Luna resented sleep.
What had been her realm alone, once, was hardly recognizable; too many hooves had laid their mark on what was once a land of shadows. Celestia herself had been the night's guardian for many centuries, bringing even the sleeping world to brilliant light. When the alicorn Oneiro, the great somniomancer, was born, Celestia had gladly bequeathed the duties of guarding the dream world to him. Between them, the world of dreams was neat and orderly, an endless expanse; each dreamer had their own tiny bubble within that expanse, and these tiny pocket realms rarely crossed. Dreams had beginnings and middles and ends, and rarely roused anything more than pleasant confusion in the morning. They were not the fantastic tapestries Luna had merried herself with, the epics tragedies and comedies that had inspired poets and playwrights. But that was long before the bad times had started.
Then again, that was how the bad times had started, wasn't it? Luna could recall the great solemnity she took in guarding the night, protecting Equestria from the creatures that wandered in dreams and the monsters that came when the stars shone. She saw to it that the moon was free of monsters, that the skies were clear and full of stars, and that the dreams of her protected people were vivid, if not always joyful. She did not merely keep the night, she curated it, and it would be perfect for her little ponies.
If it meant changing ponies with magic to have the ears of bats and the wings and claws of dragons, creating a corps to guard the night? Although they struck fear into the hearts of mundane ponies, the Night Guard she created were no monsters, but had mortal hearts and free will. They all swore allegiance to her before, during, and after their transformations; it was a feeling akin to love. They willingly pledged their lives to her, her nation, and her night; how could she say no to their devotion?
If that meant her guard taking ever more clandestine 'intelligence' activities as Celestia's world slept, investigating rumors and bringing them to the light of the moon? Eyes could be carefully cast aside. The rumors and tremors that these activities created were worth it - as she and Celestia well knew - for the monsters of the world did not always come wearing a monstrous mask. She knew what she needed to know, and she trusted absolutely those she gave the necessary power; what more could anypony ask of her?
If it meant that she herself forsake sleep, ever wandering the dream world as a stranger, forever a step aside from it? No matter. Another day gone without sleep meant nothing compared to keeping Equestria safe from the monsters that crept into the world from the land of dreams; even a thousand years later, she recalled vividly all the times she failed. She would be better. The world deserved her to be better.
If it meant defying her sister's decisions, pushing for ever stricter laws and ever harsher punishments for benign infractions? The ends required the means. The world of Equestria was as much hers as it was her sister's, and it would be good enough for all her little ponies, from the oldest nag to the newborn foal. If Celestia could not see the need, then she would prove the need with facts as clear as moonlight.
If it meant the night grew longer and longer, creeping in on the day from both sides? Well, what of it? Celestia was concerned with grace and reconciliation, where Luna was concerned with duty. How could Celestia not see the risks of rampant chaos in the world, when they had fought together to forge the first peace in this wilderness? Luna could bear the weight of the worlds on her wings, and keep them steady in their flight; if Celestia could not see that, she would have to be made to see.
And if it meant openly attempting to tear down an empire based on a forgiving sovereign, replacing it with a republic based on absolute law, did it matter that her sister's blood would spill?
Celestia, in her ever gentle grace, did not correct ponies when they spoke of the demon that plagued Luna. Historians and metaphysicists alike suspected some sort of monster from the unknowable land of dreams. It was unthinkable, the idea that a pony so noble and gentle, seemingly so open and pure of heart, could become terrible of her own free will. A millennium later, the descendants of these historians accepted at face value the solar princess's explanation of the Elements of Harmony purifying her. It was, as Celestia herself liked to say, a "flattering depiction of the truth."
In truth, the Elements of Harmony had nearly no effect, their colorful energies easily deflected by Nightmare Moon's dark power. As the ancient artifacts' power swirled around Luna, always threatening but never managing to pierce her armor, they had proven nearly effortless. For all the storm and fury that had raged through that old castle, the Elements had only been able to plant one thought into Nightmare Moon's head: that her sister, after all their wars, was still willing to forgive her.
But that thought was enough.
Breaking Luna's heart was an important step towards redemption. But there were many to follow.
Compared to the dreamscape of her time, Luna regarded sleep almost with disdain. Ponies in this time painted their own dreams, filling the land of sleep with all the colors of the rainbow and others besides. Many were nonsensical. Many were just downright obscene. But Oneiro merely was a custodian of the land of dreams, not its sovereign. He did not make demands of those who entered it; rather, he merely made sure it was safe to enter. He, himself, had suggested Luna sleep like mortal ponies did; ever gentle, Oneiro suggested it would help with her reconciliation.
With her nightmares, he had said without thinking. But then again, he had been born after her banishment. The young could be forgiven such impropriety.
As Luna sprawled out in her bed, she cast one eye on the moon. It was high in the sky, and would stay there until she woke to guide it to its resting place once more. All she had to do was rest her bones, for long enough, and her mind would come following along. Just close her eyes, and allow sleep to overtake her. Any minute now.
Mortal ponies made it look so easy...
The only thing that alerted Luna to the fact that she was, in fact, dreaming, was the fact that she could not control her focus. Details that didn't matter became extremely important, like the pattern of stitchwork on her quilt. Things that should have mattered, she couldn't recall, like why part of her bedroom was an armory. But save for that wall of weapons off to a side, Luna found her dreamscape looked exactly like the room she had fallen asleep in.
"Well. My dreams are certainly... mundane. Still, I suppose that given a proper medium, even the real world has its charms." Luna looked around, and sprawled out on here bed, giving a very un-royal stretch and yawn, forelegs spread far in front of her and tail hiked high into the air. Both swiftly found themselves properly brought back under her, however, as there came an unfamiliar knocking at the door.
"Yes, do come in," Luna groused. Not even in her dreams could she escape the drudgery of ruling a kingdom, it seemed.
The door creaked open hesitantly. "Hello, Princess Luna..."
Luna's ears perked forwards in surprise. "Is that you, Twilight Sparkle?"
"None other," the unicorn said, giving an awkward grin as she stepped in. The last time they had spoken, she had been wearing a silly Nightmare Night costume; but outside of it, the librarian had a sort of trim, demure stature. The sight of her made Luna's heart flutter just a little faster. After having shown the proper respect due her station, Twilight had dropped the formalities, almost prancing in. "I haven't been in Canterlot in a while, and it's been a while since we last wrote - how have you been, Luna?"
Luna laughed wryly. "Eternally busy, as my crown requires." But as soon as Twilight was within leaping distance, the princess's wings spread wide, and a single powerful push of her wings launched her out of bed to land immediately in front of the smaller unicorn. Her visitor reeled back at the sudden pounce, and Luna had to laugh. "Oh, forgive my excitement. It's been some time since I've had company that wasn't concerned with paperwork and these games we call a government. Please, tell me," Luna smiled, giving the unicorn a soft nuzzle, which was returned in kind. "You have come a long way - how have you been?"
"She's been doing marvelously."
From the hallway, Luna's sister stepped into the room. She looked down to Twilight Sparkle and nodded politely, which reminded Twilight Sparkle of just why she was here.
"Oh! Soon, I'm going to be moving to Canterlot to resume my studies! Well, not 'soon' for me, considering I'm still going to live in Ponyville for a few more years, but I'm sure that's relatively soon for you," Twilight giggled. "I'll be able to see everypony here a lot more. Even - even you, Luna," she beamed.
And so the stars grace the moon!
"Why... that is wonderful news!" Luna had to smile. Surely, living in the same city as the night princess would make a few moonlit trysts much easier to organize. "What do we owe the pleasure to?"
"I'm going to continue my studies in magic - old, powerful magic. Princess Celestia thinks I can find ways to make old magic new again," she giggled, trotting in place. "Bringing back old magic so a new generation can appreciate it! Isn't this great?"
"It's amazing," Luna smiled. However, she shot her sister a quizzical stare. Celestia stepped into the room carefully, standing next to her sister and whispering conspiratorially.
"I do have... ulterior motives."
Luna looked to Celestia, who was not returning the look. Rather, Celestia's eyes were watching Twilight as she bounced around the room like a schoolfilly. She was smiling but her lips were taut, and there were tears at the corner of her eyes. Luna answered sotto voce.
"Thoughts of filling these empty halls, I am sure?"
"Mmm." Celestia's smile warmed just a little, as she finally turned to meet her sister's gaze. "To start. She would be the delight of House Celestine, to be sure." Her eyes locked with Luna's, conspiratorially. "But for her, I'm thinking of something a little more... special." It didn't take the eyes of a princess to see Celestia's wings flutter at the thought.
"Oh sister -" Luna started, blushing. "You are in love?"
For as much as she loved keeping her façades, there was a certain level of trust Celestia shared with her sister. As Celestia's eyes met Luna's, her tears flowed just a little stronger, and Celestia nodded curtly.
Luna could feel her heart tearing apart, but she forced herself to smile. "Well, then..." She lifted her voice up high again, speaking with far more joy than she felt. "We wish you well in your studies, Twilight Sparkle."
Twilight smiled, and bowed down to Luna curtly. "I hope I can see you again soon, Princess."
"It will be-" and I'll know just which chambers of the castle you came from! "- nice to see you, too."
Celestia laid a wing over Twilight, the featherlight touch guiding her protégé out and into the hallway once more. Luna waited until she was sure her sister and her student were out of earshot, then let loose a deep sigh.
Well. A mare of her talents and values, despite any faults, was sure to be fought over by the nobility, Luna mused wryly. Destiny does seem to follow her around.
Luna rolled onto her back and sighed. Perhaps another dream would-
thunk
Luna immediately jumped out of bed, searching for the sound of the wet impact. Again, the surprisingly curious stitchwork drew her attention, and it took an effort of will as great as that of lifting the moon to pull her gaze away and head - outside, to the balcony?
An old grey mare rested on the balcony, tumbled in a heap. "M-Mail's here..."
Luna stepped up to her. She vaguely recognized her, beyond the fact that she was a mailmare...
"I can see that, but... are you well?"
The mailmare gave a little giggle and an upside down grin, her smile becoming bashful. "Oh, I'm just fine!" She groaned as she rolled back onto her hooves, looking into her saddlebags. "But as to your mail, I'm afraid it's a little banged up..."
"No, do not worry! I am just glad that you are alright." Luna offered her hoof to the mare as she magicked away the daily communiques and letters. "Equestria would be at a loss without her most diligent mailmare, Derpy Hooves."
Surprised, Derpy blinked, looking at Luna through narrowed eyes. "I've never ever told you my name before...." Her wings flew up in shock, and she tried to meet the royal gaze. "I-I'm not in trouble, am I, Princess?"
"Oh, no, quite the opposite," Luna smiled, doing her best to simply step closer and not prance around Derpy like a giddy filly. "As a matter of fact, we have met before. Do you remember the last Nightmare Night..."
Derpy looked at Luna, her eyes becoming distant and unfocused as she tried to remember. Then, she gasped. "You were that mare who found me and helped me!" Her smile grew at the memories. "You told me about how you endured so many hateful words, and helped me feel better about... well... everything that happened that night. I never knew it was... well..." Derpy giggled. "...you!"
"I remember it differently," Luna said, her wings resting at ease at her side, remembering the way she had landed on that cloud and found the mare there, sobbing into her paper bags. "I remember a pegasi who helped me find peace with myself, by telling me how she had found her own peace."
"Oh, no, no no," Derpy shook a hoof, drawing it back demurely and with and embarassed blush. "You definately were the one helping me, Princess."
Luna quirked an eyebrow. "And if you like, Miss Hooves, I can make it a royal decree that you were the most wonderful aide this past Nightmare Night."
The two looked each other in the eyes, both determined to be the one who had been helped the most, neither willing to back down. But after a minute, they began to crack. Seeing the other start to smile, they tried to hold back; but not even that lasted long, and they both burst out laughing together, like old friends. Luna had to lean against the doorframe to her balcony, and Derpy had to lean against Luna...
oh, that feels nicer than I thought it would
Luna look down, and gave a smile when Derpy Hooves looked back up. It was nice to have a subject treat her as an equal, and not as a subject of awe or terror. She didn't know how Celestia managed it so effortlessly.
Celestia...
An idea itched at the back of her brain. A terrible idea. A wonderful idea. An idea that would shock all the royals - but then again, was she not bound by her station and her history? Any move to reclaim her House would scandalize a nation, but it eventually would need to be rebuilt. But Derpy was a silly mundane pegasus, with no royal connections, no political aspirations, and no rational gain to bring to a relationship. Except... friendship.
"Miss Hooves... I have a favor to ask of you."
"Well, I'm glad to serve," Derpy grinned, and stood up straight. "How can the Equestrian Postal Service be of service, Princess?"
Luna smirked. "Well, if this was a job, I'd be glad to take your service. No, Miss Hooves; this I ask of you."
The little grey pegasus perked her ears, curious. "Me? But... I'm just a silly pony..."
"No, Miss Hooves. You are a very silly pony," Luna pointed out, gently nudging a shoulder with a hoof. "But... I think that's why I'm extending you this invitation." Luna's breath caught in her throat, and it almost came out as a whisper: "... will you come to the Spring Ball with me?"
Luna didn't think that Derpy's eyes could grow any wider. A smile began to lift her lips, and her wings started to splay out in excitement. But before the acceptance could leave her tongue, the grey mare wilted. The shine left her eyes, and her wings fell to her back, halfheartedly clasped to her sides in an attempt to be demure. "... I can't."
"You... you cannot?" Luna blinked, not understanding. "Whyever not? I am the Princess! Whatever would hold you from attending such a simple thing as a ball, my attendants would be more than capable of-"
"It's Dinky!"
Derpy started to tear up, but she had to keep talking or she would start crying even louder. "She's... she's my only daughter, and I have to take care of her. And even if I found someone to take care of her for a night and left her to her own devices, she..." Derpy's voice cracked, and she had to breathe deeply to catch enough breath to make the next few words come out. "...she's still afraid every time I come home late that I'll disappear like her father. I just couldn't do that to her, Princess."
Derpy splayed her wings, and halfheartedly took off, hovering at eye level with the Princess. "I really appreciate it, really I do, but... I can't..." It looked like she was having to consciously control each wing, bouncing up and down in awkward flaps. "And Ponyville's a long way away..." Finally, she broke eye contact, and let her head hang. "I should just go, shouldn't I."
Luna wanted to reach out to her, but it felt like her hooves were made of lead as the mailmare made her way back to Ponyville. She stayed there, watching as long as she could as she became a little grey speck on the horizon, flitting about like a bubble on the breeze, before she was gone. With a sigh, Luna plodded back inside, grousing. Once again, her attention fell to the needlework on her sheets, and even though she knew it to be the product of dream logic, she was grateful for anything that distracted her from thinking.
After a while - Luna wasn't certain if it was the same dream, or if she had drifted into another - there came a knocking at her door. Luna didn't move, and regarded the door with a baleful eye, as if her pure hate of whomever was knocking would keep it closed. I am a princess of Equestria. If I want to lie in bed all day, then that is my decree. After a moment, the knocking stopped, and Luna gave a wry smile. As well you should obey me, accursed portal!
After a few moments, the door opened anyways. "Luna? Are y'all alright in here...?"
At the sound of her accent, Luna's eyes flew open wide in surprise, and she did her best to sit up straight in her bed and look like she hadn't just spent the last few minutes moping like a heartbroken filly. "I - oh, yes, please, come in, come in!"
Applejack entered hesitantly, an awkward glance to her eyes to see Luna sprawled out over her own bed. "I don't mean to intrude if this's a bad time..."
"It is not a bad time, no. In fact... I think I could rather use the company. Please, make yourself at home, Applejack."
She nodded, and smiled, doffing her hat and resting it at a table by the entryway. "Thank ya kindly." Applejack looked about the airy bedroom suspiciously. "Although... just how 'at home' are we talking, here?"
Luna shared a conspiratorial smile. "This room is as private as can be had in this castle. Which sometimes feels like not much at all, but..."
"... but I s'pose for my purposes, it'll do." Luna, who never disguised herself as a mortal pony, watched Applejack's transformation with some interest; what seemed to be a heavyset mare was revealed to be one who was, quite literally, carrying more than a normal pony's mass in her. Bones stretched to a more natural length, her body flowing along them; the poise of her true nature becoming more evident with every moment, taking on the proportions of one of nature's chosen. Her horn and wings came into view almost casually - not as if they had been hidden, but as if one had simply never noticed them. And when Applejack reached back to untie her hair and tail, far more hair spilled out than seemed to have been tied up.
Applejack sighed happily, and gave a little stretch before she walked up to Luna. "You ought to try it someday," Applejack said casually, giving a grin; she might have become a golden alicorn, but the saunter and relaxed tone in her voice was pure farmgirl. "Hide the stick an' feathers, shrink a little, tie up your hair, an' pretty sure nopony will know it's you under there."
"I have considered as much," Luna smiled back. "And it does help when I plan... shenanigans. But I treasure being myself all the more."
Applejack seemed to wince at Luna's words. "Myself... yeah." Applejack shook her head. "That might work for you, but for me that's the entire problem..." Applejack looked to Luna. "Luna, I got a question for ya." She didn't wait for Luna to give her leave, as she sighed. "Just... how do you make a path? From who you are, to who you could be?"
Luna's eyebrow arched. "I am afraid I don't quite follow."
Applejack sighed, and let her head and wings hang limply down. "I've been keeping this secret so long. Used to think that... that it'd just go away. But it's going all wrong. I used to think about all the time with my family I'd miss. About abandoning the farm. Abandoning my family." Applejack looked out the window, at passing clouds. "But isn't it the other way, too? Ain't I abandoning the good I could be doing?"
Luna smiled gently, and impulsively leaned off the bed, her muzzle reaching down to quickly peck Applejack on the cheek. Applejack's head shot up with a blush, but she didn't look away.
Luna had to grin. "I can see you are taking my lesson to heart, my little pony." She looked out the window, as well. "You've acknowledged your guilt. You've articulated it. And you've already started to defuse it, just by naming it."
Applejack snorted in disbelief. "I've done what now?"
"You worry about doing the right thing. About telling the truth. All this weight on your head, I am surprised that you have not discovered the long-hidden Element of Remose." Applejack had to laugh at that joke, making Luna smile. "Yet - you are not that pony any more, are you? That moment is gone. You cannot call back the die once thrown-"
"Uhm... m'pretty sure I can, sugarcube." Applejack said, her horn glowing golden for a moment.
Luna stuck her tongue out. "Well, perhaps Applejack the Wag might. But Applejack, she who wields Honesty, would not." Applejack had to give a little grin.
"But... to finish the old quote. 'You cannot call back the die, once thrown. But you can take them up and cast again.' Everything changes us, Applejack. You need not feel guilt about what you have not done or could not have done or chose not to do. Mistakes were made. But they taught you. That mare is fixed in the past, and has done her job in teaching the mare I see before me."
Applejack nodded slowly, and went to speak, but closed her mouth. Luna smirked. "Yes - this is one lesson I have learned personally."
"Well... huh." Applejack sighed, and rested her head against the bed, leaning against it. "It doesn't make it any easier..."
Luna reached out with one hoof, tenatively, and stroked Applejack's mane affectionately. She was several centuries out of practice, but she was glad to see Applejack close her eyes.
"Those moments are gone, sister... But there are more moments to come."
Applejack leaned her head back against Luna's hoof, and nodded. "And I can make these moments my own..." She smiled to her self, the friendly grin she was known for returning to her face. "Just 'bout anything I want..." Standing up, she let her wings splay to either side. "And to hay with the past!" She reared up and shook her mane out, letting it blow in an ethereal breeze; when her hooves came down again, her demeanor was once more renewed, free of doubt and daring the world. "And I reckon I know just how to start it off..."
Luna looked up just in time to see her step forwards onto the her bed. It had been so long since anyone had even lain a hoof on her that she was completely frozen by shock when the earthborn alicorn's strong hooves tugged her up in a tight embrace - although her wings, at least, spread wide in surprise once Applejack's kiss met hers. Luna's heart raced; even if only in the land of dreams, it had been very long time since she had felt a gentle hoof on her.
"Applejack... are you sure...?" Her blush was almost as warm as sunlight, and Applejack nuzzled against it firmly before leaning back, giving Luna her trademark casual grin.
"Sure as I'm an Apple," Applejack nickered. "Thanks to you, Luna... I reckon I know just what I want." One hoof stroked Luna's mane affectionately.
"I... oh... I accept, Applejack," Luna sighed. "But I do admit, Applejack, it has been so long since I have known another, I am out of..."
She trailed off, as she looked at Applejack, staring out the balcony. She hadn't heard a word Luna had said. Stepping off the bed, Luna came to stand beside her, looking at her with concern.
"I missed all o' this," Applejack said quietly. "All this beauty laid out for me, everything good in Equestria... and I hid from it." She frowned.... and, gently, lifted into the air. "Well, no more.... no more hiding, ever. I'm done. I'll make it official, here and now:" Unsteadily, the golden alicorn flew out the window a short way, splaying her wings as drew in her breath; when she shouted, her voice shook the mountains:
"HEAR ME, EQUESTRIA! I, APPLEJACK, CLAIM MY BIRTHRIGHT AND PLACE IN THE SUCCESSION AS HEAD OF HOUSE APPLE!"
The echoes came back from the countryside and beyond - there would be no mistaking that sound was that of an alicorn. Applejack heaved from the effort, but despite the sheen of sweat on her brow, her grin was there. Luna stammered in shock, "I - but - you didn't have a House - what?"
"Nah. Never claimed it. Never thought I was going to. But I guess that was just foalish of me." Applejack hovered in midair - a bit unsteadily, both from being far out of practice and from holding back the urge to do a loop-de-loop. "It's funny. Spent near to a century paralyzed in fear of it... but now all o' Equestria knows, and I've never felt this free!"
"And only now do you claim it? No preparation, no legal support -" no asking if there's anypony in love with you- "- nothing at all? This is... this is madness!"
"Yeah. But what can I say?" Applejack sniggered. "You gotta be at least a little crazy if you get in line for the throne."
Luna blinked. It was crazy. Then again, if Luna was going to have her heart broken a third time this evening, she deserved to go crazy, too. The night princess brought herself up to her full height, and splayed her wings wide. "Well. Then, there's only one thing I can do..."
WIth that, Luna splayed her wings wide and submissively. "Applejack, of House Apple. I relinquish my House, and beg of you-" sliding her hooves forwards and burying her head between her legs, her nose almost touching the ground. "I humbly beg entrance into your house... as your consort."
Please, Applejack! You must know what I'm asking! I can't say just that I - that I am in l...!
Applejack looked down to Luna, and clucked her tongue softly. "I'm sorry you thought I meant to show you up, sugarcube," Applejack shook her head dismissively. "But I never meant to take your House from you - this weren't no usurpation," Applejack blinked, then giggled. "Did I just say 'usurpation'? Heh! Not a royal for five minutes and I'm already speaking all in fancy!"
Applejack turned in midair, but looked back. "I guess I should go. Got about a thousand noble titles to sort out. Gotta hunt down every last Apple and tell them they're now barons or duchesses or grandees or what have you." Applejack paused for a moment. "I've got to tell Granny Smith she's legally a princess now. She became a princess before Rarity did. That'll be interesting."
Luna reached out to Applejack, but the gold mare was already kicking off to fly away. "Thank ya kindly, Luna - I needed that to see clearly." Luna gasped weakly as that warm smile - the one she had fallen in love with - turned away from her, the third pony she loved to abandon her bedchamber in as many hours.
Luna wasn't cold. She wasn't ill. Yet as she climbed back into her bed, pulling her quilt up, she couldn't keep herself from shaking. A thousand years ago, she was the scourge of the world. A century ago, she was a horror story. A year ago, she was the belle of the ball. Now, she couldn't even admit she fancied somepony.
To her credit, she almost got the quilt over her head before she started screaming. Applejack had turned her down! Her! Luna had hoped to have found someone who could help her shoulder the weight of eternity - and instead had seen Applejack disappear into politics the same as any other alicorn. In the end, she was no different from any of the other alicorns; simple plotters and schemers and policy-makers. Luna let her dream logic run wild, her eyes tracing the patterns in the stitchwork and hating every single moment of it.
Outside, there was a sudden clopping - the thundering of tiny hooves powering on stubby legs.
"Pwincess?"
From outside her quilt, something prodded at her. "I heard scweaming, and I thought you were-"
"Oh, didst thou think to console me? There was an unnatural edge to her voice, and Luna brought the quilt up in her magic, revealing her body curled under the quilt - not coiled for sleep, but as if prepared to strike, her dark fur blending in with the darkening room.. "Didst though imagine that my heart would not be prepared for thy spite?" As she rose, her eyes flashed, first paler, then pulling back into slits; when she sneered, it revealed vicious fangs. "I will not be threatened by those who deck themselves in the images of those who have shown me - care-" Luna's voice cracked one last time, but that crack was joined by several others as her moon-forged armor surrounded her once more, her night coming to her aid. She reared up and looked down on the terrified colt.
"I AM PRINCESS LUNA - HEIR TO THE THRONE OF EQUESTRIA - AND YOU WILL NOT THREATEN ME! BEGONE, FOUL APPARITION!"
"Aaah! Nightmare Moon!" The terrified pinto colt immediately bolted, his hooves not quite gripping perfectly as he skidded back through the door her came in, down the hallway, and quite possibly all the way out of the castle.
Luna's chest heaved from the declaration, shielding her heart with hate and rage. She was in the mood to fight. She was in the mood to kill. And then she looked to the side, at the mirror in the center of her armory, and saw her old persona looking back. Wrathful, Luna reared back and bucked the mirror, shattering it into a thousand pieces -
With a start, Luna woke. Luna quickly took mental stock of her situation, just to be certain she had actually woken. The merger of armory and bedquarters was gone. There were no hooves rapping at her door. She could focus anywhere she wanted - and the stitchwork on her quilting had absolutely no interest to her. With a grumble, she kicked off the sheets and rolled out of the bed.
Passing a mirror (which was not the centerpiece of an armory), she looked absolutely nothing like an Heir to Equestria. Her lips were torn from where she had bit into her pillows, biting back screams. Her hair was a mess, looking less like it was floating in an ethereal breeze and more like it had had a run-in with an ethereal blender. Even her coat was mussed, arched in random peaks where she had struggled against her sheets. She looked herself in the eye, noting they had been crying, and sighed sourly. "So, this is the look of 'dream therapy.'"
Luna snorted, and shook her head. "Celestia can keep it. I'll keep to my own sort of therapy..." With that, her eyes grew dark as she gathered her magic, thinking of where she best worked out her stress, the world disappearing in a flash of moonlight.
"SUBJECT!"
The tiny pegasus squeaked, hardly a colt himself, as the Moon Princess appeared before her in an explosion of light and midnight air. All around her, ponies were stunned into silence, disbelieving that she would just appear like that...
"I DEMAND YOUR LARGEST TUB OF CHOCOLATE CONCRETE!" Luna groused, as she slid into her usual seat. "AND MAY THE COOKIES BE DOUBLED!"
"The usual, coming right up," the head waitress sighed, filling out the ticket. Luna may have been a regular, but she tended to scare the customers...
Apple Bloom sighed, regretting the experimentation of the day before. Cream cheese is a wonderful ingredient, but there are places it is just not meant to go, and the apple-pepper mix that she and the girls had mixed up together had been at least three of them.
Doing her best to ignore the gurgle in her gut, the stomach-ill filly climbed into bed. Another glass of water had done nothing to well her upset stomach, and she felt warmer than she had in a while. Her hindlegs scrabbled at the bed, and failed. That was odd; normally, she could catch the edge of the bed there, and she could just slide up into bed. The filly was hot enough, however, that just having her forelegs hooked up onto the edge of the bed felt comfortable enough, and she rest her head against the sheets.
Apple Bloom closed her eyes. It was comfortable enough, propped up over the edge of the bed. Why, even in the middle of the night, she was almost as warm as a summer's day...
She really had no business being there. The old riverbed wasn't particularly cool, so it wasn't good for relaxing; it didn't have any orchards near it, so it there wasn't any work to do. It was on the far side of the farm from the clubhouse, so her Crusader friends wouldn't look for her. Really, about the only thing that the old riverbed was good for was for being alone. But it was that sort of day, the kind of day where you just wandered and explored until you found something interesting; some time to herself just felt right.
The grounds here weren't tended or even plowed, just grazed upon occasionally by the Apple family's resident herd, leaving the wild grass shoulder-height to her sister - almost head-height to the young filly. As she wandered through the field by the old riverbed, her head bounced in and out of sight; up high when she stretched on the edge of her hooves to see where she was, then out of sight as she crawled forwards on her hooves, investigating the dirt and rocks and small critters that filled any field.
One particular one - a green anole that was notably older and larger than the other small field lizards - was particularly daring. The old lizard darted up to her and bared his fangless mouth, occasionally bouncing forwards on his tiny little legs, but bounded away when the little filly chased after him. Apple Bloom dived under the grass, doing her best to chase after the old lizard, keeping her head low to the ground to stay near him. When she lost him, she froze, listening to the whistling in the wind and the rustling of crickets in the grass. After a moment, the old lizard would pop his head out and bare his bare jaws back at her, and they would resume their chase.
The ground was starting to slope down now; she had to slide more than run in order to keep her hooves stable, having to bend down low. At this level she had to be aware of every tree, every rock. She could only barely make out the old lizard's tail whipping back and forth now; she had to put on a little more speed to catch up. Just a little more....
When her back knees hit the branch, she instinctively curled up, landing in a tumble. The grass cushioned her roll, the long stalks flattened as she rolled on her side; keeping her head covered with her hooves kept her from getting hurt too much. It didn't stop her from screaming, rising and falling as she rolled and landed in the middle of the old stream bed.
Before he disappeared for good, she swore she could see that old lizard laughing on the far bank.
The stream was shallow but clear, too fast to stagnate; the spring water smelled of sulfur and frogs and old rocks. It was warm from the sun, but Apple Bloom couldn't help but lie back; the stream's flow felt good against her slightly battered body, the warmth helping to heal bruises. Looking up at the canopy, Apple Bloom smiled. "I didn't know we had a place like this on the farm..."
"It's a favorite of mine, too."
With an undignified flop, Apple Bloom twisted about, trying to face the voice. Standing in the riverbank stood a tall earth mare, yellow and gold. She was facing away from Apple Bloom, settling down into the stream with a sigh.
"We used to go here all the time," the older pony sighed wistfully. She didn't look away from the stream, but sank her head almost into the water. "Just the three of us, wasting all afternoon when the chores were done... those were better days."
Apple Bloom looked up to the golden mare, straining to place her voice.
"Those days... ended, though. I wonder if you even remember. You were so little then..."
Apple Bloom blinked. This mare knew her, and looked so familiar, she couldn't help. And she spoke with that low slow drawl, like every word was important, the way everyone else in her family did. She gasped. "...mom?"
Downstream, the mare gave a small nod, and a content little sigh. Apple Bloom recognized the sound, from her earliest memories, of when her mother was watching over her. Even though she still was bruised up from her tumble downhill, she did her best to stand up. The old earth mare held up a hoof, and shook her head.
"I know you miss me, Apple Bloom... but that's what family is for. Your brother is strong. Your grandmother is smart. And Applejack..." The mare gave a little chuckle as she stood. "You could say I made her promise to take care of you until you were big and strong..."
"Mom..." Apple Bloom tried to walk towards her. "I haven't seen you in ages. Why are you all of a sudden comin' back now?"
The older mare didn't respond immediately. "I guess I've been here too long. I'm not supposed to peek into your dreams, but... I just had to. Just once." She began to walk upstream. "Forgive me, Apple Bloom. I just wanted to see if you were happy."
"Happy? Well, of course I'm happy," Apple Bloom stated in disbelief. "I've got Granny and Big Macintosh, and Miss Cherilee and Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle and Twist and my big sister Applejack! How could I not be happy?"
Pausing for a moment, the older mare nodded. "I certainly hope so." She resumed walking away, but her heart wasn't in it.
Apple Bloom's voice cracked. "Wait up! You can't leave yet - you just came back!" She didn't even notice the water starting to rise in the riverbank.
The mare stopped, as if stunned, and shook her head. "I've never left you, Apple Bloom; you know better than that, that family stays together. I've always been there to watch over you... and I always will." She tossed her head, and smiled, beginning to walk away.
"Wait!" Apple Boom gasped. "Turn around - please!" It seemed like the stream was a river now, and she was having to swim while her mother stood still. "I - I hardly remember what you look like..."
The golden mare sighed. It wasn't an annoyed sound; rather, it was resigned, perhaps a bit amused. "Well... I reckon I owe ya that much. Heh. So stubborn." There was a smile on her mother's lips as she turned her head; Apple Bloom fought against the current as she tried to make out details. "You remind me so much of your poppa..."
Apple Bloom came to on the floor, groaning. Down the hallway, the sound of Granny Smith's walker creaking down as fast as she could hobble, but Apple Bloom just rest her head on the floorboards. It was still really warm.
"Land sakes, girl!" Granny cried out, stopping her walker and gingerly setting herself down next to Apple Bloom. "You look like you just saw a ghost!"
Apple Bloom rubbed her head at where she had hit the ground; it was sore and didn't feel any different than the dream. "I - I think I did..."
The old nag's hoof rested atop her granddaughter's damp forehead, and she clucked softly. "Well, I don't know about ghosts, but I do know you're burning up. C'mere, young'n."
Granny Smith might be ten times her age, but she felt as strong as a foal compared to Apple Bloom. The old green mare lifted her granddaughter up into bed. When Granny pressed a cup up to her, she drank gingerly, blinking away some of the heat and heat.. "Now, you lie right there, and we'll get you taken care of, quick as a wink."
Apple Bloom wasn't sure how long she was gone. It felt like it was only moments later when Granny was there, a cold sponge pressed to her forehead and the window open to the cool night air. She coughed a little, but took the offered medicine. "Granny Smith... do you remember momma?"
The old mare paused, and looked to her. "Were you dreaming about that again...?"
Apple Bloom nodded, and sighed. "I almost saw her face this time." She sighed, and lay back, letting the sponge soak up the dampness on her head.
Granny Smith smiled. "Well, I'm sure you'll see her face soon." She gave a sly little grin as she sponged off a bit more of her granddaughter's forehead. "Why, I reckon you can ask Applejack about her. I think she remembers a lot more about her than little ol' me..."
Apple Bloom looked up, and gave a grin. "I think I'll do just that," the little filly giggled, before coughing. Granny Smith laid a gentle hoof on her back and rubbed as Apple Bloom cleared herself, kneading it loose. The rolling motion was soothing, and already being sore and warm from the fever, Apple Bloom was soon kneaded back to a warm sleep.
"She know more than you'd think," Granny Smith smiled... then sighed, sourly. "I just hope she finally gets 'round to telling you this time..."
It wasn't the first time Rainbow Dash had woken up in a tree. Not even the first time this week. But when Rainbow Dash woke up in a tree, she generally remembered doing it on purpose.
Beneath, the ground was still soggy from the unexpected rainstorm. The storm had been sudden and heavy, but not particularly powerful, which to an experienced weathermare just didn't make sense. Clouds of that size shouldn't have had the energy to storm, especially not in formation; there had to be something really powerful gathering all those clouds together. Something like a dragon, or Nightmare Moon, or something really close to that. Rainbow Dash wasn't quite sure; she was still really tired, and the moon was still high in the sky, so she couldn't have gotten much sleep at all.
And her eyes were sore. Reaching up a hoof, Rainbow Dash rubbed at the socket; they were still tender.
"Crying? Why was I crying..."
The branch was too gnarled to be a comfy bed but her wings fit too well astride it to feel like moving, so Rainbow Dash just wriggled, letting her wings flop limp to either side of the branch. As she lay there, tried to remember just how she had fallen asleep. She vaguely remembered her hooves full of dark, dry cloud, buried inside it; there was the sensation of the cloud falling under her weight. She hadn't felt too sleepy, though. The feeling of shock was still fairly fresh, and she frowned for a moment in thought.
"Wait a second..."
As the memory came out, Rainbow Dash shouted, sitting bolt upright on the tree branch.
"Aaaw, yeah! I SAW her!"
Rainbow Dash pumped her hooves into the air, one flap of her wings making her follow. "Take that, Rarity! I knew she was real!"
As she pedaled into the air, excitedly, Rainbow Dash looked around, vaguely recalling the old cherry field she had flown to. It had looked a lot nicer before the spiral clouds had formed, of course, but as she flew in, she saw the clear part in the middle of a low hill - there were still fairly fresh hoofprints. In her mostly-but-not-quite-awake state, she could almost see her gold alicorn standing there - and that alicorn was looking right at her.
It was the first time she had actually seen the alicorn's face! Rainbow Dash gasped and almost squealed as she recalled the mare of her dreams - it had been from far away, yes, but she actually saw her face! It took some concentration, but she was able to pull up the memory from before she fell asleep - and once she had the image in her head, she wouldn't let it go. She was, as any alicorn, beautiful; tall, strong, stately. Her face was noble, and stronger than any alicorn she had ever seen but Celestia. And her eyes were bright blue - and really beautiful when surprised, like when she was kissing...
... Luna.
Rainbow Dash blinked, and came to a stop in midair. She knew, somewhere in the back of her mind, they weren't actually standing there...
"Well... looks like this one has an interest in you," Luna smirked, looking over her shoulder at the hovering Rainbow Dash.
"Is that so?" The gold alicorn broke the kiss to look at Rainbow Dash, and gave a small smirk. For some reason, a posh Manehattan accent seemed to suit her. "I suppose fans are to be expected. Well then, my little fan," the gold alicorn smirked, stepping forwards to stand next to Luna. "Just what do you want?"
"I... I want to...?"
"Come on now. Out with it," Luna ordered impatiently. The golden alicorn snickered, and Rainbow Dash faltered in midair.
"I-I'd like..."
"Oh, how cute. She's tongue-tied," the golden alicorn smirked. With cold eyes still fixed on Rainbow Dash, she leaned in against Luna, giving an affectionate little nuzzle. "I think we might be too much for the poor dear."
"No, that's not it at all," Rainbow floundered. "I-"
"Are you going to start speaking sometime soon? Because I'm starting to get very bored of talking to you," the golden alicorn said, looking down at a hoof.
The pegasus ground her teeth, her wings stiff. "If you'd just let me finish already, all I'm asking is-"
Luna smirked. "A mad mare, shouting at the clouds, thinking she's good enough for a princess." Luna lofted her wings, and the golden alicorn matched her. "Let us leave her to her madness..."
"Oh don't you DARE!"
Rainbow darted into the dream-Luna's face, hitting her hooves together. "I - you - just be quiet. And you - Rainbow whirled. The golden alicorn quirked an eyebrow critically.
"I just - I just - aargh!" She threw her hooves up in frustration. "I'm just trying to ask you out, here! Now listen you-"
"Uhm... Dashie, who were you talking to?"
Rainbow Dash whirled and looked down to see Pinkie Pie, looking up with concern. Quickly, Rainbow Dash hid her hooves behind herself.
"I am totally awake. Yeppers, just a normal night. I'm just... practicing. Yeah," Rainbow Dash smirked, throwing a few punches out into the air in front of her. "Just gotta - just gotta work on my game, is all!"
Pinkie tilted her head at Rainbow's broad grin. If any pony in Ponyville knew a smile, it would be her - and that wasn't a smile at all. In fact, despite her grin, her friend seemed downright frowny.
"And does that normally involve flailing around and getting all muddy?"
Rainbow Dash looked over herself. It only now seemed to click that she had never actually taken off, or that her wings were caked with mud and sticks.
"Eheh- yeah, all the time! Because it's mud! And... it's hard to fly though, so it resists you... you know, resistance training," Rainbow shrugged. "You know, trying to fly through mud, it's hard to do and makes your wings... strong..."
Pinkie laid a hoof on Rainbow Dash, and gave a little frown. With just that look, Rainbow Dash sighed, and looked down. "Yeah, I'm not okay. I don't even know... am I awake right now?"
"Sorta, kinda, maybe." Pinkie shrugged. "But you're talking to me, so at least that's something! Have you sleeping okay, Dashie?"
"I don't know," Rainbow Dash signed. "There was the hurricane... and then there was Princess Luna, and her, and..." Rainbow Dash screwed up her face, then looked disgusted. "I guess... I had a nightmare. While awake. Can that even happen?"
Pinkie clucked her tongue sympathetically. "Oh, I've had those before, and they can be a real doozy." With her best 'I'm here for you' smile (not her favorite smile, only like her eighth or ninth best, but she was good at it), Pinkie wrapped a hoof around Rainbow Dash, helping her stand up on her own four hooves. "Let's get you somewhere warm and dry, Dashie. You can tell your Aunt Pinkie all about it."
Big Macintosh's hooves were propped up on the stove, watching carefully as oatmeal and apples bubbled away in a small pot. When he heard footsteps behind him, he gave a little smile. "'Morning, AJ."
Applejack froze in her footsteps, then sighed in frustration. She had stayed out so late it had turned into very early, instead; soon, everypony in the Apple household would be waking. "Morning," she groused, as she half-heartedly pulled herself into the Apple family kitchen. If she was about to get the third degree from her overprotective "big brother," she might as well enjoy some breakfast along with it.
Big Macintosh took the cinnamon shaker and gave a generous sprinkle over the oatmeal, trying to get it to taste. "Early start?"
"More like I had a late finish." Applejack said, and went about setting the four places at the breakfast table. She looked at Apple Bloom's usual place, and sighed. "Had a lot on my mind."
"Looks like it." The stallion took another stir of the oatmeal. His voice was kind, but there was a twinkle in his eye. "Out 'stretching' again?"
"Something like that." By reflex, Applejack bit back her words, but shook back her usual closed-lipped stance. The full truth - not only that she had summoned the heir to the throne of Equestria, but that she did so just to throw a tantrum over her bad dreams - was too silly to be credible. The believable parts of the truth would suffice. "You could say I was... getting some help with my nightmares."
Big Macintosh nodded, and gave breakfast one last stir. "Did it do ya any good?"
"I'm telling Apple Bloom this morning."
Not the answer to the question he asked, but maybe it was the answer she needed to give. His eyes met hers with concern as he brought the oatmeal over to the table. He rested the pot down on the tablecloth a moment, then asked. "About your wings?"
She gave a thankful little mutter as he poured her share, then shook her head. "About her father."
He paused, and gave a little snort. "Sure you're up to it, AJ...?"
"No. I'm 'bout as nervous as a chicken in a wolf's den," she laughed, then gave a little sigh. "But... I promised her I'd explain it, so I'll be okay."
"You know," Big Macintosh smiled, "You don't have to do it alone..."
"No. But I reckon I better," she smiled. "I mean... I've got to tell everyone, soon." Applejack gave Big Macintosh a thankful smile. "I know you miss him, too."
"Eeyup." His was quiet as he poured the three other bowls, knowing the scent would soon bring Granny Smith and Apple Bloom grumbling down the stairs. Applejack finished the rest of her breakfast in silence, mechanically lifting each spoonful; it was too hot and not sweet enough, but just going through the motions was comforting. One bite. Two. Another. She almost had the entire bowl eaten before she accidentally dug the spoon underneath the bowl, lifting it up and off the table, spilling onto the floor. She looked upon the mess and gave a disdainful snort.
"Look upon your royalty, Equestria, for here she is. Princess Applejack. Head of House Apple. Heir to the throne. Outsmarted by the common bowl of oatmeal."
Applejack heaved in order to give a deep sigh, but the sigh twisted in her mouth and became a deep throaty yawn that'd put a timberwolf's howl to shame.
"Land's sake, AJ - have you had any sleep tonight?"
"Well, I tried to. I got a little, before I woke up and went-"
The larger stallion's heavy muzzle insistently nudged into her side.
"Go to sleep, AJ. There will be oatmeal in the morning."
"But I still have to clean up after this mess-"
Big Mac looked at her, stern. He was almost a fifth her age, so she had no idea how he could so effortlessly stare her down.
"-yes, sir."
Applejack let herself stumble off the bench. She didn't have much time to fall, though, before her "brother" was holding her tight, both a supporting hoof and a tight hug. He gave a rare, warm smile down to her.
"Don't worry about things today, AJ. I'll take care of them. You just go on up and get some sleep, and get yourself square with Apple Bloom. I reckon gettin' life sorted is plenty enough work for one pony to handle."
Applejack looked up at Big Macintosh, and gave a nod. "Thanks." She gave a little smirk. "But even after I've told everypony, you better not start treating me all fancy."
He rolled his eyes. "I'll do my best." He smirked, and lowered himself to kowtow. "Now up to bed, your highness. Even a princess needs her forty winks."
"Don't push it, mister," Applejack sniggered, giving Big Macintosh a little push with her hoof. He snorted, but rose up, giving another insistent nudge against her flank until she had to take the first few steps out of the kitchen.
"I'm going, I'm going." She gave a little mutter as she eased up the stairs. "And... thank you."
"Good night," he called after her.
"'Night..."
Applejack looked to her bed. Then to the door. Then to the bed. She was as sore as a dog, yes, but a busy mare's biggest enemy is a cunning idea.
"Wonder if..."
She closed her eyes, and let her spells drop just enough to bring her horn back into view. It had been some time since she had lifted anything this heavy, but when her golden glow enveloped her dresser, it lifted as easily as the nails had just a few days ago. With concentration, she was able to move her dresser in front of the door and set it down, the boards underneath squeaking as soft as a churchmouse. Applejack nodded in satisfaction at her blocked door, and faced her bed, giving a broad yawn and falling limply into bed. With the door barricaded, she felt safe enough to let herself relax completely... including her horn.
With her form-concealing disguises instantly disrupted by the complete lack of will to maintain the spells, she did not so much land as she splashed onto the bed. Her longer, lither longer alicorn form stretched out along the sheets, and she gave a sigh. Rather than tightly hidden to her body, her wings were about as limp as the quilts she was lying atop. Not constantly watching over the horizon or casting spells to detect possible visitors; not wondering when she'd be able to next catch an hour to herself. Just... sleeping.
Maybe I'm just thinking about tellin' everypony 'cause I'm getting used to feeling this relaxed.
Applejack turned a nearly-closed eye to face the window. Through it, she could see the moon, large and full, and gave it a small smile. She wondered if the moon's princess was watching. If so, she'd be sure that Luna could see just how soundly, and she put on her widest smile.
"Thank ye kindly, Luna..."
She had planned to say more, just in case the moon princess was listening, but Applejack was already fast asleep.
It was cooler than summer, but the old riverbed still looked as clean as ever. This time, Applejack didn't bother to take into the air - she just rest along the bank and lay flat. She stretched her wings out to try to cover more of herself under them, and wriggled down into the earth, sighing.
Now this is how I should have been spending my spare time, Applejack cooed to herself. Maybe Rainbow wasn't wrong after all...
"Yoo-hoo!"
Applejack sat up with a start, turning around her. "That couldn't have been..."
A shadow passed over her, and Applejack looked up. Between her and the sun, Celestia was backpedaling with her wings, coming into a controlled landing.
"I hope you don't mind my intrusion," Celestia smiled. "But I'd like to talk to you, and this seemed like the most private way to get in touch."
"Out here in the back forty?" Applejack snorted. "A nice idea, but I'm pretty sure all the newspapers are now writing about how the Princess Herself flew from Canterlot to Ponyville unannounced..."
Celestia giggled quietly behind a hoof. "Oh, Applejack - if I had done that, I'm sure they'd be speculating for days," she laughed. "But no - I'm pretty sure they have no reporters in the land of dreams."
Celestia's smile only broadened as Applejack's face fell in realization; she did love the look on a dreamer's face in the moment they realize they're dreaming. Applejack looked up to Celestia, and tilted her head. "So... you're in my head?"
"By your leave only, of course," Celestia said curtly. With a stretch, the older mare came to kneel herself, sitting beside Applejack in the ruddy soil of the old riverbank.
"So... I take it this isn't Element business. Or the apple business, neither."
"No. And perhaps," Celestia nodded. "If you don't mind..."
"Naw. Fire away."
"Thank you." She gave a smile, and Applejack gawked. Celestia just might be the only pony in Equestria that can lie down in the mud and make it look like she's hosting a tea party.
"First, a little bird told me you are considering revealing your secret to your friends?"
"Eeyup," Applejack nodded. "Apple Bloom, first, though. But as soon as I find the time, all my friends will know. I'm sure they'll be discreet, but..." She shrugged. "It's been a long time in coming." Applejack fixed Celestia with a stare. "You tryin' to tell me not to?"
"Not at all, Applejack. In fact, I'm looking forwards to it. I think the idea of an alicorn, bucking the nobility and doing what is right just for herself will be... healthy." She gave a little grin. "It will be a little chaotic for a while, to be sure, but it's the sort of shake-up that I think Equestria could use."
"Well..." Applejack grinned awkwardly, and reached up to nervously fiddle with her hat; when she realized she wasn't wearing it, she rubbed at her neck. "I didn't mean to start a revolution..."
"Most revolutions that needed it didn't mean it. And most that were started but aren't needed don't last." Celestia reached out a hoof. "Just do what your heart tells you is right, dear. No matter what you decide, your family will love you, your friends will support you... and my offer of tutelage, as ever, remains open."
Applejack nodded. "I'll think about it. I reckon I might need to learn some of this, being a 'goddess' and all."
Celestia nodded. "I'm glad to hear that. However..." She sighed, and there was a harder edge to her voice. "While I do support you, Applejack... that's not why I came into your dreams tonight."
"Oh?" Applejack tilted her head. "Well... what is it, Celestia?"
"Please do not call me that."
Celestia's hoof was no longer resting atop Applejack's. The sun goddess's face turned just a little bit colder, and while she was still polite, she did nothing to hide the frown on her face.
"Applejack... I'd like to understand why you made my sister cry."