Princess Celestia knew how her kingdom worked. The Unicorns used magic. Pegasi flew in the sky and handled the weather. And Earth ponies... Earth ponies... Huh, maybe Celestia didn't know everything about her ponies. That was about to change.
Princess Celestia always thought she knew how her kingdom worked. The Unicorns used magic specialized to their jobs. Pegasi flew in the sky and handled the weather. And Earth ponies... Earth ponies... uhhmmm... Huh. Maybe Princess Celestia didn't know everything about her ponies after all. Princess Celestia realized this after Applejack came to speak with her about a tax unfair to Earth pony farmers. It was during their conversation that Celestia realized she needed help. Huh, isn't that odd Princess Celestia has had to leave on emergency business, leaving Luna to raise and set the sun? And hey, is that a new pony living and working at Sweet Apple Acres? I think her name is Sunshine Meadow. Surely, it's just a coincidence. Surely.
Princess Celestia sat upon the dais in her throne room, humming under her breath as she read through the notes her assistant had just hoofed over to her. These had been recorded earlier by the stenographer. A fairly easy day; no real big conflicts. Though I am going to need to make a note here to do a check in on that dispute over who invented that new searching spell. She made a few notes in the margins and smiled, hoofing the completed paperwork to her assistant, who rolled the parchment and placed them in her saddle bag.
“I’ll file these away and head home with your leave now, Your Highness?” Raven bowed her head as she levitated her saddle bag over her back.
Celestia nodded with a smile. “Of course. I will see you in the morning, Raven.” She watched as the dark unicorn mare trotted from the hall, head held high. Celestia moved her neck back and forth, allowing it to crack. She closed her eyes with a happy sigh. It was times like these when Celestia missed being able to neigh; it would have been much more comforting than a simple sigh. Oh well. Now I can have a small snack, head to my office, tackle some paperwork and be done before joining Luna for dinner! The sound of hooves on the floor caused her to open her eyes. Upon seeing one of her trusted solar guards she smiled, encouraging him to speak.
"Your Highness, Lady Applejack Apple from Ponyville has requested an audience with you."
An audience? How odd. Applejack knows that I would be happy to speak with her in a more pleasant setting. Hopefully I can convince her that we can move to my sitting room to discuss whatever is bothering her. "Of course. Allow her to enter immediately. No guards will be needed for this meeting. If I can’t trust the Element of Honesty, then who can I trust?"
The solar guard nodded and left the hall as quickly as he entered. A few moments later Applejack walked in slowly, and while her stetson was still upon her head, there was something different about the straight-to-the-point pony whom Celestia considered a friend.
Her mane has been brushed and her coat curried. Her hooves are clean. I doubt she was even in the field today. Which means... Celestia sighed under her breath. This isn’t a friendly visit; Applejack has something important on her mind.
"Am I to assume this is not just an ordinary visit, then?” Celestia smiled softly, trying to reassure the nervous pony who bowed her head in reverence. Someday... someday, at very least, I’m going to get Twilight and her friends to treat me like a normal pony.
"Begging your pardon, your majesty," the earth pony began, carefully speaking in a calm clear voice, her usual country twang subdued as she spoke to one of the supreme rulers of her land. "I don't want to sound out of place, but the new transportation and usage taxes are an unfair burden dropped right on the back of Earth Ponies. Now I’m making a formal protest for redress.”
Celestia frowned in confusion. Not fair? Celestia prided herself on her fairness and reasonable judgment. “While I have never claimed to be beyond error, I must say that I’m not quite sure I understand the grounds of your grievance, Applejack. As I recall, the new tolls and transport duties are based on a ‘per use’ basis and are intended to ensure the proper maintenance of Equestria’s roads and bridges. Surely a per use basis is fair?”
"Begging your pardon, Princess Celestia, but no. Simply put, the law taxes the volume of goods shipped. For example: a small cart is charged two bits on a bridge. A wagon is charged ten, regardless of whether the wagon is even empty or full. A load of industrial grade diamonds pays the same fee as a load of my apples, or even if I’m returning home afterward. Clearly the end return on my apples is going to be a lot less.
“That’s the thing; agriculture is a bulk industry. It just isn’t profitable to sell in small amounts like finished goods. So, in effect, any tax which rates only on volume rather than the value of goods penalizes farmers. Farmers; whom I might add, are almost entirely Earth Ponies. You'll get a couple of pegasi growing flowers here and there and a couple of unicorns experimenting with growing magic, but that’s the exception, not the rule. Even if it didn’t hit farmers as hard as it does, think about it: Pegasi handle the shipment of smaller loads completely in circumvention of that same infrastructure. I’m sure the laws look fine on paper, here in Canterlot, but I don’t run my farm on paper. And from where I’m standing; in the real world, this just doesn’t work. We farmers only have two choices: One is to see the laws changed, and the other is to raise our prices. Imagine how many ponies would be hurt if that happened! Blueblood would still get his apple quiche but higher food prices would hit every family in Equestria.”
Celestia listened in silence. Applejack had always shown a knack for being both respectful and brutally honest, as her element might suggest; and sometimes even somewhat cheeky, as an old letter of hers during ‘Cider Season’ had proved. But she had never spoken so bluntly to the princess, and her honesty hit a nerve. Not one of anger, not at all. But one of… shame. For the Element of Honesty spoke the full truth.
The real world. Something so obvious when she tells it from that perspective, and yet it didn’t even occur to me. It should have. And yet from these walls in Canterlot, I never saw it. It dawned on Celestia that she was woefully unaware of the lives of her subjects. Especially earth ponies. Over the many years that she had been teaching, Celestia had taken on fillies and colts of both Unicorn and Pegasi races; all of them talented. They all went on to serve Equestria in their own way. Celestia smiled as she thought back, then frowned. Wait, that’s not right... That couldn’t be right!
She swallowed hard as she realized the awful truth.
Thousands of years... Hundreds of students and not one of them was an earth pony… I am an Alicorn; I embody all three races equally, yet I know nothing about my Earth Pony heritage…
"I guess I had best be going, then." Applejack nodded her head towards Celestia, having said her peace. She tilted her hat and turned to leave.
Celestia chewed her lip as an idea hit her as hard, as if she had just been bucked. "Please wait, Applejack. You were right to bring this to my attention and it has forced me to realize something.”
Here goes...
Celestia sighed. “I do need help. I need it desperately. I’m ashamed to admit that. Applejack, I’m ashamed to admit that I have never considered how things must be for an earth pony and if I am to be one-hundred percent honest with you, as I know you’d want me to be, I have to admit to you that I-I think I may…” Celestia shook her head, not sure exactly what she was feeling. “Please, Applejack, help me to understand what it means to be an earth pony?”
Now it was Applejack's turn to be stunned into silence. As she pondered, she slowly nodded in consideration. “I’ll be happy to show you.” She raised a hoof. “But there’s a problem: I can tell you all day long… But until you’ve lived this way? You can’t really understand what I’m telling you deep inside, where it counts.”
Celestia considered for several moments before she rose from her throne and walked down the dias. She smiled down at Applejack a bit nervously before sitting down on her haunches. “Well, I am unsure when or if I’d have the chance to live as you do, but please humor me. Tell me what you can?” She felt her stomach gurgle and blushed. “Ahem, I was about to have a snack. Would you like to join me before my first lesson?”
“I have to admit that I’m just a little hungry myself, so yes, Princess. I think I would.”
“Wonderful!” Celestia got up. “Follow me? My sitting room is much more comfortable to eat in than this throne room.” She hesitated, “Besides, you are my fr-my student’s dearest friend and an Element of Harmony. You deserve and have earned the best I can offer.”
Applejack noted the careful phrasing of Celestia’s statement and smiled inwardly. She supposed it was a necessary part of Celestia’s duties to maintain a careful separation, but in Applejack’s world, a pony knew her friends. This was one of the most basic lessons she hoped Celestia would learn.
Celestia led Applejack to a small cozy looking room, which held a fireplace and several cushions. In another time, she and Twilight spent time together in this room every day after her lessons. Celestia’s eyes went to the unused chessboard and she smiled. “Applejack, have you ever played chess?”
“On occasion. My brother taught me but I’m still not up to his level of play, I’m afraid.”
Celestia nodded as she levitated the board between them, setting it up. “Do you mind playing black?”
“Sticking to type, Your Highness?” AJ teased just in the slightest. “I’ve no problem with that. I usually play white, but I think this’ll work better. Your opening, Princess. Smoke before fire.”
Celestia considered and moved a pawn forth. “Oh, while we are in my sitting room, please call me Celestia?” She smiled as she levitated her crown off her head and onto the floor.
“I’ll try. My granny would tear a strip off my hide if she heard I was referring to you quite so intimately, but I owe you the courtesy… Celestia.”
Celestia smiled. “Thank you, Applejack. How do sandwiches and tea sound for a snack?” She watched as Applejack carefully bit down on her knight and moved it. How is she able to do that? Theres not even a sign of a bite mark.
“That sounds just fine.” Applejack nodded, setting her stetson on the ground beside her in a position that mirrored Celestia’s own crown.
Celestia levitated a bell over to her and rang it twice. The door opened and Celestia smiled at the mare who entered the room. “Hello, Sunflower. Would you go to the kitchen and fetch my guest and myself a platter of daisy sandwiches and a pot of jasmine tea?” The green unicorn bowed her head.
“Of course, Your Highness. I'll return promptly!” She closed the door and hurried to obey.
Celestia sighed and turned back to the chess board. For several moments they played in silence. Is this a comfortable silence? Or am I just so nervous I’m not able to say anything? She stared at the board in puzzlement. Somehow, Celestia, the greatest chess master in history, was losing.
“Check.”
Celestia groaned internally and moved her king, sacrificing her second bishop. Her ear flicked at the sound of knocking. “Enter.” A unicorn carried a platter and tea pot in her magic, setting everything on a small table. She bowed and walked out without a sound. Celestia took a sandwich in her magic and took a bite as Applejack grabbed one in her hooves as she continued to study the board. Celestia watched as Applejack ate, marveling at how she used her hooves so dexterously, losing track of her plan until she looked down to see her king trapped. Not in check, but no place to go. With no choice she used her right fore hoof and tipped the piece over on its side. “I surrender. Good game, Applejack.”
“You too, Celestia. Now I suppose we should start on our first lesson?” Applejack picked up the cup of tea in her hooves and took a sip. Her shoulders relaxed. “Darn good tea.”
Celestia nodded, summoning parchment and a quill, ready to take notes. Oh my, I must look like a giant white version of Twilight! With a nervous smile she set the parchment down. She glanced at Applejack, who had a lifted eyebrow at Celestia. After a few moments she shook her head.
"Right," Applejack began, clearing her throat. "Without magic or wings, earth ponies live on our sweat and wits.You should know how much respect I have for Twilight. As for Rainbow Dash, she can be trying, but she’s tops in her field. But the point is that the ground doesn’t bend to the skies or to magic. By the sweat on our backs and our hooves is how our farms yield.”
Applejack paused and then raised a hoof. “But for all that is the part that unicorns and pegasi most have trouble understanding. Even after all that, an earth pony needs patience: The land gives its bounty on its terms alone. You can till it, water it, tend it, but you can’t ever rush it.”
Celestia listened as her ear flicked while Applejack described earth pony magic in such simple yet concise terms. I already feel lost. I’ve heard all of this before, so I should be able to get this. What else can I do?
"Is there anything else you would like to hear about today? It's a brief lesson, I know, but..." Applejack began fiddling with her stetson. When she came to speak with the Princess about the new tax, she never expected to be sitting in her parlor playing chess and giving her a lesson on earth ponies. Mac ain’t gonna believe what happened when I get back to the farm!
Celestia stared at the floor. This isn’t working. I could listen to her or to any earth pony lecture me for hours and still feel as lost as I am now. But what else can I do? Celestia sighed. As she was about to speak up to thank Applejack for her help, but also to request no more lessons, it suddenly hit her.
There is something I can do! No wonder I didn’t think of it sooner.... He’s only been redeemed a few months, after all! “Applejack, thank you for the lesson, but I just don’t think it will be enough. I think... no, I know that for me to understand earth ponies, I’m going to need to be one.”
Applejack stared up at Celestia as she levitated her crown back onto her head and rang a bell. “Uh, Ma’am?”
Celestia ignored the very confused pony as a solar guard entered. “Honed Edge, please escort Lady Applejack to the train station and have a thestral guard wake my sister. Tell them I’d like to speak to her in my quarters and that it is urgent.” She turned to Applejack. “I apologize that our meeting must be cut short, but something urgent has come up.”
Applejack mutely nodded, not certain what had just happened as the pegasi guard led her to train station. Not long after arriving, she sat and stared out the window as the train pulled away. Well, at least it can’t get any weirder than that...
Celestia watched as Discord paced back and forth across the ceiling. While she hadn’t been sure what she expected him to do or say when she had stated her request to him, she had to admit that seeing the draconequus stunned into silence had been at the very bottom of her list of possibilities. Now he was pacing on her ceiling with his arms crossed and wings twitching. If she hadn’t been so desperate for a response she would have found it hilarious. As it was though, his reaction caused her to sigh.
Discord walked down the wall and stopped right in front of Celestia, his chin resting on his paw. “Alright, j-just give me a second. You want me to do what, exactly? Because I’m sure I must have misunderstood you.”
Celestia smiled at the uneasy draconicus. “You heard me correctly, Discord. I’d very much appreciate it if you would turn me into an earth pony.”
Discord stared open mouthed. When Celestia had requested him to come to her quarters, he first thought that she was going to chastise him for turning all the food in the kitchen into candy the other day. It had been just the smallest amount of chaos. After all it wasn’t his fault Luna had gotten a tummy ache! When she told him why he was actually there, he was too flabbergasted to even laugh. He knew that Celestia could be quite the prankster, so the first thought that came to his mind was that she could have been playing an elaborate prank on him.
"Hold up a moment, let me see if I got this." Discord snapped his talons and a chalkboard with Celestia’s profile drawn on it appeared. "You want me do this?" He snapped again, which caused the wings and horn to be erased from Celestia’s profile. “To the real you? Why exactly do you want this anyway, Sun Butt? Wings too heavy? Horn making you too…horny?”
“Not exactly, Discord. It’s much more than just getting rid of my horn and wings.” Celestia rose to her hooves and walked over to her vanity, looking into the mirror which sat upon it. She let out a soft sigh as her long multi-colored mane flowed around her face where it was covering her left eye. She levitated her crown off her brow, placing it next to her mane brush and curry comb for her coat. After a moment she ran the brush through her mane, frowning as it felt more like brushing air than actual hair.
She watched her horn’s magical aura flow, as it manipulated the floating brush. Her horn, longer than even the most powerful of unicorns by far. She lifted a single wing. She had preened them last night. They still looked perfect. More powerful than the fastest pegasus. What was there of her that showed she was a third earth pony?
“Applejack came to speak to me about a tax I recently signed into law. On paper it seemed fair. But, once she explained it to me I could see just how much it was going to affect earth ponies. I realized something, Discord. I am an Alicorn, the paragon of all pony races in one. Yet I know nothing of what it means to be an earth pony.” Celestia frowned at her reflection. “For several millennia I have lived without realizing this! I use the magic of a unicorn, I fly as a pegasus. What do I do as an earth pony?” She frowned as she heard crunching. “Discord!”
Disord looked up after shoving a clawful of candy into his maw. “What? You were starting to ramble so I thought I might as well make myself a snack!” He offered her the bucket of her student’s cutie mark shaped candies. “Want some?”
Celestia shook her head. “Discord. This is important, please! For just a few moments can you not be you?” Discord shrugged, tossing the rainbow thunderbolt candy behind him where it vanished into a blue portal. Celestia blinked but shook her head. “I want more than just my horn and wings hidden, Discord. I want you to take my unicorn and pegasi magic as well.” Celestia smiled serenely at him. “That would leave me as a normal earth pony, would it not?”
Discord sputtered a bit. Could this really be happening? Was Celestia actually giving him permission, no, not just giving permission. She was asking him to turn her into a normal pony! “Really, Celestia? You would trust me to do this? What is to stop me from taking your power as my own?”
Celestia smirked, “Oh, that did cross my mind momentarily. But I’m certain you won’t do anything like that.”
"Oh? And why not?"
“Because Fluttershy wouldn’t like that.” Celestia grinned, showing her teeth, “Now would she?”
Discord opened his mouth and lifted a claw to object but quickly frowned, lowering his claw. Drats, if she wasn’t right. Fluttershy would be very irritated with him if he took Princess Celestia’s power as his own. Ah well, it was nice to dream.
Celestia nodded, satisfied he got her point. “Discord, I need this, I need to know what it means to be an earth pony. Think of how much better a ruler I’ll be once I have cleared this final hurdle. I may even be able to finally understand who I truly am.” Her shoulders slumped. “All these years I have been ruling unfairly! How can my ponies still trust me? How?” She turned to look Discord in the eyes to see him reach into an orange portal and pull out the candy bowl. “Discord!”
“What? You were going into a monologue! I was getting bored and it was either eat these adorable candy cutie marks or cause chaos. I would have thought you’d prefer me to eat butterflies.”
Celestia rolled her eyes. He had lasted longer than she thought he would. “Have you ever thought about it, Discord? What it must be like to be a normal pony? Without all your powers?”
Discord tapped a talon to his muzzle as he munched a few popcorn kernels. “Nope, sorry Sun Butt, can’t say I ever have.” He tossed the empty popcorn container in his mouth and chomped down. “Alright, so you want to be an earth pony? Why not just use an illusion spell on your horn and wings? Seems to me that would be the easiest way to handle this. No muss no fuss, right?”
“Really, Discord? If it were as simple as an illusion spell, do you really think I’d be talking to you about this? Even if I did think it was possible to use an illusion spell in that manner, it wouldn’t be practical! Think about it. I’d need to renew the illusion spell almost daily, and if I so much as slipped I’d be revealed to the citizens as Celestia. I can’t afford for that to happen.” Celestia closed her eyes. “Please, Discord... I need to know what it means to not have my wings or horn. To truly understand what that means I need to be actually without them; they need to be removed from me.”
“Alright, alright, I get it. You can’t take your own magic, why not ask Princess Moon Butt?”
Celestia frowned. “If you are referring to Luna, she isn’t capable of doing what I’m requesting you to do. She’s still recovering her power from when she was freed of the Nightmare.” Celestia got a little flushed, “I... um... did talk to her and told her what I meant to do.”
“From that pink in your cheeks, Princess, I’m guessing she didn’t take it well?”
Celestia coughed delicately, remembering her recent meeting with Luna.
Luna looked up as Celestia walked into her room, carefully shutting her door. “Ah, Tia, your guard informed me that you wished to speak with me as soon as you were able. What is it that I may do for you, my dear sister?”
Celestia smiled and gave her sister a nuzzle before sitting beside her and spilling out her heart. Luna watched with pursed lips. She listened to every word before she got up and began to pace. “Celestia, have you truly thought this through? Truly? Because I am wondering if you are thinking with your head or with your heart! This… what you plan... it is like something I may find in a foal’s story book. Do you realize how crazed you sound? Were you to speak of your plan to any other pony they would have you committed!”
Celestia stared down at her forehooves, blinking back her tears. Maybe… maybe Luna was right. Maybe. She felt a hoof gently lift her chin and she stared into the calm blue eyes of her little sister. Celestia blinked back her tears as Luna smiled.
“Tia, if you were not thinking with your heart I’d be much afeard. If this is what you need to do...
You have my blessing.”
Celestia smiled joyously, “Thank you, Luna! Thank you.” She cocked her head. “You still think I’m mad though, don’t you?”
Luna laughed, “As a hatter, dear sister.”
Celestia nuzzled Luna as they held tight to each other, both laughing and crying.
“...You could say that, she thinks I’m mad but she won’t stop me, as she knows this is what I feel I need to do.” Celestia smiled fondly, “She has agreed to take over my duties of guiding the sun while I am away, as well as any of my other duties that are unable to be reassigned.”
Discord sighed. “You really are set on this aren’t you, Sun… Celestia?” Celestia nodded a single time and Discord clapped his claw and paw together. “Well, alrighty then! Let’s do this!”
Celestia blinked. “Really? You’ll help me?”
Discord nodded with a grin.
A small smile spread across Celestia's muzzle. "Thank you, Discord. Thank you."
Discord levitated himself into the air, laying on his belly gazing down at Celestia. “Now. You are one-hundred percent certain about this? I mean, think about this. You won’t be able to fly, no unicorn magic. Have you ever even used your hooves to manipulate anything? Don’t forget that once I take the magic you’ll lose your majestic stature. Are you that sure you’re ready to get rid of that wondrously large flank of yours?”
Celestia’s cheeks turned a rosy red as she quickly turned to stare at the ground. “Sh-shut up…”
“I mean, look at that thing! So big and round, it must have taken years and numerous cakes to make it so!”
“That’s enough, Discord! You have well and truly made your point, I assure you! Hasn’t being friends with Fluttershy helped you learn how to speak with a proper mare?” Celestia grumbled while looking up at him.
"Not at all, Sun Butt!" Discord laughed as he snapped and was suddenly dressed in a dark blue vest, mirror sunglasses and a headset microphone. "Thank you for choosing Chaos Air. At this time I urge you to cast any remaining spells you may have the desire to cast and to spread your wings. If at any time during the process you want to stop, please be aware that may leave you with only half of your remaining power until I am able to fully transfer it back. And with that we have thirty seconds to go. Thank you again for flying Chaos Air!”
Celestia began to feel a slight fear as Discord’s chaotic magic wrapped around her. After so long fearing this touch it was hard for her to come to grips with the fact it was going to help her. A single bead of sweat fell over her right eye as she let out a subconscious whimper. What will it feel like? To lose everything I am? Oh Harmony, oh Sun and Moon, I’m so scared! No... no, I can do this, I have to do this! She steadied herself and gave the go ahead.
Discord snapped his talons, his eyes glowing as he stared straight into Celestia’s own.
The first sensation Celestia felt was of a coolness on her forehead. She glanced up to see that her horn had lost the normal glow that encircled it. Though it was difficult for mortals to see, it was always there as she guided the sun. With a final touch to the sun Celestia could feel Luna take over the guiding. Then her sense of magic went dead. It was a disconcerting feeling as she ran a hoof over her long horn, which had just been rendered inert. Suddenly she felt her horn pulling back into her forehead. She almost cried out in pain before realizing it didn’t hurt. In fact, she couldn’t feel her horn at all anymore. She just watched, entranced as her horn slowly but steadily pulled back into her forehead until just the tip protruded through her forehead, eventually becoming nothing. She rubbed her hoof over her forehead in shock. Nothing, there wasn’t even a bump to show that her horn had been there. She put her hoof back on the ground. It gave her the creeps and she was glad she knew what she was getting herself into.
She fluffed her wings out and let out a shiver as she watched several of her white feathers fall to the floor. She swallowed a gasp as more seemed to molt from her wings with every passing second, until her floor was covered by a thin sheet of brilliant white feathers while her wings showed only pink skin. It was terrifying to see. She quickly looked away to look up at Discord, who had sweat pouring down his face. She once more felt the chill that she had felt when the magic left her horn, but in this case it sunk deep into her wings. She felt a gentle pulling and forced herself to look as her wings slowly atrophied into her back. She could feel the muscles tense, then relax into nothing. Soon, just the wing tips remained poking out of her back, barely visible and then they too were gone.
Celestia let out a shaky breath as she was hit with horrible vertigo. It was as if she had been smacked across the muzzle. She closed her eyes and whimpered as she felt her body doing… something. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to describe it even if somepony gave her twenty years to think about it. It… it almost felt like she was curling in on herself.
Then just as suddenly as it had started, it was over.
Nervously, she opened a single eye and looked around. Everything looked so much bigger. She opened her other eye and gazed around the room with her mouth open wide. It was incredible what a few feet of size difference meant when viewing things she thought she knew by heart. She could even see under her bed now. She snorted a bit at all the multitude of objects she could see. Huh! So that’s where my old mane brush went. I’ve been looking for that!.
Discord wiped away the sweat from his brow and snapped the feathers into a brand new pillow, which he laid his head on. “Hmm... I must say, I think I did a fantastic job with the new you, Celestia, but go on, have a look!” He snapped and she floated up into the air so that she could see in her own vanity mirror. He grinned as she moved her legs uselessly before she finally went limp and lifted her head.
“Oh…” It was all she could think to say. Staring back at her was a beautiful if slightly plain earth pony mare. Celestia thanked any deity who was listening that Discord had turned her into a mare and not a filly. She had read enough friendship reports from Twilight on those Cutie Mark Crusaders, and she had no desire to become one. She turned her head back and forth. A long pink mane had replaced her multicolored one. She touched it and smiled brightly; it felt like hair. She was actually touching hair! Not air-like magic!
Her eyes were the same, yet they weren’t... No, they were different. No longer did they show her true age. Now they sparkled with a youthful vigor, the likes of which she had seen in the eyes of Twilight. She lifted a hoof to examine it. A small yet powerful a hoof that any earth pony would be proud of. Finally she looked at her flank. There, her normal cutie mark still remained, though it was smaller as to fit onto her new flank. Celestia looked up at Discord who silently shrugged in response.
“I tried to change it into something more ‘Earthy’, but it refused to change.”
Celestia considered then smiled. “That’s alright, I’m certain I can figure out a special talent for my earth pony self that would consist of my having a sun. Could I ask just one more favor?”
Discord rubbed his chin, then shrugged. “Sure, Sun Butt. Name it.”
Celestia rolled her eyes but smiled. And here we go...
Granny Smith watched the horizon as the sun lowered to make way for the moon. She shook her head at the beauty of both celestial bodies moving in such synchronization. Her entire life the sun had moved before the moon, to see them in such a way was still new. She might be a bit averse to all that new jibber jabber the youngins were always babbling about, but this, the new night? Well, she was just fine with it. After all, family was one of the most important parts of a pony’s life in her opinion and darn if she wasn’t just plumb tickled pink about Princess Celestia having her little sister back with her. Sides which, it’s darned beautiful.
She yawned, forcing her eyes to stay open as she stared out to the pastures away from the porch. It had been quite the day for the Apple family, what with Applejack having left early to speak with Princess Celestia about that new tax which was keeping her and Macintosh up at night crunching figures. It’d been days since she had seen either of them smile, so when Applejack said there was nothing to do about it except speak to the Princess about changing the law, Macintosh helped her figure out exactly what to say. She’d never seen that filly so nervous as when she left the farm that morning.
Granny Smith watched as Macintosh trotted up towards the house, his head held high. Poor colt had been in the field all day. Course, that law had to go into effect during harvest time. Mind ya’, Applejack had gotten home a few hours ago, but she just seemed to be off kilter, so rather than send her to the fields, Granny Smith was content to just let her be. Sometimes that was the best option, after all.
Thank Celestia Apple Bloom had been gone all day. First, she was at school then she had gone out crusading for her cutie mark with those crazy little friends of hers. If those fillies would just try something more than one time... I know some pony encouraged them to do this, an’ when I find that pony they’ll learn that an Apple can always buck!
Across the town, at Fluttershy’s home, a very familiar prismatic pegasus felt a shiver from her wingtips to her hooves. “Are you alright, Rainbow Dash?” Fluttershy asked while dishing out their shared dinner of roasted pepper pasta.
“I-I think so, I just got the strangest feeling that somepony somewhere wants to buck me in the flank...”
Granny Smith smiled up at her very tall grandson. Macintosh stopped and smiled down, looking his grandmother right in the eyes. Granny Smith was very proud of her grandchildren. They were very respectable foals, all three of them. “You ready to come in here, or are ya’ planning to keep bucking all night? I s’pose ya’ could. Mind ya’, it aint gonna be a full moon, so you’d have a tartarus of a time seeing.” She laughed at her joke as a smile tugged at Macintosh’s lips.
“Eenope, Ah’m done for the day, Granny. I haven’t missed supper now have ah? Ah didn’t hear the dinner bell.”
“That’s because it hasn’t been rung yet, ya’ whippersnapper. I suppose ya’ worked up quite an appetite, haven’t cha?”
Macintosh nodded, following his grandmother inside the house. “Yes’m.” He paused just inside the doorway and wiped his hooves. He stretched his neck and shook his mane out. "How’d things go with the Princess, Granny? Did AJ say anything?”
Granny Smith paused in thought, “You know, Mac, I’m not certain what happened. Applejack got back about an hour ago, poured a glass of cider and has been nursing it ever since. Don’t think she’s even finished half the glass yet.”
“I guess I oughta talk with her, then. Sounds like things didn’t go as well as we had hoped. I was so sure that Princess Celestia would be willing to listen to AJ.” He leaned down and gave his grandmother a nuzzle before he trotted into the kitchen and frowned at the sight in front of him.
Applejack sat at the dining room table, her chin resting on the hard wood and making little circles with her right fore hoof. In front of her muzzle was a glass half filled with the Apple Family reserves. She took a deep breath as she stared into the amber liquid. To Macintosh, it appeared that his little sister was searching for the meaning of life in a glass of cider. And, well, in his experience that never ended well. He cleared his throat loudly before sitting down across from her.
Applejack looked up and blinked, a small smile gracing her muzzle. “Landsakes, Mac, for such a large stallion you sure can be quiet if you want.” The smile faded and she sighed. “Or was I so far away that Apple Bloom could’ve raced in with Pinkie Pie’s party cannon and I wouldn’t of noticed?”
Macintosh chuckled while pouring his own cup of cider and took a large gulp. “Eeeyup, you were sure out of it, Applejack. So why don’t ya tell me what happened with the Princess? Did she understand the problems we are having with that new road tax? Is she able to do anything about it, or are we gonna have to wait for some council to meet?”
Applejack sighed. “I don’t rightly know, Big Mac. I explained everything to her, but her mind seemed to be on other things.”
"Other things? Like what?” Big Macintosh, sensing this might take awhile, dished himself up a bowl of soup as Applejack struggled to find the right words.
“I’m not rightly sure. I plead our case exactly how you and I planned to present it and she just... She seemed to wilt. And well, I sure didn’t want to be responsible for making the Princess that upset, so I went to take my leave when she seemed to... I dunno, it was almost like she came to life! She wanted to know more about being an earth pony, and she took me to a small room and she ordered tea and sandwiches. It was real odd, Mac; most of the time she just watched me as I ate.”
“Like she ain’t ever seen anything like it before?” Macintosh asked, slurping down his soup and wiping his muzzle on his forehoof.
Applejack wrinkled her muzzle at his manners but sighed. “Yeah, she asked me if I played chess. Since you taught me how, I said yes, and we played. It was the strangest thing, Mac. She even had me calling her ‘Celestia.’ If Granny had heard me she woulda whipped me good and how! So anyway, we played chess, and I’m pretty sure she was watching me more than she was watching the board! After the game I tried to give her the very basics on being an earth pony but, darn it Mac, she looked so confused! It was like I had given a foal one of them books Twilight is always reading!”
Big Mac nodded, getting up to wash his dish out. It seemed like his sister was finishing her story, though for the life of him he couldn’t figure out exactly what must’ve happened. He shook his head. Mares…
“After that look, the Princess, she went real quiet then told me that... well, she said she was going to have to become a real earth pony. Next thing I knew I was being escorted to the train station by one of her guards, and here I am. And darned if I ain’t more confused than an apple growing from a tomato vine!” Applejack allowed her head to hit the hardwood with a “thunk”.
*Knock knock*
Applejack sighed, “I’ll get the door, Big Mac. Would you do me the favor of putting away the cider? You can have the rest of mine.” Without waiting for an answer Applejack put her hat back on and quickly trotted towards the door.
Who the hay could it be this time of night? Can’t be nothing about the Crusaders. Apple Bloom is upstairs working on her homework. Could it be one of the girls? I love the five of them to death but I kinda was hoping for a quiet evening after that trip to Canterlot.
“Just a sec, I’m coming!” Applejack reached a hoof up and fixed her hat before opening the door. “Evening! What can I do…” She trailed off at the sight in front of her. Standing on the porch was a small white earth pony mare with a pink mane. It was too dark to see her cutie mark, but Applejack knew that she had never seen this mare before...
And yet, as she looked her over she was overcome with a strange sense of familiarity.
“Uh, sorry ‘bout that, Ma’am. Can I help you?”
The mare looked up at Applejack and smiled. Applejack felt her breath catch. Those eyes, her magenta eyes... I’ve only ever seen one pony with eyes like that, but… no…
“Good evening, Applejack. I’m sorry to come so late at night, but I felt this was the best place to go. I mean, I couldn’t go to Twilight looking like this, could I? She’d never believe that this was my choice!” She laughed with a bright smile.
Applejack felt weak at the knees. “I… you… Princess… Earth pony?”
“Well, yes, I mentioned I was going to do this before you left ,remember?” She frowned. “Applejack, are you alright? You don’t look well at all! Maybe you should lie down?”
Applejack just nodded numbly. The last thing she remembered before hitting the ground was Princess Celestia crying out her name in concern and fear.
Celestia stared down at the unconscious earth pony lying before her. Her ears fell against her head.
"She… did not take this as well as I had hoped she would," she muttered, and nudged the unconscious Applejack with the tip of her right fore hoof. "Applejack?"
Big Mac walked into the entrance hall having heard the thump when Applejack passed out. His eyes widened a touch as he walked over to where she was on the floor. “AJ?” He nudged her side with his muzzle.
Celestia turned to him while biting her lip. "I was only speaking with her when she passed out."
Big Mac nodded towards the newcomer. “GRANNY! Get the smelling salts, will ya? AJ’s upended!”
A much older voice was heard coming from what Celestia assumed was the kitchen. "Did she drink too much of my cider? Ah warned her about that... Now dagnabbit, where did ah put those... Bloomie! Ya’ see where them smelling salts are?"
“They’re in the ‘first aid’ box in the kitchen, Granny!” a high pitched voice cried from the other room.
“Go git ‘em, your sister is on the floor!”
“Yes’m Granny!”
Celestia sat down on her haunches next to Applejack and put the tip of her hoof to Applejack’s throat with her tongue in between her teeth.
“Well?” Big Mac asked, watching this strange pony. He chewed a bit of hay trying not to worry.
"Her pulse seems fine," Celestia said. She let out a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding in.
“That’s good.” Big Mac nodded slowly, looking over the stranger from the corner of his eye. “Apple Bloom, hurry up with the salts.”
At that moment, Apple Bloom ran into the room with a small wooden box in her mouth, "Ah ‘ot em!" she mumbled, and slid to a stop in front of Macintosh to set the box on the ground at his hooves.
“Thanks,” Big Mac rumbled. He gingerly opened the box, removing the small bottle inside it with his teeth.
All the while, Celestia watched as Applejack was taken care of, then leaned forward intently as the other mare's eyelids began to twitch.
“So!” a wizened voice said as the Granny Smith came into the entranceway. “What’s all the commotion?”
“Gah!” Applejack sat up quickly, rubbing at her nose and eyes.
Taken by surprise, Celestia fell onto her back with wide eyes and a pounding heart. "A-Applejack?"
Applejack shook her head while trying to clear her nostrils. “Granny! We let yer cider set too long. It ain’t supposed ta knock a pony flat before ya drink it!”
Celestia felt her ears fall as she sat back up. "I don't believe that is actually possible, Applejack."
“Princess Celestia? You’re really here?” Applejack asked, moving to sit on her haunches and raising an eyebrow at the small white mare. Now that she was conscious again she was able to take a better look at her Princess’s new body. Her fur was still the same white that Applejack remembered. Her cutie mark was still the yellow sun. Applejack lifted an eyebrow as she looked at the larger than life cutie mark refitted onto a normal sized pony. It looked a lot less intimidating like this. Celestia’s mane and tail which had always been moving in an invisible wind had stopped. Her mane of blue, pink, and green had changed as well, to a normal light pink.
Applejack was fairly certain once she stood up that Celestia may also actually be smaller than her. This is all just too much!
Celestia glanced at the Apple family. She hadn't really wanted the whole family to know. That seemed to be a moot point now, though. "Yes Applejack, it's me."
“Princess Celestia! Is… is that really you?” Granny Smith exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Hello, Granny Smith. Yes, I am Princess Celestia. I had myself turned into an earth pony to see how you live."
Granny Smith stared at this pony claiming to be Celestia for a few brief moments not sure what to say. Her eyes caught sight of the familiar cutie mark and she grinned Hooey! This here is gonna be some story!
Big Mac turned his head, a blush enflaming his cheeks.
"Applejack came to me about taxes this morning as you know. Yet as I was speaking with her, I realized just how little I truly know about earth ponies. I was disappointed in myself for this, so I went to Discord."
“You...” Applejack stammered getting to her hooves. “Princess Celestia. Ah mean no disrespect, but you did what?!”
"I went to Discord, Applejack." She considered her for a moment. "Actually, I summoned him to me if I am to be truthful."
“Again, no offense but in Luna’s name, why?”
"Well, because I knew he could do it. Remember when you faced him for the first time?"
“Do what exactly?”
"He was able to turn Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash into earth ponies."
“We’d better skip the part where you went crazy and asked him to make you an earth pony and trusting him not to pull something at some point, somehow. Ah just might lose it.”
"I did not go crazy, Applejack! Although my sister and Discord both seem to disagree," Celestia grumbled a bit. Why did everypony think she’d gone crazy?
“Applejack! You hush that mouth!” Granny Smith said, scandalized by the younger mare’s tone.
"It's quite alright, Granny Smith. I want to hear Applejack's opinion. In fact, my sister thought this was ridiculous as well." Celestia pondered this for a few moments, eyes closed and her left ear twitching. "I do not though, I am one of the rulers of Equestria. I know so much about my unicorns and pegasi but even though I am one-third earth pony… I know nothing of them. Therefore, after our talk, Applejack, I decided to fix that. I easily could have used an illusion charm to hide my wings and horn, and even to shrink myself, but that would be all it was; nothing but an illusion."
“Ah guess ah just don’ trust Discord any further than Ah can buck him.” Applejack crossed her forehooves, coming to grips with what had happened.
"Well, I don't trust him either. However, there is his one weakness..."
“Fluttershy,” Applejack finished.
"Exactly. In fact, I have a letter prepared in case he declines to return myself to my proper form. It is in Luna’s possession."
“Okay, so you planned ahead,” AJ nodded with a small smile. “Well, now what Princess?”
"I'd like to stay here with you and your family if I am allowed to? If want to live as an earth pony, I need to understand! I will never be able to be fair to all my little ponies if I cannot."
“Of course, Princess!” Granny Smith said with a grin.
Apple Bloom eagerly took off at a gallop to get a fresh blanket for the guest bed.
"Wait!" Celestia called out before the filly could fully clear the doorway.
The filly skidded to a halt and turned around, head cocked and eyes wide.
"I have to explain something. I don't want to be treated as Princess Celestia. No ‘Princess,’ no special treatment, nothing like that. While I look as I do, call me..." She closed her eyes in thought for a moment. She reopened them with a brilliant smile, "Sunshine Meadow."
“But...” Granny Smith started while Apple Bloom listened, somewhat awestruck by the idea.
"Please, Granny Smith. How can I understand being an earth pony mare if I'm being treated as Princess Celestia?"
Granny Smith lowered her head in thought. “Well, I’m still not sure I understand the sense in it. But we Apples owe everything to you for telling my Pa to settle here. So if this is what you want, then we Apples are obliged to help as best we can.” She let out a soft chuckle in remembrance.
"Why are you laughing, Granny Smith?" Sunshine Meadow asked with a raised brow.
“I was just remembering the look Ma gave my Pa after he saw you that day.”
Sunshine blinked and then blushed. "Oh! Anyway, thank you for allowing me to stay."
“You’re welcome,” Granny nodded heading back to her rocking chair since things were settled.
Big Macintosh perked his ears, “AJ? I think you left Winona outside. I’ll go get her!”
Sunshine felt her belly growl. "I should have had dinner with Luna before I had Discord drop me off."
“Well, we still have some leftovers from supper. I’ll fix you up a plate,” Applejack said while getting to her hooves. “Apple Bloom? Go ahead and get the blankets fer the guest bed.”
"No problem, sis!" Apple Bloom took off to search for them.
Sunshine followed Applejack to the dining room. "It smells wonderful!"
“It ain’t fancy, but it’s good!”
Sunshine sat at the table and sniffed, "What is it?"
“Carrot soup with bread and apple tart for dessert,” Applejack said with a grin. It was a simple but hearty meal fairly typical for the Apples. Applejack was curious how Sunshine would take to the common fare.
"I don't think I've ever had carrot soup." Sunshine looked eagerly at the pot on the stove, which was giving off a delectable scent.
“An ah doubt yer practiced in eatin’ the way we do, so Ah’m gonna start with ladlin’ jes a small amount inta’ yer bowl until ya get the hang of it.”
Sunshine nodded in acceptance, "That sounds very reasonable, Applejack."
“Yep. Now watch me...”
Sunshine observed as Applejack took the bowl in both forehooves and brought it to her muzzle. Alright, that seems simple enough!
“Now you try it.”
Sunshine took the wooden bowl she had been given in her hooves and went to lift the bowl, only to have it fall into her lap. "Yow!" She winced as the hot soup splashed over her belly.
Applejack got a towel and wiped up the hot soup while checking for injury. Satisfied that Sunshine was alright, she looked her in the eye with a gentle shrug. “Sorry about that.”
"I-It isn't your fault Applejack. I just haven’t ever used my hooves to eat before," Sunshine admitted with a blush.
“Let’s just work on just handling the bowl. Then we’ll be ready for the soup.” Applejack took out a fresh bowl and set it in front of Sunshine.
Sunshine stared at the empty wooden bowl in front of her. Slowly she placed one forehoof on either side and began to lift it to her muzzle, only to watch it slip and clatter back onto the table. “Son of a timberwolf,” Sunshine heard herself curse.
Applejack lifted an eyebrow at the quiet curse which she had heard. I didn’t think the Princess even knew phrases like that. “That’s alright Sunshine, jes’ try it again!”
Sunshine sighed and nodded. Once again, she reached and grabbed the bowl with her forehooves and it dropped to the table, again. After five times in a row, Sunshine threw up her hooves in frustration. “Oh, for the love of Discord!”
Applejack quickly covered her muzzle with a hoof, trying to keep the snort of amusement inside. Never thought Ah’d see Princess Celestia lose her temper or take Discord’s name in vain! Well, Ah can believe that last part.
Sunshine buried her head in her hooves. She was starving! Get it together, Celestia! You are one of the two rulers of Equestria, not a foal who can’t reach a favored toy! Just take a few moments to clear your head and stop this tantrum before it truly begins!
Sunshine nodded to herself. She lifted her head from her forearms and brought her right fore hoof to her chest while breathing in, and slowly pulled it back as she breathed out. Next time she saw her niece she would thank her for demonstrating this calming method. It truly helped! After another run through of deep breaths, Sunshine once again felt ready to face her enemy. Well, at least her enemy as far as it meant to be able to fill her belly with the very delicious smelling soup, which was making her mouth water. Sunshine stared it down but the bowl did not waver, possibly because it was a bowl. She grasped it once more in her forehooves, and carefully... very slowly, she lifted it up to her muzzle, and then set it back down. Sunshine’s eyes lit up, she finally felt accomplished! She knew it was silly but…
“I did it! I finally did it!” Sunshine beamed up at Applejack.
“There ya go!” Applejack happily nodded and then ladled out some more soup. “I think yer ready now.”
Sunshine nodded and lifted the half-filled bowl up to her muzzle. She took a sip, and her eyes lit up at the first taste. "This is..."
“Simple, but good. It’ll sure fill the belly, and on a cold night it’ll do to warm yah up.”
"Applejack, I don't think I've tasted anything such as this.” She furrowed her her brow, Is it simply because an earth pony made it? Is that possible?
“Tell me what the purest water is?” Applejack asked after a moment of silence.
"The rain," Sunshine stated without even needing to think about it.
“An’ why is that?”
"It's the least corrupted water we have," she stated after a moment, having taken another sip of soup.
“Cause there ain’t nothin’ else to it pretty much. Ah know fancy type chefs can combine stuff in amazing ways, but they always tend to think in terms of what to add. The more you add, the further you get away from what you start with. But fer us, simplicity is as much a virtue as a necessity.”
Sunshine considered what Applejack said carefully. It was true that her chefs strived every day to entertain her taste buds with brand new delicacies. So many in fact that she doubted she had been allowed to eat such a simple meal in... How long had it been? Sunshine could not recall. "It's wonderful, Applejack."
“Ah’m glad you like it,” Applejack replied with a simple smile.
Sunshine returned to her meal in silence, thinking of what she had already learned in just the two hours she had been an earth pony mare. She tore off a piece of the bread she had been given and sopped up the soup. She paused a moment before placing the bread into her mouth and closed her eyes. So wonderful! "I think I'll hire some earth ponies to the kitchens."
Applejack studied her thoughtfully. She was inclined to agree with Granny Smith that they were all fortunate to have a princess like Celestia. But now they had been given both an honor and a responsibility to look after Celestia without coddling her so that she could learn; as was her honest nature and intent. “Well, after you’re finished, we’ll get you settled in and you’ll need ta turn in fer a good night sleep. We’ll be bucking in the south orchard in the morning.”
"Apple bucking I… er, have seen it done, of course, but I have never attempted it." Sunshine felt nervous as she returned to her meal.
“And fer good reason. In yer natural form, a good righteous kick from you might buck all the apples in it, but also break the tree.”
"I agree," Sunshine blushed. "Um, you mentioned a dessert?":
“Apple Tart! It’s a family recipe that goes at least back to Great Grandma.”
"I'd like to try it. May I?"
“Sure thing!” Applejack served a couple of them up.
Sunshine grabbed one carefully, took a bite, and immediately swooned, "Oh… Oh my!"
“Ah know! Careful! Eat too much and we would both be hippopotamuses rather than ponies.”
"Did you know the study of ponies is hippology?"
“Shucks!” Applejack grins. “An Ah thought hippology was the study of cake!”
Sunshine felt a tug at the corner of her lips which led to a smile, and soon she was laughing right along with Applejack.
Applejack grinned, herself. “Havin’ a sense of humor tends to be a must out here.”
Sunshine giggled, "I can see that. May I ask you something, Applejack?"
“Sure thing!”
"Applejack, what… what do you think of me?"
“Ah still think yer a bit crazy... But Ah also think Equestria is lucky that you’re our princess.”
"That wasn't exactly what I meant." Sunshine paused a moment. "What do you think of Princess Celestia?"
“Ah think you do a pretty good job taking care of the big things. But Ah also think you’ve been so busy with the big picture, you can’t see what goes on at the bottom. Ah mean, havin’ met you, and then hearin’ some fussy big-shot proclaim ‘in the name of Celestia’? A pony would think yer everywhere at once.”
Sunshine felt her ears fall. "I am not everywhere, Applejack. Believe it or not, I am not a god. I am a pony. I was born just like you, I had parents. Being everywhere at once is impossible. You are right though; I am too focused on noble worries."
“Ah don’t mean that to be personal, Ah know better. But the pony in the street? They get the rules and ‘in Celestia’s name’ is supposed to explain and decide everything. Ah know that ain’t you. But ponies is misusing yer name.”
"I'm sorry Applejack, I don't yet know what I can do about that at this time." She put her head in her hooves, deep in thought.
“Have faith in yerself. Ah do. Ah know you’ll figure it out.”
Sunshine nodded. "Oh, Applejack?"
“Yes?”
"Might you have some parchment and a quill with some ink?"
“Of a sort. I’ll go get it.”
"Thank you Applejack, I plan on writing friendship letters to Twilight during my time as Sunshine Meadow."
”Not that she probably won’t figure things out herself, but won’t that blow yer cover?”
"I don't think so, Applejack. I don't have to say where I am, just the lessons I have learned. Also, I quite agree; Twilight will figure me out. I know that I will need her." Her ears fell, a clear sign that she was feeling quite nervous. "Applejack... may I tell you something?"
“Sure?
"Twilight is my best friend," she said, looking at nothing in particular with a small smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Ah’m not surprised. She has that effect on ponies.”
"I have to admit, I'm feeling very selfish right now Applejack."
“How so?”
"I want to befriend Twilight like this. I want to be her real friend, and not worry about her being tense at the sight of me or calling me ‘Princess’ no matter how many times I tell her to call me Celestia. I'm so very eager to see what Ponyville is really like." She had begun to draw invisible circles with her hoof, "I'm selfish… I'm sorry Applejack."
“That’s not selfish.”
"You don't think so? I became an earth pony to understand how you live, but I want to take advantage of it.'
“You want a real chance to strengthen the bonds between you and Twilight. That doesn’t undermine what yer tryin’ to learn here. As you said, yer here to learn and experience things you can't as ruler of Equestria. Shouldn’t that include personal experience an’ development?”
Sunshine's ears perked up a bit, "Yes, yes it should, in fact." She considered this, thinking on it hard. "Would it be alright if I expanded my learning experience? I was only planning a few weeks, but maybe… Maybe I need to expand my learning opportunity."
“Why not?”
"I'd of course pay for my room here." Sunshine smiled, "Yes, I think this will be good for me and for Equestria when I am Princess Celestia again."
“Sounds fair,” Applejack agreed.
"What do you think would be a proper price for food and boarding?"
“Well, ah’d say 50 bits a month, but you’d make about 5 bits a day, so about 100 bits a month pay to you.”
Sunshine nodded, "That is fair, Applejack. I hope you'll help me with the lessons I hope to learn?"
“Course Ah will!”
"Thank you, Applejack. Thank you so much!"
“Yer welcome. Ah’ll leave ya to write but you should get some rest soon. We’ll be up before dawn.”
"I should speak to Luna as soon as I can, but I suppose that can wait." Sunshine entered the guest room and lifted then quill in her mouth:
Dear Twilight, I know you were not expecting this letter. However, it seems I will be learning many lessons myself over a small amount of time. I hope you don't mind, but I'd like to tell you what I learned; starting now. Today, I learned that even when somepony is feeling that they are behaving selfishly, they can also be behaving in the best way for the other ponies.
~Celestia.
Sunshine stared down at the sloppily written letter. "Oh, I do hope my writing gets better!"
Sunshine Meadow felt a chill wash over her body as she was falling asleep. Her ears perked and twitched. It was the result of a highly tuned sense, which she had developed over many, many years to tell her when somepony—or somebody—was watching her. She’d never reveal how often this sense had saved her… She opened her eyes and sat up as her now gravity obeying mane fell into her eyes. She blinked in the dark room. Trying to light up the horn that she no longer had as her eyes darted around, trying to find what had been watching her.
“Hello, Sister.”
Sunshine allowed herself to slump in relief. "Luna." She pushed her messy bangs from her eyes with her hoof and smiled. "Could you come a bit closer to my bed? I’ll be able to see you much easier.”
“Of course.” Luna stepped closer to Sunshine’s bed, stopping less than a foot away. The light from the moon illuminated her, revealing a gentle smile on her muzzle but a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Such a sight you are, Tia! Are you certain this is the most profitable use of time for the ruler of the Equestria?”
"I am." Sunshine smiled up at Luna. "I have to say, little sister, that from my new size, you are quite imposing. Did it take you a long to find me, Lulu?"
Luna shook her head, sitting down on her haunches. “No, my dear Tia. This was the most sensible place for you to come, after all.”
"Applejack is one of Twilight's dearest friends, as well as the Element of Honesty." Sunshine nodded. "She agrees with you, by the way, Lulu."
“Applejack has always had a strong amount of good sense about her.” Luna gave a nod of her own. “But, I expect that she, like I, understands the futility of trying to get you to change your mind once you have committed yourself to an action.”
Sunshine looked down at her hooves a bit nervously, taking a deep breath. "She does. In fact, due to my discussion with her, I have decided to expand my lessons."
Luna frowned looking at the way her sister refused to meet her eyes. “Oh, dear. I am not certain I like where this is going, Sister.”
Sunshine looked up with a nervous smile. "I'm certain you most likely will not. However, I intend to explore what friendship is.” She shook her head with a small laugh. “I’ve had Twilight reporting to me for ages about what friendship is, and yet I myself have only the barest of understanding of it.” She sighed and looked around the small room she was staying in. “I also want to understand what being part of a community is like. To earn a living and be a normal mare." She considered while putting her hoof to her chin and shrugged. "Maybe I will even find a stallion to go to dinner with? I don't know. What I do know is that this is important and will help me when I return to being Celestia."
Luna sighed, feeling a migraine forming under her horn. “And I applaud your determination, Sister, but must you leave your dear sister in the company of these unfathomable and insufferable bureaucrats?”
Sunshine winced; she had forgotten that in making this decision she was leaving Luna to deal with the nobles by herself. "I am sorry for that, Lulu." She reached her hoof out to her sister.
Luna reached back to touch it. “And you won’t even allow me to flog any of those slimy favor merchants!”
"Luna." Sunshine look a serious tone of voice. "We discussed what is now illegal at great lengths. Think of it this way, dear little sister: you will be learning at the same time I am."
Luna sighed and nodded. “True, but at least I should call Cadance to Canterlot. She is much more... patient? Than I am. Perhaps she can help me understand this confusing mess! How do you manage, Sister?”
"I manage because it is important for our ponies to see us as… infallible." Sunshine said after a moment. "I think that is what I will enjoy the most: being able to make mistakes." She nuzzled her sister's forehoof, ignoring the cold metal horseshoes. "Yes, Lulu, you may ask Cadance to assist you... Luna?"
“Yes, my sister?” Luna asked softly, enjoying the sensation of Sunshine nuzzling against her hoof. It wasn’t often the sisters were able to just talk. Once Tia has returned, we must make time to do this daily… I’ve missed my big sister.
Sunshine glanced up with a smile."I was serious about you learning, as well. It is time for you to learn what it is like to have our ponies’ love." Something I know you have always desired, Luna…
“A few have already shown me.” Luna smiled a bit nervously as she glanced down at the floor. “I was actually thinking of inviting some of them to visit me in the palace.”
Sunshine smiled, using her hoof to lift Luna’s chin so she was able to look her in the eye. "I think that is a lovely gesture, little sister. Use this time to show our ponies who Princess Luna is."
“I shall. I promise!” Luna nodded firmly, a nervous yet excited smile playing at her muzzle.
Sunshine hugged her little sister and nuzzled her. "And for my time as Sunshine Meadow, I will be proud to be one of your little ponies... Princess Luna."
Luna laughed and held her older sister tightly, nuzzling against her cheek. “I love you, Sister! Always.”
"I love you too, Luna. With all that I am. Please, if you get the chance, come see me?" Sunshine felt tears streaming down her cheeks. "While deciding to do this was an easy decision, being without you again hurts."
Luna kissed Sunshine’s cheek, tasting the salt the tip of her tongue, licking it away from Sunshine’s fur. “I swear I will see you as often as I can!”
Sunshine hesitantly pulled back from Luna’s embrace and dug under her pillow. "Would you be willing to do me a favor before you return to Canterlot?"
Luna, who had cocked her head watching Sunshine dig under her pillow, smiled as her older sister placed a sealed scroll in front of her. “If it is at all in my power, Sister.”
Sunshine smiled and nodded. "Would you deliver this letter to Spike and tell him to come see me in the morning, without Twilight Sparkle?"
“Certainly.” Luna took the letter with her magic, setting it into the small saddle bags she was wearing.
Sunshine nervously squirmed, looking at her hooves with her ears pinned back. "Luna, may I have another hug before you go?"
Luna smiled, and without a word, warmly embraced her sister. “I’ll always give you a hug, Tia.”
Sunshine sighed, happily cuddling into Luna’s barrel as she looked out the window. "Your night is so beautiful, Lulu."
Luna laid her head on top of Sunshine’s, a knot in her throat as she clenched her eyes tight. “You always believed in me, Sister. I’ll never forget or question that again.”
“I guess I should get used to calling you Princess Luna, hmm?" Sunshine asked with a joking tone.
Luna lifted her head and lifted Sunshine’s muzzle to look into her eyes. “Never in private, Tia. Never.”
Sunshine nuzzled her muzzle. "Never, Lulu," she agreed before letting out a yawn. "I apologize, Lulu, but being mortal means I am required to sleep now, rather then just for the enjoyment it gives me as Celestia."
Luna chuckled and shook her head. “Even as immortals we need at least some sleep, Sister, but rest now. I will visit you again in your dreams.”
Sunshine climbed back under her covers to get comfortable and smiled, her ears once again perked up. "I'd like that. Maybe we could go running again together like we used to?"
Luna nodded eagerly. “Oh yes!”
Sunshine gave Luna a final nuzzle, then hesitated. "...Lulu?"
“Yes, dear Tia?” Luna glanced down at her sister, a touch worried.
Sunshine frowned, looking down the the blanket covering her, deep in thought. "Do you remember your fillyhood at all?"
Luna cocked her head, her right forehoof tapping against the wooden frame of Sunshine’s bed as she tried to think back that far, before finally shaking her head. “Not really. I just know you were there and that you loved me more than anything.”
Sunshine sighed in disappointment. She had hoped that with Luna having had far fewer memories… "I can't remember either. Nothing before the Windigos." She shook her head. “It’s all very strange…”
Luna rubbed under her horn grimacing a bit. “I remember… Star Swirl and the founders… but before that, everything is just... feelings.”
Sunshine nodded. "That’s my earliest memory as well… Except sometimes if I clear my mind and just concentrate on my breathing… I can remember running... running with you."
“Me too.” Luna smiled.
"It's strange though, I can't see you I only know you are there." Sunshine frowned as she stared at the blanket as if expecting answers to all the questions she had.
Luna glanced out of the window and released her breath slowly. “One day we will find out.”
"Then you have the same problem?" Sunshine asked, wondering why they had never really discussed any of this before. It’s like something doesn’t want us to remember.
“Yes,” Luna stated simply.
Sunshine crossed her forehooves. "I have decided something, Lulu!"
“Yes, Sister?” Luna rose an eyebrow as she looked down at her for now much smaller elder sister.
"Once I am able to befriend her in this guise, I am going to ask Twilight if a memory spell has been cast upon me."
“Reasonable.” Luna gave a simple nod
"As Sunshine, she will be far more likely to check than If I asked as Celestia." Sunshine sighed. “I adore Twilight, but sometimes I fear she thinks of us as infallible gods, Luna, even though she herself is now an alicorn.”
“Sometimes it takes time for even the things right in front of our muzzles to be revealed. I believe the saying goes as ‘not seeing the forest for the trees’?”
Sunshine laid down with her lips pursed, thinking about how the next few days would go. "Yes, I believe that’s the proper one…” Her eyes closed and she swallowed hard. “What if there is a spell there, Lulu? What pony could have been that powerful?"
Luna stared off into the distance, her wings flexing with uncertainty. “Off-hoof, I can only think of seven to have ever lived, and we can discount three of them for not having been there at the time...”
Sunshine nodded, chewing her lip furiously. "So there is Clover, Starswirl, yourself and I."
“And I think we can safely cull out you and I, Sister,” Luna said after a moment. After all, there could be every chance that what had been removed from their memories was so horrid that the sisters had done it themselves. But for it to be worse than Discord?... Unlikely.
"So that leaves only two," Sunshine stated without any sign of emotion.
“Indeed. Star Swirl or Clover.” Luna’s ears pinned back at the realization.
"Why would our friends do this to us?" Sunshine felt her voice break against her will as she asked the question both she and Luna ached to know.
Luna hesitated, licking her dry lips. Never had she felt so lost. Yet... “There must have been an overwhelming need to hide whatever they did.”
"Is it worthy to learn, then? Has it been long enough that this hurt would no longer harm us?" Sunshine looked up to see Luna shaking her head. She imagined her own eyes looked as haunted as Luna’s at this moment.
“I don’t know.”
Sunshine forcefully closed her eyes as she made her decision. "It has been enough time for me." Over one thousand years. More than enough time… much more.
Luna placed her hoof on Sunshine’s fore leg. “Then it has been enough for myself as well. Whatever pain, we will face it together.”
Sunshine looked up at Luna with a nervous smile on her muzzle. "Luna, I feel like a foal in asking this, but will you lay with me until I fall back to sleep?"
“Of course, my sister.” Luna smiled and gestured to the bed.
Sunshine scooted over to one side so that Luna was able to lay beside her.
Luna climbed into the bed and laid down on her back next to Sunshine, wrapping her wing around her. “Rest now, my sweet sister.”
Sunshine snuggled under her sister's wing, and soon enough, her breathing calmly slowed.
Luna smoothed her back gently. She briefly wondered what it would be like to have a foal of her own to care for in this way, then sighed. She had her sister, and that would be enough.
Applejack poked her head in and smiled. "Oh. Howdy, Princess Luna. Thought Ah heard voices coming from in here.”
“Hello, Applejack.” Luna calmly smiled up at the blinking earth pony as she slowly climbed out of the bed so not to disturb Sunshine.
"Everything alright in here? I, uh... wasn't exactly expectin’ to see you. I ain't too surprised, though." Applejack shook her head as her eyes took in the curled up pony, fast asleep with a smile on her lips.
Luna smiled with a touch of a smirk as she tucked Sunshine in. “Everything is fine. I just finally get to be the big sister, is all.”
"Been waiting to do that, huh?" Applejack raised her eyebrow as Luna giggled.
“Perhaps not waiting but it’s nice to be able to give Tia some of the same love and support she has always given me.” Luna shook her head and sighed. “I must admit, it’s nice.”
"If ya got time, will you tell me about her? Uh... Tia, I mean. Not Princess Celestia." Applejack chuckled a bit, uncertain if she had just insulted either Luna or Celestia, but paused at Luna’s expression.
“Might I suggest we go to your room to talk so that we don’t disturb my sleeping sister?” Luna smiled as Applejack nodded, gesturing Luna to follow her with a hoof. Applejack walked down the hall until she reached the last door on the right and nodded Luna inside before both took a seat on the floor.
“What would you like to know, Applejack?” Luna smiled. After all, Applejack was one of the mares responsible for saving her from her madness. There were very few things that Luna would not tell her saviors.
Applejack seemed to hesitate, tapping her right forehoof on the floor. "Well, what was she like as a filly? I mean, I reckon you were fillies at one point, weren't ya?"
Luna opened her mouth to answer, then stopped and frowned. “Logically, I know that we must have been, but I’m truly unable to tell you for certain.”
Applejack cocked her head as a voice in her head screamed at her that she should be thankful for the answers her Princess gave her. She shut that voice up, there was something in Luna’s voice… “What do ya mean?"
“Exactly what I said. I have impressions, feelings, but no real memories.” Luna shrugged. “It’s the same with Celestia as well.”
"Well, what do y'all remember?" Applejack asked after a moment.
Luna sighed as she wrinkled her muzzle, trying to think back. “Our first solid memories are of being adopted by Princess Platinum, and then sometime later, being given our own palace.”
"But you were mares, right?" Something about what Luna had said struck Applejack as not quite right.
“Yes, that is true. Not that she seemed to notice.” Luna smirked. “She, nor any of them, for that matter.”
Applejack paused, alarm bells had started ringing in her head. She wasn’t like Twilight in the sense that she researched everything, but why would the founders not treat the Princesses as the mares Luna said they were? "What do you mean by that, Princess?"
Luna giggled, shaking her head. “Just what I said. For example, you wouldn’t want to get caught having the munchies in the palace pantry by Smart Cookie, I promise you that.”
"A bit of a hard one, eh?" Applejack smiled, reminded of when she and Big Mac had tried to sneak cookies from the cookie jar as foals. Nearly always got caught by Granny.
Luna considered, then shook her head with a fond smile pulling at her lips. “No, just an amused stare and a ‘Y’all need to run along to bed, now.’”
Applejack laughed. "Ah say that often enough myself when the Crusaders or just Apple Bloom get into trouble."
Luna considered tapping her hoof against the floor, before finally shrugging. “That’s pretty much how Celestia and I were treated, actually. Although Chancellor Puddinghead had a habit of sneaking us goodies during meetings.
"So they treated the two of you like foals?" Applejack frowned, deep in thought. There must be a reason…
“Yes, indeed! It was fun, actually.” Luna smiled as her ears perked up in remembrance.
"Really?" Applejack found herself carefully observing Luna’s actions and her words.
Luna nodded her head eagerly. “Oh yes! And of course, all the times Star Swirl would chase us out of his lab!”
Applejack considered what Luna was telling her. "Huh... Sounds like you both were behavin’ like foals do, even..."
Luna looked a bit chastised as her left ear flicked a bit. “W-well... Star Swirl was always so secretive! Not like Clover, who would often demonstrate spells and experiments for us. And there was just something so irresistible about a wizard’s secrets!”
Applejack shook her head with her lips pursed together before she sighed. "No… It ain't that. There's more to it than just this."
Luna frowned, seemingly her normal self once more.“What do you mean, Applejack?”
"I don't know yet... Ah gotta think on it some. Ah think I’m going to go back to bed. Night, Princess." Applejack got up off the floor, stretching her back out.
“Good Night, Applejack… Um, Applejack? Before I go...” Luna stood up and smiled down at the smaller pony.
"Yes, Princess?" Applejack paused as she was about to climb into bed.
“I am unsure why my memories are as they are, just know that those memories were of happy times. In a way, your family has always been part of Celestia and I, of our lives.” Luna smiled as Applejack’s ears perked up.
"...Am I related ta’ her?" Applejack asked after a few moments of silence.
“Smart Cookie? You certainly are. And I can say without a doubt she would be proud to have you as her kin.”
Applejack considered this information before placing a hoof on Luna’s left foreleg. "I'm happy ta’ be part of your family, Princess."
“As am I, Applejack.” Luna smiled. “The mysteries of the past will be unraveled one day, but for now, Good night Applejack.”
"Night." Applejack crawled into bed as Luna quietly left the Apple Family home in the same manner she had arrived, returning to solid form once she stood outside of Golden Oaks library. Every light was off, something which caused Luna to sigh in relief. Good, Twilight Sparkle is asleep. Now, let me just… Her eyes glowed white as she entered the dream realm and began searching for the dream of her only dragon subject.
Luna quickly formed inside of Spike’s dream, as there had thankfully been a moon in his dream. For a few moments she watched, a bit confused but strangely amused as the dream played out in front of her. Spike was leading a blindfolded Rarity onto what she probably thought was a small hill. Spike then pulled the blindfold off and beamed, his arms spread wide. “Rarity! I’ve found the world’s largest diamond! And it’s all for you.”
Dream Rarity looked around, unable to see anything and frowning. “I’m afraid I just don’t see it, Spikey Wikey…”
Spike grinned up at her. “That’s because you haven’t looked down yet! You’re standing on it, my dear Rarity!” At that, Dream Rarity looked down and gasped, opening her forelegs to embrace Spike, she froze and Luna formed in front of Spike.
“I’m sorry to interupt your dream, young Spike, but I’m afraid I have need of you in the realm of the conscious.” Luna smiled gently at the disappointed dragonling, who sighed.
“Of course, Princess Luna. Do I need to come to Canterlot or…” Spike trailed off as Luna smiled.
“Not at all, little one. In fact, I am waiting for you right outside the library.” Luna watched as Spike nodded.
“Alright, Princess, I’ll be right out.” He sighed again as the air began to shimmer, a sure sign that the dream was ending. Luna bowed her head.
Luna blinked her eyes, clearing them as she looked up just in time to see Spike quietly shutting the library door behind him before he ran over to where Luna was waiting.
Spike bowed as Twilight had taught him so long ago, then smiled. “Hello, Princess Luna. It’s nice to see you in the real world.”
Luna nodded, then subsequently frowned. "I do apologize for having to awaken you, young Spike. It seemed you were quite happy."
Spike quickly shook his head with a grin. “It’s okay! They say you can’t remember a dream unless you wake up during it, anyway. And boy, is that one I want to remember!”
Luna smiled. "It did seem to be a pleasant one."
Spike eagerly nodded. “It was! But how can I help you, Princess? I mean, you came all the way here and woke me up, so it must be really important!”
Luna reached into her saddlebags and pulled out the scroll Sunshine had given her, handing it to Spike. "Can you read it alright?"
Spike unrolled it and read it, his eyes darting back and forth, before he nodded, rolling it back up. “The writing is a bit shaky and hard to read, but the wording sounds a lot like Princess Celestia’s.”
Luna sighed in relief and smiled. "It is from Celestia. I just wanted to make sure you could read it, though. You see, Tia is taking a... er, learning sabbatical."
Spike considered asking a few questions before shrugging it off; it wasn’t like the Princess didn’t deserve time off. A learning sabbatical? Sounds like something Twilight might do.
Luna seemed to hesitate before glancing back the way she had come. "Tia is actually here in Ponyville, though right now she is in disguise and fast asleep.”
“In disguise? What do you mean, Princess Luna?” Spike clutched the scroll in his claws a bit tighter as he waited for Luna’s response, but Luna simply smiled.
"Tomorrow morning, you are to go to Sweet Apple Acres without Twilight Sparkle. If you go straight to Applejack she will direct you to my sister."
Spike scratched his head at the directions. “Alone? Twilight isn’t supposed to know?”
Luna shook her head. "Not yet. Just read the letter to Twilight Sparkle in the morning, then go to Sweet Apple Acres. I’m certain Celestia will explain everything to you then.”
Spike nodded with a firm salute, which Shining Armor had taught him. “Alright, Princess. You can count on me!”
Luna smiled and bent her head down, giving Spike a small nuzzle. "Pleasant dreams, Spike, and for your assistance in all of this, you have my word that your dream will continue from where I paused it once you re-enter the dream realm.”
Spike grinned before backing up a few steps. “Thank you, Princess! Have a good night!”
Luna nodded before she spread her wings and flew back towards Canterlot. The next day was going to be the first of many busy and stress filled ones. I wonder how fast Cadance can get here…
Spike looked down at the scroll in his claws with a small frown before sighing and heading back inside. A small smile tugged at his lips as he recalled Luna’s promise, and after dropping the scroll on the table he eagerly hurried back to bed.
Sunshine’s ear flicked as the first rays of the sun washed over it. The little pony’s eyes slowly opened. Her first thought was panic. The sun was rising, but she was still in bed. She frantically felt for her horn before pausing, a small giggle escaping her lips. That’s right. I’m an earth pony right now. Luna is in charge of the sun. She sat up straight and placed her forelegs on the windowsill, a smile blossoming upon her muzzle as she watched the sun slowly rising. The beautiful colors mixed together to create this gift to Equestria. Sunshine lay her head on her forehooves. “Good job Lulu…”
Once the sun had risen past her view, she pulled back from the window and stretched her body out, a lock of pink falling into her eyes. Sunshine frowned and tried to move the bit of pink from her eyes with a pulse of magic, but stopped. “Th-that's right no magic…” She shook her head and brushed her hair out of the way with a hoof. “Gotta get used to that. Maybe I should pull it back like Applejack does?”
She walked over to the end table and carefully bit down on the drawer handle. She pulled back, causing the entire drawer to come out and land on top of her head, causing her to groan. She looked up to see Applebloom in the doorway, trying her hardest not to laugh.
“Are ya okay Pr-Sunshine?” the filly asked, walking in as Sunshine shook the drawer off of her head.
“Yes, I’m fine, not to worry. I was just planning to put my mane up like Applejack does. I remembered seeing a mane brush in this drawer before I went to sleep last night. And, well, I don’t think I know my own strength?” Sunshine smiled as she brushed the lock of pink hair away again.
“Well. Ah could help ya with that.” Applebloom shrugged at Sunshine, who nodded.
“If you could help me tame this mop of pink I would be forever thankful.” With that said, Sunshine sat down on her haunches. She watched as Applebloom attached the brush to her foreleg and carefully brushed all the tangles from her hair.
“Ya weren’t kidding about your mane being a mop! How’d you keep it all shimmery and floaty?” Applebloom asked as she struggled with a tough tangle, causing Sunshine to wince.
“Well, the easiest explanation is that the mane you are used to seeing me have is actually nothing more than a illusion.” Sunshine frowned, her left ear flicking. “In fact, to be completely honest? I try not to pay much attention to it. It annoys me to brush something that feels like not much more than air. Sometimes I get the feeling that I can remember brushing my mane and feeling the brush actually going through hair, even through tangles as it is now.” She shook her head softly. “But when I reach to remember more I lose it…”
Applebloom opened her mouth, but paused. Sunshine didn’t look like she really wanted to talk about the subject anymore. She looked… sad.
Sunshine turned left and right, smiling. Her pink mane was drawn back into a simple ponytail, much like her niece Cadance wore as a teenager. “Thank you, Applebloom. Hopefully it’ll only take a few days til I’m adept enough to do this myself.” Though with my luck… “Why don’t we head downstairs? I hope we haven’t missed breakfast.”
“Nah. Not yet you didn’t, but Mac sent me up here to make sure you both were at least awake.” Applejack took a casual glance at Sunshine and smiled. “Ponytail suits ya. It’s simple and friendly like.”
Sunshine smiled. “Thanks.” She blushed as a growl came from her belly. “Having to actually eat is a new experience for me. I apologize.”
Both Apples looked at each other and laughed. “Nah, don’t be sorry. That’s a normal noise to hear when you’ve just gotten up, after all. Come on down, we’re having toast and oatmeal.” Applejack shook her head as Applebloom took off running down the stairs.
Applejack then chuckled as Sunshine blinked. “Don’t mind her. She knows if she gets downstairs fast enough, she can convince Mac to put hot cinnamon apples in her oatmeal.”
Sunshine licked her lips. “That actually sounds really good. Do you think that Macintosh would make enough for me as well?”
Applejack turned and walked down the hall, glancing back to make certain that Sunshine was following after her. “Ah don’t see why not. Mac always appreciates being able to feed ponies good filling food. Come to think of it, the whole family feels like that.” She shook her head as both of them trotted down the stairs and into the kitchen.
Sunshine took a seat at the table and smiled over at Big Mac. “Good morning, Macintosh. Applejack tells me that you often make cinnamon apple compote to add to Applebloom’s oatmeal. It sounds so delicious, might I request a small amount for myself as well?”
Big Mac swallowed hard as he nodded. “Eeyup.” Once again the large stallion was thankful for the fact that he was red. It made it hard to tell when he was blushing.
It didn’t take long for the four ponies to devour the simple breakfast Mac had prepared. Sunshine struggled for a moment, but managed to lift her napkin to her muzzle to politely dab the bits of apple juice that remained on her lips.
“That was wonderful, Macintosh. When I am myself again I must have you come to the palace to show my chefs how to prepare such wonderful food.” She beamed over at him as he gave a simple nod, a small smile showing on his muzzle.
“Thanks kindly, Pr-Sunshine. Be happy to do so if you’d like. I gotta get to work now, though.”
Sunshine blinked as the large stallion quickly headed out the door and was quickly out of sight. “My, he moves faster than I thought he would.”
Applejack chuckled. “Eeyup. You should see him when he really starts to move.”
Sunshine helped Applejack and Applebloom clean up the table, surprising herself by not dropping any of the dishes. It was almost as if she was starting to remember... something
“Ah’m outta here, big sis! I got a full day of crusading planned! Bye, Sunshine. Ah’ll see you at dinner. And don’t worry, none. Ah promise Ah won’t tell anypony who ya really are, not even Scoots or Sweetie.” Applebloom smiled up at Sunshine after tying her cape on.
Sunshine smiled and gave the filly a small nuzzle. “Thank you, Applebloom. Have fun, alright?”
Applebloom giggled as she leaned into Sunshine’s chest, enjoying the warmth that Sunshine seemed to exude. Connected to the sun or not, she's so warm! “Don’t gotta worry none ‘bout that. Bye!” And with that, Applejack and Sunshine were the only ones left in the kitchen.
“Well, then. What do we do now? I’m expecting Spike to stop by, but not until Twilight is awake. And depending on how long she was up last night…” Sunshine shrugged at Applejack, who shook her head and chuckled.
“Don’t gotta explain that filly’s sleeping habits to me none. In fact amazes me that she drags herself from bed before noon on the average day.” Applejack put the now-clean bowls to dry and smiled at Sunshine, who had the smallest blush coloring her cheeks.
“You think that is bad, Applejack? You should have seen her when she was still only a small filly. Determined to not let me down she’d force herself to stay up past midnight and then be up at just after dawn.” Sunshine shook her head with a small snort. “Once I found out she was doing this on an almost-daily basis, I enacted a very strict ‘Faithful Student bedtime’.” She grinned as she followed Applejack out onto the farm proper. “Maybe I should reinstate it as a new princess bedtime? After all, baby alicorns need their sleep.”
Applejack glanced back with an eyebrow raised. She saw Sunshine’s muzzle covered in a cheeky grin. “Ah think you might issue that just to see how much it would panic her that yer spying on her…”
“Who, me? I wouldn’t dream of it.” Sunshine giggled. “Seriously though, I’m always so impressed and proud of how put together Twilight is.” She shrugged. “Well, I guess I’ll finally get to see how she presents herself to normal ponies, hmm?” She walked beside Applejack until they reached a large line of apple trees. “Right, apple bucking. I almost forgot…”
“Ya forgot?” Applejack snickered as she picked up a basket, setting it just so she could enjoy the sight of Sunshine's tail bristling.
“I said almost… So how exactly does one buck a tree anyway? I...I mean I’ve certainly seen it done..but…” Sunshine trailed off as she lifted her head to take a good look at the tree in front of her. “I never thought to ask how it was done. I never thought it was important enough knowledge…” Her ears fell back until they were hidden within her mane.
“Hey, hey now you cheer up. That’s why you’re here now ain’t that right? To learn the things you thought weren't worth it?” Applejack gently placed a hoof under Sunshine’s chin. “Ah’ll teach you.”
Sunshine smiled as her ears slowly began to perk up. Maybe this won’t be as hard as I thought…
“Why!” buck “Won’t!” thwock “You!” whack “Fall!” crack Sunshine fell to the ground. Sweat dripped down her forehead. Her bangs were plastered to her forehead, and her breath was ragged as she glared up at the tree that had refused to release even one apple.
Applejack had been watching, a small smile on her muzzle as Sunshine had been determined to try by herself. She finally shook her head and walked over. “Hey now, cheer up. You did better than Twilight did the first time she tried after becoming an alicorn.”
Sunshine looked up, pushing her sweat-soaked bangs from her eyes. “R-really?” she panted out, desperately gulping down air.
“Absolutely. It took her less than twenty minutes before she gave up and used her magic to shake the tree.” Applejack snorted, covering her eyes with her hat at the memory. “Filly darn near ripped the tree out of the ground fore Ah could stop her. She swore off tree bucking after that.”
Sunshine had her hoof held to her muzzle. A small snorts escaped her muzzle as she tried to keep from laughing at her former student. It was useless, though, and both mares found themselves laughing at Twilight’s impatience.
Applejack wiped a tear from her eye. “Whooe. Ah haven’t laughed like that with another pony other than the girls in...Ah can’t actually say Ah remember… Come on, up ya get. Ah’m gonna teach you the Apple secret technique to Applebucking. Ya ready?”
Sunshine got to her hooves and nodded. She was so ready.
Applejack approached the tree and gently gave it a pat. “Come now, Fuji. Ah know ya was just trying to play fun, but this here is Sunshine’s first time apple bucking… So ya think you could give her a bit of a break?”
Sunshine blinked once, then twice, and shook her head. Okay… talk to the tree… why not, nothing I did worked… She walked back over to the tree and swallowed. “Uh do I just…?”
Applejack smiled and moved out of the way as Sunshine ran her right fore hoof up and down the tree’s trunk.
“Hi, there. My name is Sunshine Meadow. I’m going to be here helping on the farm for awhile… I hope you and I can get along… maybe even be friends?” Sunshine’s eyes widened as she felt Fuji’s trunk warm under her hoof. She smiled, laying her forehead against the trunk. “Friends then.” She pulled her forehead back and turned round. And with a now confident smile on her muzzle, she bucked the trunk with both hind legs. She heard the sound of many apples falling into the baskets A huge grin illuminated her face as she laughed joyfully before helping Applejack gather up the few apples that missed the basket.
