Applejack finds herself in a predicament that she cannot reverse. She has killed a pony and only after she does it does she realize what she's done. Now the elements are falling apart and only Applejack can fix it.
Applejack is forced to play a "game". She willingly accepts but while "playing" she kills Rainbow Dash. Now Rainbow Dash is gone and so is the Element of Loyalty. The other four (Twilight, Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Rarity) are starting to feel a bit strange. However, the "games" must continue and, as Applejack starts to feel not herself, she must find a way to save the other elements and somehow bring Rainbow back, if its even possible.
"Applejack! Applejack! Wake up!" Cried a young voice with a southern accent. Applejack groaned and opened her eyes. Apple Bloom, her little sister, was jumping up and down. "Just what are ya' doin' up so early?" "The mailmare gave us mail an' said to give this to you!" Apple Bloom said excitedly, waving a flier.
Applejack took the flier that Apple Bloom was holding. It read:
Need some excitement in your life!? Join the Equestrian Games, held at a hut in the middle of the Everfree Forest. Directions on back. Many will enter, one will remain standing. Prove to your friends that you are the best pony in Equestria.
"This doesn't seem like mah style, A.B." Applejack finally sighed. She had a thought lingering in her head. About the place it was located. She knew where it was, yet they didn't mention whom it belonged to. It just didn't seem, right. "Aww, please! Fer me?" Apple Bloom whined. "Ya really wan't me to?" Applejack replied. "Yes! Oh, please! Rainbow Dash and Rarity an' all the rest of yer friends are goin'. And Scootaloo an' Sweetie Belle are goin' ta watch! Pleeaaasssse?" Apple Bloom cried. "Why can't we just watch?" Applejack asked. "Because, ah want you to win!" Apple Bloom yelled. "Fine." "YAY!! Oh, thank you Apple Jack! Ah can't wait to tell Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle! Gotta go, Applejack! Catch ya later!" Apple Bloom exclaimed, running out the door.
Applejack still thought about that location. So, what did they do? Evict Zecora? Or is she goin' along with this? Oh well, anything to make her lil' sis' happy.
"I'm going too. It's going to be great! I just love a friendly competition." said Twilight, as Applejack and the other Elements stood in Twilgiht's house. "It was strange though, I couldn't find anything about it in any of my books. Oh well." "The only reason ah decided ta go was Apple Bloom persuaded me ta go." Applejack confessed. "I love a good tourney! I'm so winning!" Rainbow Dash boasted. "It does seems a bit like fun, I must say. I just hope I wont have to get too dirty." Rarity added. Are you competing too, Fluttershy?" Twilight asked the pegasus. "Oh, um, well, no. I- I don't really like this kind of stuff." She replied. "That's all right! I just know its gonna be fun with or without you!" Pinkie Pie burst in. "Yer still gonna watch though, right?" Applejack put in. "Oh yes! Especially since Angel wants to go." Fluttershy answered. "And i'll cheer you guys on. "Heh, it doesn't matter to me if your competing or not. I'm still going to win." Rainbow Dash said.
Applejack wasn't as enthusiastic about this whole game as the others were. In fact, the only thing she found interesting about it was the whole mystery of it and the chance to Rainbow Dash that the pegasus wasn't really all that. The last competition they had together was the Iron Hoof Competition, which really wasn't all that fair. For Rainbow had used her wings while Applejack had, well, nothing. They raced in the Running of the Leaves after to make it up. They had one rule, no wings. After a lot of fighting and pranks, Rainbow cheated and used her wings, so it really wasn't fair.
Also, why was the games hosted at Zecora's Hut, in the Everfree Forest? After countless times going there, it still gave Applejack the chills just thinking about it. Was it really safe for Apple Bloom? Snap out of it! Apple Blooms been to Zecora's plenty of times before. Even without mah permission. She'll be fine. Ah hope. "AJ? You all right?" Twilight asked, snapping Applejack back to reality. "Ah was just thinkin' about Apple Bloom and if she'd be all right in the Everfree Forest. Ah mean, really? What were they thinkin', hostin' it in Zecora's Hut?" Applejack confessed.
Applejack could never tell a lie unless it was absolutely necessary and benefitted one of her friends. This was because each of the six represented one of the Elements of Harmony and Applejack's was honesty. She proved it countless times, saying what she thought. But, Applejack knew the right time to say things and how it would affect the other pony.
Rainbow Dash represented the element of Loyalty. She could never leave her friends in a time of need. Although she could be rash, she always would help a friend to her fullest extent. Sometimes however, her loyalty conflicted with her impatience, once wanting to fly ahead of the group because Fluttershy didn't want to go stop a dragon. However, Rainbow's loyalty usually shone through.
Rarity is Generosity. Even though she may seem like one of those stuck up type of fashion ponies, she just goes to show that you can't judge a book by its cover. Her heart is giving and she won't hesitate to give a friend a present. Although she can get pretty angry if you cross her, such as Sweetie Belle attempting to help her but failing, she is truly generous at the heart. She won't take no for an answer, Applejack knew that firsthand, and enjoyed seeing others do embarrasing things, such as making Applejack wear a frilly dress while playing Truth or Dare.
Fluttershy represents Kindness and definitely showed it in her everyday life. She takes care of animals on a daily basis and will do anything to make sure an animal is safe and well. She even stole Princess Celestia's pet phoenix Philomena because she believed it to be very ill. Although she is a kind and shy pony, she has another side. You had to make sure you didn't get on her bad side because if you did, she would mentally wound you like a spear in your side.
Pinkie Pie represents the element of Laughter and that's no Surprise. She can make a good time out of anything and can party just about anywhere. Wait until you get a taste of her delicious Cupcakes. Applejack's mouth watered at the thought. Pinkie's spirit was usually so bright it made Fireflies look dull. However, Pinkie's life isn't all fun and games. Every once in a while she can get very depressed. When this happens, her mane and tail would get a deflated and straight. Once, she went crazy because she thought her friends didn't want her. In fact they were just planning a Surprise Party. That was one of the few times Applejack lied too. But it was for a good reason.
Twilight Sparkle represents the most powerful of all elements, Magic. She was skilled at it even when she was a foal, although she couldn't control it. She is the student of Princess Celestia herself and can perform a variety of different spells such as heat spells, cloud walking spells, summoning spells and more. However, even the most powerful element is nothhing without the other five, without friendship. Thus, together Applejack and the other five ponies defeated many different obstacles together, such as returning Princess Luna back to her former self, defeating the evil draconequus, Discord. They defeated Queen Chrysalis and her army of changelings and stopped King Sombra from overtaking the Crystal Empire.
"Applejack! Stop dosing off!" Pinkie suddenly yelled. "Huh, what?" Applejack cried. "We were talking about what you just said." Twilight frowned. "Oh, yeah. Haha. Sorry." Applejack stammered. "Are you okay?" Rarity asked. "Yeah, ah'm fine, ah'm just a little tired. Apple Bloom woke me up early." Applejack said quickly. It was the truth, Apple Bloom did wake her up early and she was tired. "Is there something your not telling us!?" Rainbow Dash snapped. "Well, yes. But-" "If you don't want to talk about it that's okay." Fluttershy whispered, interrupting Applejack. "No, it's not! What if she's got secret tactics to use against us!?" Rainbow Dash cried. "Ah assure you, ah don't." Applejack confirmed. "Okay, Miss Element of Honesty." Rainbow taunted.
"I think we should go, I mean, I have things I need to get done before the competition." Rarity said finally after a bit of silence. "Alright, see y'all later." Applejack said, turning to exit. "See ya, AJ. No hard feelings." Rainbow Dash called.
As Applejack was walking back to the farm, she wondered about this competition. What was it even about? The flyer didn’t specify. It did say that you could bring two other friends, or family members, to help. All of Applejack’s friends were competing, so she wondered just who she should bring. Mcintosh fer sure. He’ll be a big help in whatever this competition is, whether it be brains or strength. But who should be the other member?
“Me! Me! Oh, Applejack, please pick me!” Apple Bloom cried when Applejack got home and said she needed another pony. “Sorry, lil’ sis. Yer too young.” Applejack stated. “Aww, please, Please! Ah wanna help you win!” Apple Bloom persisted. Applejack looked at Big Mcintosh. “Should ah let her?” “Nnope!” He replied. “C’mon! Why not!” Apple Bloom asked. “Ah already said, yer too young!” Applejack repeated. “Ah’m a big pony!” Apple Bloom yelled. “And Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle are going ta be with their sisters! Why can’t ah be with you and Big Mac?” “Are ya sure that yer friends are actually competin’?” Applejack asked. “Yes, they even said!” Apple Bloom assured. “I have to agree with your sister, Apple Bloom. You’re too young. You can’t go fightin’ before you even have your cutie mark.” Big Mcintosh said. Applejack looked at Big Mac. It was rare for him too even give one of his Eeyups or Nnopes, but to actually speak like this? Apple Bloom made a pouty face. “Fine, ah guess ah’ll just go tell Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.”
As Apple Bloom left, Applejack wondered whether she made the right decision in not letting Apple Bloom compete. “Did ah make the right choice?” Applejack asked Mcintosh. “Eeyup.”
Who ta bring, who ta bring? Granny Smith? Nah. Winona? Nope, she’s a dog, is that even allowed? Ah could call up to Appleloosa or maybe even Manehatten. Both would have better choices than Apple Bloom. As Applejack went through names in her head she almost bumped into Rarity. “Whoops, sorry Rarity. Didn’t see ya there.” Applejack apologized. “Oh, it’s quite all right dear.” Rarity replied. “Say, who are ya bringin’ to help you?” Applejack asked, hoping for an idea. “Oh, I’m bringing Sweetie Belle and my dearest Opalescence.” Rarity answered. “Opal?” Applejack was confused, how could Rarity’s cat help? “Oh yes, Opal loves a good competition.” Rarity confirmed. “Well, ah better be off, ah still have to figure out who ah’m bringin’.” Applejack said. Rarity nodded and Applejack walked along, this time more careful of where she was going. Maybe she should just ask Twilight to help her decide.
When Applejack got to Twilight’s tree house, Twilight welcomed her in. “What can I help you with, AJ?” Twilight asked. “Well, ah just don’t know who else ah should bring ta help me in the competition. Ah’m already bringing Big Mac.” Applejack answered. “Well, my books state that in almost any team competition you should balance the team out. So you should choose someone who’s light and quick.” Twilight shared, obviously hinting at a single pony. “But Apple Bloom’s too young!” Applejack quickly defended. “Is she?” Twilight simply replied. Applejack huffed “Fine, but if somethin’ happens to Apple Bloom…” She trailed off there and exited the house, going to tell Apple Bloom the news. At least Apple Bloom would be happy.
Apple Bloom was in her clubhouse that Applejack had given her. Every time Applejack looked at the clubhouse she was still impressed at how Apple Bloom fixed up the place. “Apple Bloom?” Applejack called. Apple Bloom appeared in the doorway and came out, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle by her side. “Yes?” “Do ya still wanna compete?” Applejack sighed. “Oh yes! Thank you, Applejack! Thank you!” Apple Bloom cried. “Yes! Maybe we’ll get a competing cutie mark!” Scootaloo yelled. “If you can beat me and Rarity!” Sweetie Belle squeaked. Applejack sighed to herself, this time in slight happiness. She felt better now that she had the weight off her shoulders and not only made Apple Bloom happy, but Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle too. However, she couldn’t get the feeling that something might happen to Apple Bloom. She didn’t even know what the competition was. In fact, when was it? When she got back to the barn, she took a peek at the flier. This time she flipped it over, seeing an entire page she missed before.
The Equestrian Tourney
A tournament not for the faint of heart.
Date: March 27 Time: Be there at 3:00 PM.
March 27th? That was tomorrow! Applejack knew she should have read the whole flier when she got it, and this wouldn’t have been a problem. Now she had to get everything ready to go and the day was almost over. She went back to the orchard to find Mcintosh carting apples. “Mcintosh, the competition is tomorrow!” Applejack cried. “Eeyup!” He replied. “Ya mean, ya knew!?” Applejack couldn’t believe it. “Eeyup.” He said again. “And ya didn’t tell me?” Applejack shook her head in frusteration. “Nnope.” “We thought y’already knew!” Came Apple Bloom’s voice from behind Applejack. “Where are your friends?” Applejack asked, noting that Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were gone. “Oh, they went home. Had to get home fer dinner,” Apple Bloom answered. Applejack frowned then looked up. The sun was setting already. This day has just been ups an’ downs. What am ah to do tomorrow? The apple siblings walked to the barn together in complete silence, much to Apple Bloom’s dismay. When they got to the barn, they ate the dinner that Granny Smith had prepared for them and then went to bed. It was a pretty night, but Applejack had a restless sleep.
Applejack was standing in an arena. She recognized the crystal walls and floors. Ah’m in the Crystal Empire!? But how? But it looked different, like when King Sombra was taking over. Crystal Ponies trotted around, their fur not shining at all. Instead they were dull, gloomy. Then she saw Twilight and all of her other friends standing around her. Twilight looked so sad. Applejack saw Princess Celestia walk over from what seemed to be nowhere. It was like she just appeared out of thin air. Princess Luna was by her side. “Princess!” Twilight cried. “Hush! Twilight Sparkle! Thou hast failed us.” Princess Luna silenced the purple unicorn. “Twilight Sparkle, I am very disappointed in you. Not only did King Sombra escape and successfully corrupt the Crystal Empire, now he is targeting all of Equestria!” Princess Celestia revealed. Huh? But ah thought we stopped King Sombra! Applejack thought. Quite a while ago, Twilight said she was going to be given a test. It turned out not to be the type of test she thought it would be and instead she was given the task of protecting the whole of the Crystal Empire from King Sombra, an evil unicorn who once controlled the Crystal Empire. But it didn’t end like this! No, Twilight got the Crystal Heart and Spike brought it back. Then the Crystal Ponies filled it with light and love and banished King Sombra. Then Princess Cadance and Shining Armor took over the task of ruling the Crystal Empire. But now, it seemed like Twilight failed. “I- I’m so sorry! Please forgive me, Princess!” Twilight stammered. “I could never forgive you. You have just sentenced Equestria to oblivion!” Princess Celestia turned away. “You can no longer be my student.” Tears welled up in Twilight’s eyes. Applejack tried to walk over to her, but her legs wouldn’t respond. “Oh, Applejack, can’t you just feel the darkness? Revenge feels amazing.” A voice sounded in Applejack’s head. Who’s there? Show yourself! Have you done this!? Have you changed history!? The voice laughed and then the scene shifted.
Applejack was in Canterlot, the castle to be exact. Huh!? Where’d the Crystal Empire go? Am ah in… Canterlot? She was with her friends again, but something was missing. Twilight was gone. Standing in front of Applejack was Princess Cadance, an evil glint in her eyes. No, it wasn’t Cadance, it was Queen Chrysalis! The changeling was in Cadance’s form but there was an evil aura. She was in her wedding gown and Shining Armor stood by her side, looking dazed. “The time has come, my loyal subjects!” Chrysalis cried and there was a huge gust of wind as the magical force field around Canterlot shattered. Applejack turned her head to the window, swarms of Changelings were descending on Canterlot. Where was Twilight? Surely she should be here, to make everything right. But Twilight didn’t come. Applejack realized what was happening. Just like when she was in the Crystal Empire and King Sombra was in control, Queen Chrysalis had won. Pinkie Pie gasped and Applejack snapped her attention back to Chrysalis. Her disguise was gone, it was truly Queen Chrysalis. The changeling laughed and the scene again shifted. Applejack was still in Canterlot. Changelings roamed the streets like packs of hungry dogs. “You! Farm pony! Look at it, Canterlot in its finest beauty. Ponyville has suffered the same fate.” Chrysalis’s voice giggled. “No!” Applejack cried. “Yes, isn’t it great? Just give in Applejack, there’s nothing you can do.”
The scene changed again. This time, Applejack was in Ponyville. But everything was wrong. It was chaos. Chaos. Discord! Everypony in town seemed off. Then Applejack heard a voice. “Oh, hello there Applejack! You wanna know why you’re all alone? Because no one can stand having a dirty farmpony like you around! You workhorse!” Fluttershy laughed. Applejack growled. In her head she was crying mental tears. She remembered this too well. She remembered her own corruption. She remembered seeing the vision of her friends leaving in the pool. In the Grove of Truth. It had started when she realized that it was caused by the truth. She believed that everything would be better if she lied about things that would hurt other pony’s feelings. That was all she planned on lying about. But it felt wonderful to be rid of the truth, it had taken her over. She was lying just to hurt her friends feelings. “What’s wrong? Can’t your stupid brain process anything I said?” Fluttershy spat. Don’t lie! “Oh, ah am absolutely fine with your rude remarks. In fact, ah rather enjoy it.” Applejack heard herself say. No, oh why. Why this again. Ah couldn’t stand before, why now? Why do ah have to go through again. Oh, Celestia, help me! “Oh really? Well then, I better go off. Oh look here comes Ms. Smartypants!” Fluttershy smirked and flew off. Applejack turned to see Twilight walking towards her, the unicorn's head hung low. She was gray like everypony else. Like Applejack. Applejack shut her eyes tight and pleaded for it to go away. She couldn’t stand it, she couldn’t stand the lies. “Oh ho ho, Applejack. Why not. You stood it before. Besides, I think the new colors on you fit perfectly.” Discord! “Yes?” Get out! “Oh, but isn’t it beautiful?” No!
Applejack opened her eyes. She was lying in her bed. “A- a dream?” It had felt so, so real. She could actually feel everything as if it wasn’t a dream. She was very relieved that it was not reality though. She wouldn’t have been able to stand it. Equestria would have been ruined. Then Applejack tried to remember what exactly she had seen, but the dream was gone. Forgotten.
Applejack walked, thinking hard on her plans. The rustling of wind through trees helped sooth her mind and blow all of her worries away. Applejack had packed previously and simply had nothing to do and it was about thirty minutes til they were scheduled to be at the hut in the Everfree Forest, yet Applejack still felt as if it was eternities away. Above her, Applejack heard some snoring. It was obvious who it was, yet Applejack still looked up instinctively. Directly above her through the leaves, she spotted familiar cyan fur. How can Rainbow be sleepin' now? Shrugging, Applejack continued and it didn't take her long to get lost in thoughts.
After what seemed like a minute later, Applejack heard a faint clop, clop sound that steadily grew louder. She turned just in time to see yellow and then she was knocked to the ground.
"Time ta go, sis! Twilight and Rarity are here!" Apple Bloom explained quickly, getting off of Applejack.
Applejack stood up, shaking the dirt from her fur, "All right, ah'm comin'."
The two sisters only just started walking when Applejack remembered, "Wait! Ah better go get Rainbow Dash!"
"Rainbow Dash? Where is she?" Apple Bloom questioned, but the orange mare was already gone.
Applejack went back to where she found Dash before but saw nothing. There was no sign that the pegasus had been there at all, except for a few leaves on the ground that probably shook off when Rainbow moved. Slightly confused but overall amused, Applejack went back to a waiting Apple Bloom and again they set off.
They were almost to the barn when a Rainbow blur crashed into Applejack. "Haha! Sis! You must be a pony magnet!"
"Apple Bloom! That's not nice!" Applejack groaned. It was a slightly inappropriate statement as well, but Apple Bloom wouldn't know that. "Oh, and Howdy, Rainbow."
"Hey there, AJ. Whasup?" Rainbow Dash greeted hovering slightly off the ground and picking dirt out of her rainbow mane. “How are you?”
“Fine, after gettin’ over the shock from when you crashed into me!” Applejack scolded.
“Heh heh, sorry about that.” Rainbow couldn’t help but break into laughter.
Frowning, Applejack started walking away, but noticed a familiar purple unicorn followed by a white unicorn. “Howdy Twi! Rarity!”
“Hello, Applejack. What’s Rainbow Dash laughing about?” Twilight asked, noting the pegasus who was still laughing really hard with a concerned Apple Bloom watching.
“Her latest “prank”. She crashed into me.” Applejack explained.
“However is that supposed to be a prank?” Rarity frowned.
“Beats me.” Applejack confirmed.
Rainbow stood up wiping tear drops off of her eyes then seemed to just noticed that Twilight and Rarity had joined them. “Whoops.”
“Anyone else think we should get goin’?” Apple Bloom spoke.
“Eeyup!” Came a new voice.
Applejack smiled at Big Mcintosh and nodded. They had hardly set off before another new voice joined in. “I knew you guys wouldn’t be here! But I decided to take a look anyway! So here’s what happened, I asked Mrs. Cake if I could go and she said ‘yes’ so I had a hunch to come here but I was like ‘No hunch, they won’t be there!’ but my hunch said ‘Yes Pinkie, they will!’ and we argued a bit but the hunch finally won over and I came here and here you were, so thanks hunch! Where’s Fluttershy?”
“And hello to you too, Pinkie Pie.” Twilight said sarcastically. “We haven’t picked Fluttershy up yet.”
“Oh and where’s Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle?” The overexcited earth pony asked.
“Not here yet, darling. I believe Sweetie Belle said she was going on some ‘important business’” Rarity answered.
“Important business! Without me? Oh no! They’re goin’ to get their cutie marks without me!” Apple Bloom cried and rushed off.
She didn’t go far before Applejack grabbed the filly’s tail, stopping her in her tracks. “Woah there. Now ah’m sure yer friends won’t get their cutie marks before you. Besides, they better hurry up or ah’m sendin’ Dash to go lookin’ for them.” Applejack wouldn’t risk being late. They were already cutting it close. Besides they needed to get Fluttershy still. But Applejack didn’t worry as she knew the school ponies wouldn’t dare be late.
Sure enough “Maybe we’ll get our cutie marks in whoever finds Apple Bloom first!”
“I’m going to! Wait- What would that even look like? Apple Bloom’s face?”
The two fillies, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo appeared in the distance, but their voices were loud enough to hear from afar.
“Guys! Ah’m right here!” Apple Bloom called and Scootaloo started running towards the ponies, Sweetie Belle following closely behind.
“Apple Bloom!” They yelled in unison. Then Scootaloo asked, “See anything?”
Applejack smiled, these little fillies called themselves The Cutie Mark Crusaders and would stop at nothing to get their cutie marks. Now however, their flanks were blank.
“Nothin’! “ Apple Bloom declared.
The fillies pouted as the group left the farm heading towards the Everfree Forest. On the way they stopped at a familiar cottage on the edge of the forest. Fluttershy’s cottage. Twilight knocked on the door to the cottage and it opened, revealing the yellow pegasus.
“Oh, hello girls. I’m just putting Angel to bed.” Fluttershy greeted, a white bunny tapping its foot impatiently next to her. “But now it’s too late! We have to go now, Angel. Come on Harry!”
Applejack felt her heart skip a beat as the huge bear walked out the door. Was that one of Fluttershy’s helpers? If it was, Applejack knew she might be in trouble.
It wasn’t long before they reached Zecora’s Hut in the Everfree Forest. However, it looked completely different. In the front, it was the same. Same old hut. But in the back of the hut, there was no back. Instead there was a giant dome made of what looked like steel. When was it built? Applejack began to feel a bit suspicious. She would have to ask Zecora later when they built the dome. Whatever it was, Applejack knew something was wrong, this was not the same old hut they once knew.
