The whole of Canterlot had gathered around the town square, all eyes to the slightly sacked castle. All four of he princesses, aching and exhausted, looked over the frazzled crowds from the royal balcony. Shining Armor, the regal Harbinger Blade sheathed to his side smiled and nodded to her, Zecora, who had only just come around, nodding as well. Twilight, her ragged gown fluttering in the nighttime breeze, ascended the platform overlooking the town to the roar of the crowds.
“Ponies of Equestria.” she said, her voice magically amplified. “I'm sure it comes as no surprise Equestria is still in danger.” The crowd was silent at this. “But tonight's endeavors have proven that we are capable of standing together. We are capable of defending our homeland. We are capable of saving all of Equestria!” The dim was deafening. Everypony cheered as Twilight descended the podium, Celestia taking her place.
“This has been quite a night.” Twilight said as Celestia gave another speech to the masses. “Looks like we've raised morale in Canterlot, huh, Cadence?”
“That wasn't why you were summoned here, Twilight.” Luna said suddenly, the others looking at her as Celestia continued to speak to the crowd. “He warned us that Tirek was sending forces to attack Canterlot... and we knew that if we told you, all your friends would leave Ponyville with you, leaving it unprotected.” Twilight opened her mouth to argue, but she knew Luna was right. Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, they would all have left without a word if Twilight were summoned to defend Canterlot.
“I have an idea.” Cadence said suddenly, hoping to change the subject. “Princess Luna, use your voice to unify Canterlot.” she said, everypony confused by this except Luna, who looked quite taken aback by this.
“What do you mean-”
“Princess Luna is a brilliant songstress, Twilight.” Cadence explained. “She was said to have the finest voice in all of Equestria. Please, Princess Luna.” Cadence said, turning to the blue pony. “Please sing for everypony. That would fill everypony with hope.” Luna shook her head.
“It's been more than 1000 years since I've sang.” she said, bowing her head. “It just wouldn't feel right.. I last sang for the first Nightmare Night-” “I'll sing.” Everypony turned to Twilight. “Princess Luna, I will sing for you.” she added, smiling in the moonlight, her eyes welling slightly.
=====
Rainbow Dash,wearing a rucksack with both her and Applejack's Elements of Harmony packed inside, stood at Sweet Apple Acres with a heavy heart as she saw them return. Granny Smith chatted merrily with little Apple Bloom while Big Macintosh smiled up at young Babs Seed as she climbed up onto his head.
“This song is in dedication,” Twilight began, her voice quivering “to a very dear friend... a friend I hope to see again someday.”
Rainbow Dash looked at the ground, her insides feeling cold as ice. How could she possibly tell the Apples what happened to Applejack.
“Hey there, Rainbow Dash!” Apple Bloom called, running for the blue unicorn. “Y'all waiting to welcome us back? Where's Applejack?” she asked, looking around excitedly. “Looks like y'all fixed up the farm real good.”
“So where is Applejack?” Granny smith asked. Just as Rainbow Dash opened her mouth, the ground shook as a lumbering growl came from behind. They all turned to see the orange dragon that was Applejack, stomping into the apple orchard, a burst of fire spurting from her mouth.
“A DRAGON!” Granny Smith called in terror.
“Cuz! Let's split!” Babs called as she clung to Big Macintosh, the large red stallion turning. “Cuz! C'mon!” she called back as Apple Bloom slowly walked up beside Rainbow Dash, looking at the rampaging dragon in awe.
“That's Applejack.” she said quietly, her voice quivering.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdNXSONq9O0
“A friend for life
That's what you are to me”
Twilight's voice rang out over the crowds of Canterlot, everypony listening to her sweet voice.
“A friend for life
That's what you are to me”
“THAT'S MY SISTER!” Apple Bloom cried, tears pouring down her face. She raced for the dragon, diving under Rainbow Dash's sweeping hoof, the other Apples shrieking and calling for her as she charged for the drake.
“APPLE BLOOM! COME BACK!” Rainbow Dash called, racing for the little filly as she continue to cry out bitterly to her transformed sister. Immediately upon seeing the tiny yellow filly, Applejack lowered her gaze to her.
“SIS! IT'S ME! APPLE BLOOM!” she cried. “IT'S ME!” Immediately, the dragon snapped it's jaws for her, Rainbow Dash only just catching the filly and shoving her out of the way.
“Apple Bloom, you need to run!” Rainbow Dash said as she pulled Applejack's Element from her sack. “Please, run-”
“THAT'S MY SISTER!” Apple Bloom cried hysterically. “WHAT HAPPENED TO HER!?”
“Apple Bloom, go!” she called as Applejack stomped for them both. Shoving Apple Bloom into a stack of baskets, Rainbow Dash jumped high for Applejack's face, holding the Element of Honesty for her.
“Applejack! Come back!” Rainbow Dash called, trying to force the Element on the dragon's scaly head. The beast roared and trashed, trying to tear her once friend from her face, small blasts of fire shooting from her mouth.
“Every friendship is tested
You say you're sincere but it's all unclear now
With a word, everything changes
And just like that, you and I go right back”
With a mighty shake of her head, Applejack sent Rainbow Dash flying from her head, crashing painfully into an apple tree. Wincing at the pain, Rainbow Dash saw Apple Bloom cowering and crying under the baskets.
“Apple Bloom, I said run!” Rainbow Dash spat as the dragon approached them both. Apple Bloom turned just in time to see Rainbow Dash fired several bursts of magic into Applejack's midsection, causing the dragon to roar out in pain.
“STOP!” Apple Bloom shrieked, great tears streaming down her face, not even bothering to ask why Rainbow Dash now had a horn instead of wings. “DON'T HURT MY SISTER!” Apple Bloom charged again for the dragon, screaming and waving her hooves for her transformed sister.
“APPLEJACK! REMEMBER ME! APPLE BLOOM!” she plead at the top of her lungs.
“Apple Bloom! I SAID RUN!” Rainbow Dash called, throwing her hooves around the little filly as Applejack opened her fiery maw. Both the ponies closed their eyes as tight as they could, waiting to be roasted alive.
“When I put my hand out.
And I thought I would fall
You knew what I needed
And you came around to fix it up”
Twilight fell to her knees, crying bitterly as the music continued to play. Just then, Princess Luna stood beside her, smiling down at her, her eyes also filled with tears. Twilight smiled back. Luna was going to sing with her.
Rainbow Dash and Apple Bloom quivered in terror as they both heard Applejack roar and heard a stream of raging fire burst from her mouth... yet they didn't feel the burning spray hit them. They opened their eyes just enough to see a shining barrier surrounding them both.
“If you're quite finished!” a familiar voice called out. The two looked to see Discord holding off the dragon's blazing breath. “We don't have time for this!” he called, his body stretching as he wrapped around Applejack and constricted her. “Hurry! Put her Element on and restore her!” he called as she grappled with the embodiment of chaos. Immediately, Rainbow Dash jumped high and shoved the Element of Harmony on the dragon's head.
“Now! Cast the spell!” Discord called as he continued to hold her in place. Rainbow Dash, quickly donning her own Element, lowered her glowing horn to Applejack's head and began fighting to restore her memories. She knew they would be the key to restoring Applejack to normal. Just as she began to see some of her friend's most cherished memories, they began to fade from her mind, Applejack roaring out as Rainbow Dash fought hard to keep the spell going.
“APPLEJACK! PLEASE! REMEMBER!” Apple Bloom called. Immediately, the dragon stopped thrashing and looked at her younger sister, her scant few returned memories resonating with her little sister's sweet voice. Rainbow Dash had to be quick. Summoning all her might, she restored more and more of Applejack's memories, the dragon growing limp and giving a low growl. Finally, at long last, the dragon collapsed to the ground, her giant orange scales melting away as Applejack lay on the ground of the torn apple orchard, unconscious but fully restored to her original state. Applejack was back, Apple Bloom throwing her hooves around her unconscious sister and crying, Rainbow Dash wiping a tear from her eye as she smiled. She had her best friend back.
Twilight and Luna finished their duet to the roar of the crowds of Canterlot, Twilight collapsing to her knees as she wept quietly. She couldn't understand why, but she felt a great swell of happiness. Some good happened. Something was set right. Smiling, she thought about how she couldn't wait to return to Ponyville.