A lone mare stood on a cloudy hill, Stetson dipped low, staring at the carved tombs. It had been a whole year since the tragedy had taken place and she hadn’t forgotten that day; how could she? Every day after that had been a ride of grief and regret. She couldn’t even stand to leave her house anymore; she couldn’t handle ponies because she was living a lie. She left this morning for closure, but it’s just poisoning her wound. Every step closer had stung, and now she’s sitting here at her friend’s graves, the only survivor.
~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 months earlier ~~~~~~~~~~~
“Applejack, what’s so urgent? Where are we going?” screamed the confused purple mare over the rushing wind. “Me and rainbow were racing when a bunch of changelings started chasing after us, they got rainbow!” the frantic orange mare shouted back. They approached the edge of the Everfree Forest and saw rainbow being dragged away. “Hold on Dash! We’ll save ya!” rainbow heard them and kicked the changelings off of her. She flew over to her friends, and they all took position together. “Into the forest!” yelled twilight.
They all ran into the woods, but were faced with a complication when they were impeded by a giant cliff. There was a rustling in the bushes, a rainbow maned figure popped out looking slightly annoyed; “can’t you at least check that you have the right one?” everypony looked at the enraged rainbow maned mare next to them. It leapt towards the new figure, but there was a mistake in the trajectory. Applejack reacted thinking the attack was aimed at her, but noticed her mistake too late.
She realized that if she had been the target, rainbow wouldn’t have aimed so high. Applejack looked at the poor mare she had kicked; knocked out. The mare was in the air, flying towards the edge, Applejack looked towards the rainbow maned pony still conscious, but it was no pony, it was chrysalis. Applejack watched in horror as rainbow flew over the edge of the cliff unconscious, unable to save herself. Applejack ran over to the edge just to see dash land in a bloody mess in the jagged rocks at the bottom.
She stared dumbfounded as chrysalis cackled, she turned back in time to see chrysalis prepare her attack. Applejack realized who was the target and stood there in shock. A certain white unicorn jumped in front of Applejack and looked deep into her eyes before muttering her last words; “be strong” whispered rarity. The traumatized orange mare watched in horror as her friend was blasted over the edge by chrysalis. Applejack could only watch as rarity joined rainbow at the bottom, she turned away from the cliff and stared at her feet.
The orange mare got to her feet and stared at chrysalis with rage, but the country pony was no longer the target. Applejack followed chrysalis’s gaze to see it aimed at a poor shivering mare that had since backed towards the back of the group. Pinkie swooped in and pulled her friend away from the beam. “Ha you missed!” screamed the pink party pony, jumping up in ecstasy. The mark had hit the ground close to them, but it had not missed. The pink pony stopped jumping as she heard a sickening crack; she looked towards her feet to see where the crack was. She was too late to notice as the edge started to shift, they were sliding down. The farm pony leapt forward, determined to save her friend, and grabbed pinkies hoof while Fluttershy floated beneath her holding her up.
“It’s gonna be alright, we’ll get you up, just don’t look down.” Said an exasperated Applejack. However the mare pushing the pink pony up looked down and her heart skipped a beat. That split second made her wings tuck in, that’s all it took to send her plummeting to join the pony’s mangled by the rocks. Applejack strained to save pinkie, but when she looked at the mare she saw a tear in her eye. “I’ve got you, you’re alright, you’ll get through it...” Applejack muttered while struggling to hold her up. All the pink pony replied with was a simple, “I know, I believe you.” then the farm ponies hoof slipped and her grip loosened. The pony she was attempting to pull up slipped at the sudden jolt, “its ok.” her mouth worded slowly falling. Her words echoed in the poor farmers head, though Applejack never heard the words escape her mouth. A sort of tunnel vision engulfed around pinkie, numbing all of the orange mares other senses as she watched the fun and loving smile of the party pony falling to her end.
Applejack straightened herself up on the edge, pulling her hooves back onto the sturdy ground. She shakily looked towards her last friend; the unicorn had watched this whole ordeal shocked. Now Applejack saw her last friends’ demise before the unicorn even met it, a highly concentrated ray of magic pierced her throat. The farm pony ran over and peered in horror into her friends wound, there was no helping it. Her dying friend saw the look in the earth ponies’ eyes and reassured her friend what the unicorn knew she was thinking. “It’s not your fault.” spoke the dying unicorn, the ending sputtered of as the dying mare drowned in her own blood.
Applejack looked at chrysalis and yelled in rage, she took in a nearby vine and lassoed in chrysalis. The changeling was surprised at the force of the small pony before her, it clenched around the changelings throat and yanked her over the edge. Applejack had anticipated the fall and was on top of chrysalis; she held the changelings’ weight under her own and kept her from flying. Applejacks vision misted over in red as they plummeted towards the spikes, Applejack never remembered hitting the bottom, just the terrified look of the changeling queen on the way down.
~~~~~~~~~~~ Present ~~~~~~~~~~~
All her friends had died that day, she couldn't save any of them, and it was her fault. She had failed her friends and lied; she had promised safety and survival, but couldn't even give that. She couldn't even save one, not even one; they had all died because of her incompetence. One. By. One. She was a murder, and not even her best friends were safe from her. She felt dead inside, she hasn't been happy, not even as much as smile since the day of the tragedy, and she only sulked about. She had been more confined recently, and hadn't been able to face the towns-ponies; she had tried multiple times, and it never ended well.
~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 months earlier ~~~~~~~~~~~
Applejack stumbled out of the woods, blood matted to her orange coat. The dried dark red liquid sank deep, a sign of what had happened in those goddess forsaken woods. She stumbled to the ground, she laid there speechless for a second. The blood soaked pony slammed her front right hoof to the ground and let out a blood curdling scream towards the sky. Tears streamed from her eyes, they had been held in too long, she cried for not too long before getting up to be the bearer of bad news. She winced from the throbbing pain in her left forehoof; she felt a rush of heat on the throbbing hoof. Looking down at said hoof she saw what was causing the immense pain, there was a long scar, and fresh blood was soaking into the surrounding fur. She ignored the pain and trudged on towards town.
As she entered town it grew quiet, only faint murmurs and whispers could be heard floating in the air.it seemed as if all focus was on her, everypony stared at the bloodied mare, she was the focus and everything else seemed like a backdrop. It had been the last thing anypony expected to see on a day as nice and clear as this; it was like sadness and horror had all taken a vacation, but the gruesome reality had returned early and this sulking pony was a living tragedy just waiting to happen. That wouldn’t be too far off, as all the beauty and color in the surrounding foliage seemed to dim, happiness seemed to fade into horror and fear. All things bright and cheerful had been driven away by a single mare that had touched death and lived. The stench of death lingered over the once cheerful town as sorrow started to sink in.
The wandering mare looked much worse up close; her orange coat was matted with blood, splotches of dirt mixed in here and there. Her mangled Stetson dipped low casting shadow over her muzzle and shielding her eyes from judgment. The poor remnants of her hat were not enough to hide her tear-stained cheeks from onlookers. She limply stumbled through the streets as if she were dead, grimacing with each step at the pain her hoof caused her. She ignored the pain and the only sign it left was the blood-stained prints her injured hoof left with every step. The bleeding had slowed significantly since the forest and was starting to crust over, but it couldn’t quite finish due to the physical exertion the earth pony was putting herself through. It was a slow gush by now, but regardless of how bad her wound was it still sickened everypony to see the once strong, dependable pony look so mangled and helpless.
Applejack reached the library after some time stumbling through town; she stopped for a second before finally knocking on the wooden door. “Coming!” rang out the familiar shout from deep within. She flinched at his voice, it was so friendly, so full of life, it was vigorous, and she was going to take that away. “Welcome!” he greeted the orange mare; she was still looking at her hooves. She know he stood there shocked, there was no need to see his face, “Applejack?” he finally questioned after seeing the Stetson and recognizing the mangled coat. “Are you alright?” he blurted out, he was obviously confused, she only raised her head. Spike saw her eyes, her dead eyes. There were dark circles around them, her face was tear-stained, and there was a look of despair and depression showing under her numb stare.
He watched as tears started to form, noticing the others weren’t with her and trying not to press the oh so obvious question asked what came to mind first, “where are the others?” he asked worry starting to line his tone. “I’m sorry, I am so sorry…” she muttered, then as if a switch had been flipped she wept, she wasn’t just crying, she was bawling her eyes out. Fresh tears overlapped the old trails streamed down her muzzle, the liquid sadness running freely. “What are you talking about?” he asked, though he dreaded the answer he had to know. It wouldn’t come, she opened her mouth, but the words stuck in her throat. Tears still streaming she was choking on the dreaded words, the truth was killing her. Spike spared her, seeing what was stuck on the mares lips, “all of them?” he muttered under his breath. She could only guess he had figured it out and nodded through the sobs, her body was trembling from the pain of the revelation. “Dead?” he stammered, though it
wasn't a question, so much as a statement for he already knew the answer.
Applejack's knee's buckled from under her; she fell to the floor and cried into the baby dragon. “I'm sorry, I am so sorry!” she repeated with more force, she muttered it again and again softly changing from words to weeps. Spike seeing she was distressed attempted to be strong, he stood there holding her head in his arms, and he stroked her mane softly attempting to calm the weeping figure. He wasn't paying attention though, he was on auto-pilot; he had done this whenever twilight had felt down. He was too shocked to pay attention, a single tear silently found its way down his cheek, he rubbed it away. He had known that they would die before him, but he didn't expect it to be so soon. At this another tear formed, he felt it roll down his cheek and he held his hand out; he caught it. He let out a whimper and dropped the tear, he watched it sink into the soil, 'enough crying' was his only thought; he knew he had to be strong, for both of their sakes.
Spike helped raise her to her feet and led her inside, handing her a towel he promptly walked over to the sink and started to wet a towel. The bloodied mare walked over to the purple dragon, he took the wet towel and pressed it against her hoof, washing the blood around the wound off. After cleaning it up he wrapped the wound tightly in a bandage, then with the wound taken care of he continued to monotonously wash the rest of her coat till all the blood had left it. He dried her orange coat and redressed the wound because the bandage was getting soaked with blood. He sat her down on the couch, handing her a blanket he then leaves the room; hearing the fumbling of pots she assumes he was in the kitchen. The farm pony sat up in warm silence until spike came back holding two mugs. She looked at the mug he had set in front of her, “hot chocolate.” he replied to her silent question. She silently thanked him, keeping up the awkward silence afraid that if she said anymore she would just cause more uneasiness.
The silence continued for several minutes till Applejack broke the tension, “it's all my fault. I couldn't help any of 'em, I'm so sorry Spike. I understand if y'all hate me now, hay, even I hate me now...” the baby dragon looked towards the mare to see her sitting there; she just stared into the warm depths of the hot chocolate. “I don't hate you Applejack, I don't blame you. I don't think it was your fault, I'm sure you tried your hardest-” he had been replying sincerely when Applejack interrupted “but that's it, I tried my darnedest and it wasn't enough, I wasn't a good friend, all I did was lie and get them killed.” she insisted. “Sometimes your best may not be enough, that doesn't make it your fault, but if there is one thing I’m sure of is that you are not a liar.” stated the dragon assuring his friend, it didn't work.
“That’s just it Spike, that's just it. I am a liar, I fed them false hopes and bitter lies, I failed all of my friends, and I killed them. I'm a murderer.” spat the mare bitterly, her venom burned him, and he didn't know what to do so he just listened. “I failed every one of them; I put them in danger then murdered them one by one. I'm a killer, a liar, a bad friend, and I've failed them all. That's the honest truth...” at this point spike stumbled for words. He knew that she truly felt that way because as honest as she was all the time, she only ever stated it outright if she felt the point needed to get put across. “But Appleja-” spike started, he had found some words but was abruptly cut off by a frenzied mare. “I messed up Spike! Don'tcha get it?! It's over and it’s all my fault!” she spat; suddenly she dropped down from the couch and shrugged the blanket off her shoulders. “I'm sorry I caused ya so much trouble...” she trailed off, Spike could only look with frightened eyes, a tear left his eye as Applejack left him alone.
~~~~~~~~~~~ Present ~~~~~~~~~~~
She regretted that first day the most, the poor kids’ friends died and she was selfish enough to snap at him for what she had caused. She hadn't made it up to him yet, she was to ashamed of what she had done, Mrs. and Mr. Cake are taking care of him as far as she knew, but he wasn't the only one she hurt that day, she had made more than enough mistakes that day. She hadn't been all to the cakes or her or rarity's family, But they had each other.
~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 months earlier ~~~~~~~~~~~
Applejack was walking away from the library; she had no real direction in particular. She lifted her head to notice where she was, the carousel boutique was straight ahead. She was about to turn around but stopped, she looked at it for a couple minutes arguing with herself over what she would do. She finally decided that telling them was the right thing to do; they did have the right to know about their own family. She stepped up to the door, ringing the doorbell she could hear sweetie yelling from inside, “Oh! I'm sure that's her right now!” squealed the excited filly.
The door swung open with a rush, Applejack's mane shifted from the air, she came face to face with the fashionista's sister. “Oh, hey Applejack! Rarity's not here, but Scootaloo and my parents are!” stated the filly with the energy of youth full throttle. “Oh my, hope it's nothing serious.” stated the filly motioning towards the wound on her visitor's hoof. “Your hat has had better days, but I'm sure Rare will be able to help you with that when she gets back. Speaking of, have you seen her recently? I'm sure she'll be back soon; she said she had errands to run. So what you come over here for? Do you need help on the farm?” the young filly rambled till Applejack intervened, “actually sugarcube, I came to talk to you. I guess it’s better that your parents are here. Can I come in?” the orange mare tried her best to put a little life in her tone. “Sure thing, come
on in!” replied the young filly, she was already hopping around the farm pony.
Applejack walked into the living room and took a seat at the couch; sweetie belle proceeded to offer the orange mare some water, which the farm pony kindly declined. The filly sat with her parents with a smile, an orange pegasus walked into the room, “hey AJ!” she greeted, “Applejack has something important she wants to tell us!” Sweetie said excitedly. “Oh, so am I interrupting something?” Scootaloo turned to leave, but Applejack stopped her. “You need to hear this too…” applejack trailed off, this concerned sweetie belle’s parents, but they didn’t mention anything because they didn’t want to concern the kids. Scootaloo galloped over and plopped down next to the farm pony with news.
“What happened to your hoof?” questioned Scootaloo motioning towards the injury. “I… fell. That ain’t important right now.” Replied applejack, she let out an exasperated sigh before moving on with what she was saying. The farm pony looked to her side and saw the orange filly peering up at her expectantly, this caused the orange earth mare to lift her head up and look towards sweetie and her parents. “This is about your sisters, and pinkie… and Fluttershy… twilight too…” applejack averted her eye’s away at Mrs. Belles gasp, the orange mare knew what Sweetie’s mom had seen. “They all… they…” Applejack stumbled here for the right words, the easiest words. Mrs. Belle caught what she was attempting to say “all of them? Are you sure…?” the fashionista’s mother asked in a hushed tone. Applejack nodded while trying to finish her sentence “they’re all…
dead.” She finally let out the dreaded word. “Dead?” asked the one stallion in the room, “dead.” She affirmed.
This sent the fillies into full panic mode, “no…” murmured sweetie belle staring in horror, tears built up into her eyes more and more with each time she said it. “It can’t possibly be true…” said the small Pegasus filly sitting next to her. Pulling said filly close she attempted to comfort her, “it’ll be okay…” applejack told her, tears starting to form but never reaching fruition. Scootaloo was not going to have it, “OK… OK!? Rainbow dash just died! Rarity too! Pinkie, Fluttershy, twilight! All of them just kicked the dust, and everything is OK!? We just lost people important to us, and your fine with OK?!” Scootaloo burst, her tone was cold, her voice was sharp, and her accusations burned. Scootaloo’s face contorted and backed away, she obviously had something else to say.
“I don't even know how she died... what happened to her? How did she... die?” Scootaloo choked out between sobs with an angry tone, she was afraid of the answer, the look on her face obviously filled with fear, but she was curious none the less. Applejack knew she had a right to know, she opened her mouth, “Rainbow...” she stopped, it was the only word she was able to get out before her thoughts caught up to her. Her heart skipped a beat, maybe two, then her body felt cold, her skin grew clammy and her blood boiled. Her stomach did at least seven flips in two seconds before tangling up and rejecting all traces of food in her stomach, she proceeded to vomit on the floor. There wasn't much that left her stomach seeing as she hadn't eaten in a day, but she ignored it and looked into Scootaloo's purple eye's, looking at them they seemed to take on a magenta color and her mane turned into a vibrant rainbow, as the coat turned cyan she noticed she saw the fear in this little filly was the same as she had seen in the rainbow mare the second before her hooves collided with the pegasi's face.
As the scene flashed between her eye's she felt an anger at herself rising, but the pain from what she had done washed over her and flooded out the rage, she stared at Scootaloo with a dead look and physically felt the color drain from her eye's, everything turned grey as the mood turned from dark to pitch black. The filly saw the stare and pushed herself back against the wall as far from the stare as possible. “It was me. It was my fault. What have I done?” she felt her insides burn as she stifled her own sobs. She felt her head spin at high speeds and then stop abruptly, looking at the pegasus, “i killed rainbow dash.” she deadpanned; all emotion had left her voice. “You...” was all that was worded from the small pegasus, nothing else escaped her mouth because she had fled to sweetie belle's room, sweetie belle in tow.
Applejack thought on what she had done, ready to leave she headed towards the door. The two remaining ponies spoke up, “I'm sure it's not your fault...” said the mare in a motherly tone. “No, this time it is. That's the honest truth...” she looked as if she were finished talking as her voice trailed off but then she continued “we were by a cliff, in the Everfree. The bottom over the edge was covered with large jagged rocks. I kicked her over, she was knocked out, and she didn't have a chance as she flew over the edge, unable to fly to safety...” the pony in the mangled Stetson and sagging bandage around her hoof was already at the door. She didn't even look back to the gaping ponies as she left without another word. The belle parents just
looked on in silent horror at her revelation.
~~~~~~~~~~~ Present ~~~~~~~~~~~
The mourning pony sulked in her own thoughts, though as she snapped back to reality she learned that sometimes even her own thoughts weren't private. “It’s not your fault you know.” Said a prying mare, applejack gave a startled jump; the farm pony had thought she was alone and turned to look cautiously at the mare. The figure was walking towards her calmly, she had emerged from the shadows, and she had been watching the whole scene.
Applejack simply stared at the mare as she took a seat next to her. She was carrying six roses; she laid one on each grave with a minimal amount of magic. She held the last up to her nose, “roses are simply divine, don’t you agree?” the unicorn asked, though it was more of a spoken thought not entirely directed at her. Applejack looked in shock at the graves, roses and all; this pony was giving her mixed thoughts, breaking in on her mourning, but also showing respect for her deceased friends. ‘Did this mare know them? Family maybe? I haven’t seen her around…’ thought the farm pony in her stupor.
"Oh no, I didn’t know them personally but they do deserve the respect of others, wouldn’t you agree? As to not seeing me, I am new in a sense; I wouldn’t expect to be known.” The mare exclaimed pulling her out of her thoughts. Hearing Applejack gasp the pony realized her mistake, “oh I am sorry, I should wait for verbalization. I did not mean to alarm you; there is no need for panic.” Quickly input the mare so to calm her down. There was an obvious flush of red in her silver coat, her embarrassment becoming apparent. The orange mare looked at her before finally muttering the question, “how did you… know?” she questioned pausing on the last word. The mysterious mare took a second to find a suitable answer, she opted for vague, “I just can… but I’m glad you’re taking it well, as I said before though, it’s not your fault.” The farm pony sank her head as she thought once again on her dead friends, her curiosity was set aside.
“But they are my fault, I couldn’t stop the deaths.” Exclaimed the orange mare in a hushed tone. “Oh stop with that, it’s not your fault and you know it, it’s not my fault the doctor in Manehatten couldn’t save that mare just now, just because I wasn’t there. It’s sad sure, and I wish I could do something, but it was meant to be. Things happen, and sometimes it might have been our fault. Sometimes we didn’t make it in time. Sometimes we fail a friend. And sometimes… things just fade away… and that’s sad, but it was meant to be. Even when you lose something or someone special, and you want to cry and mourn forever, but it’s not the best way to deal with things. It may seem like the easy way, or the only way, but that’s why it’s dangerous. There is always another way, there is always hope.” Applejack just stared at the confident mare.
Applejack looked on, there was something about her; there had been no malice or rage in her voice. Only calm and weary words of comfort had left her lips. Though her pose spoke of confidence, her eyes told a different story, one of care and empathy. “But you didn’t know the mare in Manehatten, you had no connection. You didn’t know their background, who they were. You didn’t feel responsible for that death. What you speak of sounds a lot like fate, like I can’t control it, like I’m doomed to fail them, If I can never help any of them, what hope is there?” applejack glumly stated back.
“What you say is true, but very false. No I had no connection to said mare, but I did know who she was, she was kind, she was special, she was young… and as for feeling responsible, I don’t have to, and neither do you. You’re not responsible, you were there, but you’re not there now. Yes I talk of fate, it is a symphony of choices dancing around, yet the tune is not what it used to be. No you cannot change their fate, for you cannot change what has already come to past. But with fate you have all the choice, fate is a vessel that takes you where you need to go, but you guide fate with your choices. Fate is a trail that you leave, you cannot change where you have gone, but you can change where you go. You have a chance to make this path bright, you always have that chance.” Replied the calm mare looking towards the tombs.
Applejack paused for she had no response. She tried to think of something, anything to argue with, but she knew who was right here. She looked at the mare that was still looking at the tombs, but when the unicorn decided to look up what she saw surprised her. She saw the truth. The mysterious unicorn had a firm but caring gaze, just below it was a sincere smile. The unicorn looked at her with a look that said ‘I’m sure’, but it assured her ‘it’s ok to cry’. Applejack teared up a bit, her lip quivered and the unicorn noticed, so the silver figure moved closer. Applejack let loose the tears she had been holding in, she openly wept into the mares shoulder.
The mare wrapped a hoof around applejack in a protective manner, she comforted the crying mare; she was there for the farm pony. “I couldn’t s-save them… I-I’ve been so selfish, I been only thinkin' of myself, others are hurtin' too. I ain’t helpin' at all; I’m just makin' it worse. I’ve been actively mopin' around and snapping at ponies and they’re all tryin' their darnedest for me! I’m just bein' a baby and forsakin' their generosity!” she wailed between sobs. The unicorn peeled the orange mare from her shoulder and looked her in the eyes.
“Applejack, listen to me. It wasn’t your fault; it’s doing nopony any good to strangle yourself over such trivial matters. You messed up, we all do, but now it’s time to make it right. Go to your friends, the ones that need you, your family, spike.” the unicorn held her for a second. Then the mysterious mare took the final rose and tucked it into the farm ponies’ hat and lifted her head up to eye level. The silver figure gave her the kindest look the farm pony had seen in a long while, “cheerio, pip pip. Good stiff upper lip.” the unicorn told her. Applejack looked at the unicorn and a smile spread across her face.
The unicorn got up to walk away, the farm pony called out to her, “wait a sec, y'all still didn't tell me how ya knew all that.” the unicorn let out a sigh, “I’m not the same, I’m... different. It's a skill of mine, it's needed to fix things, it's just a part of how I run.” replied the unicorn looking back. “Fix what?” questioned the farmer, “what’s important. Right now that's going to help your friends. So go help your friends.” the unicorn exclaimed, with that she walked away. Applejack thought about following the mysterious mare, in the end she voted against it.
The farmer looked at the tombs and smiled, a final tear streaked down her cheek, a tear of joy this time, the sadness has passed. There was a tiny plink as the water left her face, it was the sound of water hitting metal. Applejack looked down, she gazed in awe because hanging around her neck was the element of honesty, and it was shining bright as the stars.
~~~~~~~~~~~ 1 hour later ~~~~~~~~~~~
Applejack walked down the street towards Sugarcube corner, she had business to take care of. The ponies that noticed her just stared, surprised at the long smile on the farm ponies face. She reached the door and pushed it open, the ponies staring let out gasps at this. When the orange mare walked in it grew quiet, when they saw the smile they started murmuring. Applejack glanced around and dipped her head; her face was now covered by the Stetson resting atop her head. The murmuring grew more frantic as she started to shake; onlookers started growing uneasy at this motion.
She couldn't hold it in anymore, “HAHAHAhahahaha... oh whew, sorry! But y'all look so funny when ya look like that!” applejack burst out landing on her back, she had tried to contain the laughter as best she could, but it was too much. Every-pony looked like she was a danger; it was just too much for the farmer. She wiped the tears from her eyed, she was still giggling to herself. It was comical to see fear in such a happy place; regaining her composure she sidled up to the counter.
Sorry about that Mr. and Mrs. Cake. I should also apologize for the way I been actin' lately. It was inconsiderate, I do hope you forgive Me.” stated applejack upon reaching the counter. She looked at the shocked cakes, the room was completely silent for several minutes, Mrs. Cake was the first to speak up, “Applejack? Are... are you alright? You, well you haven't talked to us since...” she trailed off before mention of the obviously triggering event. “The deaths.” Applejack finished for her, “and I'm mighty sorry 'bout that. I wasn't actin' right the past couple a' days” the orange mare drawled, a sincere smile spread across her face.
Mrs. Cake saw it and dove in for a really awkward but meaningful hug across the counter, “Oh Applejack! We forgive you, we understand! It was a hard time for all of us, we're glad to have you back!” Mr. Cake joined the awkward hug from a less awkward point on the other side of the counter, tears started to form in both of their eyes. Applejack patted them softly, “thank you, y'all are too kind.” she said as the cakes pulled back. They wiped the tears from their eyes, “right, so what can we get you?” Mrs. Cake said composing herself. “Actually, I wanted to make up with spike, our last encounter was less than friendly, and much too long ago.” Applejack said, at this Mrs. Cake’s eyes widened. “He is staying here right?” Applejack asked after seeing her gesture, Mrs. Cake slowly nodded and motioned for her to follow.
They walked up the stairs and stopped in front of a door, “there’s someone here to see you.” Mrs. Cake announced to the dragon in the room. “Tell them to go away!” was her reply, to which applejack calmly exclaimed, “’fraid I can’t do that sugarcube.” There was no reply. The room was quiet for several minutes, the door then creaked open, “applejack?” asked spike peeking his head out. “Mind if I come in?” asked the mare in question, spike didn’t answer, he just ran up to her and hugged her. Applejack wrapped a hoof around him; Mrs. Cake had evacuated the area leaving the two friends alone. Applejack motioned spike into the room and onto the couch, he sat down next to her on the couch.
After a few calming words Applejack addressed spike directly, “I’m sorry for how I treated ya, it wasn’t right. Could ya ever forgive me?” spike nodded, his tears were beginning to lessen. “Thank ya spike, it ain’t right for family to fight, and I promise I’ll be better family here on out.” Applejack stated to the small dragon. “Family?” he questioned, a tear made its way down his cheek. “Yes spike, were family.” The orange mare replied, at this he squeezed her harder, “thank you…” he muttered. “Anytime” Said the orange mare.
~~~~~~~~~~~ 1 hour later ~~~~~~~~~~~
“Did you put the roses there? They look nice, fitting even.” Murmured spike, he was staring at the tombs, “no I didn’t” AJ replies. “Who?” spike asks looking up, “I can’t rightly say, but she was a good pony.” Applejack say’s smiling at the memory. “She was the one to help me, picked me up when I needed it the most. I’m awfully grateful. I didn’t even get her name, hope I see her again.” Spike just nodded, he was grateful to her too, ‘she helped my family. I hope I meet her someday.’
They spend a few minutes looking at the tombs until spike remembers the element, “You have the element…” he mumbles half consciously. “You have the element!” he shouts finally realizing what is off about it, “yeah, it just appeared, why?” applejack asks curiously, she wondered why it warranted such a reaction. “And it’s flowing with magic!” he exclaims, this was piquing her curiosity even more. “is that wrong?” she finally questions, “princess Celestia had the elements, she told me all the magic was off, the elements only work together, they are connected, linked by magic.” He states obviously worried. “The others are dead, not the ponies, the elements, as in they are off, they have no conduit to power from, they need each other to work, they don’t work alone.” He explains, her confusion was obvious on her face.
Then something clicked, processing this she looks down at her element, ‘so then why is it working?’ she thought to herself. She remembers what the mysterious savior had said, ‘go help your friends’ she rises at this. “They need my help, I gotta go, and I gotta help them.” She addresses spike, looking up he questions the one question that matters, “where are you going?” Applejack thinks for a second, “I don’t know, but I will come back.” She finally answers, leaning down and hugging spike she whispers to him, “I promise.”
Rising from the dragon she felt a tug, not a physical tug but one that you can still feel, like it was tugging at her mind. It felt like something was pulling her, looking up she saw nothing, but then there was a flash. Now she couldn’t see or feel anything, there was a whole feeling of overall emptiness. The flash vaporized into emptiness and she could feel her limbs again, but there was still a lack of anything. She looked around, ‘where am i?’ she wondered, “welcome to void space.” A voice answered. Applejack looked behind her to see a familiar face to match the familiar voice, several other familiar faces surrounding. Applejack just smiled wide, wider than ever before. A single tear snuck into her eye, it trailed down her face until finally falling down, and it disappeared into the grass that had since appeared below her feet.