Chapter Seventeen: Perihelion
As the train slowed to a stop, AJ slunk lower on her bench. A whole delegation was waiting for her at the station. She recognized Prince Blueblood, the minister of agriculture, the mayor and the head of parliament in addition to a slew of others she didn’t recognize. Towering over them all was Celestia herself. Her aurora of hair streamed in the ethereal winds while she chatted lightly with some minor functionary. As the brakes screeched to a halt her head turned to give the train car her undivided attention.
By this time Applejack had slumped all the way to the floor. Luna hesitated, feeling that to go out first would be somehow inappropriate. Merry May looked about to hyperventilate. The little pegasus scrambled over to the window and peered out at Celestia. The alicorn was watching the boarding door impassively while a slight smile twitched at the corner of her lips. The nobles surrounding her were shuffling their hooves and generally trying, unsuccessfully, to match the ageless patience of their ruler.
Merry’s expression hardened. Leaning down, she poked Applejack in the shoulder. “Hey, what’s up?”
“That’s Celestia. Ah can’t go out there after all this an’ meet her ‘n’ tha whole Equestrian government!”
Merry frowned, “So what? Y’all already fought Luna to a standstill. Buck up. Celestia’s no sweat.”
“But, Ah… She’s Celestia! No offense to ya Luna, but Ah didn’t spend mah entire childhood prayin’ ta you ‘n’ thinkin’ y’all were somethin’ unreachable and perfect. Now Ah gotta go out an’ face her as an equal…”
Luna leaned down alongside Merry and gave AJ a gentle nuzzle. “Thou canst do this. Remember, as much as she’s the Goddess of the Sun, she’s also the lazy roustabout of Unicornia and the mystery monster of the Heartstrings clan. I also seem to remember her sharing an amusing letter thou sentest a few years back on the subject of friendship and already knowing it all. Where was thy shyness then?”
Applejack glared up at Luna. “Ta be fair, Ah was kinda drunk at the time.”
“Then surely thou canst face her when thou art in command of thy faculties and armed with the power of a goddess, yes?”
“Yeah, give her what-for and tell her that you won’t let her take you-all, uh, y’all off the farm!” said Merry.
Applejack peeked over the edge of the window. Celestia was still there waiting. She hadn’t moved a muscle. Applejack sucked in a huge breath and then sighed. “Y’all are right. Ah’m getting mah tail in a tizzy over nothin’. Here Ah go!”
Applejack rose regally to her feet and marched over to the exit. An extremely nervous porter opened the door for her and stepped aside. Applejack nodded to him and debarked, barely remembering to duck her head and horn for the doorframe. Luna and Merry followed and took up positions beside her, Luna to her right and Merry to her left. Applejack and Celestia stood a moment, facing each other across the station as the entire crowd held its breath. Celestia was the first to move. Slowly, she approached Applejack and nuzzled her neck in a regal sort of hug. “It is good to meet you for the first time as a sister, Applejack.”
Applejack tentatively returned the nuzzle, “Uh, you too, princess.”
Celestia broke the embrace and rested a hoof on AJ’s chest. “Please, no need for such formality between the two of us."
In the meantime various cameras were flashing near-constantly while phonographs and film reels spun furiously to capture the event. Applejack was getting slightly dizzy from the lights, though she was fairly sure she could hear Pinkie cheering from somewhere in the crowd. “Ah, uh, sure thing… Celestia.”
Celestia glanced over to the crowd of reporters. “How about we have Luna and your… Hoofservant?”
“Captain.”
“…your captain deal with the press while you and I go somewhere private to discuss where to go from here.”
“Alright.”
“Luna! Captain Merry! Would you two be so kind as to entertain the press for a moment?”
Luna nodded and Merry snapped to attention while Celestia turned to step off of the platform. A path parted in front of her as if by magic. Applejack followed closely in the princess’s wake as the crowd surged behind her. They soon found themselves in front of the town hall. The Solar Guard was busy blocking the entrances and deflecting curious onlookers. The two alicorns passed by gracefully. AJ entered first while Celestia paused to give an instruction to the guard captain.
Inside the grand building was a set of cushions and a small tea service. Nopony else was there, though the windows were thronged. Celestia took her seat and lit her horn for a moment. The windows and walls shimmered with a golden glow as the sounds of the crowd faded away. With a sigh, Celestia turned to Applejack. “There, we have complete privacy for the moment.”
“Thank you kindly, princess.”
“You know, I meant it on the platform. I sincerely hope you will accept me as a sister. That wasn’t just a publicity play.”
“Ah know… Ah guess Ah gotta warm up to tha idea first.”
“That’s fair…” Celestia trailed off as she poured herself a small cup. “I also have a bottle of cider if you’d like it, your own make.”
Applejack smiled faintly, “Thanks, Ah think Ah should have a clear head for the time bein’.”
“It’s up to you.” Celestia fell silent, her eyes hard but worried. “Now… This is a rather dramatic change for you. You know… I could make this all go away if you wanted.”
“Pardon?”
“You know of the various limits I have imposed upon myself, Luna mentioned them briefly to you. I can do much more than that. I could make it so that you lose access to all your power, your form would be reverted permanently… I can’t do anything direct about the immortality, but getting cast in enchanted stone at the end of your chosen life is near enough…”
Applejack stared at Celestia. The elder goddess stared back, unreadable, but grim. “Uh, that’s pretty extreme, ain’t it?”
“Not when you think about it. I would be giving you back everything you had before you changed. We could write this whole event off as some trick of Discord and everypony will have forgotten about it within the year. We could fake the signs of aging, and nopony would ever have to think of you differently. Then, at the end, you would go to a blissful, eternal rest. So, what do you want?”
“Didja give Luna this choice?”
“I didn’t have the knowledge to do so back then. I do now.”
“What about mah family? This affects them too.”
“I can make similar arrangements to protect their anonymity and their livelihood. They need never suffer for your decision, either way. You will not be separated from them and they can live peacefully. Applejack… This decision needs to your choice and yours alone. I cannot reverse what happens, and I will not offer this a second time, the consequences would be minimal now, but unfathomable later. Should you make the decision on the recommendation of another, you could come to resent it later on, and even a powerless immortal can cause a lot of damage, nevermind a goddess. You’ve seen a glimpse of the kind of heartache that this sort of life can provide, and I do mean a glimpse. There are also moments of joy, unutterable happiness that will come to you through eternity. What I ask is this, can you bear up under the burden?”
Applejack stood up and paced towards one of the darkened windows. The crowd was still faintly visible. “What happens to tha rest of tha world?”
“Either the rest of the world goes on happily, much as it has for generations, or you change it.”
“Y’all’re tryin’ ta tell me that I Ah walk away, an’ it don’t cost anypony anythin’?”
“Well, yes. I suppose I am.”
“With all due respect, Celestia, that’s bull.”
Celestia smiled, surprised. “Oh? And why is that?”
“Well, when an apple tree is young, ya tie it to a stick and hold it firm so it grows tall an’ straight an’ strong. If you never tie it like that, well, it ain’t like it’s gettin’ any less than it would in the wild… But it won’t grow straight. It’ll bend for any reason, and when a heavy snow comes or a strong wind blows, it breaks like kindlin’. Maybe Ah’m supposed ta be tha brace that helps ‘em grow.” Applejack gestured broadly out the window. She turned to Celestia, eyes serious. “Ah ain’t gonna walk out on ‘em, Mama Apple didn’t raise no quitters.”
Celestia nodded, “Is that your decision? Are you fully prepared to take up that duty and role, knowing that in the end it was your choice?”
The Earth Goddess looked the Sun Goddess in the eyes. “Eeyup.”
Here we go! We are approaching endgame for this story. As I have said, though, there will be a direct sequel. The reason I want to split it up is so that I don't dilute the message too much.
Sorry for the shortness of the chapter. It was kind of an important place to split it.
Also! I got fanart!!!! See it here.
As always, you guys rock, and your comments are like beautiful music to me.
too short. I require Moar
1736609 It's far from the shortest. Chapter 4 was less than twelve hundred words.
Applejackcorn may be superior to Twilicorn.
Heresy, I know.
Um -- this kind of reminds me of the kind of choice you give an idiot boss — The choice you want them to make, and another choice that is utterly impossibly bad from the point of view of the chooser. That way you give them the illusion and responsibility of making the decision.
Ah, the paradox of power. From your perspective not using it affects everyone as much as using it.
1736648 It's only heresy if it isn't true.
1736707 I'll leave it up to you whether or not Celestia was bluffing about the whole thing.
1736719 It's true, but at the same time, you have your own rights. It's a fine line.
Now meet the rest of your new family, we have an alicorn of the water, wind, fire, heart...
You're missing a quote at the end of this paragraph.
1736725
If you give a bad enough secondary choice, you never need to bluff — you KNOW the idiot will not go for the secondary choice. Of course there are times when a situation comes up making the choice you wanted untakable and then you are stuck with the awful other choice.
1736729
There is actually an Alicorn of heart, Cadance.
I don't give a if other people don't except her as a true Alicorn in their head canons. She has wings, horns, the title of Princess, and very powerful magic, so until it's stated otherwise in the show, she's an Alicorn.
Anyways, quick question, What exactly does Merry May's outfit look like? I can't seem to wrap my head around it.
Its just a great premise and you're doing a good job of it. Applejack of all, suddenly thrust upon goddess-hood. There is another currently updating as well that takes it a different way, but just as great.
One of the very few that would take the Mantle of Power as serious business.
1736729 By your powers combined!
1736768 Aargh, I've been writing these faster and it shows.
1736783 Ah-ah-ah, is it really that bad of a choice though? AJ gets everything back the way it was. Nothing changes for her. That's one heck of a temptation for a simple farm pony. I think you may be letting your own desires color the way AJ would see the offer.
1736797 I waffle back and forth in my personal headcanon. As for May's outfit, she's just wearing a colorful little turban that was a gift from the camels at the moment.
1736798 Thanks! Who else is writing Alicorn!AJ at the moment?
1736798
Which one would that be? Always curious to see Alicornjack
So, I refreshed my favorites page and the first thought that came to mind was, "Dat Appletheosis."
Continue this immediately.
Ah ain’t gonna walk out on ‘em, Mama Apple didn’t raise no quitters. She KNEW this was going to be the response...
If it were my coloration I would have used getting cast in enchanted stone at the end of your chosen life is near enough… Because that really isnt and is horribly repugnant to me at least.
1736883
th05.deviantart.net/fs70/200H/f/2012/198/5/2/applejack_srs_face_by_buttsurgeon-d57n8mm.png
I kid.
1736899 I, uh, I'm writing as fast as I can. Here, I'll set up a webcam to prove it:
i.chzbgr.com/completestore/12/9/5/fF3hn6Hkw0qFLMzcbAWvHg2.gif
1736902 Yeah, but it means you can avoid the heartache and loss that accompanies immortality.
Another wonderful chapter! I always DID think Applejack would make the best alicorn :D
And why is it always Twilight who becomes an alicorn in fanfics? I haven't found any for Pinkie and only one for Dash, Fluttershy, and Rarity each. And they're all evil in those
Immortality comes in many flavors.
Simply a really long lifespan (fake) -- IE if they die after 50,000 years.
No end of life but you can be killed.
Truly Eternal -- you get to see the heat death of the universe.
Most stories have Tia and Lulu either in A or B. Only certain very sad tales entertain C.
any chance we'll see another chapter tonight?
Derp
personally, I would have made a third option for myself: go back to being a simple earth pony, keep the immortality, and continue living WITHOUT ever being turned to stone. There is a whole world that could be explored if the farm ever got to be too much for me and then I could just start somewhere else.
Also, YES! UPDATE! and now I'm done reading already
1736593 Sequel? Is this gonna turn out really sad like Not My Destiny and the way Glim is turning out? Also, please try not to make this Not My Destiny if Applejack was Twilight. I'd lose all respect I've gained for you over the past few hours of reading, and believe me, it's a lot. You know, now I'm feeling nostalgia for Not My Destiny. The feels! They're coming back!
Thanks for the update bro! I need to update my own story...
1736954
Where'd you get that picture of AJ? it's Awesome!
I have to wonder, are you going to delve into what's going to happen with the EoH with one of them being an Immortal goddess and it NOT being Twilight?
1736997
For alicorn Pinkie, check out "Too Many Pinkies". Also, if you want to read a Rainbow Dash alicorn Fic, I suggest the classic "Mommy Nearest" and it's sequel, "Alicorn", which, unfortunately, pretty much stalled out.
And for a hilarious and awesome story about all six of them turning into Alicorns, Check out "So, you've grown wings". Seriously, the awesomeness in that one is so out of control that it even gives Gurren Lagann a run for it's money.
1736997
You just have to look -- an example of alicorn rarity (since others were given above) is "The mystic and the mundane"
1736997 Because it's really obvious to have the protege of a goddess be her successor/eventual equal?
1737004 If you look back to chapter ten, Luna implied that Celestia's lifespan would be on par with that of the sun...
1737011
fim.413chan.net/fim/src/132727056311-Hahaha_no.gif
1737030 Selfish, but doable.
1737054 Heck no. It's gonna go more slice of life for the sequel, but still comedy. And when I say direct, I mean it takes place as soon as the dust has settled in-story, perhaps even before the confetti does. You know, I had actually forgotten about Not My Destiny. I refuse to read Glim.
1737059 You do! I've been reading it actually, I'm on chapter two. I like it so far.
1737066 Erm... from Buttsurgeon Ahem...
1737101 I will have to check that out.
1737121 Why won't you read Glim? Not into crying like a little pussy?
Love this story, i hope the sequel keeps on being good and lasts long
1737137 No, because I'm sick to death of people being all, "I'm immortal, everybody around me dies, oh wah! Woe is me!" People die. Fact of life. Immortals have it no worse than the rest of us. Heck, I've seen death, I've even been responsible for it.
1737160 It's got more of a storyline than that. Unfortunately, the only way to try and hook you to it involves spoilers. Here, I'll hide them.
twilight gets married and the nightmare is alive
1737137>>1737160 Apologies, touchy subject.
1737153 Sounds like a plan to me.
1736997 I've seen one where it's ALL of them (of Mane 6)... and then Discord wakes up.
Another where it's ALL of them... everypone in Equestria. Except Twi and Celly become Earth Ponies.
I think I am getting more in love with this story the more it continues.
I'm sorry, but if it goes on I'm afraid we might just elope.
Celestial is some kind of mad genius
Interesting choice. And it's nice to see some Applejack/Celestia interaction. Can hardly wait for a new chapter.
1737160
So, cop or a soldier? Just curious.
1736783
The choice was essentially, "You can have everything back normal." or "You can do some good for the whole world."
Either choice is fine, Celestia did not intone she should pick one above the other - in fact she even gave reasons why both are good and bad. Granted, Chessmaster Celestia is the best Celestia, but she seemed to be quite forward here. "Serve yourself, or serve the world." AJ could go back to her quiet life, or she could shake things up.
AJ chose the latter, even knowing it'd mean even more work for her.
HERE WE GO!
NEW LIFE ADVENTURE!!!
So the choice is made and there is no going back. However, I think Applejack is right. For whatever reason, the power has chosen her; she can't deny that and she has to accept that it might have been for a reason. To try to ignore it would just risk that, when those powers are needed, they won't be there.
It means that Applejack has, officially at least, to cease to exist and a new goddess has to rise in her place. I wonder what name she'll chose for herself? Gaia or Natura (literally 'Mother') are obvious options.
[edit]
Just an added point - Perihelion is a word from astronomy. It is the point where an object is closest to the Sun. I imagine that this means this is the most in-harmony Applejack and Celestia are going to be on this matter. There will be arguments, maybe big arguments in the future but, at this point at least, they are in agreement.
1736848
Lie of Omission by Sparkler is the one that I mentioned.
Ascension by cloudedguardian actually involves all the mane 6. I only mention it b/c it hasn't been listed yet.
The 2nd one I know isn't just an Applejack alicorn story, but I felt to add it anyways.
K now imma have tofollow you for when the sequel comes out
1736954
All right, I'm giving this an upvote before it's done just for the Crater Face gif.
1736848I was going t start one shortly before yours got featured.
An alicorn...ization i think? Yeah alicornization fic that does not wallow in drama, is hilarious and moving at the same time is what it is. Now that i finished what's up so far i can't wait for more.
The fact you are planning on a sequel is a great news indeed.
I love the way you're portraying AJ in this fic, she's so badass!
So you know, I like how you use the term "y'all"correctly. One of my major pet peeves with the show (and sometimes the rest of the fandom) is that they use the term as a singular when it's plural.
/grammarNazi.
Hey, I actually understood the chapter title for once! Hooray for astronomy!
Also, how many of the statues in the castle garden are immortals who accepted Celestia's offer?
1737187 A featured writer? Reading my story?
At least I know it isn't total crap.
Keep the updates coming. I think this is my 2nd favorate up and coming story, right behind the highly underrated Elements of Love.
I believe you, sir have DA MAJIKS!
On Par with the sun is kind of nebulous but it is between B and C. That could be billions of years. I am guessing you are meaning till Red Giant stage because a star stays a white dwarf -> brown dwarf for a long long time. Just like the moon could technically be eternal depending again on definition. In Applejack's case (being tied to the earth) what would be that definition then? Until the sun goes red giant and maybe swallows it up? More likely it just makes it a charred cinder. Thing is the conditions for life to be able to exist on earth will expire long before the sun does.
I think Twilight in "Hello, Sedna" had the correct idea. She actually as an alicorn in that story made herself a spacecraft and went searching for life after life expired on Equestria.