"GET OUT OF THE WAY!" I screamed at all kinds of ponies, mostly rich and lavish ones as Uncle Orange galloped through the noisy, crowded streets of Manehattan with me on his back. We had no time for games. This was the most crucial moment in my entire life. There was so much at stake I could barely put it all together. The human riding his uncle to his mare wife. What if we failed? How would I tell the Apple family? Where do we go from there? All I could think about was a heart-broken Applejack, who's pure heart had been shattered at the hands of a jealous, selfish unicorn. No! No! No! Applejack, I'm coming! I'm so sorry! I am so... so... sorry!

I couldn't help but blame all of her problems on me. The current crisis we were existed because of one thing, and that was the fact that I was a human. But all of that was changing. Now it was me, Uncle Orange, and Applejack against Trixie. But we had to get her before she did. Terrible thoughts were raging through my mind if we failed, as well as some of the deepest thoughts of love I had ever experienced for her to date. If we don't get to her before Trixie does, that means... she'll be a slave to some... stallion who doesn't respect her or love her at all, only for himself. Not Applejack. Not my innocent little country flower!   "NOOOOO!" I cried again from Uncle Orange's back at the thought of such things, pulling out my hair with one hand and gripping his mane tightly with my other hand, struggling to stay on.

"Hold on, son!" he cried to me as he ran at full speed in the middle of street. Hold on? I looked in front of us, and we were coming to our first real obstacle of the night; a busy intersection with lines of carriages perpindicular to us, with ponies in front of us waiting their turn. This isn't a great time for me to explain this kind of thing, but it's rather odd how ponies travel in this city. The richest ponies ride in said carriages, but those carriages are also pulled by ponies. Other ponies take turns pulling and then riding their carriages. But either way, as Uncle Orange galloped down the city street in between the skyscrapers, there was no way around this one, only waiting. But Uncle Orange had other plans. He was heading right for the carriage in the middle of the intersection, not slowing down at all. The stallion pulling this particular carriage turned his head in fear as he saw my charging uncle headed straight for him.

"You're gonna jump over him??"

"We're not waiting!"

Without much choice, I wrapped my arms around his neck and squeezed tightly, shutting my eyes and burying my head on his mane. His back legs propelled the both of us high into the air, and I opened one of my eyes to see us floating right over the screaming stallion's back. Uncle hit the ground with a thud, and I felt my body weight shifting backward and I would've flown off if I didn't have such a strong grip on his mane. I looked behind me to see the stallion we leapt over looking at us in anger, but that meant nothing to us. I looked ahead, and in the corner of my eye, I saw in my own imagination a smiling Applejack at me in the stars, draped in her beautiful dress. "Applejack!" I cried desperately.  My anxiety was at a level I've never experienced. Picturing her gave me so much comfort and made my heart so warm, just as looking at her did, but now, it only made me more helpless and scared. This was either going to be the worst night of my life, or perhaps the best if we got to her before she drank the potion and all ended well.

Uncle Orange turned the corner onto another street violently, almost losing his balance as his hooves and legs slid and scrambled on the street pavement. Once again I found myself desperately reaching for his mane to hang on to, all the while trying to keep my balance so I didn't fall off. I was so scared the entire time, especially when I came close to falling off. I was very young, but I was growing up before my own eyes, and responding positively under pressure. A side of athleticism to stay on him on my part that I never knew existed was showing. It was probably determination to save and be with the apple farmer that I ever so loved. If we couldn't get to her, two hearts would be forever lost, not just one.

He raced along with me on his back, towards our destination; Manehattan Castle, where Applejack was a helpless sitting duck. As skyscrapers, restaurants, ponies, street lights, and other things that come from the city whizzed past me, I could see what appeared to be the edge of the city in front of me. The light from the moon dimly shined its light on what appeared to be grassy hills a few feet in front of me, but the castle was no where in sight. He was determined; and even after all he had done to me, I couldn't help but admire his churning legs and remorseful heart. I didn't feel it was in my place to encourage him, but this was an extraordinarily unexpected moment of bonding between the two of us. He was doing this for me, who he previously despised, and if only we got to Applejack. I could see myself hugging her so tightly and whispering in her ear; We won his approval, Applejack. We did it. He loves you so much, and so do I. But we weren't there yet.

"Are we close?" I yelled to him.

"We're almost t-there!" he panted back to me, not looking back. Kindness and appreciation was strong in me despite all he had done to me, and as scared as I was.

"I can't thank you enough for this," I yelled again over the noise of the city and the rushing wind from his running. He turned his head and gave a small, sad smile, as though he felt terrible but nonetheless found my words encouraging. He lowered his head as though ashamed with himself again, all the while galloping his legs back and fourth, then raised his head and began panting even harder, and seemingly running even faster.

We turned right on the corner of the last city block before the grass hills, the magnificent castle was a few thousand feet in front of us, just outside of the city and on top of a hill. It was gloriously lit and huge, with towers and a large front gate. It was at ten o'clock to my vision, while the great skyline of Manehattan was at two o'clock. Both were outlined by a majestic night sky of nothing but stars and the moon that shone right over the castle. He ran down the street and then faded left into the grass until we came to a stone path that led up to the castle. We were a few minutes away from the moment of truth. A few minutes away from unbearable sadness and failure, or the most joyous reunion of husband and wife there ever was.

I was helpless on his back as I stared up at the stars and thought about Applejack as deeply as I ever have. Here I was, the young human, madly in love with an Earth pony, and all of my fear that was getting out of control. All of which would end the second Applejack was safely in my arms. All of my memories with her were raging through my mind, as well as every quality that I loved about her. All of the days on the farm with her, all of the times we laid in the meadows and comforted each other, all the laughs and cute moments. I had to believe that I would once again rest my head on her body that was so soft, warm, and loving, and my life with her would go back to the way it was on Sweet Apple Acres, with nothing but love and happiness. She made so nervous to impress, but I felt so warm and fuzzy when she smiled at me. I felt like all was right in the world, and that there was no meaning to the fact that we were human and pony.

I didn't want to have all of these deep thoughts about her at this time, I wanted to be focused on saving her. But as I said before, I couldn't help myself, and it didn't help that there were no more ponies to dodge, no more leaps from Uncle Orange that threatened to throw me off, at least not while we ran up to the castle. I could hear her words from when we slept in the barn together, the night after the dinner with the Oranges. Ah’ love you so much, sugarcube. You make me feel so special! Yer the kindest, sweetest, cutest, pure-hearted husband a mare could ask for, and I wouldn’t trade nothin’ for you.

Her voice, and her country accent which was a big part of her speech, was the friendliest, sweetest music I had ever heard. It was just like her personality. I looked up to the stars again and involuntarily pictured her staring at me with a look that said "I will always love you, even if you can't save me." It was torture to me to picture her like that, knowing what fate could possibly lie ahead for her. I love you so much, Applejack. Mare or human, you are the most wonderful thing I have ever experienced in life. I want nothing more than to go back to Sweet Apple Acres and spend the rest of my life there with you, loving and caring for you with all of my heart, my mind, my soul, and my strength. I know I stand up straight, and I have hands and not hooves, but I promise you... I will never do anything to hurt you or disrespect you, you who have the purest, strongest, most beautiful and most respectable heart. And she did. If anything, I actually loved her more because she was an Earth pony, and not a pegasus or unicorn. She was the humblest of all, and she knew this and accepted it completely. I've never met a girl in my entire life that I could say something like that about except her.

But the deepest feeling of love I have ever had for her came over me as I once again stared into the endless abyss of stars that shined over the world of Equestria in which I lived. My heart and soul relaxed in a way that I can't describe. Not relaxed as in I was no longer worried, but my mind was drifting to a realm of thoughts I had never truly thought of, and it felt as though the love of Applejack was clearing but also slowing down my mind, which had been nothing but a raging torrent before now. I did have a few minutes as we approached the still somewhat distant castle where I couldn't do anything but helplessly wait.

I couldn't avoid it anymore. Visions of Applejack and I cuddling and hugging in the meadows, the barn, under a tree were flashing before me again, but I was only looking at Applejack with the strongest and deepest admiration and affection. I heard the words deep from in my heart saying something that was familiar, but this time in a different way, not with sadness. They were words that were as much a truth to me as 'water is wet.' Applejack... the most wonderful mother that any foal ever had.

These kind of thoughts are not something I take idly. This was a big deal to me. The thought of thinking of having children with Applejack was frightening to me, because that required something that perhaps disrespected her. I looked up at the sky with desperation and horror in my very young eyes. I can't disrespect you, Applejack. I can't! You have such a beautiful heart, I-I don't... I don't want to compromise it! I hated to admit it to myself at first, but at that moment, the feeling of being a dad to a foal that had Applejack as a mom was one of the most wonderful feelings that ever came over me. I love her so much. She would tell you that she is my mare, but no, I am her human. I belonged to her. My feelings for her were so strong that it made me happy to devote myself entirely to her, especially if it meant hard work or even suffering on my part. And after everyday, we would end our work, and spend time together, doing all sorts of things that you already know well. But best of all, she would allow me to rest my head on her, or wrap me in her loving arms, with all of our love pouring out of our hearts for the other. Never before has my heart been so soft as when she held me in her arms. The arms of my best friend. You're so pure, Applejack, I'm just... scared of disrespecting you.

I was crying. I'm not sure why, but I was. Another realization came over me. Foals are pure. If she... if she wanted a foal, then I wouldn't be compromising her purity, would I? Foals are wonderful things. I was no longer seeing the night sky or the castle, but my imagination was vividly imagining Applejack clothed in only the sun's rays. Sure, she was a pony, but human, pony, whatever, she was still a beautiful creature. The most beautiful creature I had ever seen. And at that moment, I came to a decision that I never fully comprehended or thought much of until then. I shared the element of honesty with her, I couldn't help but be honest with myself.  The deepest feeling of love I ever felt for her. If Applejack wanted to have a foal with me, then... then I would. I would, and I would be ... wonderfully happy to bear such a responsibility with her. But if and only if she wanted to. I love her too much to do anything like that unless she wanted one.

But after I came to wonderful terms with my heart, I was reminded of the simple fact that nothing was certain. We hadn't saved her yet, and I needed her, simply safe and sound, in my arms. Where do we go if I reach her, my most beloved country mare, and she's not enchanted? Do we leave after our most joyous and dramatic reunion, leaving Trixie free of justice? If we failed, she would be a slave to someone who didn't respect her, and the arrogant, cruel mare who was carrying this whole thing out would be triumphant. I felt my anxiety rising again to the same levels they were just a few moments ago, and my heart even more desperate for Applejack.

"Reach into my pocket on my chest and grab the tickets!"

The voice of my uncle thrusted me back into reality. I felt the wind in my face again, and I saw clearly the towering, regal castle where our fate would be decided only a few hundred yards in front us. I was suddenly so helplessly scared and desperate that my heart rate was beating as fast as it ever has in my entire life, and it felt like I was on the verge of having a heart attack. Uncle Orange whinnied again as we approached the gate, using up his final energy on this last stretch. Here I am, Applejack! Here we are! We're here! The moment had finally came. It felt like an eternity since I'd seen her, and she was only a small distance away from me. The moment of truth! I wrapped one arm around his neck and reached down with my other, feeling around for his pocket as we bounced up and down. I slid my fingers through the opening in his tux on his chest and pulled out two golden tickets.

Without a second glance, I looked back up and prepared myself as we approached the great wooden castle gate and burst through the open doors. The human on the back of his uncle, a pony, rampaging through the castle, was now turning the head of every pony inside. First was a narrow hallway, with a red carpet floor and fancy paintings on the walls and chandeliers on the ceilings. In front of us letting ponies in were six armored guard stallions, and when they saw us, their mouths dropped open with shock, along with the ponies they were letting in. I'm not sure what they were more surprised of; me, a human, or the charging stallion that I was riding on who was galloping like a pony possessed. I showed them the tickets as we ran closer, and flashed it to them as we ran by, and they barely acknowledged our tickets and continued staring at me, seemingly frozen. As soon as we made it through, I looked forward for any sign of Applejack.

Uncle Orange ran through the grand ballroom, which was huge, and supported by great stone pillars. There were all kinds of fancy ponies and music going on, but we turned the heads of everypony near us as we ran through to the garden.

"Where is she? WHERE IS SHE?" I yelled, looking around desperately for her through the crowd. It was quite noisy inside and outside, equally as crowded in both spots. As Uncle Orange galloped into the grass, the intensity heightened. From inside the crowd, which was genuinely too into the music and noise and mingling that was going on to notice us, the white stallion with the blue mane who escorted me to Trixie at the Prancing Pony appeared in front of us with two other stallions; one a grey unicorn with a black mane and the other white Earth pony with a blonde mane. They had hardened expressions on their faces, and their eyes; something about their eyes was strange. They looked as though they knew us, and were against what we were doing. Uncle Orange pulled back and slid forward on his hind legs, neighing and forcing me to once again grab for his mane. He stopped but a few feet in front of them.

"Holy cats, who are these guys??" I cried.

"They must be Trixie's studs!"

"Studs?!?"

As horrific as that was to think of, that Trixie had actually used the potion at this mingle on stallions to make them fall in love with her, it didn't really matter to me at that moment. What mattered to me was getting to Applejack. The most intense moment of my life was at it's peak, and I was so desperately in need and in love that I would be willing to do anything to get to her. I was so scared that she'd already been given the potion. But what happened next was unexpected for me, even though it was perhaps inevitable. Uncle Orange began kicking his right front leg and snorting. He was getting ready to charge the three of them. The three of them crouched down, ready. Uncle charged forward, attempting to run right into them. He hit the stallion in the middle, the one who escorted me, with a thud, and I flew off his back forward past all of them, but I faceplanted into the ground.

With burning fire in my soul and my blood, I found the strength to get up and move my legs so I was moving forward, and it took me a second to regain my balance. Applejack, where are you? I need you! Applejack! I got up to run, but not before the two stallions whom Uncle Orange was not fighting tackled me to the ground. No, I am not about to be stopped by you two! I AM NOT!! They placed their heavy bodies on both of my arms so I could hardly move. I struggled with all of my will and all of my strength, but I couldn't free myself from their grip. I was helpless. More helpless and more desperate then I have ever been in my life. At that moment, I truly believed I failed. I thought that was it. I thought I wouldn't be able to free myself, and that Applejack and I would never be together. But as I looked hopelessly upward through the crowd, a young mare moved out of the way, and through the ponies, about seventy-feet from me... was her. Applejack. I saw her for a brief moment, and my resistance stopped. She was facing away from me, and a blue unicorn stallion, Trixie's brother, whom I saw in the vision in the water bowl that Trixie had shown me, was standing right in front of her. My heart shattered with broken sadness I can't describe. I had failed. My life had basically ended.

But then I saw him raising two glasses of a pink liquid for the two of them to drink, and she was backing up nervously. I couldn't believe my eyes. It hadn't happened yet. But she was about to drink it, and fall in love with Trixie's brother. As my last hope, I looked up at the sky and closed my eyes, and I let out the loudest and most desperate call I have yelled in my entire life. I called for the mare I ever so needed and I loved with all of my heart. I gave perhaps my last bit of strength that I would ever have again. My voice cracked and choked as it scorched the ears of my captors.

"APPLEJACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The two stallions who were holding me down started panicking, not expecting this move on my part. Once again, from the depths of my heart, I cried with all of my strength for the pony I ever so needed. The saddest cry there ever was, from perhaps the most pitiful creature in the land.

"APPLEJACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

One of the stallions kicked me in the stomach with his front leg, knocking the wind of me, while the other one put his hoof on my mouth. Now my body and my heart were in unbearable pain. I tried with all of my might to get up one last time, but I couldn't. But as I laid there on my back, helpless and hopeless, my dreams shattered, my heart broken beyond repair, there was suddenly a thunderous noise of running hooves as ponies in front of me rushed to get out of the way.

She had come for me at last. My hero. Applejack ran forward at us with a look of true rage in her eyes, the same rage that I had when Trixie insulted her in front of me. She galloped forward, the two stallions holding me down looked up in fear at her, and she crouched her legs, leapt forward at us, and tackled one of them to the ground with a strength and anger that I've never seen before. Then she got up and bucked the stallion in the face, leaving him on the ground lackadaisically. The other stallion got up off me and disappeared into the crowd, as Applejack ran after him for only a moment.

She turned around and ran back to me, laying down right beside me and putting her front legs on my stomach and laying her head on my chest. I felt all the happiness and all of the peace that I had felt before coming back to me. Weakened by physical pain, I felt my strength coming back to me. The tears of joy began flowing freely from both of us as I began staring into her emerald eyes, the gorgeous eyes that reflected all of her love onto me, and gave me more strength and happiness then I ever dreamed of.

"A-Applej-jack?" I said, with a weak voice and a gentle smile. I've never seen more love in her eyes than I did right then. To see her looking at me like that, with so much love and desperation that I shared with her, was for me to be in heaven of heavens. It was more than heaven. It was more than a dream come true. Her warm, soft body on top of mine again, with her beautiful heart pumping all kinds of magic into mine with every breath she took. My hopes and dreams were restored. She was safe. And I was with her again, after being separated for what seemed like an eternity. My innocent little flower's heart was not tampered with.

"Oh, sugarcube... ah' love you so much," she whispered.  

"I love you," I said, shaking my head and wrapping my arms around her.

"Awwww," she whispered. It was perfect. I didn't need anything more than what I had right then. My hero and my best friend wrapped with me in a loving hug, the most joyful reunion there ever was. My head fell back to the ground and I closed my eyes, breathing heavily, but softer with every inhale. We did it. She's safe. The words wrung throughout my head with triumph, and from the depths of my soul, I loved the mare on top of me with all of my heart, and just like that, true happiness had returned in me.

Until one familiar voice from a young mare that was untouched chimed in from a few feet in front of us, from a light blue unicorn mare with a white mane and a glamorous, sparkly white dress. A very, very angry mare who was against the adorable good will of my beloved apple farmer.

"Well, isn't that adorable. The human and the apple bucking mare, what a lovely couple you two make. Too bad that it won't last the night."