Chapter Five: Theophaneia
Chapter Five: Theophaneia
The next day found Applejack restless and upset. Excusing herself from the breakfast table, she headed out, hoping that a walk would clear her mind. Even the fresh scent of things growing failed to give her any solace from the constant cycle of her thoughts. Ah shouldn’t have sent her off like that. She had no right tellin’ me what mah duty is. Ah hafta come ta grips with this eventually. Somepony who knows what Ah’m goin’ through would be mighty nice. Ah shouldn’t have sent her off like that. Her inner monologue carried her right to the edges of the Sweet Apple Acres property, to a wild and unimproved section of the farm. Feeling trapped and lonely, she lashed out with her hind hooves at the nearest tree, a massive oak with spreading leaves. She channeled all her frustration and confusion and guilt into her buck, giving one almighty effort. With an immense tearing noise the entire tree uprooted from the ground and slid a good hundred feet before stopping. Shocked, AJ examined the fallen tree. Improbably, it had come out whole and unshattered, the root structure and crown of the tree mostly intact.
Well, thought AJ, Ah guess Ah ain’t really tested mah limits yet. Leaning down, she nosed her way under the tree and stood up under it, easily shouldering the multi-ton burden. Carefully, she trotted out to the edge of the Everfree, finding a small clearing. Within a short time she had hoof-dug a hole to match the one left by the peregrine tree and replanted it. She trotted around it several times, gently tamping the earth with deliberate steps to seat the tree. As she circled, the effect was miraculous, perhaps literally so. The roots of the tree seemed to settle and move by themselves, adjusting to the new location. The grasses around her brightened and seemed to stretch, while flowers that she was fairly sure hadn’t been there before started to bloom. Smiling, she looked up at the oak, feeling suddenly sure that this tree would see another few centuries. She looked around briefly, to make sure she was alone, before speaking. “Ah’m mighty sorry fer just lashin’ out like that. Ah hope Ah’ve made it up to ya. Y’all will flourish here, out on tha edge of things. Ah think Ah’ll call ya Oakley.”
***
Applejack made herself scarce for the rest of the week, putting off her meeting with Twilight for magic instruction. Within that few days, she had cleared and transplanted a full acre of land, plowing and preparing the soil for a new section of orchard. Even starting from seed, the saplings were almost a hoof tall by the time she finished ministering to and mothering the field. It was terribly late in the year to be planting new trees, but with her supernaturally heightened growing skill, they should easily weather the upcoming frosts scheduled a few months from now. By the time she finished, the mature orchards were just coming into full ripeness, heralding the start of applebucking season. A couple more days were taken up with helping her brother gather in the harvest and sort and store the apples. Soon enough, they had a sufficient bunch stored and shipped to open their town stall and try to sell off the excess to the citizens of Ponyville. Applejack woke up early as usual on market day and trotted downstairs to get ready for the day. She saw her brother already up and finishing breakfast.
“Hey, Big Mac, Ah think Ah’ll take the cart inta town today.”
Big Mac looked up at her skeptically.
“Well, Ah ain’t really been off the farm since, yaknow.” She rustled her wings for emphasis.
“Eeyup.”
“Ah don’t think it’ll be a problem. Ah gotta go inta town eventually, right?”
“Eeyup.”
“Mark mah words, Ah’m goin’! Don’t you try ta talk me out of it Mac!”
“Nnope.”
“It’s settled then.”
Big Mac chuckled a little, “Eeyup.”
“Y’all can make sure Applebloom makes it ta school, right?”
“Eeyup.” He nodded towards the door in a little ‘get out of here’ gesture, smiling at how nervous AJ looked, despite almost certainly being the toughest thing from here to Canterlot.
***
The market was still quiet this early in the morning. Only the rustling of cloth and the rattle of stalls being set up disturbed the peace. Applejack anxiously pulled her cart to its place beside Carrot Top’s stall and started setting up. Within a short time she was ready to sell, and stood by, and towered over, her wares. Derpy Doo trotted into the early market on her way to the post office. Applejack screwed up her courage and called out to her. “Hay there Miss Doo! Y’all lookin’ fer breakfast or somethin’ fer yer lunch break? Our apples are plumper an’ sweeter than ever, Ah even got some apple muffins Granny Smith baked up!”
“Oh, nah, I’m not in the mood for muffins today, got any apple butter?”
“Ah happen ta have a jar right here for ya. Fer you, it’s five bits.”
Derpy brightened, “Aw, you don’t have to give me a deal like that.”
“Nono, don’t you try to change mah mind none, that’s mah offer, take it or leave it.”
Derpy smiled and dropped the change in the cashbox, “You’re a pal Applejack, stay cool!”
“Alright, say hi ta Dinky fer me!”
Derpy just waved back, smiling as she trotted off towards her work. Applejack smiled to herself, a little stunned. That had been… very normal. Now braced for the day, AJ prepared herself for the coming influx of ponies. Most of the stalls were set up by now, and ponies were slowly filtering in from the sides of the market. AJ’s stall was fairly central, so she got customers a few minutes later than most, but she also had more ponies pass by her stall over the course of the day. However, before she could call out to try and get her second sale, a gasp and shout came from the flower stall three booths down.
“It’s the princess!” Lily shrieked.
“We aren’t ready for a royal visit!” screamed Rose.
“We’re doomed!” cried Daisy.
Applejack looked around, slightly terrified of meeting either Celestia or Luna, before realizing they were pointing at her. “Now there, there’s no call fer that. Y’all know me, plain ol’ Applejack.”
Rose was unconvinced, “Well, it’s obvious you won a duel with them for their powers and are now conqueror of Equestria. Obviously. How else would you explain… that.” she said, gesturing.
“Ya jest pointed ta all of me!”
“Exactly.”
“Ah ain’t dueled nopony. Where did ya get that fool idea?”
Rose had the decency to look embarrassed, “Uh, a Mare-Do-Well comic.”
All eyes in the growing crowd of shoppers had now focused on the exchange. Whispers flew thick and fast among the assorted ponies. “She signals the pony apocalypse.” “It’s just a sales stunt.” “Maybe her apples are magic now?” “I wonder if she can authorize tax breaks…” “I don’t know what’s going on.” “It’s all the radiation from the hydroelectric dam.” “I have to get her autograph!”
Finally, a pony stepped forward from the group. “A-Applejack?”
Wary, she replied. “Yes?”
Holding out her child she asked, “Will you kiss my foal?”
“Uh, whut?”
“You know, give her your blessing for a long and happy life?”
Another mother called out from the herd. “Hey! Mine too! Rumble, get over here!”
The mob pressed in on AJ from all sides. Now the floodgates were open and pleas and demands were flooding in from all sides. Applejack backed up to her stall in panic, trying to escape the press. The cart toppled, sending apples everywhere. “Now now, give a girl her space. Ah ain’t an actual princess, Ah jest look like one. No, Ah can’t bless yer baby. Hay now, don’t be like that, Ah don’t know how! What? A’course Ah’m not plannin’ on causin’ eternal night. Hay, no handouts! Put that apple down, y’all gotta pay fer that. Gah! Not you, Ah don’t need yer entire purse neither.” Finally it was too much for the mare. She had one last resort, the Voice. “BY CELESTIA, Y’ALL WILL BACK OFF NOW!” Before the ring of stunned ponies around her could get back up or recover their hearing Applejack had leapt off the ground with enough force to shatter the cobbles beneath her. Taking wing at an altitude that most pegasi couldn’t match, she sped for home, tears trailing behind her.
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So, question for all of you wonderful ponies out there: Do you like the little updates, or would you rather I combined chapters and took a little longer between updates? It shouldn't have too much effect on story flow other than toning down my deep obsession with cliffhangers.
Let me know in the comments.
[Edit:] Well, the ponies have spoken. I'll just keep on going with my instinct on chapter length. You guys rock!
I prefer small bit sized morsels myself.
1479877
I can appreciate this. Will read!
1516775 Whatever feels most comfortable for you!
Poor Applejack :C *gives her hugs, brushies, and preenings*
1516775 I rather like one-chapter-per-scene myself.
I'd prefer something half again as long as this one is at least, this feels rather short (
), but write how you feel comfortable 
What ever you prefer is fine with me, in all honesty.
I miss the good old days of slogging through a 100 page chapter in Fallout Equestria. Got any like that lying around?
(I'm kidding! These are fine!)
Yikes! First paragraph of chapter 5 is a wall of text!
...
As for updating speed, do whatever makes you feel comfortable. Half of the story writing is for the author after all.
1499683
Where is this Granny Smith Alicorn fic?
I think this story is better told in small chapters.
1516988 Hmmm, here you go.
1516775
I like the little chapters method myself but it's up to you.
Liked and faved for tags and concept. Now impress me.
Well, if nothing else, she's got THE VOICE working for her!
I love that formatting trick, by the way. Poor Applejack though; if nothing else, this has proven to her that her old life is over. There's no going back to what things were before. Prepare for chapter 6 to be a major angst excursion!
With the fixing of the oak, we get another insight into the nature of Applejack's demi-godhood and her powers. She's all about nature and life. She's always loved plants, life and growing things so it makes sense that she has become their guardian deity - the one who makes things grow and flourish.
You know... I do think that that kiss might have done just what that impertinent mare thought it would. That would also fit into Applejack having nature/life powers.
Only one other thing to add - of course Derpy wouldn't even be fazed by Applejack's transformation!
1516775
I like 'em long, if it can be managed. If not I understand. Regardless I am loving this fic.
1500-2000 is a good word length either way.
It dun matter much fer me. I a story is a story and I believe that the smaller chunks make you keep wanting more. Plus it helps with the cliffhangers.
1517083
Thanks! Now I know how Applejack could become an Alicorn, it was in her jeans (get it? jeans, because she's country)
1517206
static.zerochan.net/My.Little.Pony%3A.Friendship.Is.Magic.full.393197.jpg
Your chapter size is fine. Do not change it unless you really want to change it.
1517206 Puns... Hat'll get ya nowheres with me.
1517207 Because we can use our Imaginations! Basically,
24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ltn527XZ3b1r5wfiuo1_500.gif
And so can you!
1516775 Long, please. dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Lyra2.png
Long chapters preferred.
I liked this chapter, now
have to face that she is no longer a mare mortal.
I've said before in many places that all alicorns are feared, they are feared because they are so much more powerful then a pony, because they are living gods. Even
is feared and even by her own faithful student 
.
There is only two reasonable reactions a pony can have when facing an alicorn
1) Try to appease her, to gain her favour and make her look mildly on you (I say her because all known alicorns are female)
2) Try to flee to avoid or escape her wrath, and if that fails grovel.
She may try to have a semi normal relationship with her old friends but even these will be put on guard by her new station. The exception being of course if the pony is being insane ->
Otherwise the only ones she would be able to really talk to would be her equals: Celestia and Luna.
OH NO! AJ crying? My feels, they are broken!
Man this must be hard for a pony who's known a life of simplicity since the day the was born and then suddenly BAM your a princess I hope it works out for her in the end.
dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/sillyfilly_Derpy_Hooves.png dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Discord.png
1517345
imagination isn't supposed to affect reality. or in this case whatever is concrete.
1517810 This chapter was actually carefully crafted to irritate every possible side of the many Derpy/Ditzy/Muffin/Doo/Hooves factions.
I love the fannon character, but come on guys, it's all very silly the controversies that go on. 
1517820 On a related note to the above, what we know about Celestia/Luna/Cadence:
Tia and Lu are sisters and ANCIENT. They are a pair of benevolent diarchs who rule a prosperous and partially democratic (see Mayor Mare) kingdom. They each have responsibility for certain celestial bodies, but the unicorns claim to have once done so too. Lu went crazy for a while and is better now. They once wielded the Elements, but no longer do. Ponies swear by them, but they also swear by Pinkie. The Sisters have been said by Lauren to combine the traits of the three tribes. Cadence is winged and horned, but nowhere near as massive as the Sisters. Non-alicorns also hold royal titles, such as Prince Blueblood. She also ages normally, as seen by the gangly teen Cadence babysitting teeny Twi. On her own she can be overcome and imprisoned by a starved and desperate Chrysalis, while a taken-by-surprise Celestia and Chryssy are almost evenly matched when Chryssy is at the height of her power. You could argue that Cadence turned the tables on Chryssy, but everyone who has watched/read any fairytales knows there's no accounting for True Love. Cadence is terrified of Twilight's magical power in the crystal pit, while Celestia has demonstrated the ability to cancel even Twi's most insidious enchantment with a flick of her horn.
In summary, are any of them canon goddesses? Meh. Who knows?
Does it matter? Nope! Write what you personally like. I sure will.
1517812 Now THAT is something I need to correct immediately.
Thank you!
I saw this on the scroll at the top and I was like
MOAR!!
But then I read it an I was like
And now I'm like
Haha you just inspire me to try to make one.
Keep a watch out for one.
Goddess of the Sun, Goddess of the Moon, and Goddess of the Earth.
Makes for a nice trio.
1518023
sigh w/e. just once i'd like to read a alicornation story were cadence isn't given whole texts rejecting her status and hardcoring alicron's status as gods since thats how it used to be.
Damn, I want to read to more. Looking forward to future chapter!
I'm looking forward to future chapters.
No telling what alchemical forces are in the tears of an alicorn. Be careful with those.
I see she spoke to Oakey. Will it talk back?
"♫♫ I talk to the trees... But they don't listen to me ♫♫".
1518058 Wonderful! One what?
1518076 I thought so. Also, tribes.
1518097 Sorry if I came across unkindly. All I'm saying is, if something bugs you, write it out! That was the reason why I wrote this very story. The lack of Applejack/goddess bugged me.
Alternately, you could read Titanomachy, a fantastic fic where Cadence is given her dues as a full goddess.
> > All the people screaming MOAR... I'm-a hurryin'!
1518714
its fine i'll end the conversation here. i was really looking for a alicornation slice of life comedy esc. story where we don't' need to go into gods or devote passages trying to reinforce things that hold little merit i.e. cadences status.
...Applejack a princess? Reading. ...Err... adding to list... but will definitely read! Someday!
Awesome story so far! I love how nonchalant Applejack was about the change. It's a definite twist on the usually "freak out" approach. (though normally it's Twilight that changes and her freaking out over something like this is pretty expected)
Obviously. How else would you explain… that.” she said, gesturing.
“Ya jest pointed ta all of me!”
I LOVE this running gag you did a second time. Too funny!
You have my attention! I'll be eagerly awaiting more of this. One thing for improvement would be to add some descriptors for the senses. So like colors, smells, sound, feeling etc. Right now, it's fairly sparse.
1519200 Glad you like it.
You're right about the spareness of the description. I'm actually trying not to swing too far in the other direction and go into lurid detail. To call some of my worst, must-never-see-the-light-of-day prose purple would be like calling Discord 'slightly random'. It should tell you something that my favorite poem in the whole world is Nephelidia. 
I'll try not to overcompensate as much. Thanks! 
Ya know, the other day I was browsing through stories and thinking "There are a ton of 'Twilight becomes an alicorn' stories... I wonder if anyone ever writes anything similar for any of the other ponies?" And today, I find this.
Note to self: Next time, think "I wonder if anyone will mail me a suitcase full of money."
Excellent story this far; I read through the first chapters immediately and am already impatient for the next one!
1519448
Coming right up! I shall find out where you live immediately!
1516775
Write in your tempo. But I prefer short chapters.
But if you have mood to write 20k at once, please cut it into 4k max so instead of one BIG chapter there would be 2-5 small ones posted in one day.
1517105
Because that was a changeling! They have wings and horns anyway!
Derpy not wanting muffins, what trickery is this.
Moar.
1519036
You should really read it now, it is really good
The earth and plants really must move to her will. No matter the strength, without telekinesis or agile flight, she shouldn't have had the leverage to move and replant that tree. Nice trick to have when you are a farmer.
When she mentioned testing her limits, for a moment I thought she would trash the local manticore like all the visiting supers do. Glad she didn't.
1516775
Shorter chapters if you plan on updating more frequently. But if you're going to go a long while between updates, waiting longer for a long chapter would be preferable.
This story somehow carries a sense of freshness given the deluge of Mane-6 Alicorn stories. The character building is quite fine given the conciseness. It is very welcoming and I like it very much.
Whew, I made it through without making the horrible 'the chapter titles are all Greek to me' pun...
wait.
"You just gestured to all of me."
Are you a fan of how to train your dragon?
That movie is AWESOME