Applejack walked down the hallways of the Castle, muttering to herself. Celestia had dismissed her, likely because she wanted to spend some time alone with her faithful student.
She just looked at the carpet. It was bad enough back before this happened, when she could keep her feelings under control. But now she was around Twilight far too much. Every new revelation was painful for her. Having to sleep right next to her, Luna liking her... oh sweet merciful Creator...
She sighed as she looked at the tiles.
...Wait...
The elaborate carpet had, at some unknown point, transformed into plain tile. She blinked, then looked up.
A hospital.
She blinked. She looked around. There were nurses and doctors, marked with various medical-themed cutie marks, running around with clipboards and tools while going in and out of doors. She looked to her immediate left, in which sat a pony she didn’t recognize, shaved bald for some reason. The right was another story.
“Twi!”
Indeed, Twilight lay, her face bruised and swollen, her horn wrapped tightly in bandages (“They snapped it right off... might not be able to reattach...”). There were gashes up her forelegs (“Blood loss... very severe.”) that ended with an IV tube stuck just above each hoof. She knew what lie beneath the covers, what the doctors wouldn’t let any of them, not even the Princess, look at (“They were intentionally aiming to cripple... it doesn’t bode well.”).
“No... no... it ain’t real! It ain’t! Twi was okay... she came through...”
Twilight’s eyes opened. She looked at her, her eyes looking dull and pleading. Slowly, one of the scarred forelegs raised up, pointing it at her.
Accusing her.
“No, please, Twi... I can’t...”
You... it was Twilight’s voice, made raspy from dehydration. You led them. You let them abandon me...
“No! no! This ain’t real! It’s a nightmare! A nightmare! No, I’ve had it too many times already!”
A bright white light seemed to answer her pleas. It didn’t shine in from anywhere, but rather, it ripped through the world as the scene fell apart. Had Applejack not known she was dreaming, she would have panicked, but she only welcomed it. Still, the sheer intensity made her hide under her hat until the light dimmed.
“Applejack?”
Her ears perked up.
“Fair Applejack?”
She looked. The hospital and, thankfully, the terrifying apparition of what Twilight could have been, was gone. There was merely a deep, empty white space. And the only pony with her was Princess Luna, looking at her.
“Yer Highness?”
“You were dreaming, Applejack,” she said. “You fell asleep waiting for Twilight to return to you.” Without another word, she placed a foreleg around her and pulled her close.
Applejack opened her mouth to say she was fine, but tears came spilling out instead. She pressed her face up against Luna’s chest and cried.
“I’m sorry, fair Applejack,” Luna sighed. “I should have kept a closer watch on you and your friends’s dreams.”
“W-what do ya mean?” she shuddered through tears.
“My sister suffered this nightmare herself for months after the wedding,” she sighed. “I was so determined to comfort her through that, I missed that you and your friends might be suffering the same.”
By now, Applejack had regained control of herself somewhat. Her tears were still falling, but she was at least in control enough. “I... you don’t need to worry none, Princess. I--”
“Applejack,” she cut her off simply. “You should not try to be stubborn about this. There is no use lying to me about this.”
Applejack looked at her, then at the floor. “I... I led everypony out on her...”
“They followed without hesitation. You did nothing.”
“But Twi coulda gotten hurt!” Applejack cried. “What if them changelings had beaten her down? Or... or..”
“Ah, ‘what if?’... truly the most bothersome question in existence. What if I had resisted Nightmare... what if I had talked to my sister about my troubles better... what if my sister and I had tried other tactics to prevent Discord from rising to power? I have had many sleepless days pondering those questions.”
Applejack suddenly felt an odd sort of shame. She often forgot her experiences were trivial compared to the Royal Sisters. “Princess... I’m sorry, you’ve been through so much and I...”
“Have been through much as well,” she said simply. “And your feelings are no less important in the matter. My point was only this: wondering ‘what if’ will solve little. Instead, think of this as opportunity to become the friend you feel Twilight Sparkle deserves.”
Applejack only nodded. “I will, Princess.” The sadness was still in her voice.
“You love her, don’t you?”
Applejack looked at her with wide eyes. “Huh?”
“This wedding. You wanted it, didn’t you?”
Applejack felt her face light up. “H-how did you...”
“Please. I’m the Mistress of Dreams. And yours have been... interesting. That one where Twilight Sparkle wears all that leather was especially entertaining.”
Applejack officially wanted to crawl under a rock and die.
“Oh, no need to be embarrassed. What you do in bed is your own business... and mine, since I patrol dreams.” Despite herself, there was a hint of amusement in her voice. “Though I’ll try not to intrude, but I can’t tell what dreams are until I enter, you understand.”
“Y-yeah,” she grumbled.
“I cannot say I blame thee, Twilight Sparkle is quite a lovely mare.”
“Yeah... you were enjoying her earlier, I noticed.”
Luna was surprised at the anger that had crept into Applejack’s voice, but only for a moment. “You needn’t worry. I do truly think Twilight is a lovely mare, but doing so would damage my relationship with Celestia.”
Applejack looked at her. “Huh?”
“Oh, not that badly. But she knew Twilight when she was a wide-eyed foal. I think part of her wishes she still were. My sister cares for her like her own child. I’ll look, but not touch, as it were.”
“Oh. Well... thank you,” Applejack said. She rubbed her front leg.
“So, you’ll tell Twilight Sparkle tomorrow, I trust?”
“What? No!”
“Why?”
It was a minute before Applejack realized that Luna was honestly confused. She was looking at the farmpony like a foal might look at an adult participating in a peculiar activity.
“Well, she’s outta my league! She has royalty gawking at her! She’d never...”
“Foalishness!” Luna said, in a tone that made it clear she wanted to hear no more. “A coward’s cry. Tell her on the morn!”
“What? No! Why does everypony gotta try an’ run my love life? I won’t!”
“Then I shall tell her.”
No!” Applejack’s pride failed her. She threw herself at Luna’s hooves, wrapping her forelegs around hers. “Please, Princess! Please! Don’t!”
“I will,” she said coldly. “I have always thought secret... ‘crushes’, I believe they’re called now, were foalish! The world will not end if she says no.”
“But...” She tried to get out the other half of it, about Twilight dragging her into a life she wasn’t prepared to live, but Luna was adamant.
“No buts! You tell her on the morn, or I shall!”
“Please, Princess... please listen...”
Luna stayed quiet, but her look was one of a pony prepared to hold her ground.
“Princess...” It hit her then. “Princess, do you know what yer sister is preparin’ Twi for?”
Luna blinked. “Well... yes. Are you worried about that?”
Applejack nodded. “I don’t want to keep her in Ponyville if Celestia has plans fer her, and...” She thought about what Rainbow Dash said, then decided she needed to be honest about it. “I ain’t sure I could stand bein’ away from Ponyville if we left.”
Luna was calmer now. She nodded. “I suppose that is a legitimate concern. Yes... wouldn’t want to pull Twilight Sparkle into anything until you’re sure.”
“What is your sister planning?”
“I cannot say,” Luna said. “She made me promise to keep it a secret from all. But...” She seemed to reconsider for a moment. “I trust you will stay quiet about this?”
Applejack nodded.
“It will come to fruition very soon. Very soon. I take it you will talk to Twilight Sparkle afterward?”
“Huh?”
Luna’s expression got narrow. “You will talk to Twilight Sparkle at that time. You will discuss it amongst yourselves.”
Fear gripped Applejack again, and in that fear, anger came out. “What business is it of yours?”
Luna leaned in, and Applejack’s anger evaporated. The Princess of the Night could look very intimidating. “Twilight Sparkle is my liberator. Her happiness is my business. I will not let her miss a potential mate because you refuse to speak up. Now, wake up!”
Applejack obeyed. Her eyes opened to the roof of the room they were sharing. Twilight still wasn’t there.
She took some deep breaths. This wasn’t good. Luna had threatened her over the whole thing.
...Or had she? It had been a dream, after all. Was it really Luna walking in her dreams, or just regular vanilla dreaming? Or was it even the rings, with another trick? Luna had seemed unusually aggressive...
She looked at her jewelry. “Was that yer doin’?”
YOU KNOW, TALKING TO INANIMATE
The words faded, replaced with the second line.
OBJECTS IS A SIGN OF INSANITY
She growled. Before she could go on, the door to their bedroom opened.
“Applejack?” Twilight said. “Is something wrong?”
The farmpony was silent a moment before shaking her head. “No. Nothin’.”
“Well, alright,” she said, climbing into bed. Applejack tried to keep her face straight. These rings might be messing with her dreams, but how could she explain that to Twilight without revealing exactly what her dreams were?
She sighed. She doubted she'd be sleeping tonight.
Luna, giving relationship advice like a boss.
I know you said your editor has yet to tackle this one, but in the interest of making his/her job easier...
Pretty sure castle shouldn't be capitalized here.
Missing a word here between "she" and "around".
I'm pretty sure you meant "lay".
Is it just my imagination, or are those rings getting even snarkier with every chapter?
I must say, I like Luna's approach. While it does basically cover the same ground as AJ's talk with RD, Luna has far more knowledge and authority behind her. That, and she's far more aggressive about her points, and her ideas regarding friendship are more medieval. If she thinks she needs to take action to ensure Twi's happiness, she will, consequences to be dealt with later.
And Luna's comment about her, Tia, and Twi...puts TwiLuna shipping stories in a whole new light.
Luna: Tia! I have found somepony special!
Tia: Really? Who is it?
Luna: The mare you see as the daughter you never had!
Tia: ... ... ...Eh?
Wonder what the plan is...
~Skeeter The Lurker
i love this story. Yaay for the update. But yeah, there are a few errors for your editor to polish up. Lol.
Hehe... Nightmare.
Still, this is becoming quite the masterpiece!
A brief but poignant chapter--glad to see this story continue! Don't worry, the rest will come in time.
That......was scary.
Good. Scary good. And Luna is still best pony.
I look forward to more.
Y'know, AJ's Ring, for an object to be inanimate, it must be incapable of responding to questions.
Good
i.imgur.com/Z5xAORf.jpg
I can always tell when you put up a new chapter of this story, because all of a sudden I start getting a bunch of new fave notifications on the Deleted Scene.
And yes, the rings are definitely getting snarkier. Almost as snarky as a certain purple unicorn...
...Really? On top of everything else going on, we're doing "Post Nuptials" again?
Since I doubt this story is going to go as far as Twilight's ascension, I can only assume that AJ's feelings won't take quite that long to come out.
If Luna knows the plan regarding Twilight, she may just be playing the long game regarding her if Twi's future alicorn-hood comes with immortality. AJ can have the fun while she is still alive, Luna can afford to wait a century or two for her to come around.
Okay, this is both hilarious and very cute. Good job!
The chapter seems to be "going over" quite well so far, no worries. It could use a proofread, as others have noted, but I certainly enjoyed the content!
Kudos for having Luna and Applejack handle the love triangle issue sensibly, also (even if doing so was accidental on AJ's part).
Poor Applejack! It's all down to low self-esteem, isn't it? The thing is that she's doing Twilight a disservice by not respecting her to decide for herself what she wants, irrespective of Celestia's plans. I can imagine that, after Twilight's ascension, AJ will be ten times worse, sure that a "common farm-pony" isn't a worthy mate to a goddess. I'd love for Twilight to say something like: "But I want this common farm-pony!"
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Sounds like it's a win-win situation. We get TwiJack with a later possibility of TwiLuna.
3788484
That's still less awkward than the stories where Twilight IS Celestia's daughter and dates Luna...
Cause dating her own aunt... heh... (And TwiLuna ALWAYS works, unless it's a "faulty" Luna like in RR.)
Although it shouldn't matter in the end, if Twilight finds happiness, Celestia should be happy for her
So, that's why this took so long to get out, huh.
I honestly would like to know how the drinks from previous chapter came out; that seems like that could get bad. ["I TOLD YOU NO ALCOHOL!"]
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To be honest I don't consider that low self-esteem, amigo. If it was something petty like "She's prettier than I am!" then... yes.
But it comes down to a "What could I be to her that is special enough to last? What can I bring to the relationship that will still be real after the initial rush cools off?"
Twilight is effectively nobility and soon-to-be a goddess of her own.
Twilight is effectively the daughter of the sun goddess who is frankly more or less the major player in the world.
Applejack's potential competition is the goddess of the moon.
Applejack is bound to her farm, and thus lacks the ability to go out and share in Twilight's activities.
Applejack's a hard worker, but Luna ran half their entire species' kingdom for thousands of years with only one (apocalyptic/omni-genocidal) meltdown.
Applejack could love Twilight, and be loved by Twilight. But Luna could also fulfill that role and has more in common with Twilight.
I do believe Twijack should sail, but I also support AJ's reluctance to consider herself worthy. That sort of humility is a key factor in showing she's probably the right mare for the job. Considering all that I said above, then having no real expectation of failure while wanting to court someone in Twilight's position in life and her interests would practically be arrogance, I believe. The one who deserves her can eventually overcome that obstacle by believing in their love for her, but simply dismissing the obstacle should automatically disqualify. Don't you agree?
WOOT new chapter i must read this!
Bad writer!, no cookie!
Good chapter, but you must learn patience, young apprentice.
Luna, best pony to relationship advice!
so it seems I am the only one who feels Luna needs to keep her fat-flanks out of other ponies' business. Seriously, threatening to tell Twilight if AJ didn't? I would have popped her across the jaw for that underhanded shit. Or at the least I would have confronted her for real, infront of Celestia.
IN OTHER WORDS! I think Luna is a nosy jerk. She needs to sit down, shut up, and worry about HERSELF.
Luna really cares for Twilight. In any case, Applejack and Twilight are going to need to have a heart-to-heart after Celestia's plan.
3793427
Actually, as one of Twilight's friends, Luna has every reason to speak up about this, because AJ is indeed being a big fat coward and is only harming herself and the possibility of her and Twilight being a happy couple. For both of their sakes, Twilight deserves to know, whether AJ wants to tell her or not. Yes, it can make things awkward for a time, but in the end, hiding it from one another is only going to hurt Applejack and possibly Twilight as well. The feelings will fester and eat away at Applejack until she outright HATES being around Twilight, and that will just ruin their friendship, period.
Applejack keeps saying that she's thinking about the long-term, but when you're in love with someone, you can't just magically drop those feelings or get over them. The only way she can get some measure of acceptance from this, whether Twilight says yes or no to her affections, is to tell her and know for sure whether or not Twilight would ever actually want to be with her. Then she can begin the road to recovery and moving on.
Love really is an affliction of the mind, heart and soul.
3797481
but the problem is, friend or not, this is NOT Luna's love life. This is between Applejack and Twilight. Luna doesn't have the RIGHT to make threats and demands. Its not hurting Twilight if she never knows, its only hurting AJ. And you mention the feelings turning into hate? Highly Unlikely. Applejack WOULD tell Twilight... WHEN. SHE'S. READY. She is the element of honesty. She wouldn't be able to not tell Twi long enough for it to turn into hate. The fact is that Applejack isn't ready to tell her. Luna's plan of forcing AJ to tell Twi is what would hurt their possible relationship. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. You can lead two hearts together, but you can't force them to love each other. Say Luna does tell Twilight. This early in their 'relationship' Twilight might not be so keen on the idea. Then Twilight has to deal with the knowledge that Applejack likes her, but she doesn't like Applejack in the same way. Then she'll slowly start to resent AJ and Luna. AJ, because she doesn't know how to deal with that, and Luna because Luna is the one who told her. AJ will start to resent Luna for ruining her chances with Twilight, and resent Twilight because Twilight doesn't feel the same and resents AJ.
Long Story Short, Luna forcing the issue is a terrible thing. She needs to be slapped across her stoopid blue face.
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I'm glad to see that this debate is happening, because I kind of meant for it to be a bit grey in that regard...
3789337
No, we aren't. Applejack's lingering guilt is a background thing, and it's simply most prominent in this chapter. They still had major guilt, and it still lingers, but it won't be a focus point.
3793173
This scene the by-product of a possible fic I kicked around where Chrysalis makes sure Twilight's restrained when she's caught, then once she revealed herself she'd pull her out in the middle of the throne room and beaten her, saying, "Your friends decided being in a wedding was worth this." I'll never do it, but it was a good "What If" idea, so I put it in here.
3798604
EGADS! CHRYSALIS IS ACTUALLY TWILIGHT? WHO KNEW?
3798618
... And that's why I have an editor.
3798622
I dunno, the idea of Chrysalis being alicorn!Twilight from thousands of years in the future who came back just to fufill the loop......interdasting
Leather? As in: Cow's Hide?
Strangely enough, the ring is quickly becoming my favorite character
Great update! I did catch one mistake that has not been mentioned in the comments yet though.
I think you mean "straight".
3819834 I know, I know, I've been corrected on that before. It was a typo.
3802232
It's a very naughty fantasy
3822627 I'll say
It occurs to me, usually it's Trixie or Discord wearing the leather
Amazing tale so far! I really look forward to more! ^-^
3864043 I know, I know... it's been pointed out before, I made a typo. Seriously, do I have to go back and edit a goof I made in the comments section?
3864160
Better than having several people try to tell you that "irregardless" isn't a real word when it was spoken by a character with a Southern accent.
3864813
You did that? You MONSTER!
Kidding!
3819912 Then edit your comment to fix it
3864160 Yes
When I first started to read this story, I expected just fluff and fun. Colour me surprised to find the characters actually being multidimensional and thinking.
So with that I fav and thumbs up. You've gotten a more difficult story to write, but an infinitely more enjoyable story to read because of it.
I look forward to seeing how the story continues.
dash.ponychan.net/chan/files/src/139149423247.gif
Wait.. Why is there no chapter twelve?
Do you mean to tell me that I knowingly came into a story expecting it to be good only to get hooked and not get all the remaining chapters miraculously dumped into my lap because it was an incomplete fic?
Why do I keep letting this happen!
I look forward to more.
Now that was interesting. I didn't think about what they could've been dreaming. Man, that just shows how guilty they were.
I assume the thing celestia is preparing twi for is her alicornhood. Aj will have to talk then. Though, won't she be worried about the fact that twi will be immortal while she isn't? That will cause her even more worries won't it? things keep getting more complicated
I like Luna`s style. She has a blunt way of approaching this.
2021756 Volunteers to help this guy break the laws of time?
4251408 she has always been the more upfront of the sisters in the show
Applejack has been warned.
A second time I see something like this, Luna forcing someone to do something. She may have good intensions, but I don't think she should allow herself to do something like that.
In a different story she forced a Human to love Derpy, if he would have hurt her in any way, he would have gotten big problem, at least Applejack likes Twilight already.