“I think I’m starting to get the hang of this.” Twilight watched as a yellow orb floated toward the crystal star chamber.
Aeon hovered behind and spoke with a rasp in his voice. “The Element of Kindness has seen the light in your soul, but what have you learned from your Trials thus far, Scion?”
Twilight stopped to think for a moment as the light from the second orb spun around the first in an endless game of tag that resembled the sun and moon chasing each other across the sky. “I’ve learned that it isn’t easy and I’ll be glad when it’s done.” She gave Aeon a half-smile and turned back to watch the scene in the pool unfold. With Fluttershy unconscious and her coat radiating rainbows, Morning Glory and Cloudy Skies were beside themselves. Apprehensively, the mother approached her daughter while the father darted out the window presumably in search of assistance.
Twilight gave a sigh and repeated her words from earlier, “I’m so sorry, Fluttershy.” Turning back to the Master, she had a few more things to say. “I don’t really understand exactly how I passed that Trial. It’s not like I really did anything super kind.”
“That is where you are wrong, young one.” Aeon grunted in pain and shifted his body forward. “You performed an act of kindness so rare it is often overlooked. Your longsuffering and courageous spirit absorbed the barbs thrown at you as the attitudes of those who produced them were allowed time to soften and change. You stood up for yourself without retaliating in kind.”
Twilight scratched her chin while she worked on that thought. “I guess I did learn something from that Trial.” She focused in on the sight of Morning Glory reaching out to hold her daughter and watched as she spread her forelegs around Fluttershy’s neck. “I learned that being kind and standing up for yourself are not mutually exclusive traits. I didn’t have to get mad or try and force others to see the truth. In the end, my actions spoke louder than words. A simple act of kindness helped tear down huge barriers of fear and doubt, and I helped make that possible.”
Aeon puffed out a bit of smoke. “I see your knowledge of Harmony has grown. Let us hope that you continue in this manner for the duration of your Trial.”
Starswirl approached with the bags. “Ready for number three then?”
Twilight hesitated, unsure if she should continue or hold back and make sure Fluttershy was taken care of first. “I better wait and see that my friend is doing okay before I charge on ahead, don’t you think?”
“I think you’ll do better to help them by completing your Trials. Your friend will be fine, just as before, but she may need a little nudge to help dissipate the magic without a horn to soak up the excess.” Starswirl shook up the contents of the bag and held it out for Twilight’s selection.
“Why do I get the feeling that trusting you is going to come back to bite me in the end?” Twilight reached out and stuck her hoof into the saddle bag. With a soft clunk, she pulled back on the solid object that she met. Staring down at the apple-wood picture frame she now held, her family’s smiles all stared back. Looking up at Aeon, she posed another question. “What does my family have to do with the Trials? Isn’t this supposed to be about the Elements of Harmony and my friends?”
“Family is at the core of everything the Elements stand for. Your third Trial awaits, Scion. Seek out the truth for yourself.” Aeon swung back into his secluded spot between the rear pillars.
“Not exactly the pep talk I was expecting, but here goes nothing.” Twilight stepped up to the pool and held out the picture. The tugging sensation pulled her forward and she willingly dove head first into the swirling silver water.
“Ughhh.” Twilight could taste the dirt in her mouth after falling forward and planting her face in the ground. Her hind legs splayed out behind her, hugging the trunk of an apple tree.
“You okay, sis?” Apple Bloom’s voice scratched at Twilight’s ears.
Twilight looked up and found a hat blocking her view of the filly. She adjusted her headgear and spat out a clump of mud. “Doin’ just fine.” The words came naturally and she hoped her impression of Applejack would be more convincing than her sorry attempts at faking Fluttershy. She picked herself up and began to dust off. Picking at her teeth with her tongue, she worked out the last few bits of gravel and spit them aside.
“I’ve never seen you miss like that—are you feelin’ all right?” Apple Bloom probed for any sign of deficiency.
“Must have slipped is all. Don’t you worry your sweet little head about it none.” Twilight looked around at the state of the orchard. She found herself smack dab in the middle of applebucking season—the fall harvest was in full swing. In practically every direction, full apple trees and empty baskets awaited her solid buck in order to fulfill the task of harvesting an entire season worth of food. It was going to be a long day.
Looking over the horizon, a rainbow blur approached. The streak shot straight toward her. Bracing for impact, Twilight jerked back awaiting the collision. Stopping just short of that, Rainbow Dash practically materialized in front of her.
“Fluttershy’s in trouble! We need you at her cottage, now!” Rainbow Dash rushed her message and turned to fly off in the direction she had come.
Twilight reached out and grabbed onto her tail preventing her departure. “Hold on there a minute, Rainbow. Talk slow and tell me what’s goin’ on.” She laid it on thick making sure she performed her best in the presence of her potentially biggest skeptic.
Rainbow Dash whipped back her tail pulling it free from Twilight’s hoof. “First Rarity, and now Fluttershy. This whole rainbow disease thing is spreading. We need to get to the bottom of it before we’re all infected.” She unfurled her wings and lifted off the ground. “I’m going to grab Pinkie Pie and meet you back at Fluttershy’s place, okay?”
“Okay…” Twilight held onto her hat as Rainbow Dash took off. She looked down at her new little sister and smiled. “Guess I’ll get back when I can.” The thought of spending the rest of the day bucking apples gratefully faded from her mind.
Apple Bloom frowned and stretched out her foreleg. “Who’s going to finish the harvest then? Big Mac shouldn’t have to do it alone.”
Twilight patted the filly on her head. “I guess you’ll have to pick up the slack. I’m promoting you to official junior applebucker.” Twilight smiled even wider and looked down on her perturbed sister. “Who knows, maybe you’ll get your applebucking cutie mark this season.” She turned and broke into a gallop toward the path leading up to Fluttershy’s cottage. Tipping her head back over her shoulder, she watched Apple Bloom’s face brighten as the filly hopped into bucking position in front of the next tree.
Twilight left a cloud of dust in her wake as she tore down the path. She could feel the ample muscles of her new body responding to her need for speed. The exhilaration she felt in the simple act of galloping along helped mask the sensation of missing the more delicate Pegasus and Unicorn appendages in her current Earth Pony form. Third Trial—this should be easy. I just have to tell the truth and avoid telling any lies. The thought then occurred to her that it might be more difficult given the fact she was pretending to be somepony she wasn’t.
Tearing up the lane and hopping over the bridge crossing the stream up to Fluttershy’s cottage, Twilight put on the brakes before crashing into a cluster of animals congregating near the front door. Fluttershy’s bear friend grunted and allowed her to pass while keeping the rest of the crowd back with an imposing growl. Twilight didn’t have to understand what he was saying to know that even Fluttershy’s animal friends were worried. Passing into the house, she found the lower level devoid of life.
Crossing the empty room, she made it to the foot of the stairs before the chirping and growling outside signaled the arrival of somepony else. To her relief, Celestia poked her head in the door. The princess lit up her horn as her eyes glowed white at the sight of Applejack. Quickly losing that glow, Celestia crossed the floor and walked straight by as she mounted the stairs. Speaking low as she passed, Celestia was careful not to let anypony else have a chance to hear her. “Congratulations once again, Twilight.”
Twilight didn’t have a chance to answer as two more ponies charged through the open front door. Cloudy Skies entered the room huffing and puffing followed shortly by a still frantic looking Rainbow Dash. Celestia was up the stairs in two steps. The others chased right past Twilight and followed the princess into the upper bedroom. Twilight felt like a doormat with all the passing traffic and resolved to join the train of ponies pouring past. She laid a hoof on the first step and was nearly bowled over by a zipping streak of pink.
Stopping on the middle landing, Pinkie Pie turned around. “Sorry, Applejack.” She quickly resumed her course and hopped up the remaining steps. Twilight lifted her hoof again and carefully picked her way forward. Making it up the steps without further incident, she entered the cramped homeowner’s bedroom.
“Thank you ever so much for coming. My poor daughter won’t wake up.” Morning Glory stepped back from the bed and made room for Celestia as the princess approached. “I-I think I may have caused it.”
“Calm your fears—Fluttershy will be fine.” Celestia approached the bedside and laid her hoof against the unconscious pony’s neck and stroked her mane.
Twilight, figuring the situation was pretty much her fault, tried to support the princess. “Don’t fret ya’ll. Rarity had the same problem and she woke up just fine.”
“You mean to say that there are other ponies coming down with this same affliction?” Cloudy Skies pulled on his wife’s tail and backed into the corner.
“Yeah, but no worries. She’ll be right as rain in no time.” Twilight spoke with authority, but looking around the room, the only pony that seemed to be buying into it was Celestia herself.
“Wait a minute.” Rainbow Dash pulled back from the group. “This isn’t some kind of practical joke, is it?”
“Whadaya mean, Rainbow?” Twilight scooted over closer to Celestia.
“What I mean, is that Twilight goes missing and everypony starts coming down with rainbow fever—you guys aren’t playing tricks on me are you?” Rainbow Dash spun around and reached over to pull the handle on the closet door. “Twilight isn’t hiding in here ready to jump out and surprise us, is she?”
“If this is all joke, it’s not a very funny one.” Pinkie sulked near the door. “I don’t like seeing my friends get hurt, especially when it’s supposed to be funny.”
Celestia held up a hoof and called for quiet. “This isn’t a joke or a prank. Everything will be all right. Twilight is in good hooves, Rarity is doing fine, and Fluttershy should wake up any moment now.”
“Yeah, but how do you know all that?” Rainbow Dash was beside herself. “I thought we were supposed to all get together so we could go find Twilight, but then this all started happening.” Her patience was growing thin and it was evident to all around.
“I’ve been trying to plan for Gummy’s birthday party tomorrow and it’s not going to be any fun at all if my friends are all sick and missing.” Pinkie pawed at the ground.
Celestia worked to break the somber mood. “That’s a wonderful idea. A pet friend party sounds like just the thing to brighten our day. I’ll have to send for Philomena so we can all join in the festivities.” Rainbow Dash just stared with her mouth agape and her hooves hanging limp at her sides. The counterpoint was beginning to be a bit much for her to take in. Pinkie Pie sat in a sullen funk and picked away at the floor. Morning Glory and Cloudy Skies remained tucked in the corner still fretting over the rainbow contagion.
Something had to be done and Twilight made an attempt to take control of things. “Now look here, everypony. Fluttershy’s going to be just fine.” Twilight walked up to the bed and picked up Fluttershy’s hoof. “I just know it.” A small spark flashed between their hooves as Twilight made contact. The peacefully unconscious pony began to blink her eyes and slowly glanced around the room.
“Fluttershy! You’re back!” Morning Glory sprung from the corner and nearly plowed past Twilight to throw her forelegs around her daughter.
Fluttershy looked panicked. “M-Mother?” Her gaze swung around to meet the stares of all the other ponies looking on in grateful surprise. Settling on Princess Celestia, she drew back from her over affectionate parent. “W-What happened? Why are you all in my bedroom?”
“You passed out dear—must have been all the stimulation from earlier.” Morning Glory ran her hooves through Fluttershy’s mane and held her close.
“It’s more than that. You’ve got the rainbow flu.” Rainbow Dash pointed up at the still colorful markings that adorned Fluttershy’s mane and coat.
“Oh dear.” Fluttershy looked down and took stock of her legs and colorfied mane and wing tips.
“At least you can come to Gummy’s party now—that is if you’re still feeling up to it tomorrow.” Pinkie poked her head over the footboard. “He won’t mind if you bring your own decorations.”
“Pinkie!” Rainbow Dash flapped her wings and blew a gust of air over the bed to get everyone’s attention. “This is no time to be thinking about parties. We need to find Twilight and get to the bottom of this rainbow flu problem.”
Twilight felt she needed an escape. “If the princess says Twilight’s okay, then I’ll trust she knows what she’s doin’. Now, I’ve got an orchard full of apples that need buckin’, and I better get back to it.”
“Wait, Applejack. You can’t leave now—what about Fluttershy? Or Rarity? Or Twilight? We need to stick together and sort this out!” Rainbow was having a small conniption fit.
“I’m sure it will sort out all on its own, Rainbow.” Twilight backed toward the door and tipped her hat. “Glad to see you’re awake there Fluttershy. I’ll try and stop by later once the applebuckin’ back home’s under control.”
Fluttershy sat up in bed shying away from her mother who was still partially attached. “Thank you for coming by—I think.”
Celestia nodded. “I think it would be best if everypony got back to their regular day. We’ll have plenty of time to sort this all out later.” Backing away from the mother and daughter reunion, she gathered the rest of the ponies and ushered them out the bedroom door. With only a small protest, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie complied. Twilight didn’t need any convincing and was already heading for the front door.
“I’ll see y’all later then.” Twilight tipped her hat and headed out.
Pinkie yelled back as she left. “Don’t forget Gummy’s party tomorrow.”
Twilight called back over her shoulder. “I won’t forget.”
The ride back to Sweet Apple Acres didn’t take very long. Twilight ran past the point where she left Apple Bloom a short while ago. Only one basket sat half full while not a single other load had been filled in the time she was away. So much for official junior applebucker—I better go and see where she’s run off to. The path led further on, but Twilight veered off and carried on up to the Apple homestead.
Nearing the house, she passed Big Mac. “Hey there big brother, have you seen Apple Bloom?”
The gentle giant stallion cocked his head to one side and said in a particularly gruff voice, “Eeyup.”
Twilight cocked her head as well and replied, “Did you happen to catch which way she went?”
Big Mac turned his neck and jerked back toward the house on past the big red barn. Without another word, he galloped off into the orchard.
Twilight watched as his trail of dust settled back to the ground. I wonder what’s gotten into him? She didn’t sit and ponder for long before she picked up her step and trotted over to the farmhouse. Waiting for her at the door was a particularly unhappy Granny Smith.
“Applejack, now just what do you think yer doing leaving Apple Bloom all alone to buck them apples?” The look on the old mare’s face was hot enough she could fry an egg with her red-hot glare. “You can’t leave the young’uns without proper supervision. That’s how they get themselves hurt.” Granny Smith turned and walked back into the house. Twilight hung her head and followed her moody grandmare inside.
The tone was set and Twilight prepared herself for the worst. Entering the house, her fears were realized. Apple Bloom lay across the living room couch with her back leg done up in a heavy bandage. Twilight could tell the filly had been crying—her red blushed cheeks were all puffy and wet. She crossed the room and asked the obvious question, “What in the hay happened, Apple Bloom?”
The filly sniffled and tried to scrunch herself up a bit. “I missed the tree and scraped up my leg.” Choking back more tears, she worked to remain strong. “It really hurts.”
Twilight knelt down beside Apple Bloom. “This is all my fault.” She scanned over the bandaged leg but held back from actually touching anything.
Granny Smith had a few choice words of her own to add. “Yer darn tootin’ it’s all yer fault. You’ve gone and wasted half the day messing around and neglecting your harvest duties. Now Apple Bloom’s gone and gotten herself hurt and you’re nowhere to be found. Next thing you know, Big Mac’ll come up lame trying to work double time out there picking up yer slack.”
Twilight felt even lower than low. By neglecting Applejack’s chores, she managed to get her little sister hurt, make her brother angry, and start Granny off on a tirade. If she added on the fact that she was right in the middle of her third Trial, the day couldn’t possibly get any worse. She wished she could call on just a tiny bit of magic to help her out—something to help her vanish.
“Well, whatcha waitin’ fer?” Granny Smith stomped her hoof to jar Twilight from her daydream. “Them apples ain’t gonna pick themselves. Get out there and get a buckin’.”
Twilight stood back up and bowed her head to her elder. “Yes, ma’am.” Looking back at Apple Bloom, she tried her best to be supportive. “Hang in there partner. There’s always next season for junior applebucking training.” Without waiting for a response or getting further lectured, she hopped out the door and galloped off into the orchard.
For the rest of the afternoon, Twilight worked non-stop. Tree after tree gave up the harvest as she pounded her hind legs into trunk after unforgiving trunk. After about six dozen trees, she finally got the hang of directing the fall of apples so they managed to mostly land in the strategically placed baskets. The work was hard, and she worked up a sweat.
Thoughts of home and family nagged at her the entire time she worked. The sight of the injured filly lying on the couch reminded Twilight of similar times in her younger years. Growing up in Canterlot, there wasn’t anything that could stop her. Whenever a bully reared his frightening head, her brother was there to help. When she fell and skinned her knee, her father’s magic made everything feel better. Whenever she was stressing about a test and needed a shoulder to cry on, her mother was there to lend her support. As the years passed, however, all of that changed.
Enrolling in Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns began the journey that led to distancing herself from her parents and brother. When Shining Armor got older, training for the Royal Guard took precedence over spending time with his little sister. As she buried herself further in her studies, interaction with her mother and father came at a premium. Even her time spent with Spike had been mostly academic. Family came second or worse to practically everything in her life as she neared adulthood. After moving to Ponyville and making a bunch of new friends, family still didn’t find a high rank on her list of priorities. With the photo reminder and the jarring kick in the behind that had been Apple Bloom’s accident, she resolved to adjust her priorities if and when she made it through the Master’s Trials in one piece.
Nearing the end of the row, the setting sun signaled an end to an extremely long day. She hitched up her cart after tossing the last apple bushel on top and trudged back toward the barn. Even with Applejack’s conditioning, she could tell that it wasn’t going to be a restful night. Her muscles hurt so much that she felt it was a miracle she was still walking. As she neared the barn, Big Mac pulled up next to her hauling a cart of his own.
“Looks like we’re done for the day.” Twilight smiled over at her brother.
Big Mac glared back. “Eeyup.” The stallion wasn’t one for wordy conversations, but Twilight could tell he was holding back on purpose.
She knew she had to make up for her earlier failure. “Sorry I left Apple Bloom by herself. My friends needed my help, but that’s no excuse for abandoning family like that.”
Big Mac’s glare softened a bit. “Eeyup.” His response wasn’t as sharp and didn’t cut as deep as before. Reaching the barn, he worked to unhitch himself from his cart.
Twilight did the same and soon she was free from the load. “Sorry I left you too. I know there’s a lot to harvest and it’s not something I would ever want to have to do alone—again. Can you forgive me?” She looked up into the apple stallion’s eyes and searched for the feeling buried in his simple reply.
“Eeyup. I forgive ya sis.” Big Mac smiled a bit in return. “Ya better go take care of things with Apple Bloom and Granny.” He turned and plodded off toward the house.
Twilight was shocked by the open conversation she was getting out of Big Mac. She had no idea that the normally reserved and plaintive stallion would ever go so far as to form a complete sentence in uttered speech. She altered her step and bumped up alongside him, nudging into him as they walked. “Thanks for picking up my slack today. I really appreciate it.”
Big Mac sidestepped her and threw himself back at Twilight. “Don’t mention it.” With the brother and sister jostling signaling an end to the limited feud, Twilight approached the next phase of her apology. She walked up the steps to the house and passed through the door that Big Mac held open for her.
Shouting from the kitchen, Granny Smith called out, “Yer dinner’s getting’ cold. Wash up and get to eatin’ so we can all get to bed.” Twilight liked the sound of that and rushed to the sink as quickly as her tired hooves could move. She let the water drip down her foreleg as the dirt and apple juices washed away from her orange coat. Tossing back her braid of hair, she turned back toward the table and nearly sat down before Granny Smith tore into her again. “Were ya raised in a barn? No hats at the dinner table!” The perma-glare of the old mare bore down on her.
Feeling rather sheepish, Twilight slunk over to the wall and withdrew her hat from her head and placed it on the hook. Satisfied there wasn’t anything else Granny could yell at her for, she made her way back to the table. Sitting down, she stared at the apple and hay-fry salad in front of her. The bowl seemed to be about two sizes too small for a full grown mare. Big Mac’s dish sitting opposite was over three times the size of hers.
Granny Smith plopped down on a chair near the window and picked up her knitting. Twilight called over to her. “Um, Granny, is it possible you mixed up the dishes?”
“Nope, I didn’t mix anything up.” Granny Smith peered over the top of her work. “Apple Bloom got your share of dinner since you left her to do your work. Now eat up.”
Twilight felt ready to burst into tears herself. After a long day of working in the orchard and having run the gamut of emotions dealing with her friends and her current family, she was too tired to even care. She dove into her dinner and consumed it all in a few bites. Pushing away from the table, she grabbed her mini dish and hauled it over to the sink. After rinsing it out and laying it aside to dry, she turned back to the Apple matriarch. “I just want to say I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have left Apple Bloom, but I had to go help my friends.”
“Family comes before friends, Applejack.” Granny let her knitting drop into her lap. The old mare crossed her forelegs and cocked her head in a knowing tell. “And I’m not the one you should be apologizing to—you outta go have a talk with Apple Bloom to say you’re sorry.”
“You’re right, Granny. If she isn’t already asleep, I’ll go see how she’s doing.” Twilight turned to leave the kitchen and head upstairs to the family bedrooms.
“I put in her in your bed, so you may want to hurry or else you could find yourself in the little filly’s room for the night.” Granny Smith smiled broadly and picked her knitting back up.
Twilight left the kitchen and rounded the bottom of the stairs. Heavy thuds echoed from the boards as she worked her way to the top. Passing down the hall, she stopped at the second door on her right and knocked—even though it was her own bedroom. “Apple Bloom, are you still awake?”
“Yeah.” The quiet voice of Apple Bloom trembled a bit but carried enough to reach past the door. Twilight spun the knob and pushed the door in.
The little filly with her leg still wrapped in the large bandage brought back the memory of when she scraped her knee trying to chase after a runaway kite many years ago. Twilight’s own brother rallied to her side and helped her through the pain. With the assistance of her father’s Unicorn magic to take away the hurt, she didn’t suffer longer than a few minutes. A mother’s embrace and gentle kiss made all the difference in those first few moments and lasted throughout the entire healing process. In this case, she knew that Apple Bloom could use the help of a big sister now in much the same way.
Twilight crossed over to the bed and brought her head low to the pillow. “Mind if I join you tonight?”
Apple Bloom’s wide eyes caught the glimmer off the moonlight that streamed in the window. “That’s fine—just don’t bump my leg. It still really hurts.” She fought to hold back the same tears from before.
Twilight went around the other side of the bed and crawled up next to her little sister. Taking a comb from her nightstand, she picked through the filly’s mane. She kept her voice low and spoke from her heart. “I’m sorry I left you earlier. I shouldn’t have done that and I shouldn’t have left you in a position to get hurt because of it.”
“It’s more my fault.” Apple Bloom replied staring off at the open door. “I know I’m too small to be doing your job and I don’t have much practice with the actual buckin’ part.”
“You’ve gotta learn sometime. I just should’ve been there to help you out.” Twilight finished with the mane and laid down beside her sister. “Being a big sister can be pretty tough sometimes, but little sisters shouldn’t have to pay for big sister mistakes.” Twilight laid out a hoof along Apple Bloom’s flank and gently rubbed her coat.
Apple Bloom relaxed and dried her eyes. “Yeah, but your friends need you too. You’ve gotta help Princess Celestia find Princess Twilight—don’t you?”
“Family should always come first—even before friends.” Twilight laid her head down on the pillow beside her little sister. The rigor of the hard day’s work was quickly catching up to her.
“You sound like Rarity.” Apple Bloom struggled to roll onto her back. “Sweetie Belle told me she had a talk with her big sister yesterday and patched up a bunch of stuff right before Rarity got knocked out and hauled off to the hospital.” Turning her head a little more, she tried to face Twilight straight on. “You aren’t going to catch that weird rainbow flu too, are you?”
Twilight smiled. “Honestly, I have to say that I probably will.” The look on Apple Bloom’s face turned a bit sour. “I just hope if it happens, I’ll have an amazing little sister there to help me through it.” Twilight reached down and snuggled Apple Bloom in a sisterly hug. Nuzzling up close to her ear, she whispered, “To be on the safe side—if I do come down with the rainbow flu—make sure and let Princess Celestia know. If you can do that, everything will be fine—I promise.”
Apple Bloom returned the gesture. “Thanks for the apology, sis. You’re a great big sister, and I’ll try and be the best little sister I can be—especially if you come down with the rainbow flu.” She snuggled back into Twilight’s embrace.
As Twilight could have guessed, the light show ensued. A rainbow explosion lit up the room. The impact of the blast surged around the filly and filled the moonlit room with a light like the midday sun. Twilight felt the pull leading back to the Pool of Harmony and had to let go of her momentary sibling. Soon she found the helping hoof pulling her free of the cistern and bringing her safely back to solid ground.
She turned to watch the vision materialize as the orange orb of the third Element made its way to the crystal receptacle. A welcome view of two sisters, holding one another tightly, satisfied her curiosity. Apple Bloom hung on tight to Applejack. Applejack, unconscious in her current state, had a smile on her face demonstrating that in some small way, everything would be all right. Their family bond was stronger than any rainbow flu could ever be.