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// Guilt and Shame 
// Story: The Apple of My Eye 
// by Brian Jacko 
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	"What are we going to do girls?  We tried everything we can think of," Twilight Sparkle said as she paced back and forth in her home.  "There's something the Princess wanted us to know, but she was never able to tell us.  What was it that she wanted us to bring to Applejack?" 

The girls thought harder and harder, but no answers came to mind. 

"I already tried showing her my letters and pictures of precious memories, but all she ever chooses is Discord.  Is there anything in the world that can reach Applejack's heart?" 

Fluttershy shot up immediately.  "That's it!"  she said.  

"That's what?" Rainbow Dash asked as she eyed the yellow mare.  

Fluttershy continued. "We need to get her family!  We can work together with her family to bring her the love that she so desperately needs." 

"You’re right!" Rarity chimed in!  "She always talked about how much she loves her family and especially Apple Bloom." 

"That's a wonderful idea girls.  Let's go find the Apple family!  I'll bring those letters and pictures to show her again as well!"  Twilight Sparkle said as she opened the door.  

A flood of apples came inside her house and buried them.   

It was very hard to get across to Sweet Apple Acres, but once they made it, they found Big Macintosh plowing fields in an attempt to save their crops from the apples falling from the sky. 

"Big Macintosh!"  Twilight Sparkle called out.  "We need you to come with us now!"  

Big Macintosh stopped plowing and shook his head.  "Nope!"  The stallion said. 

"And why is that?"  Rainbow Dash protested.  

Big Macintosh continued, "Cause I ain't goin' nowhere until A.J. comes back home." 

"That's just it!"  Twilight Sparkle exclaimed.  "She won't be coming home again.  She's with Discord now and we need you, Granny Smith, and Apple Bloom to come with us to save her.  Will you come with us now?" 

Big Macintosh looked over at the girls and said, "E-yup."  

The girls celebrated as Big Macintosh went into the barn to get Granny Smith and Apple Bloom.   

When they came out, Big Macintosh led the way through the sea of apples with his plow so that they wouldn't have to swim against the apples anymore.  Together, they found the hill where Applejack was flying around and casting spells.  Big Macintosh plowed with all his might up the hill.  Finally, they reached her.  

Twilight Sparkle cleared her throat.  "OK Applejack, we made it all this way with your family to show you how much we care about you." 

Applejack simply shrugged and turned her back on them as she continued to cast spells.  

Twilight Sparkle pushed Apple Bloom in front of them all. 

Apple Bloom walked over with her ears bent down and her head lowered.  She spoke up, "Listen Ma'm, I don't know who ya are or what ya have done with my big sister, Applejack, but I just want her back in my life.  I miss her so much and want nothin' more than to be with her again."

Applejack froze.  Tears flooded her eyes and she stopped casting spells.  She turned around and said, "Apple Bloom, is that you dear?" 

Discord grabbed her by her necklace and yelled at her.  "What did I tell you about listening to all those lies?  Your family doesn’t love you and neither do your friends.  I'm the only one who cares about you and I will keep you as my Princess forever.  Don't you want to keep your wings and magical powers?" 

Twilight Sparkle stepped forward and laid down the letters and precious pictures of memories they shared together.  "We also brought Granny Smith and Big Macintosh along with us as well.  We really do care about you Applejack," Twilight Sparkle said. 

Applejack looked over at her family.  More tears flooded her eyes.  She then looked down at all the letters and photos on the ground.  She went through each one.  One of the pictures was of her and Rainbow Dash hugging each other after they finished the annual running of the leaves.  She sobbed heavily.  Her friendship with Rainbow Dash was so special to her.  Applejack slammed her hoof down and walked away from Discord. 

"Where are you going my precious?" Discord asked.  "I know you won't leave me with the power I have given you." 

Applejack's horn glowed and a bright light shined down upon the other five mares, their wings and horns were back.  Applejack got into position behind the other girls and hollered out "Let'er rip!"  

Twilight Sparkle nodded and soon the elements of harmony came together. 

Discord shouted out, "What's this?  Applejack come back here!  You know I care about you!" 

Twilight Sparkle's eyes turned bright white as she channeled the magic through her body.  Out of her horn blasted a great energy that started to turn Discord back into stone. 

"NOOOOO!  Come back Applejack!  Come back!"  Discord cried, before his entire body was turned back into a statue.  

"We did it girls!" Twilight Sparkle cried out. 

Applejack's horn and wings vanished and the town was now restored to normal once more.  

Apple Bloom ran over and gave her sister a big hug. 

Granny Smith spoke up.  "We missed you so much dear."  

Big Macintosh said, "E-yup!" 

Applejack looked back at the ground.  She began to cry.  "Every pony, just please leave me alone," she cried as she pushed her friends and family away from her and ran home.  

Apple Bloom looked up at Twilight Sparkle with confusion in her eyes and asked, "what's wrong with my big sister, Twilight Sparkle?  Why is she cryin' again?" 

Twilight Sparkle shook her head and said, "I don't know.  Maybe she went through a little bit too much and needs some time to heal.  We should leave her alone for a little bit." 

Apple Bloom shouted "No!  I'm not leaving my sister alone!"  She ran off crying after her sister. 



At home, Applejack cried, as she took out some rope and tied it carefully into a noose.  She tied it to a tree and stood on a crate.  She put her head through the noose and was about to kick the crate out from under herself, when suddenly, she felt a tug at her tail.  She removed her head from the noose and looked behind her. 

It was Apple Bloom. 

Applejack looked angry and asked, "what are you doin' here, Apple Bloom?  I thought I told ya'll to leave me alone." 

Apple Bloom cried, "I didn't want my big sister to cry anymore.  What are ya goin' to do with that rope, Applejack?"  

Applejack looked over at Apple Bloom with guilt in her eyes.  She picked her up in her hooves and sat her down inside the noose.  Apple Bloom was still small enough to fit her whole body in it.  She pushed her gently as she turned the rope into a homemade swing for her. 

"Oh this is so nice," Apple Bloom called out. "I just love spendin' good times with my big sister." 

Applejack pushed her on her swing for a few moments.  This would be the last good time she would spend with her little sister and she wanted to leave her with a good memory before leaving her forever.  Applejack spoke up and said, "OK Apple Bloom, that's enough swingin' for now.  Your big sister has somethin' to do now.   I want ya to go inside the house and wait for Granny Smith and Big Macintosh to come home."  

Apple Bloom protested.  "But..."

Applejack cut her off and said, "No buts missy, you do what your big sister tells ya.  Now go on!"  She watched Apple Bloom go inside the house.  When she could see the door had closed, she put her head back into the noose and began to cry.  There is no way she could face the Princess after what she did.  She was terrified that she would be banished from Ponyville forever and have to survive in the Everfree forest.  She also couldn't bear the thought that her precious wings and magic were gone.  She felt so guilty about her betrayal of her friends.  She kicked the crate from under her and hung there.  It took a while but things started to go black.