Every Friday morning at around nine o’clock Twilight showed up at Sweet Apple Acres to help Applejack gather apples. This had been going on for a year. Applejack wasn’t sure what the studious unicorn got out of farm work, but she was always happy to have a helping hoof around the farm. The apples were hanging low from between the emerald leaves now, ripe ruby fruit ready to be harvested. The smell of apples wafted through the farm, sweet and tangy and bringing to mind memories of apple pies and apple cider. Applejack stretched and trotted from the kitchen with Big Mac. Just like every Friday Twilight was there. She was beneath an apple tree and smiled at Applejack’s approach. The unicorn already had baskets on her back.

“Good morning, Twi.”

“Good morning, Applejack.” Twilight said, yawning.

“Already had breakfast?”

Twilight nodded as she stretched her hind legs. “Yep. A bunch of pancakes.”

“Feel free to come here for breakfast. You know you’re always welcome.”

“I’ll take you up on that one of these days.”

They began to stroll among the trees. Applejack turned and bucked a tree and Twilight caught them in her basket. The process repeated again and again as they trotted at a brisk pace through the orchard. Applejack was confident that they’d be done by noon. They mostly worked in silence. Twilight seemed to be deep in thought as she trailed along the farm pony. Applejack watched her as she scrunched up her face. Occasionally her muzzle would twitch as if she was going to say something.

“Did you know apples were first cultivated by Akhels in the Rushing Mountains?” Twilight asked, apropos of nothing. She twisted her body to catch a bushel of apples that Applejack had kicked down.

“I did know that. My ancestors were Akhels.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“Yeah though it was a group of Akhels that migrated to Dream Valley. One of my ancestor’s was one of Meghan’s companions. She was the first Applejack.”

“Really? My ancestor was one of Meghan’s companions too. Twilight the Warrior.”

“You don’t say?” Applejack said. “A warrior? I could believe it.”

The silence returned. It was now obvious to a painful degree that Twilight wanted to ask or tell her something. Twilight slid the baskets from her back.

“Let’s go get some more baskets.” Applejack told her. Twilight took the old baskets in her magic and followed Applejack to the barn. She placed down the baskets in the hay. Applejack slid two more baskets on her back.

“Twilight is there something you wanted to tell me?”

Twilight didn’t respond.

“We’ve been friends for a long time, Sugarcube. There’s nothing you can’t tell me.”

They stepped from the musty barn into the fresh, fruit-scented air. In the sky the bright sun inched steadily towards noon. She only had a few more apple trees to harvest. She spotted Big Mac in the west field bucking the apple trees with his strong legs. Even here she could see his muscles rippling with each kick. Twilight glanced in his direction then away.

“Do you have a crush on Big Mac?” She asked suddenly.

“No. There’s actually this guard back in Canterlot.” Twilight said. “I think I’m in love with him.”

Applejack patted her shoulder. “Well, congratulations. I ain’t never been with nopony myself. What’s he like?”

“Strong. Intelligent. We met in the library about three months ago. I was visiting looking for this book.”

“Is that you wanted to tell me?”

“How’d you know I wanted to tell you something?”

“Sugarcube, when you can’t get up the courage to say something you blurt out random facts. Like where apples were first cultivated.”

“I do? That’s not what I wanted to tell you.”

“Well then what is it?”

“It’s a little strange.”

“When you’ve been living in this town long enough you get used to a little strange. Can’ be stranger than the time Rarity needed to use my trees to fit her dress.”

“She did?”

“She was making a dress for a dryad.”

Twilight’s eyes lit up. “A dryad? I’ve always wanted to meet one of those!”

“I met her. Nice lady. Got leaves everywhere though.”

“They go through a yearly shedding cycle. There are several varieties. Evergreen dryads don’t lose their leaves. Was she a poplar dryad or a

beech dryad or a birch dryad or-”

“Hickory.” Applejack said. “And you’re doing it again.”

“Doing what?”

Applejack slammed her back hooves into a tree. “Babbling. It’s what you do when you’re nervous.”

“I do?”

“Sure do. It’s kind of cute actually.”

“Applejack, how much do you know about Unicorn culture?” Twilight asked as she caught the apples in her basket.

“Well, I’ve hung out with Rarity for quite some time. I know y’all have different holidays. Is a holiday coming up?”

“The anniversary of the Battle of Flutter Valley.”

“Should I buy you a gift?”

“No. It’s a day of somber reflection. Though there is a feast in the evening.”

“Sounds nice.”

“My mom makes traditional baked hay casserole every year. It’s really good. Would you like to come this year?”

“I do like hay casserole. Sure I will.”

“You know Unicorns believe family is more than blood? There’s also spiritual family.”

“I believe that too. You girls are like a second family to me.”

“Remember the first time I came here? I really didn’t want to come to Ponyville. I even thought of it as Celestia banishing me here. But you made me feel so welcome. I don’t think I’ve gotten a warmer welcome in my entire life. At first I thought it was just because of my connection to the princess, but you really are that welcoming.”

“Aw, you’re makin’ me blush.”

“There’s more. I love all our friends, but I feel like we understand each other more.”

“You don’t got a crush on me do ya?”

Twilight didn’t answer.

“Oh.” Applejack breathed. “You were just tellin’ me ya had a stallion. I’m sorry, I’m flattered, but my barn door don’t swing that way.”

“It’s not exactly a crush.” Twilight explained. “I just feel a special connection to you. Especially after the slumber party last week. Everyone rushed to comfort me, but somehow you were the one that comforted me the most. I can’t explain it. Do you know what a soul friend is?”

“I heard Rarity’s mom call her dad that. I thought it was just a nickname.”

“It’s more than that. A soul friend is someone a unicorn has joined her magic with. Outside of marriage, it’s the most intimate relationship possible though soul-friending is part of the marriage rite. I want to be your soul friend.”

“But why me? Why not Rarity or Rainbow Dash or any of our other friends?”

“I don’t know. It all clicked for me after the slumber party. I felt terrible. But you telling me that story made me feel better. It made me realize everyone made mistakes. Then everypony else told their own embarrassing secrets or stories and it made us grow closer. I think I need you.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow at that. “I don’t think ya need anypony Twi. You’re a strong, capable mare.”

“Magic needs Honesty. Magic is power and without truth-honesty-power can mislead.”

“Huh. I’ve never thought of it that way. I really don’t know what to think about all this. What exactly does being a soul-friend mean?”

“Our magic, our souls, would be linked during the ceremony. It’s supposed to be very intense.” She shuffled a hoof. “We would see each other’s memories. Soul-friends have no secrets between them.”

“Twilight, you would let me see your memories? All your secrets? Everything?”

“Yes.”

Her tone was serious.

“And you would see all of mine?”

She nodded.

“You trust me that much?”

“With my life. I have trusted you with my life.”

“Twi, I may be the element of honesty, but there are things…deeply painful things…that I wouldn’t want you to see. Not because I don’t trust

you, but because I wouldn’t want to put you through the same pain I felt.”

“I understand. This is a really big deal among unicorns and I would never rush into it.”

“But if you ever did do something like that it would be with me?”

“Yes.”

“Huh. That really makes me feel special.”

They continued their way through the orchard, Applejack slamming her back hooves into trees and Twilight catching them in her basket. They went through three more baskets before they were done. Twilight carried the final basket in her magic, but nearly slipped with it. Applejack caught it the first second she realized Twilight was straining.

“You tired?”

“Yeah. I’m trying to use my magic more so I won’t have any more unfortunate incidents.”

“Ah, I see. Don’t strain yourself though. I did that once and broke my hip.”

Twilight winced. “Sounds painful. I busted my horn once.”

“Sounds painful. How’d that happen?”

“I ran into a stone wall. Got my horn stuck in it. Part of it came right off. It grew back, but for a week I couldn’t do any magic.”

Applejack shuddered. “I couldn’t imagine being cut off from magic.”

Twilight pawed at the ground. “Can I ask you something personal?”

Applejack gave her a good-natured smile. “You can ask me anything you like, Sugarcube. I done told you that.”

“I was studying the soul-friends rite and then I got interested in your kind of magic-Earth Pony magic. What’s it like?”

“What do you mean?”

“Unicorn magic is in our horns. Pegasus magic is in their wings. Earth Pony magic is linked to the soul of nature itself. What’s that like?”

Applejack paused so long that Twilight was afraid she’d offended her. “I’m sorry you don’t have to answer that.”

“Close your eyes.”

“Why?”

“Just do it.” Applejack closed hers. Twilight did the same.

A wind blew through the orchard bringing with it the scent of trees and grass and fruit.

“Can you feel the grass beneath your hooves?” Applejack began. “Do you feel the life coursing through the earth, through the trees, through the grass, the same life that courses through us all? Do you feel the power flowing through the trees? Can you hear the song of the birds and the squirrels and the worms singing to Creator?” She choked up. “Do you feel the bones of my ancestors beneath our hooves?”

Twilight focused. At first she felt nothing. Then she felt something brush up against her senses. Something faint like the throb of a distant drum. It was a heartbeat and she felt it beneath her. She felt the low thrum of power coursing through the land. It was distant and faint, but it

was there.

“That’s what we feel all the time. Like an endless song. You remember Bloomington? How I read him a story?”

“Yeah, I remember that.”

“I really could feel his nervousness. The trees are alive to us. The very soil beneath us is a living thing.”

Twilight felt her horn spring to life as she tuned into the unfamiliar magic that surrounded her. She took control of her native magic, but remained tuned into the strange magic that had always been around her.

“Y’all unicorns have a lot of fancy magic that come from your soul. I think that’s where it’s from.”

“Yes. It is. We pour our chakras-our energy-into every spell. That’s not how Earth Ponies do it I guess.”

“No. We draw our magic from the earth around us. Hence “Earth” Ponies.”

“That’s amazing.”

“But to tell ya the truth the levitation spell you use looks danged useful.”

“It is, but I would love to find a way to incorporate this magic into my spells.”

Applejack chuckled and picked the basket back up. “If anypony can do it it’s you.”

After trotting into the barn Applejack placed the final basket with the others. She picked up an apple and hoofed one to Twilight. They ate in companionable silence.

“You know I’ve never told anypony about how my mama died?” Applejack asked suddenly.

“Oh, I didn’t…I wondered why…I’m sorry.” Twilight finally settled on, placing a hoof on Applejack’s shoulder.

“It’s alright. I stopped cryin’ over it a while ago. All the tears in the world ain’t gonna bring her back.”

Twilight nuzzled her. “I’m still sorry. Wait, only your mom is gone?”

“My lowdown good-for nothin’ daddy ain’t nowhere to be found. If we did this soul-friend thing you’d see them. You’d see how she died.”

Twilight gulped. “I’m sorry. I’m still not very good at boundaries. Maybe I shouldn’t have brought that up.”

“No, no Sugarcube. Don’t be sorry. I don’t think I’m quite ready for something like that, but the fact that you trust me so much as to let me take a peek inside your mind? That means a lot. Makes me realize how much our friendship means.” She took a bite of her apple. “It’s made me realize that maybe I oughta talk to somepony about how my mama died. Somepony with that much trust in me. It might as well be you.”

Twilight nodded. “Okay.”

“My mama was a beautiful mare. Most beautiful mare in the world. When I was a foal I thought my mama was God. Wasn’t quite sure who my daddy was cause he wasn’t around much. She was also the kindest mare in the world. Never got too mad at me, always forgivin’ when I did somethin’ stupid, though she had a firm hoof. When I was upset she’d take me in her lap and sing to me.” Applejack swallowed down a lump in her throat that had nothing to do with the apple she was eating. “Told me stories too. Taught me how to use my magic, how to plant, how to buck a tree, how to bake…everything I know about bein’ a farmer. About bein’ a decent pony.” She shuddered with a suppressed sob.

Twilight rubbed circles in her back. Applejack continued. “When I was ten years old I found out Mama was going to have a baby. A new sister or brother. I was so happy. Mama…something went wrong. She went into labor too early.”

“Oh, Applejack I’m so sorry-”

“Don’t say that. You didn’t cause it. You know I hated Applebloom when she was born?”

Twilight couldn’t help letting out a little gasp then blushing in embarrassment.

“I don’t anymore of course. But back then? There’s a reason I don’t want you to see those memories. I lashed out at everypony. Granny, Big Mac, my friends. I turned into the world’s biggest brat.”

“What changed?” Twilight asked softly, somewhat surprised by the description of a filly so different from the mare she knew.

“One night Applebloom was cryin’ up a storm. Big Mac couldn’t get her to stop. Granny Smith couldn’t get her to stop. Dad had long since high-tailed it. I thought maybe I could do it. I took her in my forelegs, sang to her like Mama had sung to me. I don’t know why, but she stopped crying. To this day I can make Applebloom feel better just by singing. As I held her I realized my mama would be plumb ashamed of me if she saw how I was actin’. I decided I was goin’ to be the mother that Applebloom would never have. The mother she deserved.” She wiped away a few tears and leaned into Twilight’s embrace. Twilight held her until she stopped crying.

“I’m afraid you’ll see the bad part, Twi if you peek in my head.”

“You’ll see all my bad parts too. My snobbishness, my adolescent fascination with black magic. That’s the thing with becoming soul-friends. It’s joining your soul with another pony. Everypony’s soul has good and bad”

“Would you think differently of me?”

“No, not at all.” Twilight said. “Would you think differently of me?”

“Of course I wouldn’t Look, I’ll think about all this. I got to make some deliveries.” Applejack said as she stood up. They shared one last hug

before Applejack went to get her cart and Twilight returned to the library.

                                                                                                                                             …

“She wants to be your WHAT, Darling?” Rarity asked. The prissy, white unicorn gaped at Applejack. True to her word the farmer had gone and done some deliveries before going to Rarity’s store.

“Well, considering you’re a unicorn I figured you’d know more about it. I don’t think Twilight’s being dishonest with me, but I want to know all the facts.”

“Did she tell you that it’s second only to marriage in terms of social importance?”

“She mentioned something like that. She said your parents are soul friends.”

“Yes they are. Disgustingly romantic. Though to tell you the truth I do wish to have a stallion in my life that loves me like Father loves Mother.”

“What’s it like to open yourself up to somepony like that?” Applejack asked before Rarity could start swooning.

“I have no idea. I don’t have a soul friend. It’s supposed to be an incredible experience. The question is are you comfortable with the idea? No unicorn-no ethical unicorn-would force something like this.”

Was she comfortable with it? She had known Twilight for a while now. She was a trustworthy pony. But this would take much more than simple trust.

“I don’t know, Rarity.”

“Then your answer has to be no.” Rarity’s tone became firm. “If you are not comfortable with it, even if you’re not sure if you’re comfortable with it or not, don’t do it. It’s a very permanent bond. It can be broken, but the pain has been described as similar to breaking a bone.”

“But can soul friends read each other’s thoughts?”

“Not exactly, but I’ve seen my parents just sort of intuitively know what the other one is thinking. The benefit is you’ll never be alone, not really. Or that could be a bad thing depending on how you feel about it.”

Applejack nodded. “I’m going to have to think about it. It’s not the thought of joining my soul to hers. I love that filly-platonically of course.”

“Then what bothers you?”

“Remember Applebucking Season?”

“Hmm, I’m afraid I don’t pay much attention to it.”

“I stirred up a bunny stampede. If Twilight hadn’t made me accept help…” She trailed off. “I’m always going to be grateful to her for that. I don’t want her to see all the other stupid things I’ve done.”

“Darling, I’ve known you since we were both fillies. May I tell you something?”

“I reckon.”

“Everypony makes mistakes. But you take mistakes especially hard. You can’t stand the thought of anypony discovering you have equine flaws.”

Applejack shrugged. “I don’t think I’m that bad.”

“Twilight had to hold you down and force you to accept help. Yes, she told me about it.”

Applejack cringed at the memory. “What if Twilight had asked you to do this? Would you want her finding out about your bully years?”

Rarity’s coat turned several shades redder.

“Aw, Rare I didn’t mean it!” Applejack said, putting a hoof on her shoulder. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

“Twilight already knows about that. I told her about it in a moment of weakness. I’ve been forgiven, but I haven’t forgotten. Apparently you haven’t either.”

Applejack looked to the floor. “I shouldn’t have said it.”

“You did nothing wrong. I did. And, I know you’ve forgiven me more times than I deserve. To answer your question I’m afraid me and Twilight aren’t close enough for that kind of relationship.”

“Is there any of our friends you would be comfortable enough with to do it?”

“I fear it wouldn’t be fair to my other friends. I can’t overestimate how great an honor it is for a unicorn to even ask another pony to go through the rite. It takes complete and total trust.”

“I’m starting to understand that.”

“How about you, Darling? Is there anyone you’d trust enough to do it? I mean, if you were a unicorn.”

“It wouldn’t be fair to my other friend, like you said. But if I had to choose, at first I’d say RD. But knowing her thoughts would mess up our contests. I’m still working on my relationship with you. No offense.”

“None taken. It’s certainly a work in progress.”

“Pinkie Pie’s fun to be around, but at times she can be a little…um…”

“Exuberant?” Rarity offered.

“Yeah, let’s go with that. Fluttershy’s lovely, but at times I feel like she’s my kid sister. I reckon…”

She trailed off as she realized the only logical choice left.

“Twilight. If I had to choose it’d be Twilight.”

Rarity smiled at her. “Applejack, perhaps I’ve misrepresented what being soul friends is like. It is the most rewarding experience possible. If Twilight's the one then I don't think you'll make a mistake in going through the rite with her.”

“I see. Thanks for the talk Rarity.” She said, giving her a nuzzle. Rarity nuzzled back.

“Anytime.”

Applejack left the boutique and found herself heading towards Twilight’s. The library was still open, a candle burning in a window and the silhouette of a librarian hunched over a book. Applejack knocked on the door and it slid open. Twilight remained engrossed in her book.

“Twilight?”

She looked up and stood from her desk. “Oh hi Applejack.”

“Twilight, I want to do it. I want to become your soul-friend.”