"So," Cheerilee began, "how are you going to deal with Applejack and her Element?" We were both sitting by a patch of carrots, watching the moon set. Well, she was sitting. I was spread out around her in the soil, only a small tendril poking out. "I mean, it's been a while since you did anything with that."
I turned to look at her. "Well, I'm just trying to figure out what reasons Big Mac has to lie about his whereabouts to Applejack" I turned back to the moon. And when did he get so good at lying?
"I think saving Equestria is more important then a single fibbing stallion."
"... You're right." I sighed. "It's just, this is going to bug me until I figure this out..."
"Tell you what," I looked back to Cheerilee as she passed a hoof through my tendril, her way of patting me on the head, "you focus on Applejack, I'll deal with Big Mac."
I pull myself back underground. "You just want to spend some more.... Quality time with him."
"N-no, I-I-I, uh...."
"You're blushing, Cheerilee." I giggled. "Sing me back, we can deal with this tomorrow."
I floated outside Applejack's room, watching her 'wake up'. Jumping out of her bed, she looked around, quickly spying the Element on her bed stand. "Welcome back, AJ."
"Don't call me that!" Applejack whipped around to glare at me. "Ah ain't that buddy-buddy with ya!"
"Pardon the slip."
"So, ya gonna tell me what this is all about?" Applejack held up the Element as I drifted into the room. "An' Ah wan' ta know everythin' about it."
Oh, what to tell her? I can't just come out and say that it's her Element, she wouldn't bond with it as well. If i'm too vague, she won't understand it's importance. But, then how - Why is she staring at me? Oh, right she's waiting for an answer..... I cleared my throat. "That, is a part of a... Set." I began as I walked over to Applejack's bed. I paused long enough to sit down and get comfortable. "Only a few ponies can use it. And only one pony per piece. This set cannot be used individually, only together."
"An' what does this have ta do with me?"
"The set has... a mind of it's own." Applejack rolled her hoof, as if urging me to get to the point. "That piece chose you to wield it."
Applejack looked at her Element as she sat by the wall. I saw confusion, awe, then frustration all flash across her face. "So, what does that make you?"
Your friend who misses you greatly.... "A guide. Though I cannot give you all the answers." I held up a hoof to stall any further questions. "I will answer what I can, but my job is to guide you through strengthening your bond with your piece."
She held the Element up again. "Did ya make these, whatever-their-called?"
"No, they were found long ago by the Princesses in the Time of Discord. That," I gestured to the Element, "is one of the Elements of Harmony."
"Which one? An' what does it do?"
"I can't say. You must discover that on your own. What I can say is, is that it is a powerful device to be used against Ter- Him."
Applejack dropped her gaze. "Have Ah always had this bond? With the Element?"
I started to rub my chin. "Quite possibly. Not even I truly know how they work." My musing was interrupted by Applejack dropping the Element. "Applejack?"
"All this time, Ah could'a made a bigger difference." I thought I saw a tear fall.
"Applejack, what's wrong?"
"Ah used ta be member of th' Old Equestria Resistance. Ah worked in th' base, tryin' ta grow enough food ta supply th' Resistance. Ah couldn't seem ta grow a single sprout..." Applejack met my inquisitive gaze. It was obvious she was holding back tears. "At first, Ah left because Ah thought Ah could help Granny with th' farm, but then Ah.... Ah gave up hope in the Resistance. Ah left because Ah didn't think Ah would make that much of a difference. An' now yer telling me tha' Ah could'a been on th' front lines with this Element?!"
I dipped my head, ears back, and spoke in a soft voice. "No. You'd need the rest of the Elements there with you. And you'd need to find the other ponies who could wield them." I brought my hoof to my chest. "That's part of my job."
"Ah thought that ya were just fer aidin' in growin' thin's?" I started to giggle, then laugh. "What? What did Ah say?"
I waved my hoof. "Sorry, sorry. It's just," I had to cover my mouth to stifle the next batch of giggles, "after all these years, thats what ponies remember about me? No, no. I am connected, in a way, to the Elements themselves. It's my job to find the newest bearers, and help them develop their bond to their Element. I was just able to find you first." I finished, pointing to Applejack.
"What of Cheerilee?" She narrowed her eyes at me. "What's she gotta do with this?"
"I need somepony to carry my Amulet." I shrugged. "She volunteered." I got up and flew out the window.
"Wait!" I looked over my shoulder to see Applejack hanging out of her window. "What am Ah supposed ta do?"
"What do you mean?"
"How am Ah supposed ta 'strengthen my bond'?"
I shrug. "Don't quite rightly know. Everypony bonds slightly differently. Why don't you get somepony else's opinion?" I drifted up towards the clouds. "By the way, it's time to wake up."
Twilight drifted back into the Amulet beside me. I hoped she thought I was sleeping. "You awake, Cheerilee?"
Damn it. "I was. What do you want?"
"Sorry, just wanted to know what you figured out."
"Nothing. Big Mac was as silent as he always is." I sighed. "What about you?"
I fell asleep part way through Twilight's retelling. I don't think she noticed.