//------------------------------// // Harmony // Story: Applejack in Lordran // by Simbody //------------------------------// The flames of the kiln burned hot and magnificently, knowing there was no escape, Anon stood smiling, arms outstretched, awaiting the wall of fire that would soon engulf him. ---------- Applejack lay on the ground in Anor Londo, taking in the sunny view, thinking about how Princess Luna, the one who sent her here, was promising a way out; It didn't make much sense but if she could leave this place, she wouldn't complain. The sound and smell of fire became noticeable, Applejack couldn't see any trouble in front of her, she turned around to see that nothing was wrong with the building behind her either. She soon spotted a large wall of fire expanding towards her, Terrified, Applejack got up on all fours and ran for the elevator that lead to the bridge towards what was likely Anor Londo's main building. As the elevator neared its stop, Applejack impatiently jumped off and ran down the spiral stairs, bolting onto the bridge outside. The fire wall had consumed the wall of Anor Londo and was quickly catching up. Applejack continued running, she passed one gargoyle thing, which seemed completely oblivious to the quickly approaching threat, she passed the large elevator mechanism halfway between her origin and destination. Dodging the bat wing demons, she made it to the stairs and saw the fire wall was already consuming the central elevator. *Smack* Applejack had run head first into a giant guard who was very upset at how rude she was for not excusing herself, but there was no time for apologies, she dashed into the large hallway, not really sure where she would go, as the walls and floors behind her began to burst violently into flames. There was no pain. ---------- Twilight rushed to write on the mirror with the white soapstone, Luna stopped her. "What do you think you can do to help her against a wall of fire?" Luna inquired. Twilight stared wide-eyed at the Princess. "I don't know?!" Twilight squealed, bringing her attention back to the mirror, watching the building around Applejack burst into flames and her friend consumed shortly there after. The mirror went pearl white, not even showing a reflection. Twilight and Luna held their breaths. *Plop* Applejack's unconscious, uninjured body flopped through the mirror, onto the floor in front of the mares. "It is done!" Princess Luna states happily. "The dark sign is no longer on her! She is free again!" Twilight was quite happy to hear the good news. I can't wait to tell my friends! They quickly levitated Applejack and brought her to the nearest medical center. ----------- Applejack's mind woke, she kept her eyes closed. Wherever she was, was comfortable. She knew she was laying on her side on something soft, there was light shining upon her closed eyes and she felt the warmth of blankets and something else on her. What is that? She wondered, keeping her eyes closed. Wait, didn't I die in a wall of fire? Her eyes snapped open, she blinked several times, forgetting sunlight was shining directly on her. When her eyes adjusted, she began to look around; She was in a room, no doubt, it was well decorated and consisted of bright colors which was something she had forgotten existed. Hearing soft breathing nearby, she looked over her shoulder to see a very vibrant color on top of her. It took a moment to recognize Pinkie. Aww. Applejack smiled. Pinkie was asleep, sprawled on top of the bed, two of her hooves around Applejack as though she were a giant teddy bear. This was fine with Applejack, she was just glad to be alive; She carefully touched Pinkie's hoof to make sure she wasn't dreaming. Applejack looked around as far as she could, she saw Rainbow Dash sleeping, slouched on a chair, Fluttershy wrapped herself in a cocoon of blankets on a nearby bed and Rarity was sleeping on her back with a sleeping mask on. Twilight wasn't visible but she was sure to be here as well. Pinkie, still asleep, began to climb onto Applejack, her face came excruciatingly close to Applejack's which became very uncomfortable very quickly. Applejack shoved the pink mass off of her with quite some effort; Pinkie rolled over, almost falling off of the bed, mumbled something about "she's a she." and slowly opened her eyes. Blue eyes met green, blue eyes widened and was accompanied by a grin. Applejack prepared for a scream of excitement but to her surprise Pinkie whispered! "Hey Jackie!" Pinkie said tiredly. "Appy Jackie." Applejack raised an eyebrow. "New nickname for me huh?" She asked. Pinkie nodded. Pinkie lightly bopped Applejack's nose saying, "It's a work in progress." Gee, I could get used to tame Pinkie. Applejack thought, giggling at Pinkie, bopping her back. "Hey! watch it, you're disturbing my slumber...Rawr!" Pinkie joked quietly. Applejack jokingly gasped in fear. "Oh no! Fear the wrath of Pinkie!" Encouraging Pinkie to be silly. Pinkie's smile faded a little. "You know, I really missed you...every pony missed you and we were all so caught up in wanting to help you that we forgot to help each other..." Applejack was speechless. "But it's okay now Jackie, you're here with your bestest buddies again." Pinkie's smile returned Is this real? I don't think i've ever seen Pinkie be so...sincere. I mean, she always wants to see every pony happy and she cares about others but my disappearance must have been really hard on her! Applejack smiled in appreciation, unable to form a proper response for some time. "I missed you all too. You wouldn't believe how dull Lordran was." Applejack explained. Pinkie giggled. "If it was anything like living on a rock farm, I think i would believe it." Applejack decided it was best not to inform her of the vast amounts of death in Lordran, wouldn't want to spoil her child like mind. "Yeah, it was something like that." Applejack replied. "I should get up now, maybe i can surprise every pony with breakfast." Applejack suggested, moving to get out of the bed but was stopped by Pinkie. "Oh, no, no, no! You've been gone too long! I think we need to treat you! And Twilight, she totally deserves breakfast in bed too!" Pinkie said excitedly, getting off of the bed and carefully waking everyone except Twilight, saying "Shh!" as they woke and whispered her idea; Every pony agreed. Fluttershy walked over to Applejack. "Hey Applejack, I'm really glad to see that you're okay! I saw some of that stuff in the mirror and it was horrible!" Fluttershy spoke softer than usual, likely still tired. "It's okay sugarcube, I'm fine, i'm sure i'll forget all about it eventually." Applejack reassured Fluttershy. I will certainly not be getting over that. She thought to herself. Rarity and Rainbow came over as well, both expressing there happiness of Applejack's safety, naturally, Rainbow was trying to act cool about it saying "I knew you'd get through it, not a doubt in my mind!" Rarity knew the difference. The four ponies left the room, Twilight still sleeping. Applejack then came to two realizations. First, she had never eaten anything throughout her journey and she didn't remember feeling hungry. until now, that is. Second, She does not have her hat! She doesn't remember ever having it in Lordran either, but if she did, it was probably gone the first time she died; Finding a new one might not be easy. She had almost forgotten about the dark sign, did she still have it? Applejack looked, no, she could see, or rather, not see, that the fiery glow of the dark sign had faded away. ... Fluttershy poked her head into the door way, checking to see if Twilight and Applejack were awake; Twilight was still asleep. The other ponies walked into the room and Fluttershy nudged Twilight, telling her breakfast was ready for her. Princess Luna and Princess Celestia entered the room as well and made their way over to Applejack. Applejack sat up against the headboard of the bed and observed the breakfast her friends made. There was a bowl of oats, a well decorated assortment of greens and flowers, some water to drink, and one sugar cube. Twilight hopped into bed with Applejack, also sitting with her back against the headboard as Rarity levitated their breakfasts onto their laps as gently as possible. "Now, Pinkie, don't jiggle the bed! You wouldn't want to burn your friends would you?" Rarity warned Pinkie who responded with a resounding "Nope!" Princess Celestia spoke up. "i'm sure we're all wondering Applejack, what happened in Lordran?" "With all due respect, I don't think Applejack's ready for that Princess." Twilight suggested, receiving an agreeing nod from Princess Luna and Applejack. "Yeah, Princess, i'd really like to just enjoy my breakfast and friends for a day before I try remembering that...but that Darksign thingy is gone!" She shoved her hoof out for everyone to see. "This is most pleasing!" Princess Luna Announced. "We shall be back to visit thee tomorrow Applejack, am I correct sister?" Princess Celestia nodded in reply, saying "I am very proud of the three of you, Applejack, for your bravery, Twilight, for your un-ending will and Luna, for successfully freeing one of our own from the undead world! I am very proud of you all!" The princess said warmly. "Feel free to stay the night here if you wish!" Princess Luna finished and turned to leave. "Have a wonderful day Applejack!" Princess Celestia said kindly, also turning and leaving with her younger sister. "OH! Here's your hat Jackie! Applebloom found it outdoors after Princess Luna visited!" Pinkie tossed the hat at Applejack, making her flinch but managing to make it land atop her head. "Thanks! What am I going to tell Applebloom?" Applejack asked. No pony had any real suggestion but the suggested solution was "You're the element of honesty, tell her the truth. If you don't want her to know something, tell her that." This suited Applejack well. Twilight and Applejack ate their breakfast together, the other ponies left for their own breakfast and it was just the two of them. They discussed Lordran and how it could have been so dead, how Anor Londo looked so lively when it clearly was not. Twilight tried to describe Gwyndolin to Applejack, explaining that the only reason Anor Londo was sunny is because Gwyndolin cast an illusion over the entire city to make it look safe. "Well, it certainly worked! Say, is Gwyndolin a guy or girl?" Applejack inquired. "Ha!" Twilight levitated her spoon, pointing at Applejack. "Pinkie, Princess Luna and I had a very heated discussion about that and for the love of friendship, do not ask Pinky about it! You really don't want to know what she said...All in all, we didn't decide. Princess Luna says it's a he, Pinkie thinks it's a she and I think it's an it." Twilight explained. "An it? Like, no parts or something?" Applejack asked, slightly joking, to which Twilight replied, "It's best not to think about it." They ate in silence. Applejack was home at last