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// The Bonds of Friendship Never Fade 
// Story: The Bonds of Friendship 
// by Harry Leferts 
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Disclaimer: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is owned by Hasbro.
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Twilight kept her eyes closed as the sensation of falling extremely fast, as always, surrounded her and she had to keep herself from opening her wings. Finally, slowly, her fall slowed before it stopped as it always did. What was new this time though was the deep chuckle. Twilight smiled as she opened her eyes to find herself sitting at a table in a open room across from a smiling Applejack. "About time you arrived. Took your time on your journey, hmm?"

The orange Earth Pony snorted before she took a gulp from her mug. "Now Twi, ya'll know that I've found tha' ah like tankin' mah time gettin' anywhere." She smirked a little. "Besides, ain' like it took me as a long as Rainbow ta find this here place. Was only two weeks afte' all."

Twilight laughed as a indignant voice made itself known. "Oh come on Applejack! I still can't believe she told you that!"

The alicorn looked at her rainbow maned friend and smirked. "Well, if somepony didn't keep getting distracted, I wouldn't have had to wait for six months to see you."

Rainbow winced and sighed. "I know, I know." She then rubbed the back of her head. "I said that I was sorry."

Twilight shook her head. "And I told you not to worry about it. I understand why it happened after all." She laughed gaily. "Though I have to admit, the fastest pegasus in Equestria taking six months to get anywhere is still hilarious." Twilight then turned to where Applejack was being hugged by a happy Pinkie and examined her. "Well now, you're certainly looking much better."

Applejack nodded as she finally pushed the pink party pony off her with a chuckle. "Eyup." She the showed off her bicep. "And Ah haven't felt this fine in years." The farmer looked around and smiled at her friends. "But Ah am still mighty glad ta see ya'll again. Ah missed ya'll mighty."

Fluttershy cocked her head to the side as she sat down, a smile spreading across her face. "And we're glad to see you again Applejack. Your brother has been waiting."

As Applejack snorted, Twilight spread her forelimbs wide. "So? What do you think of my meeting hall?"

The farmer raised an eyebrow as she looked around, her eyes roamed over the majestic walls and ceiling as well as the banners and tapestries that lined them. "Twi, ah always did say tha' ya'll had a gift for understatin'..."

Rarity nodded as she threw her mane back. "I must agree with Applejack, deary. Referring to you most sacred place in such a manner is..."

Pinkie popped up right behind her which caused her to jump. "Just like her?"

The white unicorn scowled a little. "Pinkie Pie!" She then cleared her throat as she brought herself back under control while her friends snickered. "Though... yes. Quite."

Beside Twilight, Fluttershy shook her head before she turned to her royal friend. "Though still, thank you for letting us come here Twilight. I was ever so glad when I found out that we could come here after..." She sniffled a little before she shook it off. "Well... yes."

Twilight smiled and nodded as she trotted over and gave her a gentle hug. "Our bonds of friendship are stronger then that Fluttershy. Nothing can sever them." She then blinked in surprise and looked to the side. "I think that Celestia and Luna want me for something."

From where she was getting ready for a armwrestling contest with Applejack, Rainbow smirked and waved her off. "Well, go ahead and see what they want. We'll be here waiting for you to come back."

The yellow pegasus smiled and nodded. "We'll always be here waiting and willing to talk to you Twilight."

She was about to close her eyes before Applejack tossed her hat to her. "'Ere. Ah was mighty mad at what Grapple did, so here it is for ya'll like ah wanted in the first place."

Twilight nodded and closed her eyes. "Thank you Applejack." The sounds of her friends faded and were replaced with the those of the wind as it blew through a garden and the clopping of hooves as she felt, as always, as if she was rising rapidly up a tower. She then opened her eyes to see a worried Celestia and Luna as they approached her through the Canterlot royal garden. "Celestia, Luna. How can I help you today?"

They shared a look before Luna cleared her throat. "We were wondering how you were doing Twilight Sparkle... After all, it has only been two weeks since the last of the other Bearers, thy friend Applejack, passed."

The lavender alicorn shook her head and chuckled. "I'm okay Luna, you don't have to worry." Twilight gained a far off look for a moment. "Not even death itself can sever the bonds of true friendship. Just hold them up for a ti ime." She then noticed that Celestia was staring at her flank which caused her to smirk as she purred. "Like what you see Princess?"

Celestia blushed for a moment before she got it under control and coughed. "Yes, well..." She then gestured at Twilight. "Your Cutie Mark... did you change it again?"

Twilight glanced at it for a moment and noticed that one of her secondary stars had turned orange with the others being blue, yellow, white, and hot pink. "Celestia, you should know the answer to that one." She then raised a brow. "Now then... I would like to enjoy some of my quiet time." She shook her head and sighed. "I have been so busy lately with my duties and other things that, well... I need some time to unwind."

Celestia nodded, confusion still apparent on her face as Twilight took Applejack's hat and placed it over her face while she leaned back into the grass. As her former student's breathing evened out, the white alicorn shook her head. "I wish she would tell me how or why her Cutie Mark keeps changing besides saying that she's the alicorn of friendship and that her bonds can never be broken..." Celestia shook her head. "After all, a Cutie Mark is not just a pony's destiny, but an expression of their very soul..." She turned and was about to walk off when she noticed Luna as she watched Twilight with a disturbed expression on her face. "Something the matter?"

Luna slowly nodded. "Is that truly Applejack's hat, Tia?"

Her horned glowed for a moment as she magically scanned it before she nodded. "It is." She then frowned at her sister. "Why?"

The Princess of the Night slowly turned and stared at her sister. "The very same hat that old Grapple Apple had burned to not more then ashes in front of Twilight and us using that Zebra alchemical potion rather then have it 'leave the family' and be given to her as Applejack had wished..."

Celestia stopped and gained an unnerved expression as she looked at her fellow Princess' Cutie Mark once more before she slowly shook her head and swallowed before she spoke. "I... don't know..." She then sighed and shook her head. "Though I expect that we shall learn eventually once she tires of her little games..."

Lune just nodded and softly smiled in thought. "She is too much like you at times... Always secretive and joking..." She then once more frowned and after another shared look, the two Princesses once more turned and left the garden quietly in thought. Twilight never noticed though as deep inside her soul, she conversed with her friends over the bond they shared even past death thanks to being the Alicorn of Friendship...