A Journey Beyond Sanity

by Darkwing Dust

Chapter 206: AppleStinge

"[BEEP] you Ponyville!

If you're dumb enough to think Celestia's a competent ruler, then you're a big enough schumk to come to Twilight's School of Friendship!

Bad schedules! Classes that break down! Thieves!

If you think your child will get a good education; you can KISS MY PLOT. For it's our belief that you're such a stupid mother[BEEP]er you'll fall for this horse [BEEP].

Guaranteed-!"

"What in the hay are you doin'?" A southern accent, befuddled and somewhat irritated from my brief parody moment. Blinking, vision returned to the courtyard for the impressive school itself, myself perched atop the clear fountain, I regarded the orange Earth Pony, jaded eyes glimmering with firmness. "Your little gung-ho performance out here is distractin' mah class! Ain't you only suppose to be here when Twilight needs ya."

I scoffed. "The school needs me, Applejack, especially when seeing what happens when I look away from said school for one second." Like, for example, what becomes of a classroom when my oh so beloved encourages an ancient, massive stallion to 'teach' the students here.

One brow perked, hardly appearing amused from my scorn. "Don't tell me ya still upset about what happened to yer former class."

"Upset? Nah. Livid? Oh quite!" Came my not-so-harmful spat. News of what that brute did to a room that, while brief, once belonged to me! "I trusted Twilight and the rest of you to make sure my legacy gets taken care of. Okay, I was a teacher for, like, a day or two here, but my point still stands!"

Huffing with rolled orbs - as if she could ever possibly understand - the blonde, tough mare shook her stetson-wearing head and stared to me expectantly. "Well, calm it down Stardust. I'm tryin' to teach." Pausing for a moment once turning around, just to add with some minor bemused derision. "Just, if ya'll gonna be mad, do it elsewhere."

What were you even teaching them; the many shades of apples?

"Think all you like, but take this no-good petty attitude elsewhere."

Damn it. I flinched, instantly regretting the bond between us being so strong now that the farm pony could read my mind by this point. Nothing's going to be sacred for my private thoughts any longer.

Good thing they could only hear worded thoughts than images... [BEEP], I hoped that was at least the case. If Twilight could... Oh sweet Jesus.

...

Better just get back to focusing on mentally strangling Rockhoof for destroying my classroom then. That, if Twilight could see it from her office, would be worth imagining the reaction on her features. Poetic justice.

---

And the next time they let a relic recklessly demolish an entire classroom, he can do so to Rainbow's. Lord knows the state of hers leaves much to be desired-

"Oh, excuse me."

"No problem sir." Once again, that weird dragon in the hood I bumped into, but paid him no heed as I continued onwards to Sweet Apple Acres, mind still fuming and ranting against that stallion who wrecked MY class. Didn't give a toss what Neighsay believes, it's still somewhere I had contently educated those impressionable students.

Yet regardless of my own passionate disdain for what events transpired in my own 'former' room, I'll have to keep focus on the primary task at hoof. Twilight requested two things from her willing beloved, if not an excuse to simply keep my mind of what occurred at that school I was prohibited from ever teaching at again:

- A basket of apples. Flurry Heart was due another visit with Shining and Cadence, and the lavender alicorn insisted we set a good example for the meal tomorrow by eating healthily. Yeah, good luck with that love.

- Hang out with a particular orange equine. Whilst immensely pleased and gratified by my progress thus far, Twilight wouldn't be completely satiated if I didn't hang out with ALL our best friends. Applejack was of no exception. So, here I was, now that it was the weekend.

Speak of the target, and there she be! Just right next to the gates of the well-working farm, seemingly concentrated in placing some supplies into a wagon, with Big Mac at the helm. With an equal greeted nod towards the big stallion, I then walked around and approached the orange Earth Pony.

Whom, upon spotting my presence from her phepirial vision, huffed as jaded eyes glinted mischievously, body posture shifted to more relaxed. Appleajack drawled then, "Done whinin' about 'your' class now?"

Low blow.

Flinching irritably, I pursed my muzzle before providing a cool nod. "Good morning to you too, Applejack." Eleven, by my estimation, hence my brief yawn and somewhat tired limbs. Last night contained vigorous training by venting out my frustrations. "Actually, Twilight sent me; we need some apples for some visiting relatives. Got any to spare?"

One brow perked, in both relief and jest. "That a trick question?"

"You want it to be?"

Applejack snorted. "Comin' from Stardust Balance, I won't risk it." Better. "Hey Apple Bloom, check that there spare barrel of apples just plucked today, will ya?!" The called yellow filly in the barnyard getting to work, as the orange features turned back to me with a wry smile. "Why do I get the feelin' that's not all? Twilight would normally send Spike for that kind of errend. Everythin' good?"

"Oh, yeah, Spike's fine." I quickly reassured, nodding and then expanded upon the appointed mission. "I was also asked... Well, rather tasked, to hang out with you today, if you're available."

Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rainbow, Rarity. Hell, even Discord got some participation in this mission of rekindling bonds and try vitalizing them. Now, it was the hardworking farm pony's turn, and boy should this one be something exciting.

Varying whether or not it involved - gulp - chores...

"Huh... Mighty kind of ya Stardust. Sure you ain't doin' this of yer own free will?" Applejack winked before I could open my equine mouth. "Just messin'. Well Big Mac and I have got a delivery to make for Saddle Arabia; they're been needin' some barrels of apple juice for their stocks, knowin' the heat over there." Nodding towards the wagon itself, and I tilted my head, considering.

Saddle Arabia... I think Trixie and Starlight went there, just a short while back. The latter was exceptionally detailed regarding the mishap and makeup that occurred back there. Certainly never been there myself, even when pursuing Zagreus. Only one desert town, and it wasn't Saddle Arabia.

...I THINK anyhow...

"Oh, well then... Need a hand, or hoof?" Both Earth Ponies looked to me in pleasant surprise, and I shrugged. "Well I have nothing better to do, and having some extra assistance with your delivery wouldn't hurt, would it?" Plus, this would provide an excellent excuse to spend time together. Heck, maybe I could even make proper friends with the strong silent type there.

Applejack, sharing an approving glance with her older sibling, glanced back with a good nod and wide smile. "Hay, why not? And just because yer now an alicorn don't mean ya'll should be slackin'."

"Eeyup!"

---

"I spy, with my bored cartoon eye... Something... Yellow."

"Well, golly, Stardust, could it be... The sun?"

Mock gasp. "Well done Applejack!" The mare in question hardly looked amused by my display of just wanting something to happen after this... What, six hours of traveling? Five? Still, it was getting tedious, and the silence of my companions hardly helps in keeping me entertained in walking through this blasted desert.

Sand in the fur and clothes, God how I hated life right about now. Okay, now time to amuse myself more before boiling into a golden pancake.

"I spy, with my bemused hazel eye, something beginning with... S."

"Sand?"

"Eeyup."

Wow, what riveting travelling associates. This what happened when they weren't so occupied by their farm life? "I spy something, with my snarky eye, beginning with G and P?"

"Err..." Oh yeah, now the orange Earth Pony was befuddled. Sharing a glance with the big stallion pulling along the stacked wagon. "No idea."

Oh, I was happen to elucidate. "Grouchy Ponies." With the reaction intended, by Applejack's low sigh and frown.

"Hardy har..."

"Eeyup."

"If yer so bored, Stardust, ya can carry Big Mac's wagon for us when we stop at the next oasis spot." Jooooooooy. Applejack, somewhat satisfied by my rolled eyes, pulled out the map with her own muzzle, jade eyes cast down with thought. Nice, considering it was upside down from her perspective. Rolling it back up moments later and placing it back in the travel bag. "Over that dune right there."

Goodie. I oh so look forward to their smug expressions pulling along a wagon, which by my strength won't be too hard.

Then I'll be the one laughing. But in all seriousness, Starswirl was a more amusing companion during my time of trekking through this blasted terrain, so what was their problem of staying quiet? Silent-But-Strong there I get, but Applejack? Surely she'd prefer some measure of conversation.

Unless she was still mad for earlier? Christ, and I thought Rainbow, or even myself, could hold a grudge...

"Hmm..." Musings brought out from the big, red stallion slowing down a moment, prompting our curious gazes.

Applejack inquiring for the both of us, "What is it Big Mac?" With a gesture of an answer, the Earth Pony pointed to somewhere by our right, a silhouette not too far away. The orange mare squinted, pushing down her stetson to block the harsh sunlight for better view. "Hey... I think I know that pony. Come on!"

Guess we're going on a sidetour. Big Mac was already following along, wagon included that he refused to just leave behind for a few minutes, so here I was, going to see as well. The pony she seemingly recognized in question, on closer inspection, rather short for his clearly adult stature, moreso than I was back on Earth. Grey-white in fur colour, short dark blue mane and tail, and in his own travel wear. Beside him, a carriage with some other ponies, helpers or friends I speculate, huddled around it, a tiny trail of smoke from the roof whisked by air.

Hmhmhmhmhmhmhmhm. Well, clearly Starswirl was finding some amusement regarding this situation. Wonder what about, though?

"Stygian!"

...Oh. Now I saw what was so funny.

"Huh?" The small unicorn turned to face the galloping mare, his face brightening with recognition. "Applejack!" Greeting with a kind hoofshake, his voice a little deeper than his height gave credit for. "Fancy seeing you all the way out here, how have you been?"

"Ah same old same old, what about you sugarcube? Heard you've been doin' well for yerself, from what Twilight's been sayin'. Those books becomin' famous as ya hoped?"

He blushed, lightly, sheepishly looking away for a moment before answering with modest humility. "Just doing what I can to spread the word of what bitterness can do to others." Just a hint of forlorn in his tone, and our expressions softened, but then he perked up again, "But otherwise, all's been good... So far." A wry glance to the colourful carriage, then to us again. "So your friends are doing well? Last time Twilight wrote to me, great last I heard."

The orange Earth Pony nodded. "Yep. Oh!" Smiling wide to start introducing the three of us. "Stardust, Big Mac, this is Stygian, you may have heard of him." Ohhhhh in more ways than one. "And Stygian, this is my brother, Big Macintosh, and this is Twilight's special somepony, Stardust Balance."

"Pleasure."

"Eeyup."

"Likewise." What a gentlecolt, shaking our hoofs each politely before stepping back, tilting his head to focus moreso on me curiously. "What?"

"Oh, nothing, just... You remind me of someone." Ah. I had to fight off the smirk from Starswirl's continuous warm chuckling in my mind. The little unicorn tilting his head, squinting a little with thought. "Twilight never mentioned having a partner, though, back when we met."

Didn't she? "I'm not surprised." I gave a tight smile, keeping my voice neutral. "Events... Happened." Applejack snorted, but Stygian seemed accepting of that, the former walking to tap her friend's back once, grinning widely.

"See, makin' new friends already Stygian. Ya had nothin' to worry about!"

Eliciting another blush, and I picked a feeling of affection between the magically gifted unicorn and strong Earth Pony. My eyes darted between the two of them, raising a brow with amused suspicion.

Interesting... Applejack and Stygian...

He always had an appreciation for the more physically talented mares. Our shared mentor commented with wry humour, and nostalgic fondness. An incident I am reminded of, where Mistmane and I had to actively drag him away from observing an all-mare cow-throwing contest.

"So, what's happenin' over here then?" The orange farmer walked over towards the large carriage for inspection, examining the front right wheel, dug deep in sand. "Hm, seems ya'll got a little stuck with the wheel there."

"Oh, no kidding?" I just had to dryly point out, ignoring Big Mac's exasperated sigh. "I just thought they were stardning themselves out here for kicks!"

Another old habit of my former pupil's. Stygian often got careless in matters of taking rides wherever he went, to which Rockhoof had field days fixing up.

Stygian watched between us with raised pony brows, whereas Applejack simply ignored, looking to Big Mac. "Still got those emergency tools for the wagon?"

"Eeyup!"

"Then it shouldn't take too long. You keep goin' to Saddle Arabia, while Stardust and I help out with Stygian's carriage here." Wait, hold on, what? Jade eyes smiled at me slyly. "You were complainin' bein' bored? Now we got ourselves a solution, so hop to it!"

...Touche, Applejack...

---

Heeeeeeey, good for her! She fixed the carriage, we bid Stygian a safe trip, and now we could continue on our way towards Saddle Arabia and conduct the business Big Mac likely was doing so in that desert town.

Alls well that ends well, right?

Well, that would be the case. There's just one, tiny little issue. One Applejack was quick to realize after myself the moment we were done playing repairmare with the little guy's excuse of a palace. So, after confusing directions to each other and just following our guys later, it took us going down the eighteenth dune for me to realize the hopeless revelation that the optimistic orange mare refused to acknowledge.

"Applejack, we're going to face the facts. We should have been in Saddle Arabia by now, we're clearly-"

"Nope. Not hearin' it sugacube, I ain't bein' pessimistic all day like somepony I know." Sick burn. That tight smile on her muzzle not fooling anyone, like if Spike confessed his feelings for Rarity were non-existent. "We just gotta keep goin' is all, Saddle Arabia wasn't too far when we last looked at the map."

Oh yes, the map. Coincidentally the same map she left behind in the wagon that her brother took with him.

I raised a bemused brow, looking to the determined mare. "Yeah? Exactly how close we 'talkin' hear sugarcube?'"

Ignoring my mocking mimic, Applejack huffed, gazing around as we briefly paused, thinking. "Hmmm... That way."

Pointing towards another dune, with a far-off pyramid in the northwest. Oh, THAT was where we needed to go? Oh, you know, I thought it may be a little more to the east, but hey, who was I to doubt my friend's instincts?

It's been doing well for us so far!

Sighing, I motioned for the farmer to keep leading the way. "Alright Applejack, if you're gonna prove we're not l-" Stumbling a little from the abrupt glare by the mare, I rolled hazel eyes before just letting her get on with it. "Lead the way."

That placated the mare, for then. Thus, we continued onwards, with myself lingering a few feet behind, blinking against the warm sunlight, and just wondering a moment how long before we start getting dehydrated. The water canisters were left behind on the wagon too. Everything seemed to have been left behind on the very same wagon that silent red Earth Pony took with him to the very place we needed to be at.

Shame.

I swore I spotted a nice oasis far back to the southeast.

---

"If you're not gonna say it, I will; we're lost."

There, obvious made, end of story. If only my persistent companion would stop being so stubborn-!

"We ain't lost!" Applejack sternly affirmed, snapping irritated jaded eyes in my unimpressed direction. Just as reached the bottom in a sea of sandy, windy dunes. "Have a little faith Stardust!"

Oh yeah, faith. Because that's what's been getting us anywhere so far. In fact, it may as well be responsible for us being trapped here in the first place! God, how ridiculously determined to be right will she continue to be until the point we perish of dehydration out here? Her misplaced resolve is fearsome!

The orange mare, settled that the short confrontation was over, gazed back in front of us, humming with thought. Oh yes, please do share with the class what your thought process is now, Applejack, while we are still capable of coherent thought until the blazing sunlight makes us lose all senses.

Eventually, to my open, unamused dismay, the Earth Pony figured out a conclusion that made me want to bury my head in the sand. "We should probably go ask for directions..."

"...Oh, is THAT all? Well allow me then, Applejack." Having no patience or tolerance for this madness, I strode up to the nearest pointy cactus, addressing the non-sentient plant with mock courtesy, and annoyed scorn. "Hi Mister Cactus, how are you doing? Would you kindly provide us with some directions if you can?"

Didn't need to look behind me to see those same green eyes roll to the sky. "Hardy har sugarcube… Look, all I'm sayin' is the desert's bound to be filled with travellers to and from Saddle Arabia. We just have to be on the look out for 'em, then we'll make it to Saddle Arabia in no time!"

Man, I wish I have that exact level of confidence and simple thinking. I wish I could just pretend the situation was more hopeless the further we indulged her silly game of being persistently reckless this way.

Element of Stubbornness, much?

"Now come on, we should get movin' before sundown. I reckon it's more dangerous being out in the cold night of a desert than the day."

Oh Jesus Chriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiist...

---

Now, I wasn't as self-conceited enough to believe I wasn't causing any problems myself. Really, in hindsight, I should have insisted accompanying Big Mac to Saddle Arabia as Applejack repaired Stygian's carriage. That way, we wouldn't be as much pests to each other regarding our current predicament as we were this very moment.

Sure, Applejack would have been searching in the middle of the scorching desert all on her lonesome, but at least we wouldn't be badgering each other constantly considering the fearsome situation.

So, with that fact replaying in my mind consistently until my brain dries out, this begs the question: Why don't we stop pestering each other and work together to find a solution?

"Look, tracks! We're gettin' there now!"

"We've passed these tracks four times already! They're the same tracks!"

"How in the hay can you tell that?"

Most simplest answer for every argument of course: Pride.

Future note to all of my mind and hers: Never pair up a stubborn farmer and prideful warrior in the middle of nowhere. The results just speak for themselves.

Our frustration against our predicament AND towards each other was reaching the boiling point. Emerald and hazel often clashing by passing glances of growing disdain and annoyance, even when they were uncalled for, using ourselves – even as friends – for a source to pinpoint our gnawing despair at the seemingly hopeless situation.

Final breath being in the form of an argument? Heh.

"What's so funny?" Applejack snapped, presuming the humour was directed against her. I shrugged, not even indulging to confess I was thinking how appropriate it would become that my last words were mild bickering with another individual. Huffing at the gesture, the orange mare shook her head, pausing as we followed the SAME hoof tracks for the last two hours. Removing her stetson and fanning her own sweating face.

With myself, I had to take off all my own clothing, the heat getting too much for me as well. All of it wrapped up in my tied-up cape like a bag, flung over the point between my golden, glistening shoulder and wing.

Last bit that Applejack brought up, curious but still mildly frustrated. "Why haven't yer just used those wings of yours to fly upwards and spot the town from here?"

"A suggestion I've already considered hours prior, Applejack? Damn, my dear, you're a [BEEP]ing genius." Unfazed by her glare, I stared back with a firm muzzle. "Still haven't exactly mastered the art of flight, Applejack. Besides, I doubt I have the strength now to even make an attempt."

Doing so would may drain more energy, and that's the last thing we need. Indeed, I was already close to wobbling on all four limbs, stumbling a few times during the seeming neverending pace.

Like always, Applejack wouldn't take such for an answer, snorting loudly before looking back to the tracks we used as a means of seeking sanctuary. "Yeah, well, maybe if you weren't so darn lazy and actually had some confidence in yerself, ya could've tried it the second we got lost."

Lazy?!

"Even if I did, YOU probably would have gone the opposite direction just to spite me!" But she ignored my heated retort, firmly continuing on with or without me. Heaving a massive sigh, I just trudged onwards, shifting the items leaning over my aching wing a little more comfortably.

Lazy… We didn't all work in a farm you entitled Earth Pony…

---

Gasp. And not from me.

"What?" I asked, weary and half-close to collapsing by now, regarding the suddenly shocked equine who had halted during the endless trek, and pointed in startled, newfound elation and energy.

"Over there! Do ya see it?" ...Another sea of sand and hopeless despair? "An oasis! We've saved!"

Oh good God. But before I could even point out the obvious, Applejack was already galloping like mad to the 'oasis' to quench her thirst, and I just followed along, closing my eyes tiredly and allowing the reality to just sink in for the poor mare.

Upon diving herself face-first into a small hole of countless, tiny rocks. Approaching the rather humorous image, I mentally counted down until she realized what exactly she was 'drinking.'

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

Six.

Seven.

Eight.

Nine.

Ten-

Huh, ten whole seconds. She was THAT thirsty. Couldn't blame her. The orange Earth Pony, face and tied mane now coated with sand, pulling herself out of the stuff and spitting out as much as possible, her expression that of incredulous disgust.

Yet, the following expression only became more hilarious, once she spotted the smug look I wore, rolling her eyes after a final spit, growling to everything about this. I assumed anyway.

"Gah, I can't do this anymore!" Applejack cried out, gritting sandy teeth and expressing more frustration than I was feeling at the present time. Fancy that, someone more annoyed than me. "We're gettin' ourselves nowhere bein' this needlessly stubborn! It was stupid to tell Big Mac to go on without us!"

I wonder if there was a spell to mark 'I was right' in massive capital letters on the sand.

"Why were ya so simple-minded as to not take the map with you before helpin' me out with the carriage?!"

...Just like that, the smile immediately wiped from my face, replaced by a scornful scowl that easily rivalled the impertinent mare's own. The nerve of her.

"You're the one who decided to oh so nobly fix your boyfriend's carriage, my dear!" I rebutted, refusing to be given the blame for our predicament. Not entirely, anyway. Pointing fiercely, I was having NONE of it. "Don't put it all on me because you were wasting valuable time!"

Give her credit, Applejack wasn't like Twilight or Fluttershy when it came to insinuations of that nature. Speaking of Twilight, she owed me big time for even playing this game. "Helpin' out a friend in need? THAT'S wastin' time for you?! Yer got so bored of us being decent ponies so you decided to pack your bags and get stuff done your way?"

BIG big time, because that was a low brow.

And it showed, regrettably. Myself cringing at the painful reminder of a horrible past mistake. But still, I wasn't going to sit here and just take the criticism. "If it weren't for me running away, Zagreus would have blinked out your very existence about now!"

Scoffing, as though the very horrifying prospect was but a minor inconvenience, Applejack retorted with open snide. "Maybe I'd prefer that then watchin' my friends suffer the way you made them."

"Something which they've already forgiven me for. Dammit Applejack, just what the Hell is your PROBLEM?!"

Silence. Long, and rather worrisome. Because the look the farm pony delivered me was that of stone, searching, and guarded. But when she spoke, her voice was anything but, and I felt something shiver down my spine by the usage of the knowing tone.

"Have yer ever considered, for a single moment, Stardust Balance, that you ain't the only pony, or human or whatever, who's grown up? Who's developed and matured? Are you so full of yerself to believe that all is forgiven just like that, because Twilight wants yer to be forgiven and everythin' to go back the way they came, just so she wouldn't have to worry about complications between our friendship?" Applejack shook her head, suddenly looking more aged for being so youthful. As if carrying some heavy burden. "Things just don't work out that way, sugarcube. Not anymore..."

"...So there it is." I swallowed my dry throat, nodding slowly with acknowledgement. The truth was out; the real source of her ire all this time. "The others may have forgive and forget, but you didn't."

"What do yer expect, Stardust? We're not the same naive, easily forgivin' ponies we were way back when. When you left, somethin' changed. It changed us; made us all realize we weren't growin' up, ain't respondin' to problems as should be. When your left, it broke us, Stardust, it truly did. By runnin' away, you helped us face reality." Jesus Christ. My breathing slowed with every word, every confession the Earth Pony sincerely made, emerald eyes softening, but still carrying that great resolve. "How many times, sugarcube? How many times have ya willingly done somethin' that you knew would hurt us, all in the name of your 'doin' the best thing for us?' Ya can excuse me for havin' enough."

Now I felt like I was choking, releasing a deep exhale of growing dread. The harsh truth behind her solemn tone becoming a reminder of all the damages I had done, because, for the first time today, she was absolutely right, and we both knew it. Things were glossed over too easily, and I had yet to properly endure the repercussions for my selfish actions back then. Leave it to the Element of Honesty to pound that back into my head.

"And yet, you come waltzin' back into our lives, alicorn and all, and now it's just all A-Okay? Pretendin' none of what you did to us - to Twilight and Spike - ever happened?" Applejack snorted again, rolling jaded, pained eyes barely concealing the damages I caused. Tone lowered to distasteful muttering, "Gimme a break."

"And… Do the others feel that way?" I couldn't help but ask, wanting, against my emotional hurt from being confronted this way, to grasp everything. How could I have not sensed such deep-rooted resentment by my own hand? "Pinkie? Rarity? Starlight? Rainbow?"

The mare tilted her head, regarding me with that same, patronizing flat expression. "Come on Stardust, ya really think Pinkie Pie would hold that against you?" Shaking her head, permitting herself a wry, nearly-amused smile that didn't reach her eyes. "You know almost everypony's forgivin' you."

"But not you."

The smile vanished, replaced by a firm muzzle. "Wish it were that easy, sugarcube. And before you take a long, deep introspective about yerself followed with some apologetic speech about tryin' to make yerself better from hereon, do somethin' else instead."

She knew all too well. Despite the current circumstances, I smiled lightly in wry, drained curiosity. "What's that?"

Her answer, this time, came in the form a satisfied, fulfilled smirk. "Quit bellyachin', quit actin' like a spoiled brat. Think about everythin' I just said, and let me guide us to where we need to be. Think ya can do that?"

Swallow my pride. Put up and shut up. Let Applejack find our way to salvation. Finding the urge to fight back vanquished, following everything that's just happened now. Because, again, Applejack was right; I was acting entitled and full of myself. Ill-righteously so given what I've still done remains fresh in her mind. The singular truth burying in my thoughts regarding a good friend, who reminded me of my place and where I stand at this moment in time.

Applejack will forgive me, but in her own time. And I needed to respect that.

With that regard, I only nodded once, forcing myself a small, light smile. That placated her enough, but the orange mare quickly, and sternly added before I could even open my drenched, bearded muzzle.

"And don't even think of makin' some apology speech right now. Save it for AFTER we get to Saddle Arabia, ya hear?"

Just stop blaming me for being lost, and you got yourself a deal, my dear. Just one more thing though.

"'Introspective?'" I echoed with a raised, interested brow. Applejack had the decency to blush, but kept her head held high.

"Rarity's novels make a good past time after working hours… Huh…?"

What the…?

At first, it was assumed a hallucination caused by the desert, low vibrations shaking the sand ground. The billions of pebbles reacting by the trembles, getting stronger with every step. But by the way we BOTH looked to the ground, then each other, it was too high a coincidence to say we both shared the exact same illusion.

Jumping together in surprise from the loud, elephant cry from quite a few distance away, getting closer and closer. The pair of us turning in stunned relief and newfound hope, from the sounds of marching that could belong to a parade for all we knew.

Of all things, it WAS a parade. [BEEP]ing ex machima, much? But I wasn't complaining. Camels, elephants, and ponies, all covered with nice décor of carpets and other accessories. You'll never guess whom was perched atop the front elephant, as they slowed down right before us. Go on, guess.

Nope, but Braeburn.

"My, my." Discord mused with a low smirk, taking shape of a purple monkey as he leapt onto Applejack's back, folding furry arms with smug bemusement. "You have no idea how droll it got watching you get stubbornly loss for hours. And they call me egotistical."

"Howdy y'all!" Stygian greeted from above in a terrible Southern accented attempt, grinning down with mild enthusiasm, and faint amusement. "What goes around, comes around, huh?"

He also has a habit of turning up when you least expect it.

...I pretended not to acknowledge Applejack's look of 'I told you so.'