6 Months, 1 Day After Cadence’s Death 

        Applejack woke up and saw it was raining. Well, at least I don't have to buck apples, today, she thought as she got up and got ready for the day. After she did her usual routine, she called for her siblings. “Big Mac? Applebloom?” she shouted.

        The mare went looking for them, searching around the house for her brother and sister but finding no trace of them. She then looked outside for them in the pouring rain to see if they might be bucking apples, but neither Apple Bloom nor Big Mac were anywhere to be found. She headed to town and saw all the shops were seemingly abandoned as well. She even checked in several windows but couldn't find a trace of any ponies inside or out.

        “Where the hay is everypony?” Applejack wondered aloud.

        After a little more searching, she eventually turned toward the castle and saw that the entire town there. Something was very wrong, so Applejack went towards the crowd. As she worked her way through the tight cluster, she saw some ponies like Roseluck horrified at the scene ahead, and others like Cheerilee shedding tears. As she approached the front of the crowd she saw Celestia’s and Luna's guards patrolling the castle’s perimeter and saw Fluttershy was crying, but not blinking. She then turned and saw a high ranking sun guard coming to her and he looked down as if he were trying to form words. AJ saw a body bag was being carried out by magic by two more Solar Guards.

        “Applejack, I will be blunt,” the officer said with a serious face, “Your friend, Princess Twilight Sparkle, died  last night at midnight by poison we found in her drink .”

        Applejack laughed in response. “You're jokin' right?” she asked while catching her breath, “And what ya really have in that there bag is a griffon.”

        The griffin king, having shown up as well, stepped forward and they looked at each other and he mouthed to her over the crowd of ponies. “Sorry.”

        That reality hit hard like a moving cart hitting her at high speed. She ground her teeth and sighed. “Thank you, officer,” Applejack said before walking toward her sister, “Applebloom, I  want you go to stay Manehattan and stay with your cousin, her parents will understand .”

        “Fine, I will pack my things up,” the filly replied and walking away

        The older pony walked away from the scene as it started to rain harder. When Applejack got home she started bucking trees; she didn't care if it was raining or not, it was her way to deal with this anger. When Big Mac saw that Applejack was bucking trees so hard there were dents in the trunks, he shook his head. He went to her and pulled the mare into a tight a hug where she started to cry.

        “Wh-hh...why am Ah cryin'?” she wondered between the sobs that wracked her body, “Ah should be used to this.”

        “Nopony ever gets use to it, AJ,” Big Mac said petting her mane.

        She buried her face in Mac’s chest and after awhile she looked up at him. “Ah've come to realize that death is startin' to become my companion.”

        Big Mac suddenly slapped her in response and asked her a raised voice “That is nonsense Applejack, and y'know that right?”

        The mare felt her cheek after the smack, but she thought and realized that Big Mac was right: she was acting foolish. “You’re right,” she admitted hugging her brother tight.

        “Come on,” Mac said, “Now let's getcha inside before you get a cold.”

        ~

        Over the course the next couple of days, Applejack calmed down somewhat, but there was one thought going throughout her mind. How was Twilight killed? Were there any guards on duty? If so, why were the guards lacking on their job?

        She learned from Lyra that there were a good number of night guards, but very few Sun Guards posted that night and she finally had somepony to blame. She also learned from Sliver Swirl that the funeral was in a couple of days and would start at the tracks of the Crystal Empire and go to Canterlot. During the wait, Applejack considered what she was going to say to honor her best friend.

        ~

        6 Months, 1 Week After Cadence’s Death

        Today was the funeral and the plan was to take the train up to the Crystal Empire and take it back all the way to Canterlot where the princesses would be waiting. Applejack thought it was redundant, but it was an effective way to keep up security. She and Fluttershy would walk the casket with Shining Armor to the cart designated for her, Fluttershy, and the casket. Before she got on the cart, Big Mac wished her luck.

        When she got on the train she tried to talk to Fluttershy, but had no luck. She learned from Nurse Red Heart that Fluttershy had been in a state of shock for about a week. It was thanks to AJ and a few of her friends around Ponyville that she'd gotten out of it, but it was a hollow success. Red Heart had told her that due to the emotional ordeal that Twilight's death had caused, Fluttershy was now completely mute. Many had tried everything to get to the butter yellow pegasus to speak, but without success. She'd stayed at Sweet Apple Acres for a couple of days, but didn't speak one word to anypony.

        As they were reaching the Empire, AJ heard some guards talking about a rumored revolution happening in Fillydelphia and in some parts of Manehattan, which angered the earth pony. When they got to the Crystal Empire, Shining Armor was at the train station. Applejack and Fluttershy both noticed the cold look in his eyes and didn't want to say a word to him, instead standing off to either side of him as the cart unloaded full of ponies.

        “My dear civilians,” Shining Armor started to say, “This past week has been hard for all of us, but especially on me. You see, when Luna told me someone died  in Twily’s castle had been, I thought Twily killed the King.” Shining then shed a couple tears. “But then when Celestia herself told me that my little sister died I was dumbstruck and shocked. I then...I broke down in tears. She was my world especially in the months following my beloved's death; she was the reason I got my cutie mark. I miss her so much right now and I blame myself for not being there when she needed me the most.” There was a long pause when his words started to shake, so the unicorn king look the moment to gather his thoughts before continuing. “I didn't even answer her letters, I'm more sorry than any of you.”

        Shining then left the stage. Fluttershy looked at AJ and her eyes were wondering if she should go to see Shining.

        “No,” Applejack replied, “It'll only make the situation worse.”

        Then all the guards, AJ and Fluttershy loaded into the train. It started to head towards Canterlot, detouring through Ponyville first. AJ and Fluttershy looked out the window and were amazed at how many ponies, and even hooffuls of griffins and zebras, were in line for the funeral. All of them wore sorrowful expressions on their faces. AJ and Fluttershy could easily agree that they'd never seen the town this sad before; even Pinkie would have hard time cheering them up.

        I wonder how well Pinkie Pie is handling this, the orange earth pony thought.

         The train headed up the mountainside and AJ heard some guards talking, but they stuck to  one-sided conversation at best, leaving one question: “What now?” and the usual answer: “I don't know.”

        Those were AJ thoughts on the matter too: a very uncertain future for her, her family, and all of Equestria.

        The train approached Canterlot. AJ and Fluttershy saw one side of the impressive capital city, as well as citizens and the other Lunar and Solar Guards. Greeting them at the door was Rarity, who hugged AJ. Here mane was completely faded and AJ swore she had some new bangs, but that could have been from the tears.

        “It's good t' see ya too Rarity,” Applejack said.

        “I was just worried you did something rash,” Rarity said. The white unicorn then hugged Fluttershy. ”Have have been holding up darling?”

        “Sorry Rarity, but Fluttershy took Twilight’s death pretty bad. Y'see, she was in shock for about a week and when she come 'round she was completely silent. Red Heart tried everything she could t' get her t' talk again,” Applejack explained.

        “I'm sorry, Fluttershy,” the unicorn said, hugging the pegasus.

        A solar guard coughed in their direction and they looked at him. He and another were levitating Twilight’s Coffin. This was first time they saw it. It was standard brown, but it had Twilight’s cutie mark on the top of it and along the front side as well.

         “Right...” Rarity said.

        They all took the lead as they were directed toward the Canterlot Cemetery where the princesses were waiting. As they walked Applejack noticed fillies crying and adults looking sad, but she felt as if it were a hollow sadness. She knew the elite cared about no pony except themselves or ponies within their circles.

        They reached the cemetery and saw that Celestia was having a hard time keeping her eyes from welling up with tears. Applejack sat down next to Rarity and Fluttershy to the left of Celestia and to the right of her was Luna and Sliver.

        It was Luna's and Sliver’s turn to speak first. They spoke of how little time they'd known Twilight, but knew how much she meant to everypony and thanked her and her friends for saving Equestria numerous times, including from Luna herself. After they were done, it was Rarity's turn to speak.

        “Hello everypony,” she said with a long sad sigh, “Losing Twilight was like losing a best friend, which we were. She helped out with many of my designs in Ponyville and was major influence on my work. She was a dear friend to me and I never thought that seeing her at the train station would be the last time I would ever see her.”

        “Well everypony, what Ah can say about Twi?” Applejack continued after Rarity finished speaking, “She helped me and mah family so many times; Ah lost track after about twenty or so. Ah was there for her and vice versa. To say losin' Twilight Sparkle is a huge blow not just for me, but to mah family – heck all of Equestria – is an understatement. Ah know some ponies in Manehattan who looked up to Twilight and Ah understand how they feel. Ah promised her Ah would be there for her until she died, and Ah wasn't.

        “Maybe Ah'm fulfillin' that right now. Twilight, wherever ya are right now, we'll miss ya, and Ah will be guided by your lessons of friendship. Goodbye.”

        It was then Celestia's turn. Applejack looked at her when she spoke and was surprised to see the princess of the sun crying so freely. No pony had seen Celestia so depressed before, at least not in front of everypony.

        “My dear citizens, today is a dark day in Equestria’s history. Another princess was lost recently, a pony I hold very dear to my heart. You see, Princess Twilight Sparkle was like a daughter to me, and she looked up to me for answers and guidance like any daughter would. I taught her everything I could about magic and mostly every day she was with me since her entry exam. To lose her with my guards being there to help her, I can't help but blame myself for her death. To me this is like losing Luna all over again, but this time, the one I lost isn't coming back. I miss you dearly Twilight Sparkle, more than you could ever know. Goodbye.”

        Everypony rose and lowered their heads. Applejack held her hat against her chest as a sign of great respect as the casket was being lowered into the dirt. After, everypony left for the food and drink and to collect themselves and to talk. Sliver approached AJ as she was having some apple fritters.

        “I'm sorry for your loss, Applejack,” he said sorrowfully, putting his hoof around her shoulder, “I think it's going to be a while before Equestria truly heals from these tragedies, if ever.”

        “Thank you, Sliver. It truly means a lot that ya said that and that ya came to the funeral,” Applejack replied, “But Ah do have one question: Why wasn't the Twilight Guard thingy not passed?”

        “Well you Applejack it takes time and resources to do that and we'd just gotten the resource part taken care of when Twilight kicked the bucket. So if anything, blame time for not saving the princess,” Sliver Swirl explained.

        Applejack then went to Celestia and tapped on her wing. “'Scuse me princess, but can Ah talk to ya somewhere more private?”

        “Will The Hall of Elements do?” Celestia asked. Applejack nodded.

        They headed to the Hall of Elements with some the princess's top guards following them. As Applejack suspected the elite were just going about their everyday lives as if nothing had happened. The orange earth pony lowered her head and shook it in disgust.

        As they approached the doors Celestia asked the guards to wait outside as AJ entered first. After Celestia entered and shut the doors, Applejack hit the princess as hard as she could and actually managed to get her on the ground.

        “I guess I had that coming for a while,” she said gathering herself.

        “You bring her back and or so help me-”

        “So help you what? Are you going to try and kill me?” Celestia asked, standing up and looking at the mare with a cold expression, “Wake up Applejack, I don't think Equestria can lose two princesses in the same month. On top of that, you think you’re the first who has threatened me? Since Twilight’s death I've been getting death threats by the hoofful and there is even talk of a revolution with the ponies in Fillydelphia and Manehattan.”

        Applejack was in shock. Her instincts told her to run, but she stood still. She didn't know why; it either from courage, fear, or maybe both. Celestia stepped a little forward as AJ stood there.

        “I've thought of a thousand different ways to bring back Twilight, including the darkest of spells. Star Swirl tried a spell to bring Clover the Clever back from the dead, but what came back wasn’t her. There's a reason why necromancy is a forbidden art,” the princess continued, “So, anything else to say, Applejack?”

        The orange mare slowly sunk to the ground and started to cry despite herself. “Ah'm sorry Princess, it's just Twilight’s death is hittin' me harder than Ah thought. Ah understand that bringin' something back to life ain't natural. Ah guess it was my fault that Ah got desperate.”

        “It's okay Applejack, I understand how you feel,” Celestia replied, tilting the mare's head up gently so their eyes could meet, “I've been there myself, the best thing you can do is hangout with her friends,mourn her loss, and move on. Listen, I will set up a private room for you here in the castle  then go it to ,relax, and relieve some stress you have  .”

        Applejack hugged her. “Thank you, princess.”

        “For what?” Celestia asked her.

        “For making it so Ah can finally start movin' on,” she said with a smile, looking up at the princess.

        “It was my pleasure,” Celestia said with a smile, “Now go on.”

        Applejack left the Hall of Elements and the castle altogether, heading to the sweet shop and got an ice cream of her choice. After she was done with it she headed up to her quarters and when she got there she went to bed and slipped into a peaceful slumber.

        ~

        1 week later

        Applejack was sleeping peacefully in her own bed now that she was back home, but was her dream was interrupted by a hard knock on the front door.

        “Gosh darn it, do ya know what time it is?” Applejack complained, approaching the door, “The sun ain't even up yet.” She opened it and saw Lyra was standing holding a folder with her magic with papers inside of it.

        “Good you're up. Applejack I have no time, but you need to evaluate Ponyville right away,” the minty green unicorn urged, looking paranoid looking all round, “I just hope no pony of his followed me here.”

        “What in tarnation are ya talkin' about?” the earth pony mare demanded.

        Lyra shoved the folder into her hooves. “It should all be explained in that folder AJ. The one behind Cadence’s death, who exterminated the changelings; everything bad that's been happening these past couple of years in that folder. Listen to Luna’s tapes; it should explain everything. I'm sorry Applejack, but me and Bon Bon need go to the safe zone.”

        “Wait a minute what–” she started but was cut off as Lyra galloped off into the night. “Gosh darn it.” She put the folder in a safe location where nopony else could find it until morning.

        ~

        In the morning, the first thing Applejack did was go to where she had stashed the folder and pull it out. She checked all around her room, making sure the door and windows of her room were locked and the curtains were drawn before she dared to open the folder marked 'confidential'.

        “What so important about this here folder?” she asked herself out loud as she looked at it in her hoof, “Well, let's take a look.”

        She opened the folder and noticed one pony's face sticking out. The shot was of a pony she recognized, but the label read “The Master” beneath the picture.

        “What's this about?” she asked herself, “Ah don't believe it.”

        Applejack then saw a device marked Audio Tape #1 after digging some more through the folder. Lyra had also dropped off a player along with the folder, so the earth pony stuck the tape in and pressed play. Luna spoke from it:

        “Dearest Applejack, you probably have thousands of question right now, but what matters in the here and now is that you read the contents of this folder and see the situation I'm stuck in, or rather that all of Equestria is stuck in. You see Applejack, the Master has fooled all of Equestria, including you. If you want to understand how, which I’ll be surprised if you don't, please listen to these tapes and read the files I've gathered up on him over the years. I don't know what will happen because he knows that I'm onto him and he doesn't like that at all. I'm positive I'm the next one his hit list. Please Applejack, read the files and listen to the tapes. Good luck.”

        “Good luck to you too Princess Luna,” she said taking the tape out and pulling out the first of many files, “Well lets get started...”

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