Chapter Twenty-Two – Applejack

Applejack kind of hated to admit it, but Pinkie's plan had worked. Staring in shock at the equally stunned face of Frostburn, AJ admitted that much. The only one talking at the moment was the pink mare. Frostburn still seemed to be in a state of disbelief. He was coming out of it faster that Applejack though. She had probably been standing stone still with an open mouth for over a minute now. Then the orange mare's leg throbbed. She suddenly remembered all the reasons why she wanted to punch him in the jaw.

She didn't though. Partly this was due to the still lasting surprise, but also she didn't want to risk sending him on another rampage. That would be a disaster. Also, she had kind of forgiven him by now. With everything else that had been happening, a few acres of burnt farmland and a trip to the hospital seemed insignificant. Vaguely she was aware that time was passing and that Pinkie was rambling.

"...andafteryoulefteveryponywassosadespeciallyRainbowDashandRaritysowehoppedonatraintogettoCanterlotandthenwefoundoutyouwereheresoweflewahugeairshiptogetto…"

"Pinkie Pie!" Frostburn said loudly, cutting her off. The pink mare quieted down. Applejack was unsure of what the icy pegasus might do.

"It's good to see you too." He said after a moment. Pinkie hugged him. After a stunned second, he returned her embrace.

"We should get to the Crystal Palace. The others are gonna hafta see you to." Applejack said, snapping everypony back to reality. Frostburn got a wary look.

"Applejack, I can't go there." He said. Pinkie broke off the hug, which was not a promising sign.

"What?!" She said, sounding both angry and confused – never a good combination when Pinkie was involved. Applejack felt just the same way. Both mares stared at Frostburn demanding an answer.

"I can't be around anypony, Pinkie. That much is obvious." He said solemnly. "I left so I wouldn't hurt you girls anymore." Pinkie softened when she heard his reason, but AJ was unsatisfied with it.

"Now wait just an apple bucking minute." Applejack said. "Do you have any idea what your absence has done to the group? Leaving was the worst thing ya coulda done. Besides, there's more to it now. We need ya to come to the palace"

"W-what do you mean?" Frostburn asked. Applejack pointed toward the Crystal Palace.

"If ya want answers, they're over there." She said. Frostburn looked at the shining palace with uncertainty. Clearly, he regretted his decision of leaving but had felt it was the best option. Now, presented with this choice… well, Applejack could practically see the wheels turning in his head.

Finally the blue pegasus said, "Okay."

"Yippee!" Pinkie Pie cried, leaping with joy. Applejack hurriedly shushed her friend, wary that there were still soldiers around. Glancing around she saw that most had left, and the ones that still remained weren't focusing on them. For now.

"We're goin' need to move real stealth like." She said quietly. "We gotta avoid all the guards if we're goin' get ta the palace in one piece."

"I guess we could take the alleyways." Frostburn said, indicating one that he had recently come out of. "Ever since the guards started patrolling I've been using them to get around unseen."

"Alleys? Why didn't I think of that?" Pinkie said facing hoofing herself.

"Cause ya were too busy with the lamp post." Applejack said.

"Lamp post?" Frostburn said, his mouth curving into the faintest smile.

"Yeah, that was pretty silly of me." Pinkie said laughing. "Oh, I just remembered!" She became serious quickly. "Rainbow and Rarity are still looking for you. I better go find them and say the search is over."

"You do that." AJ agreed. "Ah'll make sure Frostburn here gets to the palace alive."

Pinkie nodded, and bounced off to find their remaining friends. Applejack looked back at Frostburn, who was now staring at the alley lost in thought.

"There a problem?" She asked. Frostburn blinked, coming out of his trance.

"I've just haven't had the most pleasant experiences in alleys recently." He said with a slight shiver. "So what did you mean when you said my absence has affected the group?" the ice blue pegasus asked, attempting to change the subject. The two began walking down the alley, Applejack taking the lead.

"Well, Rainbow's become angrier than a corn snake in a tomato field, and she and Rarity have bin at each other's throats since Canterlot." Applejack recalled, careful to leave out any specifics until they reached the palace. It wasn't dishonesty she argued with herself. Just selective truth. The duo rounded a corner, and Frostburn got a look of dismay.

"Great," he said. "Even when I'm not around I still manage to screw things up."

"That's not what Ah meant." AJ told him. He didn't seem reassured.

"It's the truth though, isn't it?" The pegasus asked. The two walked in silence for a minute, Applejack being unsure of what to say. Telling him it was his fault wouldn't help at all. But she couldn't lie and say it had nothing to do with him. The orange mare held her mouth shut, hoping to avoid either response. They rounded three more corners and walked the distance of several blocks before either spoke again. Frostburn broke the silence. "I'm sorry about your farm."

AJ looked at him. "That's okay…"

"No it's not." He said, shaking his head. "I really am sorry. For the farm, for your brother, and for your leg."

"Now Sugar cube, there ain't no need to get all worked up about it. Ma leg is fine, ya see?" Applejack kicked the air to demonstrate just how fine it was. "And Big Mac will be fine to. Besides, he ain't one to hold a grudge. As for the farm…" she waved her hoof as if to dismiss it. "That was only about an acre or so. And those apples were too ripe anyways."

Frostburn looked a little less guilty seeing that Applejack had forgiven him. It was the truth too; Applejack wasn't really holding it against Frostburn anymore. Recent developments had seen to that.

The Crystal Palace grew bigger as the two ponies got closer. The sun had almost set too, making it harder to see in the dimly lit alley. Applejack hoped they got there soon; otherwise she wouldn't be able to see two feet in front of her.

"Am I going to be executed?" Frostburn suddenly asked. Applejack realized that had probably been on his mind for a while.

"Nah." She said. "Princess Celestia has moved passed that. Like I said earlier, there's more to it now. Don't worry, everything will be explained once we're at the Palace."

"I hope so, things have been getting weird lately."

"Weird how?" Applejack asked, curious as to the developments on Frostburn's end. She hoped that no more parts of the prophecy had come true.

Frostburn suddenly stopped walking, and didn't respond to her. At first Applejack thought something was wrong, but then she realized that they had made it to the Crystal Palace. How had she not noticed the massive Crystal building? Not willing to answer that question, Applejack and Frostburn slinked along the edge of the palace until they came across the entrance. The orange farmer knocked, hoping Twilight or somepony friendly would answer the door. Inside, there were hoofsteps, indicating that somepony had heard them. There was a slight creaking noise as the crystal door swung open revealing Shining Armor on the other side. When he saw Applejack, he smiled. Then he turned his head.

"You." He hissed upon seeing Frostburn.

Before AJ knew what was happening, Shining Armor had grabbed a spear and was pointing it directly at Frostburn's neck.

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