//------------------------------//
// Chapter Two: Crystal Conversations 
// Story: The Fruits of Our Labors (Book 4) 
// by LotusTeaDragon 
//------------------------------//

CHAPTER TWO: CRYSTAL CONVERSATIONS

"It's probably getting dark outside, by now." A coltish voice whispered across to the seat next to her. 

A hushed reply came a few moments later. "Ah'd say so, sugarcube."

Rainbow Dash moved to a sitting position on her couch, and looked around. The train car was dim, lit only by a pair of small lanterns; one at the front of the car, and one at the rear. They cast just enough light for any pony to make out the shadowy forms of other pony travelers, some sitting silently and staring out the windows, while others were likely asleep, curled up on their acceleration couches, trying to keep warm in the drafty car. Dash could see Applejack across the aisle from her, nodding off once more, lulled to sleep by the rhythmic clacking of the train tracks beneath the speeding locomotive. 

It had been the standard routine from the moment they had first descended into Icewind Canyon, one of the few travel routes that made it possible to reach the Crystal Empire without any traveler freezing to death, or getting hopelessly lost amidst the vast, icy plateaus that lead up to the base of the Crystal Mountains.

She turned her head to stare out the passenger side window. After a few minutes, she became weary of seeing nothing but the discomforting aquamarine blur of the ice right outside her window, as the train sped along the canyon floor. Her eyelids became heavy, and after a few bouts of momentary resistance, she closed them and slipped off into dreamland.

She only figured her eyes had been closed for a heartbeat before she felt the soft tug of deceleration pulling her slightly forward. It was enough to cause her to jump slightly, opening her eyes to make certain she didn't fall blindly into some kind of embarrassing situation, such as cartwheeling out of her seat to the eternal amusement of her wife, and half the other passengers of the rail car. That kind of thing could make the coolest pony look like a newborn foal. I mean, you could brush off the dirt and the dust, but you couldn't brush off the lame.

She made a note to herself to write that down in her journal next time she had the chance. 

"You awake, sugarcube?" 

"Yeah, AJ. I think we're slowing down."

"Eeyup." Applejack looked out her window. "Ah can see a train depot up ahead. We mus' be stoppin' ta refuel."

Rainbow Dash breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank Celestia! I don't know if I can stay cooped up in this box for much longer."

The statement was completely true. Rainbow Dash knew she could handle just about anything anypony tossed her way, but she couldn't tolerate closed spaces. Elevators, small rooms, train cars, they all made her nervous to the point where she wanted to flee. It was only Applejack's nearby presence that kept her from panicking and trying to fly out the nearest window.

The train came to a complete stop, a loud thunk followed by a hiss of steam could be heard moments later.

"Stretchin' mah legs feels mighty nice, I have ta say." Applejack observed as she stood to her hooves, and began leaning forward and backward, grunting in satisfaction as she stretched and pulled each leg.

Dash tore her eyes away from the all too entertaining sight, and focused on the other passengers, who were already making their way toward the exits. The conductor, a white maned, older stallion with brown fur, and wearing a small, blue cap, appeared at the front of the car. 

"Attention, passengers," he called out in a loud, clear voice, "we will be departing for the Crystal Empire in 30 minutes. Please take this time to stretch your legs, patronize the local shops, and be back on the train by the third whistle blow." He unlocked the side exits at the front of the train car.  "Oh, and keep in mind that we won't be coming back for any dawdlers, so when you hear the whistle, I suggest you step lively, or else the only way you'll be leaving here is on the way back toward Ponyville," he added, a touch of reproachful humor evident in his kind voice.

The way now clear, Applejack and Rainbow Dash followed the procession of ponies out the exits, and onto the station platform.

"So what do you want to do to kill some time, AJ?" Dash asked as she looked about the train station. 

"Ta be honest, Ah'd like ta use the little filly's room," came the reply.

Dash looked askance at the farm mare. "Why didn't you go to the bathroom on the train?"

Applejack looked away and mumbled.

"What was that, AJ?" Dash asked, flitting around to face the country pony, "I didn't catch what you said."

Applejack glared at her. "Ah said, Ah can't use that one."

Rainbow arched an eyebrow. "Why not?"

"Because mah mama always taught me never ta use any toilet that moves faster than you can. Now if you'll pardon me, Ah ain't really in the mood ta go into detail."

With that, she made a beeline for a small building with a placard, showing the outline of a filly and a mare, on the side.

Rainbow Dash chuckled as she mentally filed that little tidbit away for possible use later.

While Applejack was indisposed, Dash took a few moments to look around at the station itself. It was rather simple; it had what looked like half a dozen small shops, mostly focused on souvenirs, though she wondered what a tourist would find interesting in a backwater station at the bottom of an icy canyon, she shrugged it off. 

A shout to her left caused her to turn her head, and she saw a couple of colts playing next to a tofu dog stand. Now aware of the tiny stand, she raised her muzzle to the air, and sniffed. She could smell the delightful fragrance of the mustard, relish, and onions, wafting through the air, enticing her. Sure, there were meals served on the train, but they were those freeze dried affairs, where everything was small and tasted like cardboard, not that she knew what cardboard tasted like, or anything.

Flapping her wings, she floated, almost cartoonishly, over to the small stand, where a smiling earth pony stood, ready to take her order.

"Hey there fella, how about a couple of tofu dogs, fully loaded?" She asked the mustachioed stallion.

The vendor grinned, and began to assemble the dogs. "So, are you heading to the Crystal Empire to visit our world class ski resort?" He asked, as he piled relish onto each waiting frankfurter. 

Dash, who was salivating and rubbing her hooves together, shook her head. "Nah, my wife and I are out this way, visiting the Princess."

The hot dog vendor paused, a heap of sauerkraut in his ladle. "The Princess?"

Dash looked up from the aromatic, steaming food. "Yeah. They found some kind of apple seed that they lost a long time ago, I think, and my wife is an expert in growing apples. Have you ever heard of Applejack, or Sweet Apple Acres? Oh, that reminds me, I'm Rainbow Dash, fastest flier in all of Equestria."

The vendor blinked, and then continued fixing the order. "Oh, er, my name is Serving Suggestion, Mrs. Dash."

"Just Rainbow is fine."

"Ah, forgive me, uh, Rainbow. I just wasn't expecting you to be visiting the Princess, but no, I have never heard of Sweet Apple Acres. In all honesty, you must understand that we are still adjusting to this new Equestria in which we find ourselves. Being tucked away for a thousand years has left us out of the loop, I'm afraid to say." 

He sat a thick paper plate carrying two tofu dogs, burdened by their toppings, on the small cart's wooden counter top. The scent alone nearly drove Dash to grabbing the both of them, and shoving them into her muzzle all at once, like a thirsty mare during cider season. Instead she resisted, and dropped the sum of 4 bits onto the counter.

The burly stallion merely waved his large foreleg. "No no, my dear, you are here to help us regain our economic independence, to come to the aid of our Princess and Her Consort. It would be remiss of me not to offer you a small gift in exchange for your services. Please keep your bits."

Rainbow Dash smiled. "No way. These tofu dogs look way awesome, you have to take the bits."

The vendor shook his head. "Please, I insist you keep them. It is an honor just to serve my tofu dogs to ones called on behalf of the Princess."

Before Dash could refuse again, an orange mare sidled up next to her. 

"We'll take the bits back on one condition." Applejack said, as she scooped them up with her hoof. She trotted away from the hot dog stand, and over to a bench that sat by a shopkeeper's door just a few meters away, where a crystal earth pony colt, and filly, were sitting restlessly. Serving Suggestion looked at Rainbow Dash, who only shrugged her shoulders. If Applejack had planned something, she didn't know about it.

As she looked to where Applejack was now standing, she saw that the foals, who had sullen expressions on their young faces, appeared to be waiting on their parents, who were likely shopping inside. Rainbow Dash couldn't help but notice the filly looked, for all the world, like a younger Apple Bloom. She even had a pink bow in her shimmering hair. 

Rainbow watched on, as Applejack talked with the pair, unable to make out what was being said due to the distance she was from the vendor stand. As she watched, she saw that the two foals would nod their heads every so often, smiles growing on their despondent faces. This went on for some time until, finally,  she saw Applejack hand them two bits a piece, and wave her hoof toward a sign on the shop window advertising sugar fruit; two bits a bag.

The foals grinned, and bolted toward the door so fast, the gust of wind created by their speed nearly pushed Applejack's hat from atop her head. She grabbed it and held it down as they sped off. She turned back in their direction, and sauntered over to the hot dog cart, a smile on her face.

"Does that seem like a fair deal, Mister?"

The hot dog vendor's smile was wide as he answered her. "Yes, ma'am, that seems like quite the fair deal."

Applejack gave a curt nod and extended her hoof to the plump, brown furred stallion. "Pardon mah manners. Mah name's Applejack."

The vendor shook her hoof politely. "I am Serving Suggestion, Mrs. Applejack. I serve the finest tofu dogs in the Crystal Empire. Am I to assume that this lovely blue pegasus is your wife, and that you are visiting our lovely kingdom on a mission at the request of Her Royal Highness?"

Applejack smiled. "Ya are right on both counts, and it's nice to meet ya, Mr. Suggestion."

"Serving, please."

"Alrighty, Serving, as long as ya just call me plain ol' Applejack."

The sound of a train whistle pierced the air.

"Oh well, sorry ta meet an' run, but that's our cue. Won't do no good for the empire if we're just standin' around jawin' while our ride goes off an' leaves us in the dust. It's been a pleasure to meet ya, Serving."

Serving Suggestion bowed slightly. "The honor is all mine, Applejack, Miss Rainbow Dash. I do ask that when you're returning home, please stop by my stand, if you have the time. It is of no urgency, but I would like to hear how your visit went, and not to worry, the tofu dogs will be on me."

Applejack tipped her hat to the aging stallion. "Why thank ya, Serving. That's mighty kind o' ya. We'll be sure ta stop on by on the way back home." 

With a smile and a wave, returned in kind by Serving Suggestion, they walked back toward the train. 

"What a nice feller," Applejack commented to Dash as they made their way past a group of ponies standing along the platform.

"Mmhmm..." came Dash's reply.

Applejack looked over to find her wife chowing down on a fully loaded tofu dog. She watched with utter fascination as the blue pegasus finished it in two large bites. 

Rainbow Dash, upon seeing she was being observed, responded quizzically. "What?" she asked, "these are good! I mean, you don't even know! The mustard, the sweet relish, it's just so... well... you know what? You won't know until you try it." 

Without any further preamble, she stuffed the other tofu dog into Applejack's muzzle. Unprepared for the culinary onslaught, Applejack nearly choked as she quickly tried to swallow the gourmet dog that had nearly lodged itself in her throat. Several ponies on the platform looked at the earth pony with concern, some even asking if she was okay. Finally, after a few moments of gasping for breath, and a few thumps across the back from Rainbow Dash, the orange mare finally managed to finish the hot dog.

She waved off the concerned onlookers with a bashful grin, and turned to the rainbow maned menace.

"Rainbow Dash! Ya just can't force food onta somepony else! It ain't right!"

"And?"

"And what?"

"And how did it taste?"

Applejack sighed. "Well, if ya have ta know, and if Ah can remember from what I could get before it got all crammed in ma mouth, it was okay." 

This was met with extreme skepticism. "Just okay?"

"Yeah, a tofu dog's just a tofu dog."

"Really?"

"Yeah, Dash, really."

"Really really?"

An audible sigh followed. "Fine, it was durn near the best tofu dog I ever done ate. Ya happy?"

Rainbow Dash smiled. "Ha! Told ya! Yeah, we're definitely coming here on the way back."

Applejack merely shook her head as the two boarded the train car. 

As a blond tail disappeared beyond the doorway, a raspy, coltish voice could be heard asking, "You think he sells tofu burgers, too?" 

The whistle sounded a third time, and the train began moving along the platform, continuing the final leg of its journey across the icy tundra, and into the heart of the Crystal Empire.

***

The rest of the train ride was uneventful, and the early morning Sun found the pair standing on a bustling station platform, each carrying their saddlebags, and a suitcase a piece. All around them, the Crystal Empire train station was filled with travelers. Some appeared to be business ponies, while others wore flowery shirts and straw hats, snapping pictures of the cityscape with their cameras.

"Who are we looking for, AJ?" Rainbow Dash asked as she jumped aside in order to avoid a cart full of luggage from running over her tail. "Hey, watch it!" She called out, but was ignored by the driver.

"If Ah recall correctly, she's the aide to the Princess. Jade somethin'."

"Running Jade, Chief Royal Aide to Princess Cadance and Prince Consort Shining Armor."

"Yeah, that's her. That word calendar's helpin' yer memory, Dash."

"I didn't say anything."

"Well, who did?"

"That would be me."

The two mares turned in time to see a young, green crystal earth pony standing behind them. 

"May I assume you are Mrs. Applejack, and Mrs. Rainbow Dash?"

The two nodded their assent, replying in the affirmative.

"Ah, good. Well, as I said before, I'm Running Jade, and I'm the Chief Royal Aide. Yes, it rhymes," she added, noting that Rainbow Dash had moved to say something.

"I apologize if I sound short with you, but you have to understand how many times a day I hear that." She smiled wanly, hoping the two mares wouldn't be offended by her forthright nature. Fortunately, that  seemed to be the case.

"Hello, there, Miss Jade, a pleasure ta meet ya," Applejack said as she extended a hoof. 

Running Jade accepted it politely, doing the same for Rainbow Dash. As she turned, she motioned to two soldiers in shimmering silver armor. They trotted over and stood next to the group, one on each side of the trio.

"Follow me, please," she said to Applejack and Rainbow Dash, as she began walking forward, away from the train platform toward an open iron gate that lead out of the station.

"As you can see," she began, "the Crystal Empire has grown by leaps and bounds since your last visit. We've added on to the train depot, and now see more than a thousand travelers a day pass through our gates."

They stepped outside of the building, moving along a cobblestone path that lead to the outer edge of the Bazaar, a huge marketplace that made up the outer layer of the "snowflake" pattern that was the city of the Crystal Empire.

"Our Bazaar, once being the lifeblood of hundreds of individual shops and attractions, has expanded to the thousands, perhaps even the ten thousands."

Applejack and Rainbow Dash, walking behind the young Aide, turned their heads in every direction, trying to take in all of the sights, sounds, and smells of the organized chaos that was the Empire Bazaar. Dash could even smell a tofu dog stand nearby, and briefly wondered whether that vendor's offerings were superior to Serving Suggestion's, but any plans on finding out were quelled by a quick glance at her significant other, whose expression nipped that idea in the bud before it ever had a chance to flower. Maybe later.

"As you can see," Running Jade continued as they passed the Bazaar, and continued further into the interior of the city, "our residential section has grown as well. New designs in architecture make it possible for us to build skyscrapers some twenty stories high, and capable of providing homes for thousands of ponies."

She waved a forehoof upward. "We have even begun to build new crystal terraces, to allow for any pony that wishes it to stand high above the earth, so that even without wings, they may gaze in awe and admiration at our beautiful city."

True to her word, and many hooves above the crystal pathways on which they walked, could be seen outcroppings jutting from the side of each skyscraper. 

"Ah must say," Applejack said, her voice tinged with an impressed tenor, "these newfangled buildings remind me of Manehattan."

While Applejack was too busy looking up to notice, Rainbow Dash caught the slight expression of distaste on the Royal Aide's face as she replied, "Yes, while we do share some similarity with Manehattan in that regard, that is likely where it ends. Manehattan may be the largest city in Equestria, but it is highly unlikely that they share our level of sophistication."

The tone of her voice troubled Rainbow Dash, and she filed that away to ask AJ about it later. Up ahead, she saw the familiar grand arches of the Crystal Castle.

"Looks like the castle is as cool as ever," she commented out loud, as they approached the base.

"Yes, the Crystal Castle is the pride and joy of every citizen of the Crystal Empire," Running Jade said as she presented identification to the rather intimidating guardsponies standing at the gate that lead up the staircase.  

"It is beauty, luxury, and refinement," continued the Aide as they climbed the stairs. "More importantly, it is the unifying symbol of all that is good, and just, of Her Royal Highness, His Royal Consort, and all who work diligently to uphold the values of the Crystal Empire."

"Ah have ta admit, it sure is nice that we'll be able to see Princess Cadance again. We ain't seen hide nor hair of her in a moon's age." Applejack replied as they stepped out of the stairwell and into the main area of the royal complex.

"Yes," said Jade, "you are most fortunate to be granted an audience with Her Royal Highness. It is a rare thing indeed to be given consideration, while also being a non-citizen of the Empire."

Rainbow Dash wanted to roll her eyes, but before she could, she saw a familiar face as they walked under an archway and into the Royal Court.

"Heya, Princess!" she called out as she waved to the figure sitting on the throne.

Running Jade blanched as she heard Rainbow Dash refer to her Princess in such a casual manner. As she turned to rebuke the pegasus (and to order her not to fly while standing in the Royal court), she watched in barely concealed horror as the Princess trotted up to where they were standing, and grabbed the brash pegasus in a hug!

This was doubly compounded when she did the same for the earth pony mare.

Cadance, for her part, didn't even notice as she greeted, with all smiles, her two very dear friends into the sanctum of the Royal Court.

"Running Jade," she called to her Aide, who hurried to stand next to her.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Jade, how many times have I told you not to call me Majesty? I'm a Princess, but you don't have to treat me like I hung the Moon." Cadance exclaimed, a touch of exasperation in her voice. "Though now that I think about it," she said, an impish tone taking its place, "I do know the pony who did, so maybe you should just call me Most High Princess of the Empire."

Running Jade's only response was a half lidded expression on her face, punctuated by a slow blink.

Cadance merely giggled. "Okay, okay, Jade. I will leave you alone for now, but please see that you send somepony with refreshments for my friends."

With that, the Royal Aide was off; orders being given to a nearby pony who immediately dashed out of the room. Moments later, Running Jade followed him out.

"You have to forgive her," Cadance said as she turned back to her friends, "she's very formal and very devoted. I assure you, she's a very kind pony."

Applejack nodded. "Ah can respect that. She sure did seem like she loved her country."

Rainbow Dash agreed. "Yeah, she was way into Crystal Empire this, and Crystal Empire that," at which point she caught herself. "Uh, not that the Crystal Empire is a bad thing. It's really, you know, cool!"

Applejack facehooved. 

Cadance simply laughed, and patted Rainbow Dash on the back. "It really is good to see the two of you. I have so many things to talk about, and I'll also fill you in on what it is I need you to do, Applejack. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by what we've found. Crystal Apples could change the future of Equestria. I knew once I saw what we had, it was imperative I take advantage of our friendship in order to make the most of this discovery. I do hope that doesn't bother you."

Applejack shook her head. "Nah, I understand, Princess. Hey, Ah feel kinda proud that ya decided to have me come up here and take a look at what ya got."

Cadance grinned. "I just know that with you overseeing our project, Applejack, we're sure to succeed."

Rainbow Dash spoke up. "By the way, where's Shining Armor?"

"Oh, he'll be here, shortly. He's been overseeing the latest recruit enlistments, over at the barracks. He thinks a little intimidation is good for the soul." Cadance said, smiling while rolling her eyes.

Before they could continue, a stallion dressed in a tuxedo appeared in the doorway. "Your Highness," he began, "forgive my intrusion, but dinner is ready to be served, at your convenience."

"Thank you, Silver Chalice, we will be along momentarily." She replied. 

The stallion dipped his head. "Yes, Your Royal Highness," he added, and disappeared behind the door once more.

"Well," Cadance began, "who's hungry?"

(/)*(\)