplant trees, even pineapple trees. Almost every variety of fruit seemed to have a tree. Even fruit that generally didn't grow on trees seemed to have a tree. Like the bizarre pumpkin trees that towered over the rest. Octavia couldn't help plucking a grape from a grape tree and chewing it happily as she was led into a clearing where several husky stallions were putting together a barn, lifting the wooden framework to a standing position with levers and pulleys. An old wrinkly green mare in a hard hat was barking orders through a megaphone at them. "C'mon yeh lazy bones! If'n yeh all can git this here barn up 'afore the afternoon, I'll git y'all a nice slice of my famous rutabaga pie!" the old mare shouted into the megaphone, causing every worker to stop and stare. "Oh snap! Rutabaga pie!" shouted one stallion as the others worked themselves into a frenzy, causing the barn to be built twice as fast. "Well." Octavia mused. "She certainly knows how to motivate her workers." "Hey there Octavia n' Scratch!" came a familiar voice. The two musicians turned to see Applejack was sitting a few meters away, painting onto a canvas, her blonde mane done up in a bouffant. "Nice hair, Jack." Scratch said with an amused snort. "Yeah, it was Rare's idea." Applejack replied with a small roll of her eyes. "I ain't too fond of it myself. Rare thinks it makes me look cute. I think it makes me look like n' old schoolmarm. Keeps my neck nice and cool though." "And just where is Rarity?" Octavia asked. "She's over with my other friends, they're pluckin' some of the cabbage trees." "Cabbage....trees?" Scratch raised an eyebrow and pulled down her goggles. "Yep! We're Sweet Apple Groves now. With all the money from the auction we were able to whip this place into shape. Me n' Twilight even found a way of getting things that don't normally grow on trees to well....grow on 'em." "That sounds weird yet cool." "Yeah, my friend Fluttershy thought it was an abomination against nature at first. Then she tried some of the broccoli from the broccoli tree. That changed her mind." "Well I'm going to say hi to Rarity. I shall be right back." Octavia flicked her tail on Scratch's snout as she walked off, causing the unicorn to grin. "So, Jack." Scratch began, walking around to the other side of the canvas. "What's this you be a-painting all up in here? Something funky and fancy?" The canvas depicted a blue gem hovering in midair. A bunch of vines were snaking out of the ground, wrapping themselves around the base of the gem, hoisting it into the air, the sunlight gleaming off of it. Every vine was covered in small jade leaves tipped with orange like that of a fern, ending with tiny red apples that almost looked like cherries. Behind the gem and plants sat a series of twisted yellow mountains, peaked with green snow against a purple sky full of black stars. "Whoa! Trippy stuff there, Jack! Like a prog rock band album cover. I like it!" "Thanks!" Applejack said, smiling. "It's been nice not havin' to do everything around here lately. Been able to relax alot more. And paint without feelin' all......weirded out." "So uh....." Scratch lowered her voice and sat down beside Applejack, with a concerned grin. "....how ya been? Hadn't seen ya after the whole....you know..... Manehattan thing. You and Rare-bear doin' ok?" "Yeah I'm fine. So's she." "Good. Good. I was worried you two were going to end up hating each other." "Naw! Heck, I trust Rarity like she was family. She might as well be. And she trusts me too. She's the best friend I could ever hope for." "I could certainly say the same." Rarity said as she emerged from the trees with Octavia and Twilight Sparkle in her wake. She trotted over and gave Applejack an affectionate nuzzle on the forehead before turning to look at the painting. "I see you've been busy." "Yep!" They were soon joined by the others and departed into the streets of Ponyville, away from the massive plantation and it's large white sign that read Sweet Apple Groves for all to see. Their destination was Sugarcube Corner, a perfect spot for dinner on a cold winter's day. As they walked through the town chattering animatedly, one could not deny that this group of friends were indeed like a close family. Each was different and each was special in their own way, some in ways that didn't make sense. But they had each other and that was all that mattered. And as Celestia's star dipped down signaling the start of the evening, the eight ponies remained at Sugarcube Corner long into the night, happy to have each other. DA END.