There was pretty much an uneasy silence that went on between Applejack, and Aaron. It wasn’t because that they were still having issues with one another; as a matter of fact--it seemed as if they had finally made amends meet. However, the fear of her life possibly ending in the future by the humans still remained.

Aaron still feared for her life as well.

He didn’t want to tell her that the human that was making her board the soon-to-be-doomed Pelican was him. If he told her that, it would immediately destroy their budding friendship--at least that it appeared to be anyways since Applejack seemed to need him for the moment.

When Fluttershy’s cottage started to come into view, Aaron looked over to Applejack, who appeared to be growing more worried with each step.

“It’s okay to be nervous, Applejack,” Aaron reassured her.

“Who said Ah was nervous?” Applejack excused. “Ah’m jus’ feelin’ a bit uneasy fer the moment.”

“That’s the same thing.”

“What’s yer point?” Applejack asked, becoming annoyed.

Aaron decided to back down before things went downhill for the both of them once more.

“Nevermind. Look, I know you can do this. If your connection between you and her is really that strong, then surely she can find some way to forgive you.”

“Yeah, but like Ah said before, Fluttershy is the most sensitive, and the most easily scared one out of all six of us. She’s even afraid of ‘er own shadow,” Applejack explained.

Aaron was familiar with that sort of phrase, but never actually thought it was possible. When you're in the military, especially being a Spartan--fear was a very small concern.

“Look. My main point is don’t doubt yourself over this. If you can show Fluttershy that you're still the same pony she knows, she might give you another chance.”

“Ah hope yer right,” Applejack said doubtfully, while staring at the ground.

As Aaron and Applejack neared the cottage door, Applejack immediately stopped in her tracks. Aaron turned to her to see what was up.

“Applejack? What’s the matter?” he asked.

“Ah don’t know how Ah’m gonna do this,” she replied nervously.

Aaron took a moment to think.

“How about if you hang back for a bit until I can give Fluttershy the will to allow you in to talk to her. Would that make it easier for you?”

“It might,” Applejack replied unsurely. “But Ah don’t know if it’ll work.”

“Only one way to find out,” Aaron stated while strolling up to the door. He then began knocking.

“Miss. Fluttershy, are you in there? It’s Aaron. I wish to speak with you please.”

A voice came from the other side of the door, but it wasn’t Fluttershy’s--it belonged to Rainbow Dash!

“What’s the password?” she asked.

Aaron was completely thrown off by this.

“Password? What password?” he asked suspiciously.

“The password so I don’t happen to open the door for Applejack.”

“Do I sound anything like Applejack to you?” Aaron asked.

“Well you could be some sort of henchmen for her, if I’m correct.”

“You could say that,” Aaron said.

“Well then I’m definitely not going to open this door,” Rainbow stated officially.

“Look, Miss. Rainbow Dash. Applejack is fully aware of what she did yesterday at the park and she wishes to make it up to all of you--especially Fluttershy. Please allow her to try and make amends,” Aaron explained.

“Fluttershy doesn’t want to see Applejack--or anypony else. Now go away!” Rainbow ordered rather brutally.

Aaron was about to protest, but was interrupted and surprised when the voice of Twilight spoke up.

“Rainbow, that is not true at all,” she scolded. She was soon joined by two other voices.

“Am I invisible now? I didn’t even know I could do that,” Pinkie said, rather enthusiastically.

“Pinkie, darling. We’re pretty sure you don’t possess any kind of supernatural power like that,” Rarity said. Her expression then turned suspicious since she and the rest of them knew Pinkie did a number of questionable antics.

“Do you?”

“Guys! You ruined the cover I was trying to give us all!” Rainbow complained. “You know we can’t let AJ anywhere near Fluttershy. Not after what she did!”

“First of all, we never agreed to that--you did, Rainbow,” Rarity stated. “Secondly, we all know what happened--but that doesn’t mean we should immediately shun Applejack out of our friendship. Everypony deserves a chance to trial themselves.”

“I agree with Rarity, Rainbow. We should give Applejack a chance to try and redeem herself back into our friendship. It only seems right,” Twilight said.

Aaron heard the silence of Rainbow’s momentary hesitation before she said, “Fine. If that’s what needs to be done, then so be it--but no promises that I can ever forgive her.”

Both halves of the door swung open slowly and steadily to reveal to Aaron all five of Applejack’s friends. They were all huddled on or near the couch where Fluttershy was moping.

Twilight and Pinkie sat on her right, while Rarity occupied her left. Rainbow of course was hovering in the air above Fluttershy, whose eyes were red and puffy from what could only be caused from excessive crying.

Gazing at the floor, Aaron noticed a few sleeping bags positioned in a random area and position. This indicated that the mares spent the night with Fluttershy in order to comfort her anyway they could. The poor mare needed the friends she knew who wouldn't treat her so cruelly.

Aaron then turned around behind him to face Applejack who was still at the spot she stopped on, which was the bridge crossing the small brook that flowed in front of the cottage.

“It’s alright, Applejack. Your allowed to come in now,” he said to her.

Applejack nodded and steadily made her way toward the cottage with a hint of determination, and anxiety, painted on her face. It wasn’t a compatible pair of emotions to say the least--but this sort of situation demanded it.

When Applejack entered the cottage, Fluttershy immediately diverted her gaze away from the cowpony and cowered. Twilight, Rarity, and Pinkie tried to comfort and reassure Fluttershy the best way they could; but the shy pegasus didn’t uncurl herself.

Rainbow however, was giving Applejack a stink-eye expression which unnerved her even more, but she couldn’t let Rainbow’s intimidating personality get in the way of trying to save her friendship with Fluttershy, and the others.

Aaron then faced Twilight and said, “Will it be best if I leave you guys alone to settle this?”

Twilight gazed back at him with a neutral look and replied, “Yes it would, Aaron. You may go.”

“Understood,” he said, and made his way out of the cottage before closing the door behind him.

When all six mares were finally alone, there was quite an uneasy silence at first. Applejack was met with looks of expectancy and concern from everypony except Fluttershy, who still refused to make eye-contact.

Rainbow, however, maintained her disapproving scowl.

Taking in a breath, Applejack decided to address Fluttershy first, because she was the main victim of her rage fit.

“Fluttershy,” Applejack began, keeping her tone soft and full of sincerity.

Fluttershy peeked out a bit from her hooves to get a glimpse of Applejack’s remorseful expression and eyes. It brought a bit of relaxation to the shy pegasus, but it still wasn’t enough to make her fully open herself up to Applejack.

“What happened yesterday at the park. What Ah did...no….what Ah said to ya was the worst thing Ah’ve ever done in mah entire life. Ah didn’t mean it at all. Mah emotions overwhelmed me so much that Ah completely lost a grip on mahself. That pony that was so hostile towards ya wasn't me at all. Ah didn’t have control until it was too late--then Ah ran away from the problem tah wallow in mah own pity instead of tryin’ tah make it right then an’ there. Ah admit Ah’m a terrible friend, an’ ya have every right tah not forgive me. Ah deserve it.”

“You sure do!” Rainbow spat.

“Rainbow!” Twilight, Pinkie, and Rarity shouted at the same time.

“Sorry,” Rainbow muttered indifferently.

“Ah want us tah be friends again,” Applejack continued while struggling to not cry. She was very hurt by Rainbow’s outburst, but she knew Rainbow made a good example.  “All of us. Ah did us all wrong, even Celestia. Ah wouldn’t blame her if she threw me in the dungeon, or banished me in the moon. What Ah did cannot go unpunished whether ya accept my apology or not. Surely y’all can find somepony who can take my place as a bearer of honesty. Ah wouldn’t mind it one bit.”

Thinking of such things made Applejack’s bottom lip quiver, but she refused to break down like an immature filly, and swallowed every sob that threatened to escape her mouth. Tears were leaking from her eyes, however.

“Ah’m sorry fer what Ah’ve done tah ya Fluttershy. What Ah’ve done to y’all,” she finally said and waited for any sort of response.

What she got was silence.

Taking it as a sign of not being forgiven, Applejack’s ears drooped lower and her fight with her building crys was weakening quickly. She turned away and faced the door as she prepared to leave.

“G-goodbye, g-girls,” she sniffed. She then looked at Twilight who was beginning to shed tears along with Rarity and Pinkie, whose mane was now flat, and whose coat seemed to be strangely darker. Rainbow just had her back turned to hide her face, but it was a sign that she was hiding her true feelings and emotions.

Fluttershy was now fully out of her shell, but looked as if she didn’t know what to do.

“Send a letter to the princess telling her that Ah accept any punishment she has tah offer me,” Applejack said to Twilight. “But at least give me sometime tah say farewell to mah f-folks. Ah’m sure t-they can find somepony to run the farm w-without me somehow.”

Applejack quickly looked away from Twilight and the others before they could see her face, and headed for the door. Before Applejack could touch the knob, Fluttershy miraculously spoke up!

“Applejack, wait!” she called.

Applejack spun around to face Fluttershy, who look saddened and had the tone indicating she didn’t want Applejack to go.

“I know you didn’t mean what you said to me,” she began. “I understand completely that you weren't thinking correctly. You can’t do this to yourself.”

“That’s nice of ya tah say, Fluttershy--but Ah already know what Ah’ve done is jus’ plain evil. Ah can’t be forgiven for that at all.” Applejack said, solemnly looking into Fluttershy’s eyes. “As a mare of honesty, Ah have tah face up fer what Ah did. Ah can’t jus’ wait fer it tah go away.”

Applejack once again turned away from Fluttershy and the others, then put her hoof on the knob.

Before she could at least turn it, Applejack was embraced by a pair of butter-colored hooves that wrapped around the bottom part of her neck. She then felt something moist that made a spot on her coat damp. It was nothing other than tears that ran from Fluttershy’s pleading eyes.

“Applejack, please don't’ go!” Fluttershy pleaded. “Don’t you know how much you mean to all of us? Don’t let what happened yesterday be the moment when our friendship ends. Sure I was hurt and offended by your actions, but that doesn’t mean I’m not kind enough to offer forgiveness no matter how bad things can get between us. You will always be my best friend--along with the rest of us. Without you, our group will never be the same. We all love you, Applejack.”

The feelings that took over Applejack were surprise, relief, and pure happiness. She was even more surprised of how long Fluttershy spoke since she was normally very timid, and only spoke in one sentence most of the time.

“D-do ya really mean that, s-sugarcube?” Applejack asked in a slightly broken voice.

“Of course I do. Right, girls?” Fluttershy asked.

“Why wouldn’t we?” Rarity said, and joined in on embracing the cowpony. “We may have driven each other crazy on a couple of occasions because of our polar worlds, but that never made us despise one another. Instead it made us learn more about each other. If you were not here, those memories wouldn’t be precious anymore.”

The other mares followed the same suit.

“My parties wouldn’t be as much fun if you were never able to attend them anymore,” Pinkie said with her mane and tail still flat.

“It was very hospitable when your family offered me your food when I first came to Ponyville,” Twilight said. “Sure I was reluctant to accept your friendship at first, but when the spark ignited--I then realized I should've shown gratitude. You truly are a great pony, and a great friend.”

Rainbow was hesitant at first because she wasn’t sure if she should believe Applejack or not. What Applejack did to her closest friend was absolutely unexcusable, but she was surprised that Fluttershy still wanted to be Applejack’s friend. It confused her, but if Fluttershy was willing to re-accept Applejack as a friend--then she should too.

“I’m sorry for the way I treated you when you were just trying to apologize,” she said. “I was only trying to protect Fluttershy from getting hurt even more.”

“It’s alright, Rainbow,” Applejack said with a small smile. “Ya were only stayin’ true to yer element.”

“I should just say, without you around, drinking cider wouldn’t be as enjoyable as it normally is.”

This caused everypony to laugh in a way that felt like it hadn’t been in a long time. It meant that Applejack was successful at bringing back her friends that she was about to lose. It meant the world to her, but she felt a small part was missing from this happy moment.

“Girls. Ah think there’s someone we should all thank for all this,” Applejack said.

“Who?” they all asked in unison.

Instead of giving an answer, Applejack gently broke the group hug and opened the cottage door to reveal Aaron sitting on one of the bridges rails with his back turned to them all.

She signaled for her friends to stay at the door of the cottage while she trotted over to Aaron’s side.

“Howdy, Aaron,” she said.

Aaron turned to face Applejack, who seemed to be smiling and was apparently okay now, but there were small signs that she had been crying recently.

“Oh hello, Applejack. Did everything go okay?” he asked, a bit concerned.

“Everything went fine. Ah’ve managed to make up tah Fluttershy, an’ the girls.”

Aaron smiled. “Well that’s fantastic to hear, Applejack. I’m very proud of you.”

“Actually, Ah’m the one who’s proud of ya.”

Aaron became puzzled.

“Really? How so?”

“Well ya see, if you didn’t come by tah talk some sense in tah me, Ah would’ve lost  mah best friends forever. Worst yet, mah confidence. Ya truly taught me a lesson about friendship, even if ya didn’t even know about it.”

“Well, I’m glad I was able to assist you. I’m still very sorry about the cornfield, though.”

“Oh. It’s jus’ a field, silly. Ah know that I’ll recover in all good time,” she reassured. “Right now, Ah want tah tell ya thanks fer what ya did for me--what ya did fer all of us.”

Applejack then looked over to her friends and called, “C’mon girls. Let’s give Aaron the thanks he deserves fer bringing us all back together again.”

The mares cheered and rushed toward Aaron faster than he could react! He was quickly wrapped up in a tight hug given by all six of them.

You could say this was an awkward, and uncomfortable situation for him considering that they were all naked--but he was satisfied that he did something good that didn’t involve any killing or violence of any sort.

Not complaining about how tight they were squeezing him at the middle torso, Aaron placed each of his arms over the backs of every one of the mares and gently pulled them in closer.

If Zeke saw him doing this, he would be teasing Aaron about it for days.

This was a truly beautiful, and harmonized moment--but it was unfortunate that it was being observed through the scope of a T27 SASR being wielded by a Kig-Yar sniper that had positioned himself yards away in a tree that sat upon one of the highest hills that overlooked Ponyville.