> Planted in the Clouds
>  by KathAud
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Fall of Ponyville
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

To choose the place of your death and the last sight your eyes beheld was more than most ponies got the last few weeks. Cold comfort, but what other kind was there, lately? Applejack climbed to the top of the barn and turned her back to the ugly  creatures undulating across what was left of her orchard. She trained her eyes softly on Bloom and Granny’s graves. Digging them was the last thing she and Mac had done together. There hadn’t been enough left of him to bother burying when the time came. 

There was smoke and fire from the direction of Ponyville proper; signs of a desperate last stand. Fire was one of the few things known to repel the creatures, if only temporarily. She had spied a few Wonderbolts darting down into the town. It gave her a small sense of peace to think that Rainbow Dash might be among them. If Rarity was still out there, Rainbow would find her. She would find her and evacuate her safely to Cloudsdale and at least two Elements would live on. There was still a chance for them and she held that chance close in her heart in these, her last moments.

She could smell the creatures now. They were starting to scrape against the base of the barn. At the last moment she thought to turn and face them as they came for her, and she whirled with a sneer on her lips but then the sky darkened suddenly and she glanced up instead.

A sizzling black storm cloud thrust into place by two Wonderbolts. The crack of lightning rending the nearest creature. A pair of strong hooves wrapped around her middle and she was yanked off the roof and born rapidly skyward. She couldn’t tell which one it was, only that it was too big to be Rainbow. 

And Ponyville? She tried to twist her head around to catch a last glance but her winged savior squeezed her a bit tighter. “Don’t look back,” he said, and she believed him.
> Survivors
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applejack had a small idea what to expect up in Cloudsdale; up until a few days prior she had seen Rainbow Dash frequently and through her received some news. She knew that Princess Luna, the last of the alicorn princesses, was there, having barely escaped the fall of Canterlot, and that she was proving an excellent wartime Princess under the circumstances. Rainbow and the other Wonderbolts were quite devoted to her. She knew that Shining Armor had retreated there with Flurry Heart when the Crystal Empire crumbled. She knew the Pegasi and several Earth Pony and Unicorn refugees were hastily reinforcing the areas around the runway and the Wonderbolts Arena in preparation for more evacuees. And she knew the number of survivors, though enough to strain the resources of the city in the sky, was still desperately, tragically low.

Her ears were ringing oddly as she was gently lowered to her feet. It was brighter up here, closer to the sun. And bustling with construction, confusion. A couple Pegasi in uniform were frantically trying to clear that end of the runway, a couple civilian volunteers trying to direct the arrivals, triage the injured. Her Wonderbolt was speaking but she couldn’t hear the words. She squinted in the bright sunlight and looked for familiar faces; there were pitifully few. She jumped a mile when a wing touched her back, turned to look for the first time. It was Soarin, peering at her concernedly. “Are you okay???” 

She shook her head briskly to clear the ringing. “Yeah.” No.

His look was kind and sympathetic. “You should go check in at the field hospital at the other end of the runway,” he reiterated. “I’ll check on you later, ‘kay? And I’ll tell Dash you’re here.” A couple pats on the back with his wing and he was off. She headed down the runway. Several citizens of Cloudsdale and the refugees who’d been living there for a while were making their way amongst the new arrivals, looking for loved ones. That’s where she spotted Scootaloo.

All the loss of the last few weeks and yet the single most tragic thing she ever saw in her life was the look on the young filly’s face when she saw Applejack there all alone, and the full implication of her solitude registered in her heart and soul. Her little face crumpled and so did AJ’s heart. She could do no more for her than to hold her close and tight as she wept, and to try to be strong for her, to not cry herself lest she not know how to stop. That is how Shining Armor found them. He was a broken stallion, a shell of his former self. It hurt to look at him but Applejack did anyway. With a sigh he lowered himself to his haunches beside them, and did not speak or try to offer comfort where there was none. They were three ponies torn out of context, without the families and friends who had defined them. Who were they now?

The harried Doctor on site was only delighted by the arrival of a strong, healthy evacuee with a reasonable skill in first aid. He paired her up with Lyra Heartstrings, who Rainbow had brought in about an hour ahead of Applejack. They didn’t speak much, but got right to work, finding in each other a similar efficiency and focus on the tasks at hand. Scootaloo remained glued to her side. It concerned her that she might be seeing things here a little beyond her years but she didn’t have the heart to send her away.

After a long day Luna and Spitfire decided  to recall the Wonderbolts; there would be no night flights that evening. Luna raised the moon and the weather Pegasi banked the clouds. Shining Armor cast his protection spell. The Doctor dismissed the volunteers; he himself would stay all night to watch over the wounded. 

“There are dorms for the refugees at the Cloudeseum,” Lyra said. “I’m headed over. Are you going to stay with Rainbow Dash?”

“I don’t know.” Applejack admitted. “I at least have to get Scootaloo back to her.”

She glanced over to the quiet corner where Scootaloo had curled up and fallen asleep . When she looked back at Lyra, it struck her for the first time how infrequently she saw her alone, without Bon Bon. She was chagrined to only be realizing now what that must mean. Her hoof still reached instinctively to fiddle with her hat but she’d lost it days ago and she rubbed her ear awkwardly instead. “Lyra, I...”

“Please don’t.” It came out sharply but AJ understood, and wasn’t offended. More softly she added “Look, Applejack... I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

“See you, Lyra.” She busied herself organizing supplies, waiting for Rainbow to arrive, but Rainbow went straight home and Soarin came instead.

“I think she didn’t want to see you for the first time in front of anypony else,” he murmured softly as he helped lift Scootaloo, still sleeping, onto AJ’s back. 

“I get it,” whispered Applejack. Soarin took Scootaloo’s little scooter from her and tucked it under a wing. 

“The paths around here are well lit and there are usually signs where you shouldn’t walk, but it’s not as clear in the residential areas. Stay close, okay?” Applejack nodded and he led her outside, where it was darker than she expected, the cloud banks muting the glow of Luna’s moon. She was grateful to have an escort. They walked quietly for a while but she was aware of him studying the side of her face, regarding her quizzically. 

“Is that it, then?” she finally asked, jerking her head back in the direction of the hospital and the dorms. “Is Ponyville....?”

“Yes,” he said sadly. “There’s nopony left there. I’m sorry.” Applejack looked over but he had lowered his head and was focused on the ground now.

“I’m sorry, too. I know it can’t be easy for y’all..... I’m sorry I brought it up.”

“Hey, no worries. It’s natural for you to wonder.” He let out a shaky sigh. “You’re right though, it’s not easy. Those things are next to impossible to kill. It seems like every time we go down there’s more of them and fewer survivors. I think Cloudsdale should have been taking ponies in much earlier. The evacuations didn’t really pick up until Luna arrived and took over. At least now the team feels like we’re helping... a little.”

“Helping a lot.” Applejack stated emphatically. “I can assure you, y’all gave us a lot of hope and reassurance while it lasted. A lot of us just weren’t ready to give up and go yet. I for one never intended to leave my farm until, well - you know. It’s lucky Cloudsdale is still safe. It’s good of the Pegasi to share your home with us.”

He was back to studying her with quiet intensity. “You know, the Wonderbolts were always home for me, more than Cloudsdale in general. And for what it’s worth, since you’re like family to Crash, that makes you family to the rest of us, too.” He bumped his shoulder against hers gently. Applejack smiled a little and bumped him back. He was sweet to try and comfort her. 

“Well,” she said as they reached Rainbow Dash’s place, “thanks for seeing us home.”

“You’re welcome!” He tried for a grin but it faltered and he blurted “I wish I could do more.” His eyes were so tired and sad and AJ wanted to reassure him somehow. 

“Well you also saved my life today,” she pointed out. “That ain’t nothing. Thanks for that too, by the way.”

“Of course!” His expression relaxed slightly, and when Scootaloo gave a little snore and shifted slightly on AJ’s back they shared a genuine smile.

“I’d best get her in to bed.” Impulsively she hugged him, and he returned the hug warmly with a leg and both wings. “Get some rest, Sugarcube. And thanks again.” 

Rainbow Dash had long since reinforced her home so that her friends could come and stay. Applejack climbed the steps and let herself in. She found Dash sitting quietly in the dark. Tank was there, and a black kitten name Scratch, which Thunderlane had rescued and brought back for Scootaloo. She was the stand in younger sibling for several on the team now. Together they settled Scootaloo into her bed and tucked the blanket around her, then went and sat at the kitchen table, still without speaking. Applejack sensed Dash was searching for a way to tell her something and intended to wait her out.

“I saw Rarity,” she began haltingly. “I tried to get to her but I...” she squeezed her eyes shut but a single, heart breaking tear leaked out.

“It ain’t your fault, Sugarcube.” Applejack whispered, reaching for her friend’s hoof  “It ain’t.” Rainbow let loose a sob and then AJ did too, and then they were holding each other close and sobbing their hearts out, two Elements where once there were six.

Princess Luna sent for her the next day, and showed her to a large open area that had recently been reinforced, and which lay between the Wonderbolts Arena and their training grounds. As mortal ponies went, Luna knew Applejack well and felt comfortable around her, so she indicated they should sit and did little to conceal her exhaustion. In addition to raising both the sun and the moon, ruling what was left of Equestria, and helping to plan both attack and rescue missions, Luna was still being called by ponies’ dreams. And she was unable to bear leaving any of her remaining subjects to face their nightmares alone. When so much of reality and recent memory had also become nightmarish, she felt doubly obligated to try and ease their sleep. All of which combined meant little rest for Luna herself.

“How can I help, Princess?” Applejack asked, after they had exchanged sympathy over their respective losses.

“We are running out of food.” Luna replied plainly. “Cloudsdale has no farms, no means of growing on a large scale. At least, not yet.” She gestured across the open area before them. “Dr. Whooves and Shining Armor believe they have devised a way to assemble a greenhouse and install some deep troughs of dirt -“

“Where from?” Applejack interrupted.

“We’ll have to bring it up from below. Find some - “

“A lot.”

“Yes, a lot, that remains... uncorrupted. And seeds, of course, where any remain. There are a handful of Pegasi who gardened as a hobby and who will contribute what they have. Applejack, I will need, Equestria will need, your skill and your Earth Pony magic in order to make a farm here. We need you to feed, well - everypony.” She offered up a hesitant smile. “I can, of course, promise you exactly the weather conditions you desire. But not much more than that.” 

Applejack was never one to shy away from hard work or a challenge. But as she surveyed the area before them, the majority of which was still largely cloud, the last thing she felt was optimistic. It had to be done though, right? Luna was looking at her anxiously.

“We’ll get it done, Princess,” she promised. “I won’t let you down.” Luna fairly beamed with relief. Applejack was the Element of Honesty, and if she said it would be done then it would. Luna felt much reassured.

Over the next few days, a modest community farm and garden began to take shape. Dr. Whooves and Shining Armor wrestled a decent sized greenhouse into place. Spitfire assigned Thunderlane and Blaze to seek and retrieve anything from below that could be helpful: tools, seedlings, enormous buckets of soil that hadn’t been poisoned by the creatures’ onslaught. Applejack described as best she was able what to look for but where dirt was concerned only an Earth pony knew for sure. They competed good-naturedly to bring her the best of what she was looking for, not that she was in a position to send anything away. She was out there early every morning, with Scootaloo at her side when she didn’t have school. When Rainbow Dash didn’t have to fly at night, AJ would leave after dinner to help out at the hospital until late, then back home for a little sleep before waking up in time to see Dash off for the day, get Scootaloo’s breakfast, head over to the farm. Sometimes it was hard  watching Rainbow fly off to deal with what seemed to be more pressing, life or death matters, while she was literally sifting through dirt. One day she couldn’t help but comment bitterly about it to Shining. 

“Believe me, I know,” he agreed. “I wish I could be down there, too. I wish I could fight. I wish I could gain some sort of... I don’t know, revenge? Closure? Satisfaction?”

“All of that!” Applejack nodded.

“But we have work to do here. You have to find a way to feed, I mean, literally the entire pony nation. And Scootaloo needs you. And Flurry needs me, and I have Cloudsdale to guard. And yaks to befriend.” 

“And how are the yaks?”

“Surviving. Maybe barely. I don’t know; they don’t really like me and they won’t let me in. But Luna wants to keep the lines of communication open.”

“She’s right, I’m sure. The yaks and we ponies, we may be all each other have left.”

After about a week they were ready to start planting. Several Earth pony refugees were there to assist, and a handful of Pegasi who liked to garden as a hobby. Amongst them were Fluttershy’s parents. 

Applejack had to turn her head for a moment to hide her emotion before walking over to embrace them both. “I am so glad y’all are here. Thank you so much for coming.”

“Oh, Applejack, I’m so afraid we just won’t be any help!” said Mr. Shy in his voice barely above a whisper. “But we wanted to be her for you.”

“Don’t you worry about a thing. Just having you here makes me feel better about the whole enterprise. I just know everything’s going to go okay.” 

Dr. Whooves waited nervously, shifting from hoof to hoof, for her to give instructions and the signs to begin. “Here goes nothing,” he whispered when she joined him.

Applejack gave him a hoof bump. “Celestia help us to live up to all this.”

“Indeed!”
> Hope is the last thing ever lost
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Slowly but steadily, certainly, the farm was growing and producing. Applejack felt a great sense of satisfaction and pride in her little team. She was only delighted to see inexperienced ponies like Scootaloo and the Shys get the hang of farming. And she was right proud of herself too, to be honest. It would be an understatement to say she was used to doing things a certain way back on Sweet Apple Acres. In this new environment, she was getting good at pivoting and trying new things. Dr. Whooves had a new idea or innovation to try nearly every other day and more often than not her response was a hearty clap on the back and an “Alright Sugarcube, let’s give it a whirl!” Luna came through some mornings to offer praise and encouragement to the workers. Sometimes, though not as frequently as before, Blaze or Thunderlane might turn up with a salvaged plant or tool. 

More and more, as fewer survivors were uncovered, the Wonderbolts refocused their efforts on attempts to destroy the creatures. Occasionally they were accompanied by the odd unicorn or two to try using magic. Nothing seemed to have much of an impact. She knew Shining Armor was still itching to join the fight but Luna insisted he was needed in Cloudsdale, when really she was trying to protect him for Flurry’s sake. Fewer ponies meant hungrier, more desperate creatures, and the bolts were showing up at the hospital with more frequent injuries. 

“They’re getting reckless,” Lyra muttered to her one night when they had half a dozen of the cocksure flyers come in at once. Most of the team doctors were working there now, helping out with the long term patients, but there was still enough for the volunteers to do and basic first aid still usually fell to them. Lyra had even learned to do sutures  and she stitched a long slash on Misty Fly’s flank that narrowly avoided marring her cutie mark. “This is going to make a bad ass scar!” Misty grinned blithely.

“I hope you ain’t acting as foolish as the rest of them,” Applejack admonished Rainbow Dash when she got home.

“AJ, it’s me,” she replied with a lazy grin.

“That’s what I’m afraid of. Look if you won’t be cautious on my account at least have a care for Scootaloo.” She had never pressed Rainbow for details on what had happened to Rarity, but she knew that it continued to eat at her and she feared a desire for some kind of payback would cloud her judgment.

“You’ll look after Dash for me, won’t you?” she asked Soarin one day when he dropped by to check out the farm.

“Crash? Really? You should know by now she’s got ten times as much skill as me.”

“Yeah, but not a lick of your common sense.” Applejack recognized that Soarin had to work a lot harder than Rainbow for what he’d accomplished, and she felt that it made him more respectful of it. “Ten times seems like an exaggeration, by the way.”

Soarin grinned. His eyes roamed over her face merrily. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of her for you, Jackie. And thanks.”

Applejack smiled and waved as he flew off, then frowned quizzically at Dr. Whooves “Jackie??? ” Dr. Whooves laughed knowingly.

One night after bringing Midnight Strike in for some stitches of her own, Soarin offered to walk AJ home again and it soon became their routine; a routine she found herself looking forward to warmly. If she was running late he waited. “Miss Applejack, your gentlecolt friend is here for you,” Dr. Spring Flight would announce with old fashioned formality, making her and Lyra chuckle. He carried her saddle bags for her, and she filled him in on what was happening at the farm and the hospital. She found that he was an excellent listener, asking good questions and giving good advice when asked. When she felt especially tired or stressed he soothed her nerves with funny, often self deprecating stories and jokes. Sometimes the dark and quiet path inspired confidences, and they both shared some things they had never told another pony. On the nights when Soarin was uncharacteristically quiet, AJ knew that the day’s mission must have been especially difficult or sorrowful. She would bump her shoulder gently against his, like he had done for her that first night, that first walk home, and he always smiled then and bumped her back. 

Her walk to the farm in the morning always took her by the Wonderbolts training grounds, where they were usually doing wing-ups as part of their morning training session. Soarin had the spot closest to the path and Applejack always gave him a little wave. He responded with a grin and a wink and a flex of his muscles. It was silly and goofy but it made her laugh, ducking her head a bit to hide her blush.

“Oh, AJ,” Spitfire chuckled to her one day. “If only everypony on my team was as concerned with impressing you as Soarin. I’d have you run the drills and we’d really see some results.”

Applejack was a little flustered. “Well, ah... I think since he was the one to rescue me, he takes an interest in my well being.” Down went Spitfire’s sunglasses. Up went her eyebrow.

“You know he saved Dr. Whooves too, right? And old Mrs. Meadowlark? And they walk by nearly as often as you? But he never seems to notice them. I don’t think he’s ever asked me if I think Dr. Whooves looks sad. And I know I’ve never caught him turning his head to check out Mrs. Meadowlark’s flank.”

Applejack smirked a little. “Well, in all fairness to Mrs. Meadowlark, her flank’s a good 60, 65 years older than mine.”

Spitfire barked a laugh. “At least! She’s out there every morning, though, taking her stroll.”

“Bless her heart.”

“Bet she was a real looker back in the day.”

“I don’t doubt it.” Applejack wasn’t exactly sure what all to make of this new information about Soarin. But she also wasn’t above swishing her tail a bit the next time she went by. Sneaking a quick peek over her shoulder: yep, he noticed. Well, how about that, she mused.

“Soarin’s birthday is this weekend and Luna and Spitfire are giving everypony the whole night and the next morning off to celebrate!” Rainbow Dash told her excitedly one morning before breakfast . “You totally have to come! I already asked Mrs. Shy to take Scoots for the night. It’s going to be so awesome!”

Applejack yawned as she wound her mane up in a loose bun. “That sounds nice Sugarcube. I’ll just have to see how things are at the hospital that night.”

“Nuh-uh. The hospital will be fine without you. You are coming to this party.” She hooked a leg around AJ’s neck and pulled her closer. “I know for a fact Soarin really wants you there...Jackie.”

“I said I’ll try, Dash.” Applejack’s cheeks turned rosy.

“I think Soarin has a big crush on you, Applejack,” piped up Scootaloo. “He’s always trying to make you smile. He brought you that hot cocoa the other day -“

“That was for all of us!”

“But he drew your cutie Mark on the box. And when he walks you home he always waits until you’re inside before he leaves.”

“When he walks me home you should be sleeping, Missy!” Applejack flicked her with a dish towel. 

Rainbow Dash cackled. “Looks to me like the feelings are definitely mutual!”

“You should definitely go to the party.” Scootaloo added eagerly. “And then maybe you and Soarin will get married and he’ll come and live with us.”

“You are getting wayyyy ahead of yourself. I will try to go to that party. Now eat your breakfast. And Dash, it’s high time you get out of my mane and go be Spitfire’s problem for a while.” 

When Soarin walked her home the night before his birthday he told her he planned to leave the party for a while in order to meet her at the hospital and escort her back. “Dash says it’s the only way to make sure you come.”

“Absolutely no.” Applejack shook her head.
“You ain’t leaving your own birthday party on my account. I said I’d be there and I will.”

He gave her an exaggeratedly suspicious look. “She said you only said you’d try to make it.”

“Look, I didn’t promise Dash but I’m promising you. Ain’t I still the most honest pony in Equestria? Who’re you going to trust?” 

“I trust you, of course. I’m just making extra sure! It wouldn’t be the same without you.” He grinned at her and then added as an afterthought “You trust me too, right?” 

“More than anypony.” It popped out before she had even thought about it, before she even realized how much she meant it, and she felt suddenly exposed, like she’d said too much. They had slowed to a stop in front of Rainbow’s place and Soarin was now staring at her with a strangely emotional expression. Applejack panicked and jerked her saddle bags off his back and tossed them over her shoulder. 

“I-better-hit-the-hay-thanks-for-the-walk-Sugarcube!” she said hurriedly.

“Applejack?” His wings fluttered forward as though he were reaching for her. 

“See-you-at-the-party!” She found herself pressing a kiss to his cheek, which she’d certainly never done before, then she bolted through the door, closing it loudly behind her. For a moment she stood just inside, taking a few deep breaths. Her bags slid to the floor. “Why did I get so weird!?” she cringed in the pitch darkness.

To which a cheerful voice replied “He’s still standing there if you want to go back out and try again.”

“SCOOTALOO!!!”

The night of the party followed a long day at both the farm and the hospital. Lyra agreed to go with her, but started to look a little wary as they approached. “C’mon, Sugarcube,” she encouraged. “I bet this will turn out real good for both of us.”

As it turned out, she was right, though ‘good’ didn’t even begin to describe it. Lyra ended up going home with Misty Fly. And as for Applejack?

She’d ordered, and Luna had approved, a soft rain for the benefit of the farm to take place early the morning after the party and that was the peaceful sound to which she awoke. Applejack was just too accustomed to rising early and it happened even if she had nowhere to be, no matter how late she’d stayed up. Or how thoroughly she’d been made love to. Apparently, it was the same for Soarin, because she could feel him begin to shift and stretch, and then run his wing lightly up and down her side. She turned her head and kissed him lightly under the chin. “Morning, Sugarcube.”

“Morning, Jackie.” Soarin brushed her mane away from her face and licked her cheek gently. “I’m hoping this rain means you don’t have to get up right away?”

“That’s right.” She pressed back against his chest. “I will check in at the hospital and go pick up Scootaloo.... not ‘til later though.”

Soarin rubbed against her suggestively. “Much later?”

Reactions to Applejack and Soarin becoming a couple ranged from Mrs. Shy’s blushing “Well done, Applejack!” to Fleetfoot’s “About fucking time.” Shining Armor told AJ “I’ve known Soarin for a while and I think he’s a really good stallion. But if that ever changes, you let me know and I’ll take care of it for you.” Applejack was hardly the type of pony to need assistance with such matters but she just thanked him kindly and patted his back. Part of Shining Armor would always be a protective big brother. And part of her felt nice being somepony’s little sister again for a minute.

Soarin came for dinner as often as he could, playing with Scootaloo or helping her with her homework while AJ cooked. Night flights were starting up again, but when he didn’t have to fly he still met her after her shift at the hospital. Now though, they detoured by his place for some private time before he escorted her the rest of the way home. Sometimes though, after the sex, Applejack couldn’t resist falling asleep in his embrace. She slept wonderfully like that, dreamless and peaceful and something that felt suspiciously like happy. Soarin liked to watch her sleeping; he fought his own sleep as long as he could for the satisfaction of holding her close and gazing at her relaxed expression and knowing he had given her that contentment and security.

“Why don’t you just ask him to come live with us?” Rainbow Dash asked “We can easily add on to this place so you have a little space of your own. It’s not like Scootaloo doesn’t know what you’re up to when you go to his place.” She waggled her eyebrows suggestively.

Applejack lobbed a pillow at her head half-heartedly. “Moving in is a big step. We haven’t even been together all that long.”

“But if it’s something you both want who cares how long it’s been?” Rainbow Dash frowned sadly. “How many of our friends were waiting for the ‘right time’ time to do something before they died?”

She opened her mouth to respond but Rainbow cut her off. “Anyway I suppose you could always move in with him. My place is way cooler though. And Scootaloo would be bummed if you left. It’s been good for her, always having at least one of us around.”

Applejack lay awake for a long time that night turning over Rainbow’s comment about their friends in her head. She felt like she was missing something important.

Now that the farm was producing in earnest, Luna had arranged for a free community breakfast to be served at the Cloudeseum each day. Ponies took it in turns to cook and to serve, and leftovers were sent home and shared. It was Applejack’s turn to serve the day a detachment of Wonderbolts left early for the area around what had been Las Pegasus. A detachment including Rainbow Dash and Soarin. It was a long flight there and back and they weren’t due back until late in the evening.

Which is why the sudden burst of activity in and out of Wonderbolts HQ had her so concerned. She could see it all through the wide picture window, and she kept trying to ignore it, trying to tell herself it was just one of the remaining squadrons training, running over some drills. It’s such a nice day, maybe Scootaloo and I can eat outside tonight,she told herself, studiously avoiding the window and ignoring the sense of dread in the pit of her stomach.

A sudden commotion near the door caused her to turn her head. It was Soarin, still in his flight suit, scanning the room for her anxiously. I am not going to cry in front of everypony. She set down the tray she was holding, carefully and deliberately , and started to make her way toward him. I am not going to cry. I am not going to cry.

When he spotted her Soarin swooped forward with his wings outstretched in a placating gesture. “She’s alive,” were the first words out of his mouth. 

“She’s alive.” Applejack repeated. “But?”

“They’re waiting for us at the hospital.”

She could hear the sounds of things smashing and breaking, and Rainbow’s voice shrieking and cursing as they drew closer. The crowd of Wonderbolts in the hallway parted to let her through. What she saw inside made her want to scream and cry and smash things too.

Dash’s left wing had been torn completely off, only a deep angry scratch from a fearsome claw left behind, still raw and bleeding. Dr. Spring Flight was struggling to clean the wound while Thunderlane and Fleetfoot tried to hold her down; she was fighting all three of them with wild fury. The doctor spotted her and threw down his supplies with uncharacteristic exasperation. “Applejack, if she does not let me clean and bandage this the risk of infection is extremely high. You’ve seen it happen before, you tell her!” Everyone had now turned to look at her; even Rainbow lifted her head to stare, her sides heaving, tears streaming down her face. There was a brief silence where all they could hear was Dash’s gasping breaths, and then Spitfire put her hoof through the wall, startling everypony. 

“Doctor, I will take care of this.” Applejack said with far more authority than she felt. “Y’all go on and leave us alone now.” Soarin was hanging his head as he left but she caught Blaze’s attention and whispered “Send for Shining Armor.”

Rainbow Dash followed her every movement as she approached slowly, a wild look in her eyes. Applejack climbed up on the bed next to her, never breaking eye contact, and reached out her hooves. Sniveling and whimpering like a wounded animal, Rainbow Dash crawled over and curled up in a tight ball against Applejack’s chest. She put her remaining wing over her head. Applejack just lay still and held her without speaking. In a short while, she saw the door open silently and Shining Armor looked in. His horn, and Rainbow Dash, glowed with his soft pink magic. Applejack waited until she felt her friend’s breath even out, her heart rate return to normal, until she was sure she was peacefully unconscious, then she nodded at him. Shining entered, followed by Lyra. Applejack slipped off the bed. She and Lyra begin to tend to Rainbow’s wound, while Shining tenderly wiped her blood from Applejack’s coat.
> Hope is the thing with feathers
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Spring Flight wanted Rainbow Dash to remain in the hospital under his care for at least a week. For the first three days and nights, Applejack did not leave her side, even sleeping on a small cot at the foot of Rainbow’s hospital bed. But on the fourth day Lyra insisted she go home and let her take over for a while. 

“It ain’t that I don’t trust you,” AJ resisted, “but I -“

“You need a break.” Lyra levitated Applejack’s bags onto her back and physically urged her toward the door.

“But she -“

“APPLEJACK!” Lyra grabbed the reluctant mare by the face. “Do not martyr yourself to this. It will just make Rainbow feel worse. Take a break. Bring Scootaloo home for the night. Spend some time with Soarin. If not for yourself than do it for them. I’m sure they miss you.”

Applejack sagged. “You’re right, of course. C’mere, give me a hug Sugarcube. You’re a good friend.” 

AJ stopped by Soarin’s place and left a note: I miss you. Come by tonight? I’ll be at the house. - Jackie . The Shys insisted she stay for lunch, then she and Scootaloo dropped by the farm for a while. They took the scenic route home; Scootaloo seemed a little clingy but mostly happy to have her back. By the time Soarin arrived for dinner she was nearly back to her normal self. They worked on her homework all together, ate out on the porch, then leaned back to watch the stars for a while. She fell asleep nestled between them, one hoof hooked around Soarin’s foreleg and her head lolling on Applejack’s shoulder. The two older ponies’ eyes met over her little purple head.

“Lyra was right,” whispered AJ. “I needed this. Maybe... we all did?” 

Soarin nodded vigorously but then lowered his gaze. “I was afraid...” he blew out a ragged breath. “I feel like I let you down.”

“What?”

“I promised you I would look after Rainbow Dash. And I got to her as fast as I could but it was already too late. I’m so sorry.”

“Oh, Sugarcube.” Applejack sighed. “Don’t take that on. Misty told me how it was that day. She told me if not for you Rainbow wouldn’t even be alive. Look, I know how she is, and I know how it is down there. I should never have asked that of you. It was unfair of me.”

“But I was glad you asked. It made me feel good, thinking that I was the kind of pony that a pony like you could rely on. I wanted to be that for you.”

“And you did and you are. Soarin, look at me. That hasn’t changed. I don’t know how Rainbow Dash will go on from this and that scares me. I’m more scared now than the day you brought me here. But how I feel about you hasn’t changed. I still... I still rely on you. More than ever.” She traced his jawline with her hoof, and he captured it with his own and kissed it tenderly, wrapping his wing around her and Scootaloo both. “Let’s go upstairs.” Applejack whispered. “Let’s put this little Crusader to bed.” 

Together, they settled Scootaloo into her bed with Scratch the cat, then Applejack led Soarin to her own room. “She’s not as deep a sleeper as Dash is. Think you can keep it down?”

Soarin’s cheeky grin that she loved had returned. “The question is, can you?”

Applejack slapped him lightly across the face with her tail as she moved to the bed. “Okay then, flycolt - show me what you got.”

Afterwards, he pressed his muzzle hotly to the nape of her neck. “I love you, Applejack,” he panted. “I love you so much.”

She twisted around to look him in the face, so he could see how much she meant it when she said “I love you too, Soarin.”

A week after Rainbow Dash came home, Dr. Whooves said he was working on something for her, something that would help her fly again, and that it was nearly finished. Rainbow told him she was in, 100%, no matter what it was. Spitfire was unsure and reluctant.

“Do you really think this guy can do what he claims, AJ?” she asked. “Do you really believe him?” Her face was weary bordering on haggard. If there was anypony to rival
Luna herself in responsibility and sleeplessness it was Spitfire.

Applejack thought of the beautiful greenhouse and the rows of dirt and plants and colorful vegetables flourishing in their cloudy home. “I do.” she nodded. “If he says he can figure this out, he will.”

Rainbow Dash did her best to stay busy while she was grounded and Applejack did her best not to hover. Soarin was pulling mostly night flights for a while which made finding time together harder; finally, it was Dash who invited him to move in, and it was also at her suggestion that he gave his old apartment to Lyra. Misty Fly lived in the same neighborhood, Dash knew she and Lyra were still hooking up, and she congratulated herself on securing such beneficial situations for two of her teammates and two good friends. “Best wing pony ever!” she whispered to a giggling Scootaloo the night Soarin and Applejack retired to their new little area of the house for the first time. The additional privacy was timely; Dash’s close scrape with doom had reminded everyone in their inner circle of their still tenuous situation in this fraught new world. And that only increased Soarin and AJ’s urgency for one another. When he crept in late at night, the smell of storm clouds and rain on his fur went straight to her head, when he slipped between the sheets his feathers were deliciously cool on her body. She always wakened at once, arching into him as he gathered her close. He loved getting to come home to her. After an arduous mission he yearned for the comfort of her body, the sound of her voice moaning his name.

The day came when Rainbow Dash and Dr. Whooves were ready, and Applejack and Scootaloo went to wait nervously outside his little workshop, along with Soarin and most of the other Wonderbolts, and Princess Luna herself. Rainbow emerged with a beautiful silver prosthetic wing and took to the sky for a test flight as everypony looked on, at first nervously, then with increasing excitement as she begin to fly faster and further, executing a series of tight maneuvers with all of her customary panache. When she started climbing swiftly, only to redirect into a sudden dive, Spitfire pulled her sunglasses off.

“She’s not!”

“She is!” Applejack shook her head. 

The rainboom exploded, rippling, just above their heads. Rainbow Dash was crowing with delight as she zoomed past and the assembled Wonderbolts began to cheer as they took to the sky after her. Applejack turned, smiling, to Dr. Whooves.

“I wasn’t sure it would hold for that,” he muttered in a dazed whisper. 

“Say what now?”

“Nothing!” He laughed nervously. “I’ve just never seen a sonic rainboom up close before.”

“I reckon you get a nice big assist on that one.” Applejack hoof bumped him.

“Magnificent.” Luna beamed. “You have a marvelous mind, Doctor.”

“I don’t rightly know where we’d all be without him!” AJ agreed as the stallion in question blushed furiously at their praise.

Midnight Strike swooped over and hovered just above them. “Come join us, Princess!” She encouraged. Luna demurred but the call was soon taken up by the other ‘bolts, and finally with a soft laugh she unfurled her majestic wings and lifted gracefully into the air to join the celebration. Soarin glided down to grab Scootaloo. “Ready for a ride, squirt?” He tossed her onto his back and rocketed off with her squealing and clinging to his head and neck.

When Rainbow Dash finally alighted, with Luna and the others close behind, she marched right up to Dr. Whooves, grabbed his face and kissed him smack on the lips. Then Fleetfoot did the same, then Thunderlane, and soon the flustered Earth pony was surrounded by Wonderbolts, all gleefully kissing him and clapping him on the back. Applejack found herself standing next to the Princess.

“It is a good day.” Luna observed the scene benevolently. “It does me good to see ponies so happy; we need to be happy, Applejack, don’t you think? There’s more to this life than mere survival.”

“I reckon you’re right, Princess.”

Luna now turned a slightly arch look upon her. “You’re sleeping better nowadays, Applejack. No nightmares for several weeks. What’s your secret?” There was a twinkle in her eye that brought to mind the filly she might have been, many eras ago. Applejack couldn’t resist responding with a coy smirk.

“My secret is good company,” she drawled. Luna gave a delighted laugh like a peeling bell. When Soarin and Scootaloo landed alongside them, the Princess gently drew Scootaloo aside to join the crowd of celebrants still surrounding Rainbow Dash and the Doctor. Soarin smiled at Applejack and bumped her shoulder with his. When she bumped him back he threw a wing around her and gathered her close against his side. 

“Princess Luna said she’d noticed I’ve been sleeping better,” he smiled.

Applejack chuckled. “She said the same to me. I guess she approves.”

“Hey, do you think she’d want to officiate our wedding for us?”

Applejack was momentarily startled; her jaw dropped but she recovered quickly. “What do you mean, wedding? You ain’t even proposed!”

Soarin laughed. “Okay, okay,” he acknowledged, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “How about this?” He raised his wings on either side of their faces, shielding them in a feathery cocoon of privacy. They were both smiling into each other’s eyes, their muzzles brushing together. “Applejack,” he kissed her gently, “I love you more than anything in this life. Will you marry me?”

AJ nuzzled him tenderly. “Nothing would make me happier. The answer’s yes.” They stood there kissing behind the shroud of his wings while the celebration continued. Only Luna seemed to notice. She gave a deep sigh of contentment. Yes, today was a very good day.

Soarin and Applejack chose to be married in a picturesque area of the farm, on a day that was all pretty sunshine, blue skies, pleasant breeze. One thing two heroes of Equestria who lived near the weather factory did not have to worry about on their wedding day was an errant rain drop. Applejack asked Rainbow Dash, Lyra, Shining Armor, and Doctor Whooves to stand up with her. Scootaloo and Flurry Heart were to be flower girls, of a sort. They would precede the adults down the aisle with sparklers that Doctor Whooves had whipped up. Applejack hadn’t anticipated any real flowers until that morning when Mr. and Mrs. Shy dropped off some beautiful Irises they had grown as a surprise for her on her special day. Lyra sent one to Wonderbolts HQ for Soarin to pin on his uniform, and wove the others into Applejack’s braid.

She had never been the sort of filly who liked to daydream about weddings, she’d never cared much about being a bride per se, but Applejack was completely and entirely delighted to be marrying Soarin and she waited with pleased anticipation behind the greenhouse with her friends as the guests assembled. Dr. Whooves poked his head around the corner. “I think we’re ready to begin!”

Shining Armor cleared his throat shakily. “Applejack?” He extended a hoof to her. “I know that if your own big brother were here...” 

Applejack hugged him fiercely. “I know. Thank you, Sugarcube.” She smiled tenderly at the single tear that ran down his cheek. “Liquid pride, right?”

“That’s right!” He agreed with a watery smile, patting her hoof into the crook of his foreleg. AJ smiled at her friends, at the little ones.

“You fillies ready to lead the way?” 

Dr. Whooves handed Scootaloo and Flurry Heart each a little pinwheel sparkler - “they don’t actually ignite!” - he assured Shining, and the two young ponies proceeded up the aisle to the delight of the crowd assembled. Rainbow gave Lyra an exaggeratedly courtly bow and extended her hoof, which Lyra accepted, laughing, and then came the beautiful bride, escorted by her honorary big brother, who was now crying in earnest. Applejack smiled around her at all their assembled friends - our little Cloudsdale family, she thought. Even good old Dr. Spring Flight  had taken the day off to attend and was dabbing his eyes with a hankie. Luna regarded her subjects with a gentle smile; Applejack noted for the first time that she had grown taller, though not yet so much as her statuesque sister. Soarin and the rest of the Wonderbolts were resplendent in their dress blues. He winked at her and she at him. They were like any other bride and groom on this day, smiling and blushing and unable to take their eyes off one another. When Luna pronounced them husband and wife Soarin dipped AJ backwards and kissed her firmly as everypony whistled and cheered and Dr. Whooves gleefully set off fireworks and Flurry Heart flew in exuberant circles above them.

“I love you so much, Jackie. I’m so lucky you chose me.” Applejack wrapped herself around her dashing groom and kissed him back with equal vigor. “Oh, it’s me who’s lucky, Sugarcube.” When they shared their first dance to the same song they’d danced to at Soarin’s birthday party, there was hardly a dry eye in the house. 

The party lasted all that day and well into the night, eventually becoming a sort of revolving door, open house which anypony could drop by and partake of. Applejack and Soarin danced with all the guests, all the drop ins, but always returned to one another, their eyes always finding each other across the crowded floor. Princess Luna stayed the whole time and partook in all the fun, all the revelry. She threw back shots with the Wonderbolts and danced with Dr. Spring Flight and helped set off more fireworks. She was delighted thinking of all the happy dreams that would visit her subjects this night. Those she couldn’t save still ate away at her but looking around she felt that she had managed to rise to the occasion of this strange era, that she had managed to get this thing right. 

Very late that evening, as Applejack drifted to sleep with her head resting on Soarin’s chest, she did not think of what came before or what might come next and who was not there to see it. She just enjoyed the feeling of her new husband’s leg curled protectively around her shoulders and the steady beat of his strong heart under her ear.
> Hope shines eternal
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applejack was working in the greenhouse on the farm the day that Thunderlane found the apples.

“Right on the outskirts of Appleloosa. Couldn’t believe it. We’ve gone over that ground before. But with the storms lately a lot of debris has shifted. The tree was unsalvageable, but I flipped it over and there they were.” 

Everypony pressed close around the work table upon which he’d reverently presented two small but healthy looking gala apples. They all stared at AJ and she just stared at the apples. Once, they had been her life’s work. How long had it been? They were coming up on two years. 

“AJ?” She gave a start when Shining Armor touched her shoulder. Looked around at everypony’s wondering eyes.

“Well, first things first. Let’s check out the seeds.” Very carefully she cut open each apple, nose twitching slightly at the sweet scent of the juice. When the seeds were exposed, looking wholesome and intact, she smiled. Everypony started shifting, chattering, smiling back, as a current of shared excitement coursed through them. Applejack separated the seeds into two portions and slid them into small envelopes. She put one aside for planting. The second one she handed to Shining.

“Those are for the yaks.”

Shining grinned as he pocketed the envelope. “You’re a helluva diplomat, AJ.”

She beamed fondly at the group of volunteers around her. “I can slice them thin enough that each one of you gets a piece. Including Equestria’s best little scavenger, here.” She slugged Thunderlane’s shoulder.

“No, no, Applejack,” he responded magnanimously. “You take my slice. You need it more than I do.” He reached out to rub AJ’s rounded belly fondly, as all the Wonderbolts had taken to doing since she started to show a couple months ago. It was good luck, Misty Fly had informed her. (To which Fleetfoot had added “You’re like our own walking fertility symbol!”) She rolled her eyes and grumbled good-naturedly but she understood. Few new foals were born nowadays. Hers and Soarin’s wasn’t the first, but as the foal of an Element Bearer and a Wonderbolt, it was understandably the source of a lot of hope and excitement.

She lingered around a while after the rest went home for the day. After a period of extreme fatigue early in her pregnancy her energy level had bounced back tremendously and she always looked for ways to take advantage while it lasted. She started moving some large planters back into the greenhouse, but had only been at it for a few minutes when Soarin arrived, still in his flight suit, having detoured on his way back to HQ. 

“Howdy, Sugarcube.” AJ blew a loose tendril of her mane out of her eyes.

“Howdy yourself. What’s going on here?” Soarin kissed her nose while simultaneously rolling the planter away from her.

“I’m working, Sugarcube.” Her voice said ‘Sugarcube’ but her tone suggested otherwise.

“This can’t wait for somepony else? Never mind, I’m here now.” He cheerfully tugged the hood of the uniform down and started pushing the planter along into the greenhouse.

“I know my own limits, Soarin. And you heard Dr. Spring Flight himself say that it was fine if I.... overprotective much?” Soarin had produced a chair and was gently easing her toward it.

“C’mon, let me take care of it for you! You know I love to spoil you. And it’s not like I can whisk you off to Prance or anything like that.”

Applejack heaved a sigh. “Vanhoover.” She said after a moment.

“Vanhoover?” He paused and cocked his head at her.

“Eeyup. My Mama had a calendar once, all pictures of the woods up that way. Like something from a storybook. Always wanted to see that.”

“Huh. You know, I’ve been there a dozen times with the Wonderbolts? Never went to the woods, though. Well, that settles it - someday when this is all over I’m taking you to Vanhoover.”

“Taking us,” she reminded him, pointing at her bump.

“That’s right. We’re all three going to Vanhoover.” He leaned over to give her belly a big smooch.

After he finished moving and storing everything to her satisfaction, Applejack showed him her apple slice, which she’d saved for Scootaloo. “Can you believe it? I’m not a pony who believes in miracles but this sure is something. I’m going to be growing apples!”

“Do you think it’s from one of your cousin’s trees?”

She smiled wistfully. “Sure as shootin’.”

Soarin stroked her cheeks softly. “You look prettier than ever, you know that?”

“You look pretty cute yourself in that flight suit,” she responded with a predatory glint in her eye. “Have I ever told you there’s spots in here where no one can see in from the outside?”

“You haven’t. But I would very much like to see that.” 

Applejack snapped her tail against Soarin’s flank as her helped her from her chair and she led him toward the back of the greenhouse. “I told you my energy’s back.”

“Believe me, I’ve noticed!” He trotted after her gleefully.

“Hope you didn’t wear yourself out moving those planters.”

“Not a chance, babe.”

Spitfire grounded Soarin a week before Applejack’s due date, but they didn’t have long to wait. Applejack went into labor early in the morning of the first day, refused, characteristically, to go to the clinic until she was good and ready, and delivered their foal just before Luna raised the moon.

Scootaloo cheered when Lyra smilingly announced “It’s a filly!” and used her magic to gently lift the little blue furred, blond maned Pegasus into Applejack’s hooves. Soarin gathered all four of them into a tight embrace with his wings as he kissed his wife and new daughter again and again and repeated “I love you, I love you,” in a voice thick with emotion. 

Applejack had wondered if she might cry when the time came but found herself laughing with sheer elation. She cradled her small foal close, felt the quick beat of her heart, the tickle of her little feathers. She nuzzled her and inhaled the smell of her head. “Don’t cry, Sugarcube - Mama’s here! Oh , Soarin - she’s perfect!”

“Look at her sweet freckles!”

“She’s just like both of us!”

“I’m so proud of you, Jackie!”

When the Wonderbolts returned to base that night they were greeted by the sparkling “It’s a filly!” sign that Dr. Whooves had rigged up for them. The crisp evening air filled with whoops and cheers of excitement as most of them proceeded directly to the hospital without even bothering to remove their flight suits. 

It had long been agreed upon that Rainbow Dash would have the honor of being the first to hold the new foal. The other bolts crowded inside the room beamed at her as she sat trembling at the side of AJ’s bed.

“Rainbow Dash,” Applejack said as she placed her newborn daughter in her best friends hooves. “This is Harmony.”

Rainbow Dash promptly burst into tears, clutching the small bundle close. “Am... am I doing this right?”

“You’re doing fine, Sugarcube.”

“She’s so tiny! And, and so cute! Look at her little fur! Her little mouth! Her little nose! Is she an Earth pony or a Pegasus?”

“See for yourself, hun.”

Rainbow gently turned aside the blanket. “LOOK AT HER LITTLE WINGS! Oh my Celestia, I love her. I love her so much. AJ, Soarin, I love you both too. I’m so happeeeee....” she broke off into a torrent of fresh sobs.

“For Celestia’s sake, Crash!” Fleetfoot was fighting back her own tears. “You’re going to drown her if you keep crying on her like that.”

“Okay, I’ve waited long enough.” Spitfire patted Rainbow on the back in what, for her, passed as a soothing gesture. “Hand her over. Captain’s orders.”

Lyra had been watching the scene with a tired smile, her head resting against Misty Fly’s shoulder. She couldn’t say exactly what she was expecting when Rainbow Dash came up to her but it wasn’t the tight hug she received, and it took her a second to return the embrace.

“Thank you.” Rainbow whispered fiercely. “Thank you for taking such good care of my best friend.”

Though his services had not been needed, Dr. Spring Flight dropped by following his rounds, and his eyes grew wide as he squeezed into the packed room. “Good heavens, Lyra - did you let all these ponies in here?”

“It’s okay, Doctor.” Applejack reassured him in a voice grown tired but still happy. “This is family, they’re all family.”

Dr. Spring Flight peered over Blaze’s shoulder at the blinking foal. “Filly or colt?”

“A little filly.”

“Earth pony or Pegasus?”

“Pegasus.”

“Exquisite.” The doctor shook Soarin’s hoof and kissed Applejack on the forehead. “Well done, my dear. You are a remarkable mare and you will make an exceptional mother.”

“Thank you, Dr. Spring Flight. That really means the world to me.” Applejack whispered. Soarin rubbed her back and she leaned into him.

Once everypony had their chance to hold the baby Spitfire started to disperse the crowd. Thunderlane returned Harmony to Soarin and gave him one last hoof bump. Applejack gave Scootaloo a long squeeze.

“Thanks for being by my side, Sugarcube. You’re going to be the best Auntie ever.”

When the last pony left, AJ settled down with Harmony nursing peacefully. Soarin curled up beside them and rested his head next to Applejack’s. My family, he thought with a swell of pride. A little family of my very own. He laid his wing across them protectively. “You okay, Jackie?”

“I can’t believe she’s here.” Applejack said in wonderment. “I got so used to her being part of me and suddenly here she is, her own pony. I feel so excited and delighted and fierce and proud... but also I’m plum tuckered out.”

Soarin stroked her mane and smiled into her sleepy eyes. “I feel the same way. Most emotional day of my life! Get some rest, okay, babe? I’m sure she’ll have us up again before long.” But Applejack’s only response was a soft snore.

In her ersatz palace not far away, Luna slipped effortlessly into the new mother’s dreams with the beautiful vision of Pear Butter she had prepared for the occasion.
> Where flowers bloom, so does hope
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applejack started bringing Harmony to the farm with her most days, wearing her in a little carrier attached to her saddle bags. She set up a small cradle in the greenhouse for nap times, and when it was time to nurse her she did so curled up under the apple tree. It was a pleasant and satisfying routine, not unlike what her life on Sweet Apple Acres could have someday become. Except that if she wandered too far afield of this farm without being spotted by a Watchpony she’d likely plummet to her doom.

When Princess Luna dropped by she often sat near the cradle a while, rocking it gently with her hoof. She seemed lulled herself by the soft music that emanated from the series of increasingly elaborate mobiles Dr. Whooves had created for the little foal.

“What does she dream about ?” Applejack wondered.

“You, mostly. Your scent, the sound of your voice. She dreams of the rustle of her father’s feathers and the movement of the air when he flies. It’s very peaceful. Refreshing.” Luna raised her eyes. “You sing to her together?”

Applejack smiled tenderly. “We do.”

“Your harmonies run through her mind. They’re beautiful.” She smiled down at the sleeping filly and stroked her mane. “Soarin is the first of my Wonderbolts to have a child. I hate every mission I have send him on.”

“I can’t say it never scares me Princess, but I know who I married.”

“You ponies are all so brave. I wish I did not have to ask such things of you. I wish I could promise an end to this.” She lowered her voice so that Applejack had to lean in to hear her. “Sometimes I wish it was I who was taken and not my sister. I feel like she could have done more.” 

“No.” Applejack matched her low tone but her voice was firm. “Princess Luna, you listen to me. Nopony, and I mean nopony could do any better than you. Now, I admired your sister deeply, and I miss her. But in the time I knew her she had two, three other Princesses to assist. And she had all six of the Elements and the truth of it is that she relied on us for a lot. And she had a full Royal Guard and all the resources of all Equestria. And what do you get? One former captain of the guard. One mad scientist type inventor. One apple farmer. A team of stunt flyers, a garden in the sky, and a weather factory. That’s it. But here we still are, right? Still planting and growing. Still getting married and having foals. Still surviving and thriving. And that’s down to you, Princess, and the hope you give us every day. Maybe it’ll be over soon and maybe it won’t. We’ll be fine no matter what. We’ll still find joy and purpose because we’re still Equestria. You showed us that.”

Luna’s eyes glistened. “Applejack, I... I don’t know what to say. Except thank you, so very much. I needed that.”

“Anytime you need it again, let me know.”

“You find great reward in caring for others and you are very good at it. It is fortunate that you have found a mate willing to insist on caring for you.”

The day might come when AJ didn’t flush at the thought of Soarin but it was not this day. 

“I feel as though you and Rainbow Dash and I have been through a lot together,” Luna continued. “I confess to worrying over your well beings in particular.”

A thought crossed Applejack’s mind. “Princess, something happened the day that Ponyville fell that still eats away at Rainbow. Something to do with Rarity? I know Dash was trying to get to her and couldn’t. I’ve always assumed that she must have seen her... you know, die. And I think Lyra may have been there. Because I know Rainbow Dash is the one who saved her. I don’t want to press either one on the details and dredge up painful memories. I know Lyra is very resolved about moving on. But Dash still.... what am I missing, Princess?”

Luna knew, she could tell by the look on her face. Even a Princess was hard pressed to hide her feelings from the Element of Honesty. She seemed to be mulling over a response. Applejack waited anxiously.

“There are things I see in dreams which are not mine to share,” she responded finally, casting her eyes downward. 

“I... I understand, Princess. Sorry to put you on the spot.” AJ fiddled awkwardly with the mobile.

“It is more than the events of that single day that weigh on Rainbow Dash, I can say that much. Applejack, which of your friends do you miss most?”

AJ frowned and shuffled her hooves. She really thought about the question because she knew Luna was trying, in her way, to tell her something. “I dunno,” she finally said. “I loved them all equally.”

“I know you did,” the Princess smiled sadly. “I’m afraid I can say no more. And I must leave you now.” Bending, she kissed Harmony gently before rising to her full, impressive height. She was nearly tall as her sister, now. Whether she always realized it or not, this war had been the making of Luna.

Applejack dwelled over their conversation, and Harmony, as though she could sense her mother’s disquiet, was fussy that evening and resisted sleep. AJ tucked her in her stroller and walked circles around the outside of the house for a while. When that didn’t work she spread out a blanket and lay looking up at the stars with Harmony on her chest. Holding her head up eventually became too much effort for the tired foal and she gave in and slept. Applejack watched and waited for Soarin’s arrival. When he glided soundlessly into view she gave a small sigh of relief. Every night, after every mission, her body let go of a tension she never realized she was holding until she saw him again. 

“She gave you a hard time tonight, huh?” He lay back next to them on the blanket.

“Yeah, she fought me for a while. Only been out for 5 or so minutes now.”

“I’m home tomorrow so I can take a turn.”

AJ snorted. “Well, you know in that case she’ll be out like a light.”

Soarin grinned smugly. “Hey, I can’t help it if I have the magic touch.” 

“I’ll give you magic touch,” Applejack playfully shoved his face aside. Undeterred, he just wiggled closer and rubbed his cheek against hers. 

“Luna came by the farm today,” she mentioned. “She referred to you as my mate.”

Soarin chuckled. He and Applejack agreed that Luna’s occasionally archaic turns of phrase were charming. “Well we certainly do enjoy mating,” he winked.

Normally moments like these, just the three of them, were Applejack’s favorite, her most untroubled. It was rare that she let the outside world intrude but tonight she remained preoccupied and it didn’t take long for Soarin to catch on. 

“What’s on your mind, babe?” he kissed her ear tenderly.

“Well, while she was there we got to talking about Rainbow. I’ve always had the feeling that she couldn’t let go of something that happened that last day in Ponyville. Luna seemed to suggest it was more like something that happened before. Did she ever tell you what happened that day? I know she tried to save Rarity, but couldn’t. And I think maybe Lyra was there?”

Soarin was taken aback. It had been a long time since he and Applejack had discussed those early days of the war. “Yeah, Lyra was there,” he confirmed. “And there was a fourth pony, too. That one and Rarity were both surrounded. She told us she wasn’t going to be able to save them both, so she took a shot on Rarity. But it was already too late. So she and the other pony both died. Then she grabbed Lyra and split.”

Bon Bon. The fourth pony was Bon Bon, Applejack realized with sudden clarity. Another piece to the puzzle clicked in place. But there had to be more to it, right? Princess Luna had said it was more than just that single day.

“I always assumed she felt guilty about the other pony, maybe figured she made a bad call,” Soarin continued. “We all reassured her. It’s only natural, you take a chance on your friends. Jackie? What’s this all about? You’re shaking!” He lifted up a bit to look down at her, his brow furrowed anxiously. Applejack was indeed shaking, clutching the baby against her chest, and rapidly blinking back tears as her mind whirred. The idea of Rarity surrounded by those monsters made her sick. Bon Bon, too. And poor Lyra, forced to watch. It brought back too many ugly memories. And it didn’t tell her everything she wanted to know, although the picture was becoming clearer. 

“Applejack? Jackie?” Soarin took her face in his hooves.

“I need to talk to Dash,” she whispered shakily. “Can you take her inside, please?” She slid Harmony over to him.

“O-okay. Can you tell me what’s going on, though?” 

“I’m not a hundred percent sure yet. I’ll explain later, okay Sugarcube? I’m sorry. I just gotta talk to Rainbow first.”  She knew he was rattled, seeing her like this, and she felt badly, but she couldn’t put this off a moment longer.

Rainbow Dash was still awake; Applejack found her in the living room stretching and flexing her metal wing thoughtfully. 

“Hey, AJ. S’up?” Rainbow looked up with a distracted smile that was quickly replaced with a frown of suspicion when she saw AJ’s face. “What’s wrong? Did Soarin piss you off or something?”

“No, of course not. I just wanted to talk to you about.... something that’s been bothering me for a while.”

“Okayyy... Shoot.”

“Princess Luna dropped by the farm today, and we got to talking about the war and the ponies we’ve lost. She asked me an interesting question. She asked me, which of our friends do I miss most?”

Dash was regarding her warily. “What did you tell her?”

“I said I couldn’t decide, because I loved them all equally.”

“Makes sense.” 

“Do you... feel the same way?” 

Rainbow shrugged noncommittaly and dug her hoof into the rug.

Applejack took a deep breath. If she had missed the mark on this, would it make Rainbow mad? Would it mean that she never got to the truth of the matter? 

“I don’t want to pry,” she said finally, “and I know I can’t change or help or fix anything that happened then. But, we’re all that’s left of them, right? So don’t we owe it to their memories to be completely honest with each other? Even if I can’t fix it, maybe it would help just a little if I knew?”

“Maybe?” Rainbow squeaked out. They were both crying now.

“Dashie... were you in love with her? Were you and Rarity in love with each other?”

Rainbow Dash gave the tiniest of nods. “Yeah. I think we were. Or at least, we were headed there? It was really new. And really unexpected. Like, super, super unexpected. We didn’t tell anyone because we were still figuring it all out ourselves. And then shit started to get crazy and... and who fucking knew it would go on like this!? I mean seriously, when was there ever a problem we couldn’t deal with in a matter of days, tops? We blew our chance, Applejack. We waited and then it was too late. And what kills me is I don’t know what she was thinking in her last minute - was it that I picked her to save? Or that I was going to fail anyway?”

Applejack felt her heart break at that last bit.  “Oh, Rainbow,” was all she could get out. With every fiber in her being, she wanted to fix this. She wanted to find the thing to do or say to make Rainbow Dash better. Now the secret was out, and she was going to have to live with the fact that knowing it too was all she could offer. 

“I’m sorry I kept that from you.” Rainbow scrubbed at her eyes with her hoof. “You’re right, we’re all that’s left of them and we should probably talk about them more. We need to make sure Harmony knows all about them, right?”

“That’s right,” AJ whispered. Oh, her brave, beautiful friend, who had stubbornly borne this pain alone for years. She kicked herself for not figuring it out sooner.

Rainbow Dash sat down next to her on the couch and laid her head on her shoulder. “We should talk about happy memories too, right? Do you want to hear how it started?”

Applejack wrapped a foreleg around her shoulder. “Yes, Sugarcube - I sure do.”

She woke around three in the morning, thinking she could Harmony crying faintly. Rainbow was nudging her.

“Hey, I think that kid of yours is hungry. I saw Soarin pass the window, flying laps with her.”

AJ pulled herself to standing. “Will you be alright?”

“Yeah, I’m a’ight,” she slugged Applejack on the shoulder. “See you at breakfast. You owe me some pancakes, okay?”

“Deal.” Applejack went to her bedroom and beckoned to Soarin from the window. She curled up on the bed and he brought Harmony to her, than lay down at her back and spooned her gently. He could see she’d been crying and it gutted him. Ever since that first night he’d walked her home from the hospital, making Applejack happy had practically been his life’s work. She was exhausted and sad now, and it was hard not to take that as a failure on his part. He wanted to ask what was going on, but he knew she would tell him in her own time. She and Rainbow Dash had a bond and a history that didn’t involve him and he was always respectful of that. 

“Soarin?”

“Yeah, babe?” He lifted his head.

“I just want you to know, I love you so much. You’re the best pony I’ve ever known and you make me real happy all the time.” 

Her words were a shot of pride straight to his heart. “Goddess, I love you too, Jackie.” Soarin gently tugged at her hair tie with his teeth, unwound her hair, and started to smooth it out with his hoof. She gave a little sigh of contentment and snuggled down into the bedding. Harmony was nursing more lazily now; they were both falling asleep. “I remember back when I used to see you at shows or when Rainbow used to bring you to Wonderbolts parties. I always thought you were so interesting and fun to talk to. I’d never known anyone like you. I’d always try to make you laugh. And afterwards I’d think ‘why didn’t I ask that cute mare out? I bet we’d be good together.’”

“Nah,” AJ responded sleepily. “We’re not good. We’re great.” 

“So great.” He held her close and tight and protectively as she returned to sleep, and dreamt, for the first time in a long while, of her friends.
> Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

That autumn Princess Luna was full of plans for Equestria’s next step. She wanted an unusually harsh winter in hopes of further decimating the creatures, to be followed in spring by attempting a farm on the ground. The former Rainbow Falls area had been identified as a likely - and defensible - spot. Though Shining Armor and Spitfire flat refused to consider the possibility of Luna leaving Cloudsdale anytime soon, still she decided to officially dictate her wishes in the event that something happen to her before Flurry Heart reached her majority.

“She’d want me, Shining, and Spitfire to form a regency until Flurry’s ready,” Applejack informed the family as she readied that night’s dinner.

“That makes sense,” Soarin replied from where he lay on the floor playing with Harmony.

Scootaloo looked up from her homework with a frown of concern creasing her forehead. “Does Princess Luna think something’s going to happen to her?”

“No, Sugarcube. She’s just being careful.”

“If Spitfire’s doing that than who’d be running the ‘bolts?” Rainbow wondered.

Soarin scoffed. “You, of course!”

“ME!? What about you?”

“Nah. Spitfire and I are the same age and we’ve been at it a while now. Nothing’s actually going to happen to Luna. More likely things will just get slowly better and we’ll move on. She already works with Luna a lot. I could see her moving into some sort of official role. Maybe still involving the guard or the ‘bolts but not flying anymore.” Harmony was now flying around the room at about shoulder height, looking for the cat. Soarin made a grab for her but she darted away, giggling. Everypony said she was already a very strong flyer for a baby, not that Applejack had much frame of reference. She’d fretted that it might make Scootaloo feel bad but she seemed as pleased as the rest of the pegasi, and in fact with Rainbow Dash and Soarin both coaching her she had even started showing signs of progress herself.

“So what would you do?” Rainbow challenged.

“I’d work on the farm, with AJ.”

Scootaloo burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?” Soarin grinned and tossed a stuffed bear at her.

“I can’t picture you as a farmer!”

“That makes two of us,” Applejack remarked dryly.

“Okay, it’s a little out of the norm for me, yeah. But I’m a hard worker, and Jackie’s a good teacher.”

Applejack gave him her signature raised eyebrow but her expression softened at the sight of his earnest smile. It really seemed like he’d given it some thought. 

“So who would be my second in command?” Rainbow mused, taping her chin thoughtfully.

Soarin, Scootaloo, and AJ all called out a different suggestion.

“Misty!”

“Pizzelle!”

“Thunderlane!”

“Pfft!” Rainbow rolled her eyes at Applejack. “He’s just your favorite ‘cause he brought you the apples!”

“He’s done more than just find the apples! But yeah, I guess he is my favorite. After y’all, of course,” she amended in response to Soarin and Rainbow Dash’s matching pouts. 

That night after Soarin rocked Harmony to sleep, Applejack suggested they put her in her crib in her own room. Soarin knew what that usually meant, and he practically pounced on AJ as soon as they returned to their bedroom.

“Did you mean what you said earlier?” she asked afterward. Sitting up, still astride him. “Do you really think you could be happy farming?”

“Yeah, I actually do.” He rubbed his hooves around her cutie marks in slow, circular movements. “The Wonderbolts were my whole life for a long time. My friends, my family, my home, my everything. Now that’s you and Harmony. I finally have my own family and I want to enjoy it. I’ll stick with the ‘bolts for as long as they need me. Maybe always, in some capacity. But Luna’s plans for spring give me a lot hope. Maybe someday we can even resettle some of your family’s land.”

Applejack traced a line down his chest. “That does sound real nice,” she mused. But then, ever the realist, she added. “That could still be a long ways away though, Sugarcube. If ever.”

“Hey, c’mon - no ‘if ever.’ Someday. It’s fine for now. I like knowing you two are safe up here. But I want you to get your own home back. Your own orchard. I want to help you build something for our family. Dash and Scootaloo would probably come with us; Ponyville was their home, too. Maybe we could think about another foal or two...” the massaging motion on her flank and sides was almost hypnotic. AJ could see in his smile that he knew full well the effect he had on her. 

“Soarin, sometimes I think you could sweet talk me into believing anything.” 

He wound her tail slowly around his hoof. “Well, I believe it.”

“Then I do, too.” She bent her head to nip at his ear. “Seems like she’s still out... got another round in you?”

“You know it, babe!”

When they finally settled down to sleep much later, AJ whispered “There’s something you need to know.”

“Mmm...?”

“You are my home. Even if we stay up here in the clouds forever.” She felt Soarin’s hooves tighten around her in response as he buried his face in her mane.

As autumn ticked on Applejack was back to working at the hospital one night a week. It was usually quiet, the few patients sleeping. She and Lyra did odd jobs and chatted most of the evening. Luna’s intentions for the next couple seasons were a common topic but Lyra surprised her midway through one shift with what seemed to Applejack like big news.

“So, last night Misty said we should get married.”

Applejack looked up quickly but Lyra was still focused on the equipment she was sterilizing. “What do you think, AJ?”

“Honestly?”

Lyra tsked. “I’m asking you, aren’t I? Of course honestly!”

“Fair enough. Okay, I honestly think it’s great. Don’t you?”

Lyra was turning a single vial round and round with her magic, as though inspecting for the tiniest imperfection. “Well, honestly, I thought there’d be more to it than that? We were just finishing dinner and she says ‘you know, maybe we should get married.’ I mean, I could have gotten that from a stallion. No offense!”

Applejack laughed heartily. “None taken! So what did you tell her?”

“I said ‘yeah, maybe.’ I mean, who wants to hear the word ‘maybe’ in their proposal?” She tsked again.

Applejack swung by Wonderbolts HQ on the way home and left a note for Misty Fly. I think Lyra expects a little more from a marriage proposal than ‘maybe we should.’ - AJ

When Soarin returned home that evening he had a note for Applejack. It’s Lyra’s turn to serve at the breakfast on Friday. Can you make sure she’s on the viewing platform at 09:00? And maybe find some flowers for me? 

The growing season was almost over but Applejack assembled a nice bouquet of Gerbera daisies and chamomile from the greenhouse and sent it along with Soarin early Friday morning. When she arrived a little ahead of the appointed time Lyra was pleased to see her and waved her over right away, but was instantly suspicious of her suggestion that they step outside.

“I’ve still got tables to serve,” she narrowed her eyes a bit.

“We won’t be long... c’mon, Sugarcube - it’s such a nice fall day!” Applejack could feel her smile grow alarmingly wide.

“You’re a terrible liar, AJ. What’s going on?”

“Oh, for Celestia’s - would you just get out there already!?”

She stepped outside just in time to see Spitfire, Soarin, and Fleetfoot zoom by in a crackle of lightning. What seemed to be the entire rest of the team soared overhead from behind the building. The ponies gathered for breakfast gasped and got up from their tables; as many as possible squeezed onto the viewing platform and the rest pressed up to the windows. The Wonderbolts had not performed for pleasure since before the war and they looked simply glorious. Harmony squealed with delight and strained against her carrier, tiny wings flapping. Applejack hoped Luna could see them. “Baby, look,” she cooed. “That’s Daddy and Auntie Dash up there!”

The spectacle lasted about five minutes and culminated with the pop and hiss of colorful smoke canisters and a few of the uniformed flyers spelling out “Lyra will you marry me?” in the sky above. The onlookers “aww”d and craned their heads to look as Misty Fly landed and presented the now slightly bedraggled bouquet to Lyra.

“Better?” She smiled almost shyly.

“Better,” Lyra agreed softly.

“So, then...?”

“Yes!”

Everypony cheered and Applejack whistled loudly as they kissed, with Rainbow Dash’s splendid sonic rainboom exploding overhead.

When AJ finally made it to the head of the line of well wishers Lyra enfolded her in a long hug. “Remember Soarin’s birthday party?” She whispered.

“Sure do!”

“You said it would be good for both of us. And you were right. AJ, I’m so happy for all of us.”

“Me too, Sugarcube.” Applejack gave her one more tight squeeze before stepping over to congratulate Misty, who lifted Harmony out of her carrier and made her laugh by blowing on her tummy. Rainbow Dash had been waiting just behind them.

“Hey, congrats, Lyra,” she said with a lopsided grin. “I’m glad Misty finally found the balls to make it official.”

Lyra was always searching for the right thing to say to Dash. It felt like every moment between them was loaded. “Thanks for saving me,” she said finally. “I’ve never actually told you that, have I? I hope you know, it’s not because I was mad about what happened. I’ve always understood, okay? And you know, you saving me that day brought me to this moment. You really are the best, Rainbow Dash. Don’t forget that. I never have.”

“Thanks,” Rainbow croaked out after a moment’s pause. “That means a lot. And Lyra…. I really am happy for you.” Her metal wing was cool to the touch as they hugged.

After delivering Misty Fly several hearty slaps on the back, Dash made her way through the crowd, eventually coming upon Shining Armor. Somepony had dug up a few bottles of champagne for the impromptu celebration and Shining had managed to snag a glass, which he levitated towards her.

“Share?”

“Hell yeah!” Rainbow quickly downed all but a swallow. Shining just laughed when she gave it back to him. 

“So, Soarin and Misty Fly have both settled down,” he teased. “Are you next?”

Rainbow Dash wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “Nah. That won’t be me,” she declared with a touch of resignation but no regret. 

Shining smiled affirmingly and lifted the remains of the champagne. “I get it. Here’s to loyalty, Rainbow Dash.”

“Cheers.”

Applejack volunteered to cover Lyra’s shift at the hospital that night. She had just finished her final rounds and was tidying up the supply closet when Dr. Spring Flight found her.

“Your gentlecolt friend is here to see you,” he announced with a smile. 

She was flushed with pleasure when she walked out and found Soarin waiting for her with Harmony asleep at his side. The night was crisp and cool, and he had dressed her in a little warm bunny ear hat that Mrs. Shy had knit for her. 

“That is honestly the cutest thing I’ve ever seen,” she chuckled, giving them each a kiss. 

“We couldn’t wait for you to see her in it,” Soarin grinned.

They walked home with their foal nestled between them, Soarin’s wing across the top and curved around AJ’s other side. Home to Dash and Scootaloo, and Tank and Scratch, and the good little life they’d made together. It was about as different from their first walk home together as it was possible to be. Applejack thought that a long winter might be nice if it meant more time at home together. And when Luna’s spring arrived? Well, she was honestly excited to see what was to be.
> Equestria rising
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

2 springs later….Rainbow Falls

Applejack hummed softly to herself as she strolled past the cornfield, the little patch of potatoes from the yaks. She turned down a path set between two long rows of beautiful, healthy apple trees. It felt good to walk through a proper orchard again, if only a small one. There were buds on all the trees, bees buzzing pleasantly. The atmosphere felt mellow and sleepy and warm, matching her mood. All indications were that the Rainbow Falls farm would prove even more successful this year than last. Luna had been right about this spot.

They had gone nearly a year without sight of the creatures. Granted, without venturing too far afield of Equestria. The only thing holding Luna, Shining Armor, and Spitfire back from attempting additional settlements were the lingering questions - from where did the plague originate? And without knowing, how could they be certain it was truly eradicated? A small expedition had recently set off to hopefully find out: Shining, Dr. Whooves, and four Wonderbolts - Rainbow Dash, Fleetfoot, Midnight Strike, and Pizzelle. 

AJ believed, she had to believe, that the intervening years had mellowed Shining Armor and Rainbow Dash both. That they would be smart and reasonably cautious for the sake of Flurry Heart and Scootaloo and all the ponies who loved and relied upon them. (Both fillies were stoic when the time came to see the group off, though Flurry shrank behind Luna’s legs, and Scootaloo had cried herself to sleep the night before.)

Although she had an overall positive outlook regarding the mission, prolonged separation felt weird and unnatural. For five years now they had hunkered down together. It was hard to fathom months without these dear friends. (“I just…I don’t…it just occurred to me,” Dr. Whooves stammered “I mean, who will look over my new ideas, if not you?” Applejack had hugged him quickly so he wouldn’t see the unexpected tears that sprang to her eyes. “You keep your notebook nice and safe, and I’ll look ‘em all over when you get back.”)

Emerging from between the rows of trees, AJ lifted her eyes skyward towards the three Wonderbolts assigned to guard the day’s excursion - Blaze, Misty Fly, and Soarin. Soarin noticed her watching him and turned a couple of lazy barrel rolls, grinning her way the whole time.

“Show off!” She called out as he circled her a few times, backwards, before landing.

“C’mon, you know you love it when I show off to you!”

“Eh… makes no never mind to me!” Applejack attempted a casual shrug but he was running his muzzle down her neck now and there was no hiding her customary blush.

“The farm looks fantastic from up there,” he praised. “You’re pretty damn good at this, you know?”

“You’re not so bad yourself, Sugarcube.” The Wonderbolts still needed Soarin but he’d helped out where he could. So far his enthusiasm far exceeded his skill as a farmer, but AJ had all the patience in the world for him and anypony else trying to help, to learn new things and work hard for the good of Equestria. The way everypony had come together like that since the war - she liked to see the influence of the Elements in that. Like it might be sort of Twilight’s and their legacy. With each passing year it got a little bit easier to think about her old friends, and about the rest of the Apple family. Time had blurred the rough edges of her sorrow. Though the truth was that it also made them all feel more distant, truly memories now. Despite the success of this farm and all its hopeful implications for the future, Applejack’s life was firmly rooted in Cloudsdale now, and most days she felt very fulfilled and contented up there.

“You doing okay, babe?” Soarin rested his hoof lightly on her abdomen. They hadn’t told many ponies yet, but they’d recently learned that Applejack was expecting their second foal. (Rainbow had pressed her face against her belly the day she departed and said “Listen up, baby - Auntie Dashie loves you and I’ll be home by the time you arrive!” and then, her eyes locked on AJ’s, “I promise.”)

“I’m so tired I could fall asleep right here.” She lay her head on his strong shoulder. “Just like it was with Harmony.”

Soarin nuzzled into her mane. “Nopony would fault you for taking a few days off,” he suggested.

“That ain’t my style,” she chided gently, closing her eyes. The sun on her face felt wonderful. She could hear the falls in the distance, and her husband smelled so good. He slid his hoof around her and held her tenderly against his side.

“You’re about to fall asleep standing up, babe,” he murmured into her ear. “C’mon, let me take you home. I hearby proclaim Equestria’s best farmer has the rest of the day off.”

“I suppose… if you insist…” AJ smirked at him as he walked her towards the waiting hot air balloon.

“So what do you think,” he wondered. “An Earth pony this time?”

“Nope!” Applejack shook her head firmly. “Another Pegasus. I can tell.”

“Oh you can, can you?” Soarin bumped his shoulder against hers very gently. Applejack gave him a very solid bump in return.

“Yes, I can. I’m telling you, we’re going to have a whole flock of Pegasi eventually.” She snickered at her own joke. Soarin laughed too with an infatuated twinkle in his eye. Usually it was him who was the silly one, and he loved it when she turned the tables on him. But then a slightly concerned look crossed his face.

“So, uhh… how many would you say is a flock?”

“Oh, at least four,” she replied lightly.

“At least???”

“But don’t worry, I’m counting Scootaloo.” 

Soarin chuckled as he helped her into the basket of the balloon. “Okay. Well, you know I can’t say no to you.”

“I know!”

“So, four it is!”

“At least.”

“At least!” He hovered next to the basket as it started to rise and kissed her. Blaze gave a piercing wolf whistle as she swooshed by. Misty flew over with hoof outstretched, reaching into the basket to rub Applejack’s belly. She could never resist. In a playful mood, all three ‘bolts swirled around the ascending balloon before suddenly rocketing off in an impromptu race. 

“Y’all are crazy!” Applejack called after them, sharing a grin with the balloon operator. Everypony loved to see the Wonderbolts in high spirits. It meant they were all safe and things were going well.

(Predictably, Fleetfoot had the last word upon their departure. She’d hugged Scootaloo and Harmony warmly but then, faced with saying goodbye to her assembled teammates in various stages of emotion, she’d just cuffed Thunderlane across the face and cackled “Later, bitches!”)

Soarin was right, the farm did look great from this vantage point. Applejack gazed down upon it proudly for a long moment before looking outwards, beyond, in the direction of Ponyville. Maybe someday, she thought, but for the moment she was just glad, and grateful - for the success of Rainbow Falls, for Luna’s wisdom, for her brave friends on their new mission. For her husband soaring overhead, for their precious daughter, and the new little foal growing in her belly. She rested her eyes peacefully as she was steadily lifted home.