Chapter 1

Rise of Skye Braveheart

It was a stormy night, and the Equestrian Flying Ace, Skye Braveheart, was never closer to his lifelong enemy and former marefriend, The Red Baroness. She flew in her Fokker DR 1 triplane, and Skye in his Sopwith Camel. He fired a couple of shots at her, missing.

"What's the matter, Skye?", she taunted, "Can't bear to shoot me? Just like I killed Emily?"

"You lied to me! You killed our daughter! Why?", Skye shouted, firing more shots, before he realized she was behind him. He performed some basic evasive maneuvers, it didn't work...she hit his tail, and his wings, slowing him down. She then did a barrel roll over his head and turned around shooting his engine. He started smoking, plummeting to the ground.

"Skye! What are ya doing?", Applejack asked, walking into Skye's room in the guest shack they had recently built for him on Sweet Apple Acres, complete with a hangar for his Sopwith Camel biplane, Emily. He was a farmhand who watered the trees, not a Equestrian Flying Ace, although he was the best pilot in Equestria, besides his ex girlfriend, The Red Baroness.

Skye looked up from his typewriter, he was a chocolate colored earth pony, with a silver mane, even though he was only 24, and a typewriter cutie mark, and he had sky blue eyes, hence the name, "Nothing much. Just starting on my autobiography. Did you need something?"

"Yeah, Sugarcube...The trees need watering, I figured you and Emily could handle it.", Applejack smiled, as she kissed his nose, she really liked Skye, he was funny.

"Me and Emily can handle anything!", he grinned, grabbing his red scarf, and his cap and goggles as he kissed her back. He went to the hangar, got in Emily, while Applejack spun the propeller.

"Contact!", she shouted, running out of the way.

"Contact!", he shouted back, turning on the engine, going down the runway, he took off through the sky, with the water tanks full.

"Did I miss anything?", Applebloom exclaimed, she loved watching Skye and Emily soar through the sky, he even gave her a ride every now and then.

"Nope, he just now took of! And I used to pegasai and alicorns were the only ponies who could fly!", Applejack smiled dreamily, watching Skye water the orchard, she really had a thing for him, ever since he crashed on the west end of the orchard from a dogfight with the Red Baroness, she had nursed him to health, as he had sustained several broken bones, and help him fix Emily. In return, he decided to stay and work as a farmhand. They had started dating a year ago. Rarity was extremely jealous, but got over it once she found out about "Emily". She said he was too much in love with planes if he has a plane named Emily, but Applejack knew Skye would never let anything interrupt their relationship, not even his plane.

Twilight walked up, carrying a package with her magic, "Hey, AJ! Watching Skye water the trees? I've got that new V8 engine Skye asked for, crafted with iron pistons, a silver crankshaft, and a rust proof water pump! Crafted in the Canterlot's greatest workshop!"

"Wow, that sounds really big, is he sure Emily can take that?", Applejack asked with concern, she hated to see Skye unhappy.

"Skye's seemed pretty sure, he said Emily's V7 engine needed to be replaced, and this is the latest model, so it should work.", Twilight reassured, as Skye came in for a landing.

"I did it! They shouldn't have to be watered for a week!", he smiled as he hopped out of Emily in the hangar, as he turned on the turntable. Emily slowed turned on the turntable to face the door.

"That was awesome, Skye! Can we go for a ride?", Applebloom exclaimed.

"Maybe tomorrow, I got to replace Emily's engine right now. Applejack, my toolbox is in my room, under the bed, could you go get it, please? Thanks Twilight, I really appreciate it!", Skye answered, taking the engine from Twilight, and lifting Emily's hood.

Applejack went to his room, and looked at the typewriter. Normally, she didn't nose around Skye's stuff, but she was curious. She read what he had typed out and gasped.

"Skye?", she said, bringing his toolbox, "When did you have a daughter named Emily?"

Skye sighed, "Before I met you, I was in love with Mandy Von Richandtop, or The Red Baroness, we had a kid together, her name was Emily.", he chuckled a bit, "She was the most adorable thing...then, Mandy got jealous, because I was spending more time with Emily than her. So one night, she took Emily, and threw her in sea. I woke up the next morning to find my little treasure gone! It was then I knew what happened. It was then...", tears started to fill his eyes, "That I swore to avenge her."

He sat down before looking to the sky and shaking his hoof screaming, "Curse you, Red Baroness!"

It was midnight when Skye finished installing Emily's engine, he was tired. But he decided to sit at his typewriter and work on his autobiography some more. He looked at the page he had typed out and realized he should start at the beginning. He crumpled up the paper and tossed it in the bin.

He put a clean sheet of paper in the typewriter and started typing:

Prologue

The Most Tragic Love Story Ever Told

Once upon a time, there was an earth pony from Manehattan, he was a great writer, but also a great pilot. His name was Skye Braveheart. He had met and fallen in love with another great pilot, a unicorn mare named Mandy Von Richandtop. They loved each other dearly and eventually had a child born unto them. The filliy's name was Emily, and she was the most beautiful little filly ever. In fact, Braveheart loved her so much, he did everything with the child, and started spending less and less time with Mandy, driving her to jealousy. So one night while Skye was sleeping, Mandy took the filly and tossed it in the ocean, leaving it to drown. The earth pony was devastated the next morning when he found out what happened. He swore to avenge his daughter, even if it meant killing her mother.

Skye stopped typing. He decided that he needed to go bed, tomorrow was Saturday, and Applejack would want to go out somewhere with him. So he dozed off to sleep, thinking what life would be like if he still had his daughter.

The next morning, he got up, had breakfast with the Apple Family, and went for a walk through Ponyville with Applejack.

"Nick...are you alright? I mean, after what I asked you last night?", she asked, as they walked.

"It's okay, I'm fine, Applejack.", Skye smiled.

"Are ya sure?"

"I'll be fine, Applejack.", Skye grinned nuzzling Applejack.

And they walked through town to Sugarcube Corner.

I'm afraid I'll be taking a week off to recover from Writer's Block, but don't worry, I'll be back! - Braveheart2015

They finally got to Sugarcube, and ordered their usual, "Couple's Dreamboat Apple Split".

Applejack looked very thoughtful before Skye asked, "Is something wrong, Applejack?"

"Yeah...I was wondering, do ya think we could...ahem...have some young uns of our own someday?", she sighed, putting her hoof on Skye's.

"If you really wanted to. You know, I'd actually like to have the FULL experience of being a dad. Because...Emily..."

Applejack put her hoof on Skye's cheek, "If it makes ya uncomfortable to talk about her, ya don't have to. I understand."

Skye smiled, nuzzling her, "My Sweet Applejack. You're always there for me when I'm upset. Why?"

"Cause ya do the same for me.", Applejack grinned, kissing his lips.

"Awww! You two make such a cute couple! Can I have your picture?", Pinkie beamed, bringing them their Couple's Dreamboat Apple Split.

"Ummm, sure Pinkie. If it's alright with Skye...", she replied.

"I don't mind.", he consented, putting his hoof around Applejack.

After their picture was taken, Pinkie grinned, "Yes! I'm going to win that Cutest Couple Picture Contest now!"

Skye and Applejack laughed.

"Well, Applejack. You think we'll get to be on the cover of Pony's Weekly next week?", Skye grinned.

"We've got a small chance, but don't get your hopes up.", she replied, kissing his nose, "Anyway, Applebloom's birthday is in a couple of days, and I was wondering if ya could help me get everything ready."

"Of course! Do you already have a present? Just a couple of more hours, and I'll have mine finished!", he smiled, nuzzling her back.

"Awww, Skye! Ya didn't have to get her anything! And don't worry, we've already found her something.", Applejack exclaimed.

"Oh, Applejack! She'll love it! And besides, you know she takes such good care of me while you're away. Always tucking me in, bringing me snacks when I forget to eat. She's just a sweet little angel.", Skye insisted.

Twilight burst in, shouting, "Applejack! Pinkie! You have to come with us quick! The map said so, I'll explain on the way!"

Applejack kissed Skye before saying, "I'll see you later! Tell everyone back home I'll be gone for a bit!"

"Wait, I'll come with you! And...", Skye exclaimed.

"No, Skye! I don't want you getting hurt if it's something bad!", she said firmly.

"Me? You should be more worried about yourself! I'll be fine!", Skye retorted.

"Look, I can't argue now, I gotta go! And you're not coming!", Applejack shouted, hugging him tightly before running after her friends to the train station.

Skye sighed and started walking back to Sweet Apple Acres and did as he was told.

20 minutes later, Applebloom came and found him prepping Emily for a trip.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going after Applejack! She specifically said I wasn't coming with her. Well I'm not coming. I'm going!", he exclaimed, hopping in Emily, and taking off, leaving a very confused Applebloom.

Although Skye had no idea where she was, he had developed such a strong bond with Applejack, he could locate her by instinct. He happened upon a tiny little village, landed, and snuck around until he reached the town hall. It was quiet. Too quiet!

He peeped inside, and found the Mane 6 asleep in the cage, along with the little princess, Flurry Heart.

He snuck up to the cage, and apparently Applejack recognized his hoof steps, because she bolted up and started hissing, waking up everyone else, "Skye! I told not to leave! You could get hurt!"

"Hey! You said I wasn't coming! So I didn't come, I had gone! And that's coming from the stallion who's on the outside of the cage!", Skye retorted.

"Actually, 'Coming' and 'Going' are kinda in the same..."

"Shut up, Twilight!", they both snarled.

"And how do you intend to get us out? Surely not the old lock pick trick?", Rarity asked.

"Oh please! Lock picking is so overrated! We're going to do this logically!", Skye grinned, frightening Applejack, for she had never seen that look on his face before.

"I wish it were that easy. But we can't use magic.", Twilight sighed, pointing to the magic plug on her horn.

Skye simply stared at Twilight like she was an idiot before bluntly saying, "Magic is not logical. Magic defies all the laws of logic. I was thinking something a little more FLASHIER."

He dug around in his satchel, until he pulled out a glob of putty.

"Putty?! That's your escape plan?!", Rainbow exclaimed.

"I'd get back in the corner if I were you...", Skye laughed deviously, pulling some dynamite out of his satchel.

"Holy Celestia! He's going to blow us up!", Twilight screamed, grabbing Flurry and taking cover in the corner, everyone else following, as Skye laughed like a maniac, lighting the dynamite and taking cover behind a desk.

KA-BOOM!

"Dang it, Skye! You could've killed yourself!", Applejack pouted on the way home.

"Look, I'm sorry! But I did what I had to, okay?", Skye said, they were arguing so loud, that everyone else had left them alone in that train car.

"I thought I could trust you! I was actually thinking about spending all night with you tonight, as a treat! But I guess that'll have to wait!", she shouted.

"Wait, you don't think that's all I care about, do you? I love you for more than your looks! That's why I came and saved your flanks in the first place! Because I love you! Who even did that to you?", he argued.

"Your marefriend, Mandy!", Applejack growled.

"EX! She's an EX! I thought I told you that! Look! I'm sorry, Baby! I love you, that's why I did it!", Skye sighed, tears falling, as the train was pulling into the station.

Applejack sighed, knowing she went out of control, "Skye. No. I should be sorry. I should've known you wouldn't listen."

When they got home, it was late, and everyone was in bed. So they went to Skye's shack.

Skye laid on the floor, and let Applejack lay in his bed. A couple minutes later, she was tapping his shoulder, and patting a spot next to her. He got on the bed and laid down, Applejack rolled on top of him and smiled,

"Remember my treat I told you about on the train? That offer's still standing..."

Skye started to open his mouth to say something, but was interrupted by Applejack's lips pressing on his.

And they had a very delightful night.

The next morning, Applejack found herself in Skye's bed alone. She got up and went to see what he was doing in the hangar. She found him looking at a picture of him holding his deceased daughter, Emily, standing next to the biplane, with smiles on their faces.

She put her hooves around him and asked, "Are ya okay, Skye?"

"Yeah.", he sniffed, nuzzling her, "I'm just fine."

"Are you sure? Yesterday, I saw a side of you I've never seen before. What was that all about?", Applejack inquired, deeply concerned.

"Well, it's just that after Emily died, and I broke up with Mandy, I was very depressed. So instead of hitting the liquor constantly, I found an addiction to blowing things up. It was something that satisfied me, yet I didn't need constantly.", Skye explained.

"More satisfying than last night?", she grinned, kissing his nose.

"No, not as satisfying, My Sweet Applejack.", he smiled, kissing her back.

"Hey! Whatcha guys doing?", Applebloom asked, walking into the barn with her friends the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

Skye and Applejack quickly pulled away from each other as Skye said, "Nothing much, do you girls need something?"

"Yeah, we were wondering if we could borrow Emily for a while. Can we?", Sweetie explained.

"Ya wanna borrow Emily for what now?", Applejack asked, furrowing her brow in confusion.

"To wash! We're supposed to do 1 nice thing for someone, then write about it for a school project!", Scootoloo replied.

"That's probably a good idea, Emily could use a bath.", Skye smiled, pulling Applejack to his side and nuzzling her.

"Yeah, Daddy! I've been getting dusty!", said a small voice, making everyone jump.

Then, a transparent filly, who looked like an older version of Emily like Applejack saw in the photo.

"Daddy?", the filly asked, floating to Skye, a ghostly tear falling as she did.

"Em...Em...Emily? But...5 years ago...you...you..."

"I drowned. I know, I've been hiding in your plane since. I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier...", the filly, dubbed as Emily sighed.

Skye just reached out and tapped her, to make sure his hoof wouldn't go through her, and then he squeezed her tightly.

"Come on, girls. Let's give them some privacy.", Applejack smiled, leading the Crusaders out of the hangar, while Skye and his ghostly daughter had a tearful reunion.

Until a tall, dark, cloaked figure stood in front of them with a scythe.

"I'm here for the filly."

"I've been looking for you, for 5 years, child! And yet, somehow, you have managed to elude me! Until now!", the cloaked figure snarled, making his way towards Skye and his ghostly daughter, before Applejack jumped in front of him.

"Now hold on a minute! Who do you think you are?", she growled.

"Some ponies call me THE GRIM REAPER, others say THE DARK ONE. I prefer...DEATH. And I'm here for that spirit!", he hissed, pointing a bony hoof at Emily.

"And what makes you think you can just up and take her away from her pa just like that?", Applejack retorted.

"Because she's dead! And when ponies die, it's my job to take their souls to Tartarus! Because I am Death!", he roared.

"Well...what if you lost your daughter, and then 5 years later you get to see her again, only for some black cloaked jerk to come and take her away forever? How would you feel?", Applejack glared, as she stood her ground. The Crusaders were now hiding behind Skye.

Death stood there for a minute, as if in thought, the only things visible through his hood were his red eyes.

His blood red eyes then turned baby blue, "I've never thought of that...if anyone tried to take my sweet little baby girl, Pain, I'd...I'd...", he sighed, "Okay. I'll leave her. But on one condition!"

He then turned to Emily.

"You must only use your ghostly powers for good, never for evil. If you so much as scare anyone on purpose, I'll come and get you. It's okay if you scare someone accidentally, with no intent to do so. Do you understand?", Death sighed, bending over, to be at eye level with Emily.

"I promise, Mr. Death!", Emily nodded, crossing her heart.

Death smiled as he used his scythe to cut a rift through the ground before smiling, "Please, call me Dale. It's my actual name. I don't know how the whole 'Death' thing got started, but you know, I just rolled with it."

After Death left, Granny Smith made him some soup, and Big Mac sat him in the rocker, while Applebloom fetched a blanket. He was pale for hours, deathly cold, and went berserk if anyone besides Applejack took a step towards Emily.

Applejack went and kissed Skye's cheek and said, "Skye. It's okay. Emily's going to stay here with you. Mr. Dale won't be coming back anytime soon. Unless you don't eat something!"

Skye shivered, looking over at Emily to see if she was still there.

His darling mist floated over to him and nuzzled him saying, "It's okay Daddy! I'm never going to leave you again!"

And by bedtime, Skye had calmed down, and held Emily close as he slept in his bed, never letting go.

Letting go was a mistake he had made 5 years ago.

And he wasn't going to let it happen again.

The next morning, Skye got up early and started to put the finishing touches on Applebloom's birthday present. It a was a little hoverboard, made of a round metal plate, with an engine, folded up landing gear, and a propeller underneath it. He painted it yellow with red apples all over it, the button to activate the landing gear was on the upper left, the button to turn it on was on the upper right. Today, he was testing it out.

"Hey, Daddy!", Emily exclaimed, running up next to him, "What are you doing?"

"I'm putting the final touches on Applebloom's birthday present. Here, can you help me test it out?", Skye asked.

"Sure thing! What do I do?", she beamed, running through him to the hoverboard.

Skye smiled, "I need you to get on it first..."

Emily hopped on, and asked, "What next?"

"Push the button on the button to your right next..."

She pushed the button, and the propeller started spinning and floated about a foot off the ground.

"Now push the button to your left..."

She then pushed the left button, and the landing gear folded up underneath it, and she started zipping around the hangar.

"Wheee! This is great! Of course I don't need this, I can fly on my own!", Emily beamed, landing it and turning it off.

"Well, we know that works! I think it's good to go!", Skye smiled, as his spectral sweetie jumped into his arms.

Applejack walked in the hangar, "Hey, Sugarcubes! What are you two doing?"

"Daddy was finishing Applebloom's birthday present!", Emily grinned as she charged Applejack with a hug.

"Can I see it?", she asked.

"Yeah, sure! I think she'll love it! She always tells me how she'd love to fly, and well, I got the second best equivalent! This hoverboard!", Skye smiled, putting his arm around Applejack.

Applejack looked worried, "Are you sure it's safe?"

"Oh, Baby...of course it's safe! I would never make anything to hurt your sister!", he reassured her, kissing her lips.

Emily got a look of shock on her face, "Daddy! I thought you loved Mommy! Why?"

Skye sighed, "Emily, sweetie. Your mother and I aren't together anymore because...well...she was the one who killed you."

"What? No! It's not true! I won't believe! Mommy loves me! She would never do that!", Emily screamed, shoving him away, and disappearing.

"Emily! No, wait! Come back! Oh no! We've got to find her!", he cried, tears flooding his eyes.

Applejack hugged him tightly and said, "Don't worry, Skye...we'll find her!"

"Okay, one more time...you want me to help you find what?", Twilight asked, with a look of pure confusion on her face.

"Skye's daughter! Who's a ghost! She's disappeared and we need help finding her!", Applejack explained, for the third time.

Twilight sighed, "Well, I guess you're not lying...but...where'd Skye have daughter...surely it wasn't with you..."

"No...it was from his time with...ahem...Mandy...", Applejack whispered, afraid of upsetting Skye more than he already was.

"Ohhh...well, there's no time to lose! Let's go find her!"

"It took a few minutes as Twilight used her Spectral Searching Spell (SSS) to find her, sitting under a tree, crying.

Skye went and sat next to her as she sobbed, "It's not true, is it, Daddy?"

He sighed, "Yes, it's true..."

"But why?! I thought she loved me!"

"She did, until I started to spend more time with you then her. Then, one night, she took you and tossed you into the sea. I'm so, so, so sorry! I should have never let go! But I can promise you, you'll get the family you deserve! You, me, and Applejack, we'll be a big, happy family! Is that okay? If anyone is to blame for your death, it's me. I got so caught up in being a father, I neglected your mother and drove her to jealousy. Can you ever forgive me?", Skye explained, his face damp with tears.

Emily looked at Applejack and Twilight, who were standing back a few paces, then at Skye.

"Daddy...it's not your fault. It was Mommy. Moms aren't supposed to get jealous of their children. If anyone deserves to be your wife and my mom, it's Applejack.", Emily sniffed, hugging her papa.

Applejack came over and smiled, "Aww...now, I wouldn't exactly say I DESERVE to be his wife. I mean, I'd like it, but I ain't done anything to deserve that."

Emily retorted, "Of course you have! You've taken very good care of Daddy! And you helped him get through the tough spots in his life. If that isn't deserving, I don't know what is!"

Skye grinned, "So Applejack...would you like to complete this family?"

Applejack beamed, "If you're asking me to marry you, then the answer to that is yes!"

"Finally! A mommy who'll love me!", Emily cheered.

"Sugarcube...you're the most adorable filly I've ever seen! How could I not love you!", Applejack smiled, kissing her forehead, walking home with them.

Twilight stood there, alone in the park, with her mind blown, "What the hell did I just watch?"

Back at Sweet Apple Acres, Granny Smith, Big Mac, and Applebloom were waiting for them.

"Did you find her?", Granny asked with concern.

"Yeah, we found her, Granny. Safe and sound.", Applejack replied.

"Daddy and Applejack are getting married!", Emily cheered, hopping around.

"Wow! Really? That means Skye will be our brother! What do you think, Big Mac?", Applebloom exclaimed, turning to Big Mac.

Big Mac smiled, "I think it's about time AJ found herself a stallion and settled down. Nice job, Skye. Most stallions have a hard time getting a hold of AJ's heart."

Applejack retorted, "Hey! I don't see ya talking to Cheerilee! I thought you two were a couple!"

"We are. We're just taking it a lot more slowly than most ponies do.", he laughed, putting his arm around his sister.

"Well, it's good that you found a special somepony, who loves you back.", Granny smiled.

Applebloom grinned at Emily, "Hey, Emily! Do you wanna come play with us? We're going to the park!"

Emily looked at her father, "Can I?"

Skye smiled, "Sure! Just be back in time for lunch!"

"I will!", she grinned, giving him a spectral smile.

Applejack looked at him, "You're letting her go? After all that fuss?"

Skye sighed, as Granny handed out glasses of cider, "I didn't want her to not know the truth. Not knowing the truth can be very hurtful to ponies."

Applejack started chuckling nervously, "Haha...uhh...yeah...remember that one night about 2 months ago? Well, I went to the doctor last week...and it turns out that I'm pregnant...with your child. Don't get mad at me...please..."

He coughed and gagged before exclaiming, "What?! But...oh...now I remember...you were wearing that perfume...also, why would I get mad at you?"

"Because I didn't tell you...a week ago. But hey! We're getting married, right? So there's that too.", she sighed.

"Well, it'd be alright. I already have one illegitimate daughter. I was hoping to fix that...but...you know...hey...I'm going for a little ride...I'll be back for lunch...bye!", Skye replied, stuttering as he spoke.

In about 5 minutes flat, he was in the air, flying towards the Everfree.

"Oh dear...I think I scared him off...", Applejack sighed.

Granny said to her in a comforting voice, "Oh, dearie, you didn't scare him away. He'll come back. It's just a lot for him to take in, he needed to go clear his mind."

"And if he doesn't come back...I'll drag his sorry flank back to Sweet Apple Acres!", Big Mac declared.

"Thanks, Big Mac. But I don't think that'll be necessary. I trust Skye. He'll be back.", she sighed, tears forming in her eyes.

Applejack...pregnant...Emily...a dead, illegitimate daughter...Mandy...an ex girlfriend and Emily's mother. It was too much for Skye. He thought he knew what confused was, until now.

"Skye, my treacherous friend...you should really watch your tail...you're getting rusty.", said a voice behind him.

He turned to find none other than the Red Baroness, in her blood red triplane.

"Mandy...", he growled, what do you want?"

"Oh, Skye! You're still not mad about that...are you?", she asked, smiling slyly at him.

"You drowned our Emily! Of course I'm still mad! I could probably kill you right now if I wanted to.", he snarled.

"Hey! That little bastard didn't know her place! Besides, you never wanted to kill me. You may think you do, but you don't. You're not that kinda guy...you just a pacifist. Always have been, always will be.", she shouted.

"Don't you dare call her that!"

"Listen, I was thinking we could get back together...forget everything and start over. What do you think?", Mandy grinned, her scarf rustling in the wind .

"I swear, if you don't leave in about 3 seconds...I'm going to kill you on the spot!", Skye growled, "I'm happy with Applejack, and that's the way it's going to stay!"

She smiled, "Fine, but if you change your mind. You know where to find me..."

Afterwards, Skye was alone. In the sky, he was going back to Applejack.

Applejack sat on the porch, with Granny Smith, waiting for Skye to come back.

"So, have you figured out what you're going to name your little bundle of joy yet?", Granny asked, smiling at Applejack.

"No, but I wish Ma and Pa were here to see me now...they'd be excited, trying to come up with all kinds of Apple-Like Names.", Applejack sighed, looking at the sky, until she saw Skye land his plane. She ran towards him, saying, "Oh! Skye! You came back!", as she threw her hooves around him.

Skye grinned, "Of course I came back! Nothing could ever drive me away from you, honey! I'm so sorry I ran off like that, I just needed to clear my head a bit! So...have you come up with a name for our daughter yet?"

"Easy there, Sugarcube! It could be a colt, but either way, I'm glad you're taking this so well. Hmm...how would Blazing Glory sound? Or maybe Majestic Skies?", she giggled, kissing him.

"I think those are both great ideas, hon.", Skye smiled, nuzzling her.

Big Mac came up and put his hoof around Skye, "Skye, you did the right thing. I want to thank you for not leaving my sister. I appreciate it."

Skye replied, "Thanks. But the thing is, if I did leave, that would make me just as bad as Mandy. And I know where I belong... and it's here with Applejack."

"Awww...Skye, you're so sweet! I'll go start lunch...", Applejack giggled happily, before Skye stopped her.

"No...I'll start lunch! You go sit down and relax!", he said, setting her down in a rocker.

"But, Skye! It's going to be a long time before the baby gets here...", she said, confusion in her tone.

Skye grinned, "I know, but you're going to need practice sitting still for very long periods of time. Now is a good time to start!"

Applejack had to process this a bit before saying, "Awww shoot!"

Big Mac just stood there laughing at her, before Applebloom and Emily came back.

"Hey! Is lunch ready yet?", Emily asked, jumping into Applejack's arms.

"No, your pa is working on it though! How about I tell you about the time I first met him?", she grinned, rocking Emily in her lap.

"Oooh! Yes, please!", the little spectral sweetie replied.

"Well..."

It was about midnight, a year or so ago, I was getting ready to doze off in my bed, when I heard a loud crash come from the other side of the orchard! I got up to investigate, and when I got there, I found your pa laying next to the wrecked plane, a couple of his bones were broken. So I hoisted him on my back, and lugged him towards the farmhouse, calling for Big Mac.

After about a week in the hospital, he came home with us. We gave him meals, a place to sleep, I even helped him fix his plane! But when he got all better, he didn't leave, instead, he stayed, and helped us out on the orchard. And he's been here ever since...

"Wow! That was a great story! I love you...Mommy!", Emily smiled, wrapping her ghostly hooves around Applejack's neck.

"I love you too, Emily."

Note: Cybertron=Autobot

Destron=Decepticon

After Applejack finished her story, a giant Fortress flew through the air and landed in a nearby field. Minutes later, a car, a tank, a jet, a helicopter, and a humanoid robot were heading towards the farmhouse. They stopped just in front of the startled Apples before letting a tall, dark skinned and haired human out of the car.

The red and brown car then shouted, "Head On!", before they all shifted to their humanoid forms.

Skye was just coming out of the farmhouse, when he saw this.

"Well! It's about time you guys came and visited me! Where have you been?", Skye smiled, at the tall, gray and black robot.

"I'm afraid it's not with good tidings we come here, Skye. But perhaps you can introduce us to your friends!", he replied, his blue eyes twinkling.

"Of course! This is Fortress! Leader of the Cybertron Headmasters!", Skye began, pointing to the black and gray robot. He then pointed to the light blue jet robot, "This is Brainstorm!"

The dark blue helicopter robot then waved at him, "That's Highbrow!" Skye nodded at the green tank robot, "This is Hardhead!"

"And I'm Chromedome! It's nice to meet you! Cmon, Skye! We need your help!", the red and brown car robot grumbled impatiently.

"With what?"

Fortress spoke up, "The Destrons. Mega Zarak and the Destron Headmasters are here, and they've teamed up with an old acquaintance of yours...Mandy."

Applebloom stared at the human, "Can you transform too?"

The human laughed, "I'm afraid not little one, but I'm quite the marksman!"

He pulled a pistol out of his holster and shot randomly at an apple tree next to him, resulting in an apple falling into his hand, unscathed.

"The name's DaiAtlas2016! But you can call me by my code name, Best Shot.", he grinned, scratching behind the filly's ears.

Applejack looked concerned, "What are these rascals planning? Maybe me and my friends could help?"

Chromedome turned to her and exclaimed, "Hell no! There is no way I'm going to be responsible for a pregnant female to get hurt!"

Skye sighed, "He's right, hon. But...could you watch Emily while I'm away? That would help me very much..."

"I...I...guess I'll do it. Just be careful, okay?", she sighed, watching Applebloom and Emily play with Best Shot (Don't worry, he has the safety lock on his laser guns activated!).

Fortress looked at Best Shot, "Best Shot! I need you to stay with the Apples...I have a feeling Mega Zarak might try something...will you be alright by yourself?"

"Hey! You're talking to the guy who held up against a Six-Phaser (Sixshot), 3 Tripletrons (Decepticon Triplechangers), and 3 Jetron (Seekers) battalions! I think I can manage a few Destron Headmasters!", Best Shot smiled, beaming with pride.

Alright, Skye. You, Highbrow, and Brainstorm will search for suspicious activity in the air, I'll accompany you in Maximus! Chromedome, Hardhead! Search the ground, stay away from town though.", Fortress ordered, as he started walking back towards the fortress (Called Maximus).

The Four Cybertron Headmasters then gave a cry of "Transfooorrrmmm Dash!"

And they were off!

Skye was flying northwest over Ponyville, while Brainstorm was flying south, and Highbrow was heading east.

Highbrow's voice came on over Skye's radio, "It's nice to see you again, Skye! How have you been doing after...well...you know..."

"Highbrow! You don't go around asking those kind of personal questions!", Brainstorm shouted, as he could be heard scolding Highbrow.

Skye sighed, "No, it's okay, I'm doing fine. Really. Besides, I'm with Applejack now, we'll be getting married, and she's pregnant."

Highbrow gasped, "Wow! Is it a boy or a girl?"

"We don't know yet, we'll find out eventually though.", he smiled, looking around, "You know, I'm sure Mandy wouldn't let Mega Zarak hide in plain sight...let's try looking in the mountains!"

"That's a great idea! I'll notify Fortress and the others about this!", Brainstorm exclaimed, making a u-turn in the air.

Meanwhile, Fortress was sitting at the bridge inside Maximus heading northeast, when Brainstorm called him.

"Fortress! We decided that Mega Zarak and his bunch are probably hiding in the mountains!"

Fortress smiled, "Excellent. Notify Chromedome and Hardhead as well! I'm on my way! Be careful!"

Chromedome and Hardhead were riding across the hills when Brainstorm notified them.

"Of course! I should have known better! That yatsu better be ready! Because we'll be sending him to hell!", Hardhead cheered, making a right turn.

Skye came on the radio, "Remember, I'll deal with Mandy! You guys take care of the Destrons!"

Chromedome laughed, "Are you sure you don't want us to send her to hell for you? After what she did, that yatsu deserves it!"

Skye's voice grew stern, "No. Even if she does deserve it, I'll let the law take care of her!"

Hardhead scoffed, "Damn it, Skye! You don't have to get iffy with us! We're on our way!"

Meanwhile, on Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack was pacing back and forth on the porch, while Best Shot was still playing with the kids.

Big Mac came up beside her and put his hoof around her, "I'm sure Skye will be fine. From what I've seen, he's pretty tough. He can handle himself." He then looked in the sky to see a black, purple, green, and white jet heading towards them, "Heh, must be another one of their friends!"

Best Shot heard this and looked up and gasped, "Sixshot! Take cover!"

"Transforrm!", said the jet, as he turned into a giant robot, consisting of the same color scheme, he then looked to Best Shot, "Kisama! I see they left the little gunslinger all alone! Are you ready to go to hell?"

"No, Kisama! It is you, who will be going to hell! Applejack! Take the children and hide!", Best Shot exclaimed, pulling out his pistols.

Sixshot smiled, "This shall be entertaining! Prepare to face my lethal Rokuhenge (Six-Changer) Attack! Phase 1!" He started shooting at Best Shot, slightly grazing his arm, before shouting, "Phase 2!", as transformed into his jet mode, swooping in and landing a few shots on Best Shot.

Best Shot stumbled, but still stood, firing back as he shouted, is that the best you've got?"

"Phase 3!", was the reply as he shifted to his armored car mode and side swiping Best Shot. Sixshot turned into a tank and started lobbing bombs at Best Shot as he shouted, "Phase 4!"

The Apples were watching from the tornado shelter, as Emily asked, "Is Best Shot going to be okay?"

"I don't know...", was all Applejack could say as she held her tightly.

"Phase 5!", shouted Sixshot, as he morphed into his giant laser gun mode, one blast was enough to send an already limping Best Shot flying into a tree with a sickening crack. He shifted to his wolf mode, shouting, "Phase 6!", as he tossed him around a bit. He growled, "Give me the final piece of the Rokuhenge Shrine! I know you have it! It is the final piece in our plan to rule the universe!"

Best Shot, bones broken in several places, and bleeding from the nose smiled, "Go to hell, kisama!"

"Very well, I shall destroy you, as I destroyed Ultra Magnus. Phase 7!", he sneered, morphing to his secret 7th mode. The same one he used to kill Ultra Magnus. And just like that, he took off in his jet mode, having obtained the purple gem that looked like a slice of pie.