After Applejack had a conversation with Twilight on the train and had a quick chit chat with her and Cadence, Applejack was led by Luna to a room she had never seen. "So what's this thing ya needed me for yer highness?" Applejack asked.
"Well it's better we show thou, ahem, pardon me, still getting used to this modern talk," Luna apologized.
"No biggie yer majesty. It seems to be an old habit. I don't mind," Applejack forgave.
"Well, as I was saying, I feel it's better to tell you once I show you," Luna said.
"Fine by me yer highness," Applejack said.
They soon came upon a room Applejack had not seen before. Upon opening the doors, Applejack was taken back by what she saw. The walls seemed to reflect the night sky, but more complex such as groups of stars spinning in a disk like form and other such things. "Many ponies in the past have come through this door who knew of the Crystal empire and it's secrets. I for one had only heard recently for my knowledge as well as my sisters were limited of the Empire's history. The crystal ponies came here often to seek guidance from their ancestors, and every once in a while the great ancestors of all ponies would grant a gift to those they deemed worthy," Luna said.
"Wow, that's pretty neat yer highness," Applejack.
"Indeed, and please just call me Luna. Now, When I found this room, I was visited by them and they had even allowed me a gift I had lost after my dark transformation. That gift was to watch over all ponies dreams and sometimes help them with their troubled thoughts. I recently helped young Scootaloo with a trouble she faced, but I can only help when the dreams surface, and I can't be in all dreams at once. This is what brings me to you Applejack," Luna said.
"Wait, what is it about me?" Applejack asked.
"Now, hear me out Applejack. I know your thoughts are your own, but I couldn't block out the fact that something deeply troubles you and your older brother," Luna said.
"My older brother too?" Applejack became curious.
"Indeed. Now he was able to deal with it in his own way, which I'll keep private, but I know that the two of you have troubled dreams of what happened to your parents," Luna said.
Applejack was in shock. The ordeal of what happened to her folks was a very touchy subject, but she couldn't blame Luna from seeing it since the dreams were so strong. But she wondered why Luna would even mention this to her. "So, what does this have to do with the room we're in Luna?" Applejack inquired with curiosity.
"I was able to talk to my sister and the ancestors, and they were able to dive in and see what you have done in the past and they feel you are worthy of one gift they can grant," Luna said.
"I'm worthy of a gift?" Applejack asked in bewilderment.
"Yes, the gift they are able to grant is to bring your parents back, alive and healthy in their prime," Luna said.
"They can do that. Then I'll accept it," Applejack said, wanting to see them after so long.
"Hold on, before they grant it, there is one more thing you need to know," Luna said.
"What is it Pri, er Luna? I want to see my folks again," Applejack said with anticipation.
"Well, oh horsefeathers how do I say this? In order for them to bring your parents back, you, or possibly your brother, need to..." Luna stalled for she couldn't find her voice at this point.
"Well what is it Luna? I don't mean to be rude, but I would say I've waited long enough to see them again," Applejack snapped at her impatiently.
Luna sighed, "In order for them to return to the living world, you or Big Macintosh need to be brought back to foalhood."
Applejack's jaw dropped to the floor. "Say what now?" Applejack asked in disbelief.
"You or Big Mac will become a foal again," Luna said
"Bu- bu- wi all de apple uh, ginging in da bony, ninga ba, wha, huuuuu," Applejack said before she fainted.
After a while of trying to bring Applejack back to her senses, Applejack, finally got to her feet. "Are you all right Applejack?" Luna asked in a worried tone.
"I'm fine, sorry about that lil episode," Applejack said.
"It's alright. I was sort of expecting that reaction," Luna said.
"Now, let me make sure I hear this correctly. If I want my parents back, Big Macintosh or myself will have to become a foal again?" Applejack asked.
"Yes," Luna answered.
"Is... is there a way to make me my current age after they come back," Applejack asked.
"I'm sorry, but the effects remain permanent after this process is done. The only cure will be time Applejack," Luna said.
Applejack was now deep in thought. If she did this, she would get her parents back, but she would be a foal. She would risk not being able to be the same age as her friends. On the other hoof if she didn't do, she might not get this opportunity again and lose the chance of ever seeing her parents alive and in their prime. It also mean the nightmares would continue unless she agreed to do this, and she wanted to lift that weight off the shoulders of her and her brother, and even her Granny. "You don't have to do this if you don't want to Applejack, the great ancestors of our past will understand," Luna said.
"I'll do it," Applejack said bluntly.
"Wha- are you sure?" Luna asked.
"Yes. As odd as it may seem to me to be a foal again, no emotion of mine can beat seein my parents again. I'll be foalified if that's what it takes to bring them back Luna," Applejack answered with determination.
"As long as you are sure, young Applejack," Luna said.
"I'm sure," Applejack.
"Very well. Great ancestors, young Applejack has made her decision and has chosen to see her parents once more and in addition, agrees to become a foal," Luna said to the great ancestors as she looked up.
"Have her step forth onto the pedestal in order to begin the process," Said a distant echoing voice.
Applejack obeyed and was soon on the pedestal. As she stood there, a light beemed down from above into a heart shaped crystal that looked ironically enough like the Crystal Heat, but smaller and with a navy blue glow. Soon another beem erupted and shot directly at Applejack. She didn't feel pain, but she did feel the sense of her foalhood returning to her, locking away her memories and erasing others as her age reversed. As she was nearing infant stage, a bright light engulfed the room. Luna and Applejack shut their eyes, and soon heard hoofsteps. As the light's dimmed down, they opened them. When they did, two ponies Applejack knew all too well were standing before them, but Applejack couldn't see them, for her whole body was covered by her hat that once fit. "Apple Cobbler, Apple Turnover, welcome back," Luna said.
"Good to be back Princess Luna," Apple Cobbler, Father of the Apple siblings and son of Granny Smith said before he bowed.
Apple Turnover, mother of the Apple siblings and daughter of Apple Core did the same before she said, "Now where's my littlest of our three kiddys, Applejack?"
She looked around and then saw her old hat she had given to Applejack and she saw it moving. She snuck up on it and slowly lifted it to reveal her daughter. "Pickaboo, I found ya lil sugar," Apple Turnover said.
Apple Tunrover nuzzled her daughter, who cutely giggled and had somehow been diapered by the transformation. "I don't know if we can ever thank ya fer bringing us back lil one," Apple Cobbler said as he joined in a family hug.
All Applejack did was make baby gibberish at them. Luna only smiled to see the heartwarming scene before her. Now, Apple Cobbler had a build much like his son Big Macintosh, so you can see where Big Mac got his strength. However Apple Cobbler's fur was orange like Applejacks, but a bit darker and his mane was reddish-brown, like a combo of Big Mac's and Apple Bloom's mane. As for Apple Turnover, she had the same fur as her son, but her mane was the color of a light blond, which gave Applejack her blond mane. "I'll bet you're head over hooves to see us again aren't ya Applejack?" Apple Cobbler asked rhetorically.
"*Achoo*" baby Applejack sneezed right into her father's face.
"Hmhm, maybe too excited," Apple Turnover said before all three adults in the room shared a chuckle.
Apple Turnover soon put her old hat on her head and Applejack began to whine. Turnover picked her up and said, "Sorry lil sugar, but you got a ways ta go before ya will fit in this hat again."
Applejack hid her face realizing her mom was right. Apple Turnover placed her on her back and began to carry her off towards the door where Luna was waiting. "I hope your other two children will be just as pleased to see you. And I hope Granny takes it well," Luna said.
"I think the only one we need ta think about is Granny Smith. Now, I know we just came back to the land of the livin, but we are a might anxious to get back home your highness," Apple Cobbler said.
"I understand. I can have a train leave for you tonight, but be aware, this train will take the long route and is the slower of the Friendship Express. You won't get back til Tuesday morning. The other option would be to wait for three days and take the New high speed Friendship Express that morning and get there by noon," Luna said.
"Why can't the high speed one take off for there tomorrow yer highness?" Apple Cobbler asked.
"A terrible storm is blowing through Ponyville as we speak, and it is a three day storm," Luna warned.
"Well, I don't want to risk AJ's fragile lil body on a high speed train, she's far too young. We'll take the slower one tonight. I can sleep on any train like that as can lil AJ," Apple Turnover said.
"Alright, I'll have one of the castle staff escort you to Applejack's resting quarters and have tickets ready for your departure. I will leave with you as well so I can at least prepare Granny for the sudden shock. But first I have to make a stop at my sister's resting chambers," Luna said.
"Alright we'll see ya at the castle doors yer highness," Apple Turnover said as she carried sleepy little Applejack on her back.
"Oh, hold on sweetie," Apple Cobbler said.
He took her neckerchief and adjusted it to where Applejack could be carried inside it, and Apple Turnover thanked him. Soon the Apple Family and Luna walked out of the room to take care of what they needed, unaware two other ponies had just been permanently foalified.