Dear Princess Celestia,

I bring you the unfortunate regret that my friends and I were not able to protect the earth crystal, nor were we able to stop the calamity you are most likely witnessing at this current moment. I am deeply ashamed that I was not able to stop such a horror from happening, as well as not being able to safely save everyone near Galloping Gorge when it all took place.

The Black Mages from their now ruined settlement have come to the Apple Kingdom to rest and take shelter until they can find another place to live. The Knights of the kingdom and the mages have so far gotten decently along well, both sides explaining each situation. Unfortunately, there is still the occasional bar fight every so often, so I hope that we will be able to make full peace soon, or this kingdom will fall apart from the lack of friendship and tolerance in its walls.

It is currently nighttime here in the kingdom, and the captain of the guard, Applejack, has given us all a place to sleep in the castle. I am currently extremely tired as I write this, but I hope to speak with you soon.

- You're faithful friend, Twilight Sparkle

(Music Stop)

"Dammit, I spelled 'Your' wrong, stupid woman!" Twilight cursed as she folded her letter and magically sent it to its "Ugh... I need some sleep... But right after I get back from the kitchen. Spike, guard my room until I get back, okay?"

"Kaw!" Spike nodded, allowing Twilight to roam the quiet halls of the castle.

"Now, if I was a kitchen, where would I be?" Twilight pondered "Hmm... The dining hall is south-west from here, meaning the kitchen would be... Ah, I got it!" she immediately walked away to where she believed the kitchen to be. Low and behold, she found it, but was surprised to find that Fluttershy had gotten there before her.

"Oh, hello Twilight" Fluttershy kindly smiled, taking a bite out of the fruit in her hand.

"Fluttershy! Nice to see you here" Twilight nodded "It's probably good you are; I needed someone to talk to, especially with our little problem on our hands... What are you eating?"

"Oh, I asked some nice guards if they had anything to eat before I went to bed" Fluttershy explained "To my pleasant surprise, they had my favorite fruit here, apples" she took another bite of her apple and swallowed "Do you wish to have one?"

"No, thank you" Twilight declined politely "So, what are you thinking now, Fluttershy?"

"W-Well..." Fluttershy stuttered a bit "I won't lie to you, Twilight. I'm actually really scared by all this..."

"You and me both, Flutters" Twilight nodded "After this whole ordeal, I feel awful..."

"Twilight, I know a lot of people, um... died, from Titan's awakening..." Fluttershy began "But, um... I think you should stay strong and, um, don't let the past haunt you. Because if you do, then..."

"Then?" Twilight wondered why her friend had suddenly stopped mid-sentence "Then what?"

"Then... um... no, never mind..." Fluttershy sighed.

"Oh, well... Okay then" Twilight decided to leave it at that, instead going to do what she intended to do before "So, how long have you been down here?"

"Perhaps, um... Goodness, I think a few minutes or so" Fluttershy realized "I only came down here because I couldn't sleep, but I suppose now I should head to bed and prepare for whatever Applejack has planned tomorrow."

"Yeah, I should probably get going as well" Twilight nodded, taking a banana and starting to head back to her room "Don't stay up too late. Oh, and if you ever need me, you know where my room is."

"Thank you, Twilight" Fluttershy smiled "You're a good friend."

"Well, I mean, I try" Twilight laughed a bit before exiting the kitchen and going to try and sleep again.

After a long walk back, she found her door and was just as she was about to open it until she heard a faint crying sound coming from down the hall. She listened closely, trying to pinpoint the exact location of the noise. She walked around, listening intently for the crying until she finally was face-to-face with the room's door in which the sound came from.

"Applejack's office?" Twilight wondered. She knocked three times, awaiting, Applejack's answer. After a little while, she decided it was probably best to open the door and find out what her friend was up to. What she saw shocked her: beer bottles all over her desk as well as tissues in a small pile beside it. In the chair was a sobbing Applejack who looked as if she had just had some sort of traumatic flashback.

"AJ?" Twilight wondered.

"What do ya want, Twi... Twilight?" Applejack drunkenly asked "Can't ya see ah'm... y'know... busy?"

"Applejack, what are you doing?!" Twilight scolded "You don't do this every night, do you?"

"N-No... Only... Only every week..." Applejack pathetically sighed, causing Twilight to feel sorry for her "Ah... Ah'm glad ya caught me when ya did... But at the same time, angry. Is that... Is that even possible?"

"What have you been doing to yourself, AJ?" Twilight worryingly asked "What forced you to do this? Was it something about the fall of the Black Mage settlement or-"

"No, no, Twilight..." Applejack sighed "Unless... well, unless ya want ta here a dumb woman speak 'bout her personal issues, which is somethin'... y'know... maybe ya wouldn't like hearin'..."

"Are you kidding?" Twilight questioned "I always have time for my friends. But, perhaps you can tell me when you've sobered up a bit? I wouldn't want to speak to a highly emotional you. No offense."

"None taken..." Applejack waved her hand lazily.

After a little while, Applejack had finally sobered up a bit and was ready to talk to Twilight about her inner thoughts. They had made their way back to Applejack's sleeping room in case the former had begun to feel sleepy again. As soon as both of them had found a comfortable place to sit, whether it be on a chair or the bed, Applejack began.

"So y'all wanna here mah story, eh?" Applejack wondered.

"Yes, please" Twilight nodded "Talking with someone about your problems is a good way to help solve them. Fluttershy told me that a little while back."

"Well, alrighty then" Applejack nodded "So, ah'm sure yer wonderin' why ah gave up mah position as princess?

"It's crossed my mind once or twice, yes" Twilight recalled.

"That kinda... ties inta what ah was, y'know..."

"Yeah..."

16 years ago...

In the old halls of Apple Kingdom castle roamed a young girl with long, blonde hair and orange skin. She wore only the most beautiful of purple gowns in her size, and donned on her head was a perfect crown of flowers crafted by her mother. Humming along, she was going to go and check on her parents' room.

"Mommy? Daddy?" she knocked on their door, hearing heavy panting from behind it "A-Are y'all okay in there?"

"Yes, Applejack dearest!" her mother called out from inside the room "Mother's just... oooh... b-busy..."

"Y'all can come in a lil' while later, kay, AJ?" her father asked.

"Alright, daddy" Applejack cheerfully nodded before turning around and going back to her room. As she did, she saw that her brother had walked around a corner. His skin was naturally red, and his hair was ginger. His eyes were a nice color of green. He wore a simple white shirt and beige pants.

"Oh, hey there, Big Mac" Applejack waved "Do ya know what mommy and daddy are doin'?"

"Yep" Big Mac nodded.

"Is it somethin' ah should know 'bout?" Applejack wondered.

"Yep" Big Mac nodded with a smile "Ya know how mom's belly kept gettin' bigger and bigger?"

"Y-Yeah?" Applejack nervously nodded "Is mommy gonna... die?"

"Nope" Big Mac sighed with a grin "Mom's havin' another baby! Y'know, a new siblin'."

"R-Really?" Applejack's eyes lit up as she began bouncing around gleefully "Ah git ta have another sister or brother! Ah git ta have another sister or brother!! Oh, but what if he or she dun like me?"

"Ah'm sure he or she will, AJ" Big Mac assured.

Suddenly, much to the surprise of Applejack, crying was heard from within their parents' room. Applejack and Big Mac quickly turned toward the room and rushed forward, attempting to see what the matter was. However, their father had opened up the door and gave them a huge smile. His skin was light green and his hair was orange, as well as his eyes were a brilliant yellow. He wore a simple gray shirt with black pants and a pair of glasses. A scruff of natural hair was under his chin.

"Ya two!" he chuckled happily "Would y'all like ta see yer new baby sister?"

"S-Sister?" Applejack was nearly in tears, a small smile appearing on her face "Ah... Ah would love ta..."

The two stepped into the room only to see their mother holding a newborn child in her arms. Their mother had pale blue skin, green eyes and soft purple hair that went all the way down the side of her bed. Her clothing was light and rather indecent, so she wore the bed sheets over herself. The baby on the other hand had pale yellow skin with bright red hair. Her eyes were closed and she had a soft, pink towel over her to keep her warm. She was currently suckling on her mother's milk.

"Hello, Applejack..." her mother smiled "Would you like to see your new baby sister, Apple Bloom?"

"She's so... small..." Applejack stated as she looked at the baby in awe "C-Can ah hold her?"

"Not quite yet, sweetie" her mother giggled a bit "She's still so very small, and I wish to nurture her just a little while longer. Does that sound fair to you?"

"Of course, mommy" Applejack nodded, slightly disappointed. Seeing this, her father pulled her over to attempt to cheer her up.

"Hey, kiddo" he smiled "Ah think ya should have this..." he pulled out a brown hat the likes of Applejack had never seen before and placed it on her head "This hat is mah old stetson hat. It means everythin' ta me, since ah used it on every adventure ah ever had, as well as ah wore it when ah met yer mommy here in this very castle. Now, ah want y'all ta have it."

"But daddy, isn't this important ta ya?" Applejack wondered "Ah dun wanna wear somethin' if it means that much ta ya."

"Kiddo, there is not enough gold or treasure in the world that ah want ta give ya and yer folks up fer" her father smile "It would make me the happiest man in the world if ya wore that hat fer me."

"Ah..." Applejack pondered before finally smiling at her father "Ah will!"

"Good on ya, kiddo!" her father laughed "Now, why dun we go over and relish yer new sister, eh?"

Applejack giggled as she was picked up by her father and carried over to where her mother was. All present in the room laughed at this, even waking little Apple Bloom up, who was more or less just confused about the situation.

"What mah family and ah had was special" Applejack chuckled "Could ya believe it? A raggedy treasure hunter and a princess gettin' together? Y'all would think it wouldn't work out, but they were like two peas in a pot, they were..."

"Sounds like you loved your family more than anything" Twilight smiled.

"Yeah, ah did..." Applejack smiled before she felt a few tears down her face "Oh dang-nabbit! Now ya got me cryin' ya did! Sorry 'bout this; ah can usually hold them in."

"It's alright, Applejack, just let it all out..." Twilight smiled.

"Th-Thanks, Twi" Applejack smiled and nodded "Anyway, as ya probably could guess, our life was the happiest it ever could have been now that we had a new family member. Of course, things never really worked out fer the better after that..."

"O-Oh..." Twilight gulped.

"Mah parents, they... they had ta go on a misson. They took off in their airship and... Ah never saw them again..." Applejack explained "Ah was heartbroken, angry and confused all at the same time when the letter of their passin' came ta me and mah brother. Ah locked mahself in mah room, and hoped ta never come out again."

"What stopped you?" Twilight asked.

"Ah got tired of waitin' ta die" Applejack chuckled sorrowfully "Ah finally went on top of the castle ta relax..."

12 years ago...

Applejack, now older with longer blonde hair and a simple pale purple night gown leaned over the edge of the top of the castle and looked out into the sky, currently the sea of stars. She tried counting each and every one of them to help her fall back to sleep, but after the dreadful news of her parents' passing, she was failing miserably. She looked down at her hands and saw the hat her father had given her four years ago. Tears began emerging from her eyes before she began to silently cry.

"Ah thought ya might be up here" a voice familiar to Applejack caused her to perk up and turn around quickly. There, she saw her now older brother wearing a larger white shirt with black pants. A small dagger was safely tucked away beside him for protection.

"What do ya want, Big Macintosh?" Applejack growled.

"Ah know this whole thing is troublin' fer ya. Believe me, ah can relate" Big Mac sighed "Ah wanted ta see how y'all were doin'. Ah already knew the answer, but... Ah'm yer brother, and its mah responsibility ta make sure mah sister is safe."

"...thanks" Applejack smiled, still very saddened "Yer a good big bro, Big Mac."

"Yep" Big Mac nodded "So, what's on yer mind?"

"Besides our parents?" Applejack wondered "Ah... well... Ah dun think ah'm ready ta lead a kingdom. Y'all heard what everyone in the kingdom is talkin' 'bout! Who's gonna be the next leader? Ah... I dunno..."

"Applejack..." Big Mac sighed.

"Ah want ta be free from all this, Big Mac" Applejack continued to cry, albeit to a lesser extent now "Ah want ta be free of the burden of both leadin' a nation, as well as free from mah troubles thinkin' 'bout mah... our parents. Ah dun think ah could live with both of these at the same time..."

"Applejack, ah have an idea" Big Mac stated, pulling out a coin from his pants pocket "This is a coin ah got from mom. If heads, ya win and y'all can go and live yer life however ya want, leavin' me ta rule the kingdom. If tails, ah go instead. Sound fair?"

"Ah... yeah, okay..." Applejack turned and nodded "Ah accept yer challenge!"

"Then let's flip" Big Mac nodded, placing the coin on this thumb and flipping it into the air "Best of luck, sis."

(Music Stop)

"The coin obviously landed on heads, if ya couldn't already tell" Applejack sighed "After that, ah tossed away mah father's hat over the edge of the castle, and with it, almost all the troubles ah ever had about mah parents. Ah later went on ta become the captain of the Apple court Knights and become somethin' ah never would have if my brother hadn't been there..."

"So then... Why do you still drink away your pain if gave up your heritage and became something else?" Twilight wondered.

"Remember when ah said almost all mah troubles?" Applejack wondered "Well, ah later found out my brother's coin was a trick coin with two heads. He wanted me ta choose mah own life, and ah forever thank him fer that... But at the same time, ah couldn't help but feel ah cheated my acceptance ta my parents' deaths. With this realization, ah began ta drink every once in a while and... old habits die hard, ah guess..."

"Applejack, thank you for telling me this" Twilight nodded "If giving up your father's hat was what you thought was best, then I won't stop you. But our inevitable battle with Titan is coming up soon, and we need ever ounce of strength we can muster. We all need some sleep and, um... soberness in us, so I would request that you stop drinking for the night."

"Thanks, Twilight" Applejack smiled "Ah'll try."

Twilight nodded before she finally exited Applejack's room to go back to her own. Applejack sighed the moment Twilight left. She stood up and walked over to her dresser, opening up the very first shelf. Inside was an old, but very well preserved brown stetson hat. She felt sorry for lying to Twilight about tossing the hat over the edge.

"D-Daddy..." she whispered, touching the hat with her hand "Ah'm... Ah'm sorry... But it looks like ah'm gonna need ya fer one last lil' thin'..."

A warm hand was felt on Applejack's shoulder. Instead of feeling afraid, she relaxed herself and felt the hand enter her body. An aura then surrounded her for a moment before dispersing and making her entire body feel warm and refreshed.

"Thank ya kindly... daddy..."

Morning dawned over the Apple Kingdom, waking everyone up and starting the day. Twilight and her friends had called over every possible Knight and Black Mage to come over in front of the castle to prepare for Applejack to explain the plan. After half-an-hour of waiting, however, most had begun to become impatient, especially Rainbow Dash.

"Ugh! Where is she?" she asked, tapping her foot quickly "She should have been here an hour ago!"

"It's been thirty minutes, darling" Rarity reminded her friend "I'm sure she still need some time to prepare herself."

"Actually, Rarity, she was supposed to be on time for her speech" Twilight mentioned.

"Oh, I hope nothing bad has happened to her..." Fluttershy concernedly said.

Just as some of the Knights and Black Mages were about to leave, the door to the castle swung open and revealed Applejack in all her glory. Everyone gasped however after they saw a brown stetson hat on her head, the very same one she supposedly threw away into the wind. Behind her tied around her neck was a regal red cape that flowed through the soft breeze. She stepped up to the speaking stand and began her speech.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!" she announced "Ah am Applejack, captain of the Apple court Knights and former princess of the Apple Kingdom. As many of y'all may be surprised ta see, ah have kept the hat ah claimed ta have thrown out. Because of mah stupidity in doin' so, ah have dealt with a number of questionable choices in mah life."

"Applejack..." Twilight sighed, fortunately not disappointingly.

"However, at the end of the day, ah'm glad ah kept this hat" Applejack proudly stated "Because without it, ah'm not sure ah would have been able ta fully accept mah mother and father's deaths. So, with this hat on mah head, and mah parents always by mah side, ah have decided to finally move on and lead everyone here ta victory!"

The crowd cheered by this statement, with some Black Mages tossing their hats up into the air, and some Knights waving their swords around, careful not to hurt anyone.

"Applejack, you kept the stetson?" Twilight asked Applejack.

"Sorry fer lying ta ya, Twi" Applejack apologized "Ah truly hope ah can make it up ta ya."

"Are you kidding?" Twilight smiled "You've finally moved on! By embracing your past instead of fearing it, no less! I couldn't be more happy with you, AJ."

"Thank ya kindly, Twi" Applejack nodded confidently.

"Though, I'm still a little angry with you" Twilight deadpanned.

"O-Oh!" Applejack was surprised by this "...oh..."

"Hold up, what's with the new get-up, AJ?" Rainbow suddenly asked her friend "Besides the rockin' hat, that cape seems a little out-of-place, if not completely inconvenient while on the battlefield."

"Oh, thanks fer remindin' me, Rainbow Dash" Applejack nodded before rushing up to the speaking stand once again "Ladies and Gentlemen, may ah have yer attention please?" the crowd calmed down "Thank ya. Now, ah am aware of some of the bar fights we've all gotten inta. And personally, ah dun blame ya. The Black Mages and Knights have been mortal enemies since... sorry, ah'm gettin' off topic..."

"Indeed" Rarity rolled her eyes.

"A-Anyway," Applejack continued "ah am not blind ta the fact we all need someone ta lead us all without bein' on one single side of the spectrum. That being said, ah would like to announce that ah have given up my position as a Knight..." she paused, confusing and worrying some people, much to her amusement "...and ah have become a Holy Knight, a person that specialized in both mana and chivalry!"

The crowd, while at first unsure how to take the news, eventually cheered once again. Applejack felt accomplished by this, and let out a well deserved sigh of relief.

"That went better than ah expected..." Applejack sighed, turning around nearly gasping her life away. Standing there was her brother, fit in his official royal clothing consisting of an iron chest plate, a blue shirt, black pants and a long red cape with white fluffing around the edges. On his head was a golden crown with multiple gems in it.

"AJ..." he began his sentence as if he was disappointed with his sister, making her feel bad, before he lightened up and smiled "Ya finally did it, lil' sis."

"Ah... what?" she wondered

"Ah knew ya kept that old hat of dad's" he explained "Ah never said anythin' 'cause ah wanted ya ta learn on yer own that y'all should either finally ferget our folks, or embrace their deaths and use them ta empower yerself. Ah know that sounds like somethin' only a truly dark heart would do, but it was fer yer own good."

"Big Mac..." Applejack looked stunned before she smiled and laughed a bit "Ah've never heard ya talk so much in yer life!"

"Nope" Big Mac laughed with his little sister as well.

"Sorry to intrude, darling" Rarity spoke up "But whatever will happen now?"

"Now?" Applejack questioned before grinning and staring at her friends confidently "Now, we bring the fight ta Titan. Now, we take back the land that is rightfully ours!"

Author's Notes:

Woo! Good chapter, I'd wager! Not my best, but eh, what can you do, right?

The final battle against Titan will soon commence in the next chapter. It'll be long and grueling, but somehow, someway, our heroes will pull through. And whatever happened to Trixie and Gilda? Did they manage to escape the rockslide, or are they fated to death and/or corruption? Find out on the next episode of Soap!

Hey, the next episode of My Little Pony came out after Christ knows how long! Did everyone enjoy it? Should Knighty make a Sassy Saddles tag on FIMfiction? Well, I don't know, but knowing him he probably will.

Be sure to Like, Comment, Favourite and Follow, and until then, dream on everyone!