> The Elements of Unity
>  by Wolfe and WindSilver
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Sacrifice
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I held the chain in my hoof, the metal tag shining in the afternoon sun. I ran the other hoof over the words cut in to the steel while I read them again.


Jersey Mac  
Age 32
K.I.A. Highest Valor awarded
1997-2005


I knew what that really meant. He had decided to do some heroic sacrifice, leaving his sick wife and kids behind to run a farm that had to provide for themselves and a town. He didn't care about what happened to us. He only cared about his own image. Only cared about what everypony else thought of him.

I kept asking myself why I didn't just chuck the things. But every time I, something stopped me.

“Big Macintosh? Where in tarnation did you get to?”

I tucked the chain back out of sight, safely under my harness. Applejack would throttle me if she knew I’d kept anything of our father’s, she’d made it clear what she thought of him when he left mom.

“Big Mac? You up there?” She called from below. I reattached my apple baskets, and carefully made my way down the hill.

“Eeyup,” I answered.

“Just letting you know that Granny has supper ready. Just c’mon in when you’re hungry."  She motioned towards the house. "Don’t stay out here too long, ya hear?”

“Eeyup,” I said, starting to walk past her. I jerked a bit in surprise when she suddenly jumped on me, giving me a tight squeeze before letting go. She stepped back, embarrassed.

“Sorry, it’s just…” She ran her hoof over the stitching on her hat. “Don’t overwork yourself again, Big Mac. Ah worry about you ya know.”

I kissed her forehead, placing a hoof on her shoulder. “Ah’ll be careful AJ. Go on now, ‘fore Granny and Applebloom get worried.”

She nodded and began cantering towards home. I followed her journey until she stopped at the door and waved to me. I waved back, taking my apple baskets to where I’d left the wagon. As soon as the weight left my back, I let out a small groan.

Maybe I really should stop, before I collapse out here.

 I loaded the apples into the basket, attached the harness to my collar, and began pulling it in the direction of the barn. I shivered, it 
felt like… something was wrong, and I didn't want to spend any more time outside.

When did it get so dark? 

I questioned, staring up for a moment.  The sky was nearly black by the time I walked out of the barn. 

It couldn't have taken me that long to clean up, could it? 

A gust of wind blew my mane into my face for a moment. I shook my head to get the air out of my eyes. But I stopped when I heard a voice.

"Big Macintosh...”

I turned, searching for the source of the voice. "Who's there?" I whispered.

"You won't succeed..."

"What? Succeed at what?" I yelled into the wind. Which chose that moment to pick up. The orchard seemed to get darker. The temperature dropped.

"I will end you..."

The trees disappeared. The sky was gone. The dark became a fog. It flowed towards me. There was no escape.

“Big Macintosh! You get in here before your dinner gets cold.”

I shot up, banging my head on one of the lanterns in the barn. I looked around. No dark clouds, no weird winds, no anything. As I rubbed the spot on my head, pieces of hay fell out of my mane.

"Falling asleep in the barn Macintosh," I said. Chuckling as I shook off the rest of the hay. "Maybe you have been working too hard."





The smell of flapjacks greeted my nose, and brought my body out of its deep sleep. I pretended, just  for a moment, that there was nothing to do. That I could just lie back and relax. Maybe even sit down to eat for once. Then, said body reminded me of the exhaustion from yesterday, and the flapjacks suddenly seemed so far away. I groaned and laid back down.

Maybe... just this once..? I thought about staying in bed. But I had chores to do, so I finally dragged my body out of bed. Before I left the room, I took a quick look at myself in the mirror.

Eugh. I grimaced at the face that greeted me.  My mane was plastered across my face, and my coat stuck up in random places. I looked like I’d slept in the barn. I took a quick sniff. And smelled like it, too. Definitely can’t skip the shower, I thought as I headed for the bathroom.

After the shower, I headed downstairs for some breakfast. The sweet scent of Applejack's cinnamon-apple flapjacks was wonderful. It drifted upstairs and called me to the kitchen. I flicked my mane around, getting the water drops out of it, before Applejack said something about my looks. Speaking of Applejack, she was leaning on the stove, humming while she flipped.

“Morning, Big Brother. I see the smell of food brought you back from the dead.”

Back from the..?

I looked outside. The sun was high in the sky, meaning only one thing.

“Ah overslept, didn't I?” I was somewhat hopeful Celestia had decided to raise the sun a bit earlier than normal.

“Yep,” Applejack replied. I sighed. Of course she didn't.

I decided to skip breakfast; my stomach wouldn't thank me for that later. But I was way too far behind on the chores. I gave a longing glance at the food as I headed for the door that led to the barn.

“No you don’t,” a  filly said, charging to stand in my way. She glared at me. “You worked nearly all night, then passed out almost as soon as you got in the door.” She stepped closer, rage rolling off of her. I stepped back, a little afraid of the my youngest sister.

“You sleep in for the first time in weeks, and you think that skipping breakfast is a good idea?”

She stopped in front of me, glaring. I looked to Applejack, she shrugged. I looked back at Applebloom, she hadn't budged. I grabbed four plates, setting them on the table.

“...Nnope.”

“Good. I want to see a nice, big, heap of flapjacks on your plate.”

In that case. I took a stack of flapjacks, dumped them on my plate, and poured some cinnamon apple syrup on top. I looked at Applebloom smugly.

She took a long look at the plate. "I suppose that'll be fine," she said. "But Ah want every single on of them gone before you even think about leaving."

I took a look at her, then my plate, then back to her.

Well, I thought as I sized up the stack in front of me. That backfired.
> Dedication
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Cousin Braeburn,
I talked with the everyone, and we’re downright pleased to have you come live with us. We’ve got a couple of spare rooms that haven’t been used since the last reunion. And we could always use some more apple buckers. Big Mac'll never admit it, but he could use some help.
Sorry to hear that they let you go, but I say that their loss is our gain. Send us a holler when you’re on your way. See you soon.
With love, Applejack

I read the letter for the tenth time while I waited for the train that would take me to Ponyville. I still couldn't believe it. Fired. No wait, “laid off.” That was the polite term for it. But still, a job I’d had nearly my whole life, a town my family had helped to found. I had to leave them both.

I understood why, travelers had started to settle down in Appleloosa. And a lot of them decided to help work on the apple farm; all types of ponies, and that was the real problem. While earth ponies may be stronger, pegasi just fly into the trees, and drop apples into waiting buckets. And unicorns, while rarer in these parts, had plenty of ways to get apples from trees, and cook ‘em into almost anything. With the giant spike in travelers, the town finally grew. And we had a lot more food to trade with the bison.

But there was a downside; some workers got laid off, there wasn't enough demand or enough wages. There had been a plan to expand the apple orchard, but they had to discuss what this would mean for the bison.

In the meantime, I’d written to my cousins in Ponyville, being that they were the only ones close enough for me to travel to by train. And they were the only ones with an apple farm. Lucky for me, they had a few empty rooms.

Suddenly, I heard the final call for boarding, and hurried to get my bags. I thrust my ticket at the conductor just before he closed the doors; sighing in relief when he allowed me on the train and showed me to my seat. The train pulled off and I turned to the window facing the platform, and the apple orchard that I was leaving behind. My parents had come with me to the station with the idea to see me off. We said our goodbyes in the station when the train had first arrived. I told them I’d be boarding the train early, using the excuse to get some time alone.

Maybe I should’ve actually boarded the train on the first call, and read the letter in my car, I thought to myself. I guess hindsight really is 20/20.

Ponyville was at least a day away. So I had plenty of time. To do nothing that is. In situations like these, I pull out one of my Daring-Do books. As I flipped to chapter sixteen, Strongheart’s picture slid from between the pages to the ground. I quickly reached for it, falling on my face when the train bounced. The picture flew away as I chased after it. I dodged around passengers, their suitcases, and food servers; but it was always just out of my reach. Just as it was about to float out of an open window, a yellow glow surrounded it, pulled it away, and placed it in my hoof.

“She dies at the end.”

I turned towards the unicorn who spoke. He had a blue coat, and a purple and orange mane that was styled off to the side, curling just around his ear. His tail looked like it had never seen a brush or comb, but in a good way. I noticed a cutie mark that looked like one salt, and one pepper, shaker on his rump.

“What?” I asked, confused.

“The book,” he replied, pointing at the book I’d somehow managed to keep hold of during my frantic chase. “Trisca BonBon dies at the end.”

I groaned. If there was one thing I hated, it was spoilers. And more than that, the ponies who told them.

“Thanks for the help,” I grumbled, marching past the stallion.

“Hey, I was joking.” He sped to catch up with me. “I haven’t read that series yet.”

I wanted to ignore him, but I did owe him. I reached my hoof out to the unicorn. He grinned and bumped hooves. “Name’s, Phil Le’Fish. Spice salesman, and part time cook.”

“Ah’m Braeburn Apple, apple bucker,” I replied.

“Wait, are you part of that famous Apple family?” He asked excitedly.

"Ah wouldn't call us famous."

"Dude, you are legendary!" He exclaimed. Heads turned toward us and some of the more snooty passengers glared at us.

He ignored them and bombarded me with questions. From recipes, to names, to cider, and back.

This is gonna be a long trip.





Something about this guy was, off. He wasn’t bad, in fact, he was pretty cool. We sat in my car for a while, talking about our lives up until now. He seemed sorry to hear about the break I had to take from work, and told me he was taking a break from the wandering salespony life and was going to visit family in Canterlot.

Meanwhile, I learned that train rides apparently made me sleepy. My entire body felt heavy. Like the life had been sucked from it. And the cold air didn’t help. I turned in much earlier than I usually do; telling Phil that I was feeling tired. He understood and left me to sleep.

The train whistle woke me up the next day. My eyes flung open and I gasped. Some nightmare had been with me the entire night, but I couldn’t remember it now. I shrugged, deciding that any nightmare I couldn't remember weren’t worth remembering.

I got out of bed and stretched, glancing out the window as I walked to the dining car. I expected to get a good seat, being this early in the… morning? I raced back to the window, finding the sun high in the sky. I’d slept right through the morning, and late into the afternoon. Back home this would have made me miss the day’s pay even if I still came. For the first time in a while I felt well rested. And it sucked. 

"How does anypony live like this?" I asked the sun.

Without seeing the sun rise each morning, without seeing the sky go from twilight to =dawn. Why would anypony would choose to get up with it already out?

I realized that I'd never gotten Phil's room number. But he had to have been awake. I started looking for him.

“Anypony seen a unicorn named Phil?” I asked a couple sitting at a window in the dining car. They shook their heads. The same with everyone else on the train. It was like the guy had vanished. We were almost at Ponyville, and I at least wanted to say goodbye before he continued on to Canterlot. But if no one knew where he was it couldn’t be helped.

Weird that he would just up and leave, I thought.  Not even a “see ya”. Who does that? I sighed as I decided to give up the search. I went back to my room and got my bags ready to leave the train.





I scanned the crowd. She said she'd meet me here. Where is she?

“Braeburn!”

I turned, scanning the crowd for the pony who spoke. I saw her Mama’s hat before I spotted her.

"Cousin Applejack," I called as I waved her over. Giving her a hug when she was close enough.

“Hey cuz, welcome to Pooooonyville.” She yelled, rearing up on her back legs.

I could feel my face turning red. “You’re never gonna let me live that down are ya?” I groaned.

She chuckled and shoved me lightly. Then she took of in the direction of her orchard. I grabbed my saddlebag and took off after her.
> Trust
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cover: Soarin'
Occupation: Wonderbolt
Race: Pegasus
Coat: Cyan
Mark: Winged Thunderbolt
Mane: Dark blue
Notes:
Reputation as a "Tail Chaser"
Loves pie
Extremely fast and acrobatic flier
Well known by fellow Wonderbolts. Avoid if possible (See attached images)
Risk level: 5

The second sheet held contained pictures of the colt in question. Each one from different angles, positions, and with different ponies surrounding him. In a few, he was completely oblivious to the camera, yet there were a few where the photo at least seemed planned.  There was one with him posing with an orange haired mare who was labeled as “Spitfire.” And beside her a white maned pony labeled "Fleetfoot." I scanned the photos, learning the faces of the ponies who appeared most often, then pulled out the third set of sheets. This set gave me a much more detailed view of his personal life.

Hmm, Bi. And openly at that. Well that works out just fine for me.

When I finished reviewing my mission objectives I put everything back in the folder. I had to admit, I felt some unease with the mission. Infiltrating Celestia's castle, and finding potential spots for my brethren to place themselves, would be hard enough as anypony else. But as Soarin’ it would be nearly impossible. A famous Wonderbolt would attract a lot of attention, and adoration. Meaning my magic would be at it's strongest. I would need it for what I had to do. Of course, I couldn't use magic as Soarin'. Pegasi don't have horns after all.

It would also place unwanted suspicion on me. Suspicion was never good. Suspicion is what got you turned to stone, sent to the moon, blasted straight out of Equestria, or, it would get you sent to Her.

I had permission to eliminate anypony who got in my way, if necessary. I hoped it was never necessary. It never had been, and I planned on keeping it that way. No matter what She said. If they were ever to trust us...

No don't think about that, I reminded myself. She's always listening.

"Shadow?"

I turned to see my mother standing in the doorway. So she'd already heard. I guess I should have expected the news to reach her. No one was sent on a mission without the entire hive finding out. In fact, trying to keep something a secret was the best way to get news to the to everyling.

Her face betrayed nothing, but I could feel her sorrow. Changeling or no. My father's death alone had been hard on her. For me to be sent to the same place he'd been...

She embraced me, and I returned it; knowing this could be the last time I saw her. The woman who'd raised me, who fed me, made me laugh, let me cry while she held me, and loved me. I felt the tears pooling in my eyes and spilling down my cheeks. I squeezed her tighter.

"Be careful," she whispered.

"You too mother," I said. I released her from the hug but stared her in the eyes. I wanted her to see the conviction in mine. "I will  be back."

"I know, just, be cautious Fang.”  I smiled when she called me that. 

She hugged me again. “Please, come back to me.”





I had to take the train close enough to fly into the city. I still couldn’t believe I’d gotten Braeburn’s autograph. Mother would definitely appreciate the souvenir. A shame I had to steal a tiny bit of magic from him, though. Of course, It wouldn't have any negative side effects on him. Other than a bit of fatigue that he would most likely sleep off.

I knew I had to leave for Canterlot before the train pulled into Ponyville. I couldn’t take the risk of the Element Bearers discovering me. I was forced to leave while he was still asleep, probably for the best though. He’d never see “Phil” again, he was a busy selling spices in Saddle Arabia.

I arrived in Canterlot the week before the Wonderbolts were due. A bit suspicious, and suspicion wasn't good. But of course, the fans I attracted as soon as I landed helped embolden me and they seemed to cement my image in everypony's eyes. And of course there was the nice boost of magic, that helped too. A pair of pegasus guards flew down to meet and escort me to Celestia. I followed the guards, a little nervous about my ruse. They navigated the palace quickly, I struggled to maintain a steady flight pattern. A Wonderbolt would no doubt find this easy, so I had to find it easy as well.

I used the time to practice my Soarin mannerisms. Luckily, my escorts had never met the real Soarin', so I didn't have to worry about "remembering" them. I tried out a few jokes, some random observations, showboated a bit, and just stayed downright goofy. I won't lie, it was a thrill. To finally cut loose, flap my wings. And laughing, I hadn't heard it in years; unless you counted the bitter ones that you'd hear as you walked through the hive.

The throne room was very large, and beautiful. Queen Chrysalis herself had nothing like this. Not even her whole castle was as nice as this room. I had to force myself not to look around. Soarin had seen this multiple times. Soarin wouldn’t spend his time gawking at the curtains. Blowing my cover this late in the mission would not be good.

"Soarin! Good to see you again.”

I looked towards the figure seated in a large chair. I felt a flash of fear as I remembered the last time my kind and her’s had met in Canterlot. My back still ached from that thing that blasted me. What did they call it? A party cannon, I think.

I bowed before replying, trying to keep my voice as light and steady as possible.

“And you, Princess Celestia.”

“Is there anything wrong?" She asked as I stood. Spitfire said none of you would be here until next week.”

I rolled my eyes at the mention of Spitfire. I'd read that they were the best of friends, which I knew meant that the two of them annoyed each other.

“Spitfire sent me ahead to make sure all of our rooms are ready, the flight routes are clear, the kingdom’s safe, yadda, yadda. You know how she stresses over every last detail.”

This was a little ambitious of me, I had no way of knowing if Spitfire was anything like I described. But on cover missions like these, you had to take risks. Either the payout would be large and completely worth it. Or, I would be chased out of the castle with about half of the castle guards behind me.

Luckily Spitfire seemed to be exactly like I described her for, a few seconds later, the Princess began to giggle.

“That she does,” she said.  “I’ll have the guards show you to your room so you can rest.”

I thanked her and turned to follow the guards.

“Oh, one more thing, Soarin’”

I turned back.

“Shining Armor will be coming for a visit tomorrow afternoon, I thought I’d just let you know."

Oh horsefeathers.

"Oh. G-great."

"He's going to move on to Ponyville but he wanted to visit some old friends of his. And I'm sure he'd love to talk with a fellow military officer."

The Wonderbolts were military? That would be something to report back. All the stunts must have been a sideshow.

I realized I was still standing there. "That's great. It would be fun to have some guy time after hanging out with Spitfire and Fleetfoot for so long.

"He's married, Soarin, remember?"

Oh right, that pesky reputation as a tail chaser.

"I meant the platonic and friendly guy time. Don't worry." I sped away. The only thoughts racing through my head, as I caught up to my escorts, were, Oh buck. Oh buck. Oh buck. Oh buck.
> Empathy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	“Hey Rumble, shake a leg will you?” I yelled, hurriedly packing my bag with his lunch, then his bag with mine. I brought my hoof to my forehead and sighed.

“You’re gonna be late if you don’t get a move on,” I tried again while switching the lunches around. Still no answer.

I walked to his room and knocked on the door. I heard him groan from the other side. I pushed the door open cautiously,

Even this little bit of light upset him. He groaned again, grabbed the covers, and pulled them over his head. No doubt about it, he was definitely sick. Rumble was usually up a good hour before me, and would just lie in bed until I came to get him. He had so much energy usually, but lately, he did seem to be slowing down. I couldn't tell for sure but it seemed like he was hiding something from me.

“Definitely no school today,” I said. Then I groaned inwardly. Every pegasus I knew would have to be on hand to work blizzard duty. Rarity had to take Sweetie Bell to school, and would probably be busy for the rest of the day. That just left one pony who might be willing to watch him.

“C’mon, Buddy.” I nudged him with my nose. He whimpered, but I didn't let up until he stood on shaky hooves. I lowered myself enough so he could climb onto my back. He got a good grip on my my mane and pulled himself up. I winced a bit, kids never seemed to learn that mane pulling really, really, hurt. I bit my tongue though, grabbed his bag from the kitchen, and headed out the door.





"Thanks you so much, Twilight," I said, leaving Rumble's bag on a nearby table. "You are a lifesaver."

"Of course, Thunderlane. I'd hate for anypony to be alone during the blizzard. And I'd hate for you to miss work to watch him.”

“You sure it’s not too much trouble?” I asked.

She shook her head. “No trouble at all. Besides Spike needs someone his own age that he can relate to. Now that he’s a teenager, by dragon standards anyway, it’s a bit harder to just sit and talk with him.” She sighed, then giggled. “Besides, Spike sleeps until about noon anyway. Those two should be fine."

I looked at the purple dragon who was busy pulling out a few extra pillows and blankets and setting them up in his room.

“I just hope he doesn’t get sick too.”

“Don’t worry, dragon immune systems are much stronger than the ones in ponies.” She looked up, as if she could see text floating above her.
“The worst things they have to worry about are: wing rot, spike fractures, frill flops, scale molts, and claw dislocations. Unless of course they live in the desert. Then they also have to keep there hides moisturized or they risk scale chipping. And if they live further north, then they worry about keeping their internal body temperatures above 106°.” 

“Okay… Anyway, I’ll be off work at about five.” I thought for a moment. “So I’ll pick him up at five fifteen?”

 She nodded. “Sounds great.”

“I owe you one!” I shouted over my shoulder as I took to the air. I sped home, grabbed my work bag, and set off again towards the weather factory. 





“Come on, Thunderlane,” Blossomforth called. “Break time.”

I shook my head. “I wanna get the last of the clouds out there before Rainbow gets on my case about being late.”

She nodded and turned back towards the cafeteria. “I’ll save you a seat.”

I nodded, though she couldn’t see me, and turned my attention back to the clouds. I shoved one forward, pushing it into the freezer beside the others. There was a certain art to making clouds, which was exactly why I didn’t make them. We had the more artistic pegasi work on those. Then the workers, like Hoops, Score, and Dumbell, fill the clouds with different levels of water vapor.

After that, you take certain clouds to the different stations modify them to fit certain weather conditions. It seemed complicated to anyone who hadn't spent their entire life around clouds. Storm clouds were made to be the heaviest, and filled with electricity over in the charging room. Snow and hail clouds were put in the freezer, the only difference was how much water was in each. Normal clouds were taken to be shaped into different types of stratus, cirrus, cumulus, etc. 

I had most fun with the storm clouds, and was the only pony willing to get close enough to them to move them. Every other pony had gotten zapped so many times that they afraid to get anywhere near a storm cloud, even Raibow Dash. Though they had no problem punching and kicking through them. Very rarely did I actually get hurt when they shocked me. I was really good at picking up on the signs and discharging the excess electricity.

“Thunderlane!”

I cringed. Rainbow may be a bit of a show off, and act lazy, but there was one thing she wouldn’t accept. Tardiness.

I turned around her and found her hovering just behind me, nearly muzzle to muzzle.  I jumped back, nearly sliding through the open frozen door. I righted myself just in time, using my wings, and looked back up. I could tell she was trying to hold back her laughter.

“Sorry, Laney.” She quieted her snickers. “Didn’t realize you were so jumpy.”

“I told you not to call me Laney,” I growled back.

“I know, I know. But—”

“Thunderlane just takes forever to say.” I rolled my eyes.

“Exactly,” she affirmed. There was an awkward pause, where we stared at each other for a good minute. 

“I finished up with the snow clouds for later,” I said, moving out of the doorway. She peered past me, into the freezer.

“Look, Dash. I’m—”

“Not bad, Thunderlane,” She cut me off. “These should be ready just in time for that blizzard later today.” She wouldn’t look at me, her gaze staying on the slowly freezing clouds.

“Rainbow, about being late…”

She didn’t turn around. “I’ll talk to you about that later,” she said. “Go get some lunch Thunderlane.” 

I wanted to stay, to argue that I had to take care of Rumble before anything. That she of all people should understand. But it wouldn’t do me any good. I flapped my wings and headed for the cafeteria.





“Good luck,” Blossomforth whispered.

“Thanks,” I replied, nervously. I hadn’t seen Rainbow since that morning, but she sent me a message to meet her down in Ponyville. I sighed and forced myself to go get the tongue lashing over with. Besides, I had Twilight waiting with Rumble. I packed my locker with my helmet and work-issued saddle bag, then headed out to meet Rainbow Dash.

As I flew, the snow clouds started to release their payload over the town.

Ponyville really was pretty like this.

“Thunderlane!” I looked down, Rainbow Dash waved up to me. “Down here.”

I flapped once to stop my forward momentum, and once more to change my direction. I pulled up just before the ground and landed on my hooves.

"Glad you could make it,” Rainbow Dash said.

I shifted from hoof to hoof nervously. 

“You did good work today,” she continued.

“L–look, Boss,” I hesitated, nearly tripping over my words, “I’m sorry about being late. But Rumble got sick, and I had to take him to Twilight. Then I had to go back for my bag, and fly—"

Rainbow let out a snicker, and that released the floodgates of laughter. I failed to see what exactly was so funny.

"O-okay. Okay. I'm sorry Lane, but I didn't call you down here about that."

"What?"

"Twilight came to see me earlier, she told me about Rumble and all. So, you’re off the hook. For now at least.”

That’s another one I owe Twilight, I thought to myself.

“So...” She flapped her wings nervously. “Are you doing anything tomorrow night?”

"No?" What was she getting at.

"Ah," she said. Not explaining herself. We were both silent for a moment. Her, just gazing at me. Me, trying to understand what was happening. It took me a full minute before I realized what she was trying to ask me. Or, at least, what she wanted me to ask.

"Are you doing anything tomorrow night?" I asked.

She shrugged.

"Did you have something in mind?"

"Well..." She pulled out two slips of paper. "I did have an extra ticket to the Wonderbolt's show in Canterlot tomorrow. I was gonna offer it to Fluttershy, but she has to help with some salmon migration thing." She held out one of the tickets. "If you want it..."

I was more than sold. I was as big a fan of the Wonderbolts as Rainbow Dash. The only reason I say only is because she's on a first name basis with them. And she's saved them. And on top of that. She's one of the Elements of Harmony. All of that put her just a little bit ahead of me in the #1 fan race.

I reached for the ticket just as she snatched it back.

"...there's a catch," She continued.

I squinted at her. "What kind of catch?" I asked.

"Maybe a little dinner. A little dancing."

"Wait," I held up a hoof. "Like a, date?"

She nodded.

"Aren't I supposed to ask you for that?"

"Well you were taking you're sweet time getting to it."

I'll admit it. I've had a crush on Rainbow Dash since preschool. She was always the fastest, bravest, and most die-hard of the mares out there. But she seemed to only have eyes for the Wonderbolts. Namely she had eyes for Soarin. I just assumed I'd have no chance with her. Now she was asking me out on a date. I realized she was staring at me. Her ears starting to droop. Crud, I hadn't answered her.

"S-sure. I'd love to." I must have said it a little too quickly because she suddenly glared at me.

"You're not just saying that to get a free ticket are you?" She growled, getting close to me. I stepped back, and forced my wings to stay locked to my sides. The last thing I needed right now were them to spring open like that.

"No! No. I'm serious. I think it'll be fun. Just you, me, some good food. Which I assume I'm paying for?"

She put the ticket in my mouth and patted me on the cheek. "That's the idea of a date, Laney." She laughed and took off. Leaving a rainbow trail in her wake.

I couldn't help it. My wings burst from my sides and stiffened.
> Wisdom
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	“I QUIT!”

The words echoed inside of my skull. I wanted to turn back. To tell him that I hadn't mean it. I wanted to apologize.  We were supposed to sit and talk. We never fought. We were never supposed to argue. At least, not like that.

But I knew, deep down, that I could never take back the things I'd said. I had meant every word that I said to my brother.

“Big Apple” our parents called him. He was everything in their eyes. He was the pony with the ideas. He was the pony with the plans. He had all the know-how. I was his singing fool. His background dancer. His jester.

I sneezed. The air was chilly and all I'd kept was my vest. My hat most likely still sat on the ground just outside the door.

I was weary of it. Tired of the late night songwriting. Tired of being on the run from angry ponies. Tired of the near zero respect. So what if my magic wasn't as good as his. So what if his cutie mark is an almost full apple, while mine is just a slice.

I was wracked by coughs. The body shaking kind. My limbs trembled with every hack. A gust of wind blew right through my thin vest; Chilling the part of my core that hadn't been completely frozen already. I shivered and wrapped my hooves around my body.

“S-s-stupid. P-p-pompous. E-egotistical—”

I stopped, noticing the fall of the first snowflake. I watched it’s journey downward, the spiral of it was absolutely mesmerizing, right up until it flew directly into my eye.

I yelped, much more surprised than I was hurt. I rubbed at the eye for a minute, then dropped my arm, my jaw, and my hindquarters in shock. Just ahead, and closing fast, floated large nimbostratus clouds. I could feel the wind pick up.

A Blizzard… I thought to myself. I sat for a full minute, simply staring at the approaching onslaught of snow. Then my mind was flushed with adrenaline as I took it fully into account.

“Blizzard!” I screamed.

I leaped to my hooves. My mind stopped working as my instincts took over fully.

“Blizzard. Blizzard. Blizzard. Blizzard.” I trotted in place wildly, looking for a place to get cover from the impending snowstorm. I was stuck in an open field, no spot for cover whatsoever. There was a narrow road nearby though."

I cantered towards the road, turned onto it, and galloped in the direction away from the snowstorm. “And where there’s a road…” I started.

There’s a town at the end of it. That’s what Flam would always say. Then we’d get in whatever machine we had on hand, and venture forth, always on the lookout for our…

“Opportunity,"  I breathed.

That was what we’d always searched for. Opportunity. Flam believed that we just had to find and take it. He thought that we had to search across the land until we found a "open" spot, work some magic (both figuratively and literally), and seal our fates as the best businessponies.

That’s what brought us to Ponyville not once, but twice now. That’s what led to us fleeing Ponyville for the second time. That’s what led to… this.

Not paying enough attention, that’s what did me in. I was too distracted by my thoughts and my surroundings. I'd looked back for a split second, gauging my distance from the storm, and stepped in a small hole in the road, just the size of my hoof. And of course it happened just as I started down a hill. I tripped and started to fly down the mountain. My body spun in midair and bounced off of the ground. I could feel the bruises forming as I tried to stay conscious. I couldn't concentrate well enough to use magic, leaving me at mercy of the large boulder that waited for me. I was able to right myself and dig in my hooves, trying to slow down, but to no avail.

“Flam!” I called out just seconds before everything went dark.

I groaned. Everything hurt. And I was cold, no, freezing. I tried to bring myself to my legs, and nearly passed out, again, as a much more intense wave of pain rolled through my chest.  I collapsed again, noticing for the first time that I was covered in snow. The full implications of my situation hit me. I was lost, possibly with broken ribs, covered in snow, all during a blizzard. I felt panic and adrenaline cut through the immediate pain, but even that had no chance against the pain caused when I applied force to my ribs again. I choked back a sob as I slumped, defeated, to the ground.

“I’m going to die,” I said my eyes closing again.

I felt all power leave my body as I accepted it, as I simply gave up. I knew that it was impossible to survive in a storm like this. My death was inevitable. I also felt an odd sense of peace. I knew that it was over. Everything I’d just complained about to Flam. All the running, the dishonesty, the hurt we caused. I wouldn’t have to be plagued by guilt much longer. I closed my eyes.

I didn't even get to make good on my promises.

I could feel myself drifting away. I could feel death approaching.

Look's like you were right Flam.





Great job Macintosh. You sit around dawdling and you've got a blizzard to deal with now.

I huffed in frustration. It wasn't exactly my fault. I still hadn't fully recovered from the exhaustion a few day earlier. And I knew AJ would kill me if I “pushed myself too far” again. I took a few hours of rest before I hitched myself to the cart and started the trek home. I'd forgotten about the class 2 blizzard that started that afternoon, and would continue until morning.

If worse came to worse, I could always use the wagon as shelter until morning.

With how the weather’s looking, I thought to myself. I might have to do just that. 

I spotted a large rock up the path and headed for that. Thinking that it would help secure the wagon.  I unhitched myself from the cart and set about clearing the snow, so I could sleep on something that wouldn't be water in the morning. I froze when I felt something under the snow. Something warm. Something that groaned when I touched it. I reached under the snow and tried to drag it out. When I saw the first signs of fur I sped up the process. Brushing the snow away in time with gentle tugs. If somepony was buried out here I knew there would be no way I could wait for morning.

Eventually, I got the poor stallion out from under the snow and lowered him in the cart.

“Flim FlimFlam, if Applejack kills me for this, it’s your fault,” I mused, chuckling. I hitched myself to the cart again, and pushed on towards Sweet Apple Acres.
> A Day on the Orchard
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Braeburn

The sweet sound of bucking rang all through the orchard. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed the sound. Of course, It had only been a few weeks since I’d been fired from Appleloosa’s orchard. But a few weeks away from the job ya love can feel like a lifetime.

I sighed, my mind wandering from Appleloosa to Strongheart. Or the buffalo ya love.

"Hey Braeburn!"

“What’s up AJ?” I called.

“That’s enough for now,” Applejack called from the hill just ahead of me. “Got word from Rainbow Dash, she reckons that there’s another storm brewing.” She pointed above the trees toward the clouds.

“Alright!” I called back. I lifted the last apple baskets and emptied them into the wagon. As I hitched myself to the wagon, I realized she had come closer.

“Have ya seen Macintosh?” She asked as she glanced around.

"Nope.” I lifted my apple baskets from the ground.

“Tarnation," She said. "That mule-headed stallion’s gonna put himself in the hospital.” She kicked at the ground. 

“Applejack,” I chuckled. “Mac’ll be fine. This isthe stallion who kicked Uncle Jersey’s flank every year at the reunion.”

She snorted. “Pa was asking for it. Always boasting about being the 'Iron-Pony' or something. Ya remember those wrestlin’ shorts he used to wear?”

I laughed at the the memory of my uncle in those way too tight shorts that he would parade around in at every reunion.
“Don’t remind me!” I told her as we started walking

 We were silent for a while. 

“Ma hated those things. Ah swear, she tried to chuck those things out hundreds of times."

I didn't have a response for that.

"Remember the first time him and Mac went at it?" I asked.

She nodded. I could tell she was barely holding back her laughter.

"Remember what Jersey said?" I asked, snickering at the memory.

She held up a hoof and tried to do a deep, rough voice. "Now son, you don't reckon ya can take on yer ol' man do ya?"

"Eeyup," I said, playing Big Macintosh's part.

"Well, ya gotta get your flank whooped sometime," She went on.

We went silent.

"OW! Uncle! Ah give. Ah GIVE!"

Neither of us could hold back the laughter. I nearly fell over and had to lean on Applejack. She had  the same idea, and next thing we knew, we’d both fallen to the ground. Still laughing, we tried to pry ourselves off of each other. I went for the spilled apples, but fell over again when AJ did her impression of Uncle Jersey’s face.

“Hold on,” I gasped. “Let me… catch… my breath.”

She let me take a few deep breaths while she gathered up some apples. After we had them all picked up, we headed for the barn to store them.

“How’s our guest doing?” I asked.

She shook her head. “Out like an ursa in the winter.”

I sighed. “What did Ms. Redheart say?”

“Bruised ribs. And a chill something fierce.”

I hissed in sympathy.

She nodded. “Ah admit, Ah feel kinda bad for him. Nurse Redheart said to keep him warm or he might get new… new-mon…” She stopped and huffed.

“Pneumonia?” I tried.

She glared at me. “Yeah, that.”

“He’s in for a rough few weeks,” I said when we started walking again.

She smiled, grateful I hadn't teased her, and nodded. 



She was still worried about him. That was obvious. The sky started showing signs of the storm that she was so worried about.

"Hey, AJ?"

She gave another tug to the rope on the cart. Making sure that the knot was tight. "What's up?" She asked as she dropped the rope.

I glanced at the sky again, the clouds started clumped together almost directly above us. "How 'bout Ah go looking for Big Mac while you and Granny get dinner ready?"

"Alright, but ya'll hurry back." She took a look up too. "This one gonna be a big'un. Ah don't want either one of ya gettin' caught in it."

I flashed her a grin. "Don't worry 'bout it AJ. Ah will personally drag him back here if Ah need to."

She gave me a look.

"Yeah Ah don't believe that either." I headed out the barn and in the direction Big Macintosh.





Big Macintosh

“♫Trot outside and you see the sunshine, something’s in the air today.
Sky is clear and your feeling so fine. Everything’s gonna be A-Okay.♫”

I hummed to myself as I  bucked at the tree. The apples fell perfectly into the baskets on my sides. Something you could only do with years of practice. I was mighty excited for the Next Ponytones show. Almost as much as Rarity. I had the whole show plan memorized. After my bit, Torch would come on just a second before Toe-Tapper. Just enough of a difference for you to tell their vocals apart. Everyone knew this part, but what they wouldn’t expect was the new twist. The clash of vocals. Bass and Tenor against the Soprano and Mezzo.

“♫ Find the music,
Real deep in your heart
Gotta find it, Oh yeah!
Everybody’s got the music buried deep inside—♫”

“Whooo-we!”

I spun around.

“Celestia’s sun, Braeburn, I told ya to stop sneakin’ up on me.”

He laughed. “Ya woulda heard me if ya weren’t so busy singing.”

I shook my head and raised a back leg to kick the tree again. “How’s Flim?” I asked.

“Couple of bruised ribs, bad cough. Coulda been worse.”

I nodded, emptying my buckets in my wagon.

“How many more ya got?” He asked.

“Um,” I paused and turned to the rest of the trees. “Ah’d say ‘bout six more.”

“Perfect,” he said, and reached for one of my baskets.

“What do ya think you’re doing?” I asked, stepping back.

“Uh?” He looked confused. “Helping?”

I shook my head. “Eenope.” 

He sighed when I started walking away. And it was a little while before he followed me.

“Big Mac,” he started while falling into step beside me. “Ah know ya like to do things yourself. But look…”

I walked past him to get to the first tree, gave it two quick one-legged bucks. When the apples had fallen we kept walking.

“AJ says we got another storm coming, and neither of us want to be out here when that happens.”

“It’s just a few trees Brae,” I told him. “We’ll be back in plenty of time.” 

It took me a moment before I’d realized he’d stopped. When I turned back to see what was up, he looked at me like I’d hit my head. “What?” I asked.

“Big MacIntosh,” he said. “You do realize that we’re over an hour’s walk from the barn, and we still have to pull that wagon of yours.”





Braeburn

“C’mon, hurry!” I yelled.

“I’m moving!” Mac yelled back.

I tried to tell him. But darn him and that pride of his. Mac didn’t have a big head, oh no. He was very humble. But the things he knew he could do, oh he had to do those alone. He wouldn’t let me help with the tree or loading the wagon. I had to pull his teeth just to pull the wagon. And we still got caught in the storm. An hour’s walk means a two hour walk with a wagon.

I felt bad for him though; if Applejack was as good as tongue lashing as Strongheart, then he’d be getting an earful. Can’t say he doesn’t deserve it.

A clump of snow hit me in the face for thinking like that. Can’t say Ah didn’t deserve that, I mused as I shook the snow from my face.


“Up there!”

I hadn’t even realized my head had dropped and my walk had slowed. But when I saw the house, I felt new energy flowing in my body. Which was just enough for me to make a considerable effort to pull the wagon into the barn (Though Big Mac did most of the work.) I closed the door behind us.

I felt the adrenaline leave my body, and with it, my will to stay awake.

“Don’t fall asleep on me now,” I heard as Mac propped me up with his shoulder. “C’mon now, let’s get you somewhere warm.





“And another thing, next time I tell you to rest, I mean it!”

My own ears fell flat in shame. And I wasn’t the one being yelled at. I’d expected Applejack to have a few words with her brother in private. But all she did was step to the side and let Applebloom into the room. And, boy howdy, did she let him have it. I was shocked she hadn’t run out of air, or strained her throat, or shattered the windows with the voice she had.

“You are going to spend the next few days in bed. You aren’t going into town to sell anything. You aren’t working on the barn. You aren’t bucking apples. You are staying in this house and, unless absolutely necessary, in your room.” She grabbed his yoke and yanked his head down to eye level. “Got it?”

He nodded slowly. She let him go, turned around, and walked upstairs.

For a second, nobody said anything. I shifted nervously under my blanket. Then, neither Applejack or I could hold back. We started laughing so hard that we had to shush each other. Which lead to more laughter, and more shushing. Mac wasn’t as amused. He huffed and followed after Applebloom. We waited until he was gone, then we started giggling again.

“Alright, alright,” Applejack said as she calmed down. “You need to get some sleep, you’re gonna have to take Big Mac’s place tomorrow.”

I saluted. “Yes, sir.”

She tried to hide a laugh behind her hoof. “Get some sleep,” she ordered as she turned towards the stairs.

“Good night,” I called as I headed for my own room.

“‘Night,” she called back.





“You know it’s hopeless, there is nothing you can do.”

I ignored the voice. It was wrong, it had to be.

“You can’t help them, and now, no one can help you.”

I turned back; just for a second, but that was all it took. The fog caught up to me. It completely covered me. It choked me. I couldn’t breathe, everything was dark.

I sat up, sweating and gasping. 

Just a dream, I reassured myself. Just a dream. 

I wiped the sweat from my forehead, my hooves still shaking.

Just a dream.

But it was the third nightmare I’d had since leaving Appleloosa. And the third I couldn’t remember. Maybe I was just homesick. Homesick and dying of thirst.

“Well I can fix one of those things,” I whispered to myself. I slid out of bed and made my way towards the kitchen.

“Hmm, a nice cup of cider should do the trick.” I muttered. “Why exactly am I talking to myself?” I questioned, then shrugged.

When I left the kitchen, I bumped into what felt like a brick wall, fell on my rump, and dropped my mug of cider which spilled on the ground. I rubbed my head and looked up at Big Mac. Of course he had barely moved an inch.

“What are you doing down here?” I hissed.

“Me?” he asked. “What are you doing?”

“Well Ah was having a nice glass of cider, when somepony knocked me for a loop.” I muttered.

“Hey, who’s down there?”

We both stopped squabbling and looked up the stairs. Hoofsteps sounded from just to the right of them. “Big MacIntosh that’d better not be you down there,” Applejack called down.

“Hide,” I hissed, pushing him out of the light from the kitchen as Applejack came down the stairs.

“Oh, it’s you Braeburn,” She yawned.

“Huh? Oh hey, AJ. Yeah sorry ‘bout that,” I said. I scratched the back of my head, trying to look embarrassed. “Ah spilled a cup of cider’s all.”

She shook her head and yawned again. “There’s some rags under the sink,” she said tiredly. “Make sure you get it all.” She turned away and started up the stairs.

I waited until her door close before hissing, “She’s gone.”





"She's gone," I heard him whisper.

I stepped out carefully, no sense making anymore noise.

We both flicked an ear at the staircase. Complete silence. I sighed in relief. "Thanks, Brae."

"Don't mention it, especially not to Applebloom." He shivered. "That filly scares me."

I chuckled. "She's had a pretty rough day. She's usually a bit nicer."

He nodded and looked at the cup and spilled cider on the floor. "The least Ah can do is help with the mess," I offered.  "It's mostly my fault."

He gave me a look.

"Okay, all my fault," I admitted, chuckling.

He laughed and headed into the kitchen to grab the rags while I picked up the mug and set it in the sink.

"What were you doin' down here anyway?" he asked while I cleaned the cider. 

"Oh, Ah was… uh…" Buck. "I had just got a drink, and I was bringing it back and didn't see you there." Yeah, that's believable. I'd believe that.

"You didn't have anything with you when I ran into you."

And apparently I'd be dumb for believing it.

"Are you hiding something?" He asked me, stepping forward.

"E-eenope," I stammered. I tried for the stairs, but Braeburn blocked the way. I tried for the kitchen, but he stuck a hoof out. I backpedaled.

Okay, no problem. Just avoid the couch and he'll never-

I bumped into the couch and fell into the cushions. Knocking Smartypants to the ground. Neither of us said a thing. Him staring at the doll. Me staring at him. And the doll staring at the ceiling.

Braeburn reached for Smarty, and I couldn't stop myself from snatching her away. I held her close and brushed the carpet hairs from her face.

"Go ahead," I said bitterly. "Laugh."

He said nothing.

"What, is it just too easy?"

He sighed. "Mac..." He walked in place for a second before sitting down. "Did Ah ever tell you Ah slept with the lights on until Ah was about 15?"

I shook my head.

"Well you remember what happened with Pa."

I shivered, Uncle Red was, and still is, a cranky and violent stallion.

"Well he took all the money with him. We had no light, food, water, just, nothing." He shook his head and pointed at me. "You know how it was."

I nodded.

"Having the lights on after all that. It... it..."

"Reassured you," I said.

"Exactly. It comforted me. The same way..."

"Smartypants," I mumbled.

"...Right. The same way she comforts you. You've got a lot weighing on you. So Ah'll never judge you on that."

I smiled gratefully at him.

"Just one question though?"

I nodded.

"Why did you bring her down here anyway?"

I felt my face flush. My red fur didn't do much to hide it.

"Well," I said, turning my head to the side. "I though Flim might feel a bit better if he had something to..."

"Aw, the big lug has a heart after all," he cooed, punching me in the shoulder.

I gave him a glare which he just laughed off.

"Don't stay up too late," he said sing-songy. Then he gave me a wink, giggled, and ran upstairs.

I took my brain a minute to understand what he'd been hinting at. My first instinct was to toss him out the window and into the snow. Then I looked at Smarty and smiled.

"Tomorrow," I said. And with that, I headed into Flim's room.