//------------------------------// // The Deal // Story: In another life // by Obsidian_Winter //------------------------------// “It was just so terrible,” Fluttershy said as she walked around her cottage feeding all her animal friends. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anypony so shaken up” After doing her rounds she sat back down on a chair and smiled at her guest. “More Tea?” “If you don’t mind my dear,” Discord said, smooth as silk. He was wearing an old english outfit with monocle and top hat while floating over Fluttershy’s couch. Fluttershy got up and brought the tea pot to Discords cup and poured the hot beverage. After she was done Discord beckoned two lumps of sugar from the bowl that grew legs and walked into his cup. He sipped it slowly as he continued to listen to his friend. “I just don’t know what to do! She blames herself so much and a part of her blames Twilight as well. We’ve all tried talking to her, but nothing works. Sometimes it gets me angry because this isn’t what Rainbow Dash would have wanted for her, but then I remember she’s one of my best friends and I need to be more supportive.” Fluttershy let out a long sigh, stood up from her chair once again and began to pace, her wings flaring out to the side. “Oh what should I do? I don’t think that any of the other girls can help like I can. She needs kindness more than anything right now.” “Or a good kick in the flank,” Discord chuckled. “Discord! she gasped. "That’s not helping” “Oh do forgive me Fluttershy but I do find death so boring. It’s so final. Why do you think I didn’t just kill off all of the Elements of Harmony when I was evil? There’s no fun in death. No chance for a bit of Chaos.” Fluttershy thought about this for a moment and then walked up to Discord and put a hoof on his paw. “Will you ever die?” “Chaos is forever, but as for me personally, oh someday I suppose. One way or another. No one, not even the Princesses’ can escape the big dirt nap. The point is to live life as Crazy as you can, while you can. It’s one of the few things your friend Pinkie Pie understands with perfect clarity!” Fluttershy nodded in understanding. She walked back over to her chair and sat down again, placing a hoof to her chin in a thinking position. “She says the only thing that will make things better is to have Rainbow Dash back. But no pony can do that, right?” Silence. “Right……?” “That depends on your point of view.” Discord said with a gleam in his eyes. “What do you mean?” “Well you remember how I changed all of Ponyville when I was first released from my Statue? I changed all reality to fit my wants. Up was down, Night was day, water was dry and let’s not forget the chocolate rain. I do so much love Chocolate.” He drank the last sip of his tea and snapped his fingers. The cup and his Victorian clothing were gone, now replaced with a lab coat, spectacles and a piece of chalk, making him look like some kind of teacher. “I was trying to take Equestria into a whole other reality, another world if you will; where Chaos ruled and everyone else was just there for my amusement.” He stopped as he felt Fluttershy’s gaze upon him. “Of course that was the old me”. He smiled a toothy grin. “I made each and every one of your friends let go of who they were, what they loved, one by one until Twilight managed to break my spell. If she hadn’t, the world as you knew it would have stopped existing. You see reality isn’t as concrete as what every pony makes it. Thing’s change, and as they change so does reality.” “Something that may be gone in this reality, may still exist in another. It just exists in a different point of time. Most of us take the world at face value, never seeing all the underlying Chaos beneath it all.” Fluttershy looked thoroughly confused. “So...nothing is ever truly gone? How does that work?” “For every time someone makes a choice, they continue on with their life based on the perception of how that choice will affect their lives. But somewhere, a whole other reality is born. A reality where that pony made a different choice and they continued down THAT path of perception.” Fluttershy sat there and just blinked. Discord pinched the bridge of his nose. He threw the piece of chalk away and set off a small explosion, momentarily scaring all of Fluttershy’s critters. She gave him a look. “Sorry Sorry.” He said, raising up his arms in defense. “Alright, let’s look at it like this. We all live in one world. In this world everyone perceives Rainbow Dash to be dead because of the accident and so she is. But there is another reality out there. One where Rainbow Dash is in fact alive.” Fluttershy gasped. “You mean Rainbow is alive out there somewhere?! How can we get to her?” Discord sighed. “You can’t. She exists in a whole other reality; a different place and time from our world. I would have to rip her from her world and take her to ours and that, my dear dear friend is a big cosmic no no.” “Why?” Fluttershy asked. “Because to take someone away from their reality requires them to give up what or who they love most. They must give up what grounds them to their reality and makes it the most real for them. When I tried to do this I made Applejack a liar, Pinkie a grump, Rarity was selfish, you were a bully and Rainbow Dash was disloyal. The very core of who you were was changed making it easier to take you to my Chaos realm. As I’m sure you remember, it wasn’t a very pleasant experience.” Fluttershy looked down to the ground, the gears in her head starting to spin, then raised her eyes up at Discord. “But what if there was a pony willing to…..well......let’s just say that a pony was able to do that...say give up what they love most and travel to another world.....” Fluttershy trailed off, her voice becoming very quiet. Discord smirked, his fang protruding forward. “Then I would be happy to take them there myself; BUT, I’m not sure any pony would like the trade off. Giving up what some pony loves most often voids the whole purpose of the trip.” Discord tapped his forehead. “I know what you are thinking my little pony. You think that Applejack may want to attempt the trip to another reality just so she can have Rainbow back. My question is WHY?! What she loves most -is- that silly cyan mare. What would be the point to going to a place where she couldn’t have what she loves most..unless...you….mean…..to...” Discord let out a laugh and did a flip in the air. “Oh my Fluttershy, that is a wonderful idea! I must be rubbing off on you. We can help your friend Applejack AND spread a little bit of Chaos all at the same time.” “This is only to help Applejack and I want your word that you won’t do anything that will hurt her more than she already is,” Fluttershy said with a stern look on her face. Discord vanished and reappeared with a boy scouts uniform on and offered a salute. “Scouts Honor.” “Alright,” she said. “Then let’s work out the details. ~***~ The sun had set on the day and the moon shone over the vast Orchard that was Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack was alone in her room. It was about 2:30 in the morning and everyone else was sound asleep; except of course for Applejack. Her nightmares had been so bad recently she was terrified to close her eyes. She was restless too, unable to shake how bad she felt for how she treated her friends the other day at the Cafe. Especially Twilight. She sighed and went to the window. As she opened it, a light breeze came into her room, making the candle at her bedside flicker. “Ah’m a terrible friend,” she muttered to herself. “Ah can’t believe I yelled at mah friends like that. I know they just want to help, but…” She took her hat and threw it across the room in frustration. “They don’t understand! Ah know I should be grateful for what Ah do have...Ah got my friends, Ah got my family. Ah got my work, but for some reason when compared to that damn blue pegasus, nothin’ seems to add up. Nothin’ seems to compare. It’s like mah very soul was ripped from mah body. How can anypony understand that?” She began to pace, her anger building as she did. She was suddenly fuming mad and she knew exactly why. “It ain’t fair! Ah’ve done everythin’ that's ever been asked of me. Ah’ve been honest, Ah’ve been dependable, Ah’ve worked my flank off for my family and for just about every pony in Ponyville over the years, Ah’ve helped saved the world from Celestia knows how many threats…” She plopped herself down on her bed. Anger soon gave way to sadness, sadness then gave way to grief and grief gave way to tears. “I’d do anythin’ to have her back,” she whispered as, despite her hardest attempts to resist, she fell into a deep sleep. ~***~ “Ah’m so proud of ya Sugarcube! Golly! Captain of the Wonderbolts! Ah always knew ya could do it!” Applejack exclaimed. Applejack and Rainbow Dash had been walking their usual path in the Whitetail woods as they talked. It was spring and the air smelled of sweet flowers and fresh grass. A gentle breeze brushed through their manes as they walked and talked about Rainbows latest achievement. “Yeah, it is pretty cool, but what else can you expect when you have this much awesome in one pony!” Rainbow laughed. She had know for some time now that she was up for the promotion once Spitfire decided to retire, but she kept it on the down low from everypony else, wanting to surprise them with the exciting news. “You know though,” Rainbow said. “This wouldn’t have happened without your support. You’ve been there every step of the way pushing me to go harder, faster. You’ve watched and critiqued all my stunts and well...I guess I just wanna say ‘Thank you’. This is as much your victory as it is mine.” As they walked the scenery started to change. They were off the beaten path and onto another that didn’t look near as traveled. “Uh, where we going AJ?” “You’ll find out soon enough darlin’” As they walked, Applejack piped up; “So when ya gonna tell the other girls? Ya know Pinkie’s gonna want to throw ya a party and ah’m sure everypony will be just as excited for ya as Ah am.” “Yeah I know.” She rubbed the back of her neck with her forehoof. “I guess I just wanted ya to be the first to know. There will be plenty of time for every pony to bask in the ultimate coolness that is me.” Applejack chuckled as they finally reach a clearing. Rainbow had never been here before and gasped as she saw it. It had beautiful trees surrounding the area, all with budding flowers of every color. The clearing of soft, green grass gave way to a bank of a large pond fed by a flowing waterfall. The water was crystal clear and looked perfect for taking a swim. “Whoa, how did you find this place and how is it I’ve never seen it?” Rainbow Dash said in awe. “Well I reckon ya never saw it from the air ‘cause of the natural canopy coverin’ the area. This here place is off the beaten path. Ah only found it cause Ah heard rumors ‘bout it and went explorin’. Ah knew I wanted to save it fer a special occasion and well..this here seemed like the perfect time.” Rainbow Dash took flight and checked out the whole area. It was so beautiful and peaceful. Small shafts of sunlight escaped from the canopy above, spilling their light on the rippling waters causing them to sparkle. She finally landed next to AJ. “What do ya think Darlin’? Ah kinda figured it would be a romantic and secluded place for me to give ya yer reward for gettin’ yer promotion.” “R-reward?” Rainbow Dash grinned as it clicked in her head why Applejack had taken her to this place. “Aww yeah! I get a promotion AND laid all in one day,” she cheered. Applejack just laughed as she lead Rainbow Dash out towards the waterfall. “Every made love in a waterfall before Dashie?” Applejack asked. Rainbow smirked “You know the answer to that. You were the first pony I was every with” “Ah know. Get ready to add this to the long list of places we’ve been together.” With that she leaned in and kissed her wife. She parted her lips, her moist tongue begging entrance past Rainbows. Rainbow parted her own lips and their tongues found each other, dancing wildly. Applejack wrapped her forelegs around her and pulled her in tight. Rainbow’s wings popped out and spread wide, the water from the waterfall cascading down both their bodies. Rainbow gently laid the Earth pony down on the smooth rock below. Applejack broke the kiss for a moment to look into those magenta eyes. Rainbow didn’t say anything. She didn’t have. Her body language and look in her eyes said it all. “Ah love ya Dashie,” Applejack whispered. There was an unspoken moment between them as they became intertwined, two ponies become one. It truly was an awesome day. ~***~ Applejack awoke to the roosters crow per usual. She found herself reaching out for where Dash usually would have been. That had been the first good dream she had had in months. She curled up on her bed and wanted to cry, but she forced it back. She didn’t want to spoil the good memories she had just experienced. She got out of bed and went straight to the shower cautiously. Ever since that nightmare of finding Dash in her shower, she had been pessimistic and distrusting of her senses. Her dreams always felt so real. It was hard to tell some days if she was asleep or awake. Thankfully the shower was empty and she turned it on. She made it colder than usual. Her dream had left her a little roused up, the first time she had felt like that since the accident. She let the water flow over her, much like the water from the waterfall did that precious day several years back. When she was done, she dried off and went back to her room, grabbed her iconic stetson and went on down to breakfast. Everyone at the table noticed something was up with AJ. She had an appetite and she didn’t have dark circles under her eyes. Big Mac smiled to himself, not sure what had caused the change in his sister this morning but thanked Celestia for it. After breakfast AJ made haste out to the Orchard. She was checking the tree’s for parasites, fruit bats, or any other critters that might do her tree’s harm. As she worked, she heard a rustling coming from behind her. There was something in the bush. She moved closer and upon further inspection realized the bush had bushy grey eyebrows. She let out a sigh. “Discord, Ah ain’t in the mood for any of yer games. Ah got work to do.” In a flash Discord changed into his normal Draconequus self with a dopey smile on his face. “How on earth did you know it was me?” “Plants ain’t got busy eyebrows fer one.” “This is true. I’ll have to work on that” Shortly thereafter Fluttershy landed next to Discord. She offered AJ a bright smile. “Good Morning Applejack. How are you this morning?” Applejack still had that blessing of a dream fresh in her mind. “Cain’t complain Ah guess. What brings you and the ‘Lord of Chaos’ to my farm so early?” Fluttershy walked up to Applejack and placed a fore hoof on her shoulder. “Well, you see Applejack, Discord and I think we may have found a way to help you.” “Ah don’t need no help, Fluttershy, but ah appreciate the offer.” “Well, um, what if I told you there was a way you could have Rainbow Dash back in your life? Would you be interested then?” she said quietly. Applejack stopped what she was doing and tensed up. She turned around and was fuming mad. Her face was red and her heart beat wildly in her chest. Why would Fluttershy of all ponies say something like to her? What kind of mean spirited game was this. “That ain’t funny in the least Fluttershy. How could you of all ponies say somethin’ like that to me! You know Dash is gone and their ain’t nothing no pony can do about it! Ah think you’ve been hangin’ out with Discord too much. Now if you’ll excuse me I need to be somewhere else other then here.” Applejack stormed off and Fluttershy nearly burst into tears. She hadn’t expect that reaction though looking back maybe she should have. Discord vanished from his spot and appeared in front of Applejack glaring down at her. “I think my dear Applejack you need to check your attitude at the door and hear what she has to say,” Discord said with a hint of a threat in his voice. It was clear he didn’t take too kindly to Applejack’s attitude toward Fluttershy. Applejack let out a long sigh, still clearly annoyed and confused about what she had just been told. She turned around to face a distressed Fluttershy and her heart sank. “Ah’m sorry Fluttershy, Ah...Ah just guess ya surprised me is all. Ah mean how in the world could ah get Rainbow back? Twilight won’t help and save from killin’ my own self I just don’t see how we can be together again. “Well...you see….I-I mean...” Fluttershy was trying to say the words but she just got quieter and quieter. Applejack leaned in trying to hear her until Discord interrupted her. “What Fluttershy is trying to say is I can take you to a place where Rainbow Dash is still alive. There is, however a wee catch.” Applejack perked up. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Rainbow Dash back in her life? It would be a miracle. However making a deal with Discord somehow felt like making a deal with the Devil. Applejack raised her eyebrow and leaned in curiously. “What’s the catch?” Discord smiled. He was anxious to see if Applejack would actually go for it. “You would have to give up what you love most. Meaning, in the place I would take you, you and Rainbow Dash could never be together. You would have to trade 14 years of marriage and 1 year of dating. All the romance you shared can’t happen, not even a single kiss.” “What about mah family and friends here? What happens to them?” she asked. “What does it matter!” Discord said gleefully. “You would have your Rainbow back! Isn’t that worth a few small sacrifices?” Discord appeared right next to Applejack and raised his hand in front of him. “Just picture it! No more nightmares. No more tears. No more hurting your friends and family with your endless suffering. You’d be doing them a favor! What good are you hear when your just a broken down pony inside? Wouldn’t it be better for everyone, yourself included if you could just start over?” Applejack furrowed her brow as she thought. She wasn’t being a very good friend these days and hadn’t been since the accident. All she seemed to do is hurt her family every day she saw them. Everypony was always going on about how she needs to move on and such. They didn’t understand. But maybe she could go to a place where Dash was alive and she could be her old self again. Maybe there was hope. “And all ah have to do is give up our relationship? Everything else would be the same? Ah do that and Dash lives, right?” Discord snapped his fingers and suddenly had a halo and white robes on, making him look like some kind of mock angel. “On my friendship with Fluttershy, I promise. Besides, your sort of my friend too and isn’t this what friends do…” he leaned in with a half cocked grin. Applejack looked back over to Fluttershy who finally looked as if she had gained her courage back. “What do ya think Fluttershy? What would ya do if ya were in mah place?” “Oh gosh Applejack, I can’t even begin to put myself in your hooves, but I truly believe Discord means what he says. We both talked about it at length and feel this is the best way to help you. If I had lost some pony special to me, I know the idea would sound tempting, but you have to make this choice for yourself.” Applejack looked between the pair. She could save Rainbow Dash. She could stop being a burden to everypony. She could get back her own life. Surely that was worth the sacrifice? Wouldn’t it be selfish to do anything else? How could she live with herself knowing she could save the love of her life and passed it up? Her face turned to one of resolve. She straighten her stetson firmly on her head and nodded. “Alright Discord. Ya got yerself a deal. Let’s do this” “Marvelous!” Discord squealed in delight. He snapped his fingers and was back to his old self. “Now hold on my little pony. This is going to be quite the ride.” Discord raised his talons and paw to the heavens as a dark cloud began to form. Thunder echoed through the Orchard and random bolts of lightening shattered the skyline. One bolt struck one of Applejack’s trees and split it right in half. Fluttershy tried to make herself as small as possible, trembling with fright. As the storm picked up intensity it began to lift Applejack off her hooves. Bright colors of light began to surround her and she nearly began to panic. She gave a final look to Fluttershy just before the swirl of lights around her enveloped her entire body. Discord let out a whimsical laugh and with a loud crackle, Applejack and Discord were gone. The clouds parted and the storm passed. Fluttershy came out from her hiding spot and looked up into the sky. “I sure hope this works.” ~***~ Applejack laid sprawled out on the ground feeling like she had just gotten bucked off a wild bull in a rodeo. Her whole body hurt and she struggled to move. She tried to open her eyes but she felt so weak. Discord on the other hand pulled a bucket of water from no where and threw it right in Applejack's face. "Wakey Wakey Applejack. Your new future awaits!" Applejack coughed and hacked as the water doused her. She opened her eyes and tried to get up on her shaky hooves, finally managing it after a few attempts. She looked around. She knew this place. She was in the White Tail woods in Autumn. The leaves had all fallen from their branches so it had to be after the Running of the Leaves event. She turned and gave Discord a questioning look. "Welcome to 15 years ago. On this day Rainbow Dash confessed her feelings to you. She's looking for you right now in fact. You had better make your self look presentable." "Now wait just a darn minute. You said you would take me to a place where I couldn't have Dash in my life like that! What's yer game Discord" "I did say that now didn't I. I suppose I failed to mention one tiny little detail. Right now we are just in the past. If Rainbow Dash confesses her love and you accept as you did before, you will be instantly transported back to your own reality. However this time you must make another choice. This time you have to deny her. Deny her and it will give birth to a whole other reality where Rainbow Dash is alive, just as you wanted." "But what about the future?! If ah do this will she still die 15 years from now?" Discord rubbed his chin for a moment "Its always hard to tell with alternate realities. Because you two will never be together, Rainbow Dash will make different choices in her life. Its possible she may never even become a Captain of the Wonderbolts at all. Her life may take her in a whole different direction without you to support her, but..as promised, you have her back for now and that is what we agreed to.' "Applejack! Where are you?!" Applejack's breath caught in her throat. "R-rainbow...." Applejack started to run in the direction of the voice calling her, just to be stopped by an outstretched talon. "Remember Applejack. Not even a single kiss or the spell will be broken. You have no choice but to reject her affections. If you don't, the events of today will carry on into the next 15 years and you will end up right where you were before. You must break her heart to save her." Applejack wasn't sure but for a brief moment, Discord actually seemed a bit sad. It only lasted for a moment, but she was sure she saw it. soon the expression was replaced by a large grin, Discords fang protruding out. "Now run Applejack! Your new life awaits!" Applejack gave an unsure look at Discord but he motioned her on. She heard Rainbow Dash call out for her again. With that she reared up on her hind legs and took off like a dart. She ran as fast as she could to the calling voice. "Ah'm coming sugarcube! Ah'm comin' Dashie! Discord watched in amusement as the trail of dust flew off of Applejack's hooves and landed slowly back to the dirt road. "Let the games begin," he whispers with a mischievous look on his face. With a snap of his fingers he was gone.