This story is a sequel to The Fourth Season
Sunset’s ambition is about to take her on the next step of her life: a three month tour teaching the ponies of Equestria about the human world. Three whole months. This is a good thing. It’s a great thing. Honest.
So why does Applejack feel like her world is about to fall apart? Both terrified and desperate for answers, she sits alone at a familiar gazebo and tries not to make a phone call that could change her life forever.
NOTE: Knowledge of The Fourth Season is not at all necessary to enjoy this story.
Written for Oroboro’s Sunset Shipping Contest: Journeys. This is all his fault and you should all blame him for making tempting me to write this when I should be doing other things. My habitual desire to enter contests is not my own fault. 
Cover art by satou2612.
I think my heart just melted a little. And yeah, I blame Oroboro for making me get up off my lazy ass and write my own contest entry as well. So, blame him for everything.
Awesome.
The hnnngs are strong with this one.
Congrats on full feature, boss
Wow! You really made everything feel so real! And I really loved that ending! This story is really emotional, and I think it's significantly better than the prequel, which was already great! Good luck in the contest!
An AppleShimmer fic, my favourites 💛❤
What could I ask fpr anything more?
Anyway, I loved it, and I hope you'll be placed ;)
Ugh, I love good drama.
This is good drama.
them prompt drops though holy shit9289747
One of the most common complaints I get is that I overdo it with subtlety. I think I worried about that a bit too much this time...
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Admittedly, the word 'journey' is used 6 times out of over 6,000 words.
But that was six little deaths I experienced. D:
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Ah, fond memories.
I've been... basically almost non-existent in the community for the last two years, maybe. That does have something to do with what MLP meant to me back then. The fandom, fimfiction especially, was my saviour, in a way. I was in a bad place, I read stories that made me feel better (or made me feel, period) and that somehow managed to tie my over until I got better... a little bit, at least.
I think, in those past two years, I changed how I 'use' these stories. Maybe. (We'll see.)
It was a spontaneous decision to start reading again. And I'm glad for it, because these stories DO still make me feel better. They somehow manage to give me hope. Something I usually just... don't have.
I guess, what I'm trying to say is: Your stories, fourth season and this one, were the first stories I read today. And I might read a lot more stories in the coming days, weeks, maybe even months. I suppose I wouldn't consider that if it weren't for the quality of your writing. Nice, warm, fuzzy feelings and a sticky 'd'aaaaw' in my head. I am deeply thankful for that.
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I'm pleased and honored they had that kind of impact on you. I hope the other stories you read in the coming days, weeks, or months also lead to such positive things.