Chapter 9.

Applejack made her way up the steps Princess Celestia slowly backed away from Twilight as she watched Applejack coming closer and closer to Twilight. Once Applejack was at the top of the stairs she said to Twilight angrily.

“Why did you do what you did to me Twilight?” Applejack said angrily as she slowly climbed the stairs towards Twilight.

Twilight said nothing in response to Applejack's question she just grinned as she watched Applejack step off the last step then turned to Celestia and smiled wickedly at her saying to her.

“You know I have noticed one thing Celestia my dear.”

“And what would that be Twilight?” Celestia replied softly.

“I have noticed that you have not asked me where your sister is”. Twilight said as she chuckled evilly at Celestia.

Princess Celestia’s ears lowered back against her skull as her eyes went wide with fear. Looking at Twilight then over at Applejack and back again at Twilight. Princess Celestia said with fear every naughing at her throat.

“W...What...h...have you done...T...Tw..Twilight?”

Twilight smirked as she raised her hooves above her head and her horn started to glow a deep purple. A small blue black orb appeared just above Princess Celestia’s head looking up Princess Celestia realized what Twilight had done. Growing angry with Twilight Celestia lowered her head and pointed her horn at her once brave and kindhearted student. Then charged Twilight with all the force of a raging bull. Only to have Twilight bring the orb crashing down into her body as Celestia got within inches of striking distance to Twilight. Celestia heard Twilight say as her body was pulled inside the orb.

“Goodbye Celestia it was good to be your student” Twilight mused wickedly as she watched Celestia disappear into the orb.

“You’ll pay for THAT!” Screamed Applejack as she charged Twilight.

Twilight moved to the right and stuck her right hoof out tripping the charging Applejack sending her hoof over head tumbling back down the stairs and slamming into the front main gate. With a loud thud Applejack hit the gate then slowly climbed back to her hooves and shook off the pain of hitting the iron steel gate. Looking at Twilight as she slowly descended the stairs towards her Twilight said to Applejack softly.

“Now I don’t know about you, Applejack but; that was very rude of you to rush me like that when I was enjoying watching my former teacher disappear like that.”

Applejack just cracked her neck then rushed Twilight again only to be batted away like an annoying house fly. Twilight hit Applejack with her left front hoof sending her up into the air and crashing back to the ground at the top of the steps. As Applejack hit the ground and rolled several feet from the steps she felt her ribs break from the impact of the blow she took from hitting the ground. Again she got up only this time she placed her left hoof against her rib cage saying in pain as she coughed up blood from her injury.

“I….I…(coughing) Will find a way to stop you”.

“Really I have already knocked you down twice. Yet you still want to fight?” Twilight asked as she sat on her flank looking at the injured amber pony above her.

Applejack closed her eyes then turned around and headed into the castle trying to find anyplace she might be able to hide to do a sneak attack on Twilight. Twilight just rolled her eyes and sighed as she got up off her flank then slowly ascended the stairway following Applejack into the castle. Applejack swallowed hard as she heard Twilight's voice calling out to her from inside the castle looking around she found a small room that was not locked up. Taking a chance she ducked inside of it and waited for Twilight to pass her by all the while she heard Twilight's voice echoing throughout the castle.

“Oh, Applejack I’m coming to find you, come out, come out wherever you are”. Twilight's voice sang out as her voice echoed throughout the castle.

As Applejack waited for Twilight to walk by she heard the voice again that she had heard so many times before this fight started.

“Wake up Applejack please wake up” The voice said.

Applejack shook off the cold feeling she got when ever she heard that voice talking to her. As she waited for Twilight she watched from her hiding place that Twilight was slowly getting closer and closer to her hiding place. As Twilight got within striking distance of Applejacks hiding place Applejack crouched down low gritting her teeth seeing that Twilight was caught completely off guard Applejack lept into the air and pounced on Twilight. Sending the two of the tumbling in a mess of hooves and legs head over head of each other as they tumbled down the hallway and into a suit of armour knocking it over. Applejack got up and stumbled a bit down the hallway while Twilight slowly climbed to her feet laughing coldly. As Twilight watched Applejack stumble about as if she was drunk Twilight said to her.

“This is fun I really should remember to do this more often Applejack.”

Twilight noticed that Applejacks left back leg was badly, strained as she limped off. Away from her and knocked over armor. Turning around she grabbed a piece of it in her mouth then threw it at Applejack hitting her in the back causing her to scream out in pain. Seeing Applejack fall to the ground Twilight trotted over to the fallen amber colored pony and used her magic to pick her up into the air. Floating Applejack over to a nearby wall Twilight said to her as she slammed Applejack multiple times into the wall.

“You.” Twilight

“AAAG”. Applejack

“Never.”

“AAAG”. Applejack

“Should.” Twilight

“AAAG.” Applejack

“Have.” Twilight

“AAAG.” Applejack

“Come.” Twilight

“AAAG.” Applejack

“HERE!” Twilight said as she used her magic to throw Applejack through the wall and into the adjoining hallway behind the wall.

Applejack tumbled and rolled several feet away from Twilight as Twilight stepped over the broken bricks of the wall she said to Applejack who was just climbing to her hooves.

“I thought of a wonderful gift for you Applejack” Twilight said wickedly.

(Meanwhile back at the Apple farm)

Sunset Shimmer set down her teacup that Rarity had prepared for her. Got up off the floor that she had been sitting on and trotted over to the front door of the Applejacks home. Used her magic to open the door then trotted outside. Rarity followed saying to Sunset as she also trotted outside.

“Darling are you OK?”

Sunset looked at Rarity then shook her head as she recalled her words to Applejack before she had left to face Twilight.

“I can not and will not face Twilight for you.” These words played in Sunsets mind as she stood there shaking her head at Rarity.

Rarity looked at her friend then said to her gently.

“Darling if you are worried about Applejack I mean the Applejack that left here to face her fears and conquer them then you should go to her and actually help her. Instead of sitting here and doing nothing.”

Sunset smiled as she realized that Rarity was right even if she had vowed to not actually fight Twilight for Applejack. It didn’t mean that she needed to sit on the sidelines and do nothing for her friend. Sunset trotted back inside the house then looked at all of her friends saying to each of them.

“I am going to go help Applejack each of you may either come with me or you may stay here with no dishonor to any of you. The choice is yours to make as for me I choose to help my friend.” Sunset said as she slowly turned around to head outside but, stopped when she heard Rainbow Dash say.

“Sunset we will all help you to help Applejack besides we are all apart of this and we all need to do our part right girls.” Rainbow said as she floated down from her cloud looking at her friends.

Each of the five ponies all standing in the living room of Applejacks home all cheered in one voice as they started to run towards the open door. Sunset jumped out of the way and watched her friends run towards the castle smiling as she watched them go. Saying to herself just as her friends disappeared from sight.

“I have a better way of getting us there” Sunset said to herself as her horn glowed bright red.

Within a second she teleported right in front of the charging group causing them all to come to a skidding hault. Just as Rainbow Dash was about to say something Sunset smirked and said to her as well as everyone else present.

“Hold that thought” Sunset said as her horn once again glowed red and the entire group disappeared then reappeared in front of the castle.  

(Meanwhile during the battle with Twilight)

Applejack had just gotten back to her hooves as Twilight rushed forwards planting a hoof into Applejacks chest knocking her back into another wall. Blood splattered out of her mouth as she hit the wall and tumbled to the ground. Twilight smirked saying to her fallen former friend.

“Shall I give you pain Applejack? Would you like that? For me to rack your body with pleasurable everlasting pain?” Twilight said as she kicked Applejack in the side.

Twilight’s kick caused Applejack to fly up into the air and crash down unceremoniously on the floor in front of her. Applejack tried to stand back up only to have a purple hoof, slam into her back. As Twilight stomped on Applejacks back Applejack screamed out in pain from the crushing blow.

“AAA. Twilight stop please.” Applejack screamed out as she felt her body racked with pain.

“No.” Was the only reply that Twilight gave Applejack as she continued to kick and stomp on Applejack.  

With every blow Applejack took she thought more and more about her little sister and her words to her. Twilight was merciless with her attack on Applejack. Twilight was completely unaware that Sunset and the rest of Applejacks friends had shown up at the castle. Just as Twilight was about to finish off Applejack with one final stomp to Applejack's head a white colored hoof slammed into Twilight's head knocking her off balance and into a nearby door. Twilight hit the nearby door with such force that it broke apart and clattered to the ground in several large pieces. Rarity helped her fallen friend up then looked towards the broken door and said as she saw Twilight getting back up.

“Darling if you're going to do something you need to do it now.”  

Applejack looked down then said sadly to her friend.

“I can’t face her not on my own she is too powerful I am just not strong enough to beat her.” Applejack said as tears formed in her forest green eyes.

“No she is not!” Sunset Shimmer called out to Applejack as she and the others came into the room where Applejack and Rarity were standing.

Applejack looked at Sunset then over at Twilight who had just gotten up and began to dust herself off. As Twilight started to charge the group that was now forming around Applejack, Applejack heard Sunset say to her.

“Listen Applejack you need to take control of this battle you need to take control of this nightmare don’t let your fear control you. You are stronger than you really know. Say what is in your heart. Tell us what we all represent to you and use that to defeat the fear that is hurting you.” Sunset said as she stepped in front of Twilight knocking her off her charge and into a nearby wall.

As Twilight picked herself back up again Applejack looked down and closed her eyes. Her friends gathered around her in a full circle each one ready to spring forth to protect their friend while she found the strength within to fight Twilight. Twilight saw this and charged fully at Applejack and her friends only to be knocked back when a white sphere encircled both Applejack and all of her friends. Applejack raised her head and her eyes snapped open showing fully white glowing spheres of energy. Saying as her friends protected her while Twilight tried again and again to charge Applejack and her friends only to get knocked back each and every time she ran towards them.  

“I am Applejack,I have friends that love me and care for me. Rarity is my version of commitment, Rainbow Dash represents my need to be faithful to my family and friends. Fluttershy represents my inherent need to love those around me. Pinkie Pie represents my sense of humor. Applebloom is my inner conscious making sure I stay on the straight and narrow path that all apples are set upon in life. And Sunset Shimmer is my need to have forgiveness within my life. AND I SHALL NOT BE DEFEATED.” Applejack's last words echoed loudly throughout the castle as she closed her eyes and yelled out the last few words.

As she did so her body lifted into the air and began to glow a bright amber onyx. Each of those that represented a side to Applejack's personality were pulled into her causing her body to contort and become human again. Opening her eyes once more her eyes glowed with all the colors of the rainbow as she stared at Twilight who was standing up on her hind hooves with her front hooves raised high above her head. Twilight was trying to cast the spell she had used on both Luna and Celestia yet to her surprise it wasn’t working.

“Work damn you….WORK” Twilight screamed out in anger as she saw her spell was not working.

“My friends are right Twilight I need to take control of this nightmare and this battle needs to end.” Applejack said as she raised her hands up towards Twilight palms facing Twilight.

Applejack launched a energy bolt at Twilight knocking her off her hooves and into a wall. Twilight hit the wall with a loud thud. Getting back up she charged Applejack only to be swatted back to the wall again. Laughing as she got back up again she said to Applejack.

“You think the power of your friends can stop me this is my world Applejack I will fully dominate you. Then when I am done with you I will go after your……. sister.” Twilight mused with a evil gleeful tone to her voice.

Applejack narrowed her eyes as Twilight once again charged her this time Applejack reached out just as Twilight came charging in and caught Twilight by the throat picking her up. Her body was fully healed and Applejack wasn’t about to let Twilight beat on her again. Applejack looked at the purple mare held in her hand then said to her softly.

“You know I pity you. I use to look up to you. I thought you were the best thing to come into my life. You just don’t get it at all. I now know that you need to go back to where you belong.” Applejack said as she broke Twilight's neck causing her to fully disappear.

As Twilight's body vanished Applejack looked around and saw both Celestia and a blue pony coming into view. As the two of them got closer Applejack said to Celestia.

“How is this possible I saw you put into that sphere that Twilight used on you Celestia. And uh, who is that with you?”Applejack said pointing at Luna.

Celestia chuckled to herself as her sister stepped forward. Celestia nodded to her sister then said to Applejack.

“Applejack this is my sister Luna the reason we are both here is because you have defeated your fear of Twilight. Thus doing so you have allowed us to be free and remain within your mind as a guide to you while you are in this dream world. I don’t fully understand it myself nor does my sister yet we are both here to help you that is if you are willing to let us.” Celestia said gently.

Applejack looked from to the other before Luna said to her.

“Applejack you have done well to defeat your inner fears please let me bring you out of this world and back home.” Princess Luna said.

Applejack looked over at the blue pony dressed in blue armor then back at Celestia and nodded. As she was about to leave to return to her own world and end the nightmare she was Applebloom appeared before the three of them as did Sunset Shimmer. Both looked at Applejack as Applebloom said to her.

“Don’t forget Applejack I will always be here with you in your dreams to keep you on the straight and narrow path.” Applebloom said as Sunset Shimmer stepped forward.

Applejack looked at her and let a few tears trickle down her amber colored cheeks as she said to her.

“Sunset can you ever forgive me for how I treated you?” Applejack said as she started to cry.

Sunset Shimmer looked peacefully at her then said softly to her.

“You need to forgive yourself first before I can do that for you Applejack. You need to fully let go of your anger and hatred otherwise you will face this nightmare again and again. Until you do let it all go.” Sunset Shimmer said as she started to fade away.

Applejack reached out to grab onto Sunset only to grab onto empty air. She fell to her knees sobbing as Luna came up to her and laid a gentle wing onto Applejack’s shoulder saying to her.

“If you follow me Mrs. Apple I can show you where you need to go in order to get out of this nightmare and to start on the path of forgiveness.” Luna said laying her wing onto Applejack's shoulder.

Applejack looked up and wiped a hand over her eyes removing the last of her tears as she stood up and faced Luna fully. Saying to her.

“I think I know what I need to do Luna but, I wish to thank you both for being there for me when I needed a friend the most.” Applejack said as she headed into the castle.

Applejack walked up the steps leading from the main gate and down the hallway leading towards Sunsets stain glass window. Once she got there she peered through it and saw a small amount of light coming from a  precipice not more than two feet from the window. Smiling to herself she took a running start and lept through the window shattering it to pieces. As she fell downwards the light below her got brighter and brighter until she finally woke up in the arms of her little sister Applebloom.  Applebloom who could see that Applejack was fully wake squealed with joy saying as she hugged her sister tightly around her waist.

“You're awake, you’re awake, you’re awake. Oh, Applejack I was so very worried about you.”

Applejack blinked for a couple of seconds then slowly sat up looking around she saw she was still in front of the school and next to the statue. Saying as she held her little sister close to her.

“It was only a dream just a really bad dream nothing more.”

Applebloom looked at her then said in confusion.

“What are you talking about Applejack? What happened after Twilight left I mean I found you here after she called me with your phone then she well…. she just left.”

“Applebloom it is not important what is how ever important is that I need to find her. Do you know where Twilight went to? Or where she is right now?” Applejack asked as she tried to get up but, fell back down holding her left side with her right hand.

“You might have some broken ribs there sis you better wait here while I call McIntosh to come pick you up.” Applebloom said as she pulled out her phone then stepped away from her sister to make the call to her brother.

After getting off the phone with McIntosh Applebloom watched as Applejack again tried to get up only to come back down again just as hard as she did when she first tried to get up. Sighing to herself Applebloom walked back over to her sister. Who yet again was trying to get up off the cold hard ground. Saying to Applejack as she looked at her sister who sat there staring at her grimly.

“You're not going to wait around for McIntosh to come pick you up are you big sis.” Applebloom asked as she looked at her sister who was still staring at her grimly.

“No I ain't I have to find Twilight I have to make things right between her and me and the whole dang lot of us.” Applejack said as she again tried to get off the ground only to fall back down holding her side while yelping in pain.

“Fine but, if Twilight beats you up again don’t come crying to me for help” Applebloom said as she held out her hand to help her sister off the ground.

Once Applejack was actually able to get up with Applebloom's help that is. She again asked her sister where Twilight was or what direction she had walked off in. Sighing again Applebloom said to her sister sternly as she held her up trying to keep the older Apple from falling over.

“I think she went down by the park past C.H.S sis although I am not sure about that. Why do you even want to make things right with that girl anyways she hurt you or do you not remember that?” Applebloom asked as she lend Applejack against her body to keep her sister from falling over.

As Applejack was about to answer Big McIntosh pulled up in his apple red colored pickup truck. Got out and opened the passenger side door for both Applebloom and Applejack to get in. Without a word to either of them he got back in then started to pull away from the school when he stopped when Applejack said to him.

“Big brother you either head for the park right this second or I swear by Granny Apple Smith's pie I WILL jump out and walk there on my own such as I am able got it?”  Applejack snapped at her brother.

McIntosh sighed then turned the wheel to the right and headed towards the park as the truck pulled up along side the curb to the entrance of the park. Both Applebloom and Applejack could see Twilight sitting on a bench near the entrance fully sobbing. Looking at her two siblings Applejack softly said to both of them.

“Alright no matter what happens next I FULLY expect you two to stay put. Do you both understand me?” Applejack said as she pushed open the passenger side door and slid out of the truck.    

Applejack limped as best she could over to the bench that Twilight was sitting on. Applejack looking at her crying friend couldn’t help but, feel that she needed to at least listen to Twilight before chastising Twilight for her behavior towards her. Looking down at her as Applejack listened to Twilight cry she saw in her hands Twilight was holding Sunset’s suicide note and sitting in front of her was Sunset’s journal. Twilight said while crying fully.

“It...was..my..fault...I LET you die Sunset...I put…. state….a...affairs...a...ahead…. my own… personal…. friendships.” Twilight said while sobbing.

Applejack slowly knelt down in front of Twilight and took her by her hands saying to her gently.

“Oh, Sugar cube it wasn’t your fault. No one could have known that Sunset was going to take this road. You may be one of the most powerful people…..erh… I mean ponies in Equestria, But even you can’t foresee the future. And even if you could there still wouldn’t have been anything you could have done to change it.”

“Why did I leave her here after the Fall Formal I should have taken her home with me” Twilight wailed out in anger and sadness.

Applejack sat down next to Twilight and pulled Twilight into a tight embrace letting her cry on her shoulders. Seeing that Twilight needed a friend now more than ever made her seem less scary than what she was in Applejacks mind when she fought with her. Twilight cried out to Applejack saying to her as she cried.

“I hate this world. I hate what happened to her. I just want this nightmare to be over with. I want Sunset to be alive again. Why does it hurt so much?” Twilight said sobbing into Applejacks shoulders.

“It hurts because our friendship with her was real and was good. It hurts because we all have to carry the weight of what happened to her with us for the rest of our lives. It hurts because we were indeed her friends. Sunset dieing how she did left a hole in our hearts one that no matter what we do will never be fulfilled.” Applejack said rubbing Twilight's back trying to calm her down.

“I was so happy when she wrote to me telling me that she was falling in love. I thought that maybe she would have a chance at a good life and at knowing what true love and friendship was suppose to be. That maybe she had truly been given a chance to be absolutely happy here.” Twilight said crying even harder than before.

“Shhh it is going to be alright Twilight I am here now I will help you through this”. Applejack said as she held Twilight close to her letting her cry fully into her shoulders.

“I am so very sorry for how I reacted to you Applejack I don’t deserve to be your friend not with what I did to you.” Twilight sobbed.

“It’s ok Twilight I am not angry with you not any more. I know now that you were just hurting when you hit and kicked me you were hurting maybe more so than the rest of us were.” Applejack said soothingly to Twilight.

“How can you even say that to me? I don’t understand why you are not angry with me for how I attacked you and hurt you Applejack.”Twilight said as she stopped crying.

“I can say that fully to you because I know now that your heart was broken by what we all did to Sunset Shimmer. I know now that in the moment you attacked me you were not acting on guilt but rather on rage from a broken heart. A heart that we all broke due to how we treated her. I know that your heart was broken and that you were in pain from what we did. I have to live with that knowledge for the rest of my life Twilight. I have to live knowing that I not only helped end one beautiful life in this world. But, that I also played a part in breaking the heart of a good friend of mine. That is how I can say that to you.”Applejack said softly to Twilight.

Twilight laid down on Applejacks lap still allowing some tears to fall as she laid there she said to her.

“I came here because this is where I formally became friends with Sunset. It was shortly after the Battle of the Bands Applejack. Sunset was having a hard time fitting in and I wanted to help her. So I met her here and we talked for what seemed like hours.” Twilight said looking out towards the park watching the sun slowly dip over the horizon.  

Applejack laid her hands onto Twilight's head and back and massaged them gently while saying to her softly.

“We will both deeply miss her Twilight. We both cared very much for her.”

Twilight closed her eyes saying to Applejack as she slowly sat back up.

“I miss her so much Applejack I miss her smile, her laughter, her sense of humor and her… her…” Twilight couldn’t finish her sentence as she started to sob again burying her face into her hands.

Applejack pulled the sobbing girl into another tight embrace as she cried out in anger.

“I hate your sisters and her two friends for doing this Sunset!” Twilight cried out in anger as she held onto Applejack’s body fully accepting the embrace she was giving to her.

Applejack closed her eyes tightly at the sound of Twilight saying she hated her little sister. Applejack never wanted Twilight to hate anyone least of all Applebloom. As Applejack held Twilight tightly in her arms she didn’t notice her little sister disobeying her order to stay in the truck with McIntosh. Applebloom slowly made her way up to the two of them saying softly as she came within hearing distance of both Applejack and Twilight. Applebloom stammered on her words as she tried to speak to Twilight.

“Tw..Twi...Twilight… I… am….s...s..sorry...for…. w...what...we did...t..t..to...Sun...Sunset. P..P..Please...can… you.. f..f..forgive….us for...this?” Applebloom said as tears streamed down her cheeks.

Twilight hearing the little girl's voice stopped crying fully and pushed herself away from Applejack as she turned and screamed at Applebloom.

“FORGIVE YOU!?! WHY BY ALL OF SWEET CELESTIA SHOULD I EVER FORGIVE YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE!?!” Twilight screamed in anger at being asked to forgive Applejacks little sister.

Applejack wanted to say something to Twilight for yelling at her sister like that but, she chose to let Twilight have her say knowing that getting into with Twilight right now wouldn’t help matters any. Twilight slowly stood up and grabbed onto Applebloom then picked her up as she was about to hit the little girl she suddenly stopped and dropped to her knees. Twilight pulled Applebloom into a tight embrace hugging her tightly. Whispering into the the thirteen year old's ear as she held her in her arms.

“Why Applebloom, Why would you do something so foolish? Why did you do something selfish? You were suppose to be the kindest, most gentle person that I know. Why would you do this? Please I beg you tell me why?” Twilight said into Applebloom’s ear as she held her in her arms.

Applebloom threw her arms around Twilight and fully sobbed out as she cried holding onto Twilight hoping and praying that Twilight wouldn’t hurt her for what she was about to say to her.

“I thought Sunset was stealing my sister from me. I overheard Applejack and Granny Smith talking about letting Sunset move into our home at Sweet Apple arcs. I over heard Applejack say that Sunset was going to become her sister so I got scared that I was going to lose my sister and be replaced by Sunset. I thought my family didn’t love me any more. Applejack was always hanging around Sunset doing all the things that she and I would do. I was so afraid of losing Applejack that I didn’t even bother to think what Sunset might do to herself if she lost all her friends. I just wanted my big sister back and I wanted things to be back to normal like how they were before you or Sunset showed up in our lives.” Applebloom wailed out crying into Twilight's shoulders.

Twilight pushed Applebloom gently away from her and slowly stood up. Then took Applejack by the hand and placed her hand onto her sister's shoulder saying to both Applebloom  and Applejack.

“I can not and will not forgive either of you for what you both have done to Sunset Shimmer. You both will have to live with this for the rest of your lives. But, maybe perhaps in time, a very, very long time from now…. I might be able to….. forgive you both for this. But not now. You both need to deal with this in your own way. I am so very hurt and angry with you both for what happened to Sunset while she was under your care. You Applejack are supposed to be the element of honesty. Meaning you should have KNOWN right from the start when Sunset said to you all. That she was innocent of the matter that she was accused of she REALLY was telling you all the truth. And you Applebloom should have known that your sister could never, ever replace you with any one no matter how hard you wanted to believe it. What you both have done has hurt me and has cost the life of someone that was very special. Someone that needed a home and friends that could treat her like family. And not like she was nothing more than trash to be tossed aside when things got a little rough. Now I need to go. I have said what I wanted to say and I need to leave. I will return for Sunsets funeral and then I will close the portal to this world forever.” Twilight said to Applejack and Applebloom as she slowly walked away from them.

Applejack looked down seeing the book that Sunset used to use to Write to Twilight in was still laying on the ground she picked it up and called after Twilight.

“Wait before you go back to Equestria please at least take Sunset’s journals with you so that you will have a means to look back on all the happy memories that you have of her Twilight.” Applejack said as she held out the book to Twilight.

Twilight stopped in her tracks before turning back around and saying to both of them as she looked at them both sternly.

“Journals Sunset only had one journal Applejack.” Twilight said to Applejack sternly.

“No Twilight Sunset kept this one and she also kept another one. One that she put her most profound deepest thoughts into. I think Principal Celestia has that one. Why not let me call her and ask her to bring it to the funeral so that you can collect then be on your way afterwards?” Applejack asked as stood there holding out the journal to Twilight.

Twilight looked at her then down at the journal and said to Applejack as she reached out for the book.

“Alright I will return your phone to you afterwards you need to call Celestia. Request she brings the other journal with her to Sunsets funeral. Make it clear to her that is going to be the last time anyone in this world will see me or that journal again. Do you fully understand me?” Twilight said as she took the journal from Applejack’s out stretched hands and then handed over Applejack's phone.

Applejack nodded took her phone from Twilight and called Principal Celestia. Applejack placed the phone onto speaker so that Twilight could hear every word that Principal Celestia said. As the phone rang Applejack thought to herself.

“Sunset is right I need to forgive myself for what I did to her in order to move on but, how can I move on when it just hurts so much?”

Principal Celestia answered her phone with her peaceful regale voice.

“Hello Applejack it is good to hear from you.”

“As it is good to hear from you as well. Listen Principal Celestia I was wondering when is Sunset Shimmer’s funeral going to be held and where will it be held?” Applejack asked with uncertainty in her voice.

“Her funeral will be held on Monday of next week at the local church just past C.H.S. I have already taken the liberty of having a tombstone carved and placed at the local cemetery for her.” Celestia replied.

“That sounds like it would be a good place to hold it. Listen I would like to know if you could do Twilight and myself a huge favor” Applejack replied.

“Sure in this time of need we all need to be there for one another. What is it you would like me to do for you and Twilight?” Asked Principal Celestia.

“Could you bring the journal that Sunset wrote her private thoughts in with you to the funeral so that I can give it to Twilight? She wants to take it back with her to Equestria. You see this will be our last time seeing either her or Sunset's journal in this world. For  you see Twilight means to close the portal to our world for good when she leaves here after Sunset Shimmer’s funeral”

“I see Applejack I wish I could do that for you and Twilight but, I can not. I gave that book to Pinkie Pie to remind her of all the good times she had with Sunset. Now that Sunset is gone Pinkie needs all the good attention she can get. She was a real wreck when I drove her home after Sunset took her own life.”

“I see so then I will have to ask Pinkie about that then.” Applejack said and she grimaced at the mere thought of how bad that conversation was going to be.

“There is something else that you need to know Applejack.” Celestia said sternly.

“And that would be what?” Asked Applejack not sure as to what Celestia was about to say to her.

“Because the journal in question was a binder and not an actual book I went through it and took out all of the entries that talked about Sunset hurting herself. Or about how she had self doubt I didn’t want Pinkie to remember that side of Sunset’s life  nor have to read about it. Not with how bad things are for her right now.” Celestia said as she sighed heavily.

“How bad is it with Pinkie?” Applejack asked softly.

“It’s bad Applejack I know it has only been two days since Sunset’s death but, from what I understand she has taken to locking herself in her room. She won’t eat and from what her mother tells me she won’t sleep either. She has spent the last two days in bed crying her eyes out.” Celestia replied with a hint of worry in her tone of voice.

“Alright I will head over there once Twilight and I are done here at the park.” Applejack said as she was about to hang up the phone.

“Applejack is Twilight with you now and if so may I speak with her please?” Celestia said.

“Hello Principal Celestia.” Twilight replied.

“Applejack take me off speaker phone and hand the phone to Twilight.” Principal Celestia said in a deadpan voice.  

Applejack didn’t reply to this she instead complied with Celestia's request. Applejack lowered the phone then pressed the ‘speaker off’ button and handed it to Twilight. Showing her how to hold it and how to place it against her ear so she could talk into it. Once she was satisfied that Twilight understood what to do with it. Applejack backed away and sat back down on the bench she and Twilight had been sitting on earlier while Twilight spoke to Principal Celestia in private.

“Twilight I know you must be very upset right now with everyone at C.H.S. I know that you must feel that we betrayed Sunset Shimmer and you would not be wrong to feel that way. We did betray her and we did break her heart. I just wanted to let you know that we will do all that we can do to make amends for this horrible action. Those that did this to her have been expelled from school I will do what I can about getting a memorial set up for Sunset to bring honor and light back to her name.” Celestia said to Twilight.

“And all this is suppose to make me feel better right?” Twilight all but snarled into the phone with her reply to Principal Celestia.

“I don’t know if it is going to make you feel better or not Twilight all I can do if offer you that and hope for the best.” Principal Celestia replied calmly.

“You are right about one thing Principal Celestia I am angry about Sunset’s death. I am angry with how she was so very poorly treated here after I left her here in the care of those that I honestly thought would be able to help her. But, instead I learn that those same people that were suppose to help her wound up hurting her. Pinkie Pie is the one that I am mostly angry with above all the others in this world. She is the one that I want to vent my anger towards the absolute most and if she was here now believe me I would do just that.” Twilight said angrily to Celestia over the phone.

“I don’t understand Twilight from what I understand Pinkie’s only real issue in all this was to fall in love with Sunset I don’t understand why you are so upset with her.” Celestia replied.

“Because she SLEPT with Sunset. Doing something like that may not seem like a big deal to you or to your people. But, in the world where Sunset came from, in the world where I come from doing that is a an act of asking one to marry that pony...er.. I mean person.” Twilight replied heatedly to Celestia.

“I see. I don’t know what all happened between them Twilight but, I fully understand your anger.” Celestia said calmly.

“I highly doubt you could ever begin to fully grasp how angry I am. Now according to you Sunset’s funeral will be held on Monday correct?” Asked Twilight.

“Yes Twilight that is correct her funeral will be held on Monday. The school will be closed for the funeral that day.” Replied Celestia softly.

“I see then that gives me two days to think about some things. Things that I can not and will not say right now. Things that I need to consider fully before I return. I will see you at her funeral and Celestia.” Twilight said angrily to Celestia.

“Yes Twilight?” Asked Celestia.

“As far as I am concerned my friendship with this world and it’s people is done after Monday and after I close the portal for good my friendship with you and those that live here dies.” Twilight said as she handed the phone back to Applejack who hung it up.

Applebloom hearing those words raced forwards and grabbed Twilight by her waist begging her to reconsider giving up her friendship with Applejack and the others. Twilight turned her head away from the sobbing child holding onto her waist and placed both hands onto Applebloom’s shoulders gently pushing her off of her. Then slowly walked away sobbing herself.  As Twilight walked away she heard Applebloom cry out to her.

“Twilight please don’t let our friendship die. Please we never meant for any of this to happen you have to believe us TWILIGHT.” Applebloom cried out while fully sobbing.

Applejack knelt down and gently picked up her little sister carrying her back to the truck put her inside the truck as Applebloom wailed. Applejack climbed in then nodded to McIntosh to drive. As they pulled away from the curb of the street that the park was located on. Applejack took one last final look at her former friend that day as Twilight's image slowly disappeared from view while a few tears slipped down her amber colored cheeks. Applejack sighed then rested her head on the passenger side window of her brothers truck and closed her eyes while Applebloom cried herself to sleep inside the truck. Next Chapter: Chapter 10. Estimated time remaining: 13 Hours, 9 Minutes